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HB 3473

Relating to registering to vote by voter registration card; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Christine Drazan and 3 co-sponsors

Expands gambling-device rules to cover internet-connected machines and creates a Gaming Disparity Task Force that may levy fees to support minority-owned operators.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3473

HB 3473 — Summary (Video Gaming; Gambling Device Definition; Gaming Disparity Task Force)

Status: In committee upon adjournment (last action 2025-06-28)
Introduced: Feb 18 / Feb 27, 2025 by Rep. Kam Buckner (companion: SB 1531)
Effective date: Provisions in bill state “Effective immediately” if enacted

Purpose / Intent

HB 3473 makes multiple changes to Illinois gaming law. It (1) narrows liability for certain electronic game devices that are not considered “gambling” under the Criminal Code; (2) revises the statutory definition of “gambling device” in the Criminal Code to address internet-connected machines that award credits; and (3) creates a Gaming Disparity Task Force to study minority participation, availability, and economic disparities in the video-gaming industry and to collect related data and impose certain fees to support its work.

Key provisions

  • Amendments to the Video Gaming Act (230 ILCS 40)

    • Confirms each video gaming terminal must be licensed and that license must be maintained at the terminal location; failure is a petty offense (fine up to $100).
    • Provides that an applicant or licensee is not in violation of the Act, subject to Board disciplinary action, or subject to license denial/delay for operating a gaming device if operation is in compliance with — and not considered gambling under — specified provisions of the Criminal Code of 2012.
    • Reiterates seizure/confiscation/destruction authority for devices used in violations and retains penalties (a violation of the section is a Class 4 felony).
    • Requires posting of odds at each video gaming terminal and limits play to hours allowed for alcoholic beverage consumption at the host licensed establishment.

  • Gaming Disparity Task Force (new Sec. 76)

    • Creates a Task Force to identify disparities in the video gaming industry and impact on minorities.
    • Governor appoints 5 members, including the Chair (Chair staffs the Task Force and sets the agenda).
    • Powers: maintain staff, collect data (including requiring terminal operators to submit detailed information on ownership, revenues, and spending), compile reports, and make policy/statutory/rule recommendations.
    • Authorizes the Task Force to levy or require fees for its operation to be collected by the Illinois Gaming Board from terminal operations generating more than $5,000,000, and to direct some payments to minority business enterprise–owned terminal operators (text indicates specified payments to MBE-owned operators).

  • Amendments to the Criminal Code of 2012

    • Expands definition of “gambling device” to explicitly include vending or other electronic machines that award credits and contain circuits/meters/switches that remove/record credits when the device is connected (directly or indirectly) to the Internet or to a networked set of devices to participate/receive data — with limited exclusions (e.g., certain redemption vaults, non-revenue/time-based systems).
    • Clarifies that participation in games of skill/chance where no payment is required is not a gambling conviction unless participation uses a prohibited gambling device.
    • Specifies that offenses involving such connected gambling devices are Class 4 felonies.

Who is affected

  • Terminal operators and owners of video gaming terminals (including large operators generating > $5M) — new data/reporting and possible fees.
  • Licensed establishments (bars, truck stops, fraternal and veterans’ establishments) — licensing, hours, posting odds, and potential revocation/seizure exposure.
  • Illinois Gaming Board — collections, enforcement, and data collection responsibilities.
  • Minority business enterprises — Task Force focused on measuring impact and may channel funds/payments to MBE-owned terminal operators.
  • Players and general public — clarifies when electronic games linked to networks constitute gambling.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced in February 2025; read and referred through committees (Gaming; Rules; Ways & Means). Last recorded status: “In committee upon adjournment” (6/28/2025).
  • Companion bill: SB 1531.
  • If enacted as written, many provisions are marked effective immediately.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Clarifies regulatory boundaries for internet-connected gaming/skill devices, which may reduce uncertainty for operators of certain electronic games but expands criminal liability for prohibited connected devices.
  • Establishes a state-level mechanism (Task Force) to document disparities and potentially shift fees/funds to support minority participation — may impose new compliance and financial obligations on large terminal operators.
  • Enforcement language retains strong seizure/penalty tools for illegal devices; posting and operational-hour rules remain for licensed terminals.

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

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