Every month, the Illinois Gaming Board (“IGB”) meets to discuss any changes in the Illinois gaming market and issue licensing and disciplinary decisions. What follows is a repost of the notes by our friends at Fox Rothschild in their “At Stake” Newsletter. You can also find official IGB meeting minutes on the IGB website. The minutes of each IGB meeting are typically posted following the next scheduled meeting of the Board.
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) held its monthly meeting on Thursday, August 8. The Board began by mentioning the possibility of rescheduling the September meeting. While no further details were provided, we will send out an email notification if the September meeting date changes.
The following members were present at today’s meeting: newly appointed Chairman Schmadeke; Member Dollins; Member Ramirez; and Member Hayden. Newly appointed Member Garcia was absent. Although the IGB’s website has not yet been updated to include the newest members’ biographies, you can learn more about them through this press release.
The meeting opened with the approval of last month’s meeting minutes and continued with the Chairman’s opening comments. In his comments, Chairman Schmadeke thanked Governor Pritzker for the honor of his appointment and also thanked the Administrator and staff for their hard work and dedication.
The Chairman continued his comments stating that the goals of gaming expansion are threefold: 1) assist in economic development; 2) promote tourism in Illinois; and 3) increase local and state revenues. He stated that these goals can only be achieved if the public has confidence in the process and he further said that, under this administration, issues relating to the integrity in gaming will not be compromised.
Following the Chairman’s comments, Member Dollins spoke briefly to welcome the Chairman.
The meeting continued with the Administrator’s comments which covered the Chicago feasibility study to test the viability of the proposed casino locations and the need for gaming expansion rules.
In regards to the Chicago feasibility study, the Administrator stated that Union Gaming had been selected through the procurement process. He also stated that the study is expected to be completed by August 12, 2019 and the results will be released to the public in a timely manner.
The Administrator spoke at length regarding emergency and proposed permanent rules-making process. He stated that at today’s meeting there would be a presentation of rules for independent test lab licensing, but no sports wagering rules would be discussed and presented. He also stated that the legal department has requested that the Board delegate authority to the Administrator to issue emergency rules. He said that future proposed rules will be published in the Illinois Register (found on the Secretary of State’s website) as well as on the IGB’s website.
Lastly, the Administrator stated there are currently 6,991 live video gaming locations operating 31,949 video gaming terminals (VGTs).
The floor was then opened to three individuals who requested to address the Board during public commentary:
RIVERBOAT
The Riverboat session began with the Board delegating authority to the Administrator to issue emergency rules to assist in the implementation of the expansion legislation. Proposed new rule 3000.290 and 3000.291 were discussed that related to the licensing of testing laboratories. Rule 3000.290 will outline the application procedure and 3000.291 with outline the duties and responsibilities of these licensees.
Next, the Board heard a presentation by Des Plaines Development Limited Partnership d/b/a Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel regarding initial consideration of its owner's license renewal and a presentation by Des Plaines Development Limited Partnership d/b/a Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel and Southern Illinois Riverboat/Casino Cruises LLC d/b/a Harrah's Metropolis Casino regarding initial consideration for the following items related to the merger of Eldorado Resorts, Inc. and Caesars Entertainment Corporation: transfer of ownership; financing transactions; and master lease amendments.
The meeting continued with the following key persons being approved:
The Board moved to deny one occupational licensee and approve 49 Level 2 and 96 Level 3 licenses. The Board also approved the following three Level 1 occupational licenses:
The occupational licensees that that were up for renewal this month and who provided updated information to the IGB, timely paid their renewal fees, and complied with all other requirements were also renewed.
The Board issued three disciplinary complaints against Level 2 and Level 3 occupational licensees for allegedly failing to comply with casino policies at their respective riverboats.
The Riverboat session then concluded.
VIDEO GAMING
The Video Gaming session opened with emergency and proposed permanent rulemaking. Similar to the Riverboat session, the Board delegated authority to the Administrator to issue emergency rules and proposed rules addressing the technical standards for independent testing laboratories for VGTs and the development of application and licensing procedures. Additional rules will be issued to implement the following changes to the Video Gaming Act:
The meeting continued with the Board granting a number of license renewals. The terminal handler, technician and location licensees that were up for renewal this month and who provided updated information to the IGB, timely paid their renewal fees and complied with all other requirements were renewed. The following licensees were also renewed:
The meeting continued with initial licenses being issued to:
The Board also denied the applications of eight terminal handlers/technicians and the following nine locations:
The Board received and denied two requests for a hearing: Richard Miller had his request for a hearing was denied as he allegedly failed to state a prima facie case; and Warden Williams had his request for a hearing denied as his request allegedly failed to satisfy certain procedural requirements.
The Board received and approved requests to reapply from El Nuevo Vallarta Sports Bar and Grill Inc. d/b/a El Nuevo Vallarta Sports Bar and Grill and Lou’s Tap, Inc. d/b/a Louie’s Tap House.
The Board granted authority to the Administrator and staff to enter into settlements and dismiss the complaints when appropriate in the following nine matters:
Finally, the Board reviewed five administrative hearing cases that were before Administrative Law Judges (ALJ):
SPORTS WAGERING
The Sports Wagering session began and ended with the Board delegating authority to the Administrator to issue emergency rules.
The meeting then adjourned.