“Casino Money and Illinois Politics: A Questionable Deal”

Illinois lawmakers are watching a gambling firm that keeps running into trouble with the state’s gaming board. The company, ARB Interactive, owns an online casino called Modo that officials say is operating illegally in Illinois.

While the board has issued a cease‑and‑desist letter to Modo and called it a “felony criminal enterprise,” the firm has still managed to funnel money into political campaigns. In early 2026, ARB gave $50,000 to the Illinois Senate president’s campaign—a large contribution for that year.

When asked about the donation, the Senate president’s team said they would give the same amount to local charities. The money was handed over after a short meeting with ARB officials, and the campaign’s spokesman said no gambling policy was discussed.

ARB has also given smaller amounts to other state representatives who are involved in gambling legislation, and the company hired a local lobbying firm that month. Before this year, ARB had not donated to any Illinois political fund.

Critics compare the firm’s gambling business to a dangerous drug, pointing out how it can exploit people with mental health issues. One lawsuit in California alleges that Modo targeted a man with bipolar disorder and caused him to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Illinois Gaming Board says it has no license for Modo and that the company’s operations violate state law. ARB disputes this, claiming its platform is legal under Illinois rules and that it has provided the board with a detailed legal analysis.

Even though Modo’s website is still available to Illinois residents, the gaming board says it will continue monitoring and may take further action. The company’s top executive has said that banning the site would simply move it to other countries, not stop people from playing.