HB0261 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 00228 AMC 10234 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB0261

Introduced 1/23/2009, by Rep. Lou Lang

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Provides that applications for owners licenses shall be considered in accordance with the rules of the Illinois Gaming Board (deleting statutory deadlines for filing the applications). Makes changes in provisions concerning the determining factors in the Board's decision in granting owners licenses. Makes changes concerning the criteria for an occupational license. Provides that excursion cruises shall not exceed 4 hours for a round trip, but that the Board may grant express approval for an extended cruise on a case-by-case basis. Provides exceptions to the requirement that gambling equipment and supplies must be purchased or leased only from suppliers licensed under the Act. Provides that any winnings that are a result of a wager by a person under age 21 shall be treated as winnings for privilege tax purposes, confiscated, and forfeited to the State and deposited into the Education Assistance Fund. Provides that the privilege tax shall be paid to the Board not later than 5:00 (was 3:00) o'clock p.m. of the day after the day when the wagers were made. Requires that, within 90 days after the end of each quarter of each fiscal year, the licensed owner or manager shall transmit to the Board a compliance report on engagement procedures determined by the Board. Provides that a person under the age of 21 who enters upon a riverboat commits a petty offense and is subject to a fine. Makes changes concerning admission taxes. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning gaming.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Riverboat Gambling Act is amended by changing Sections 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 18 as follows:

(230 ILCS 10/4) (from Ch. 120, par. 2404)

Sec. 4. Definitions. As used in this Act:

(a) "Board" means the Illinois Gaming Board.

(b) "Occupational license" means a license issued by the Board to a person or entity to perform an occupation which the Board has identified as requiring a license to engage in riverboat gambling in Illinois.

(c) "Gambling game" includes, but is not limited to, baccarat, twenty-one, poker, craps, slot machine, video game of chance, roulette wheel, klondike table, punchboard, faro layout, keno layout, numbers ticket, push card, jar ticket, or pull tab which is authorized by the Board as a wagering device under this Act.

(d) "Riverboat" means a self-propelled excursion boat, a permanently moored barge, or permanently moored barges that are permanently fixed together to operate as one vessel, on which lawful gambling is authorized and licensed as provided in this Act.

(e) "Managers license" means a license issued by the Board to a person or entity to manage gambling operations conducted by the State pursuant to Section 7.3.

(f) "Dock" means the location where a riverboat moors for the purpose of embarking passengers for and disembarking passengers from the riverboat.

(g) "Gross receipts" means the total amount of money exchanged for the purchase of chips, tokens or electronic cards by riverboat patrons.

(h) "Adjusted gross receipts" means the gross receipts less winnings paid to wagerers.

(i) "Cheat" means to alter the selection of criteria which determine the result of a gambling game or the amount or frequency of payment in a gambling game.

(j) "Department" means the Department of Revenue.

(k) "Gambling operation" means the conduct of authorized gambling games upon a riverboat.

(l) "License bid" means the lump sum amount of money that an applicant bids and agrees to pay the State in return for an owners license that is re-issued on or after July 1, 2003.

(m) The terms "minority person", and "female", and "person with a disability" shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(230 ILCS 10/6) (from Ch. 120, par. 2406)

Sec. 6. Application for Owners License.

(a) A qualified person may apply to the Board for an owners license to conduct a riverboat gambling operation as provided in this Act. The application shall be made on forms provided by the Board and shall contain such information as the Board prescribes, including but not limited to the identity of the riverboat on which such gambling operation is to be conducted and the exact location where such riverboat will be docked, a certification that the riverboat will be registered under this Act at all times during which gambling operations are conducted on board, detailed information regarding the ownership and management of the applicant, and detailed personal information regarding the applicant. Any application for an owners license to be re-issued on or after June 1, 2003 shall also include the applicant's license bid in a form prescribed by the Board. Information provided on the application shall be used as a basis for a thorough background investigation which the Board shall conduct with respect to each applicant. An incomplete application shall be cause for denial of a license by the Board.

(b) Applicants shall submit with their application all documents, resolutions, and letters of support from the governing body that represents the municipality or county wherein the licensee will dock.

(c) Each applicant shall disclose the identity of every person, association, trust or corporation having a greater than 1% direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the riverboat gambling operation with respect to which the license is sought. If the disclosed entity is a trust, the application shall disclose the names and addresses of the beneficiaries; if a corporation, the names and addresses of all stockholders and directors; if a partnership, the names and addresses of all partners, both general and limited.

