As Legislative Session Adjourns, Is IL Online Gambling Alive Or Dead?
The Illinois online gambling bill has not been passed despite positive feedback at a committee hearing in April. Today marks the final day of the state's regular legislative session. Lawmakers are now focusing on other issues. i.e. a budget and a new energy policy. i .e Online gambling expansion in the US is often delayed due to time. In Illinois the bill might fail due of active resistance, but it might die due. to the clock running out.
The Internet Gaming Act of Illinois is complicated by necessity. The state legislature should reconvene for a veto session in the fall. Lawmakers have been working on modifications to the current sports betting laws. If the sports betting law is discussed during the veto, the iGaming bill will get some attention.
Senate Bill 521 passed to the House on the final day of the session. It's with the Rules Committee and could pass before the end of session, so it's premature to talk about sports betting modifications for fall. PlayIllinois and Legal Sports Report will have a more detailed report on changes if they pass.
Illinois Senate wants a report on the potential revenue from online casinos by October 1st. The bill hasn't yet cleared the House. Veto sessions in Illinois start in November. If the bill passes the veto session, the Senate will have a limited window in which to vote on it.