My question involves criminal law for the state of: Illinois

Hello and thanks for all your help you provide here.

I am a recovering gambling addict. End of last year, after losing a lot of my own money, I have used my credibility on an online Gambling Forum to receive Funds Transfers (you can transfer money via Pokerstars or Full Tilt Poker to other members internally) from other Poker players (stakes/loans). I have promised (via Instant Messenger and PM on forums) to pay those funds back + interest on those funds. One guy sent me $600, another $1000, another $200 and $500.

I have obviously lost those funds and cannot pay them back. I also do not want to pay them back, because these members knew I was not a winning player and used my gambling addiction to profit. They all sent me money in good faith and because of my credibility as being able to repay these loans.

Now, Online Gambling is illegal in Illinois. These guys have consistently try to contact me, threaten me and demand their money back. Two guys live outside of US and one is in US.

What can they do to me? Can they sue me? Can they call Fraud on me? Can they take me to Civil Court and win a judgement? What rights do I have?

Please help and thanks for all the advice.