(d) An application shall be filed and considered in accordance with the rules of the Board with the Board by January 1 of the year preceding any calendar year for which an applicant seeks an owners license; however, applications for an owners license permitting operations on January 1, 1991 shall be filed by July 1, 1990. An application fee of $50,000 shall be paid at the time of filing to defray the costs associated with the background investigation conducted by the Board. If the costs of the investigation exceed $50,000, the applicant shall pay the additional amount to the Board. If the costs of the investigation are less than $50,000, the applicant shall receive a refund of the remaining amount. All information, records, interviews, reports, statements, memoranda or other data supplied to or used by the Board in the course of its review or investigation of an application for a license under this Act shall be privileged, strictly confidential and shall be used only for the purpose of evaluating an applicant. Such information, records, interviews, reports, statements, memoranda or other data shall not be admissible as evidence, nor discoverable in any action of any kind in any court or before any tribunal, board, agency or person, except for any action deemed necessary by the Board.

(e) The Board shall charge each applicant a fee set by the Department of State Police to defray the costs associated with the search and classification of fingerprints obtained by the Board with respect to the applicant's application. These fees shall be paid into the State Police Services Fund.

(f) The licensed owner shall be the person primarily responsible for the boat itself. Only one riverboat gambling operation may be authorized by the Board on any riverboat. The applicant must identify each riverboat it intends to use and certify that the riverboat: (1) has the authorized capacity required in this Act; (2) is accessible to disabled persons; and (3) is fully registered and licensed in accordance with any applicable laws.

(g) A person who knowingly makes a false statement on an application is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 93-28, eff. 6-20-03.)

(230 ILCS 10/7) (from Ch. 120, par. 2407)

Sec. 7. Owners Licenses.

(a) The Board shall issue owners licenses to persons, firms or corporations which apply for such licenses upon payment to the Board of the non-refundable license fee set by the Board, upon payment of a $25,000 license fee for the first year of operation and a $5,000 license fee for each succeeding year and upon a determination by the Board that the applicant is eligible for an owners license pursuant to this Act and the rules of the Board. For a period of 2 years beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, as a condition of licensure and as an alternative source of payment for those funds payable under subsection (c-5) of Section 13 of the Riverboat Gambling Act, any owners licensee that holds or receives its owners license on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, other than an owners licensee operating a riverboat with adjusted gross receipts in calendar year 2004 of less than $200,000,000, must pay into the Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund, in addition to any other payments required under this Act, an amount equal to 3% of the adjusted gross receipts received by the owners licensee. The payments required under this Section shall be made by the owners licensee to the State Treasurer no later than 3:00 o'clock p.m. of the day after the day when the adjusted gross receipts were received by the owners licensee. A person, firm or corporation is ineligible to receive an owners license if:

(1) the person has been convicted of a felony under the laws of this State, any other state, or the United States;

(2) the person has been convicted of any violation of Article 28 of the Criminal Code of 1961, or substantially similar laws of any other jurisdiction;

(3) the person has submitted an application for a license under this Act which contains false information;

(4) the person is a member of the Board;

(5) a person defined in (1), (2), (3) or (4) is an officer, director or managerial employee of the firm or corporation;

(6) the firm or corporation employs a person defined in (1), (2), (3) or (4) who participates in the management or operation of gambling operations authorized under this Act;

(7) (blank); or

(8) a license of the person, firm or corporation issued under this Act, or a license to own or operate gambling facilities in any other jurisdiction, has been revoked.

(b) In determining whether to grant an owners license to an applicant, the Board shall consider:

(1) the character, reputation, experience and financial integrity of the applicants and of any other or separate person that either:

(A) controls, directly or indirectly, such applicant, or

(B) is controlled, directly or indirectly, by such applicant or by a person which controls, directly or indirectly, such applicant;

(2) the facilities or proposed facilities for the conduct of riverboat gambling;

(3) the highest prospective total revenue to be derived by the State from the conduct of riverboat gambling;

(4) the extent to which the ownership of the applicant reflects the diversity of the State by including minority persons, and females, and persons with a disability and the good faith affirmative action plan of each applicant to recruit, train and upgrade minority persons, and females, and persons with a disability in all employment classifications;

(5) the financial ability of the applicant to purchase and maintain adequate liability and casualty insurance;

(6) whether the applicant has adequate capitalization to provide and maintain, for the duration of a license, a riverboat;

(7) the extent to which the applicant exceeds or meets other standards for the issuance of an owners license which the Board may adopt by rule; and

(8) The amount of the applicant's license bid.

(c) Each owners license shall specify the place where riverboats shall operate and dock.

(d) Each applicant shall submit with his application, on forms provided by the Board, 2 sets of his fingerprints.

