Illinois Releases Lukewarm Sports Betting Handle In April But Manages To Become No. 2 In US
Illinois reported a sports betting handle of $537.2 million in April, almost $100 million lower than the previous month’s report by the Illinois Gaming Board in March.
The decrease in legal sports gambling in most states during April was anticipated, as this month is generally a slower period for sports betting without major events like March Madness or soccer games.
Furthermore, the expiration of online sportsbook registration by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker in April contributed to the underwhelming results. While a decrease in total handle was expected from March to April, the lack of new customers further hindered market growth.
In April, Illinois sportsbooks saw a profit of $42 million, leading to a $6.54 million increase in state tax revenue.
Despite a slow month, Illinois still achieved second place among all US states, surpassing both Nevada and Pennsylvania.
Despite making questionable decisions regarding their plans, the Land of Lincoln continues to be a favored destination for sports betting.
Betting numbers for Illinois’ April income
For the first time, FanDuel Illinois has taken the lead over DraftKings, becoming the state’s top sportsbook in terms of handle.
Below is an in-depth examination of the report:
| Licensee | Online Company | Complete Manage | Handle Online | Shop Handle | Income overall | Express levy | Nearby Excise Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Fairmount | FanDuel | $177,496,601 | $176,922,094 | $574,507 | $15,494,422 | $2,372,601.15 | $196,528.02 |
| King of the Casino | DraftKings | $169,574,888 | $165,385,155 | $4,189,733 | $11,956,629 | $1,831,920.30 | $119,829.54 |
| Rivers | BetRivers | $84,299,434 | $72,323,326 | $11,976,108 | $7,936,478 | $1,233,864.94 | $114,520.79 |
| Aurora in Hollywood | Barstool | $51,377,580 | $50,330,128 | $1,047,452 | $3,324,995 | $589,958.30 | $37,134.36 |
| Hawthorne | PointsBet | $41,250,036 | $40,052,041 | $1,197,995 | $2,745,584 | $433,371.98 | $54,132.55 |
| Victoria the Great | John Hill | $8,829,695 | $8,233,187 | $596,508 | $190,745 | $11,494.00 | $4,383.25 |
| Argosy | N/A | $3,098,881 | $0 | $3,098,881 | $206,412 | $28,615.44 | $0 |
| Joliet from Hollywood | N/A | $976,800 | $0 | $976,800 | $163,817 | $22,145.97 | $0 |
| Par-A-Dice | FanDuel | $254,636 | $0 | $254,636 | $-49,777 | $16,916.84 | $571.46 |
| Total | $537,158,551 | $513,245,932 | $23,912,620 | $41,969,307 | $6,540,888.92 | $527,099.97 |
Barstool surpassed PointsBet to claim the fourth position, with PointsBet falling to fifth place. Barstool, which was previously in second place in March, was only active for two-thirds of the quarter, making their victory somewhat predictable.
Nevertheless, as long as in-person registration remains the norm, Barstool’s growth potential may be limited in the near future. The disparity between Barstool and BetRivers is notable in vying for the third position.
BetRivers, a brand primarily benefiting from physical memberships, stands out due to its unique association with Rivers Casino in Chicago. Despite facing tough competition from rivals like DraftKings and FanDuel, BetRivers saw greater control and revenue in March compared to April.
The situation is mainly influenced by environmental factors. While the absence of online registration could potentially help BetRivers’ reputation in Illinois, it does not guarantee growth in an untapped market.
When might an net membership be refunded?
The May legislative session has ended without lawmakers addressing the need for in-person registration.
Therefore, online sign-ups will remain in place until at least 2022, when Illinois will switch back to exclusively online registrations once the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) grants a mobile-only license.
It is unlikely to happen before 2022. Programs could potentially be available by December 2021.
Will people place bids on a license meant exclusively for mobile device use?
Big players in the industry like DraftKings and FanDuel already have a large portion of the market and each has a price tag of $20 million. Smart licenses were created with these two giants in mind.
However, there is a small group of individuals who are interested in obtaining mobile-only licenses.
Golden Nugget has intriguingly announced plans to enter the Illinois market in the final quarter of 2021. The method of entry is currently uncertain, with the possibility of pursuing a mobile-only license.
It’s strange that both BetMGM and Unibet have been consistently receiving sports betting applications. It’s possible that the IGB is struggling, or that one or both of these companies are actively pursuing a license specifically for mobile betting.
Play Illinois reported in April that Unibet has adjusted its state launch timeline due to Pritzker’s reversal, while BetMGM has remained silent on the matter.
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