The IGB held its monthly meeting on Thursday, March 14, 2024. 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 included Chairman Schmadeke and Member Hayden, with Member Garcia and Member Kolar appearing virtually. The Administrator wanted the record to reflect that Member Garcia was actually in the Bilandic building, although he was in a separate room, which is why he appeared virtually.

The meeting began with the consideration and approval of the minutes of the regular board meeting from February 8, 2024 and continued with the board’s approval of amending the December 7, 2023 minutes.

Administrator’s Report

To begin his report, the Administrator wished a Happy Pi Day and a Happy St. Patrick’s Day to those that celebrate. He continued his comments with a brief discussion of Problem Gambling Awareness Month and reiterated the IGB’s commitment to the safety and integrity of gaming in Illinois. He further elaborated on a number of services and resources available to those who may be struggling with problem gambling. For example, the state’s gambling helpline can be reached by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), texting GAMB to 833234, or visiting the Illinois Helpline's website. The Administrator also pointed out that a simple practice that protects safe gambling is to only wager through licensed operators and encouraged those questioning a provider’s validity to visit the IGB website for a current list of licensed operators.

The Administrator continued his comments with a brief summary of the recently opened sportsbook at Wrigley Field and introduced a very interesting opportunity for the video gaming industry. According to the Administrator, the IGB is looking for public input and comment in regard to a possible new video gaming rule that would grant temporary licenses or provide for some type of expedited licensing process. The Administrator reiterated that this potential new rule would not apply to all video gaming license categories, but rather focus on those applicants that may meet certain criteria, such as:

• Applicants that are already licensed
• Applicants whose Persons with Significant Influence/Control (PSICs) have all been previously investigated and/or found suitable
• Terminal Operators providing a list of prioritized pending applications

The Administrator seemed to focus on just establishments having a temp license or some sort of expedited process. But it would seem that manufacturers and distributors would also benefit given that most hold supplier licenses under casino and/or sports wagering. Comments should be submitted to IGB.Rulecomments@illinois.gov, however, we are also looking forward to hearing your innovative comments and ideas on this potential new rule so please feel free to email us prior to your submission. This has been a point of contention for a number of our clients, so we are excited to see the IGB’s interest in potentially resolving these issues.

In other news, the Administrator stated that the February revenue numbers were not available at the time of the meeting. They will, however, be available on the IGB’s website when ready.

Public Commentary

Two individuals, Grant Jones of Midwest Electronics Gaming, LLC and a representative from Thorntons LLC, jointly addressed the board during the public commentary section and voiced frustrations with the delay in issuing new licenses to applicants or large truck stop conversions of already licensed truck stops.

Casino

The casino portion of the meeting began with a presentation from Par-A-Dice Gaming Corporation d/b/a Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino ("Par-A-Dice:") pertaining to its Request for Final Consideration of Owners License Renewal and continued with the board granting that renewal.

Next, the board approved the following Key Persons:

• Lynn Handler-Cohen as a Member of the Board of Directors of FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a The Temporary by American Place
• Francis Scharadin as Chief Procurement Officer for Par-A-Dice Gaming Corporation d/b/a Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino
• Randy Taylor as President/CEO of Everi Games Inc. and Everi Payments Inc.

Additionally, the board approved 92 Level 2 and 79 Level 3 occupational licenses and issued one notice of denial. Relatedly, the board reviewed and approved the recission of a previously denied Level 3 occupational application.

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.

Sports Wagering

During the Sports Wagering section, the board granted an initial management services provider license to PointsBet Illinois LLC and a supplier license to Suzohapp Gaming Solutions, LLC. The board then issued 102 Level 2 occupational licenses. Next, the Administrator granted renewals to the Level 1, 2 and 3 licensees that were up for renewal, had provided updated information to the IGB, timely paid their renewal fees and complied with all other requirements.

Video Gaming

The Video Gaming meeting began with the board granting four terminal technician licenses and 62 terminal handler licenses. Following that, the Administrator issued one notice of nonrenewal and 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 IGB approving 82 location applicants and issuing a denial to Sergio’s Barbeque, Inc. d/b/a Rob’s Barbeque. The Administrator next issued a notice of denial to Chalkey’s Tavern, Inc. d/b/a Chalkey’s Tavern for statutory ineligibility. Next, the board moved to rescind a previous denial and grant an establishment license to Jay Maa Mogal LLC d/b/a On the Rocks.

The meeting concluded with the board issuing a notice of disassociation to Gold Rush Amusements, Inc. d/b/a Gold Rush Gaming regarding Eli Rosenfeld, Raylene Panacola and R.M.S.P. Services and denying the hearing requests of JAI SRIRAM INC. d/b/a AM STAR for allegedly failing to prove a prima facie case.

That concludes the summary of this month’s meeting. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

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