Illinois Online, DFS Gaming Bill Stalls

A bill allowing online casino games and daily fantasy sports contests failed to pass out of the Illinois House Rules Committee before the legislative session ended. The measure, which earlier passed the Senate, will be taken up where it left off in committee when the 2018 session starts in January.

In Illinois, House Bill 479, which would have allowed online casino games and daily fantasy sports contests, failed to be considered by the House Rules Committee before the legislative session ended. The measure, which passed the Senate earlier this year, will be picked up where it left off in the 2018 session beginning in January.

The measure also would create a new department within the Illinois Gaming Control Board to be responsible for licensing, regulating and taxing online gaming and DFS contests. In addition, the bill would establish a Responsible Internet Gaming Advisory Board to make recommendations to the executive director of the state gaming board regarding the “development of rules and procedures to reduce and prevent problem or compulsive gambling and youth gambling and to ensure the conduct of safe, fair and responsible internet gaming.”

Furthermore, the legislation would require each internet gaming licensee hold no more than two brands in the state.

If the bill passes out of committee and passes a vote on the full House floor, it will require the signature of Governor Bruce Rauner to become law.