Section 1900.130  Cooperation with Investigations

The Board finds that the integrity of sports wagering and the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the State of Illinois can be ensured only through cooperation by the Board, law enforcement agencies, licensees, and sports governing bodies.

a)         Board Cooperation with Investigations by Law Enforcement Agencies and Sports Governing Bodies

1)         A law enforcement agency or sports governing body may submit a request for cooperation to the Administrator.  The request for cooperation shall be in writing and shall include the following:

A)        Name and address of the agency or entity making the request;

B)        Name, title, phone number, and email address of the individual making the request;

C)        A summary of the general nature of the conduct under investigation; and

D)        A description of the information, data, records, or other cooperation desired.

2)         The Administrator may grant or deny the request for cooperation.  Denial of a request for cooperation shall be in writing.  In evaluating a request for cooperation, the Administrator shall consider all factors, including, but not limited to:

A)        The nature and extent of cooperation requested;

B)        The nature of the behavior being alleged;

C)        The benefit to the integrity and security of sports wagering in the State of Illinois; and

D)        Whether and to what extent granting the request would adversely impact the ongoing operations of the Board, the State of Illinois, or the sports wagering industry in Illinois.

b)         Licensee Cooperation with Investigations by Law Enforcement Agencies and Sports Governing Bodies

1)         A law enforcement agency or sports governing body may submit a request for cooperation to a master sports wagering licensee or management services provider licensee, with a copy submitted to the Administrator.  The request for cooperation shall be in writing and shall include the following:

A)        Name and address of the agency or entity making the request;

B)        Name, title, phone number, and email address of the individual making the request;

C)        A summary of the general nature of the conduct under investigation; and

D)        A description of the information, data, records, or other cooperation desired.

2)         The licensee may voluntarily grant or deny the request for cooperation.  Denial of a request for cooperation shall be in writing, and shall be submitted to the requesting entity and the Administrator.  A denial of a request for cooperation by a master sports wagering licensee must be for good cause, and must include a detailed explanation as to why the licensee will not cooperate.

3)         Upon receiving a denial of a request for cooperation from a licensee, the Administrator may issue an order requiring the licensee to cooperate with the request.  In determining whether to issue such an order, the Administrator shall consider all factors listed in subsection (a)(2).

c)         Any information provided by the Board or a licensee to any sports governing body under this Section is strictly confidential and shall not be used for any purpose other than the purpose that was stated in the request for cooperation.  The information may not be disclosed to any third party other than for the purposes of resolving an integrity-related investigation, to law enforcement entities, or pursuant to a lawful court order, unless approved by the Administrator.

d)         A sports governing body shall notify the Administrator and cooperating licensee in writing upon receipt of any court order requiring disclosure of information obtained under this Section.

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 3460, effective March 4, 2021)