The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) issued a new casino owners’ license to Wind Creek IL LLC doing business as Wind Creek Chicago Southland in Homewood and East Hazel Crest during last Thursday’s final meeting of 2024.
Illinois Gaming Board has collected more than $386 million in gaming fees from new casino operators since November 2021
Before the IGB voted on licensure, Wind Creek IL LLC representatives addressed the Board about their suitability for licensure, providing highlights of their operations since opening and sharing their future plans.
“Wind Creek is Illinois’ 16th casino,” said IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. “This is the sixth casino license the IGB has issued since enactment of the 2019 landmark gaming expansion legislation that authorized six new casino licenses.
“The IGB has collected more than $386 million in upfront gaming fees from those new casino operators since the first of the new casinos opened in Rockford in November 2021. These fees have been deposited into the Rebuild Illinois fund for critical infrastructure projects across our State.”
The IGB granted Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, LLC, a Master Sports Wagering License and granted a Management Services Provider License to Hillside (Illinois) LLC operating as bet365.
Pending further regulatory requirements and sports betting approval, licensure will allow Walker’s Bluff and bet365 to work together to operate the retail and online sportsbook at Walker’s Bluff.
Additionally, Administrator Fruchter said the IGB is accepting public comment on the development and implementation of a Self-Exclusion Program in video gaming and cashless wagering technology until Jan. 13, 2025.
Comments can be submitted via the Illinois Gaming Board’s website.
Board approved 214 Level 2 sports betting licenses, 81 video gaming locations, and 71 terminal handlers among other tasks
The IGB took many other regulatory actions including:
Issued the following casino approvals:
- 257 Level 2, and 3 occupational licenses
- 2 level 1 license approvals
Denied occupational licenses for:
- 3 occupational licenses
Approved the following video gaming licenses:
- 81 video gaming locations
- 71 terminal handlers and 5 technicians
- 3 terminal operator licenses
Denied video gaming licenses for:
- 4 video gaming location applicants
For video gaming, the IGB took the following actions:
- 4 recissions of prior video gaming location denials
- 2 video gaming location non-renewals
Approved the following sports wagering licenses:
- 214 Level 2 sports wagering occupational licenses
- 2 Sports Wagering Supplier Licenses: Hillside (Sports) MP Limited operating as bet365, Hillside (Technology) Limited doing business as bet365
“The work achieved thus far in 2024 would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of the Board and our staff,” said Administrator Fruchter.
“I thank and congratulate them on a job well done. There is more to do in 2025, and I look forward to continued future accomplishments in the New Year.”
The IGB’s next scheduled regular meeting is Feb. 6, 2025.
