The Illinois Sports Betting Bill was brought into law by Governor JB Pritzker in the middle of 2019, but the first legal bet in the state was not made until nine months later at the Rush Street-owned Rivers Casino Des Plaines. BetRivers Sportsbook launched in June 2020 as the first legal online sports betting platform in Illinois, and several online/mobile sportsbooks followed suit in the following months.
As soon as the New York-based operator receives clearance from the Illinois Gaming Board, retail kiosks and betting windows will be installed in the club to accommodate Illinois sports betting. FanDuel’s VP of communications Chris Jones revealed the news to IllinoisBet.com.
Even though retail wagers can’t be made at the facility just yet, Jones claims the two-story lounge with 1,300 square feet of TV displays and complete food and beverage service has been a major draw for the firm since opening in mid-October. To legally operate as a sportsbook like DraftKings at the United Center, “we are continuing to engage with our partners at the United Center and state and municipal regulators,” Jones stated. “It is a lounge and will stay a lounge.”
Jones said that FanDuel is not worried about the time it has taken for IGB certification, as they have learnt that each state processes sports betting licensing differently. According to Jones, “every regulator and state operates in a manner that they believe is proper for their market.” We follow the standards set by those organizations. And we will be prepared when that time comes. We will continue to collaborate with them until then to ensure that we adhere to all of their specifications.
Bonuses from Caesars sum up in worth up to $1,250. Use Promo Code ILBFULL ILBFULL Bet Now to watch and wager on select NFL games. To take part, you must be above the age of 21. The state of Illinois is like manna from heaven for FanDuel. As of March, Illinois betting applications no longer needed to be registered in person with the state, and Jones said that FanDuel was happy with the client’s reaction.
Jones exclaimed that the operator is overjoyed by the positive reception their mobile app and retail sports betting have received from clients and that the delay in launching the United Center sportsbook has done nothing to dampen the company’s spirits. They have been doing business in Illinois in line with local regulations for many years. Jones said that his brand couldn’t be more pleased with how things are going there. As business trends stand, the management of the casino continues to see the benefits of the shift to in-person [sportsbook registration] rather than mobile [sportsbook registration] in Illinois.
Everyone partnering with the establishment at this time is thankful for the opportunity to do business there and have an amicable relationship with the authorities. And eventually, United Center visitors will be able to use the sportsbook once they are legally permitted to do so. According to Jones, the fact that Illinois legislators and regulators were prepared to work with operators to do rid of the onerous in-person registration requirement is a sign of the state’s adaptability and a big reason why it’s in the vanguard of the U.S. sports betting industry.
Jones thinks that FanDuel’s choice to open physical retail sportsbooks like the one at United Center is fundamental because it enables the company to meet clients wherever they may be, whether on their phones or in a physical location. In December 2017, Chicago lifted its prohibition on sports betting. In January, FanDuel said the company would construct a new headquarters near the United Center.
A certain segment of FanDuel’s client base take pleasure in visiting a facility where they can make their bets securely and lawfully, but also appreciate what a retail setting can provide and all the excitement that comes with being inside the arena. The company is confidently headed to the game if there happens to be one scheduled for that day at the arena. In other words, it’s a logical and substantial brand expansion beyond what the mobile app developers had anticipated
As a parting shot, Jones told reporters in Illinois that the company’s new United Center facility bolsters the company’s current offering in that state. He thinks the city’s love for the Bulls and Blackhawks will bring in plenty of consumers and that the FanDuel lounge at United Center will become a promenade for Chicago’s sports lovers.
Regarding the United Center, Jones said, “It’s a wonderful facility; it’s a fantastic place and venue inside of an iconic structure, inside of an iconic sports town, and we’re enthusiastic about what the future holds with our partners at the United Center, and in our lounge there.”
In Illinois, where sports betting is legal, what wagers are available?
There is a wide variety of wagers available at Illinois sportsbooks. You may encounter the following bets:
What we cover
Parlay
It is an accumulator bet that has legs. It’s a wager with many “legs,” or “selections,” in it. Some examples of teams that are good weekend bets are the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Cubs, and the Indianapolis Colts.
An in-game wager
Often known as a live bet, it is placed during the action of a game. It’s a bet placed while the action of the game or match is occurring in the here and now.
Total bet
Also known as an Over/Under bet, this kind of wager predicts whether the total number of points, runs, or goals scored will be less than or more than a predetermined number.
Prop bet
For short, a “proposition bet” is a kind of gamble that has nothing to do with the game’s final score. For instance, you may place a bet on the shade of Gatorade the victorious coach would be showered with.
Conclusion
After a heated debate, politicians, gambling operators, and other interested parties in Illinois have finally reached an agreement that makes sports betting legal across the state, both online and in retail sportsbooks. Sports’ betting in Illinois is the fourth largest market in the United States.
