BREAKING: One New Sportsbook Is Coming To Illinois, And You’ve Probably Never Heard Of It

Illinois’ Caliente Interactive, also known as Caliplay, is expected to introduce a new online sportsbook. However, Illinois sports bettors may be disappointed to learn that there are no plans for additional launches in the near future.

At a meeting on Thursday, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) revealed that Caliente has been chosen as the sole recipient of an online-only license. Caliente, a company based in Mexico, is not currently operating in the US, making Illinois its second active state.

This important step, although not a guarantee of final licensing, indicates the possibility that Caliente could move to Illinois next month.

Online, only three certificates were available. The IGB rejected Fubo Sportsbook’s application and an unknown applicant withdrew theirs. The two remaining certificates are still active, according to IGB Administrator Marcus Fruchter, who will provide more information in the future.

With Caliente’s addition, Illinois will soon have a total of eight online sportsbooks, increasing options for bettors in the state. Despite consistently vying for the second highest sports betting handle in the US each month, Illinois has lagged behind other states in terms of available sportsbook options.

Despite its expansion, the quantity is still relatively small. Here is what we currently know about Caliente, a place that is largely unfamiliar to Americans.

Caliente is the top sportsbook in Mexico.

Caliente Interactive is recognized as a top provider of online gaming and sports betting in Mexico.

It runs off-course gambling and betting operations in various countries including Mexico, Austria, Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and the Caribbean.

Caliente, a company under the Grupo Caliente umbrella, was established in 1916 in Tiajuana. Their self-description on Linkedin states:

Caliplay, also known as Caliente Interactive, is a prominent player in the regulated Mexican online casino and sports betting market. The company runs multiple websites that provide a variety of gaming services, such as casino games, sports betting, slots, live games, and mobile betting. Caliplay places a strong emphasis on marketing and ensuring a positive user experience. It is affiliated with the long-standing Caliente company, which has a rich history dating back to 1916 and has established a presence in multiple Mexican states as well as several Central and South American countries. Caliplay is dedicated to promoting responsible gambling habits.

How did we arrive around?

At first, the online-only license grant was meant to encourage the discontinuation of in-person sports betting registration.

The rules did not go as expected. Originally, there was supposed to be an 18-month period of in-person membership when sports betting was first introduced in Illinois in March 2020. However, the IGB ultimately decided to issue licenses solely for online use, allowing for online registration for everyone.

Due to the unforeseen circumstances of COVID-19, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker made the decision to temporarily suspend the in-person registration requirement for about seven weeks. This decision enabled companies such as FanDuel and DraftKings to enter the sports betting market in Illinois by forming partnerships with gambling establishments. With the introduction of virtual registration, these companies were able to quickly establish a strong presence and control a significant share of the market in the state.

Last autumn, the Illinois legislature approved setting a final deadline for in-person registration on March 5th.

The impact of a new casino joining a competitive market should not be underestimated, even if the announcement doesn’t generate as much buzz as it might in other situations. It will be interesting to see how Caliente performs in the thriving Illinois gaming industry.