Ep 603: Illinois Operators Push Back as California Cracks Down On Sweeps

iGaming Daily

In today's episode of iGaming Daily SBC Media Manager Charlie Horner is joined by SBC Managing Editor Jessica Welman and SBC Americas Senior Journalist Tom Nightingale as the trio unpack two major stories from the U.S. gambling landscape: the coordinated response from Illinois’ licenced operators to the recent sports betting tax amendments, and the escalating impact of California’s proposed sweepstakes ban on iGaming suppliers.

Tune in to today's episode to find out:

• What Illinois operators are doing to offset the state’s new sports betting tax hikes.
• Why each operator is taking a different approach and whether that could change.
• If operators will end up paying tax on the fees they’ve introduced.
• What the pushback in Illinois tells us about the wider U.S. gambling industry and other states considering tax increases.
• How California’s proposed sweepstakes ban is evolving, and what it means for suppliers, affiliates, and the future of the bill.

Links to articles:
https://sbcamericas.com/2025/09/10/pechangas-vasquez-tribal-competition/
https://sbcamericas.com/2025/09/04/california-ab831-sweepstakes-ban-amend/
https://sbcamericas.com/2025/09/09/california-senate-approves-sweeps-ban/
https://sbcamericas.com/2025/08/11/illinois-sportsbooks-bet-surcharge-tax/
https://sbcamericas.com/2025/09/02/bet365-illinois-10-dollar-25-cent-fee/

Host: Charlie Horner
Guests: Jessica Welman & Tom Nightingale
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast.

Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.