What To Expect When Circa Sportsbook Launches In Illinois

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Written By C.J. Pierre on May 18, 2023

Anticipation is growing for the launch of Circa Sportsbook in Illinois, as the operator aims to become the eighth legal sports betting provider in the state by the end of the year.

Circa will be debuting an online sportsbook in Illinois and will be opening a retail sportsbook at The Temporary by American Place Casino. This location, a property of Full House Resorts in Waukegan, began operations on February 17th.

Operations in Illinois are currently without a confirmed start date. Nonetheless, Jeff Benson, the director of operations at Circa, has indicated to Play Illinois that they are targeting an August launch in Illinois. Aaron Oster, Circa’s marketing manager, also confirmed this timeline in a recent article in the Chicago Tribune.

Of course, the launch is contingent upon receiving final legislative approval from the Illinois Gaming Board.

Nevertheless, individuals are excited to welcome another new casino to the growing roster in Illinois.

Circa, a Las Vegas-based operator, runs sportsbooks in Nevada, Colorado, and Iowa. Play Illinois analyzed Circa Sportsbook’s operations in these states and the anticipated experience for sports bettors when it launches in Illinois.

Can Circa’s Illinois online sportsbook keep up with the rest of the pack?

Circa Sportsbook offers a wide range of betting options with competitive odds, available on their online platforms in Colorado and Iowa.

Currently, FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetRivers are the top players among the seven regulated sportsbooks in Illinois, holding over 75% of the market share according to Play Illinois. The main focus now is on whether Circa can successfully compete and carve out a space in this competitive market.

According to betting experts at PlayIowa and PlayColorado, Circa is currently situated in the middle tier in those markets.

In April, Circa’s mobile betting app ranked eighth in Iowa in terms of revenue out of 18 apps.

Colorado does not offer operator-specific data, but industry experts believe that Circa is considered a second-tier online sportsbook in the state. This puts them behind the top four US sportsbooks: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars.

Derek Stevens, the founder and CEO of Circa Sports, expressed confidence in the face of competition in the Illinois sports betting market during an interview with Play Illinois.

Stevens noted that Colorado has 30 competitors, with several in Iowa and a significant number in Nevada. He explained that various sportsbook models may cater to different types of customers and sees potential for market growth, especially in the thriving Illinois market. Stevens is excited about their upcoming presence.

The Circa difference

Stevens announced that Circa’s launch in Illinois will introduce an innovative offering aimed at attracting high rollers. Established in Las Vegas in 2019, Circa, the sportsbook founded by Stevens, promises to provide a lower percentage hold and welcomes large bets.

Stevens stated that, despite varying player numbers, he believes that a low-hold model accommodating larger bets is suitable for certain customers.

Temporary Circa retail sportsbook could open this summer

According to Alex Stolyar, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Full House Resorts, the retail sportsbook at Circa at American Place is anticipated to open in July or August, as reported by the Tribune.

Stevens claimed that it is a thrilling opportunity.

Stevens expressed his excitement about bringing our top-notch sports betting and hospitality experience to Illinois. He noted that our success in Las Vegas has established strong connections with bettors in the Midwest, making this expansion into Illinois a major milestone for us.

The sportsbook at The Temporary will have a dedicated betting section with kiosks for wagering, ticket counters, and digital displays showing live odds. Guests can watch their favorite local teams on any of the 36 TVs, which range in size from 60 to 80 inches.

Circa hopes to bring a Vegas-style experience to Illinois

The Temporary will serve as the location for the sportsbook for 2-3 years as construction on the permanent American Place Casino continues. Stolyar mentioned that the permanent site will feature a high-end retail sportsbook that matches the caliber and size of the casino development.

Stolyar announced that they had promised to deliver a high-quality gaming and entertainment venue to Illinois, complete with a top-notch sportsbook. After witnessing the impressive transformation of the sports betting and viewing experience at Circa by Derek and his team, they were certain that they would make the perfect partners for American Place.

Circa is famous for its flagship location at the Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, home to the world’s largest sportsbook. The venue also features Stadium Swim, a one-of-a-kind entertainment destination that combines six expansive swimming pools with a 40-foot high-definition screen. Guests can enjoy watching sports and placing bets in this innovative setting.

Sadly, Illinois has decided against introducing an outdoor swim-up sportsbook due to the harsh winter climate, which is a practical choice.

Circa is looking to bring a Vegas-style experience to Waukegan with the introduction of the permanent American Place Casino, which will include approximately: