The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) held its monthly meeting on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The meeting was hybrid with in-person accessibility at 160 N. LaSalle St., 5th Floor Auditorium and via livestream. Board members present at this meeting included Chairperson Hayden (appointed on July 14, 2025), Member Brannon and Member Ferrara.
The meeting began with the approval of the minutes of the regular Board Meeting from Thursday, June 5, 2025, and continued with the Board Member comments.
Board Member Comments
Chairperson Hayden opened her remarks by thanking Gov. Pritzker for her appointment, Mr. Schmadeke for his leadership and dedication, Administrator Fruchter and IGB staff for their hard work, and her family for their support. She stated she is ready to embrace the challenges and is enthusiastic to serve and is committed to the values of the IGB. Member Brannon spoke briefly to congratulate Chairperson Hayden, and so do we!
Administrator’s Report
The Administrator began his comments by acknowledging the service of Mr. Schmadeke and welcoming Chairperson Hayden in her new role and speaking to her dedication as member for the last six years and looking forward to continue their collaboration with her in her new role.
Next, the Administrator took a minute to say thank you and congratulations to Chris Orozco of the Licensing Department on his retirement. The Administrator gave a brief history of Chris’s many accomplishments and service. We would like to extend our congratulations to Chris as well!
The Administrator continued his comments stating that on May 13, 2025, the Joint Committee of Administrative Rules (JCAR) approved the proposed advertising rules for all industries and that he expects these to be published in the Illinois state register tomorrow. Upon publication the rules will also be available on the IGB’s website and timely notice will be provided to licensees. Please keep a look out for these communications and contact us with any questions.
Next, the Administrator briefly discussed the idea of making charitable donations via kiosks at Illinois casinos and video gaming locations. He stated that they are currently studying the idea and welcome public comments on the matter. Anyone with comments or interest in this topic should email the IGB at IGB.directorofpolicy@illinois.gov by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 19, 2025.
The Administrator also spoke briefly to remind video gaming locations of Rule 270(R), which states that the video gaming managers, owners, and persons with significant influence and control are prohibited from wagering on machines within their licensed locations. He stated that the IGB has received an increase in reporting allegations of violations of this rule.
Lastly, the Administrator provided the industry revenue numbers. According to the Administrator, there are 17 casinos, 14 operational sports books, 59 terminal operators and 8,733 live video gaming locations offering approximately 49,378 video gaming terminals (VGTs). He also reported that the Ticket In Ticket Out (TITO) system was implemented on July 2, 2025 and that there are currently 14,237 VGTs offering TITO and that number will continue to increase.
In June, VGTs generated approximately $88.6 million in taxes with the state’s share being approximately $75.6 million and the location municipalities receiving approximately $13 million. Casinos in June yielded roughly $42 million in tax revenue, with $32.8 million in taxes going to the state and $9 million to host communities. The May total for sports wagering adjusted gross revenue (AGR) generated a taxable amount of roughly $45 million with $43 million in taxes going to the state and approximately $1.4 million going to Cook County. In total, the combined industries of video gaming, sports wagering, and casino activity reported for January through June 2025 (excluding June sports wagering amounts) has generated approximately $981 million in taxes, with the state’s share being $841 million and local communities receiving $146 million.
Administrative Matters
During the administrative section of the meeting, the Administrator provided a brief overview of rules pertaining to the self-excluded persons list (SEP list). The overview discussed the SEP list, the rules to follow when requesting removal from the SEP list, as well as the confidential nature of these filings. According to the Administrator, an individual filed a request with the IGB to be removed from the SEP list, the Administrator denied that initial request, and the individual subsequently filed a petition for a hearing to address that denial. The Administrator denied the hearing request at this meeting stating that the petition did not meet the requirements of Casino Rule 3000.785 and failing to prove a prima facie case.
Casino
The casino portion of this meeting began with the Board approving a final organizational license for Fairmount Park Inc., d/b/a Fairmount Park Casino and Racing.
