Illinois aiming for betting launch before Super Bowl
Governor plans to use funds from licenses and tax to rebuild infrastructure in the state
Illinois governor JB Pritzker signed the state’s sports betting bill into law last week, with the market expected to be up and running by the Super Bowl in February.
The state is now the 17th to legalize betting, via a bill that includes an 18-month ‘penalty box’ for online-only operators with only three online-only licenses available.
The bill proposed charging $20m for online licenses, and operators will be taxed 15% of gross gaming revenue (GGR).
Pritzker plans to use the funds raised via taxes and license fees to rebuild infrastructure in the state.
American Gaming Association president Bill Miller said it was critical Illinois sports teams and other industry stakeholders followed licensed gaming operators in advancing responsible gaming practices.
Illinois house representative Mike Zalewski, who was the original bill sponsor, said a launch ahead of the Super Bowl was a reasonable expectation.
Operators will be required to use official league data for in-play bets and requiring users to register at retail sportsbooks until the 18-month waiting period is up for online operators.
The opportunity for market-access deals via retail operators in Illinois is still uncertain, although the bill stated that online betting shall only be offered “under either the same brand as the organization licensee…or a brand owned by a direct or indirect holding company that owns at least an 80% interest in that organization licensee”.
Read more about how online operators might approach Illinois here.
You can also find out more information about how the market might open up at EGR North America’s upcoming Midwest Briefing in Chicago.
Click HERE to register and find out more details about the event.