Illinois Gaming Board Cracks Down on Sweepstakes Operators

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has taken a significant step in enforcing regulated gaming within the state by issuing cease and desist letters to over 60 sweepstakes casino and poker operators. The targeted entities include prominent names such as Chumba Casino, Fliff, JefeBet, Pulsz, Legendz, Global Poker, and Stake US.

The IGB, in coordination with the Attorney General’s office, believes that these sweepstakes operators are violating Illinois laws. IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter emphasized that illegal online gambling operations threaten customer protections and undermine responsible gaming safeguards. He stated, “Illegal online gambling operations threaten customer protections, undermine responsible gaming safeguards, and are antithetical to the public’s interest in regulated gaming.”

Gambling in Illinois is strictly regulated and is only allowed in venues such as riverboat casinos, licensed land-based casinos, and sportsbooks regulated under the Sports Wagering Act. The cease and desist letters instruct all operators to immediately cease their operations in Illinois and block Illinois residents from accessing their sites to avoid civil and criminal penalties.