* The in-person registration requirement has been a real problem during the pandemic because casinos can’t open their doors. From EO 2020-41…
* Some background from about a month ago…
The Rivers Casino in Des Plaines is the home to the BetRivers Sportsbook and sports betting lounge, and they were the first retail sportsbook to open up. The casino held a small ceremony before Eddie Olcyzk, a hockey color commentator, made the first official sports bet in the state.
A pair of other casinos were set to join the sports betting industry a week later, but they never got the chance. There will be more than just BetRivers launching when the state reopens, but it appears only BetRivers will be ready to go online.
Currently, there are six different operators that have applied for and received a sports betting license in the state of Illinois. This does give the operators the power to launch a mobile sportsbook, but there are some other rules and restrictions that must be followed. […]
According to Illinois law, all customers must sign up for an online sports betting account at the land-based casino affiliated with the online book. With all of the casinos currently shut down due to COVID-19, it’s impossible for anyone to register for an online account.
The major reason for this law was to keep some big-name companies out of the state of Illinois for at least 18 months. After 18 months, this in-person registration requirement falls off, and customers can simply register through the online sportsbook.
Other states that require this same sort of in-person registration requirement have struggled as well. The difference is that other states had more time to get people registered before the casinos were forced to close.
Even so, there aren’t many sports to bet on these days. I did see bag toss (which some insist on calling “cornhole”) on ESPN 2 this week. And there’s NASCAR, South Korean baseball and German soccer.
* Related…
* Illinois Gaming Board Proposes Rule Clarification For Mobile Sports Wagering
- low level - Thursday, Jun 4, 20 @ 4:58 pm:
So a person will be able to establish an online account with any of the books without having to go to the casino. That is a VERY good development.
- Been There - Thursday, Jun 4, 20 @ 5:17 pm:
=== Even so, there aren’t many sports to bet on these days. I did see bag toss (which some insist on calling “cornhole”) on ESPN 2 this week. And there’s NASCAR, South Korean baseball and German soccer.====
When I checked my Indiana account they had Russian ping pong. I’m sure that is on the up and up.
But to the post that is not good for those entities that are not ready to promote to get online signups. The biggest guys always win on getting the customers.
- southsider - Thursday, Jun 4, 20 @ 5:34 pm:
Right now it only helps Rivers, but maybe this will lead to removing this ridiculous rule in November.
- a drop in - Thursday, Jun 4, 20 @ 5:36 pm:
Just to be clear, you are saying sports betting ain’t beanbag….
- theCardinal - Thursday, Jun 4, 20 @ 5:57 pm:
I could already do that off-shore which was the point in the first place . Open doors let bettors stand 6 feet away, make ready and place bets, on what I have no idea but at least i can be ready. There was that corn hole competition on TV last week.
- Been There - Thursday, Jun 4, 20 @ 6:12 pm:
===Right now it only helps Rivers, but maybe this will lead to removing this ridiculous rule in November. ====
Between Fanduel and Draft Kings they have an estimated 200,,000 people with accounts already in Illinois for fantasy gaming. How do you expect the racetracks and exiting casinos to compete against that. The legislative solution was to have people show up at the brick and mortar locations to sign up. After that you can have at it all you want on your phone.
And its not a rule but the law. So I am not even sure the Gov has the authority to do this. But I haven’t read the sections that he cites.
- Say His Name - Thursday, Jun 4, 20 @ 6:34 pm:
Bluhm wins again
- Goodson Oddman - Thursday, Jun 4, 20 @ 6:54 pm:
I have a Nevada sportsbook app with my 30-1 Blackhawks Cup bet placed in September still pending.
Although there are laughable options available (Russian table tennis anyone), the recent plans-to-reopen from major sports, UFC reopening in Florida, perpetual NFL interest and progress outside the US (Bundisliga, AUS-NZ rugby and early ESPN fave Aussie Rules football) have added enough options for better. And if the matches are cancelled - the bets are refunded.
E.G. Blackhawks are “+140″ 12-5 underdogs in their announced 12th vs 5th seed NHL playoff round and Bears are 1 point underdogs for their Sept 13 game in Detroit. For the 2021 NCAA MBB tourney, odds include Illini 75-1, Depaul 750-1, and Loyola 1000-1.
- low level - Thursday, Jun 4, 20 @ 7:13 pm:
Make it as easy as possible to sign up online. Them you can start getting a % from online gamers and not offshore accounts. Very good.