The IGB held its monthly meeting on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. The meeting was hybrid with in-person accessibility at 160 N. LaSalle St., 5th Floor Auditorium and via livestream. Board members present at the meeting were Chair Hayden, Member Brannon, Member Ferrara, and Member Caleb Melamed. The meeting began with the approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting that preceded it, in this case the meeting on June 11, 2026.

Board Member Comments

There were no Board Member comments

Administrator’s Report

The Administrator briefly discussed a number of important topics during his report.

First, the Administrator stated that September is national gaming education month and reiterated the IGB’s continued commitment to maintain the integrity of gaming in Illinois. He mentioned a few strategies such as setting budgets and knowing personal limits as well as available resources on the IGB’s website. We have linked them here.

The Administrator then mentioned the Aug. 17, 2026 filing deadline for video gaming sales agents and brokers that previously filed Exhibit 8Ds. As a reminder, if you had a sales agent that previously filed an Exhibit 8D, they should have completed and filed their sale agent application forms. If they have not done so, they will be listed on the ineligible to work list and they are prohibitive from procuring use agreements until they:

1. File an application, AND
2. Appear on the eligible to work list.

Next, the Administrator stated that on Aug. 20, 2026, and according to delegation previously approved, new licenses were issued to 77 locations, 30 terminal handlers, one terminal technician and nine sales agents. At that time, the Administrator also issued license renewals to 453 locations, 98 terminal handlers and 23 terminal technicians.

Lastly, the Administrator provided the industry revenue numbers. Currently there are 8,799 licensed locations with 50,049 VGTs. In July, these machines generated Net Terminal Income tax of over $85 million for the state and $14 million for local host communities.

Also in July, Illinois casinos had a total adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of $192 million, which resulted in $44 million for the state and $12 million for local host communities. June also was a successful month in sports wagering with the completed handle yielding $44 million in state taxes and $1.3 million in taxes for Cook County.

In total, from January through July of 2026 (with certain reporting restrictions), the combined industries of Video Gaming, Sports Wagering, and Casino have generated approximately $1.1 billion in state taxes and $180 million in taxes for local communities.

The Administrator closed by reminding participants the next meeting is Oct. 22, 2026.

Public Commentary

Mr. Ben Izinga addressed the Board to discuss the self-exclusion list and ways in which, he believes, the program could be improved.

Administrative Matters

While the Administrator stated the discussion of proposed rules for non-gaming casino employees and revisions to existing rules for casino occupational licensees would be tabled, he did provide a detailed overview of proposed rules related to daily fantasy contests and enhancements to the voluntary self-exclusion program rules. Thereafter, the Board voted to approve the submission of the proposed rules to the Index Department of the Secretary of State for publication, public comment and eventual presentation to Joint Committee of Administrative Rules (JCAR) for First Notice review and consideration.

In his discussion of fantasy sports, the Administrator provided a brief history of Illinois Public Act 104-0468 (part of the recently passed budget bill) which provides a regulatory and tax framework for daily fantasy sports, placing it under the authority of the IGB while making it distinct from sports wagering. As such, this is the initial step to create and incorporate rules for the operation of fantasy sports operators. The Administrator stated that while these proposed rules parallel similar procedures to sports wagering, he is looking forward to comments from stakeholders.

Next, the Administrator discussed proposed enhancements to program rules of the voluntary self-exclusion program which would modernize enhancements. The proposed rules include tiered enrollment durations of six months, one-year, three-year, five-year or indefinite and potential online, mail in or alternative in-person enrollment sites. We will circulate copies of all proposed rules once posted for comment.

The Administrator also discussed, and the Board approved, a Board resolution regarding integration of video gaming into the voluntary self-exclusion program. While not immediately available on the IGB’s website, we expect the complete resolution to be available by the end of the week. Significant takeaways the Administrator mentioned include implementing card readers that require identity verification at redemption machines which will result in VGTs no longer housing cash. This is a significant policy that has never been implemented in an industry the size of Illinois. We will circulate a copy once posted.

Casino

The Casino portion of this meeting began with the Board hearing and granting the request for final consideration of HC Joliet, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Joliet and finding all key persons suitable.

The Board next approved the renewals of the suppliers’ licenses of the following six (6) suppliers

• Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
• HR Rockford, LLC.
• IGT.
• JCM American Corporation.
• Konami Gaming, Inc.
• LNW Gaming, Inc.

