Illinois Still Targeting March Madness For Legal Sports Betting Launch
Illinois sports betting did not make the deadline for legalization before the Super Bowl. But there is a good chance that sportsbooks will be open for business in time for March Madness, according to Robert Channick of the Chicago Tribune.
That’s good news for business. The American Gaming Association expects more than $8.5 billion dollars to be wagered on the NCAA Tournament, which would make it the largest betting event in the country. The Super Bowl expected $6.8 billion, while other major events don’t touch the March Madness figure for a number of reasons. Due to the length of the tournament and the general interest in it from the public, Illinois sportsbooks would kick off legal betting in the state in a huge way with a March Madness launch.
reviewing applications for entertainment boards
According to Channick, on January 23, the Illinois Gaming Board presented rules governing operations, and Des Plaines & rsquo, Rivers Casino, Elgin & risquo; Grand Victoria; Alton; and Argosy all submitted applications for sports betting licenses. At a meeting on January 30, the panel unanimously approved those rules, which give casinos and bettors the right guidelines.
The game board is reviewing the software and intends to issue temporary running grants to enable the casinos to launch as soon as they are prepared, table executive Marcus Fruchter told Channick, & ldquo. & rdquo,
The entry of sportsbooks will also make it possible for Illinois residents to offer online gambling. But Channick anticipates that to happen after the games open. The 2019 Illinois Sports Wagering Act gives Illinois & rsquo, seven sizable sports venues, three horse tracks, and ten casinos the chance to obtain licenses for sports gambling. Channick adds that 18 weeks after the first on-site registration is granted, three online-only casinos may obtain licenses.
Casino software procedures began in December, which may have allowed for an earlier start than the present date. However, Channick claims that applicants waited for the working rules before applying. The second casinos were anticipated to open in time for the NCAA Tournament in March, according to several options he spoke with.
The goal is still March Madness.
Mike Zalewski, an Illinois representative from Riverside, was one of those options. He was one of the home individuals who contributed to the passage of sports betting policy in Illinois. In his discussion with Channick, he stated that the three games with the best chances of being prepared for March Madness are those that have submitted their software.
There is a good dose of optimism that they will be ready to wager by March Madness, he continued. Given where we are on the timeline, & ldquo, That & rsquo is a reasonable objective. & rdquo,
Channick and Rivers Casino standard manager Corey Wise discussed the timely readiness of their casino. In order to prepare, Rivers opened a BetRivers SportsBar in December.
Rivers is attempting to open its BetRivers Sportsbook as soon as possible, according to Wise.
According to Channick, the Illinois & rsquo gaming board is reviewing 10 applications for five of the six new casino licenses made available by the state’s gambling expansion law. Due to playing tax laws, a fifth casino in Chicago has stalled.
South of Chicago candidates are vying to open casinos in either city. Calumet City, Homewood, Matteson, or Lynwood. The five licenses that will be granted must be reviewed and selected by the game board within a year of the Oct. 28 application deadline. Rockford, Waukegan, Williamson County, and Danville are a few of the other Illinois places that have programs.
If Illinois residents are hoping to be able to place a bet on an in-state school for the NCAA Tournament, there could be a few options. Illinois is in the midst of a solid season and firmly in the picture for an at-large bid with its 8-5 record in the Big Ten. Loyola, Southern Illinois and Bradley are second, third and fourth in the Missouri Valley conference standings. All three schools would need a conference tournament championship run to get an automatic bid into March Madness. DePaul and Northwestern have struggled thus far, combining for a 2-22 record in their conferences. Northern Illinois is currently first in the MAC West, also needing a conference tournament championship run to clinch an automatic bid.
