Illinois casinos are now required to step up their fight against human trafficking under new state regulations. The Illinois Gaming Board has mandated that all casinos provide annual training for staff to help them recognize signs of trafficking activity. In addition, casinos must establish clear protocols for reporting suspected cases and visibly post awareness notices, including hotline numbers for help. These efforts target both increased staff vigilance and public awareness—part of a statewide push to safeguard vulnerable individuals and disrupt criminal networks operating in or around casino properties. The measures take effect immediately, signaling a serious commitment to address trafficking issues.
“Human traffickers often target casinos and hospitality venues to conduct their illegal activities,” said IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. “By adopting mandatory human trafficking recognition training, establishing minimum requirements for that training and requiring casino operators to implement appropriate reporting and signage protocols, the IGB, while working in partnership with the Illinois State Police (ISP) and other law enforcement agencies, is taking meaningful steps to combat these heinous crimes.”
“Human trafficking is one of the most underreported and under-identified crimes,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Because human trafficking can come in many forms and can happen almost anywhere, it is important to train people working in industries targeted by human traffickers to recognize the signs so they can report the crimes and help save lives.”
The new rule includes the following requirements:
- All casino employees must complete annual human trafficking training with their initial training being completed within the first three months from the start of their employment. This training will include information on what makes an individual susceptible to human trafficking, the different types of human trafficking, red flags that indicate trafficking as well as agencies that provide services to victims of trafficking. Each gaming licensee must maintain records reflecting this requirement.
- Casinos must establish and implement employee procedures for documenting, reporting, and responding to suspected instances of human trafficking within gaming and nongaming areas. Casinos must also provide copies of human trafficking curriculum and protocols to the IGB Administrator.
- Casinos must post human trafficking awareness notices with hotline telephone numbers and other important information including where to seek help or report instances of trafficking. Notices must be placed in bathrooms, near public entrances, and in other visible locations, consistent with notices developed by the Illinois Department of Human Services in compliance with the Human Trafficking Resource Center Notice Act (775 ILCS 50/10).
