Bally's Proposes Mobile Sports Betting Operating in Illinois
In the bustling world of sports betting, Illinois has established itself as a top-three market in the United States, despite currently having only ten licensed and active sportsbooks. The state legalized sports betting in June 2019, paving the way for both retail and online/mobile betting.
As of mid-2025, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, and PointsBet are the key players in the Illinois sports betting market, offering both retail and mobile sports betting services. These operators have supported mobile betting with remote registration reinstated since March 2022, making it more convenient for bettors.
However, other operators like Bally Bet, Unibet, WynnBET, Circa Sports, and Tekkorp Digital Acquisition Corp are either yet to secure mobile betting licenses or have not launched their platforms in Illinois. This could be due to the competitive nature of the market or the specific regulatory requirements in Illinois.
One of the recent applicants for a Management Services Provider license in Illinois is Bally's, with their application submitted on September 12, 2021. If approved, Bally Bet will operate as the mobile sports wagering service. It is worth noting that the cost of an online-only license in Illinois is double the cost of a standard Management Services Provider license, at $20 million.
The temporary Full House Resorts casino in Waukegan, near the Wisconsin border and tethered to Circa Sports, is expected to open before the end of the year. However, it remains uncertain how quickly mobile wagering would be available at this location.
In terms of the Illinois Gaming Board's regulatory oversight, license terms include significant fees and a tiered tax structure on gross gaming revenue. The board's public announcements or recent filings are the best sources for details on any operator’s specific license application status.
Meanwhile, other operators like WynnBET have submitted applications for Management Services Provider licenses, but the casinos they are tethered to remain undetermined. Similarly, Bally's Quad Cities location has an owner's license to offer retail sports wagering but has yet to make it available.
Since the launch of sports betting in Illinois in June 2020, the state has generated nearly $14.2 billion in all-time handle for mobile sports betting. Nearly 96% of this handle has come from mobile betting, reflecting the growing preference for convenience and accessibility in sports betting.
In conclusion, Illinois' sports betting market is thriving, with major operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, and PointsBet leading the way. As the market continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see which other operators join the fray and contribute to Illinois' status as a top sports betting destination.
FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, and PointsBet, along with potential newcomers like Bally Bet, Unibet, WynnBET, Circa Sports, and Tekkorp Digital Acquisition Corp, operate in the growing Illinois sports betting market. The competition and specific regulatory requirements in Illinois might be delaying some operators' entry. Bally's has applied for a Management Services Provider license in Illinois, with an intention to launch Bally Bet as the mobile sports wagering service. The cost of an online-only license in Illinois is double the cost of a standard Management Services Provider license.
