As promised, Illinois Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. made sure his Illinois online casino bill moved into a new committee. On Jan. 31, HB2239 entered the Gaming Committee. The Internet Gaming Act (IGA) sponsor has told Bonus he wanted to ensure House members discussed iGaming in 2024, even if they didn’t vote for it.
Gonzalez, D-Chicago, carried the Illinois online casino bill over from 2023. So, this is the iGaming measure’s first movement in 2024. It’s also its second trip from the Rules Committee to the Gaming Committee.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez told Bonus on Jan. 13 that he would do so to spur a discussion about legal online gambling. However, he didn’t believe the IGA would pass during an election year.
He told Bonus on Jan. 13:
Because the budget is a perpetual discussion, as well as new revenue streams, I want to be sure that this bill is in the discussion. It’s tax revenue that the state is missing out on.
In its current form, the Illinois online casino bill’s 15% tax rate on iGaming operators would yield $240 million in annual revenue. It’s possible lawmakers could amend the proposed legislation and, most likely, increase the tax rate. Legal iGaming states tend to tax online casino and poker operators at a higher rate than sportsbooks.
Companion Bill May Be Discussed
While the House Gaming Committee hasn’t yet scheduled a hearing date for HB2239 or any other bills, the companion IGA legislation in the Senate may be heard soon.
At 1:30 p.m. CST on Feb. 7, the Senate Executive Committee. The Senate version of the Illinois online casino bill isn’t on the public hearing agenda so far.
However, the committee chairwoman is state Sen. Cristina Castro.
Castro, D-Elgin, is the primary sponsor of SB1656. That bill moved into her committee on Jan. 10 — presumably for a reason. So, her proposed law may also see some discussion — eventually.
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