Illinois State Representative Luis Arroyo admits guilt in a bribery case involving sweepstakes
In the heart of Illinois, the operations of sweepstakes parlors continue to thrive, with no signs of a change in their legal status as of mid-2025. Despite recent bribery allegations involving a former state representative and a sweepstakes operator, the legality of these establishments remains intact.
In October 2019, former Illinois state representative Luis Arroyo resigned from his position as assistant majority leader in the Illinois House of Representatives following his arrest. Arroyo, who is 67 years old, faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
Prosecutors allege that Arroyo accepted bribes totaling $7,500 from sweepstakes operator James Weiss via his lobbying firm, Spartacus 3. These bribes were not declared to state regulators. The nature of the alleged bribe to an unnamed senator remains unclear.
Arroyo was a key backer of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's capital spending plan, which includes a $45 billion investment in infrastructure over six years. Part of this plan is funded by a gambling expansion package, including new land-based casinos, sports betting, and increased video gambling positions.
Since Pritzker signed the legislation, three lawmakers who supported the plan have been charged with federal crimes. In a separate case, former Illinois state representative Philip Conneller pleaded guilty to bribery charges related to the state's sweepstakes industry in November 2021.
The operations of sweepstakes parlors in Illinois operate in a gray area of the law, resembling slots or video poker but selling a "service" or "product" to comply with laws permitting free-to-enter promotional sweepstakes. These establishments are legal in Illinois, with no indication that the state has banned or restricted them as of 2025.
Intriguingly, court documents suggest that a cooperating witness (CW-1) played a role in the case against Arroyo. However, the identity of CW-1 has been revealed by The Chicago Tribune as State Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan), who has since pleaded guilty to tax evasion.
Arroyo was recorded handing a check for $2,500 to CW-1, with the promise of monthly payments of the same amount if he agreed to back the sweepstakes bill. Prosecutors also accuse Arroyo of conspiring with Weiss to bribe an unnamed senator for support in advancing legislation that would have eliminated doubts about the legality of sweepstakes machines.
Despite these allegations, the current status or outcome of the legislation related to sweepstakes machines remains unclear. As of now, sweepstakes parlors continue to operate legally in Illinois, offering an alternative form of gaming where no real-money wagers are placed directly, ensuring legality under state law. Sports betting is also legal and regulated separately in the state.
Politics in Illinois took a turn when former state representative Luis Arroyo was arrested in October 2019 for accepting bribes, totaling $7,500 from sweepstakes operator James Weiss. This incident involved general-news, as Arroyo faces up to 20 years in prison for his actions, which allegedly included attempts to bribe a senator for support in crime-and-justice related legislation. Despite the bribery allegations, the legality of sweepstakes parlors remains intact in Illinois, creating a unique blend of politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice in the state.
