Unibet Targets Early 2021 Launch; Will It Be The Next Online Sportsbook In Illinois?

Who & rsquo, the upcoming online sportsbook to debut in Illinois, There’s a good chance that it will be Play Illinois, the senior vice president of Kindred US, Manuel Stan, and Unibet, which is scheduled to come sit in early 2021. & nbsp,

Currently, Illinois is home to five mobile sportsbooks:

• BetRivers
• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• PointsBet
• William Hill

Despite the expectation of a launch since mid-September, none has occurred even though Gov. JB Pritzker extended mobile registration until at least Nov. 14. Given the current trend of the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois, it is likely that online registration could be permitted for an indefinite period.

Stan commented on the extension for virtual registration as follows:

“We remain optimistic that the extension will be completed to provide the best protection for Illinois patrons. The condition of in-person membership poses a substantial obstacle for licensed users, offering offshore operators an undue advantage, and reducing the degree of channelization.”

Unibet has already established operations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. The company gained access to the Illinois market in September through a partnership with Argosy Casino Alton. Currently, Unibet is applying for a Sports Management Service Provider license in the Prairie State.

Unibet has every incentive to launch as quickly as possible, based on the promising early revenue numbers of Illinois.

What Unibet Sportsbook you offer Illinoisans

Unibet Sportsbook highlights its wide range of live bet options, which is the product’s standout feature.

In the states where it is currently active, over 200 different types of bets will be available for the forthcoming Monday Night Football game featuring the Bears. Most of the pregame bets will remain accessible during the game, with real-time line adjustments.

Unibet, which was launched in Indiana on July 30, is still relatively new in the state. However, it has recorded significant success in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where it posted a revenue of $7.7 million in Q2, a 131% increase from Q1.

Unibet, having established its presence in the Midwest, even plans to expand into Iowa in January.

Why Unibet found the Illinois business to be appealing

Illinois has only given We & rsquo two revenue reports, but the latest one was particularly promising.

In August, Illinois reported almost $140 million in handle. This occurred in a situation where mobile registration was only established for the last 10 days of the month, and BetRivers was the sole online sportsbook operating throughout the entire month.

We anticipate impressive numbers in September and beyond. Throughout the entire month, remote enrollment was accessible, and five online sportsbooks were competing. Probably the most crucial factor was the return of sports.

It is predicted that by September, Illinois will surpass Indiana, making it the fourth US state to reach this milestone. This achievement is particularly impressive considering the market’s nascent stage.

Understandably, users prioritized Illinois, just as Kindred did. Surprisingly, there are only five online sportsbooks, indicating that the market is not yet oversaturated.

According to reports, Illinois is recognized as one of the largest states in the US. Stan forecasted that the revenue from mobile sports betting would eventually exceed $600 million annually. It’s worth noting that Illinois residents are known for their sports enthusiasm, a trait that aligns with our fundamental values of friendliness, passion, and knowledge.

Kindred plans to introduce Unibet in Ohio as soon as sports gambling is permitted there.

Barstool Sportsbook might be the next.

Unibet, Barstool, or BetMGM may be the next online casino to launch in Illinois, unless a completely unexpected contender emerges.

Barstool is currently live in Pennsylvania and aims to target Michigan next. Penn National CEO Jay Snowden has announced plans to launch in Illinois in 2021.

Barstool certainly partners with one or both Hollywood games for business entry.

Even though we lack extensive knowledge about BetMGM’s plans, it’s clear that they are targeting Illinois.

On September 4, BetMGM applied for a sports betting permit, however, the application is still pending.

It remains unclear how BetMGM Sportsbook Illinois will enter the market unless it intends to wait 18 months in the so-called “penalty box.” It is known that Jumer’s Casino & Hotel, after acquisition by Twin River, is eager to venture into sports betting but currently lacks an online partner.

However, the sale is not expected to close until the second quarter of 2021, and Jumer hasn’t applied for a license to bet on sports.

Did BetMGM partner with a sports venue such as Guaranteed Rate Field or United Center? It’s possible, but that’s merely speculative.

Thus, the most optimal path for launching Unibet is in Illinois. For now, we wait.