Additionally, the Board approved the following key persons and Level 1 occupational licenses:
- Kenneth Brice Rotman for his role as Owner/Board of Directors for Fairmount Park, Inc. d/b/a Fairmount Park Casino and Racing.
- Vladimira Donkova Mircheva for her role as CFO of Casino Queen, LLC d/b/a DraftKings at Casino Queen.
- Victor Hugo Echenique for his roles as 1) VP of Internal Audit for Des Plaines Development Limited Partnership d/b/a Harrah’s Joliet Casino and Hotel, 2) VP of Internal Audit for Elgin Riverboat Resort d/b/a Grand Victoria Casino, and 3) VP of Internal Audit for Southern Illinois Riverboat/Casino Cruises LLC d/b/a Harrah’s Metropolis Casino.
Next the Board approved an initial supplier license for EVS Interactive, Inc., d/b/a Redyref along with the following key persons: Scott Berkowitz, Joseph Amico, William Pymm and EVS Consolidated, Inc.
The Board next approved the following supplier key persons and occupational 1 individuals:
- Craig Terence Toner for his role as Secretary, Treasurer, CEO & CFO of Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
- Jeffrey Eugene Hook for his roles 1) COO of HR Rockford, LLC and 2) Executive VP, COO & Secretary Seminole Hard Rock Support Services, LLC.
- Rebecca Lee Gorgas for her role as VP of Gaming Operations for Bally’s Chicago Operating Company, LLC.
- Michael Keith Morgan for his role as VP of Finance of Bally’s Chicago Operating Company, LLC.
- Mark Joseph Thompson for his role as Director of Finance for Casino Queen, LLC d/b/a DraftKings at Casino Queen.
- Sara Renee Cox for her role as Director of Slots for Fairmount Park, Inc. d/b/a Fairmount Park Casino and Racing.
- Vincent Edward Gabbert for his role as General Manager for Fairmount Park, Inc. d/b/a Fairmount Park Casino and Racing.
- Nathan Matthew Kirby for his role as VP of IT for Fairmount Park, Inc. d/b/a Fairmount Park Casino and Racing.
- Nicholas Joseph Babets for his role as Director of Security for HC Joliet, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Joliet.
- Mantaj Singh Virk for his role as Director of Casino Operations for HC Joliet, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Joliet.
- Mark Anthony Heavrin for Internal Auditor for Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, LLC.
Additionally, the Board approved 327 initial casino occupational level 2 and 3 licenses and issued notices of denial to 6 individuals. The Board also denied the request of hearing from an occupational licensee as the request allegedly failed to prove a prima facie case and meet certain filing requirements, such as a verification of the hearing request.
The Administrator then issued renewals to all occupational licensees that were up for renewal and had provided updated information, timely paid their renewal fees and complied with all other requirements.
Sports Wagering
The sports wagering portion of the meeting began with the Board finding suitability for 1) Vladimira Donkova Mircheva for her role as CFO for Casino Queen, LLC d/b/a DraftKings at Casino Queen, 2) Kenneth Brice Rotman for his role as Owner/Board of Directors for Fairmount Park, Inc. d/b/a Fairmount Park Casino and Racing and 3) Alan Wayne Ellingson for his role as CFO for Crown IL Gaming LLC d/b/a DraftKings.
Video Gaming
The video gaming portion of the meeting began with the Board approving the terminal operator license of APEX VGT of IL LLC and granting 94 location applicants for licensure. The Board denied the location licenses of Fallow Family Laundromat and Main Street Café. The Board rescinded denials and licensed three locations: Gammon Coach House, CJ’s Gaming Bar and Quik Stop.
The Administrator then renewed the terminal handler, technician and location licensees that were up for renewal and had provided updated information to the IGB, timely paid their renewal fees and complied with all other requirements.
The meeting concluded with the Board issuing a final board order in the matter of 23-GB-15 In re: Discipline of Firebird Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Steak N Egger – Racine. The ALJ found in favor of the licensee on all counts of the complaint. The Board adopted the ALJ decision in regard to counts I and II of the complaint but rejected his finding on count III (withholding of information). Based on count III the Board voted to revoke the location license.
That meeting was then adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
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