Casinos in Illinois are getting ready to launch sportsbooks for which they are beefing up their staff to ensure that the newly legal industry gets ready for launch.

Sports betting gets a boost

The state of Illinois’ sports betting legalization is one of the most highly anticipated markets in the US. While states like New Jersey have already started reaping the rewards of sports betting legalization, Illinois could emerge as one of the most prominent markets in the country. The state already has a well-established gambling industry, which could get a major boost with regulated sports betting.

The Rivers Casino in Des Plaines has started calling people in their job fair. The highest-grossing gaming operation in the state will be hosting one of the first sportsbooks as part of a humongous gambling expansion plan by Governor J.B. Pritzker.

Casinos buckle up for change

Rivers is one of the three properties given temporary sports betting permit by the Illinois Gaming Board last month. The properties will have to get their sportsbooks in order before they are offered official licenses to start taking bets on athletic events.

The Des Plaines casino built the sportsbook at the main gaming floor of the casino and planned to hire at least 20 people to work as new staff on the property. They plan to make 50% of the positions half part-time and full-time. General manager Corey Wise said that they would be offering full benefits on the job. He didn’t specify when the casino will start taking bets on its property.

According to 2018 stats, the median annual wages for sportsbook workers is around $24,430. Note that the US Supreme Court gave a landmark decision in 2018, striking down PASPA which didn’t allow sports betting outside of Las Vegas.

The second sportsbook will be operated by The Grand Victoria, while the third will be operated by the Argosy Alton Casino. The Downstate riverboat is also looking for a launch next month and may start taking bets for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which will start in mid-March.

Illinois has 10 casinos in total, out of which only these three have been given a sports betting license. The state also has three horse racing tracks and seven large sporting facilities as well. All of these will be able to apply for a sports betting license.