PointsBet Sportsbook Gets Cleared To Land In Illinois

At present, BetRivers is the only legal online sportsbook operating in Illinois, but that could soon change. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) recently approved PointsBet Sportsbook to start operating in the Prairie State.

Obtaining the licensure was the last obstacle that needed to be cleared in order to offer sports betting at the Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero, both in person and online. The timeline for the launch will now be determined mainly by the license holders.

the day of the PointsBet Sportsbook Illinois build

Despite the lack of a formal timeline for launching in the Prairie State, either online or in retail stores, PointsBet USA CEO Johnny Aitken issued a statement following the board’s decision.

The PointsBet team is excited to announce that Hawthorne Race Course has been granted a four-year master sports betting license. We are eager to collaborate and provide an unparalleled sports betting experience for Illinois sports fans with our top-notch wholesale and mobile product.

We are excited to demonstrate our competitive advantage by fully controlling our technological infrastructure, providing unmatched speed and user-friendly experience on a customized, seamless platform. This will confirm the belief that the superior product will always succeed. With prime retail locations strategically placed in and around downtown Chicago, we are confident that we will meet the needs of Illinois consumers both in-store and online.

PointsBet has secured its vendor permit and is now awaiting Hawthorne’s licensure in order to begin operations in Illinois. It is currently unknown whether the brand will start accepting in-person bets while it works on developing its online product for Illinois residents.

Nonetheless, Illinois bettors are required to physically visit the racecourse in order to place bets on the online sportsbook. This is due to Illinois law mandating in-person registration for online betting, until the Illinois Gaming Board issues the first three licenses for online-only sportsbooks.

Bookmakers in Illinois are able to make bets from any location after registering, but there is another important concern regarding their mobility.

In Illinois, will there be cellular sports betting?

It is still uncertain whether PointsBet will provide iOS or Android apps in Illinois. Gamblers in Iowa can only bet on the brand’s desktop or mobile website.

Nevertheless, bettors in Indiana and New Jersey have the option to use the PointsBet app to manage their sports bets. While the app is still being developed, PointsBet may limit mobile access to its website in order to maintain the integrity of the product.

The potential expansion of Hawthorne is not confined to just the sportsbook. At a meeting on Thursday, the IGB began the process of allowing the property to become a fully operational “racino”.

The IGB originally deemed Hawthorne eligible for a casino games license, which is akin to being preapproved for a car or home loan.

Hawthorne is prepared to formally apply for a casino certificate, but there are concerns about their readiness. The review process by the IGB will also take some time.

Additionally, during the IGB meeting on Thursday, updates were provided regarding casino developments in various areas of the state. Following this decision, the leaders of Danville must now make necessary decisions and take action.

Casino programmer in Danville is authorized to create new plans.

The state’s most recent gambling expansion legislation included plans for a casino to be built in Danville. In October of last year, HavenGaming submitted an application for a license to oversee the development and operation of this property.

In January, Haven requested permission from the IGB to make changes to its app. The main topic of conversation revolved around the terms of its contract with the city, which were deemed inadequate by community standards.

Nevertheless, the table denied the request initially but later approved Haven’s full withdrawal of its application before Thursday’s meeting.

Upon approval, the developer is now able to begin bringing their plans to life. Concurrently, Haven can begin new negotiations with the city by submitting updated software.

The launch of PointsBet Sportsbook in Illinois is rapidly approaching, with updates for residents expected soon.