The process for mobile-only sports betting in Illinois is open again.
There are openings for three online-only sports wagering licenses – or sportsbooks not tethered to brick-and-mortar casinos.
This development has come about because Tekkorp Digital Acquisition Corp., which in April had been identified by the Illinois Gaming Board as the only qualified mobile-only applicant for Illinois sports betting, withdrew its application on Oct. 14.
On Thursday, an Illinois Gaming Board press release said the application process for mobile-only licenses will begin this Tuesday (Nov. 1) and conclude on March 1, 2023.
Process for Online-Only Sports Betting in Illinois
According to the IGB release, the Board received three online-only sports betting applications by Dec. 3, 2021: From Tekkorp, Super Group and Fubo. Super Group withdrew its application and Fubo, which recently pulled the plug on its U.S. sportsbook efforts, did not meet minimum qualifications because one of the people involved in its bid was not deemed suitable.
The online Illinois sports betting apps have played a large part in making the state one of the national leaders in sports betting, especially since Illinois dropped its requirement to sign up in person at a casino to register for an online account. In August, the most recent month in which Illinois has submitted figures, the state was second in sports betting handle at $564.8 million.
That trailed only New York ($877.4 million) and was ahead of stalwarts such as New Jersey ($546.8 million) and Nevada ($408.9 million).
Timeline For New Mobile Betting Licenses
The release said that the IGB must announce three winning bidders within 90 days of announcing qualified applicants, so expect these licenses to be issued in summer 2023. Once chosen, applicants must pay a $20 million license fee.
Many national operators have opted to partner with a casino or racetrack to avoid that $20 million fee. For instance, FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois is partnered with Fairmount Park Racetrack in Collinsville.
The Sports Wagering Act passed in Illinois outlines that a maximum of three online-only sports wagering licenses can be issued in the state.
Application forms to become an online-only operator are available on the IGB website.
Check out the best Illinois sportsbook promo codes at IllinoisBet.com for every sport before opening an account to get top deals.
