DraftKings and FanDuel Receive Temporary Operating Permit in Illinois, Launch Imminent
July 20, 2020,
Bleacher Nation
by Kyle Scott Sports Gambling
DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook appear to have received their temporary operating permits from the Illinois Gaming Board.
That could indicate launches for the two large sportsbook operators to be imminent for Illinois online sports betting, perhaps as soon as this weekend before the Cubs return to play.
DraftKings, filing under the name Crown IL Gaming LLC, and FanDuel, filing under parent company Betfair Interactive US LLC, join BetRivers, Penn National Gaming ( Barstool Sportsbook), and PointsBet as licensed online operators.
William Hill Illinois is expected to receive their license by the end of the month.
This all means DraftKings and FanDuel, thanks to partnerships with Casino Queen and Boyd Gaming, respectively, appear poised to accept legal online wagers in the state this month.
This marks a radical shift in expectation.
Just a few months ago, both operators who launched their online betting apps in Colorado in May looked like they would be on the outside looking in Illinois thanks to a penalty box period which effectively prevented them from applying for a license for 18 months – a move largely viewed as a shot across the bow of the two daily fantasy giants for operating in the state against the attorney general’s wishes.
But last month, Governor Pritzker passed an emergency declaration temporarily lifting an in-person registration requirement for sports betting apps – also 18 months – and allowing players to both sign up and bet online.
DraftKings and FanDuel quickly struck partnerships with casinos that don’t have the means or ability to produce class-leading apps themselves in exchange for a share of their revenue … and here we are.
Now, it looks like both are set to join a ripe sports betting market in 2020. Wild turn of events.
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