Mobile Sports Betting Arrives in Illinois

Mobile Sports Betting Arrives in Illinois

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order recently which will rehaul the existing gaming regulation of the state to allow mobile sports betting.

Big boost for the state

The state of Illinois has finally given a big boost to its gaming market with mobile betting options. This has helped in fast-tracking the industry’s progress towards gaming by at least six months. Sports betting venues have been blocked and only online betting options come across as good replacements. This would help in bringing short term as well as long term revenue opportunities for the future.

Mobile Sports Betting Arrives in Illinois

Legislation from 2019 suggests that punters have to register at the land-based casinos before they can place their bets. Lawmakers in different states are now eyeing at gambling expansion policies that could help them regain precious lost revenue and recover the losses they have made because of the pandemic. With the new executive orders in place, punters will no longer have to go to casinos to register themselves.

Illinois Gaming Board’s Marcus Fruchter commented on the change and said, “Governor Pritzker’s executive order allows Illinois sports fans to temporarily place wagers from the safety of their own home, protecting a revenue source that is critical as the state begins to recover from the damaging financial impact of COVID-19.”

He also said that the regulator is looking forward to welcoming guests back to the gaming properties. However, it would happen only when the health authorities of the state clear businesses for reopening.

Casinos planning to reopen

Just like other states, casinos in Illinois have been shut down since mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. The ten gaming properties in the state gave been working on their own plans to restart their operations. However, they would still need official approval from the authorities. So far, only Rivers and Casino Alton have received a temporary operating license. Other properties in the state have shut down.

None of these properties have applied for a mobile betting license yet. However, the Gaming Board is planning to hold a meeting on June 11, which will be their first after January 30.

About sherlock

Sherlock Gomes loves to write and express his views on anything related to Gaming, Gambling, & Casino. He has been covering Gaming for more than two years now.