In June 2019, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker approved legislation that expanded gaming in the state, marking a significant increase in gaming activity over the past twenty years.
Gaming played a significant role in the $45 billion “Rebuild Illinois” legislation proposed by Pritzker.
The passing of the bills in Illinois legalized sports betting and paved the way for the construction of six new casinos in the state.
Illinois emerged as the top sporting gambling state in April, despite numerous plot twists and turns.
In regards to gambling, progress has not been easy. While some are making headway, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has yet to issue any final licenses.
Let’s explore the developments that have occurred two years after the expansion of legalized gambling in Illinois.
Activities gambling in Illinois is booming.
Illinois ranked second in sports betting handle in April, following New Jersey.
Despite the fact that Illinois has required in-person registration for online sports betting accounts since April, many people continue to participate in online sports betting.
Naturally, the law was designed to operate in a certain way. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pritzker implemented an executive order permitting online registration. This order remained in effect for over seven months.
Illinois solidified itself as a leading player in the national sports betting industry thanks to that purchase.
Since March 2020, sports bettors in Illinois have placed bets totaling over $4 billion, generating nearly $48 million in tax revenue for the state.
Illinois achieved a new all-time record in March with a handle of $633.6 million.
Additionally, there was a provision in the law known as the “penalty box” clause, which aimed to prevent companies such as FanDuel and DraftKings from entering the market for a minimum of 18 months.
On the other hand, these providers entered into partnerships for market access with the gambling industry. They were already operating when the pandemic allowed for longer registration periods.
FanDuel and DraftKings are currently leading the way in the casino industry in terms of dominance and earnings.
Casino development in New Illinois has been sluggish.
When Pritzker finished the Rebuild Illinois program, game licenses were granted to six regions. These regions include:
- Rockford
- County of Williamson
- Waukegan
- Danville
- South cities
- Chicago
After two years, two regions have been identified as “preliminarily suitable” for a license: Rockford (Hard Rock) and Williamson County (Walker’s Bluff).
However, neither has yet received final approval. The Hard Rock Casino Rockford, a temporary casino, was approved by the IGB, although it is nearing full approval.
In any case, the slow process of the IGB has caused frustration for many individuals, including state government officials and residents in the designated areas.
Some groups submitted their software in October 2019 and are still awaiting a response, even though the decision-making date was originally set for October 2020. The board has the option to extend the deadline due to legal leeway.
The Chicago casino is currently accepting proposals from all interested bidders through a Request For Proposals (RFP) process. The city aims to select an operator by the end of the year and move forward with the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) accordingly.
The Chicago blackjack game is expected to promote nostalgia, while the Hard Rock Rockford casino seems to be leading the way in doing so currently.
What’s coming, What & rsquo?
additional casinos in Hellip, Illinois
The Illinois games industry has experienced a flurry of activity recently, and we anticipate even more substantial changes in the next five years.
It is anticipated that Illinois will reintroduce online sports betting registration, possibly in 2022. This move could help solidify the state’s position as a leading market in the US and potentially reach a monthly handle of $1 billion by the end of the decade.
Additional online betting operators may join the competition. Currently, there are only six sportsbooks in Illinois, but the number could potentially increase to over one hundred.
Recently, there has been some improvement in game news. All six regions on the list are expected to have casinos in the near future, increasing the state’s total to 16.
& hellip as well as racinos
Hawthorne Race Course and FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing (formerly Fairmount Park) will feature two racinos.
Will there be an online blackjack game called Hellip?
The government may have numerous issues to address in the future.
In 2021, both the Illinois House and Senate proposed bills for online casinos, but they did not pass during the latest session. However, there is growing legislative support to achieve this goal in the coming years.
Undoubtedly, that was a game-changing moment. Online casinos offer a more dependable source of income compared to sports gambling, making the market in Illinois highly appealing.
& hellip, and be eligible to play on an intrastate college team?
Furthermore, betting on in-state school sports is currently banned in Illinois, allowing residents to freely place bets on teams such as Illinois and Northwestern.
After the House passed a bill to repeal the restrictions, individuals were able to easily place bets on those groups in person at physical sportsbooks.
The Senate has not yet voted on the act.
Residents of Illinois may now feel emboldened to place bets on their local college teams through online platforms.
What’s going on with da Bears?
It’s possible that in a few years, we might wake up to see the Chicago Bears playing in Arlington Heights.
Illinois is always full of excitement.
