# Illinois HB2879: VID GM&CRIM CD-GAMBLING DEVICE

Illinois HB2879, VID GM&CRIM CD-GAMBLING DEVICE, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) House bill sponsored by Robert "Bob" Rita (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2026-03-27 (House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2879-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois HB2879
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: VID GM&CRIM CD-GAMBLING DEVICE
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-02-05
- Last action: 2026-03-27, House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
- Sponsor: Robert "Bob" Rita (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: gaming
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Changes the definition of "gambling device" to include any vending or other electronic machine or device, including, without limitation, a machine or device that awards credits and contains a circuit, meter, or switch capable of removing and recording the removal of credits that offers a person entry into any contest, competition, sweepstakes, scheme, plan, or other selection process that involves or is dependent upon an element of chance for which the person may receive a gift, award, or other item or service of value if that offer is incidental to or results from: (A) the purchase of an item or service of value; or (B) the purchase or gratuitous receipt of a coupon, voucher, certificate, or other similar credit that can be redeemed for or applied towards an item or service of value from such machine or device or elsewhere. Provides that participants in a game of skill or chance where money or other things of value can be won but no payment or purchase is required to participate shall not be convicted of gambling except where participation in such game of skill or chance is accomplished using a gambling device prohibited by these changes to the definition. Provides that a gambling offense involving such a gambling device is a Class 4 felony. Amends the Video Gaming Act. Removes a provision allowing for the use of a game device without a license if the game device is used in an activity that is not gambling under the Criminal Code of 2012. Effective immediately.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Robert "Bob" Rita (Democratic), House

## Actions (13)

- 2026-03-27: House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2026-03-27: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2026-03-12: House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Gaming Committee (House)
- 2026-03-12: Assigned to Gaming Committee (House)
- 2025-03-21: House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2025-03-21: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2025-03-11: House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Gaming Committee (House)
- 2025-03-06: House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2025-03-06: House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita (House)
- 2025-03-04: Assigned to Gaming Committee (House)
- 2025-02-06: Referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2025-02-06: First Reading (House)
- 2025-02-05: Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita (House)

## Bill text

- House Amendment 1: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB2879ham001.pdf)
- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB2879.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house)
- SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate)
- HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee)
- HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee)
- SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate)
- SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed)

## Sources
- [House Amendment 1 (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB2879ham001.pdf)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB2879.pdf)

## Related
- [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026)
- [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026)
- [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026)
- [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026)
- [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026)
- [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026)
- [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills)
- [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2879-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).