Expect DraftKings To Go Live With Sports Betting In Illinois This Week

It appears that DraftKings could be the next recreations operator that is betting get are now living in Illinois — and likely this week. Industry sources have been pointing up to a DraftKings Sportsbook launch for the weeks that are few and another verifies the plan is always to launch this week. The Illinois Gaming Board says it is processing DraftKings’ request to commence wagering — both at its brick-and-mortar location and via mobile/online platform — which will be the step that is final a recreations gambling place gets the OK to get simply take wagers.

DraftKings made the demand several weeks ago, so when quickly whilst the IGB indications off, DraftKings could go live, which would allow it to be the 4th sportsbook that is retail 2nd electronic platform to simply take wagers in Illinois.

Formerly, the IGB said it takes about fourteen days to process a demand to commence wagering, but during last week’s IGB meeting, Administrator Marcus Fruchter addressed requests that are such his opening reviews, saying that his office was working to procedure requests, but that some had been incomplete.

DraftKings partnered with Casino Queen in East St. Louis to be able to secure entrance into the mobile/online market. Casino Queen rebranded to become DraftKings at Casino Queen, permitting DraftKings to end-around a period that is waiting digital-only platforms that is written into the Illinois law.

No registration that is remote a disadvantage

While DraftKings are only the 2nd mobile platform to advertise, Illinois currently calls for in-person registration, meaning that clients must appear at a sports gambling place (casino, racetrack, OTB or professional activities location) so that you can sign up for an online/mobile account.

At the peak of COVID-19 closures and stay-at-home sales, Gov. J.B. Pritzker temporarily lifted the in-person registration requirement, and for about two months bettors could register remotely on the cellular devices. But Pritzker would not renew that order in belated July, meaning registration that is in-person back.

The order was in place, the only mobile/online platform was BetRivers, which is tethered to the Rivers Casino-Des Plaines, near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport at the time. That retail sports betting location initially opened its doors (briefly) in March, combined with the Argosy, in front of COVID-19 restrictions and closures. William Hill had a opening that is soft of retail location during the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin on the week-end.

DraftKings’ physical casino is located simply ten full minutes over the Mississippi River from St. Louis, and 4 1/2 hours from Chicago. If East St. Louis sounds familiar, for the reason that six-time Olympic silver medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee frequently talked about her hometown in interviews. Tennis player Jimmy Connors had been also created in East St. Louis, while musicians Miles Davis, Ike Turner, and Tina Turner all have actually ties to the city. Nevertheless the location could make it difficult for DraftKings to obtain a significant advantage over rival ( and quite often ally) FanDuel. The companies have pushed to get to market first, because being first has translated into capturing larger market share, at least in the early going in states with remote registration. The East St. Louis location means DraftKings may have outstanding chance to possess the St. Louis market (sports betting is not yet legal in Missouri), but despite current advertising campaigns in Illinois, it is hard-pressed to convince bettors to drive four-plus hours to a city that has endured depopulation and economic hardship so that you can sign up for a mobile activities app that is betting.

DraftKings declined to comment for this story.

The actual only real other activities gambling operator on the cusp of going reside in Illinois is PointsBet, which like DraftKings and FanDuel got its Temporary Operating Permit in July. PointsBet is partnered with Hawthorne Race Course, that has been certified for recreations wagering at last week’s IGB conference.

Hawthorne Race Course is found in residential district Chicago, near Midway Airport. Both Rivers Casino and Hawthorne Race Course have a advantage that is distinct the Casino Queen in terms of geography and use of the 9.5 million people who inhabit the Chicago metro area.

Hawthorne and PointsBet will even have the advantage of being the first racetrack to place OTB sportsbooks into action. Each track is entitled to designate three OTBs for activities gambling.

“The PointsBet team is delighted to hear what's promising that our partners at Hawthorne Race Course today received a 4-year master activities license that is wagering. Together we are going to quickly reveal our market-leading retail and mobile product for activities fans in the great state of Illinois,” PointsBet USA CEO Johnny Aitken said, based on a declaration released after Hawthorne got its approval.

“In combination with this premium locations that are retail positioned in and around downtown Chicago, we are certain we’ll be providing the Illinois customer with precisely what they’ve been craving, both in-person and online.”