The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) issued a reminder to gamblers at its April 24, 2025, meeting to avoid using unlicensed sweepstakes gaming operators. The Board also adopted new rules, including a prohibition on the use of credit cards to fund sports betting accounts in order to promote responsible gambling.
“The IGB reminds Illinois patrons to avoid illegal, unregulated online and retail gambling operators including ‘sweepstakes’ devices and other products that mimic legal slot machines, casino games, and sports betting,” the Board said in a press release last week.
Sweepstakes casinos are free online gaming platforms that allow players to enjoy casino-style games, such as blackjack, roulette, and slots, without spending real money. They operate under a sweepstakes model, allowing players to win real cash prizes using virtual currencies like Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.
Although sweeps operators do not require gambling with real money, the platforms also allow players to redeem their virtual coins for real money or prizes. Gaming regulators and lawmakers across the United States argue that the dual-currency model still constitutes gambling.
Illinois Senator Bill Cunningham Proposed Anti-Sweepstakes Bill
Earlier this month, Illinois Senator Bill Cunningham proposed Senate Bill 1705, which would broaden the definition of “gambling device” in the state to include any vending or electronic machine that awards credits and, following an amendment on April 2, online sweepstakes platforms.
If the bill becomes law, it could make operating a sweepstakes casino or device illegal in the Prairie State, as well as other gambling-related products such as “skill machines.”
This measure amends the Criminal Code of 2012 and the Video Gaming Act. It would also remove a provision allowing for the use of a game device without a license if the game device is used in an activity that is not gambling under the Criminal Code of 2012.
New Definition Of Gambling Device
The new definition of “gambling device” in Illinois would include:
“[Any] machine or device that awards credits and contains a circuit, meter, or switch capable of removing and recording the removal of credits that offers a person entry into any contest, competition, sweepstakes, scheme, plan, or other selection process that involves or is dependent upon an element of chance for which the person may receive a gift, award, or other item or service of value if that offer is incidental to or results from: (A) the purchase of an item or service of value; or (B) the purchase or gratuitous receipt of a coupon, voucher, certificate, or other similar credit that can be redeemed for or applied towards an item or service of value from such machine or device or elsewhere.”
An offense involving such a gambling device without a license would be treated as a Class 4 felony, which carries a prison sentence of as many as three years but no fewer than one year and/or a fine of up to $25,000.
Rule 3-9(a) of SB 1705 was re-referred to Assignments on April 11.