A two-year odyssey to build a retail sportsbook at East St. Louis’ Casino Queen has come to fruition for DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Boston-based operator put the finishing touches on the Mississippi River-front facility this week, with opening day scheduled for Tuesday, according to a company press release.
The renovated sportsbook includes 6,000 square feet of space, a 60-foot video wall, dozens of high-definition televisions, a VIP area and more than 30 betting kiosks.
It represents a new era of sports betting in Illinois for the operator, according to Michael Kibort, the senior director of retail sportsbooks at DraftKings.
“It’s exciting to see our shared vision of bringing DraftKings’ innovative mobile app to life with an incredible in-person experience at the new DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook,” Kibort said in the press release. “Through the amazing support of, and collaboration with, Casino Queen, we have created a premier destination for guests to enjoy for years to come.”
The permanent launch of online registration for mobile sports betting took place March 5, and DraftKings Sportsbook was one of the first operators in the state to offer the service.
New Era of Sports Betting in Southern Illinois
The Casino Queen facility replaces DraftKings’ temporary sportsbook, which was in place during the construction process.
The facility has full food and drink options, with menu items that include BBQ pork, steak, sharable appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, entrees and desserts.
The finalized sportsbook product is a source of pride for Terry Downey, the president and CEO of CQ Holding Company, Inc.
“With this comprehensive renovation, we are introducing a new era of sports betting, sports viewing and overall entertainment at DraftKings at Casino Queen,” Downey said in the press release. “Our relationship with DraftKings has allowed us to create an all-encompassing, state-of-the-art space that will continue to add to Illinois’ excitement for sports wagering.”
