License Name
Illinois Casino Owner's License & Master Sports Wagering License
- Direct message
- Leave a review
- Bookmark
- Share
- Report
- prev
- next
Issuing Country/Region
United States - Illinois
Regulatory Body
Illinois Gaming Board
Types of Regulated Games
Casino table games, slot machines, sports betting (retail and online), video gaming
Market Coverage
Local (Illinois)
Regulator's Reputation
Good
Legal Entity Requirements
Illinois business registration and physical presence required; partnerships with existing casinos/racetracks mandated for sports betting
Minimum Share Capital
Not specifically mandated in public statutes; operators must demonstrate substantial financial stability
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Background checks and suitability reviews for all key persons; directors/shareholders must satisfy integrity standards
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Mandatory compliance with federal and state AML regulations and reporting obligations
Data Protection Requirements
Compliance required under state/federal data privacy laws; player data must be secured and locally stored for online games
Reporting Requirements
Monthly revenue and activity reports to both the IGB and Illinois Department of Revenue
Audit Requirements
Regular audits by the IGB; compliance audits and spot checks
Software Certification Requirements
Platforms and technical systems must pass IGB certification
RNG Certification
Required for all electronic gaming devices, conducted by approved labs
Payment System Requirements
Only approved payment providers; compliance with AML and state financial standards
Server Location Requirements
All servers for online gaming must be physically located within Illinois
Domain Name Requirements
No explicit local domain mandate, but jurisdictional clarity and compliance required
Language Support Requirements
English mandatory; no statutory requirement for other languages
Currency Support Requirements
USD only
Legal Compliance Costs
Application, licensing, legal, and technical certification fees; see below for detail
Background Checks
Extensive background checks and annual reviews for all key persons and owners
License Scope Restrictions
Activity limited to approved locations, retail and online (within Illinois); in-state college sports betting restricted
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Full compliance with Illinois gambling taxes and reporting for all operators
Player Data Storage Requirements
Required to maintain all records and player data for a minimum of three years in Illinois
Cross-Border Operations
Not permitted; operations and bets must occur within Illinois jurisdiction
License Application Transparency
Stringent documentation and disclosure process; applications not public by default
Regulatory Contact Point
IGB Licensing Unit; see full contact below
Compliance Officer Requirement
Required for all licensees
Local Partnership Requirements
For sports betting, partnership with land-based casinos/racetracks or online-only permit via state tender
Legal Dispute Resolution
Illinois court jurisdiction, with alternative dispute resolution for some matters
License Transferability
Not permitted without explicit IGB review and approval
Sub-Licensing Rules
Not permitted
License Cost
Casino Owner’s License - Application fee $250,000; Master Sports Wagering License - $5 million or more, determined by statutory formula and revenue
Annual Fees
Casino and sports wagering licenses valid for four years, renewal fee $250,000 (casino), $1 million (sports wagering); per-position fees for casino/racetrack (up to $30,000 per gaming seat); annual operator and background fees
Income Taxes
Casinos taxed at graduated rates on adjusted gross receipts (up to 50%); sports betting taxed at 15–20% AGR (as of 2025)
Player Winnings Taxes
Operators must withhold federal and state taxes from certain player winnings; IRS reporting rules and Illinois requirements apply
Financial Guarantees
Required; often in the form of upfront reconciliation payments ($15 million for new casinos, three-year reconciliation fee based on top-period AGR)
Liquidity Requirements
Must demonstrate financial capability to support operations; not specified as fixed minimum
Financial Reporting Requirements
Monthly financial reports due to IGB and Department of Revenue
Application Processing Time
Varies; several months to over a year typical depending on investigation
Required Documents
Identity, financial, ownership, business plan, technical, compliance, and operational documentation
Business Plan Requirements
Detailed business plan with security, responsible gaming, AML, and operational controls
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, responsible gambling, data protection, and operational policy manuals required
Testing Requirements
All software and systems must pass IGB-certified independent testing
Certification Requirements
Mandatory software, RNG, and systems certification by IGB-approved labs
Staff Qualifications
Key staff must be licensed and pass background checks; relevant gaming/finance/IT experience
Physical Office Requirements
Casino/sportsbook operations require Illinois-based facility; online-only sportsbooks still require local presence
Local Representative Requirements
Onsite compliance and key persons required
Marketing Restrictions
Strict limitations on advertising to minors or misleading claims; marketing must ensure responsible gaming
Responsible Gaming Measures
Mandatory self-exclusion, staff training, responsible gaming interventions, disclosure at all venues
Self-Exclusion System
State-wide IGB-run system, mandatory exclusion at operator level
Age Verification Procedures
Minimum age 21 (rigorous ID and KYC processes for all in-person/online players)
KYC Procedures
Mandatory customer identification, proof of identity and address, ongoing monitoring
Customer Support Standards
Operators must provide accessible customer service; English support required
Complaint Handling Procedures
Operators must have formal complaint processes; unresolved issues may escalate to IGB
Player Funds Protection
Segregation of player funds from operational funds required; subject to regulatory audits
Payout Timelines
No statutory maximum; must pay out winnings in timely manner per disclosed terms
