PointsBet Is Coming To Illinois, And It Could Be A Major Player After NBC Deal

It had already been a busy few days for the Australian-based game operator as PointsBet teases its impending Illinois release.

Hey Illinois, we’re coming… #128064.

Stay Tuned. pic.twitter.com/T2fO0stNJp

PointsBet Illinois tweeted this on August 31, 2020.

PointsBet has secured a deal with NBC for the following year. In the forthcoming years, the media giant will serve as the official sports betting partner for PointsBet.

NBC may promote PointsBet across its extensive event roster. In return for a 4.9% stake in the company, NBC is given 66.88 million PointsBet options that will mature in five years.

The offer could potentially have a significant impact in Illinois. That’s the reason why it’s mentioned below.

Live sporting activities are broadcast on NBC Sports Chicago.

Before winter, the Cubs transitioned to Marquee Sports Network, however, NBC Sports Chicago (NBCSC) still retains a significant assortment of regional television rights.

The following team is protected by its rights:

• Bulls
• a pale swine
• Blackhawks 
• Sky
• basketball from Northern Illinois
• sports at Illinois State

NBC (proper) also owns the rights to Notre Dame football, which is arguably the most popular college football team in the Chicagoland region.

Hence, when considering the PointsBet – NBC offer, top-tier programs such as Sunday Night Football, The Olympics, or Stanley Cup Playoffs might initially spring to mind. Nevertheless, the local aspect is particularly vital in specific markets, such as Chicago.

The defeat of the Cubs is painful, but with the Bulls, the pale swine, and the Blackhawks, NBCSC is able to broadcast games all year round for three of Chicago’s most outstanding teams.

It remains to be seen whether NBCSC will incorporate any betting-focused content into its schedule. The network last month ended the run of Chicago Sports Talk Live, a show that had been broadcasted for over 16 years.

PointsBet is prepared for victory in Illinois.

It currently appears that PointsBet Illinois will be the fourth online sportsbook to enter the Illinois market, following BetRivers, DraftKings, and FanDuel.

The potential reinstatement of the in-person registration requirement in Illinois is not as intimidating for PointsBet as it is for sportsbooks like DraftKings or FanDuel.

This is because PointsBet’s land-based partner is Hawthorne Racecourse, which is located less than 10 miles from downtown Chicago in Cicero.

Thus, sports bettors in Illinois would have the option to register for accounts either at Hawthorne or at one of its 10 off-track betting (OTB) locations.

Although having a reputation in the cities of Oak Brook and Prospect Heights could be beneficial, its location on Corliss Avenue is actually in Chicago.

In comparison, DraftKings is a collaborator in the over four-hour journey from Chicago to Casino Queen in East St. Louis.

FanDuel is partnered with Par – A – Dice Casino, located in East Peoria, which is nearly a three-hour drive from Chicago.

In August, Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker lifted the in-person registration requirement until at least September 19.

PointsBet is uniquely positioned for growth in both settings, despite the potential of a significantly smaller Illinois handle due to in-person registration as opposed to online registration. Furthermore, for the aforementioned reasons, the NBC package could undoubtedly prove advantageous.

Therefore, it’s clear why FanDuel and DraftKings are so aggressively seeking customers at this time.

More information on the PointsBet – NBC partnership

In addition to NBC’s ownership stake in PointsBet, it will also earn affiliate fees for every bettor it refers to the sportsbook. Consequently, it has a strong incentive to promote PointsBet as extensively as possible.

We’ve outlined some developments specific to Illinois, but you may also notice PointsBet popping up here and there.

• NBC Sports Network
• Channel for golfing
• Peacock
• Deportations from Telemundo
• Telemundo
• NBC Sports Predictor Game
• Rotoworld

“These assets will serve as the foundation for our marketing strategy. When combined with our in-house technology, products, and our skilled and experienced team, we expect to achieve exceptional client acquisition and retention efficiency. We plan to scale rapidly in the next five years,” said Sam Swanell, Managing Director and Group CEO of PointsBet.

The latest partnership in a series of collaborations between casino and media companies is Points Bet-NBC.

Nonetheless, it presents a fantastic opportunity to make the greatest impact in Illinois.