Bill
HB 2878
Illinois HB 2878 allows master sports wagering licenses to operate online and via mobile apps, with new higher fees and removed entry restrictions.
Note on source documents
- The materials provided appear to include text from two different bills both labeled "HB 2878" (an Arizona bill on judicial foreclosure/excess‑proceeds sale and an Illinois bill amending the Sports Wagering Act). This summary focuses on the Gaming — Sports Wagering provisions (Illinois HB 2878) because the bill title and sponsor information in your prompt correspond to that subject.
Summary — purpose and intent
- Purpose: Amend the Illinois Sports Wagering Act to (1) set new application and license fees for master sports wagering licenses, (2) make master licensees explicitly able to conduct wagering over the Internet and mobile apps, and (3) remove several existing statutory restrictions, notice requirements and some eligibility / outreach provisions. The measure is intended to restructure licensing terms and some regulatory requirements for online sports wagering.
Key provisions and changes
- Application and license fees
- Applicants for a master sports wagering license must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $250,000.
- The initial master sports wagering license fee is set at $15,000,000.
- (The bill text references a 4‑year license term in existing statute language; the synopsis states the change is effective immediately.)
- Internet/mobile wagering
- Explicitly provides that a master sports wagering licensee may conduct sports wagering over the Internet or via a mobile application.
- Removal/modification of existing statutory provisions (per synopsis)
- Removes provisions establishing a numerical limit (previous statute provided for 3 master licenses for online operators) and some public notice requirements tied to selection.
- Removes certain eligibility requirements for a master license, the applicant’s duty of disclosure, and outreach requirements previously assigned to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB).
- Makes conforming statutory changes to reflect these deletions.
- Other technical edits
- The draft appears to harmonize definitions and selection language (some source text is truncated), and to align fees and issuance mechanics with the new fee schedule.
Who or what is affected
- Prospective master sports wagering applicants and existing online wagering operators (potentially higher upfront license cost; fewer statutory entry restrictions).
- Illinois Gaming Board and Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (reduced statutory outreach and notice duties).
- Consumers and the market for online sports wagering (possible changes in the number/structure of licensees, competition and market entry).
- State fiscal picture (upfront revenue from $250k application fees and $15M license fees per master license issued).
Procedural status and timeline (from the provided actions)
- Introduced in the Illinois House: 02/06/2025 (Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita).
- Read first time / referred to committee; additional procedural steps listed (Rules Committee, Ways & Means, Gaming Committee referenced in the mixed record).
- Added co‑sponsor: Rep. Ryan Spain (04/10/2025).
- Synopsis states the bill is effective immediately upon enactment.
Potential impacts to note
- Fiscal: Large one‑time license fees could generate significant revenue per license; total revenue depends on number of licenses the Board ultimately issues (the bill removes the prior statutory cap).
- Market structure: Eliminating numeric limits and some eligibility/notice requirements could broaden entry, increase competition, or change bargaining dynamics with sports leagues and platform providers.
- Regulation & oversight: Removing eligibility, disclosure, and outreach requirements may reduce administrative burdens but could also limit transparency or public engagement around license awards and regulatory vetting.
- Consumer experience: Explicit authorization for Internet/mobile wagering clarifies digital operations; market changes may affect product availability, promos and responsible‑gaming measures depending on subsequent Board rules.
If you want, I can:
- Produce a redline style comparison between the current statute and the proposed changes,
- Summarize potential fiscal effects in dollar terms under different licensing scenarios, or
- Provide a short explainer on how master sports wagering licensing currently works in Illinois and how this bill would change that process.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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