Illinois sports betting bill clears legislature after last minute push
The Illinois House and Senate have both voted through a wide-ranging gambling expansion bill, which includes measures to legalise sports betting in the US state.
Senate Bill 690, which originally focused on changes to property tax rates, has been expanded significantly through a number of amendments, including Representative Robert Rita’s Sports Wagering Act.
This sets out plans to permit sports wagering and existing and new casinos in Illinois, as well as at racetracks and online. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 87-27 on Saturday, while the House on Sunday followed with an approval vote of 46-10.
The bill will now move forward to Governor J.B. Pritzker for signature later this month. Pritzker has previously spoken publicly about his support for gambling expansion in Illinois and is widely expected to sign off on the bill.
SB 690 enables the Illinois Gaming Board to issue six different types of licences to operators seeking to offer sports betting in the state: a master sports wagering licence, occupational licence, supplier licence, management services provider licence, tier two official league data provider licence, and central system provider licence.
Each license will be applicable to a certain service or offering in the state, with the fee for a master licence to be set at 5% of the holder’s total handle from the following calendar year, up to a maximum of $10m (£7.9m/€8.9m).
Read the full story on iGB North America.
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