Sportsbooks in Illinois will not be open in time for Super Bowl 54 but could be ready for March Madness.

  • Illinois sports betting is now legal but it is not active yet.
  • Illinois lawmakers expect that betting will start before March Madness.
  • Mobile wagering could have an 18 month delay period before starting.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Lawmakers think that Illinois sports betting could start up before March Madness begins.

Back in late June, Illinois sports betting was legalized but at the current moment, sports betting is not currently active in the state. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) is working on the rules and regulations for sports betting in the state.

Missing The Super Bowl

The IGB is currently accepting applications for sports betting licenses. The process for obtaining a sports betting license in Illinois has not yet been revealed to the public. But the IGB has received applications for sports betting licenses and is in the process of reviewing the applications. Lawmakers believe that sportsbooks will not open until after the Super Bowl.

“I’m starting to get a little more cautious in saying that if we could have someone placing a bet on March Madness, that would be great,” said State Rep. Michael Zalewski.

A Delay On Mobile Betting

The state approved legal sports betting thanks to the passage of IL SB 690. Through this bill, we have an idea of what legal sports betting in Illinois will look like once it becomes active.

Sports betting will be active in both brick and motor locations and through mobile devices. Mobile sports betting will become available statewide once it is active. But there is a delay period for when mobile wagering can happen. Illinois mobile sports betting will have to wait 18 months to launch after retail sportsbooks become active.

The revenue created from legal sports betting in Illinois will towards many public projects for the state. Taxes collected from sports betting will help various construction projects in Illinois. Sports betting taxes in Illinois will also go towards funding education in the state.

The process of opening a sportsbook in Illinois is taking quite a bit of time. Thanks to that, bettors in the state will likely miss the chance to bet on the Super Bowl. But lawmakers are hopeful that sports betting will become active before March Madness begins.

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