Next, the Board issued findings of suitability to Hector Leonardo Fernandez for his role as Chief Executive Officer for IGT and Daniel Evan Cohen for his role as Managing Member of AP X Voyager VoteCo, LLC for Everi Games Inc., Everi Payments Inc., and IGT.

The Board approved the following eight (8) Level 1 Occupational:

• Tyler Robert Pransky for his role as Internal Auditor for Des Plaines Development Limited Partnership dba Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel, Elgin Riverboat Resort d/b/a Grand Victoria Casino, and Southern Illinois Riverboat/Casino Cruises LLC d/b/a Harrah's Metropolis Casino;
• Cole Michael Lass for his role as Senior Internal Auditor for Elgin Riverboat Resort d/b/a Grand Victoria Casino, Southern Illinois Riverboat/Casino Cruises LLC d/b/a Harrah's Metropolis Casino;
• Christopher Jacob Neff for his role as Audit Manager for Fairmount Park, Inc. dba Fairmount Park Casino & Racing;
• Adam Joseph Hancock as his role for Director of Security for Fairmount Park, Inc. dba Fairmount Park Casino & Racing;
• Brian Ray Jenkins for his role as General Manager for Fairmount Park, Inc. dba Fairmount Park Casino & Racing;
• Monte George Miller for his role as Director of Finance for FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place;
• Tarek Imad Aboukheir for his role as Sportsbook Manager for HC Joliet, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Joliet; and
• Jason Ivor Rolla for his role as Helpdesk and Project Manager for Walker's Bluff Casino Resort, LLC.

Additionally, the Board approved the 401 initial casino occupational level 2 licenses and issued three notices of denial. Thereafter, the Administrator issued renewals to all occupational licenses that were up for renewal and had provided updated information, timely paid their renewal fees and complied with all other requirements.

Sports Wagering

The Sports Wagering portion of the meeting commenced with the Board renewing the Supplier Licensee of IGT and finding Joseph Edward Bertolone suitable for his role as the Vice President of Sports Betting of IGT.

Thereafter, the Board approved 211 initial casino occupational level 2 licenses. The Administrator then issued renewals to all occupational licensees that were up for renewal and had provided updated information, timely paid their renewal fees, and complied with all other requirements.

Video Gaming

The Video Gaming portion of the meeting opened with the Board issuing renewals to the following Manufacturer, Distributor & Supplier:

• M3 Technology Solutions, LLC.
• Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
• AVS Companies, LLC d/b/a AVS Companies.
• H. Betti Industries, Inc.
• IGT.
• JCM American Corporation.
• Konami Gaming, Inc.
• LNW Gaming, Inc.

The meeting continued with the Board granting an initial terminal operator license to North Star Gaming LLC and renewing the licenses of the following terminal operators:

• DK Gaming LLC.
• G.F.M. Gaming, LLC.
• Illinois Gaming and Coin-Op LLC.
• Maya Gaming LLC.
• Pocket Aces Gaming LLC.
• A1_Keshav Krupa LLC d/b/a Midwest VG Solutions.
• Action Video Gaming, LLC.
• Donico Gaming, LLC.
• Game On Entertainment, LLC d/b/a Game On Entertainment.
• Winner's Choice Gaming, LLC.

Thereafter, the Board voted to rescind the disassociation order issued to Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC and Gold Rush Amusements pertaining to Bradley Grenoble. Mr. Grenoble’s handler license was also reinstated. The basis for these actions per the Administrator is that the allegations against Grenoble were recanted and that IGB dismissed the original complaint issued to Mr. Grenoble.

The Board then issued licensed to 16 terminal handler applicants, 18 sales agent/broker applicants, and 29 location applicants. The Board then issued notices of denial to the following six entities, including one denial for alleged statutory ineligibility:

• CRUZ ENTERPRISES LLC d/b/a Habeneros Mexican Grill and Cantina.
• FYA LLC d/b/a FYA.
• Lacon Bowl Inc. d/b/a Lacon Bowl.
• New China King Express Inc. d/b/a China King.
• Venice Discount Market LLC d/b/a Venice Discount Market.
• Game on Grill and Bar LLC d/b/a Game on Grill and Bar LLC.

The Administrator also renewed the terminal handler, technician, and location licensees which were up for renewal and had provided updated information to the IGB, timely paid their renewal fees, and complied with all other requirements.

The meeting concluded with the Board discussing 23 GB 002 In re: the Revocation of #171001064 Statewide Investments LLC d/b/a Little Nashville and #171001065 whereby the Board voted to adopt the Administrative Law Judge’s order as a final Board order thereby revoking the video gaming licenses.

The next meeting will be held on October 22, 2026.