Illinois Representative Still Hopeful on Legalizing iGaming
An Illinois state representative has said that he is still hopeful that iGaming could be legalized in the state, despite the approaching end of the spring legislative session.
Two gambling bills are stalled in the state legislature, with just days remaining until the current session ends on May 31. But Rep. Bob Rita remains optimistic regarding iGaming’s future in the Prairie State.
“This is the time of year where you start seeing different items that maybe didn't have legs, potentially could. We need to look at it very closely and see what causes and effects it actually has, not just looking at, well, we could raise money,” said State Rep. Rita, talking to the local media earlier this week.
Rep. Rita was instrumental in the expansion of gambling in Illinois to include more casinos and video gaming terminals, and is one of the most prominent advocates of legalizing online gaming that could see real-money online casinos come to the state.
Multiple setbacks
The subject has been raised multiple times since sports betting was legalized in March 2020. The latest two bills addressing the issue are House Bill 3080 and Senate Bill 1963.
Rep. Edgar Gonzalez filed HB 3080, while Sen. Cristina Castro put forward SB 1963. Both have previously proposed bills to legalize iGaming. Sen. Castro tried to push forward with legalization in 2021 and 2023, and Rep. Gonzalez had an attempt in 2023.
The combined bill would be known as the Internet Gaming Act. It would allow the state’s current gaming license holders to operate up to three online brands.
They would pay a 25% tax on adjusted gaming revenue, and licenses would be tied to the number of employees that an operator employs, potentially putting their business at risk if they cut workforce size.
Persistent opposition
The supporters of iGaming legalization point to the state’s $3 billion budget deficit and argue that the tax revenue from legalized iGaming would significantly reduce that figure.
But there has been persistent opposition, and not just from those who oppose the gambling industry in general. In particular, the state’s Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) industry has expressed concerns about the potential impact on their business, as have retail and other establishments for whom the money generated by VLTs is a significant revenue stream.
Even with unanimous support from stakeholders, it would be challenging for lawmakers to pass the necessary legislation before the deadline. Despite Rep. Rita's assessment, the odds of significant progress at this stage appear to be slim.
