720 ILCS 5/28-3 – Keeping a Gambling Place
This law says it’s illegal to let people use your property for gambling that isn’t allowed by the state.
If someone lets others gamble on their property without permission from the state, they can face criminal charges. The place can also lose its licenses and may even be sold to pay fines.
Sec. 28-3. Keeping a gambling place.
A “gambling place” means any building, land, car, boat, or other property used for gambling that’s not allowed by state law. Anyone who knowingly lets others gamble on property they own, live in, or control is breaking the law. The first time this happens, it’s a Class A misdemeanor. If it happens again, it’s a Class 4 felony.
When a court decides a place is a gambling place:
- That place is considered a public nuisance, which means the government can take legal action to stop it.
- All state and local licenses for serving food or alcohol there are canceled. New licenses for that place cannot be given for 60 days. Anyone convicted of keeping a gambling place cannot get such a license again for one year. After a second conviction, that person can never get those licenses again.
- The property of anyone who knowingly allows gambling can be used to pay off any unpaid judgments or fines connected to gambling violations. The property may be sold if needed to cover those costs.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Southern Illinois criminal defense lawyer.
