It appears that it’s still a matter of when, not if, legalized sports wagering will come to America’s third-most populated city. Still, it may take a while until Chicago residents, and the rest of Illinois, can place a bet.

The latest developments include rumors of a possible special session in Springfield to discuss sports wagering after the 2018 session ended without any passed legislation. Several bills were previously introduced in the legislature, which places Illinois ahead of many other states, but none have managed to pass muster in both chambers.

In an analysis from law firm Holland & Knight, the most prominent sports betting law previously discussed is Senate Bill 7. SB7 passed the Illinois Senate in February – even before the Supreme Court decision to strike down the federal ban on sports betting. The bill was not taken up for a vote by the House before the session ended.

Rep. Robert Rita, a supporter of the bill, said it wasn’t taken up in the House in part so that its regulations could be better flushed out when the legislature turns its attention to the autumn veto session in November of this year. That means there’s still support, but it almost assures nothing meaningful will pass in 2018.

A lot of action is still needed to work out with SB 7 even if it is taken up. It doesn’t directly deal with sports betting and only mentions six new casinos and a racetrack.

There are several other competing bills that directly address sports betting. One would only state-licensed casinos to take wagers on sporting events and would require a 12.5 percent tax on all revenue. Another would allow race tracks exclusive wagering opportunities on sports. Yet another has no restrictions on location, but gives the Illinois Gaming Board to make further decisions on where bets can be placed and how to otherwise regulate them.

Similar Issues Debated Nationwide
The actions in the aforementioned bills cover many of the same decision points already wrangled over by other states.

States have created a wave of varying approaches with their legalization methods. Some have delegated oversight to their respective lottery boards, while other have left racing and/or gaming commissions to maintain oversight.

Location has also been a point of contention. Some states allow betting online from anywhere in the state. Others have restricted online wagers to players physically in casinos. Others have banned any type of online bet. The location restrictions will be a key point of any gambling legislation.

Illinois Could Be Left Behind
While these decisions remain uncertain, Illinois lawmakers are aware that legalized gambling is expanding across the nation and the Prairie State may be left behind.

Along with Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey are taking bets now. Mississippi, West Virginia and Rhode Island will also do so later this year, and several other states have legalized betting or appear poised to do so.

Illinois will also have to look closely at the developments of its neighbors. Lawmakers in Missouri and Iowa have discussed legislation and appear more amenable to sports gambling than many other states.

Meanwhile Kentucky has introduced a bill for next year’s legislative session. A bipartisan group of legislatures from both chambers support the bill, which would complement the state’s long-time support of bets on horse racing.

This article is a reprint from Gambling.com.  To view the original story and comment, click here.