Illinois to try for iGaming once again with new bill filed

• Illinois representative bringing back online casino bill in the 2026 session
• HB 4979 sets out a clear path to legalizing, regulating, and taxing online casinos
• Despite the momentum, there is still strong opposition to the measure from retail casinos, and some iGaming-adjacent gambling operators

There is an appetite in the Prairie State for the legalization of online casinos,but efforts to make this a reality have so far been met with resistance.

This is not stopping Rep. Edgar González Jr. from bringing up the issue once again in 2026, with the representative refiling a bill seeking the legalization of Internet casinos, with House Bill 4979 seeking to add the new vertical to the state’s licensed activities.

Illinois to debate on the future of online casinos once again

Gonzalez Jr. previously attempted to have online casinos legalized in 2025, but these efforts ultimately stalled as lawmakers didn’t want to move forward with the issue. Yet, momentum has built behind the proposal, and the representative does not want to let up.

A possible second bill could be coming in from the Senate, too, as Gonzalez Jr. is working with Sen. Cristina Castro, who could also submit a proposal to the chamber. As things stand, HB 4797 outlines what a regulated Internet casino gambling market would look like.

The bill outlines a 25% tax on adjusted gross gaming revenue from iGaming operations, with the proceeds channeled through the State Gaming Fund. The tax will be applied state-wide with no additional taxes.

Each authorized location will be able to team up and launch three skins. HB 4797 specifically outlines the proposed taxation and payable licensing fees, with an initial internet gaming license costing only $250,000 to obtain, and $100,000 to renew.

A service provider, such as a platform provider, would also need to pay $100,000 to obtain a license, while a supplier such as Greentube or Play’n GO would need to pay $75,000 to operate legally.

Tethering will apply, meaning that the 17 licensed casinos and racetracks in the state would each be able to offer up to three licenses based on their brick-and-mortar operations, giving Illinois a potential and rather crowded field of 51 online casinos.

Having so many launches is very unlikely, however. Gonzalez Jr. has also addressed another matter, highlighting the need for a legal framework that addresses responsible gambling and player protection.

Among the measures envisaged by HB 4979 are statewide self-exclusion, deposit and spending limits, as well as responsible gambling messaging that is prominent and frequently displayed to players.

Governor set to OK a bill if it clears the houses

One good sign of the potential success of HB 4979, or a sister Senate bill, is the fact that Gov. J.B. Pritzker is open to the idea, meaning that should a bill clear both houses, the governor would sign it into law, rather than veto or send it back.

Gonzalez Jr. has also crafted a bill that directly addresses issues such as land-based cannibalization by pointing out that other iGaming states have not seen a loss of revenue and that online casinos are complementary to established gambling activities.

Some retail casinos and the video gamingterminal lobby continue to object to online gambling, fearing that it would result in a direct loss of revenue. Notably, Penn Entertainment, which also runs online businesses, has been against the measure.

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