Prairie State Wire

Illinois Gaming Board met March 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Illinois Gaming Board convened for a Regular Meeting on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 9:01 A.M. in the 5th Floor Auditorium of the of the Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL, and through electronic means pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/1 et seq. The meeting was accessible on the morning of March 14, 2024, via livestream at: https://multimedia.illinois.gov/igb/igb-live.html.

A roll call was taken. The following Board members were physically present: Chairman Charles Schmadeke, Member Anthony Garcia, and Member Dionne Hayden. Member Garcia was physically present in the Michael A. Bilandic Building but elected to sit in Room N504 down the hall from the 5th Floor Auditorium as a precautionary measure due to a health-related concern. Member James Kolar was present and participated in the meeting through electronic means. Four members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.

At approximately 9:02 A.M., Member Garcia moved to go into closed session pursuant to Section 2(c), paragraphs (1), (4), (11), (21) and (36) of the Open Meetings Act and Section 6(d) of the Illinois Gambling Act to discuss items on the closed session agenda relating to the employment and performance of a specific employee, pending litigation, the review of closed session minutes of the Regular Board Meetings, and to deliberate on decisions of the Illinois Gaming Board in which there is discussed personal, commercial, financial, or other information obtained from any source that is privileged, proprietary, confidential, or a trade secret; or information specifically exempted from the disclosure by federal or State law. Member Hayden seconded the motion. The Board approved the motion unanimously by voice vote. Thereafter, the Board held its closed session meeting in person and through electronic means, the minutes of which are separately recorded. The Board’s closed session meeting was not accessible via livestream at https://multimedia.illinois.gov/igb/igb-live.html.

At approximately 10:29 A.M., the Board reconvened its Regular Meeting of Thursday, March 14, 2024, pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/1 et seq. The meeting was held in person and through electronic means. The meeting was accessible on the morning of March 14, 2024 via livestream at: https://multimedia.illinois.gov/igb/igb-live.html.

Another roll call was taken. The following Board members were present: Chairman Charles Schmadeke, Member Anthony Garcia, Member Dionne Hayden and Member James Kolar. Member Garcia was physically present in the Michael A. Bilandic Building but elected to sit in Room N504 down the hall from the 5th Floor Auditorium as a precautionary measure due to a health-related concern. Member James Kolar was present and participated in the meeting through electronic means. Four members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes from its Regular Meeting held on February 8, 2024

The Board voted unanimously to approve the amended minutes from its Regular Meeting held on December 7, 2023.

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

None.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Administrator Fruchter began his report by reminding listeners that March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month in Illinois and across the country. The Administrator noted that problem gambling and responsible gaming remain an important focus for the IGB and he provided the audience with several resources that are available to people who would like assistance in this regard.

The Administrator noted that on March 7, 2024, he authorized the DraftKings sportsbook at Wrigley Field to commence retail sports wagering which it did the following day. The approval of the DraftKings sportsbook at Wrigley Field was the fourteenth sportsbook to be approved since the March 2020 launch of legal sports wagering in the State of Illinois.

Next, Administrator Fruchter discussed the important value of the public comment processes as it relates to sports wagering, video gaming or casino rulemaking and modernization initiatives. He further noted that the IGB is interested in receiving comments and proposals for a potential rulemaking in video gaming that could provide for the issuance of temporary operating permits or expedited licensure in certain narrow circumstances, and for certain applicants who have satisfied key eligibility requirements and gaming integrity safeguards. To that end, the Administrator encouraged everyone to submit their ideas, thoughts, concerns and questions to IGB.RuleComments@illinois.gov by no later than 5:00 P.M. on April 30, 2024.

PUBLIC COMMENTARY

The Board entertained public commentary from Grant Jones (Midwest Electronics Gaming, LLC) and Jim Zorn (Thorntons LLC)

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

None.

CASINO

OWNERS/ORGANIZATION GAMING LICENSEE ITEMS

Request for Final Consideration of Owners License Renewal

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to renew Par-A-Dice Gaming

Corporation d/b/a Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino’s Owners License for a period of four years, expiring in March 2028 and further required that Par-A-Dice submit a new casino facility development project plan by March 14, 2026 unless otherwise directed by future IGB request.

Key Person Suitability Determinations

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find Lynn Marie Handler-Cohen suitable as a key person of FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a The Temporary by American Place.

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find Francis Gerald Scharadin, Jr. suitable as a key person of Par-A-Dice Gaming Corporation d/b/a Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino.

The Board voted unanimously to find Randy Lee Taylor suitable as a key person of Everi Games Inc. and Everi Payments Inc.

OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEE ITEMS

Level 2 and 3 License Applications – Approvals and Denials

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 73 Level 2 and 98 Level 3 occupational license applicants. The Board further voted to issue a Notice of Denial to:

1. Paige Michael Albertson

Occupational License Denial - Rescission

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to rescind Lindsey Marie Schmid’s denial and grant her an Occupational Level 3 license.

Occupational License Renewals by the Administrator

Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 8, 2024, the Administrator renewed the Level 1, 2, and 3 licenses of individuals who were licensed or renewed in March 2023 and who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Illinois Gambling Act and the Board’s Rules.