(e) The Board may issue up to 10 licenses authorizing the holders of such licenses to own riverboats. In the application for an owners license, the applicant shall state the dock at which the riverboat is based and the water on which the riverboat will be located. The Board shall issue 5 licenses to become effective not earlier than January 1, 1991. Three of such licenses shall authorize riverboat gambling on the Mississippi River, or, with approval by the municipality in which the riverboat was docked on August 7, 2003 and with Board approval, be authorized to relocate to a new location, in a municipality that (1) borders on the Mississippi River or is within 5 miles of the city limits of a municipality that borders on the Mississippi River and (2), on August 7, 2003, had a riverboat conducting riverboat gambling operations pursuant to a license issued under this Act; one of which shall authorize riverboat gambling from a home dock in the city of East St. Louis. One other license shall authorize riverboat gambling on the Illinois River south of Marshall County. The Board shall issue one additional license to become effective not earlier than March 1, 1992, which shall authorize riverboat gambling on the Des Plaines River in Will County. The Board may issue 4 additional licenses to become effective not earlier than March 1, 1992. In determining the water upon which riverboats will operate, the Board shall consider the economic benefit which riverboat gambling confers on the State, and shall seek to assure that all regions of the State share in the economic benefits of riverboat gambling.

In granting all licenses, the Board may give favorable consideration to economically depressed areas of the State, to applicants presenting plans which provide for significant economic development over a large geographic area, and to applicants who currently operate non-gambling riverboats in Illinois. The Board shall review all applications for owners licenses, and shall inform each applicant of the Board's decision. The Board may grant an owners license to an applicant that has not submitted the highest license bid, but if it does not select the highest bidder, the Board shall issue a written decision explaining why another applicant was selected and identifying the factors set forth in this Section that favored the winning bidder.

In addition to any other revocation powers granted to the Board under this Act, the Board may revoke the owners license of a licensee which fails to begin conducting gambling within 15 months of receipt of the Board's approval of the application if the Board determines that license revocation is in the best interests of the State.

(f) The first 10 owners licenses issued under this Act shall permit the holder to own up to 2 riverboats and equipment thereon for a period of 3 years after the effective date of the license. Holders of the first 10 owners licenses must pay the annual license fee for each of the 3 years during which they are authorized to own riverboats.

(g) Upon the termination, expiration, or revocation of each of the first 10 licenses, which shall be issued for a 3 year period, all licenses are renewable annually upon payment of the fee and a determination by the Board that the licensee continues to meet all of the requirements of this Act and the Board's rules. However, for licenses renewed on or after May 1, 1998, renewal shall be for a period of 4 years, unless the Board sets a shorter period.

(h) An owners license shall entitle the licensee to own up to 2 riverboats. A licensee shall limit the number of gambling participants to 1,200 for any such owners license. A licensee may operate both of its riverboats concurrently, provided that the total number of gambling participants on both riverboats does not exceed 1,200. Riverboats licensed to operate on the Mississippi River and the Illinois River south of Marshall County shall have an authorized capacity of at least 500 persons. Any other riverboat licensed under this Act shall have an authorized capacity of at least 400 persons.

(i) A licensed owner is authorized to apply to the Board for and, if approved therefor, to receive all licenses from the Board necessary for the operation of a riverboat, including a liquor license, a license to prepare and serve food for human consumption, and other necessary licenses. All use, occupation and excise taxes which apply to the sale of food and beverages in this State and all taxes imposed on the sale or use of tangible personal property apply to such sales aboard the riverboat.

(j) The Board may issue or re-issue a license authorizing a riverboat to dock in a municipality or approve a relocation under Section 11.2 only if, prior to the issuance or re-issuance of the license or approval, the governing body of the municipality in which the riverboat will dock has by a majority vote approved the docking of riverboats in the municipality. The Board may issue or re-issue a license authorizing a riverboat to dock in areas of a county outside any municipality or approve a relocation under Section 11.2 only if, prior to the issuance or re-issuance of the license or approval, the governing body of the county has by a majority vote approved of the docking of riverboats within such areas.

(Source: P.A. 93-28, eff. 6-20-03; 93-453, eff. 8-7-03; 94-667, eff. 8-23-05; 94-804, eff. 5-26-06.)

(230 ILCS 10/9) (from Ch. 120, par. 2409)

Sec. 9. Occupational licenses.

(a) The Board may issue an occupational license to an applicant upon the payment of a non-refundable fee set by the Board, upon a determination by the Board that the applicant is eligible for an occupational license and upon payment of an annual license fee in an amount to be established. To be eligible for an occupational license, an applicant must:

(1) be at least 21 years of age if the applicant will perform any function involved in gaming by patrons. Any applicant seeking an occupational license for a non-gaming function shall be at least 18 years of age;

(2) not have been convicted of a felony offense, a violation of Article 28 of the Criminal Code of 1961, or a similar statute of any other jurisdiction, or a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude;

(2.5) not have been convicted of a crime, other than a crime described in item (2) of this subsection (a), involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, except that the Board may, in its discretion, issue an occupational license to a person who has been convicted of a crime described in this item (2.5) more than 10 years prior to his or her application and has not subsequently been convicted of any other crime;

(3) have demonstrated a level of skill or knowledge which the Board determines to be necessary in order to operate gambling aboard a riverboat; and

(4) have met standards for the holding of an occupational license as adopted by rules of the Board. Such rules shall provide that any person or entity seeking an occupational license to manage gambling operations hereunder shall be subject to background inquiries and further requirements similar to those required of applicants for an owners license. Furthermore, such rules shall provide that each such entity shall be permitted to manage gambling operations for only one licensed owner.

