Two companion bills were introduced in the Illinois legislature Wednesday that would legalize still another form of gambling in the state.
The bills, one introduced in the state Senate and the other in the state House, would legalize Illinois online casinos, often referred to as iGaming or iCasino.
The bills, if they became law, would likely legalize casino-style games, such as slots and table games. Customers would be able to access these games on personal computers and mobile devices, such as tablets and smart phones.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
What Illinois Online Casino Would Entail
Illinois already has traditional casinos with one planned for Chicago. Retail and the list of Illinois sports betting sites launched in 2020. And there’s widespread distribution of video lottery terminals (VLTs) — which are gambling devices similar to slot machines — in convenience stores and truck stops.
The new gambling proposals for iGaming were introduced by Democratic state Sen. Cristina Castro from Elgin and Democratic state Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. from Chicago.
Both pieces of legislation — HB2239, introduced by Gonzalez, and SB1656 from Sen. Castro — are identical in language. They would authorize an “Internet gaming operator to offer Internet gaming in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Provides that Internet gaming shall only be offered by an Internet gaming license or an Internet management services provider that has contracted with an Internet gaming licensee. Provides that an Internet gaming licensee shall offer no more than (three) individually branded Internet gaming skins.”
The tax on gaming operators would be 15%. Many sports betting operators, such as BetMGM Sportsbook Illinois, also offer online casino games in other jurisdictions and would be in good position to enter that portion of the market in The Land of Lincoln.
Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First wager after registration must qualify. Min. Odds: -500. Max. Bonus Bet: $250. Awarded as non-withdrawable Bonus Bet that expires 14 days after receipt. Bonus Bet amount not returned for winning bets. Void where prohibited. See http://Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit http://mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit http://1800gambler.net ; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2025, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER DC, LA: Call 1-800-522-4700 MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)
Process Just Beginning for Illinois iGaming Bills
As far as the progress of the new bills, the one in the House was simply filed on Feb. 8, according to the Illinois General Assembly website. SB 1656 had a first reading and was referred to Assignments on Wednesday.
The introduction of iCasino legislation in Illinois is obviously just the first step on the road to legalization of online slots and table games.
Even those in the gambling industry concede iCasino generally faces more resistance in state legislatures than sports gambling proposals do, even though online gambling would be a logical next step in Illinois considering the state's history.
Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First wager after registration must qualify. Min. Odds: -500. Max. Bonus Bet: $250. Awarded as non-withdrawable Bonus Bet that expires 14 days after receipt. Bonus Bet amount not returned for winning bets. Void where prohibited. See http://Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit http://mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit http://1800gambler.net ; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2025, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER DC, LA: Call 1-800-522-4700 MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)
Online Casino Often Difficult Fight To Win
More than 30 jurisdictions have approved sports gambling, with many of them adopting internet sports wagering. But iCasino — which usually generates far more revenue for operators and taxes for the states than sports betting alone — is legal in just six U.S. states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, West Virginia and Connecticut.
Nevada has internet peer-to-peer poker but not online slots or online casino table games.
Illinois has 11 brick-and-mortar casinos, including four near Chicago. But a Chicago casino project from Bally’s would be the first such facility within The Windy City itself. Bally’s gained approval for the $1.7 billion project, at W. Chicago Avenue and Halstead Street.
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