Pritzker Expects Sportsbooks To Start Taking Action In Time For March Madness

Written By Derek Helling on February 19, 2020

There is a new indication that Prairie State sportsbooks could be up and running next month, although it has not been officially confirmed. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is hopeful that residents will be able to place bets on NCAA DI basketball tournament games this year.

March Madness is scheduled to start on Tuesday, March 17 with the men’s games, followed by the women’s games three days later. Despite casinos being operational, Illinois residents may not be permitted to wager on their preferred teams.

The government of Illinois establishes standards for casinos.

Pritzker’s press secretary issued a statement last week about the timeline for legal sports betting, which addressed the main concern on everyone’s mind.

Illinois casinos are scheduled to reopen in time for March Madness, a development that is expected to help revitalize the state’s establishments and amenities. The government has expressed favorable responses to this decision.

Legitimate sportsbooks in the state may not have a very successful St. Patrick’s Day this year due to the extended March Madness period from mid-March to early April. However, they still have the chance to start operations during the event, even if they begin later.

Pritzker’s statement puts pressure on the parties involved. If the games go on and sportsbooks are not open, it could put the government in a difficult position.

Pritzker is fortunate that his interests align with those of the sportsbooks, especially during the most significant sports event of the year, March Madness.

Residents and visitors in the Land of Lincoln are eagerly anticipating the timely opening of the casinos, as the opportunity is too lucrative to pass up.

Nonetheless, the possibility of legal sports betting in Illinois is constrained by state legislation. There are two regulatory hurdles that must be addressed in order to facilitate this activity.

Success and the two problems that will restrict sportsbooks & rsquo

It is easy to observe these problems in Illinois. The University of Illinois men’s team has a chance to win all 68 basketball games in this year’s series.

Nevertheless, supporters of the Fighting Illini may be let down when they go to a legal sportsbook with the intention of placing bets on their beloved team, as Illinois law explicitly prohibits wagering on in-state university or college teams.

This suggests that Illinois casinos may not have the legal authority to pursue action against them in Indiana and Iowa. In Iowa, the only restriction is on in-game betting on individual player performances, while Indiana has no limitations on college teams.

Nevertheless, that is not the sole restriction that may be relevant in the upcoming month. Illinois also mandates an in-person registration for online gambling.

Bettors are required to visit the physical sportsbooks affiliated with their preferred online brand in order to place bets online. While this rule is framed as a security precaution, its true purpose is to guarantee that casinos receive their portion of the earnings.

The requirement will only be in effect once Illinois grants its second independent online casino license. However, the state will not enforce this requirement until 420 days after the retail books are opened.

As a result, the demand for face-to-face transactions is expected to continue for an extended period, posing a potential issue by potentially restricting the amount of bettors utilizing legal avenues.

It is important for those who insist on using legal methods to be aware of the physical location of the books. Some of this information is currently available.

Where in Illinois might the first authorized bookmakers become located

Currently, only three operators have been granted licenses by the state. Although it is possible that more licenses may be issued in the near future, these three are the first operators to be approved.

Elgin‘s Grand Victoria Casino
Des Plaines’ Rivers Casino

Both the Argosy and the Grand Victoria have not confirmed their plans to develop their own platforms, outsource the task, or construct it themselves. Rivers currently operates a system that operates in multiple states.

As a result, BetRivers has the potential to emerge as the top online casino operator in the state. Nevertheless, there is no guarantee that it will launch at the same time as the retail book.

The implementation of online sports betting programs is delayed due to state agencies prioritizing adherence to regulations. Online ebooks have proven to be more popular than physical bookmakers in states where legal betting is allowed.

Sportsbooks in Illinois may become operational as soon as next month, possibly limited to wholesale operations initially. If this timeline is not met, it is likely that Governor Pritzker will express his disappointment.