Being from Illinois, I am thrilled to see the growth of online gambling in the state, particularly in the expansion of Illinois sports betting over the past few years.
I see myself as someone who casually bets on sports. I’ll occasionally place a few bets on the Bears or major events like the Super Bowl or March Madness. I have friends who are more serious about betting and will spend entire days watching games and betting on them. If they’re fortunate, they’ll win money to continue betting with.
After seeing the success of sports betting in Illinois, I pondered on the possibility of online casinos in the state. Curious about my friends’ opinions, I asked them to gauge the thoughts of Illinois bettors on the legalization of online casinos.
My utterly unscientific poll by the numbers
I want to clarify upfront that my study is not scientific. I interviewed 10 friends with varying betting habits to gather data. This information is based on a small group of bettors in Chicago and its surrounding areas. Despite the limited sample size, the results reveal differing opinions on Illinois online casinos within the city.
Should Illinois legalize online casinos?
- Yes: 40%
- No: 40%
- Yes, with strict regulations and restrictions on the total amount that can be wagered: 10% limit.
- Neutral: 10%
Have you played real money online casinos in a legal state such as Michigan?
- Yes: 50%
- No: 50%
How often do you bet on sports?
- Not at all: 0%
- Half of the time (during major events like the Super Bowl or March Madness): 50%
- 10% of the time, there are 1-3 bets/games per week.
- 30% of bets/games per week range from 4 to 10.
- 10% of bets/games per week is 10.
What are the true feelings of these bettors towards Illinois online casinos? Let’s find out.
A tale of two perspectives
The surveyed bettors had a wide range of opinions, varying from strong support to complete neutrality to firm opposition. They all requested to remain anonymous or have their full names withheld.
Some individuals suggested that Illinois should proceed, but with significant conditions.
Stacy stated, “We have already legalized various forms of gambling. If individuals are unable to gamble legally, they will seek out the black market. I prefer that it be regulated and secure.”
Indeed, many advocates for online casino legislation in Illinois emphasized the importance of regulation during discussions on the topic.
“Mr. Doherty, who requested to be identified as such, pointed out that gambling is already present in physical casinos, so as long as online gambling is regulated, he sees no reason why it should be treated differently.”
Regulation is key
Meanwhile, Matt said:
As more activities move online for convenience and efficiency, particularly with the success seen during the pandemic, it seems inevitable that online gambling will be the next trend. While concerns about regulations and supplier trust exist, if online gambling is properly regulated and deemed safe, is it really that different from visiting a casino in person?
It is worrisome that individuals can easily gamble and lose significant amounts of money, but this is a common occurrence with online shopping and other activities. People should be able to decide what works best for them in their various activities, just as they do with shopping, social interactions, video gaming, working from home, and more.
Colin is worried about the extent of regulation in Illinois if online casinos are legalized in the state.
He acknowledged the potential for gambling addiction issues but emphasized the importance of limiting consumer gambling habits to reduce financial risks. Despite skepticism about the likelihood of strict regulations, he personally supports the legalization of gambling for reasons of personal freedom. He emphasized the need for high taxation on casinos without loopholes to address problems related to problem gambling and highlighted the importance of setting limits on betting to prevent excessive gambling.
Erin also mentioned taxes in her response, expressing her desire for Illinois to benefit from taxing online casinos. She added that she hopes the revenue generated would be used effectively.
Problem gambling concerns
One anonymous responder expressed concerns about the potential for increased problem gambling and argued against the legalization of online casinos.
While online casinos may be enjoyable, I believe legalizing them is not a wise decision. Some individuals can responsibly enjoy online casinos for entertainment, but there are also many who struggle with gambling addiction. Legalizing online casinos could exacerbate this issue and potentially lead to devastating consequences for those affected.
Sher shared her worries, stating, “When I visited Michigan and spent time playing at online casinos, I had a great time. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this should not be allowed.” She continued, “In Illinois, we’ve never had such easy access to casinos. I’m concerned about my friends who could easily wake up and place a large bet on roulette from the comfort of their own home.”
Michael stated that online casinos are a convenient concept, allowing people to play table games from anywhere. However, he believes that this accessibility may lead to more harm than good in the long run for the general public. He expressed concerns about the potential for irresponsible behavior with the ease of accessing these games on mobile devices. Michael suggested that table games should be kept within the confines of physical casinos.
Brian was the last voice to oppose IL online casinos.
As a casual sports bettor, I believe that online casino gambling is more predatory towards users compared to sports gambling. While both activities can be addictive and are intended for you to spend money, sportsbooks typically involve more time and interaction between spending money, giving you a chance to recognize when you may need to take a break or quit. In contrast, casino gambling involves a continuous flow of money being spent in pursuit of winning, trapping users in a cycle of spending more and becoming increasingly willing to continue further.
Where do we go from here?
Ten sports bettors in a small area will not have a significant impact on Illinois online casinos.
However, they raise important concerns that regulators and lawmakers should take into account. The legalization of online casinos should not solely be driven by financial gain for the state. It is crucial to implement stringent regulations and safety protocols to tackle issues such as problem gambling.
The Internet Gaming Act is currently in effect in the state’s General Assembly. Hopefully, it will be strengthened to ensure the protection of the public.
