Illinois Extends Online Sports Betting Registration Again

Illinois Governor has recently extended the executive order to allow online sports betting registration in the state until November 14.

With this news, Illinois bettors have reasons to celebrate Governor J.B. Pritzker’s extension that was set to expire last week. The renewed extension has once again temporarily lifted the state’s requirement for in-person mobile registration.

The state officially began allowing sports betting in March 2020. Initially, all sports bettors were required to register in-person to join an online sportsbook. However, online registration was allowed in June amid the social distancing measures in order to facilitate convenient online registrations through late July.  The in-person requirement was reinforced for nearly a month before it was again waived off on August 21.

Even today, many people are unwilling to register for an online sportsbook at a physical location due to the pandemic. Besides, there are already so many unregulated sports betting sites available to them. It appears that the Illinois authorities have realized this, and the new extension will not only offer the regulated betting platform to residents, but it will also bring in much-needed revenue for the state.

The Governor has again extended Executive Order 2020-41, which would have otherwise expired over the weekend, to November 14.

What Will Happen After Nov 14?

It remains to be seen what Gov. Pritzker will do after the latest extension expires on November 14 and will likely decide whether or not to scrap the rule entirely. However, with the coronavirus numbers continuing to increase across Illinois, there’s a good chance the order could see further extension.

The back-to-back extensions have already resulted in a huge increase in new sports betting sign-ups. Revenue from the Illinois sports betting industry has been increasing, causing the state to earn some much-needed income through a potent market.

Illinois is striving to expand its gambling industry. Eventually, brick-and-mortar sportsbooks will start operating in the state’s sports arenas, too. Many casinos are still scheduled to open in the state over the next few years.

A Growing Online Sports Betting Market

Illinois realizes how significant it is to allow mobile registration to residents in the state. Online registration was temporarily banned for a month between July and August. After a full month of ban, it was reallowed on August 21. Since then, the residents have been able to create their online betting accounts from home. Thanks to mobile betting sign-up, the state witnessed $140 million in August.

Illinois has yet to publish its September numbers. However, given the encouraging handle, the state generated during August, the figures are expected to be astonishing. It should be noted that the in-person requirement was mostly in place in August, and big players such as DraftKings and FanDuel Sportsbook did not enter the market until the end of that month.

The August figures, which were reinforced by the increased action thanks to MLB, NBA, and NHL, reflect the potential of the Illinois sports betting market. Now, the state awaits the betting report for September with all four major US sports and college football being played. If August could reach $140 million, then September should be far higher than that number, thanks partly to online registration and the sports activity throughout that period.

With the US starting to witness the second wave of COVID-19, Illinois understands how significant it is to allow mobile registration. The state has many leading online sportsbook companies with DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, and William Hill landing during the past four months, and the state is expected to want to increase the accessibility of these to capitalize on the potential revenue.