Licensing Jurisdiction
As is the case of each state in the US with its own gambling authority, The Illinois Gaming Board’s jurisdiction does not cross state lines. The state’s current regulation also does not explicitly authorize online casino games and poker tables. This means that any online casinos accessible from Illinois will typically be overseas operations that are not licensed to operate in Illinois but are most likely licensed to operate in other jurisdictions. It is technically the Illinois Gaming Board’s responsibility to report these sites and have them blocked by the government, but this tends to be an insurmountable task for most organizations. The focus instead remains on operations that are based within the state’s borders and keeping them in line with the Board’s standards.
The Main Focus of The Illinois Gaming Board
As mentioned above, the current focus across the entire country’s gambling scene has been on sports betting. Setting up both a retail and online infrastructure backed up by tight regulations has been an ongoing task since 2018 for many states, including Illinois. While the board’s remit also covers physical casino games and video gaming terminals, there appears to be no movement on extending regulations to allow for online casinos as of yet. There is hope though that once the dust settles from all the relatively new sports betting excitement that online casinos will get their time to shine as well.
Security at Online Casinos Licensed by The Illinois Gaming Board
There are several safety nets in place to protect players at any venue covered by the Illinois Gaming Board and any operation that may be suspected of being illegitimate within state lines. The board has its own website with a contact form that allows anyone to send in a complaint, which is covered by the protections of the Freedom of Information Act. Additionally, several support networks are in place for those who require help with problem gambling. A self-exclusion program and problem gambling registry are also in place to ensure that there is some infrastructure in place to protect those vulnerable to the adverse effects that gambling can bring about. A detailed page covering contact information to various support organizations, as well as an extensive FAQ can be found directly on The Illinois Gaming Board website and we recommend you check it out if you want to have a more complete picture of the different programs and organizations in place.
