Illinois online sports betting enrollment, originally scheduled to end on this day as a formality, has been extended until January 9.
The closure of Illinois casinos in November by Gov. JB Pritzker led to the anticipation of the extension of his executive order 2020-41.
As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, online registration has been accessible since late August, leading to Illinois becoming the fastest-growing sports betting market in the US.
It is unclear when Illinois casinos will reopen as the state’s COVID-19 positivity rates, while on a downward trend since mid-November, are still above 10%. Given that the last time Governor Pritzker lifted a casino shutdown, the positivity rate was at 2.6%, it is unlikely that casinos will resume operations in the near future.
Registration for intelligent sports betting should continue, especially with casinos still closed. Experts in the industry anticipate strong financial results in the upcoming earnings reports as a result.
Will new providers be able to profit from this?
We are aware of three users who are planning to launch in Illinois in 2021.
The Unibet sportsbook, Bet MGM sportsbook, and Barstool are all available options.
Unibet, working alongside retail partner Argosy Casino Alton, is well on its way to launch in Illinois. They have submitted their master license application and are currently awaiting approval from the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB).
Additionally, it can be inferred that if FanDuel moves its sportsbook license to its racetrack, BetMGM may set its sights on Par-A-Dice Casino.
Barstool is set to collaborate with Penn National Gaming, a major player in the Hollywood gambling industry.
The current dilemma for the trio is whether they can launch in time to take advantage of mobile registration. It is likely that this opportunity will be available into the winter months, with the expectation that the COVID-19 vaccine(s) will be widely accessible to the public by spring.
Additionally, it is important to note that in-person registration was not meant to be a permanent solution and should not be a worry for the upcoming football season. However, if these books are not accessible until spring, there is a chance they could face challenges.
Given the duration of remote enrollment during the pandemic, it is possible that returning to in-person registration may no longer be feasible. Furthermore, it is likely that the situation has changed permanently.
There are many factors to consider, but it is clear that sportsbooks have a greater chance of success if they start early.
Sports gambling in Illinois is booming.
Mobile registration has played a significant role in the success of the thriving Illinois sports betting market.
In September, The Land of Lincoln, which ranks third in the US sports gambling market, saw a handle of $305.2 million.
It is expected that the number will increase significantly in October, November, and December if we follow the trend of other states.
We are expecting to receive data for October soon, and it is likely that we will see another monthly record.
