Federal law pretty much says that individual states have to power to regulate gaming within their own borders. There are federal laws that deal with interstate activities that make most cross-border dealings except as it relates to parimutuel horse racing illegal. In addition, current federal law pretty much limits sports betting to NV, MT, OR & DE and we've seen the courts put the kibosh on their grandious plans by limiting them to parlay cards on American professional football (can't say NFL).

As it stands right now, any state could legalize or better state authorize internet gaming as long as it doesn't encroach upon federal law. The plan for the IL lottery is still a bit gray but players will probably have to fund accounts for online lottery play via the current lottery retail network which keeps them in the game as well and allows the lottery to keep within their constitutional boundary by now selling direct to players.

The question is if one goes, will other follow? Sure, but one has to go, get operation and then see what happens. Even with governments looking for money to supplement state budgets, this whole thing is still a long way off.