(b) Each application for an occupational license shall be on forms prescribed by the Board and shall contain all information required by the Board. The applicant shall set forth in the application: whether he has been issued prior gambling related licenses; whether he has been licensed in any other state under any other name, and, if so, such name and his age; and whether or not a permit or license issued to him in any other state has been suspended, restricted or revoked, and, if so, for what period of time.

(c) Each applicant shall submit with his application, on forms provided by the Board, 2 sets of his fingerprints. The Board shall charge each applicant a fee set by the Department of State Police to defray the costs associated with the search and classification of fingerprints obtained by the Board with respect to the applicant's application. These fees shall be paid into the State Police Services Fund.

(d) The Board may in its discretion refuse an occupational license to any person: (1) who is unqualified to perform the duties required of such applicant; (2) who fails to disclose or states falsely any information called for in the application; (3) who has been found guilty of a violation of this Act or whose prior gambling related license or application therefor has been suspended, restricted, revoked or denied for just cause in any other state; or (4) for any other just cause.

(e) The Board may suspend, revoke or restrict any occupational licensee: (1) for violation of any provision of this Act; (2) for violation of any of the rules and regulations of the Board; (3) for any cause which, if known to the Board, would have disqualified the applicant from receiving such license; or (4) for default in the payment of any obligation or debt due to the State of Illinois; or (5) for any other just cause.

(f) A person who knowingly makes a false statement on an application is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(g) Any license issued pursuant to this Section shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance.

(h) Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to prohibit a licensed owner from entering into an agreement with a public community college or a school approved under the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act for the training of any occupational licensee. Any training offered by such a school shall be in accordance with a written agreement between the licensed owner and the school.

(i) Any training provided for occupational licensees may be conducted either on the riverboat or at a school with which a licensed owner has entered into an agreement pursuant to subsection (h).

(Source: P.A. 86-1029; 87-826.)

(230 ILCS 10/11) (from Ch. 120, par. 2411)

Sec. 11. Conduct of gambling. Gambling may be conducted by licensed owners or licensed managers on behalf of the State aboard riverboats, subject to the following standards:

(1) A licensee may conduct riverboat gambling authorized under this Act regardless of whether it conducts excursion cruises. A licensee may permit the continuous ingress and egress of passengers on a riverboat not used for excursion cruises for the purpose of gambling. Excursion cruises shall not exceed 4 hours for a round trip. However, the Board may grant express approval for an extended cruise on a case-by-case basis.

(2) (Blank).

(3) Minimum and maximum wagers on games shall be set by the licensee.

(4) Agents of the Board and the Department of State Police may board and inspect any riverboat at any time for the purpose of determining whether this Act is being complied with. Every riverboat, if under way and being hailed by a law enforcement officer or agent of the Board, must stop immediately and lay to.

(5) Employees of the Board shall have the right to be present on the riverboat or on adjacent facilities under the control of the licensee.

(6) Gambling equipment and supplies customarily used in conducting riverboat gambling must be purchased or leased only from suppliers licensed for such purpose under this Act. However, the Board may approve the sale or lease of gambling equipment and supplies by a licensed owner and a licensed owner may bring gambling equipment and supplies that it has legally acquired into this State for use in Illinois with the approval of the Board.

(7) Persons licensed under this Act shall permit no form of wagering on gambling games except as permitted by this Act.

(8) Wagers may be received only from a person present on a licensed riverboat. No person present on a licensed riverboat shall place or attempt to place a wager on behalf of another person who is not present on the riverboat.

(9) Wagering shall not be conducted with money or other negotiable currency.

(10) A person under age 21 shall not be permitted on an area of a riverboat where gambling is being conducted, except for a person at least 18 years of age who is an employee of the riverboat gambling operation. No employee under age 21 shall perform any function involved in gambling by the patrons. No person under age 21 shall be permitted to make a wager under this Act, and any winnings that are a result of a wager by a person under age 21, whether or not paid by a licensee, shall be treated as winnings for the privilege tax purposes, confiscated, and forfeited to the State and deposited into the Education Assistance Fund.

(11) Gambling excursion cruises are permitted only when the waterway for which the riverboat is licensed is navigable, as determined by the Board in consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This paragraph (11) does not limit the ability of a licensee to conduct gambling authorized under this Act when gambling excursion cruises are not permitted.

(12) All tokens, chips or electronic cards used to make wagers must be purchased from a licensed owner or manager either aboard a riverboat or at an onshore facility which has been approved by the Board and which is located where the riverboat docks. The tokens, chips or electronic cards may be purchased by means of an agreement under which the owner or manager extends credit to the patron. Such tokens, chips or electronic cards may be used while aboard the riverboat only for the purpose of making wagers on gambling games.

