What’s Involved in a Background Check for the Illinois Gaming Board?

As a part of applying for your Illinois gaming license, you’ll have to undergo a background check. According to the Video Gaming Act, each person seeking a license from the Illinois Gaming Board (“IGB”) must submit to a background investigation.  The investigation will include a number of different people and entities in your ownership structure, depending on how your location’s ownership is held.  Until the IGB is satisfied that an applicant has successfully passed a background investigation, it will not issue a license.   Also, keep in mind that when your license comes due every year, you must continue to meet these standards, and the IGB can discipline you or take action on your license at any time if something in your background changes.

Among the many factors that they can consider when investigating your license application, the IGB is ensuring that you do NOT “have a background, including a criminal record, reputation, habits, social or business associations, or prior activities that pose a threat to the public interests of the State or to the security and integrity of video gaming.”

Each applicant for a license must submit with their application two sets of their fingerprints for the background check.  You will receive specific instructions on how and when to be fingerprinted.   

The IGB may refuse a license, and in some cases, must refuse a license to anyone who:

• Has been found guilty of a felony or crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude.
• Has had a failed drug test.
• Fails to disclose or states falsely any information called for in the application or during the background process, including background interviews.
• Has multiple misdemeanors, a lengthy criminal history, outstanding debt obligations or even a problematic criminal history of family members.
• Has been found guilty of a violation of the Video Gaming Act, or whose prior gambling related license or application therefor has been suspended, restricted, revoked or denied for just cause in any other state.
• Has placed themselves on the self-excluded list in regard to Illinois casinos.

The IGB also reserves the right to deny a license for any other just cause.

All in all, the goal is to keep the Illinois gaming market full of honest people and companies of good character and integrity. This is done with the ultimate goal of maintaining the public’s confidence and trust in gaming.

Have you gone through the process of obtaining an Illinois gaming license? Tell us about it in the comments!