Illinois to Legalize Real Money Online Casinos Soon, Says Attorney General
Attorney General Confirms Online Casinos Coming to Illinois
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced recently that the state will soon legalize online casinos where players can wager real money. This marks a significant development in Illinois’ gambling landscape as the move signals expansion beyond the current offerings.
Background and Industry Context
Speaking at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, Raoul emphasized that legalizing online casinos is a natural progression following the growth of sports betting in Illinois. While Illinois currently operates a successful lottery system, mobile sports betting, and video lottery terminals, the introduction of real money online casinos has not yet been embraced.
To increase tax revenue, the state recently raised taxes on sports betting, which the operators have effectively passed on to customers. This change points to lawmakers’ growing interest in harnessing gambling as a source of public funds.
Projected Timeline and Legislative Outlook
Attorney General Raoul predicts that Illinois lawmakers will legalize online gambling by 2026. Rising sports betting revenue has made lawmakers more aware of the substantial tax benefits that could come from launching iGaming platforms. Many see online casinos as a lucrative opportunity to boost state income.
Economic Impact and Addressing the Public Deficit
Supporters of online casinos argue they will complement, not replace, traditional land-based gaming establishments, ultimately increasing the total gross gaming revenue for Illinois. This additional income is crucial as the state faces a growing public deficit and seeks new ways to reduce debt.
Legalizing online gambling is viewed as a strategic move to provide more gaming options domestically, keeping players from turning to unregulated offshore sites, while also generating vital tax revenue for the state government. However, for success, lawmakers must develop an effective regulatory framework to manage gambling revenues responsibly.