In what will be bet365’s 13th US marketplace, the global sportsbook officially launched in Illinois earlier this week.
In doing so, the multi-state operator has entered the country’s second-largest sports betting market, with the state firmly setting its sights on dethroning New York as the sports betting capital of the nation.
The launch is perfectly to coincide with March Madness, as well as the Chicago Cubs’ appearance in the much-anticipated 2025 MLB World Tour: Tokyo Series. Bet365, while late to the market, is hoping its status as a leading brand name can gain traction quickly into Illinois’ packed sports betting market.
Bet365 launch in Illinois was announced through a partnership with Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, which offers bettors the chance to wager both online and on-site betting facilities. Now, Illinoisans can place bets via the bet365 mobile app or by visiting the Draft Day Sports Lounge for their on-site flutters.
Illinois’ State of Play
As one of the early pioneering states to legalize sports betting – doing so in 2019 – the Prairie State then swiftly introduced mobile betting shortly after in 2020.
And, while it maintains strict regulations within the sector, which licensed operators such as bet365 must adhere to, it doesn’t appear to have stunted Illinois’s assent as the state with the second-highest sports betting revenues.
Having recently surpassed New Jersey, Illinois’s $14 billion sports wagering turnover in 2024 is perhaps a reflection of the state’s countless championship-winning franchises across all the major professional sports leagues, including the NFL, WNBA and NBA, the MLB, and the NHL.
Emphasizing the importance of bet365’s launch into the Illinois sports betting markets, a spokesperson for the firm stated, “Championship-winning franchises, iconic athletes, and impassioned fans define Illinois’ Never Ordinary sports culture. Now, new and eligible bettors from Chicago, Springfield, and all of the Prairie State can join the bet365 experience.”
In truth, bet365’s introduction can only help Illinois’ cause as it seeks to establish itself as a sports betting powerhouse state. Regardless, given the ongoing regulatory struggles of iGaming in the region, Illinois lawmakers will no doubt be banking on sports wagering to boost its gambling tax revenues for 2025.
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