(13) Notwithstanding any other Section of this Act, in addition to the other licenses authorized under this Act, the Board may issue special event licenses allowing persons who are not otherwise licensed to conduct riverboat gambling to conduct such gambling on a specified date or series of dates. Riverboat gambling under such a license may take place on a riverboat not normally used for riverboat gambling. The Board shall establish standards, fees and fines for, and limitations upon, such licenses, which may differ from the standards, fees, fines and limitations otherwise applicable under this Act. All such fees shall be deposited into the State Gaming Fund. All such fines shall be deposited into the Education Assistance Fund, created by Public Act 86-0018, of the State of Illinois.

(14) In addition to the above, gambling must be conducted in accordance with all rules adopted by the Board.

(Source: P.A. 93-28, eff. 6-20-03.)

(230 ILCS 10/12) (from Ch. 120, par. 2412)

Sec. 12. Admission tax; fees.

(a) A tax is hereby imposed upon admissions to riverboats operated by licensed owners authorized pursuant to this Act. Until July 1, 2002, the rate is $2 per person admitted. From July 1, 2002 until July 1, 2003, the rate is $3 per person admitted. From July 1, 2003 until August 23, 2005 (the effective date of Public Act 94-673) this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, for a licensee that admitted 1,000,000 persons or fewer in the previous calendar year, the rate is $3 per person admitted; for a licensee that admitted more than 1,000,000 but no more than 2,300,000 persons in the previous calendar year, the rate is $4 per person admitted; and for a licensee that admitted more than 2,300,000 persons in the previous calendar year, the rate is $5 per person admitted. From August 23, 2005 ( Beginning on the effective date of Public Act 94-673) until the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, for a licensee that admitted 1,000,000 persons or fewer in calendar year 2004, the rate is $2 per person admitted, and for all other licensees the rate is $3 per person admitted. Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the rate is $3 per person admitted for all owners licensees. This admission tax is imposed upon the licensed owner conducting gambling.

(1) The admission tax shall be paid for each admission, except that a person who exits a riverboat gambling facility and reenters that riverboat gambling facility within the same gaming day shall be subject only to the initial admission tax.

(2) (Blank).

(3) The riverboat licensee may issue tax-free passes to actual and necessary officials and employees of the licensee or other persons actually working on the riverboat.

(4) The number and issuance of tax-free passes is subject to the rules of the Board, and a list of all persons to whom the tax-free passes are issued shall be filed with the Board.

(a-5) A fee is hereby imposed upon admissions operated by licensed managers on behalf of the State pursuant to Section 7.3 at the rates provided in this subsection (a-5). For a licensee that admitted 1,000,000 persons or fewer in the previous calendar year, the rate is $3 per person admitted; for a licensee that admitted more than 1,000,000 but no more than 2,300,000 persons in the previous calendar year, the rate is $4 per person admitted; and for a licensee that admitted more than 2,300,000 persons in the previous calendar year, the rate is $5 per person admitted.

(1) The admission fee shall be paid for each admission.

(2) (Blank).

(3) The licensed manager may issue fee-free passes to actual and necessary officials and employees of the manager or other persons actually working on the riverboat.

(4) The number and issuance of fee-free passes is subject to the rules of the Board, and a list of all persons to whom the fee-free passes are issued shall be filed with the Board.

(b) From the tax imposed under subsection (a) and the fee imposed under subsection (a-5), a municipality shall receive from the State $1 for each person embarking on a riverboat docked within the municipality, and a county shall receive $1 for each person embarking on a riverboat docked within the county but outside the boundaries of any municipality. The municipality's or county's share shall be collected by the Board on behalf of the State and remitted quarterly by the State, subject to appropriation, to the treasurer of the unit of local government for deposit in the general fund.

(c) The licensed owner shall pay the entire admission tax to the Board and the licensed manager shall pay the entire admission fee to the Board. Such payments shall be made daily. Accompanying each payment shall be a return on forms provided by the Board which shall include other information regarding admissions as the Board may require. Failure to submit either the payment or the return within the specified time may result in suspension or revocation of the owners or managers license.

(d) The Board shall administer and collect the admission tax imposed by this Section, to the extent practicable, in a manner consistent with the provisions of Sections 4, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5i, 5j, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 8, 9 and 10 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and Section 3-7 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

(Source: P.A. 94-673, eff. 8-23-05; 95-663, eff. 10-11-07.)

(230 ILCS 10/13) (from Ch. 120, par. 2413)

Sec. 13. Wagering tax; rate; distribution.

(a) Until January 1, 1998, a tax is imposed on the adjusted gross receipts received from gambling games authorized under this Act at the rate of 20%.

