Jessica Welman is the Director of New Markets for the Play-branded network of sites, including Play Illinois. With a career spanning back to 2008, she has established herself as an expert in the gambling industry, working with well-known platforms like the World Poker Tour, World Series of Poker, Bluff Magazine, and The Big Lead.

In the past, she served as the editor-in-chief for PlayUSA, PlayPennsylvania, PlayIndiana, and PlayTenn. Over the course of her writing and editing career, she reported on multiple state online gambling debuts.

After graduating from the University of Southern California film school, Welman went on to earn a master’s degree in communication and culture from Indiana University. While she has a broad understanding of gambling news, her expertise specifically shines in the realm of Academy Awards betting.

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Take a peek at some of Welman’s work:

National publications quoting Welman

• CNBC reports that betting on the Oscars is now legal in the US for the first time, with predictions that it may not be the last.
• NPR.org: The Indicator From Planet Money: Betting on The Oscars
• Oscar betting is gaining popularity in mainstream culture, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Stories written on Illinois gambling

• The William Hill app debuts in Illinois just in time for betting on the Cubs-Indians game.
• Pritzker waives requirement for in-person sportsbook registration until September 19th.