Illinois Start Your Engines: Gov. Signs Gambling Expansion and Sports Betting Bill

Written By Derek Helling on July 9, 2019Last Updated on April 6, 2021
Gov. signs Illinois sports betting bill

The clock is now ticking on new gaming opportunities in the Land of Lincoln. On Friday, June 28, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzkersigned an Illinois gambling expansion bill into law.

As a result of the new legislation, Illinois‘ gaming operators can start putting fresh casinos and legal sportsbooks into operation. Additionally, the rules brings up some fresh issues.

Illinois’s gaming industry growth timeframe

Existing casinos in Illinois is instantly increase their gaming capacity to 2,000. The past cap was 1,200.

New slot and video gambling machines will be hosted at larger truck stops in addition to O & rsquo, Hare, and Midway airports.

There have been no announced start times for novel casinos, such as the mega-casino in Chicago. With 4, 000 game positions, that casino will be the biggest in the state.

The breakthrough at the new game sites is anticipated to take place between a year and 18 months from now. Those will be in Cook County‘s southwestern region:

  • Danville
  • Rockford
  • Waukegan

A fresh game will also be located in Williams County.

Similar uncertainty exists at the moment regarding the implementation of sports betting. Many elements of playing development still need to be decided by the parties involved.

Illinois legitimate casinos are preparing

It will take some time before Illinois’s legitimate sportsbooks start accepting bets, even though the condition will no longer sue anyone who wagers on professional sports.

The state & rsquo’s gaming board still needs to decide what rules apply to sportsbooks. Among them is deciding which candidates may be granted one of the few certificates available.

Providers will also have time to actually move out their products even after licenses are granted. This does apply to both physical and virtual casinos.

Costs for the license must be paid by July 1, 2020.

It’s doubtful that anything will start moving before that time. But, after that time, sports bets in Illinois might become widely used.

gaming, gambling, and stadiums

For the majority of Illinois residents who want to wager on sports, the state & rsquo, s casinos are the logical option. Yet, there will be a lot more places to make these bets.

Off-track betting sites and racetracks can apply for licenses. Stadiums of at least 17,000 capacity are eligible as well.

The most widespread operator will be the Illinois Lottery. Thousands of lottery terminals will begin accepting fixed odds parlays and parlays within the first two years.

However, online sports betting programs are the most practical betting choice. The condition may also issue licenses for those. Yet, there are some obstacles they will need to overcome.

Online sports betting in Illinois

Once licensed, land-based games will be able to provide mobile gaming platforms. But, bettors must enroll in person before placing a wager.

Just website sportsbooks, such as DraftKings and FanDuel, are permitted to enter into contracts with real state operators before the state’s license expiration date of 540 days.

In the event that such relationships do arise, bettors would technically be utilizing the casino & rsquo, s book via DraftKings & dot, and / or FanDuel & ldquo’s software.

With Pritzker & rsquo’s signature, the legal barriers preventing the growth of gambling in Illinois have been lifted. Today. It’s time for the gaming companies to set up the necessary infrastructure so that bettors in Illinois is place wagers.

Helling, Derek Avatar
authored by

Helling, Derek

Helling, Derek is a lead writer for PlayUSA and the manager of BetHer. He is a 2013 graduate of the University of Iowa and covers the intersections of sports with business and the law.

View all posts by Helling, Derek