Overview
- The Illinois Gaming Board and the Attorney General’s office sent more than 60 cease‑and‑desist letters directing alleged illegal casino and sweepstakes platforms to stop offering prizes and block Illinois users immediately.
- Officials warned that operators who do not comply could face civil or criminal penalties, citing risks to consumer protections and responsible gaming safeguards.
- Recipients identified in public notices include VGW, High 5 Casino, Fliff, JefeBet, Modo, Pulsz, Sportzino, and Stake.
- The enforcement push follows industry complaints tied to Illinois’ new 25–50 cent per‑bet tax, with state data showing a 15% drop in bet counts even as average wager size has increased.
- Whether companies will comply in Illinois is not yet known, though Tennessee recently said all 40 sweepstakes sites it contacted agreed to shut down in that state.