Poker Writer
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) issued more than 60 cease-and-desist letters to groups it says operate illegal online casinos or online sweepstakes as the state turns up the heat on sweeps. Poker operators Global Poker and Stake.us were among the recipients.
Legal Illinois gambling is limited to licensed entities, including riverboat casinos, land-based casinos, racetracks, and video gaming licensed under the Video Gaming Act. The IGB cited evidence indicating that the targeted entities offered games of chance without a required license.
Like many states, Illinois believes that sweepstakes casinos bypass state gambling laws with the multi-currency models.
The IGB sent 65 listed cease-and-desist letters to various operators. Each letter specifies the exact date that the IGB “observed” the wrongdoing. Many of the letters have dates in January 2026. Chumba Casino, Gold Treasure Casino, High 5 Casino, Jackpot Rabbit, and Splash Coins are just a few of the targets.
Each letter is signed by IGB administrator Marcus Fruchter, who added in a statement:
Illegal online gambling operations threaten consumer protections, undermine responsible gaming safeguards, and are antithetical to the public’s interest in regulated gaming. The IGB will continue to evaluate all available regulatory and law enforcement tools to combat illegal gambling and to protect Illinoisans.
The letters warn that the operators will face civil or even criminal penalties if they do not block access to the platforms for Illinois residents.
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Global Poker and Stake.us Ordered to Leave Illinois
Two poker operators, Global Poker and Stake.us, were among the operators who received orders to vacate Illinois.
Meanwhile, other sweepstakes poker operators like ClubWPT Gold and Clubs Poker did not receive letters.
This situation looks similar to what developed in Tennessee. There, the state also issued a flurry of cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes operators. In both cases, the poker sites were likely collateral damage.
Global Poker and Stake.us are both owned by companies that operate online sweepstakes casinos. Online poker is small potatoes compared to online casinos, but these sites have gotten caught up in the crossfire as the states target their parent companies and associated online casinos.
PokerScout will continue to monitor these sites’ lists of excluded territories to see when and if players in Illinois can no longer access them.
Illinois One of Many States Cracking Down on Sweeps
Illinois joins the growing list of states cracking down on sweepstakes providers. Last year, high-population states like California, New Jersey, and New York passed laws that prohibit sweeps. The market for such products is shrinking quickly.
In 2026, two Southern states have already made headlines with anti-sweepstakes legislation. Louisiana escalated its crackdown, issuing threats of racketeering. Mississippi passed a sweepstakes ban this week. Iowa also has anti-sweeps bills in the works.
Illinois’ neighbors, Indiana and Iowa, may also soon have anti-sweepstakes bills become law.
