The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) held its first monthly meeting of 2026 on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The meeting was hybrid with in-person accessibility at 160 N. LaSalle St., 5th Floor Auditorium and via livestream. Board members present at this meeting were Chair Hayden, Member Brannon, Member Ferrara (via Webex) and Member Melamed. The meeting began with the approval of the minutes of the regular board meeting that preceded it, which was on Dec. 11, 2025.
Board Member Comments
There were no Board Member comments.
Administrator’s Report
The Administrator discussed six topics during his report at the meeting.
First, the Administrator briefly discussed that the IGB and the Illinois Attorney General’s office worked together to issue 65 cease-and-desist letters to companies illegally operating online sweepstake and iGaming in Illinois. He reminded individuals to visit the IGB website to see the complete list of licensed operators.
Somewhat related, and with the Super Bowl coming up this weekend, the Administrator reminded patrons to only place sports wagers with legal, IGB licensed sportsbooks and to play responsibly within your limits. The Administrator provided a number of resources available to those who may be struggling with problem gambling. You can find the resources on the IGB’s website: Help for Problem Gamblers.
Next, the Administrator provided a brief update regarding new licensing requirements for video gaming (VGT) sales agents and brokers. According to the Administrator, the sales agent/broker license application and related instructions will be available on the IGB’s website the week of Feb. 17, 2026. He also provided a quick overview of the three types of applications that will be available:
- VGT Sales Agent Short Form
This would be the correct form for those individuals who have previously submitted terminal handler/technician applications and are currently on the Eligible Work list on the IGB’s website.
- Terminal Handler/ Terminal Technician/ Sales Agent Application
This form would be for 1) individuals who have submitted Exhibit 8(D)s through their associated terminal operators, but who do not hold another type of license or 2) individuals who are completing sales agent information for the first time. These individuals will need to make appointments at casinos to be fingerprinted and interviewed.
- VGT Business Entity Sales Agent Form
This form should be completed if the intention is to pay sales agent fees through a company. It should be noted that individuals associated (owners, officers, etc.) with the entities completing this form will also have to complete either the application or shortform discussed above.
The Administrator stated that the forms for individuals currently acting as sales agents who have Exhibit 8(D)s on file will have until Aug. 17, 2026 to file the requisite forms. Should you have questions regarding these new procedures or would like to discuss them further, please contact us.
The Administrator continued by providing a brief overview of the federal government’s new law that addresses reporting requirements for jackpot winnings, which includes an increase to threshold to $2,000 from $1,200 previously. Memos were sent out to casino licensees, however, if you did not receive the memo or would like more information, please let us know. We wanted to remind all patrons and licensees to remain compliant with the reporting obligations to the Internal Revenue Service, Illinois Department of Revenue and the IGB.
Following that, the Administrator provided an overview of the authority delegated to him (which will be discussed further during the Administrative Matters portion) which allows the Administrator to issue licenses on a set date during the months that the Board does not hold a monthly meeting. In compliance with that delegation, he stated that on Jan. 22, 2026, 62 qualified applicants were issued new licenses (38 locations and 23 technicians). We expect that this will be a new, reoccurring portion of the Administrator’s report similar to the industry revenues.
Speaking of the industry revenues, the Administrator concluded his comments with his report, both for the month of December and 2025. He stated that at the time of the meeting, January numbers were not yet available but that they would be made available on the IGB’s website.
The Administrator then provided the industry revenue numbers. In total, the combined industries of video gaming, sports wagering and casino activity reported January through December 2025, has generated approximately $1.9 billion in state taxes and $294 million in taxes for local communities
In December, VGTs generated approximately $95 million in taxes with the state’s share being approximately $83.5 million and the location municipalities receiving approximately $11.5 million. Casinos in December yielded roughly $56 million in tax revenue, with $46 million in taxes going to the state and $10 million to host communities. Sports wagering in December contributed another $69 million in state tax revenue with Cook County receiving an additional $1.6 million.
Notably, according to the Administrator, there are 64 terminal operators, 8,723 live video gaming locations offering approximately 49,553 video gaming terminals (VGTs) over 85% of which are operating with the Ticket In Ticket Out (TITO) system.
Public Commentary
Mr. Pat Doerr, Hospitality Business Association of Chicago, addressed the Board to voice concerns the members of the Association have as it pertains to Chicago’s opting to permit video gaming terminals, crime and the IGB’s website, rules and requirements.
