Illinois Gaming Board Introduces New Gambling Advertising Rules

While addressing several regulatory matters during a regularly scheduled meeting last week, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) announced it would introduce new rules for advertising and marketing for legal sports betting, casinos, and video gaming.

According to IGB administrator Marcus D. Fruchter, the proposed changes “will provide uniform advertising regulation and standards across all Illinois’ gaming markets under IGB jurisdiction.”

“As part of the IGB’s ongoing work to reassess existing rules and measure the effectiveness of gaming expansion implementation, the IGB amended the current advertising and marketing rules for sports wagering to include additional safeguards and requirements and also make those rules applicable for the first time to casino gambling and video gaming,” Fruchter explained in a statement.

The IGB will hold its next regular meeting on October 24, 2024.

Hundreds of license renewals approved

The Illinois Gaming Board has been active in 2024. In May, the regulator incorporated significant tax increases on sports betting operators after lawmakers approved HB 4951.

Along with the announcement of new rules on gambling advertising, the IGB also processed the license renewal and applications of several operators and released the results of these applications. Some of the most significant include the four-year renewal of the Casino Owners License for Rivers Casino, which is operated by the BetRivers-owned Rush Street Gaming.

Other casino approvals included two Level 1 licenses, 114 Level 2 casino occupational licenses, and 123 Level 3 casino occupational licenses. The IGB also approved the renewal of one supplier.

Additionally, Hawthorne Race Course received a renewal on its Master Sports Wagering License. 

In video gaming, the IGB approved 172 video gaming locations, 119 terminal handlers, and six technicians. Meanwhile, the Board denied one terminal operator and 14 video gaming locations, ordered a terminal operator to economically disassociate from an application, and issued a Video Gaming Rule 320 Final Board Order.

Administrator issues responsible gambling reminder

As part of National Responsible Gambling Education Month, the IGN emphasized the importance of responsible gaming at its Sept. meeting.

“Responsible gaming encourages players to maintain their gambling at a healthy level and minimize harm to themselves and the community,” Fruchter said. “For its part, the IGB is committed to maintaining the safety of Illinois gaming, and that includes working with Illinois operators, other government agencies, addiction specialists, and other stakeholders to encourage and facilitate responsible gaming, address problem gambling head on, and ensure that those who may need help get the support, resources and services they deserve without stigmatization and undue barriers.”

Illinois residents can access responsible gambling support resources such as the Illinois Self-Exclusion Program and Are You Really Winning – Illinois Helpline, both of which are made available by the Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Program.

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