The end of in-person sports betting registration on March 5 marked a new beginning for the Illinois sports betting industry, allowing the market to finally reach its full potential.
In addition to the new sportsbook at BetMGM Illinois, residents also saw the launch of an upgraded Caesars Sportsbook in the state, further solidifying its presence in Illinois.
Illinois’ seven online casinos pale in comparison to other major industries, such as Colorado, which boasts 26 casinos.
It may come as a surprise that the Sports Wagering Act predicts the imminent arrival of three additional entities in Illinois.
In December, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) disclosed that three unidentified operators had submitted applications for online-only licenses. The bill indicated that the identities of these operators were expected to be disclosed by early March.
According to Sections 25 through 45 of the Sports Wagering Act:
The Board has 540 days from the issuance of the first license under this Act to receive applications for the initial competitive selection. Successful bidders for the competitive selection must be announced within 630 days of the issuance of the first certificate under this Act. The Board may extend this timeline if needed.
The first time the 540-day level was reached was in December, followed by the 630-day mark in March. However, there is limited information available on the current status of the procedure.
It seems that the entity “& ldquo” is actively working in this field, with the board “& quo” having the power to prolong this timeframe.
IGB remains silent on the matter.
An IGB spokesperson informed Play Illinois when questioned about the process:
After meeting the required legal requirements, details about the applicants for the online-only sports wager operator license will be disclosed to the public. Any relevant updates will be posted on the IGB’s website.
In Illinois, we have encountered similar situations in the past. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has a track record of extending deadlines for new casino license applicants, causing frustration for key stakeholders in the south suburban process. This has led to individuals expressing their anger through opinion pieces.
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) was supposed to respond to casino applicants within a year of receiving their materials. However, the bill regarding the board’s discretion contains similar language. It took over two years after the initial program submission for a final decision to be reached.
Using the same criteria, it is unclear when the board will make a decision on the pending sports betting applications. Fortunately, reviewing a sports betting application is less complicated than reviewing a casino application. However, it is apparent that the 630-day deadline was not adhered to seriously.
Potential applicants for Illinois activities gambling certificates
We do not have the specific information on the three businesses that applied for online sports betting licenses, but we can make educated guesses.
Here are some potential candidates:
- The Bally Bet
- WynnBet
- Fox Bet
- Nugget of gold
- Betway
- Betfred
Originally, the certificates were intended to make it easier for people to enroll online in Illinois. However, due to a congressional correction, this provision no longer applies to HB 3136.
Nevertheless, the proliferation of casinos results in a surge of consumer incentives, marketing campaigns, and higher state tax revenues. Therefore, it is advantageous to establish casinos sooner rather than later.
