Illinois Cracks Down on Unlicensed Sports Betting Operators
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), in collaboration with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, has taken firm action against 11 operators accused of violating state gambling laws. As reported by SBC Americas, these operators allegedly engaged in unlicensed sports betting, which is a direct violation of the Illinois Sports Wagering Act and the Illinois Criminal Code.
Illinois Gaming Board Targets Unregulated Operators
In early February, the IGB issued cease-and-desist letters to operators suspected of offering illegal sports betting services in the state. The board defines sports wagering broadly, covering:
- Traditional bets (single-game wagers, parlays, proposition bets, and in-play betting)
- Betting exchanges and pools
Notably, some of the targeted companies include Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operators. According to the IGB, single-player fantasy contests offered by certain DFS companies do not qualify as legal skill-based competitions under Illinois law.
The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that DFS contests must involve multiple participants, and some operators allegedly failed to meet this requirement.
Who Was Targeted?
Among the 11 companies that received cease-and-desist notices are a mix of unlicensed sportsbooks and DFS operators. Some of the most notable names include:
- Bet Any Sports
- Bet Online
- Bet US
- Blitz Studios (d/b/a Sleeper)
- Book Maker
- Taild Sports (d/b/a Chalkboard)
- Drafters
- Heritage Sports
- Parlay Play
Additionally, PrizePicks and Bovada were previously ordered to halt operations in Illinois.
One of the named companies, PrizePicks, has responded by shifting to a peer-to-peer (P2P) fantasy model called Arena P2P in Illinois.
This could potentially move its operations outside the scope of the IGB’s enforcement. Whether other DFS operators will follow this path remains to be seen.
While Illinois tightens its grip on unlicensed operators, lawmakers are reviving efforts to legalize online casino gaming. Two new bills, Senate Bill 1963 (SB 1963) and House Bill 3080 (HB 3080), aim to establish a framework for regulated online casino gaming in the state.
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