Illinois Video Gambling Returns On June 26th

So you can't exactly belly up to the blackjack table at your favorite Illinois casino yet, but you will be able to resume video gambling a week from Friday.

The reopening of video gambling comes with our state's expected move into Governor Pritzker's Phase-4 (of 5 phases) reopening plan for Illinois which takes place on Friday, June 26th.

My Stateline:

In Phase 4, all gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed, restaurants and bars reopen, travel resumes, child care and schools reopen under guidance from the IDPH. Face coverings and social distancing are still required.

Players will have to stay six feet apart and wear masks to be compliant with the new health and safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic; machines must be sanitized often.

Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford), who sits on the gaming board, says businesses will have to get creative to meet spacing guidelines.

“I’m sure each place has different space requirements and they probably have different ways to meet these requirements,” Stadelman said. “So, it’s probably an individual case-by-case basis as far as how they’re going to have to deal with these guidelines.”