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Bonuses and promotions regulated; must not be misleading and must meet state requirements
Permitted Games List
List of approved casino games and sports wagering offerings published and updated by IGB
Betting Limits
Defined per venue or platform; state minimum/maximums as set by law/IGB
RTP Requirements
Not publicly detailed for every game; must meet IGB approval
Jackpot Regulations
Progressive jackpots approved subject to IGB compliance
Live Game Requirements
Allowed with IGB approval and adherence to security requirements
Mobile App Compliance
Mobile apps must comply with same regulatory standards as retail and online operations
Affiliate Program Rules
Permitted subject to compliance and transparency; affiliates do not circumvent licensing
Security Standards
Compliance with IGB technical standards; best practices for gaming systems required
Encryption Requirements
SSL/TLS mandatory for all player data and transactions
Backup Requirements
Regular data and operational backup per operator’s internal control standards
Monitoring Systems
All operations subject to real-time monitoring and data retention by IGB
Operation Logging
Full logging for regulatory access and internal audits
Anti-Fraud Systems
Required vendor/operator fraud prevention and detection systems
API Integration Standards
Must meet technical standards; must allow for regulatory monitoring as required
Hosting Requirements
Servers must be located within Illinois
CDN Usage
No explicit legal requirements; technical practices allowed for performance
Scalability Requirements
Operators must ensure system reliability and capacity, as per IGB technical requirements
Uptime Requirements
IGB may impose minimum service standards; system reliability expected
Technical Support Availability
Operators responsible for ensuring critical incident support
License Duration
4 years for most casino and sports wagering licenses
Renewal Procedure
Re-application and background check with required fee; $250,000 (casino) or $1 million (sports wagering)
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Suspension, revocation, fines, or criminal prosecution for violations
Ownership Change Rules
Changes must be disclosed and approved by the IGB before transfer
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
IGB oversight and approval required for any M&A activity
Subcontractor Regulations
Key third-party suppliers must be vetted and approved
Branding Requirements
Statutory display of IGB signage and responsible gaming messaging
Intellectual Property Protection
Operators accountable for ensuring licensed software; piracy prohibited
Dispute Arbitration
Court of Illinois; arbitration clauses permitted for civil disputes
Insurance Requirements
Commercial liability and, if applicable, dram shop liability insurance required
Charity Contributions
No specific requirement at the state level for casinos or sportsbooks
Staff Training Requirements
Mandatory training in responsible gaming, AML, and compliance for key employees
Innovation Support
No statutory regulatory sandbox, though new technology permitted under IGB review
Sustainability Initiatives
Not specified in statute or regulation
Accessibility Standards
Must comply with ADA and state accessibility laws
Multilingual Support
English required; multilingual support not mandated
Cryptocurrency Support
Not permitted under current regulations
Esports Betting Regulations
Not explicitly regulated; subject to IGB approval for classification as sports wagering
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Regulated under separate legislation, not casino or sports wagering act
Official Address
160 North LaSalle Street, Suite 300, Chicago, Illinois 60601, USA
Postal Address
801 S. 7th Street, Suite 400-South, Springfield, Illinois 62703, USA
Fax Number
(312) 814-4602
Online Application Portal
Not publicly listed; inquiries to Licensing Unit by phone/email
Work Hours
Monday–Friday, standard business hours (subject to state holidays)
Emergency Contact
(855) 494-0237 (for regulatory emergencies/prohibited conduct)
Regional Offices
Chicago (primary); Springfield (payments and mail)
Technical Support
Via main IGB contact
Media Contact
Departments
Licensing, Enforcement, Compliance, Audit, Legal, Policy
FAQ Question 1
What is Illinois Casino & Sportsbook License?
FAQ Answer 1
The Illinois Casino & Sportsbook License authorizes operators to conduct casino gaming and sports wagering within the state of Illinois. It covers land-based casinos, riverboat gaming, retail sportsbooks, and online/mobile sports betting, ensuring compliance with state laws and regulatory standards for integrity, fairness, and responsible gambling.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues Illinois Casino & Sportsbook License?
FAQ Answer 2
This license is issued by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), the state agency responsible for regulating all casino gaming, sports wagering, video gaming terminals, and associated gambling activities in Illinois.
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining Illinois Casino & Sportsbook License?
FAQ Answer 3
For sports wagering, the application fee can range from $150,000 to $250,000 depending on the license type, with renewal fees of $25,000 annually. Master sports wagering licenses issued to casinos or racetracks can cost up to $10 million based on gross gaming revenue tiers. Casino operator licenses require substantial application and investigation fees, often exceeding $250,000, plus ongoing annual fees and mandatory state tax payments on gaming revenue.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for Illinois Casino & Sportsbook License?
FAQ Answer 4
Key requirements include submission of a complete application with business, financial, and operational plans; comprehensive background checks for owners, officers, and key employees; proof of financial stability and sufficient capitalization; and compliance with all state gaming regulations. Licensees must implement internal controls, responsible gambling measures, anti-money laundering procedures, and accurate reporting systems, and must undergo regular audits and inspections by the Illinois Gaming Board.