Charles Schmadeke, who oversaw one of the largest multiple-gaming-vertical expansions in the United States over the last six years, announced Thursday he is stepping down as chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board effective July 1.
Schmadeke made the announcement at the outset of the open session of Thursday’s scheduled IGB meeting, saying he “advised Governor [JB] Pritzker that after two terms it is time for me to call it a day.”
Schmadeke and the IGB were able to implement a majority of the pieces in a massive gaming expansion bill Pritzker signed into law in June 2019. That bill legalized sports wagering in Illinois, created six new casino licenses throughout the state — including one for downtown Chicago — and allowed for a sixth video gaming terminal (VGT) at bars and taverns where such gaming is legal.
