Section 1800.420  Qualifications for Licensure

a)        In addition to the qualifications required in the Act, the Board may not grant any video gaming license until the Board is satisfied that the applicant has disclosed all persons with significant influence or control over the applicant or licensee and is:

1)         A person of good character, honesty and integrity;

2)         A person whose background, including criminal record, reputation and associations, is not injurious to the public health, safety, morals, good order and general welfare of the people of the State of Illinois;

3)         A person whose background, including criminal record, reputation and associations, does not discredit or tend to discredit the Illinois gaming industry or the State of Illinois;

4)         A person whose background, including criminal record, reputation, habits, social or business associations does not adversely affect public confidence and trust in gaming or pose a threat to the public interests of the State or to the security and integrity of video gaming;

5)         A person who does not create or enhance the dangers of unsuitable, unfair or illegal practices, methods and activities in the conduct of video gaming;

6)         A person who does not present questionable business practices and financial arrangements incidental to the conduct of video gaming activities or otherwise;

7)         A person who, either individually or through employees, demonstrates business ability and experience to establish, operate and maintain a business for the type of license for which application is made;

8)         A person who does not associate with, either socially or in business affairs, or employ persons of notorious or unsavory reputation or who have extensive police records, or who have failed to cooperate with any officially constituted investigatory or administrative body; and

9)         A person who has not had a gaming license revoked in any other jurisdiction.

b)         In considering applications for licenses issued under the Act, the Board shall apply the same criteria as set forth in Section 9 of the Illinois Gambling Act [230 ILCS 10]. If the applicant is not an individual, the Board may not license an applicant until it is satisfied that the applicant's owners and persons of significant interest or control are licensable using the same criteria as set forth in Seciton 9 of the Illinois Gambling Act.

c)         In addition to all other qualifications required in the Act and this Part, the Board may not grant a video terminal operator license until the Board is satisfied that the applicant is a person who demonstrates adequate financing for the business proposed.  The Board shall consider whether any financing is from a source that meets the qualifications in subsection (a) and is in an amount sufficient to ensure the likelihood of success in the performance of the licensee's duties and responsibilities under the Act and this Part.

d)         Past Participation in Video Gaming

1)         The Board shall not grant a license to a person who has facilitated, enabled or participated in the use of coin-operated amusement devices for gambling purposes on or after December 16, 2009, or who is under the significant influence or control of such a person.

2)         The Board has discretion not to grant a license to a person who, before December 16, 2009, has facilitated, enabled or participated in the use of coin-operated amusement devices for gambling purposes, or who is under the significant influence or control of such a person.

e)         The Board shall have discretion to deny a license application on the basis that one of the following persons has placed himself or herself on the Self-Exclusion List established by 86 Ill. Adm. Code 3000.750:

1)         The applicant;

2)         A person with significant influence or control over the applicant;

3)         A person with an ownership interest in the applicant of 5% or more; or

4)         A person involved in the operation or management of the applicant's business related to video gaming.

(Source:  Amended at 44 Ill. Reg. 489, effective December 27, 2019)