The new legislation authorized a mega-casino in Chicago and five smaller regional casinos in the southern suburbs. Then, in 2019 the state's Democratic governor JB Pritzker signed a massive gambling expansion package that was part of wider legislation that earmarked billions for investment in infrastructure. The next landmark piece of legislation was passed in 2009 when local bars and other similar venues were allowed to host video gaming terminals (VGTs) operated by the Illinois Lottery.
In 1990, the Riverboat Gambling Act made it legal to run commercial casinos if they were located on boats operating outside of Lake Michigan and counties with populations of over three million people. Legal gambling in Illinois dates to the 1920s when the state authorized betting on horse races at local racetracks.
