BetRivers Opens As 11th Online Sports Betting In Illinois

Published: 22/06/2020

Reading Time: 4 Min

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Online sports betting and casinos start to gain influence in the US. Many states are planning to relax restrictions on online gaming to allow operators to offer services. Illinois is one of the states that enjoy the benefit of regulated online gambling.

Online gaming is the new trend, especially after lockdowns that trapped people from their homes.

Search engines saw a massive increase in searches and traffic of online gambling during the pandemic. Online gambling, including online virtual casinos and online sports betting, became the trend.

People got hooked in online gambling as they stay at home doing nothing but to scan their gadgets for new entertainment.

Online betting in the US has gained momentum during the stay-at-home mandate of the government. Operators started their move to apply for licenses to operate, as they see the new trend towards online gaming. The shutdown of land-based casinos and sportsbooks added to the rising influence of online gaming.

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Illinois rising sports betting industry

Illinois’ sports betting industry heard good news this week, as estimates show high potential, and new online sports betting license moves forward. Land-based gambling facilities still wait for the government’s advice to operate, allowing online gaming.

Experts say a massive possibility for the industry to accumulate $73 million in taxable revenue if it can provide an annual market of around $488 million. Industry experts believe that loosened measures on online and mobile offerings could rapidly increase gaming revenue through the 15 percent levied tax.

Governor J.B. Pritzker decided to suspend the law that only allows the use of online betting applications to currently registered operators. The governor’s June 4 Executive Order granted Master Sports Wagering licenses to qualified online sports betting provider, as determined by the state’s gaming commission.

The recently launched BetRivers.com, an online arm of the Rivers Casino operated by Rush Street Gaming, was the first casino to offer online gaming. Rush Street Gaming owns the Rivers Casino in Philadelphia, and three other Rivers Casino brand in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Schenectady, New York.

Rivers Casino to offer in-person legal sports betting in the state

Rivers casino became the first mobile betting platform in the state, as well as the first legal in-person sports betting in Illinois. Robert Schwartz, Rush Street Interactive president, expressed their excitement as they make history by being the first online sportsbook.

The US’s gambling industry is working on rehabilitation after the prolonged lockdowns. Casinos in many states started accepting back patrons, following health and safety protocols from the state. Tribal casinos started resuming operations in late-May, despite opposition from state leaders.

Tribe leaders and casino operators in tribal county argue autonomy and sovereignty as they resumed their operations. Illinois’s land-based casinos remained close as they prepare and access measures to prevent coronavirus transmission. The earliest possible schedule for the reopening is on June 26.

The reopening of casinos in other states showed massive potential for the gambling industry. The floor traffic in the casinos showed that people are eager to go back to the casinos and release tension brought by the crisis.