Illinois has been on the cusp of iGaming legalization but continues to falter
After several setbacks, Illinois Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. is still committed to pushing for the legalization of iGaming in the state. Despite the failure of recent attempts to pass online casino legislation, Gonzalez remains determined to bring the issue back to the table in 2025.
Currently, seven US states have legalized iGaming, enabling licensed gambling operators to offer real-money casino games online and via mobile platforms. Illinois has made multiple attempts to join this group, but none have succeeded so far.
In February 2023, Gonzalez introduced House Bill 2239, aiming to legalize online casinos in Illinois. However, the bill faced significant challenges. It took almost a year just to get the bill assigned to the House Gaming Committee, and it was eventually referred to the House Rules Committee. Unfortunately, the bill failed to pass the committee and did not advance to a vote.
State Sen. Cristina Castro has also been a strong advocate for iGaming in Illinois. She sponsored a similar piece of legislation, Senate Bill 1565, which has been introduced multiple times. Like Gonzalez’s efforts, Castro’s bill struggled to move past the committee stage and did not reach a vote.
Both bills proposed that online casino operators licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board could operate up to three ‘skins’ and would be subject to a 15% tax on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR). This structure is similar to the models adopted by other states that have successfully implemented iGaming.
With the Illinois General Assembly set to reconvene in January, there is hope that progress can be made. Both Gonzalez and Castro plan to reintroduce their bills in an effort to finally bring legalized online casinos to Illinois. They believe that with continued effort and growing support, Illinois can become the next state to embrace the benefits of iGaming.
The push for iGaming in Illinois highlights the growing trend of states seeking to modernize their gambling laws to include online platforms. Legalizing iGaming can provide significant revenue for states, and advocates argue that it also offers a safer, regulated environment for players.
