ILLINOIS GOVERNOR APPROVES GAMBLING AMENDMENTS

Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker has signed legislation amending various bills related to sports betting, horse racing, casinos and video gaming terminals.

The adopted legislation will eliminate the in-person account registration requirement for online sports betting by March 5, 2022, and changes the renewal period for a supplier license from one year to four years.

After the initial four-year term, supplier licenses will be subject to an annual license fee of $150,000.

The amendments also allow existing manufacturer, distributor, or supplier licensees under the Video Gaming Act, or suppliers under the Sports Wagering Act, to secure additional supplier licensure under the Illinois Gambling Act without additional Board investigation or approval.

The definition of a Sports Facility has been amended to lower the minimum seating capacity from 17,000 to 10,000 seats in a municipality with a population of more than one million, allowing these facilities to apply for Master Sports Wagering licenses.

Betting on sports events involving an Illinois collegiate team will be legalised until July 1, 2023, with such bets limited to Tier 1 wagers (final score or outcome) that are placed in-person and not via the internet.

Other amendments include offering a new standardbred racing organization license to a racetrack located in Cook County, and allowing qualified fraternal and veterans organisations to apply for licenses to host video gaming terminals at their establishments.

HB3136 was approved by both legislative houses on October 28 and signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker on December 17.

Gamingintelligence