Wrigley Field Headlining Illinois Sports Betting & Gambling Expansions

Written By Derek Helling on June 18, 2019
Illinois sports betting at Wrigley Field

The Illinois Governor is anticipating a bill to expand gambling in the Land of Lincoln, awaiting the signature of B. Pritzker. The Chicago Cubs and other interested parties are getting ready by making strategic moves.

Chicago will soon experience more wagering

SB 690, the bill, signifies a win for the gambling sector in Chicago.

Governor Pritzker received the act on June 5 and indicated his intention to sign it.

The new law allows for sports betting at venues that can accommodate at least 17,000 spectators during sports events. There are rumors that the Chicago Cubs are exploring the possibility of introducing sports betting at Wrigley Field.

The Chicago region is set to welcome a new “mega-casino” with 4,000 gaming positions as permitted by the bill. Additionally, the area will receive a portion of the income revenue generated.

growth of gaming abroad in Illinois

Furthermore, the legislation authorizes the development of five additional casinos in different locations across the state, including Rockford and Waukegan. Additionally, it expands the option for slot machine betting at airports and race tracks.

The existing games can be expanded from a capacity of 1,200 to 2,000.

However, certain interested parties have been left out of the development process.

School activities not included

Ryan Field at Northwestern University has received enough votes to allow sports betting, but it will not be able to obtain a license.

The law bans betting on Illinois college sports teams such as Bradley, Northwestern, and the University of Illinois.

The level of concern among Illinois residents regarding mobile betting may vary based on their choice of bookmakers.

Penalty box & rsquo, DraftKings and FanDuel added,

Once the bill is approved, sportsbooks with brick-and-mortar establishments will be able to introduce wireless betting platforms, paving the way for casinos and their affiliates to potentially provide mobile sports betting services in the near future.

Nevertheless, bettors are required to personally register with the betting agency before placing bets on their devices. Online sportsbook providers must act promptly in response to this requirement.

After the bill is passed, only online sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel will be permitted to operate in the state for a period of 18 months.

Drama during the only ready time online

Critics contend that the inclusion of the provision was intended to benefit casino owners like Neil Bluhm, while State Sen. Napoleon Harris and others view it as a penalty for companies like DraftKings and FanDuel, labeling them as “bad actors.”

DraftKings and FanDuel fought against a provision in the bill by launching an ad campaign. After the bill was approved, Jason Robbins, CEO of DraftKings, openly criticized it.

In 2015, the state attorney general stated that DraftKings’ and FanDuel’s fantasy sports games were considered illegal gambling.

However, despite this, Illinois residents were still able to give feedback to DraftKings and FanDuel. The addition of this provision was a legislative attempt to penalize both companies.

fees and costs associated with playing

It is difficult to comprehend the reasons behind DraftKings and FanDuel’s decision to postpone, but the state’s clear and direct goal of increasing participation in gambling is evident.

The state anticipates an annual revenue of approximately $410 million from new gambling taxes. While there may be some skepticism about long-term projections, there is confidence in an initial increase in revenue.

In order to launch sportsbooks, facilities must invest $10 million in a license. If operators want to offer mobile betting as well, they will need to pay an additional $20 million.

After receiving the necessary licenses, the condition may be better equipped to predict the actual increase in revenue that will result from the expansion of gambling. SB 690 is anticipated to significantly change the gaming landscape in Illinois.

Placing bets between innings at Wrigley Field, which was once considered unthinkable, may become a reality when the Chicago Cubs begin their 2020 season.