Administrative Matters
The meeting continued with the Board renewing and amending the Administration Delegation Order in which authority for certain tasks is delegated to the Administrator, including the authority for the Administrator to approve certain location applications on set dates when there is not a scheduled Board meeting.
Casino
The casino portion of this meeting began with the Board hearing the final consideration of Par-A-Dice Gaming Corporation d/b/a Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino Rule 230(d) Casino Redevelopment Plan. After a presentation, comments from involved parties and an additional close session by the Board, this matter was tabled. The Administrator stated that they would schedule a new meeting date to present this matter, but a date was not provided during the meeting. Information will be available on the IGB’s website in the near future.
The Board next approved the renewals of the following suppliers’ licensees and found the relevant Key Person suitable:
- AGS, LLC.
- Patriot Gaming & Electronics, Inc.
- Robert Alexander Walsh for his role as Director/Secretary/Treasurer/CFO for Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
The Board also granted the following Level 1 Occupational Licenses:
- David Eric Schmidt for his role as Sportsbook Manager for Elgin Riverboat Resort d/b/a Grand Victoria Casino.
- Ruben Tyrone Warren for his role as VP & General Manager for HC Joliet, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Joliet.
- Kristopher Alan Kanz for his role as Director of Security for The Rock Island Boatworks, LLC d/b/a Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel.
- Margaret Marie Powers for his role as Senior Internal Auditor for The Rock Island Boatworks, LLC d/b/a Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel.
- Robert Durante Hull for his role as Director of Slots for Walker's Bluff Casino Resort, LLC.
- Vicki Lynn Harger for her role as Finance Director for Walker's Bluff Casino Resort, LLC.
- Steven Mytron Cox for his role as Director of Finance for Wind Creek IL LLC d/b/a Wind Creek Chicago Southland.
- John Allan Zebell for his role as Director of Table Games for Wind Creek IL LLC d/b/a Wind Creek Chicago Southland.
Additionally, the Board approved 251 initial casino occupational level 2 licenses and the Administrator issued renewals to all occupational licensees that were up for renewal and had provided updated information, timely paid their renewal fees and complied with all other requirements.
Sports Wagering
The sports wagering portion of the meeting commenced with the Board renewing the Management Services Provider Licensee of BetMGM, LLC d/b/a Roar Digital.
Thereafter, the Board approved 214 initial casino occupational level 2 licenses. The Administrator then issued renewals to all occupational licensees that were up for renewal and had provided updated information, timely paid their renewal fees and complied with all other requirements.
Video Gaming
The video gaming portion of the meeting opened with the Board granting initial terminal operator licenses to 1) Baeboo LLC d/b/a Regal Gaming and 2) One for Gaming, LLC d/b/a One for Gaming.
The Board next approved renewal licenses of the following terminal operators:
- Admira, LLC.
- Gold Rush Amusements, Inc..
- Heck Gaming, LLC.
- Illinois Gold Rush, Inc.;.Illinois Video Slot Management Corp. d/b/a IVSM;J&J Ventures Gaming, LLC.
- JHey Enterprises, LLC.
- Lattner Entertainment Group Illinois, LLC.
- Lucky Lady, LLC.
- Midwest SRO, LLC.
- Quad Gaming, Inc..
- Renville Gaming, LLC.
- Sparrow Gaming, Inc. d/b/a Sparrow Gaming.
Thereafter, 13 terminal handler/technician license applications and 26 location applications were approved. In other establishment matters, Barajas Mexican Bar and Grill Co. d/b/a Barajas Tacos y Cantina, was issued a denial by the Administrator for allegedly being statutory ineligible to hold a license and another location, Chronister Oil Company d/b/a QIK-N-EZ, had their notice of nonrenewal rescinded resulting in renewal of their previous license.
The Administrator also renewed the terminal handler, technician and location licensees that were up for renewal and had provided updated information to the IGB, timely paid their renewal fees and complied with all other requirements.
The meeting continued with the Board issued a Final Board Order for Rule 320 Petition 22-UP-006 between Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC and Elite Gaming, LLC in which the IGB adopted the Administrative Law Judge’s recommendations. As a reminder, Final Board orders are available on the IGB’s website Rule 320 Petitions.
Lastly, the IGB entered into a $1.2 million settlement agreement with Lucky Lincoln Gaming, LLC resolving all matters before the Illinois Gaming Board and cases in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
To conclude, the next meeting will be April 23, 2026.
[View source.]
