Illinois Targets 65 Online Casino and Sweepstakes Sites in Major Crackdown

Key Points

• Illinois regulators ordered 65 online casino and sweepstakes sites to block state residents.
• The same order allows operators to stop prize-based games when platforms run without licences. The Gaming Board and Attorney General said these platforms violate state gambling law.
• They also warned operators could face civil or criminal penalties. This crackdown reflects a wider national effort to limit unlicensed sweepstakes gambling platforms.

State regulators in Illinois moved forward with a major enforcement action focused on online gambling without licenses. As part of the effort, officials issued cease-and-desist letters to 65 online casino and sweepstakes platforms across the market. The Illinois Gaming Board carried out the operation with direct support from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Officials described the step as one of the largest joint crackdowns on sweepstakes-style gaming platforms in the United States to date. Letters explained that regulators believe the sites run games of chance on the internet. These games pay money or other items of value, yet operators do not hold the required licensure. Such conduct, authorities stated, breaches Illinois criminal law and exposes platforms to further action.

Operators Ordered to Block Illinois Users or End Prize-Based Games

The letters instruct operators to immediately block Illinois residents from accessing their platforms. They also allow operators to stop offering prize-based games within Illinois. These offerings include games that award cash, gift cards, or other things of value. Regulators warned that ignoring the order could trigger civil or criminal penalties. The Illinois Gaming Board said operators would breach state criminal law by staying active in Illinois. Illinois law restricts legal gambling to licensed riverboat casinos and land-based casinos. It also permits licensed racetracks and sportsbooks operating under the Sports Wagering Act. The list extends to establishments licensed through the Video Gaming Act. Meanwhile, the law bans unlicensed internet gambling sites offering games of chance. Authorities said active legislation could alter this framework in the future.

The Gaming Board said the notices use standard language with small changes based on the games offered. Each letter also lists the date linked to the alleged violation, which sets the record clear. One example sent to Chumba Casino describes events seen on January 12, 2026. On that date, regulators observed Illinois users receiving access to slots, bingo, and table games. The platforms delivered these games through internet services and mobile devices at the same time. Users also had chances to win cash, gift cards, and other prizes under these offers. Regulators said this activity broke state law, which raised firm concern. The notice referenced laws allowing gambling only at licensed facilities. These statutory provisions fall under the umbrella of 230 ILCS 10/3 and 230 ILCS 40/1 and so on.

Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter made a point of saying illegal online gambling operations pose a threat to consumer protection. He also noted that such activities undermine the safeguards put in place to promote responsible gaming; the whole thing is at odds with the idea of having regulated gaming for the public good. According to Fruchter, the Board will keep evaluating all regulatory and law enforcement tools available. Such actions focus on stopping illegal gambling while protecting Illinois residents. Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the law clearly states that gambling in Illinois must remain licensed and regulated. He added that unlicensed gaming operators expose consumers to risk and harm the regulated gaming market’s integrity. Raoul confirmed his office will continue working with the Gaming Board to hold illegal operators accountable.

Game Removals and Platform Exits Signal Regulatory Pressure

The enforcement action came after earlier signs showed rising regulatory pressure in Illinois. In January, the Illinois Gaming Board told Sweepsy that unlicensed sweepstakes casinos were not welcome. The notice also covered other illegal gambling operations active within the state. During the same period, Evolution’s live dealer portfolio and slot titles became unavailable on Stake.us in Illinois. Nearly 300 Evolution titles were removed, alongside games from smaller studios such as 24/7 Reels and Fat Panda. Some reports said Evolution games were also unavailable on Modo and Spinquest in Illinois. However, officials could not confirm those reports at the time. ToraTora Casino informed users it would exit Illinois on January 10 due to regulatory considerations. The platform then shut down fully on January 23, closing access for all users.

The list of platforms receiving cease-and-desist letters includes ACE, American Luck, and Chip’n Win. It also names Chumba Casino, Crown Coins Casino, Fliff, Fortune Coins, and Fortune Wheelz. Other platforms listed are FreeSpin, Global Poker, Gold Rush City, and Gold Treasure Casino. The notices further cover Golden Hearts Games, GoldSlips, Hello Millions, and High 5 Casino. Regulators also included Legendz, LuckyLand Slots, McLuck Casino, and Splash Coins. The same list names Sportzino, Stake, WOW Vegas, and Stake.us. Global Poker and Chumba Casino operate under VGW ownership. Over the past year, both companies exited more than 10 states. These exits followed growing uncertainty around sweepstakes casino regulation across the country.

Mixed Results From Sweepstakes Enforcement Across Other States

The Illinois action also follows wider national trends seen across several states. Other states, including Louisiana, Delaware, West Virginia, and Tennessee, saw most sweepstakes platforms exit after similar enforcement efforts. In contrast, compliance rates stayed lower in some other regions. Maryland regulators sent 75 cease-and-desist letters, which drew strong attention across the sector. Testimony from the Director of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency said only about one-third complied. Minnesota took a different path through separate letters from regulators and the attorney general. These notices targeted platforms such as Stake.us, McLuck, LuckyLand Slots, and Fortune Coins. Despite this, operations in Minnesota did not stop following the letters. Some operators chose to exit states only after facing multiple enforcement rounds. Examples include VGW’s LuckyLand Slots in Delaware and Stake.us in Maryland.

The Illinois crackdown arrives as several states move to ban dual-currency sweepstakes platforms through legislation. Other proposals aim to tighten statutes to include sweepstakes casinos across Florida, Maine, Indiana, and Tennessee. Lawmakers also introduced measures in Maryland, Virginia, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Utah. In these states, lawmakers argue that prize-based free-to-play structures act as de facto online casinos. They say such platforms operate outside licensing, tax, and responsible gaming rules, which raises concern. Separately, on January 27, the Illinois Racing Board suspended the organisation license of Suburban Downs racetrack. The action followed failures to provide documents showing financial integrity and minimum standards. This decision fell under requirements set by the state’s Horse Racing Act. The suspension came after event cancellations on January 3 and 4. Those cancellations occurred despite the track receiving an organisation license on October 9.