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Illinois was the second state in the nation to legalize riverboat gambling with the passage of the Riverboat Gambling Act in February 1990. In September 1991, the first riverboat casino opened in Alton and the most recent casino opened in Chicago on September 9, 2023. Today, there are 15 authorized casinos operating throughout Illinois. 

The Video Gaming Act was enacted in July 2009, authorizing the placement of Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) in licensed retail establishments, truck stops, and veteran and fraternal establishments. The VGTs are all connected to and monitored by a Central Communications System. Today, more than 8,400 licensed video gaming locations operate over 46,400 VGTs across the state – comprising the largest video gaming network of its kind in the world. 

The Illinois Sports Wagering Act was enacted on June 28, 2019, as part of the state's landmark 2019 gaming expansion law, and it legalized sports wagering online and at Illinois casinos and horseracing tracks. Illinois sports wagering launched in March 2020 and has since evolved into one of the largest sports wagering markets in the United States. Currently, 13 sportsbooks operate in Illinois. Coach.