SPORTS WAGERING

SPORTS WAGERING SUPPLIER LICENSEE ITEM

Initial Management Services Provider License Approval

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant PointsBet Illinois LLC a Sports Wagering Management Services Provider license and further find the following individuals and business entities suitable as key persons of PointsBet Illinois LLC:

1. Ian Geoffrey Botts

2. Michael Ross Conn

3. Edward Henry Kimball Couture

4. Andrea John Ellis

5. Mathew Wallis King

6. Gregory Keith Mondre

7. Michael Gary Rubin

8. Glenn Howard Schiffman

9. PointsBet USA Inc.

10. PointsBet USA Holding Inc.

11. FBG Enterprises Opco, LLC

12. FBG Enterprises Intermediate Holdco, LLC

13. FBG Enterprises Holdco, Inc.

14. FBG Enterprises Topco, Inc.

15. Fanatics Global Holdco, LLC

16. Fanatics Holdings, Inc.

17. Kynetic F, LLC

18. Silver Lake Partners IV, L.P.

19. Silver Lake Technology Associates IV, L.P.

20. SL FH HoldCo I, L.P.

21. SL FH VC, L.L.C.

22. Michael G. Rubin 2011 GST Nonexempt Grantor Retained Annuity Trust #2.

SPORTS WAGERING SUPPLIER LICENSEE ITEM

Initial Supplier License Approval (By Administrator)

Pursuant to the authority delegated to the Administrator by the Board on February 8, 2024 to issue licenses under the Illinois Gambling Act, the Video Gaming Act, and the Sports Wagering Act to all individuals and entities already licensed by the Board, and to make all suitability findings and approvals necessary thereto, I am granting a Sports Wagering Supplier license to Suzohapp Gaming Solutions, LLC, for a period of two years, expiring March 2026 and further finding the following individuals suitable as key persons of Suzohapp Gaming Solutions, LLC:

1. James Michael Brendel

2. Daniel Douglas Gawel

3. Daniel Douglas Gawel

4. Jonathan Ginns

5. ACON Suzo-Happ Investments, L.P.

6. ACON Suzo-Happ Management, LLC

7. ACON Suzo-Happ, LLC

8. SUZOHAPP Americas LLC

SPORTS WAGERING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEE ITEMS

Level 2 and Level 3 License Applications – Approvals

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 102 Level 2 Sports Wagering Occupational licenses.

Level 1, 2, and 3 License Renewals – Administrator Delegation

Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 8, 2024, the Administrator renewed the Level 1, 2, and 3 Sports Wagering licenses of the individuals who were licensed or renewed in March 2023 who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Sports Wagering Act and the Board’s Rules.

VIDEO GAMING

TECHNICIANS & TERMINAL HANDLERS

Initial Licenses – Approvals and Denials

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 4 Technician licenses and 62 Terminal Handler licenses for a period of two years, expiring in March 2026, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before April 30, 2024 and further issue Notice of Denial to the following applicants:

1. LaSheryl Doris Poole (210503510)

2. James Daryck Bosley (220502994)

VG Terminal Handler Non-Renewal

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to issue a Notice of Non-Renewal to: 1. Gary Scott Shelton (180500534)

VG Technicians and Terminal Handlers License Renewals (by Administrator)

Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 8, 2024, the Administrator renewed the licenses of Technicians and Terminal Handlers who were licensed or renewed in March 2022 for a period of two years, expiring in March 2026, who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Video Gaming Act and the Board’s Rules.

VIDEO GAMING ESTABLISHMENT APPLICANT ITEMS

VG Location Establishment Approvals and Denials

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 82 Video Gaming Establishment license applications for a period of two years, expiring in March 2026, subject to the licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before April 30, 2024, and to issue a Notice of Denial to:

1. Sergio's Barbecue, Inc. d/b/a Rob's Barbecue (230702185)

VG Location Establishment Denials – Statutory by Administrator

Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 8, 2024, the Administrator denied the following Video Gaming Location Establishment applications as ineligible under the VGA and Rules:

1. Chalkey's Tavern, Inc. d/b/a Chalkey's Tavern (220701381)

VG Location Establishment License Denial - Rescission

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to rescind the February 8, 2024 denial of Jay Maa Mogul LLC d/b/a On the Rocks and grant them a Video Gaming Location Establishment license for a period of two years, expiring in March 2026, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before April 30, 2024.

VG Location Establishment License Renewals by Administrator

Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 8, 2024, the Administrator renewed the licenses of Video Gaming Location Establishments who were licensed or renewed in March 2022 for a period of two years expiring in March 2026, who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Video Gaming Act and the Board's Rules.

DISASSOCIATIONS

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to order Gold Rush Amusements, Inc. to disassociate from Eli Rosenfeld (231702253) and Rayleen Panicola (231702223) d/b/a RMSP Services (231702228).

REQUESTS FOR HEARING

The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the Request for Hearing submitted by JAI SRIRAM INC. d/b/a AM STAR.

ADJOURN

The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

https://www.igb.illinois.gov/FilesBoardMeeting/20240425OpenMeetingMinutes.pdf