Last week, the Illinois house of representatives passed a progressive wagering tax rate. This will see the state’s most prolific sports betting operators pay tax at 40%, a sharp rise from the current rate of 15%.

The new-look structure sets rates at between 20% and 40%, depending on each operator’s adjusted gaming revenue (AGR). Operators posting more than $200m (£157m/€184m) face the highest rate of 40% – second-highest tax rate in the US behind New York at 51%.

Other boundaries include a 20% tax rate for operators with an AGR of under $30m, 25% for between, 30m and $50m, 30% for AGR ranging from $50m to $100m, and 35% for AGR of $100m to $200m.

The proposal, which forms part of the FY2025 budget in Illinois, is now with Illinois governor JB Pritzker for sign-off. Should Pritzker decide the pass the law, the new rates will come into effect from 1 July.

Potential knock-on effect of betting tax increase

Brendan Bussmann of B Global, a consultancy serving the gaming, sports and hospitality industries, has now tabled further concerns through a note from Truist. These primarily relate to the knock-on effect the increase could have, saying further states could follow suit with similar increases.

“With Illinois the second state to increase its tax rate [after Ohio raised its rate from 10% to 20% in 2023], investors have an increased concern around contagion,” Bussmann said.

Singling out other states, Bussmann highlights recent activity elsewhere that could signal a move to higher taxes. Massachusetts considered a hike this year, though it was quickly rejected, with Bussmann saying this is unlikely to pass in the future. 

Bussmann said there has also been talk about a hike in New Jersey. However, he believes this is unlikely given how seasoned the state is with governing gaming policy. In addition, he referenced Pennsylvania as a possible candidate, but said attention here is more likely to be on the proliferation of skill-based games. 

Higher taxes punish largest contributors in Illinois

Bussmann, himself a proponent of lower tax operating environments, also criticised Illinois for going after the most lucrative operators. He noted how the higher tax rates will hit the operators that already contribute the most tax revenue in the state. 

He also warned that pushing tax up could have a negative impact on the overall market in Illinois. With operators facing higher costs, this may see them withdraw promotions, cut back on their offering and offer worse odds.

DraftKings and FanDuel Group’s parent company Flutter Entertainment both saw their stock price declinewhen the plans were announced. DraftKings and Flutter would be facing the highest rate of tax, with both having AGR un excess of $200m.

In addition, Bussmann went as far to say as the rise would be most beneficial for offshore betting operators. As these brands do not pay tax, any potential exit of licensed operators from the market would push more traffic their way.

What is happening elsewhere?

Longer-term, Bussmann worries states yet to legalise betting will institute higher tax rates at conception without understanding industry dynamics.

Among the states yet to legalise wagering are Minnesota, which ran out of time in the latest legislative session, Georgia, and Missouri, where a ballot initiative aimed at this November’s ballot will likely fae strong opposition from land-based casinos.

Bussmann said California and Texas continue to be key states to watch, given their size and the potential impact on the overall legal gambling picture in the US. According to Bussmann, California is having productive conversations around sports betting being on the ballot in 2026. However, he adds that a 2028 move is more likely, given ongoing tribal opposition.

As for Texas, opposition from Governor Greg Abbott to legal gambling means any move is not likely for several years, perhaps as far ahead as 2027.

Elsewhere, Bussmann notes the decision by the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming to switch from Gambet DC to FanDuel. This, he says, has seen an immediate pickup in traction – to the point where there is now talk of opening up the market to other operators.

Could we see more legal igaming?

Away from sports betting, Bussmann acknowledges an effort by Arkansas to consider legal igaming earlier this year. However, this ultimately came to nothing, with Bussmann saying legalisation is not likely to be imminent,

Maryland also failed to get igaming across the line during the last session, though continues to face budget constraints potentially driving the conversation.

In addition, Illinois itself remains a candidate for legalising igaming, with Bussmann expecting the state to make a move at some point. However, he recognises how other legal activity in the state could slow progress.

Alongside the higher sports betting tax, Illinois faces expanding video gaming terminals into Chicago and Bally’s building a land-based casino in the downtown region. 

The Penn State White Out, as this is published, should be 150 days away.

That’s when Ohio State comes to town to take on the Nittany Lions on Saturday, November 2, at Beaver Stadium.

