Illinois Coalition for Employment and Business Growth

The Video Gaming Act (the "Act"), enacted on July 13, 2009, legalizes the use of video gaming terminals in licensed establishments, licensed truck stop establishments, licensed fraternal establishments, and licensed veterans establishments (each, an "Establishment" or "Establishments"). A video gaming terminal is any electronic game machine that, upon insertion of cash, is available to play or simulate the play of a video game, including but not limited to Illinois video poker, line up, and blackjack, as authorized by the Illinois Gaming Board (the "Board") utilizing a video display and microprocessors in which the player may receive free games or credits that can be redeemed for cash. This does not include a machine that directly dispenses coins, cash, or tokens or is for amusement purposes only. All video gaming devices falling outside of this definition will be illegal to possess, constituting a felony, under Illinois law.