Sports betting and horse racing track FanDuel in Collinsville, Illinois has been approved to add a casinowith plans to open the racino in time for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.

The Illinois Gaming Board has approved the transfer of ownership from Fairmount Holdings, Inc. at Accel Entertainment

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) approved the property transfer Thursday, allowing for the addition of a casino near the track. Property of Fairmount Holdings, Inc. has been transferred to the licensed terminal operator Accel Entertainment.

Fairmount Park was one of the licensed casinos included in the state’s 2019 gambling expansion law.

“This means we can move forward with the development of the casino here at the track, putting us in full racino. This will add approximately 200 jobs in slots and other categories to the track, as well as provide more entertainment and experiences for our guests who come to the track,” said Lianne Adams, FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing.

The board authorized a rule requiring Illinois casino employees to take human trafficking recognition training

In addition to the IGB’s approval of the casino, the board authorized a rule requiring casino employees nationwide to take human trafficking recognition training.

“Human trafficking is a problem that requires action from the public, corporate and private sectors,” said IGB Administrator Marcus Fruchter. “Traffickers often target casinos and hospitality venues to carry out their activities.

“The IGB, as the regulatory authority responsible for maintaining the integrity and safety of gambling in Illinois, has an appropriate role to make human trafficking recognition training mandatory, to establish minimum requirements for that training, and to require that operators of the casino to implement appropriate reporting protocols.”

The IGB is accepting public comments on the incorporation of video games into the Self-Exclusion Program, implementing cashless betting

In addition, the IGB is accepting public comments on the development and implementation of cashless betting technology in video games. The IGB also plans to include video games in the Self-Exclusion Program for problem players.

Comments on both topics are due by January 13, 2025. To submit comments, visit the IGB website.

Problem gambling counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 800-GAMBLER (800-426-2537) or texting GAMB to 833234.

Construction on the Collinsville casino is expected to begin in early 2025. The casino is scheduled to open in April, in time for the Kentucky Derby.

Illinois is home to 15 casinos, 15 approved sportsbooks and a network of over 8,700 licensed video gaming establishments.