Illinois Strengthens Gambling Advertising Regulations for Enhanced Consumer Protection

New Gambling Advertising Regulations Announced by Illinois Gaming Board

Illinois is implementing stricter rules to regulate gambling advertising and operations across the state. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) announced new regulations aimed at improving consumer protection and ensuring responsible gambling practices.

Key Changes to Advertising and Marketing Practices

The new rules cover marketing and promotional activities for licensed casinos, video gaming, sports betting, and related sectors. A major change includes a ban on gambling advertisements on college campuses to shield vulnerable groups, such as young adults and students, from potentially harmful exposure.

Marcus D. Fruchter, IGB Administrator, emphasized that these updated guidelines build upon previous regulations to add further safeguards. He stated the objective is to promote transparency, ethics, and consistency in gambling advertising across the state.

The regulations specifically prohibit advertisements in locations where underage individuals or people susceptible to gambling addiction can easily see them. Additionally, all gambling promotions must now carry clear warnings about the addictive nature of gambling and encourage responsible gambling behavior.

Protection for Students, Athletes, and Vulnerable Groups

To ensure full compliance, licensed operators are required to maintain records of all advertising and marketing materials, including logs of when and where these materials are published. This accountability measure supports effective oversight of promotional activities.

The rules also forbid any advertisements that depict or reference college or university students, campuses, or themes suggestive of such environments, preventing targeting of young people and educational institutions.

Overall, these strengthened guidelines demonstrate Illinois’ commitment to addressing risks associated with gambling advertising and reinforcing responsible gaming standards for the benefit of the public.