Bill
SB 1349
Illinois creates master sports wagering licenses with a $250,000 application fee and $15,000,000 initial license fee, allows online/mobile wagering, and removes license caps.
Note on source documents
- The materials provided contain text and fragments from multiple states (Arizona, Hawaii and Illinois). The sports wagering language summarized below corresponds to the Illinois draft of SB 1349 (introduced by Sen. Bill Cunningham in the Illinois General Assembly). Legislative-action dates included in the packet indicate the measure was enacted and signed in 2025; where versions conflict (some drafts state “effective immediately”), the enacted bill’s recorded effective date is September 1, 2025.
Purpose
- Amend the Illinois Sports Wagering Act to (1) set application and license fees for master sports wagering licenses, (2) modify how master licenses are issued and operated (including Internet/mobile wagering), and (3) remove certain procedural and eligibility requirements that were previously in the statute.
Key provisions
- Fees:
- Establishes a nonrefundable application fee of $250,000 for a master sports wagering license applicant.
- Establishes an initial master sports wagering license fee of $15,000,000.
- Licensing scope:
- Explicitly allows a master sports wagering licensee to conduct sports wagering over the Internet and via mobile applications.
- Removal of statutory requirements:
- Removes statutory provisions that limited the number of master sports wagering licenses issued to online operators (previous statutory language authorized three master licenses).
- Removes public notice requirements related to issuance of master licenses.
- Removes statutory provisions regarding master license eligibility criteria, applicant duty of disclosure, and certain outreach requirements for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Gaming Board.
- Conforming and technical changes to the Sports Wagering Act are included.
- (In prior statutory language) licenses were valid for 4 years and previously carried a $20,000,000 initial fee with a $1,000,000 renewal fee; the amendment replaces those amounts and related constraints.
Who is affected
- Potential master sports wagering applicants and operators (large online/mobile wagering platforms).
- The Illinois Gaming Board and Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (fewer statutorily prescribed outreach and notice duties; fee-processing responsibilities).
- Sports governing bodies and leagues (because of expanded Internet/mobile operations and potential changes to licensing volume).
- Bettors and the broader gambling market (potential for increased market entrants, new products and distribution methods).
- State finances — one-time revenue from license and application fees and ongoing regulatory oversight costs.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Revenue: $15 million per master license (plus $250,000 application fees) could generate significant one-time revenues depending on number of licenses issued.
- Market structure: Removing the statutory cap on the number of master licenses may increase competition or attract more entrants; it may also change bargaining power among platform operators and affiliated partners.
- Transparency and oversight: Eliminating public notice and some eligibility/disclosure requirements reduces statutorily mandated transparency; oversight will rely more on administrative (Board) rules and discretionary review rather than specific statutory mandates.
- Regulatory implementation: The Illinois Gaming Board will need to update application processes, fee collection systems, and rules to reflect the new fees and the removed/modified statutory requirements.
Procedural status and timeline (from provided actions)
- Passed both chambers in May 2025, signed by the Governor on May 24, 2025.
- Effective date recorded in the legislative actions: September 1, 2025 (note: an earlier draft synopsis in the packet stated “effective immediately”; users should consult the enrolled act for the definitive effective date).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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