Illinois Bans Credit Cards for Sports Betting for Online and Retail
Illinois lawmakers passed a law this week that bans the use of credit cards to fund sports betting accounts in the state. Users can no longer use credit to add money to an online sportsbook account in the Land of Lincoln.
Illinois bans credit card usage for sports betting accounts
Key Facts:
- Illinois joins growing list of states to ban credit card usage for sports betting
- Decision is aimed to reducing risk of problem gambling
- Six states have now prohibited the use of credit cards with online sportsbook accounts
In a significant move aimed at promoting responsible gambling, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has officially prohibited the use of credit cards to fund sports wagering accounts.
The decision marks a notable policy shift in one of the nation’s largest sports betting markets and aligns Illinois with a growing number of states introducing tighter safeguards around sports wagering.
The new rule, approved by the IGB in April 2025, follows a broader review of sports betting practices across the state. According to IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter, the decision reflects mounting evidence that credit card restrictions can reduce harm among individuals vulnerable to problem gambling.
“There is a growing body of recent research showing that restrictions on credit usage to fund wagering accounts encourages responsible gambling and mitigates the harms of compulsive gambling,” said Fruchter. “Problem gamblers are particularly at risk, and studies have shown an often-problematic willingness for compulsive gamblers to use credit cards to place bets.”
When Illinois legalized sports betting in March 2020, it was one of just 14 states with regulated wagering. At the time, none of those states banned credit card use for account funding.
Fast forward to April 2025, and sports betting is now legal in 40 states, with six—including Massachusetts, Iowa, and Tennessee—having implemented similar bans on credit card deposits for sports betting.
In addition to the credit card ban for sports wagering accounts, the IGB approved two additional regulatory changes at its April meeting:
Expansion of Cashless Wagering in Illinois Casinos
A proposed amendment to Casino Rule 3000.600 will allow patrons in all 17 Illinois casinos to utilize digital wallets for gaming activities. These cashless wagering accounts can be used to place bets, withdraw winnings, and manage gaming credits electronically.
However, consistent with the new rules, these accounts must still comply with restrictions including the credit card ban, age verification, responsible gaming protocols such as the Self-Exclusion Program, and anti-money laundering requirements.
Enhanced Oversight for Video Gaming Sales Agents
The IGB has also proposed changes to Video Gaming Rule 1800.265, introducing new record retention requirements for video gaming sales agents and brokers. These agents will now be held to the same documentation standards as other licensees, a move intended to increase transparency and regulatory oversight in the expanding video gaming sector.
All newly adopted rules are now subject to review by the Illinois General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), where they will undergo public comment and further scrutiny before taking final effect.
Illinois Continues Focus on Compliance and Consumer Protection
The IGB emphasized that the regulatory changes are part of a broader strategy to continually assess and evolve gaming oversight as the industry grows in scope and complexity.
“These new rules are the product of the IGB’s ongoing work to identify and evaluate potential rules, procedures and practices for either modification or adoption to best accommodate changes in gaming,” Fruchter noted. “Our goal is to ensure that Illinois maintains high levels of ethics, innovation, competition, integrity, compliance, safety, and success.”
The Board also took the opportunity to caution consumers against engaging with unregulated gambling platforms, including offshore operators and sweepstakes casinos, which fall outside the scope of Illinois’ consumer protection laws and regulatory standards.
With the new rules, Illinois is not only tightening its grip on the integrity of its legal gaming environment but also reinforcing its commitment to player safety and responsible gambling. As more states consider similar measures, the Prairie State is once again positioning itself as a leader in gambling regulation and innovation.
