The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) held its monthly meeting on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. The meeting was hybrid, with in-person access at 160 N. LaSalle St., 5th Floor Auditorium, and via livestream. Board members present at this meeting were Chair Hayden, Member Brannon, Member Ferrara and Member Melamed. The meeting began with the approval of the minutes of the regular board meeting of Sept. 3, 2026 and consideration of the closed-session meetings. The Board voted to release the closed-session minutes of the following meetings:

• June 9, 2021.
• Feb. 6, 2025.
• March 13, 2025.
• April 24, 2025.
• June 5, 2025.
• July 31, 2025.
• Sept. 11, 2025.
• Dec. 11, 2025.

At the time of publication, the minutes were not yet available on the IGB’s website; however, those interested can visit the IGB’s website: Past Meetings.

Board Member Comments

There were no Board Member comments.

Administrator’s Report

The Administrator briefly discussed a few topics during his report. He began with a brief overview of key actions from the September meeting, including the video gaming self-exclusion program rules (SEP Rules) and online fantasy contests. Notably, he stated that the SEP Rules were published in the Illinois Register on Oct. 2, 2026, and the online fantasy contest rules are expected to be published in November. We are including a link to the SEP Rules here: I Pub 35.1.qxp_Layout 1. If you would like to discuss these new rules and coordinate submission of comments, please contact us.

Next, the Administrator briefly pointed out that the IGB meeting today began at 9:30 a.m., as opposed to the traditional 9:00 a.m. start time. This will be the new start time moving forward, including the Dec. 10, 2026 meeting. Relatedly, the Administrator shared the 2027 schedule of meetings again pointing out that these meetings will begin at 9:30 a.m.

• Feb. 11, 2027.
• April 15, 2027.
• June 10, 2027.
• Sept. 16, 2027.
• Oct. 21, 2027.
• Dec. 9, 2027.

The Administrator provided the industry revenue numbers. Currently there are 8,753 licensed locations with 49,097 video gaming terminals (VGTs) all with some Ticket-In, Ticket Out (TITO) technology. In September, these machines generated net terminal income tax of over $83 million for the state and $13 million for local host communities.

Also in September, Illinois casinos had total adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of $178 million, which resulted in $45 million for the state and $11.3 million for local host communities. Sports wagering in August amounted to a completed handle over $1 billion which yielded $19 million in state taxes and $844,000 in taxes for Cook County.

In total, from January through September of 2026 (with certain reporting restrictions on sports wagering), the combined industries of video gaming, sports wagering and casino have generated approximately $1.4 billion in state taxes and $234 million in taxes for local communities.

The Administrator closed his comments by reminding participants to gamble responsibly, stay within personal limits, and only patron licensed casinos, sportsbooks or VGT locations.

Public Commentary

There were no public comments.

Administrative Matters

The Administrator briefly introduced new rules pertaining to the video gaming Self-Exclusion Program and cashless wagering while also revisiting the rules introduced at the September 2026 meeting. The SEP Rules were discussed broadly, with mention of a subpart for cashless wagering, player rewards, and aligning the VGT protections with those pertaining to casino and sports wagering. Notable topics included changing to cashless terminals, whereby participants would get play/credit vouchers from a separate device that would check the player’s identification to ensure they are over 21 and not currently on the self-exclusion list. The Administrator stated that, under these new rules, terminal operators that offer patron accounts, including rewards accounts, would need to take steps to protect players and comply with all rules and regulations.

Regarding the new proposed rules for nongaming casino employees and revisions to existing rules for casino occupational licensees, few details were provided at this time, although we expect to see a new license application in the near future for current and future nongaming identification badge holders.

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 the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) for First Notice review and consideration.

As we previously stated, if you would like to discuss these new rules or coordinate submission of comments, please contact us. Once published, we will send out for review and provide our comments.

Casino

The casino portion of this meeting began with the Board hearing the initial consideration of the owner’s license renewal of HC Aurora, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Aurora. This item does not require any Board action at this time.

The Board next approved the renewals of the suppliers’ licenses of GLP Capital, L.P. and Interblock USA L.C.

Next, the Board issued findings of suitability of 1) Bryan Keith Cirar for his role of Surveillance Manager at Alton Casino, LLC d/b/a Argosy Casino Alton and 2) Sylvester Johnathan Reese for his role as Security Director at Casino Queen, LLC d/b/a DraftKings at Casino Queen.

Additionally, the Board approved 466 initial casino occupational level 2 licenses and issued two notices of denial. Thereafter, the Administrator 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.

Sports Wagering

The sports wagering portion of the meeting commenced with the Board approving 234 initial 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 Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited (manufacturer) and Inspired Gaming (USA) Inc. (distributor).

The meeting continued with the Board granting initial terminal operator licenses (for 4 years) to the following four applicants:

• Chicagoland VGT, LLC.
• KK Amusement, LLC.
• S Hunt Investments LLC.
• Stellar Entertainment LLC.

Next, the Board renewed (for 4 years) the terminal operator licenses of the following four licensees:

• A & A Gaming Inc.
• Aces Up Gaming LLC.
• RCW Gaming, LLC.
• Ultra Gaming Systems, LLC.

The Board then issued licenses to two terminal technician applicants, 69 terminal handler applicants, 39 sales agent/broker applicants and 81 location applicants. The Board then issued notices of denial to one sales agent applicant and five of the location applicants listed below, and the Administrator denied the remaining location for alleged statutory ineligibility:

• AHM Investments, LLC d/b/a El Vallarta Sports Bar & Grill.
• Dire Hospitality Group, Inc. d/b/a Reservations.
• Goodfellas Pizzeria, LLC d/b/a Goodfellas Pizzeria, LLC.
• Jay Ambe 124 LLC d/b/a Toluca Market.
• S 2733, Inc. d/b/a Casey's Corner.
• Harmony Restaurant Corp. d/b/a Harmony Restaurant.

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

Thereafter, the Administrator spoke briefly to clarify an item from September’s meeting. Through the authority delegated to him, the Administrator denied the establishment application of Game on Grill and Bar LLC d/b/a Game on Grill and Bar LLC (Game On) due to statutory ineligibility. Prior to the September meeting, however, the basis for the denial was resolved and Game On was not issued a notice of denial after the meeting. The application was returned to pending status and was on the list of approved locations voted upon at today’s meeting.

The meeting concluded with the Administrator stating that the next meeting will be held on Dec. 10, 2026 at the new 9:30 a.m. start time.