The State Of Casino Legality Across Iowa and Illinois
The US gambling landscape has seen dramatic shifts over the past few years in how states manage gambling and casino licensure. These two neighbouring Midwestern jurisdictions, Iowa and Illinois, implemented separate gaming laws according to their heritages combined with economic drivers. The following article analyzes Iowa and Illinois gambling laws alongside strategic assessments and discusses the domestic implications of gambling in the United States.
Casino Legality in Iowa
Iowa has become the gambling industry leader in the Midwest, offering a full selection of legal gaming opportunities.
Overview of Gambling in Iowa
After the 1972 constitutional amendment changed Iowa’s ban on gambling, the state developed extensive gambling options. Ask Gamblers highlights recent Iowa gambling legislation that allows both traditional and modern gaming, with horse racing facilities alongside dog race betting, a state-sanctioned lottery system, and operational Native American casinos. The state has 19 casinos, 15 of which provide complete sportsbooks.
Historically, excursion boat activity has played a key role in casino gambling expansion in Iowa. In the early 1990s, riverboat casinos became a state-legal existence, allowing gambling activities to occur on riverboats. This shift was pivotal in the Iowa casino industry’s development into the current all-land-based regulated market.
In America, the legality of gambling changes state by state which makes finding the best online casino sites harder than usual. Luckily for the American people, casino affiliates like AskGamblers make finding the best certified online casinos an easier job than you would once expect.
Online Gambling in Iowa
Iowa residents gained the right to bet on sports through online platforms starting in August 2019 when Governor Kim Reynolds approved the law, which emerged from the State Legislature in May 2019. Between initial registration at retail sportsbooks and the January 2021 legislative change, bettors experienced increased activity levels on online betting platforms.
The state of Iowa permits online sports betting, but online gaming casino games remain restricted from operating in the territory. While lawmakers continue to discuss online casinos, no definitive legislation has been passed to approve them.
Regulatory Authority
As the primary governing authority, the IRGC functions as the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to regulate all state gambling activities. Through Iowa Code Sections 99D and 99F, the IRGC is a state agency responsible for tracking racetrack operators, casinos, and sports betting activities.
Casino Legality in Illinois
Illinois has welcomed a developing and more diverse gaming industry consisting of land-based casinos, racebooks, and the state-legal gaming of sports. This subsection examines the state’s gaming environment, the regulatory environment, and the prospect of expanded online casino activity.
Overview of Gambling in Illinois
In Illinois, gambling in many forms is allowed, from land-based casinos to racinos. The state issued a maximum of 16 casino licenses, with a maximum of 2,000 gaming positions per licensee, except the casino in Chicago (a maximum of 4,000 positions is allowed).
Such enterprises play an essential role in creating employment and collecting taxes for the state. In 2020, Illinois took another step in supporting an expanding gaming industry by expanding gambling law to include sports betting.
Online Gambling in Illinois
Illinois is one of several U.S. states where online sports betting is legal and available. Several operators provide both mobile and online platforms. However, real-money online casino games remain illegal.
Propositions to legislate the opening of online casinos, such as bills suggesting a 15% tax on the volume of online games and the responsibilities of the Illinois Gaming Board, are available. Despite these efforts, online casino gaming has not been legalized, but future expansion remains possible.
Regulatory Authority
As the regulatory and law enforcement authority, the Illinois Gaming Board oversees all state casino gambling, video gaming, and sports wagering. The regulatory authority maintains gaming sanctity in Illinois while generating state funding and economic benefits for both host and local communities within Illinois.
Comparison Between Iowa and Illinois
Iowa and Illinois differ significantly in their casino legalization strategies. Iowa permits land-based casinos exclusively on Native American reservations, excursion boats, and racetracks, while Illinois supports broader land-based casinos and racinos, allowing for more expansive operations. Illinois has also been quicker in adopting sports betting laws, implementing online sports betting in 2020, than Iowa’s 2019 adoption.
Both states share economic motivations, viewing gambling as a vital revenue source for funding public services and infrastructure. Additionally, their regulatory bodies—the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission and Illinois Gaming Board—focus on ensuring fair practices. Public attitudes in both states reflect cautious optimism toward gambling expansion.
Conclusion
The legal landscapes of Iowa and Illinois highlight the dynamic nature of gambling regulation, driven by economic motivations and public interest. As these states continue to adapt, their frameworks could influence broader U.S. trends in casino legality and online gambling expansion.