Alternatively, the White Out could come in 123 days, when UCLA comes to Happy Valley on Saturday, October 5. It could happen in 157 days, when the final Pac-12 champion, Washington, comes to Penn State.

The White Out shouldn’t come in 116 days when Illinois makes a routine pilgrimage to one of college football’s greatest cathedrals.

However, Illinois is starting to seem like a possible outcome for Penn State’s White Out opponent. With the news that NBC wants to put the Illinois game at 7:30 p.m. and no guarantee that any other home game will get the same blessing from a network, the Fighting Illini may appear in their second-ever White Out game.

That’s not what the White Out should be. For the past few years, it’s seemed Penn State has forgotten that.

The 2023 matchup against Iowa was, well, OK. There wasn’t really any concern Penn State could drop that game, but Iowa was a good enough opponent to justify giving it Penn State’s biggest game of the year. West Virginia (maybe) or Michigan (definitely) would have been better options, but West Virginia came early in the season and Michigan was always going to be a noon kickoff. Blame FOX.

The 2022 White Out against Minnesota was a waste of time. It was Minnesota, for goodness’ sakes.

When Penn State designated Minnesota as its White Out opponent, James Franklin said a survey of Penn State fans showed they cared more about the White Out being a night game than being against a high-level opponent. That’s why Ohio State wasn’t the the White Out opponent in 2022 and why Michigan got the Stripe Out in 2023.

It was a mistake for Penn State to avoid a high-quality opponent in both those scenarios. It can only get worse in 2024 if the Nittany Lions settle for Illinois.

Penn State Athletics, it really doesn’t matter who the White Out opponent is this year. Just don’t make it Illinois.

Illinois is such a boring team that after last year’s game, everyone wrote about Penn State’s kicker because there wasn’t nothing better to write about. Put those poor Illini, who couldn’t fit a capacity crowd into their 60,000 seat stadium, into a White Out, and it’s a snooze fest.

The 2024 season presents plenty of opportunity for Penn State to find creative White Out opponents. Washington and UCLA might not have the best teams next year, but they’re both new to the Big Ten and getting their first taste of that style of football. Ohio State is, well, Ohio State. Always a good White Out opponent.

Sure, all three of those games could fall victim to the noon kickoffs that plague college football. However, any of those games at noon is better than Illinois in prime time.

Sometimes, Penn State, you just have to bite the bullet. You can still make prime time against Illinois fun — give it the Helmet Stripe game or the Stripe Out. Just don’t fall victim to giving Penn Staters their third boring White Out in as many years.

Please, Penn State. Anyone but the Illini.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced the largest measles outbreak to affect Illinois since 1990 is officially contained as no new cases have been reported for more than two incubation periods spanning 42 days.

A total of 67 measles cases were reported during the outbreak since March 7, officials said.

A vast majority of these cases were linked to a Chicago shelter for new arrivals, but cases were eventually reported in suburban Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.

All cases were rapidly contained in all these other locations.

“I applaud all of the public health, health care, emergency management and social service staffers who worked so diligently to cooperate across jurisdictional lines to contain this measles outbreak,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Public health is a team sport founded on partnership, and this was no better exemplified than during this recent outbreak. Vaccination remains our most effective tool to prevent future outbreaks. Please reach out to your primary care provider this summer to ensure that you are up to date on the MMR vaccine and all other routine immunizations.”

Throughout the outbreak, IDPH, the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), and Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) mobilized resources to support local public health partners and provided epidemiological support for county public health departments for Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.

IDPH also expanded its laboratory capacity to expedite measles testing and provided results back faster than any commercial lab.

State and local partners convened educational and awareness sessions with clinicians, community leaders and school personnel which led to increased vaccinations, testing and rapid reporting of cases.

In addition, the state galvanized its public service sector through DHS to assist with contact tracing of those who had left the shelter system and re-organized mass events such as job fairs to minimize the risk of super-spreader events.

Most residents of Chicago and Illinois were vaccinated for measles routinely in childhood and therefore were not at risk during the outbreak.

IDPH stresses the importance of ensuring everyone in your family is up to date on their immunizations.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination rates in the United States have dropped, increasing the likelihood of more cases of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Individuals can protect themselves and their communities by doing their part and ensuring their families are up to date on all recommended vaccines.