Illinois Awarding Sports Betting Licenses, Nearing LaunchGov. J.B. Pritzker Expects Sports Betting To Begin By March Madness |
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Sports betting in Illinois is soon to be a reality as the state is finalizing license applications from what is now seven casinos and racetracks that would be allowed to operate sportsbooks after legislation was passed last June.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Hollywood Casinos in both Aurora and Joliet, as well as the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino in East Peoria were awarded temporary sports betting licenses by the state’s gaming regulatory body at the end of February. Rivers Casino, the Grand Victoria Casino and Argosy Casino Alton received temporary licenses in January, while Fairmount Park racetrack has applied, but yet to receive a license.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been outspoken that he believes the state will have operational sportsbooks in time for residents to bet on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, but only Argosy Casino has advertised that its sportsbook will be open for March Madness.
Executives from the casino have told the Sun-Times that they are “hopeful” that it will be open in time for the first round of games that start on March 17.
There are still plenty of venues that are eligible for a license that have yet to apply for one. Four of the state’s 10 casinos have yet to apply, as have the rest of the state’s racetracks. Venues used for sporting events are also allowed to apply for licenses, which means that if it applies, Wrigley Field could accept bets on the outcome of Major League Baseball games this spring.
Retail betting locations will also be allowed to launch mobile and online sportsbooks. After seeing its success in other states, most notably New Jersey, mobile operations have become an integral piece to a successful sports betting market.
DraftKings and FanDuel, which have emerged as the leaders in the online sportsbook market will not be allowed to enter the Illinois market for at least one year, while the brick-and-mortar locations establish a presence online.
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