(a-1) From January 1, 1998 until July 1, 2002, a privilege tax is imposed on persons engaged in the business of conducting riverboat gambling operations, based on the adjusted gross receipts received by a licensed owner from gambling games authorized under this Act at the following rates:

15% of annual adjusted gross receipts up to and including $25,000,000;

20% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $25,000,000 but not exceeding $50,000,000;

25% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $50,000,000 but not exceeding $75,000,000;

30% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $75,000,000 but not exceeding $100,000,000;

35% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $100,000,000.

(a-2) From July 1, 2002 until July 1, 2003, a privilege tax is imposed on persons engaged in the business of conducting riverboat gambling operations, other than licensed managers conducting riverboat gambling operations on behalf of the State, based on the adjusted gross receipts received by a licensed owner from gambling games authorized under this Act at the following rates:

15% of annual adjusted gross receipts up to and including $25,000,000;

22.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $25,000,000 but not exceeding $50,000,000;

27.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $50,000,000 but not exceeding $75,000,000;

32.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $75,000,000 but not exceeding $100,000,000;

37.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $100,000,000 but not exceeding $150,000,000;

45% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $150,000,000 but not exceeding $200,000,000;

50% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $200,000,000.

(a-3) Beginning July 1, 2003, a privilege tax is imposed on persons engaged in the business of conducting riverboat gambling operations, other than licensed managers conducting riverboat gambling operations on behalf of the State, based on the adjusted gross receipts received by a licensed owner from gambling games authorized under this Act at the following rates:

15% of annual adjusted gross receipts up to and including $25,000,000;

27.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $25,000,000 but not exceeding $37,500,000;

32.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $37,500,000 but not exceeding $50,000,000;

37.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $50,000,000 but not exceeding $75,000,000;

45% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $75,000,000 but not exceeding $100,000,000;

50% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $100,000,000 but not exceeding $250,000,000;

70% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $250,000,000.

An amount equal to the amount of wagering taxes collected under this subsection (a-3) that are in addition to the amount of wagering taxes that would have been collected if the wagering tax rates under subsection (a-2) were in effect shall be paid into the Common School Fund.

The privilege tax imposed under this subsection (a-3) shall no longer be imposed beginning on the earlier of (i) July 1, 2005; (ii) the first date after June 20, 2003 that riverboat gambling operations are conducted pursuant to a dormant license; or (iii) the first day that riverboat gambling operations are conducted under the authority of an owners license that is in addition to the 10 owners licenses initially authorized under this Act. For the purposes of this subsection (a-3), the term "dormant license" means an owners license that is authorized by this Act under which no riverboat gambling operations are being conducted on June 20, 2003.

(a-4) Beginning on the first day on which the tax imposed under subsection (a-3) is no longer imposed, a privilege tax is imposed on persons engaged in the business of conducting riverboat gambling operations, other than licensed managers conducting riverboat gambling operations on behalf of the State, based on the adjusted gross receipts received by a licensed owner from gambling games authorized under this Act at the following rates:

15% of annual adjusted gross receipts up to and including $25,000,000;

22.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $25,000,000 but not exceeding $50,000,000;

27.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $50,000,000 but not exceeding $75,000,000;

32.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $75,000,000 but not exceeding $100,000,000;

37.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $100,000,000 but not exceeding $150,000,000;

45% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $150,000,000 but not exceeding $200,000,000;

50% of annual adjusted gross receipts in excess of $200,000,000.

(a-8) Riverboat gambling operations conducted by a licensed manager on behalf of the State are not subject to the tax imposed under this Section.

(a-10) The taxes imposed by this Section shall be paid by the licensed owner to the Board not later than 5:00 3:00 o'clock p.m. of the day after the day when the wagers were made.

(a-15) If the privilege tax imposed under subsection (a-3) is no longer imposed pursuant to item (i) of the last paragraph of subsection (a-3), then by June 15 of each year, each owners licensee, other than an owners licensee that admitted 1,000,000 persons or fewer in calendar year 2004, must, in addition to the payment of all amounts otherwise due under this Section, pay to the Board a reconciliation payment in the amount, if any, by which the licensed owner's base amount exceeds the amount of net privilege tax paid by the licensed owner to the Board in the then current State fiscal year. A licensed owner's net privilege tax obligation due for the balance of the State fiscal year shall be reduced up to the total of the amount paid by the licensed owner in its June 15 reconciliation payment. The obligation imposed by this subsection (a-15) is binding on any person, firm, corporation, or other entity that acquires an ownership interest in any such owners license. The obligation imposed under this subsection (a-15) terminates on the earliest of: (i) July 1, 2007, (ii) the first day after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly that riverboat gambling operations are conducted pursuant to a dormant license, (iii) the first day that riverboat gambling operations are conducted under the authority of an owners license that is in addition to the 10 owners licenses initially authorized under this Act, or (iv) the first day that a licensee under the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 conducts gaming operations with slot machines or other electronic gaming devices. The Board must reduce the obligation imposed under this subsection (a-15) by an amount the Board deems reasonable for any of the following reasons: (A) an act or acts of God, (B) an act of bioterrorism or terrorism or a bioterrorism or terrorism threat that was investigated by a law enforcement agency, or (C) a condition beyond the control of the owners licensee that does not result from any act or omission by the owners licensee or any of its agents and that poses a hazardous threat to the health and safety of patrons. If an owners licensee pays an amount in excess of its liability under this Section, the Board shall apply the overpayment to future payments required under this Section.

