Illinois Introduces New Bills to Regulate Sports Betting and AI Use
Illinois Senator Bill Cunningham has introduced two new bills aimed at regulating sports betting, focusing on deposit limits and artificial intelligence (AI) usage in the industry. Both bills, SB2398 and SB2399, are now under review by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
SB2399: Stricter Deposit Limits and Financial Assessments
SB2399 proposes tighter restrictions on deposits for sports betting accounts to promote responsible gambling and financial oversight. Under the bill, sportsbooks cannot accept more than five deposits from a single user within 24 hours.
Additionally, operators must ban credit card payments, preventing players from accumulating gambling debt through borrowed funds.
To further protect consumers, the bill introduces a financial assessment requirement for high-value deposits. Before accepting $1,000 in deposits within 24 hours or $10,000 within 30 days, sportsbooks must verify the player’s financial capacity.
The assessment can be conducted in two ways: by ensuring the deposit does not exceed 25% of the player’s monthly income or by applying lending standards similar to those used for unsecured loans.
SB2398: Restrictions on AI in Sports Betting
SB2398 seeks to limit the role of artificial intelligence in sports betting, addressing concerns about data privacy, consumer protection, and gambling addiction.
The bill prohibits sportsbooks from using AI to track an individual’s betting behavior, preventing operators from analyzing personal wagering patterns to tailor promotions or offers.
The legislation also bans AI-driven micro-betting products, which allow users to place bets on individual moments within a game, such as the outcome of a single pitch in baseball or a free throw in basketball.
Critics argue that micro-betting encourages excessive gambling, making it easier for players to place impulsive, rapid-fire wagers. By eliminating AI involvement in these products, lawmakers aim to reduce gambling-related harm and limit the industry’s ability to influence user behavior through personalized incentives.
Illinois Also Weighing Online Casino and DFS Legislation
In addition to sports betting regulations, Illinois is considering two bills that would legalize online casinos: SB1963 and HB3080. Both bills outline a framework for regulated online casino gaming and include identical language, though HB 3080 provides more detailed implementation guidelines.
Under these proposals, casinos and racetracks would have the ability to launch up to three individually branded online gaming platforms, expanding digital gambling options across the state. If passed, Illinois would join the growing list of states embracing regulated iGaming markets.
Meanwhile, a separate bill has been introduced in the state Senate to regulate Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). The proposed legislation seeks to govern both player-versus-player and player-versus-house contests, with a tax rate ranging from 10% to 15%.
Recommended