Illinois lawmakers are thinking of legalizing online poker and casinos in order to raise money in the face of a projected $3.2 billion budget shortfall in 2026. According to Governor J.B. Pritzker, the project may boost the state’s budget by almost $1 billion a year.
Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. presented the bill in February under the name HB3080. The bill has been transferred from the Gaming Committee to the House Rules Committee for additional examination following preliminary negotiations. If approved, Illinois would become a member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, which would enable its citizens to take part in bigger online poker prize pools that span many states.
The law helps the state address its budget deficit by proposing a 25% tax rate on internet gaming operators.
Lawmakers’ Opinions Remain Divided
Supporters of the bill see it as a practical way to generate revenue without introducing new physical gambling establishments. Governor Pritzker believes it’s a “worthy of consideration” solution to address budget challenges.
Senator Cristina Castro, who previously advocated for similar legislation, emphasized that this approach could appeal to Illinois residents. “In a tough budget year, you’re looking at ways to increase revenue,” she said. “This is one tool for that. And it’s something that could be more palatable to constituents.”
However, the proposal has faced criticism. During a recent House Committee meeting, concerns were raised about the accessibility of online gaming and its potential social consequences.
Illinois Gaming Machine Operators Association executive director Ivan Fernandez warned that legal online casinos might exacerbate gambling issues. “Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week when people are most vulnerable, when they’re alone, in isolation [or] within the close reach of minors,” Fernandez said. “Without any regard for local authority or any reasonable time or spending limits, merely to generate a new tax.”
Advocates argue that legalizing online gaming could help regulate an already active market. Many Illinois residents currently use unregulated offshore platforms, posing financial and security risks.
FanDuel lobbyist James Hartmann highlighted the difficulty in controlling illegal sites. “It’s very hard once you shut one of (the unregulated sites) down to prevent another one of them from starting back up the same day with the same spokesperson and the same contact information,” Hartmann explained. “The only way to shut it down is to have a regulated legal marketplace.”
As lawmakers deliberate, the decision to legalize online gaming could offer Illinois a substantial revenue stream while introducing safeguards to protect players. Further discussions and amendments are expected before the bill’s fate is determined.
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