For purposes of this subsection (a-15):

"Act of God" means an incident caused by the operation of an extraordinary force that cannot be foreseen, that cannot be avoided by the exercise of due care, and for which no person can be held liable.

"Base amount" means the following:

For a riverboat in Alton, $31,000,000.

For a riverboat in East Peoria, $43,000,000.

For the Empress riverboat in Joliet, $86,000,000.

For a riverboat in Metropolis, $45,000,000.

For the Harrah's riverboat in Joliet, $114,000,000.

For a riverboat in Aurora, $86,000,000.

For a riverboat in East St. Louis, $48,500,000.

For a riverboat in Elgin, $198,000,000.

"Dormant license" has the meaning ascribed to it in subsection (a-3).

"Net privilege tax" means all privilege taxes paid by a licensed owner to the Board under this Section, less all payments made from the State Gaming Fund pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section.

The changes made to this subsection (a-15) by Public Act 94-839 are intended to restate and clarify the intent of Public Act 94-673 with respect to the amount of the payments required to be made under this subsection by an owners licensee to the Board.

(b) Until January 1, 1998, 25% of the tax revenue deposited in the State Gaming Fund under this Section shall be paid, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, to the unit of local government which is designated as the home dock of the riverboat. Beginning January 1, 1998, from the tax revenue deposited in the State Gaming Fund under this Section, an amount equal to 5% of adjusted gross receipts generated by a riverboat shall be paid monthly, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, to the unit of local government that is designated as the home dock of the riverboat. From the tax revenue deposited in the State Gaming Fund pursuant to riverboat gambling operations conducted by a licensed manager on behalf of the State, an amount equal to 5% of adjusted gross receipts generated pursuant to those riverboat gambling operations shall be paid monthly, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, to the unit of local government that is designated as the home dock of the riverboat upon which those riverboat gambling operations are conducted.

(c) Appropriations, as approved by the General Assembly, may be made from the State Gaming Fund to the Department of Revenue and the Department of State Police for the administration and enforcement of this Act, or to the Department of Human Services for the administration of programs to treat problem gambling.

(c-5) Before May 26, 2006 (the effective date of Public Act 94-804) and beginning 2 years after May 26, 2006 (the effective date of Public Act 94-804), after the payments required under subsections (b) and (c) have been made, an amount equal to 15% of the adjusted gross receipts of (1) an owners licensee that relocates pursuant to Section 11.2, (2) an owners licensee conducting riverboat gambling operations pursuant to an owners license that is initially issued after June 25, 1999, or (3) the first riverboat gambling operations conducted by a licensed manager on behalf of the State under Section 7.3, whichever comes first, shall be paid from the State Gaming Fund into the Horse Racing Equity Fund.

(c-10) Each year the General Assembly shall appropriate from the General Revenue Fund to the Education Assistance Fund an amount equal to the amount paid into the Horse Racing Equity Fund pursuant to subsection (c-5) in the prior calendar year.

(c-15) After the payments required under subsections (b), (c), and (c-5) have been made, an amount equal to 2% of the adjusted gross receipts of (1) an owners licensee that relocates pursuant to Section 11.2, (2) an owners licensee conducting riverboat gambling operations pursuant to an owners license that is initially issued after June 25, 1999, or (3) the first riverboat gambling operations conducted by a licensed manager on behalf of the State under Section 7.3, whichever comes first, shall be paid, subject to appropriation from the General Assembly, from the State Gaming Fund to each home rule county with a population of over 3,000,000 inhabitants for the purpose of enhancing the county's criminal justice system.

(c-20) Each year the General Assembly shall appropriate from the General Revenue Fund to the Education Assistance Fund an amount equal to the amount paid to each home rule county with a population of over 3,000,000 inhabitants pursuant to subsection (c-15) in the prior calendar year.

(c-25) After the payments required under subsections (b), (c), (c-5) and (c-15) have been made, an amount equal to 2% of the adjusted gross receipts of (1) an owners licensee that relocates pursuant to Section 11.2, (2) an owners licensee conducting riverboat gambling operations pursuant to an owners license that is initially issued after June 25, 1999, or (3) the first riverboat gambling operations conducted by a licensed manager on behalf of the State under Section 7.3, whichever comes first, shall be paid from the State Gaming Fund to Chicago State University.

(d) From time to time, the Board shall transfer the remainder of the funds generated by this Act into the Education Assistance Fund, created by Public Act 86-0018, of the State of Illinois.

