There are five arenas and stadiums in North America that comprise a sportsbook that is either within or near the premises. Although none of these sportsbooks is in Illinois, that situation is about to change because a pair of Illinois sportsbooks will be opened in late 2022 or early 2023. The general public probably knows about these plans already since the activities around DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field and FanDuel Sportsbook at United Center has been mentioned in many gambling forums.
The next level of progress is based on rumors going round that Wintrust Arena (home of the Chicago Sky) and Soldier Field (home of the Chicago Bears) will be adding their own sportsbook facilities in the next few years. At this point in time, none of these parties has come out clearly to confirm these plans. The assumptions were first made by IllinoisBet.com following analysis of factors such as state regulation of sports betting, timing of the team’s upcoming season, and existing sports betting partnerships.
To make a determination on which venues will be due for an upgrade soon, points were awarded based on the legal status of sports betting in the Illinois, association of a pro team with a sports betting partner, valuation of a franchise and the next possible season for opening the sportsbook. The awarding of bonus points was done for those venues which had already announced that they would be working on a sportsbook project and already had opening dates.
What we cover
Stadium Sportsbooks in Chicago
The two stadiums on top of the list of sporting venues that would soon be boasting of a retail sportsbook are United Center and Wrigley. For both venues, the project is past the point of breaking ground; the Chicago Cubs went first followed by the Bulls. According to the laid out schedule, the United Center FanDuel Sportsbook will be opened in fall 2022. The two story facility has 13,000-square-feet part of which is a lounge area, windows and betting kiosks.
Another candidate that made it to the top positions in the list is U.S. Cellular Field (home to the Chicago White Sox) which is an Illinois candidate that is not under construction. The introduction of sportsbooks to Chicago stadiums was facilitated by the lifting of a ban on sports wagering that had been imposed on the city in December 2021.
The timelines for the construction of Wrigley Field facility indicate that the facility will be opened for business just in time for the 2023 MLB season. It comprises of 22,000-square-feet and has a capacity of 1,000 occupants. Other stadiums that are worth mentioning for their good scores are Phoenix’s State Farm Stadium (home to the Arizona Cardinals) that is expected to launch its BetMGM sportsbook in fall 2022.
What is the Benefit of an in-stadium sportsbook to an Arena or Sportsbook?
If you have ever been to the FanDuel Sportsbook at Footprint Center (home of the Phoenix Suns) or the brand-new Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks), you will admit that these are beaming spaces that attract congregations of fans. The abundance of tasty cocktails and good food make the betting experience from such locations simply unforgettable. For team managers like the president and CEO of D-Backs’, Derrick Hall, most fans who come down to the ballpark during the season are attracted to the in-stadium sportsbooks.
Another important benefit is that stadiums will now be a beehive of activity even when there are no sports occurring. Hall is quick to point out that the choice of casino brand chosen in the partnership matters a lot. For them, there was no doubt that they wanted to partner with Caesars to enhance the betting experience of fans. Arenas and stadiums with sportsbooks will no longer be destinations for certain days on the calendar but an all year venue that even non gambling fans will enjoy.
Hall is excited at the thought that his company is getting into a partnership that will greatly enhance the quality of user experience for their fans. It is no surprise that Dan Costello is singing the same tune. As the executive Vice President and CRO of the Phoenix Suns, Costello who took part in the franchise’s partnership with FanDuel Sportsbook, said that the decision to partner with the New York-based operator has already begun paying dividends for both parties.
Such results are what the other professional sports teams need to see to believe that their fans need them to take similar action. According to Costello, partnering with FanDuel for to enhance mutual benefits has surpassed their expectations based on various reasons and metrics. The most important aspect of the partnership is the level of engagement that is currently being experienced in the game.
What do In-Stadium Sportsbooks offer?
If you are a fan that plans on travelling to Wrigleyville or downtown Chicago for a firsthand experience of the stadium sportsbook, expect to come across state-of-the-art, wall-to-wall screens and be part of a stadium-like experience from the second you step foot into the facility. Just make sure that you are early for the game you are interested in as there will be tons of other people showing up for the same intension.
There is really nothing wrong with watching your favorite game from atop a barstool, but it is better to view and experience the betting action from the comfort of an overstuffed lounge seat. First time sportsbook visitors should consider bringing along some cash to spend on snacks and food. The meal items prepared around such venues are tasty and rather filling for anyone who cares to indulge.
Conclusion
Presently, Illinois sports fans have reason to hope for an expedited opening of the first in-stadium sportsbooks in the state. Whether you are a Bulls or Cubs fan, there is reason to rejoice.
