Illinois Lawmakers Decline to Merge State Gaming Regulators

While Illinois lawmakers adjourned for the summer, they did so without advancing legislation that would combine the state's sports betting, casino, and horse racing regulatory systems. 

Governor JB Pritzker asked for the legislation heading into this session, but it didn't happen. 

If the legislation had passed, it would've merged the Illinois Gaming Board and the Illinois Racing Board into a single unit, the Department of Gaming Regulation and Enforcement. Without approving it, though, they'll remain separate as prediction markets grow in popularity, a type of online platform that Nevada Rep. Dina Titus has come out strongly against for quite some time. 

“There was no appetite for it,” said House Speaker Emanuel Welch. “I’m not saying it’ll never get done. I just think that some of these things really take time.”

Illinois Will Keep Separate Gaming and Racing Regulators

From here, the Illinois Gaming Board will continue to oversee all licensed casino gambling, video gaming, and sports betting, while the Illinois Racing Board will regulate horse racing. 

Illinois has dealt with many gaming issues, including debates over expanding online casino play and increasing sports betting taxes. There's also active litigation involving prediction markets. With a streamlined, condensed regulatory agency, this may have made it easier to approach things like prediction markets. 

The state is having budget deficits, and online casino expansion could help. However, it's been debated. That said, Pritzker has said it's "worthy of consideration." 

With online casino play, that could mean upward of $800 million more annually, and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has said online casino play will likely come to Illinois. 

Supporters and Critics Saw Different Outcomes

The issue with condensing the regulatory agencies, though, was that it would have eliminated things such as board structures and public meeting requirements. It would likely also speed up new license decisions, disciplinary actions, and more. 

There are pros and cons, but this consolidation would've also made it more difficult for the public and news organizations to keep up with decisions, and transparency wouldn't be as strong. 

This legislation could return next session.