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HB 2761

Relating to county disaster recovery; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Evans

Professional sports teams can obtain a master sports wagering license to operate sportsbooks at their home venue if the public owner declines, via a designee, for up to 4 years.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 2761

Summary — HB 2761 (Sports Wagering Act — Master License for Professional Sports Teams)

Status: Enacted (signed by Governor 6/20/2025; effective 9/1/2025)
Primary sponsor: Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet
Related: SB 2435 (companion)
Statute amended: Adds Section 25-47 to the Sports Wagering Act (230 ILCS 45)

Purpose
- To allow a professional sports team to obtain a master sports wagering license for a sports facility when the public entity that owns the facility chooses not to apply, thereby enabling teams to run sportsbook operations at the facilities where they play.

Key provisions
- Who may apply:
- A professional sports team may apply to the Illinois Gaming Board for the master sports wagering license if:
- The public entity owning the sports facility does not apply for the master license; and
- The team plays the majority of its home contests at that sports facility; and
- The team has written authorization from the public entity that owns the facility.
- A team granted a license under this section is deemed to be a “sports facility” for purposes of the Act.

  • Operation through designee:

    • A licensed professional sports team must operate through a designee (as defined in Section 25-40 of the Act). The designee will be treated as the owner of the sports facility for all purposes under the Act and associated rules.

  • License fee and term:

    • Initial master sports wagering license fee for a professional sports team: $1,000,000.
    • Twelve months after the licensee begins sportsbook operations, the license fee amount is adjusted based on 5% of the licensee’s handle (total wagers accepted) from its first 12 months of sportsbook operations.
    • The master sports wagering license is valid for 4 years.

  • Rulemaking:

    • The Illinois Gaming Board is authorized to adopt rules necessary to implement these provisions.

Who is affected
- Professional sports teams that play most home contests at a public-facility venue and obtain written authorization from the public owner.
- Public entities that own sports facilities (they retain the option to apply first; if they decline, teams may step in).
- Designees and sportsbook operators affiliated with teams.
- Illinois Gaming Board (regulatory and rulemaking responsibilities).
- Potentially local governments and taxpayers — revenue distribution between public owners and private teams may be affected depending on how licensing and operational arrangements are structured.

Procedural/timing notes
- Bill progressed through standard legislative committees and floor votes (recorded actions in May 2025).
- Signed by Governor 6/20/2025; statutory effective date is 9/1/2025.
- Board rulemaking will be needed to operationalize the new licensing pathway and define implementation details.

Potential impacts (illustrative)
- Provides an alternative revenue and operational pathway when public owners decline licensing; may increase private-sector participation in venue-based sportsbooks.
- Financial exposure for teams: a $1,000,000 upfront/licensing threshold, later adjusted to a fee tied to actual wagering volume (5% of first-year handle), which could be materially larger or smaller than the initial fee depending on activity levels.
- Could shift negotiation dynamics between teams and public facility owners over revenue sharing and control of venue wagering operations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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