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Illinois Laws Need Re-Review

• nixternal 7 Posts

  Wed, Jun 15 2011 7:18 PM

  I was just wondering who stated that in Illinois we can't play paid games for credit payout? We have Golden Tee in every bar that has payouts for tournaments.

  720 ILCS 5/28-1

  (b) Participants in any of the following activities shall not be convicted of gambling therefor:

  (1) ...

  (2) Offers of prizes, award or compensation to the actual contestants in any bona fide contest for the determination of skill, speed, strength or endurance or to the owners of animals or vehicles entered in such contest.

   

  This is the exact same rule that allows us to play Golden Tee in bars and win money (awards/prizes) during tournaments.

   

• TarheelsRule 5,566 Posts

  Thu, Jun 16 2011 9:38 AM

  I think that these restrictions exist in about 20 states so you aren't alone.  It is all in the description of the game and the payouts.  Since the bar that you are speaking of probably offers rewards for their payouts (food, drink, tee shirts, etc.) it is viewed as gambling.  WGT is offering credits for winning which are viewed as a currency the same as cash, I don't agree that it is since you can't get those credits back in the form of money, but that is where the catch is I believe.  

  I'm not sure what can be done, I don't believe we can ever get into MPC from these states and unless WGT changes their premium tournaments so that the prizes become clubs, balls, etc. rather than credits I don't think that will change.

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Thu, Jun 16 2011 9:57 AM

  TarheelsRule:

   Since the bar that you are speaking of probably offers rewards for their payouts (food, drink, tee shirts, etc.) it is viewed as gambling.

  If you can't be convicted of gambling it's still called gambling? How different is WGT from Golden Tee?  Maybe it's because the state is in control and collecting tax on GT's stuff.

• nixternal 7 Posts

  Thu, Jun 16 2011 4:23 PM

  Exactly. I just played Golden Tee during lunch today at Dick's Last Resort. In Illinois, if it isn't a casino, then gambling is illegal. They are just now working on a new bill to allow slot machines and those computer gambling boxes in O'Hare as well as bars, yet Golden Tee is in both locations, and you can win money.

• LeGeNdCrUsHeR 2,067 Posts

  Fri, Jun 17 2011 2:18 AM

  The law has been stretched out to allow business owners to place these games inside their business with "permits".  Each machine is required to maintain a certificate from the supplying county.  

  As for the payout machines, they are illegal to operate in the entire state.  If the owner of the machine is found to have violated ILCS, they are responsible for fines and/or imprisonment.  With the "gaming tax" and "certificates" most owners are not inspected if current.  Therefore, they get away with the illegal process of payouts.  

  However, most of these gaming machines that you see supply certificates or coupons for "prizes".  It is not illegal in the state to wager material items, just currency. 

  LC  

• nixternal 7 Posts

  Fri, Jun 17 2011 3:14 AM

  LeGeNdCrUsHeR:

  However, most of these gaming machines that you see supply certificates or coupons for "prizes".  It is not illegal in the state to wager material items, just currency. 

  What ist he difference between the coupons/tickets/certificates that those game dish out and the credits you receive here? Skee ball is a game of skill, you pay to play it and receive tickets.

• LeGeNdCrUsHeR 2,067 Posts

  Fri, Jun 17 2011 2:45 PM

  None, other than the fact that this is internet based and the information is relayed over state lines which is a criminal offense in Illinois.

  nixternal:

  LeGeNdCrUsHeR:

  However, most of these gaming machines that you see supply certificates or coupons for "prizes".  It is not illegal in the state to wager material items, just currency. 

  What ist he difference between the coupons/tickets/certificates that those game dish out and the credits you receive here? Skee ball is a game of skill, you pay to play it and receive tickets.

  Note that I stated it was illicit behavior to wager currency, not material items.

  LC

   

• nixternal 7 Posts

  Fri, Jun 17 2011 4:18 PM

  LeGeNdCrUsHeR:

  None, other than the fact that this is internet based and the information is relayed over state lines which is a criminal offense in Illinois.

  So is Golden Tee. There really is no difference is WGT and Skee Ball. You pay money to play in a tournament, and you win credits which can be redeemed for virtual items, except if you get enough credits to get one of those store cards.

  There were other tournaments on other games I have played online in which you paid and could win money/credits. I could always change my address to another address I have and use my PayPal account to get around it if need be.

• ifixpcs 130 Posts

  Fri, Jun 17 2011 7:19 PM

  that does seem kinda crazy...you get non existent money so that you can purchase non existent golf equipment. and that's not legal...lol