Page 1344

(a) The Board may issue master sports wagering licenses to persons to conduct sports wagering over the Internet or through a mobile application. The Board shall issue 3 master sports wagering licenses to online sports wagering operators for a nonrefundable license fee of $20,000,000 pursuant to an open and competitive selection process. The master sports wagering license issued under this Section may be renewed every 4 years upon payment of a $1,000,000 renewal fee. To the extent permitted by federal and State law, the Board shall actively seek to achieve racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity when issuing master sports wagering licenses under this Section and encourage minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with disabilities to apply for licensure. For the purposes of this subsection (a), "minority-owned business", "women-owned business", and "business owned by persons with disabilities" have the meanings given to those terms in Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. (b) Applicants shall pay to the Board a nonrefundable application fee in the amount of $250,000. The initial license fee for a master sports wagering license issued to an online sports wagering operator is $15,000,000. The master sports wagering license is valid for 4 years. Applications for the initial competitive selection occurring after the effective SB3019 Enrolled LRB104 20255 HLH 33706 b Public Act 104-0468