Pritzker Extends Illinois Mobile Sports Betting Registration, Which Is Great News For Barstool

Gov. JB Pritzker has extended the registration period for mobile sports betting in Illinois until at least April 3.

The online registration system was introduced in late August 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the improving COVID-19 situation in Illinois, Pritzker has chosen to extend the registration period.

This is important not just for current sportsbooks in Illinois, but is even more crucial for potential new operators.

Barstool is set to launch its sportsbook in Illinois soon, with BetMGM Sportsbook also planning to follow closely behind.

It is essential to register online in order to attract new customers, especially since the five existing online sportsbooks in Illinois have been able to remotely register individuals for several months.

Let’s further explore Pritzker’s decision.

COVID-19 situation looks much better in Illinois

Although COVID-19 numbers in Illinois are showing rapid improvement, Governor Pritzker has decided to extend mobile registration.

On Thursday, the seven-day rolling positivity rate dropped to a historic low of 2.4%.

To give some background, Pritzker brought back in-person registration in late July when the state’s positivity rate was around 3%.

In late August, he changed course when the positivity rate increased to around 4%. Since then, Pritzker has stayed consistent in his decision.

Given the current low number of cases in the Land of Lincoln, it was clear that this decision would greatly affect the future of online sports betting registration.

After several months of online registration, it is now unlikely that there is still advocacy for in-person sign-ups, although this was not always the situation.

However, despite still dealing with a deadly pandemic, Pritzker received significant criticism for his decision in July.

What does the future hold?

The COVID-19 situation in Illinois may see improvement in the coming months if no new variants emerge, but it is challenging to predict this with complete certainty.

Illinois is currently ranked in the middle for its vaccination efforts, but President Joe Biden has announced that by the end of May, there will be enough vaccine doses for every adult in America.

That is great news! What impact would it have on online registration?

In-person registration was scheduled to end by fall 2021, and September is less than six months away.

Although we have been using mobile registration for a long time, it may not be wise to go back to the previous system. The situation is constantly evolving.

Extension crucial for Barstool

Barstool aims to launch in Illinois in March.

If Pritzker had brought back in-person registration, it would have been a disaster for bettors using Barstool Sportsbook.

Thanks to its partnerships with Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino Joliet, and Argosy Casino Alton, it will have a strong retail sportsbook presence in Illinois.

However, the ease of registering and placing bets from the comfort of your own home greatly surpasses that of a physical retail location. Online betting accounts for more than 90% of bets made by residents of Illinois each month.

With online registration now an option, Barstool is ready to welcome a wave of new users. As March Madness draws near, Illinois residents may be eagerly awaiting the debut of a new casino, as the last one opened in mid-September.

You can also find us on BetMGM now that FanDuel has officially transferred its sports betting license to its track.

BetMGM might have to expand in four weeks, but there is a possibility that it could happen sooner.