Illinois Start Your Engines: Gov. Signs Gambling Expansion and Sports Betting Bill

New gaming opportunities are now on the horizon in the Land of Lincoln. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker made this possible by signing an Illinois gambling expansion bill into law on Friday, June 28.

The new legislation allows Illinois’ gaming operators to begin operating fresh casinos and legal sportsbooks. However, the rules also raise some new issues.

Illinois’s gaming industry growth timeframe

Existing casinos in Illinois have immediately increased their gaming capacity to 2,000 from the previous cap of 1,200.

Larger truck stops, in addition to O’Hare and Midway airports, will host new slot and video gambling machines.

Start times for new casinos, including the mega-casino in Chicago with its 4,000 game positions, have not been announced yet. This casino will be the largest in the state.

The new game sites in Cook County’s southwestern region are expected to have a breakthrough between a year and 18 months from now.

• Danville
• Rockford
• Waukegan

A new game will also be situated in Williams County.

At present, there is similar ambiguity regarding the implementation of sports betting. Many components of gaming development still require decisions from the relevant parties.

Illinois legitimate casinos are preparing

Even though the state will no longer prosecute those who bet on professional sports, it will still be a while before legitimate sportsbooks in Illinois start accepting bets.

The state’s gaming board still has to determine the applicable rules for sportsbooks. This includes deciding which candidates may receive one of the limited certificates available.

Both physical and virtual casinos will be given time to move their products even after receiving their licenses. This applies to all providers.

The license fees need to be paid by July 1, 2020.

It’s uncertain if any progress will be made before that time. However, following that time, the use of sports bets in Illinois may become more prevalent.

gaming, gambling, and stadiums

Most Illinois residents who are interested in sports betting naturally opt for the state’s casinos. However, there will be an increase in places where these bets can be placed.

Licenses can be applied for by off-track betting sites and racetracks. Stadiums with a minimum capacity of 17,000 are also eligible.

The Illinois Lottery will become the most prevalent operator. In the initial two years, thousands of lottery terminals will start to accept fixed odds parlays and parlays.

However, online sports betting programs are the most viable betting option. Licenses for these may also be issued by the condition. Nonetheless, some challenges need to be surmounted.

Online sports betting in Illinois

Once they have obtained a license, terrestrial games will be able to offer mobile gaming platforms. However, gamblers are required to register in person prior to placing a bet.

Only online sportsbooks, like DraftKings and FanDuel, are allowed to sign contracts with real state operators prior to the state’s license expiration date of 540 days.

If such relationships occur, bettors would essentially be using the casino’s book through DraftKings or FanDuel’s software.

Following Pritzker’s approval, the legal restrictions hindering the expansion of gambling in Illinois have been removed. Now, it’s time for the gaming companies to establish the required infrastructure to enable bettors in Illinois to place wagers.