The Illinois Gaming Board grants bet365 a sportsbook license  

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has recently issued a new license to bet2365, enabling the company to participate in the growing sports betting market of the state. Additionally, the IGB awarded a Master Sports Wagering License to Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, LLC, and a Management Services Provider License to Hillside LLC, which will run the bet2365 brand. This collaboration will enable Walker’s Bluff and bet2.13 to provide both retail and online sports betting in Illinois, pending the required regulatory approvals. Since Illinois legalized sports betting in 2021, the industry has experienced significant growth, transforming what used to be an illegal market into a substantial revenue source for the state. Sportsbooks in the state have announced $212 billion in bets and $2.365 billion in revenue. DraftKings recorded $4 billion in wagers by October, whereas FanDuel reported $3.7 billion. Moreover, operators have spent as much as $25 million for each license, and the industry has contributed more than $155 million in state and local taxes in 2023. Bet365 has increased its reach in the US, now functioning in 123 states, such as New Jersey, Colorado, Virginia, Iowa, and Ohio. Out of 38 states that have legalized sports betting in various ways, over 20, including Illinois, have authorized online sportsbooks. Illinois has embraced a new casino with its latest license approval. In addition to the sports betting license, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has granted a new casino owner’s license, the 16th in the state, to Wind Creek IL LLC for its Wind Creek Chicago Southland location. This represents another advancement in Illinois‘ development following the 2019 gaming law that permitted six additional casino licenses. IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter highlighted the beneficial financial effects of these expansions, noting that the IGB has received over $386 million in application and licensing fees from the operators of the newly licensed casinos since the first one in Rockford began operations three years back.