Players in Illinois can now bet on sports with DraftKings, after the Boston-headquartered operator launched its mobile and retail offerings in this respect.
DraftKings had previously signed a partnership with Casino Queen, a local operator whose venue it subsequently rebranded.
The Land of Lincoln recently had its temporary remote sign-up capabilities ended, which means that online-only operators have to wait a long time before they can apply for a licence – unless they partner with a casino in the state.
“The marriage of two iconic brands”
DraftKings was originally awarded an interim sports betting licence last month, meaning that it could enter Illinois’ newly-regulated market as soon as its partnered retail operator was awarded a master permit.
The sportsbook wasted no time in making its mark, rebranding the East St. Louis casino ‘DraftKings at Casino Queen’ shortly after sealing the deal.
Since DraftKings now has a management service holder permit, it is allowed to offer its sportsbook products for a land-based licensee.
DraftKings at Casino Queen President Terry Downey believes that the joint-venture will be a fruitful one.
“The marriage of two iconic brands promises to create an unforgettable experience that can only be found at DraftKings at Casino Queen,” he said.
“Fans will come to love the service, passion and innovation now available in our state.”
DraftKings Co-Founder Jason Robins also shared his thoughts on the operator’s continued expansion across the US.
“Illinois is home to some of the most passionate sports fans and most iconic sports teams in the entire country.
“DraftKings’ dedication to innovation and providing customers with a premier sports betting experience has made our app the top-rated option and we can’t wait for fans in Illinois to discover why.”
Players in Illinois required to complete the registration process in-person again
As part of emergency measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for players to register for a remote sports betting account at a land-based casino was temporarily removed. This was to not only halt the spread of the virus but also because all retail outlets had been forced to shut their doors.
However, the land-based sign-up requirement has since been re-introduced after Governor J.B. Pritzker opted not to issue a new related executive order.
Online-only operators now have a couple of options if they want to offer their services in the Midwestern state. The first is to adopt a similar approach to DraftKings and partner with a land-based casino which is permitted to offer sports betting products.
Option number two is to wait over a year before applying individually. The window forms part of an 18-month ‘penalty box’ window, which states that online-only operators can apply for a sports betting licence 540 days after the first land-based permit was awarded.
