A report came recently that the Illinois Racing Board could not renew betting company licenses for online horse racing because Illinois politicians at the state's last legislature session have allowed the law to expire.
The Racing Board reportedly sent a letter to the four formerly licensed companies for online horse race wagering in the state, warning them that they would have to discontinue service for their Illinois customers should the legislation fail to be renewed before the end of the session January 9.
According to IRB manager Micky Ezzo, the Board has in particular warned two major betting companies Xpressbet and TwinSpires, owned by Churchill Downs, but so far neither of them have commented on the situation nor adopted the recommendation.
This, of course, caused a conflict in which the Racing Board has reported TwinSpires' and Xpressbet's actions to the state attorney general's office. Maura Possley, the press secretary for the attorney general's office, said they have yet to take any legal action on the matter: "We are talking with the Racing Board and discussing the state's options."
Besides, the preliminary numbers from the IRB's forthcoming annual report show the four licensed companies made just over $122 million in revenue in 2012, whilst the state made $1.8 million in taxes from that amount.
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