Illinois Gaming Board Approves First Racino License and Appoints First Black Woman Chairperson

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has granted approval for several gaming licenses and implemented additional measures, including issuing the state's inaugural racino license and appointing its first Black woman Chairperson. The Board authorized the organizational gaming license for Fairmount Park Casino and Racing in Collinsville, marking the first racino license in Illinois. The IGB received an upfront fee of nearly $10 million in May, which was allocated to the Rebuild Illinois Fund dedicated to statewide infrastructure development. Since November 2021, this is the seventh new casino license issued by the IGB, bringing the total number of licensed casinos in Illinois to 17. Fairmount Park Casino and Racing, which commenced operations in April, was officially licensed today.