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

Written By Derek Helling on February 19, 2020
Illinois sports betting

Another sign that Prairie State sportsbooks might be operational next month has surfaced, despite the fact that it & rsquo is still unofficial. Governor of Illinois J. B. Pritzker anticipates that state residents will be able to wager on the NCAA DI basketball tournament games this year.

March Madness is set to commence on Tuesday, March 17, beginning with the men’s games, and the women’s games following three days later. However, even if casinos are currently open and running, Illinois residents might not be allowed to place bets on their favorite teams.

The government of Illinois establishes standards for casinos.

Last week, a statement regarding the timeline for legal sports betting was issued by Pritzker’s press secretary. The release included a line relevant to the foremost concern on everyone’s mind.

Illinois casinos are set to open for business by March Madness, a development that promises to aid in the recovery of the state’s institutions and facilities. This move has garnered positive reactions from the government.

It’s not certain that legitimate sportsbooks in the state will have a particularly successful St. Patrick’s Day this year, given that March Madness spans several weeks from mid-March to early April. They have the opportunity to commence operations during the event, even if they start later.

Pritzker’s statement exerts pressure on the concerned parties. If the games occur and sportsbooks are not operational, it could create an awkward situation for the government.

Pritzker is lucky because his interests coincide with the sportsbooks and rsquo. The most significant sports event of the year is March Madness.

People living in and visiting the Land of Lincoln are eagerly expecting the casinos to make all possible efforts to open on time. The opportunity is just too great to miss.

However, the potential for constitutional sports betting in Illinois is limited by state laws. Two issues exist within the regulatory framework that govern this activity.

Success and the two problems that will restrict sportsbooks & rsquo

One might readily notice such issues in Illinois. The University of Illinois men’s team could potentially win this year’s series of 68 basketball games.

However, fans of the Fighting Illini may face disappointment if they visit a legal sportsbook intending to bet on their favorite team. This is because Illinois law prohibits legal sportsbooks from accepting bets on in-state university or college teams.

This implies that casinos in Illinois may still not have the legal ability to take action against them in Indiana and Iowa. While the only limitation in Iowa is on in-game betting on individual player performances, Indiana does not impose any restrictions on college teams.

However, that isn’t the only limitation that could be applicable in the following month. Illinois even requires a short in-person membership for online gambling.

Bettors need to visit the physical sportsbooks associated with their chosen online brand before they can place wagers online. This requirement is presented as a security measure, but it’s actually more about ensuring casinos receive their share of the profits.

The requirement does not apply until the state of Illinois approves its second independent online casino licensee. Nonetheless, the state will not take any action until 420 days after the opening of the retail books.

Consequently, the need for in-person transactions will likely persist for an extended period. This presents a problem as it could limit the number of bettors using legal channels.

For those who are adamant about using legal channels, it’s essential to know the location of the physical books. Some of this information is presently accessible.

Where in Illinois might the first authorized bookmakers become located

At present, the state has granted licenses to just three operators. While there is a possibility that this number could increase in the coming weeks, for now, these three are the initial operators:

    Casino Argosy in Alton

  • Elgin‘s Grand Victoria Casino
  • Rivers Casino in Des Plaines

Neither the Argosy nor the Grand Victoria have confirmed if they will develop their own platforms, outsource it, or construct it themselves. Rivers now operates a system that functions in multiple states.

Consequently, BetRivers could become the state’s leading online casino company. However, it’s not guaranteed that it will launch simultaneously with the retail book.

Online sports betting programs take longer to reach the market as state agencies are more likely to ensure adherence. In most states where legal bookmakers are currently operating, online ebooks have outperformed their physical counterparts.

It appears that sportsbooks in Illinois may go live as early as next month, albeit potentially only on the wholesale level. If this does not happen, Pritzker will likely be among those expressing disappointment.

Helling, Derek Avatar
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Helling, Derek

Derek Helling, a lead writer for PlayUSA and the manager of BetHer, is a University of Iowa graduate from 2013. He focuses on the overlap between sports, business, and law in his coverage.

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