(e) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit the unit of local government designated as the home dock of the riverboat from entering into agreements with other units of local government in this State or in other states to share its portion of the tax revenue.

(f) To the extent practicable, the Board shall administer and collect the wagering taxes imposed by this Section in a manner consistent with the provisions of Sections 4, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5i, 5j, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 8, 9, and 10 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and Section 3-7 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.

(Source: P.A. 94-673, eff. 8-23-05; 94-804, eff. 5-26-06; 94-839, eff. 6-6-06; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(230 ILCS 10/15) (from Ch. 120, par. 2415)

Sec. 15. Audit of Licensee Operations. Annually Within 90 days after the end of each quarter of each fiscal year, the licensed owner or manager shall transmit to the Board an audit of the financial transactions and condition of the licensee's total operations. Additionally, within 90 days after the end of each quarter of each fiscal year, the licensed owner or manager shall transmit to the Board a compliance report on engagement procedures determined by the Board. All audits and compliance engagements shall be conducted by certified public accountants selected by the Board. Each certified public accountant must be registered in the State of Illinois under the Illinois Public Accounting Act. The compensation for each certified public accountant shall be paid directly by the licensed owner or manager to the certified public accountant.

(Source: P.A. 93-28, eff. 6-20-03.)

(230 ILCS 10/18) (from Ch. 120, par. 2418)

Sec. 18. Prohibited Activities - Penalty.

(a) A person is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for doing any of the following:

(1) Conducting gambling where wagering is used or to be used without a license issued by the Board.

(2) Conducting gambling where wagering is permitted other than in the manner specified by Section 11.

(b) A person is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor for doing any of the following:

(1) permitting a person under 21 years to make a wager; or

(2) violating paragraph (12) of subsection (a) of Section 11 of this Act.

(c) A person wagering or accepting a wager at any location outside the riverboat is subject to the penalties in paragraphs (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of Section 28-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961.

(d) A person commits a Class 4 felony and, in addition, shall be barred for life from riverboats under the jurisdiction of the Board, if the person does any of the following:

(1) Offers, promises, or gives anything of value or benefit to a person who is connected with a riverboat owner including, but not limited to, an officer or employee of a licensed owner or holder of an occupational license pursuant to an agreement or arrangement or with the intent that the promise or thing of value or benefit will influence the actions of the person to whom the offer, promise, or gift was made in order to affect or attempt to affect the outcome of a gambling game, or to influence official action of a member of the Board.

(2) Solicits or knowingly accepts or receives a promise of anything of value or benefit while the person is connected with a riverboat including, but not limited to, an officer or employee of a licensed owner, or holder of an occupational license, pursuant to an understanding or arrangement or with the intent that the promise or thing of value or benefit will influence the actions of the person to affect or attempt to affect the outcome of a gambling game, or to influence official action of a member of the Board.

(3) Uses or possesses with the intent to use a device to assist:

(i) In projecting the outcome of the game.

(ii) In keeping track of the cards played.

(iii) In analyzing the probability of the occurrence of an event relating to the gambling game.

(iv) In analyzing the strategy for playing or betting to be used in the game except as permitted by the Board.

(4) Cheats at a gambling game.

(5) Manufactures, sells, or distributes any cards, chips, dice, game or device which is intended to be used to violate any provision of this Act.

(6) Alters or misrepresents the outcome of a gambling game on which wagers have been made after the outcome is made sure but before it is revealed to the players.

(7) Places a bet after acquiring knowledge, not available to all players, of the outcome of the gambling game which is subject of the bet or to aid a person in acquiring the knowledge for the purpose of placing a bet contingent on that outcome.

(8) Claims, collects, or takes, or attempts to claim, collect, or take, money or anything of value in or from the gambling games, with intent to defraud, without having made a wager contingent on winning a gambling game, or claims, collects, or takes an amount of money or thing of value of greater value than the amount won.

(9) Uses counterfeit chips or tokens in a gambling game.

(10) Possesses any key or device designed for the purpose of opening, entering, or affecting the operation of a gambling game, drop box, or an electronic or mechanical device connected with the gambling game or for removing coins, tokens, chips or other contents of a gambling game. This paragraph (10) does not apply to a gambling licensee or employee of a gambling licensee acting in furtherance of the employee's employment.

(e) The possession of more than one of the devices described in subsection (d), paragraphs (3), (5), or (10) permits a rebuttable presumption that the possessor intended to use the devices for cheating.

(f) A person under the age of 21 who, except as authorized under paragraph (10) of Section 11, enters upon a riverboat commits a petty offense and is subject to a fine of not less than $100 or more than $250 for a first offense and of not less than $200 or more than $500 for a second or subsequent offense.

An action to prosecute any crime occurring on a riverboat shall be tried in the county of the dock at which the riverboat is based.

(Source: P.A. 91-40, eff. 6-25-99.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.