PointsBet Is Coming To Illinois, And It Could Be A Major Player After NBC Deal

The Australian game operator had already experienced a hectic few days as PointsBet hinted at its upcoming release in Illinois.

Illinois, get ready for us! #128064.

Stay Tuned. pic.twitter.com/T2fO0stNJp

On August 31, 2020, PointsBet Illinois posted this tweet.

PointsBet has signed a partnership agreement with NBC for the upcoming year, making the media company the official sports betting partner for PointsBet in the years to come.

In exchange for a 4.9% ownership stake in PointsBet, NBC has been granted 66.88 million options that will mature in five years, with the possibility of promoting PointsBet across its wide range of events.

The offer has the potential to make a significant impact in Illinois, which is why it is being mentioned here.

Live sporting activities are broadcast on NBC Sports Chicago.

The Cubs made the transition to Marquee Sports Network before winter, but NBC Sports Chicago (NBCSC) still holds onto a substantial collection of regional television rights.

The rights of the following team are protected.

• Bulls
• a pale swine
• Blackhawks 
• Sky
• basketball from Northern Illinois
• sports at Illinois State

NBC holds the rights to Notre Dame football, which is widely considered the most popular college football team in the Chicagoland area.

Therefore, when evaluating the PointsBet-NBC partnership, high-profile events like Sunday Night Football, The Olympics, and Stanley Cup Playoffs are likely to come to mind first. However, the importance of the local element cannot be overlooked, especially in markets like Chicago.

Although the Cubs’ defeat is tough to swallow, NBCSC can still provide year-round coverage of games for three of Chicago’s top teams – the Bulls, the White Sox, and the Blackhawks.

It is unclear if NBCSC will add any betting-related content to its lineup. Recently, the network decided to cancel Chicago Sports Talk Live after airing it for more than 16 years.

PointsBet is prepared for victory in Illinois.

PointsBet Illinois is set to become the fourth online sportsbook in Illinois, joining BetRivers, DraftKings, and FanDuel in the market.

PointsBet is less concerned about the possible reintroduction of in-person registration in Illinois compared to sportsbooks such as DraftKings or FanDuel.

PointsBet’s partnership with Hawthorne Racecourse, situated in Cicero less than 10 miles from downtown Chicago, is the reason for this.

Therefore, Illinois sports bettors would be able to choose whether to register for accounts at Hawthorne or at one of its 10 off-track betting (OTB) locations.

While it may be advantageous to have a reputation in Oak Brook and Prospect Heights, the actual location of the establishment is on Corliss Avenue in Chicago.

Compared to other options, DraftKings is a partner in the lengthy four-hour trip from Chicago to Casino Queen in East St. Louis.

FanDuel has a partnership with Par-A-Dice Casino, situated in East Peoria, approximately a three-hour drive from Chicago.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has temporarily suspended the in-person registration requirement until at least September 19th.

PointsBet is well poised for expansion in both markets, even with the challenge of a potentially smaller Illinois handle because of in-person registration. Additionally, the NBC package could offer significant benefits for the company.

Hence, the aggressive pursuit of customers by FanDuel and DraftKings is easily understood.

More information on the PointsBet – NBC partnership

NBC not only owns a portion of PointsBet but also stands to earn affiliate fees for each bettor it directs to the sportsbook. This gives NBC a strong motivation to promote PointsBet as widely as it can.

We have highlighted certain Illinois-specific developments, but you might also observe the presence of PointsBet in various locations.

• NBC Sports Network
• Channel for golfing
• Peacock
• Deportations from Telemundo
• Telemundo
• NBC Sports Predictor Game
• Rotoworld

Sam Swanell, Managing Director and Group CEO of PointsBet, stated that these assets will form the basis of their marketing strategy. With the addition of their in-house technology, products, and talented team, they anticipate achieving high levels of client acquisition and retention efficiency. The company aims to expand quickly in the next five years.

Points Bet-NBC is the newest collaboration between a casino and media company in a series of partnerships.

However, it offers an amazing chance to have a significant impact in Illinois.