Illinois Considering WynnBET for Mobile Sports Betting License Approval
In the bustling state of Illinois, the sports betting landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has received applications from several new contenders, including Circa Sports, as Management Services Providers, signaling a potential influx of fresh faces into the market.
One of the preliminarily suitable candidates for a suburban Cook County casino, Wind Creek, has yet to name a sportsbook partner in Illinois. However, its previous partnership with Betfred in Pennsylvania offers a glimpse into its potential strategy. WynnBET, another new entrant, is expected to follow a similar path, partnering with established casinos for its sportsbook and online casino platforms.
WynnBET's Illinois partners, however, are not explicitly detailed in the available data. Given the state's multiple casinos and tribal gaming operations, it's likely that WynnBET will align with a similar tribe or commercial casino for its operations. For instance, in Michigan, WynnBET was connected through a license held by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe and affiliated with Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel before Caesars took over.
Two casinos without active mobile partners, Argosy Casino Alton and Harrah's Joliet, have market access agreements with Unibet and theScore Bet, respectively. The low number of mobile operators in Illinois - currently seven - offers potential for newcomers like WynnBET to gain a notable market share upon entry.
Bally's, which received approval from the Chicago City Council, could hold its mobile spot open until its downtown casino opens. Bally's in Quad Cities, on the other hand, may operate its own mobile platform after a series of acquisitions during its rebranding. Hard Rock is also expected to offer its own mobile sports wagering platform when ready.
Full House Resorts, which will open American Place in Waukegan, has reached a deal for Circa Sports to operate both its retail and mobile sportsbooks. All 10 casinos licensed before the 2019 gaming expansion bill in Illinois can offer retail betting, and six currently do so.
BetRivers is the only other mobile operator currently with more than $1 billion total handle, holding a clear third position at 18.5%. FanDuel and DraftKings continue to dominate the market, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the state's overall $10.9 billion mobile handle since launch in June 2020.
PointsBet and Barstool Sportsbook have not reached double figures in market share percentage but have traded the fourth and fifth spots repeatedly in recent months. BetMGM posted a handle of $43.6 million despite not operating for the full month, finishing ahead of Caesars for sixth. The IGB did not specify which casino WynnBET would be tethered to for mobile betting.
Walker's Bluff, constructing a casino in Williamson County, has not named a sportsbook partner for its Illinois casino but partnered with Elite Sportsbook at its properties in Iowa. Unibet submitted its application to the IGB on Nov. 16, 2020, while TheScore has not yet submitted its application.
BetMGM's entry in March, during the NCAA Tournament, contributed to a record $971 million handle in Illinois, placing it third nationally behind New York and New Jersey. The entry of new operators like WynnBET promises to add more competition and potentially drive growth in the Illinois sports betting market.
- WynnBET, similar to Wind Creek in their approaches with previous sportsbook partners, might opt for a partnership with an established Illinois casino for their sports betting operations, as the number of mobile operators in the state remains relatively low, offering potential for newcomers like WynnBET to claim a substantial market share.
- Given the partnership between Circa Sports and Full House Resorts for the operation of their retail and mobile sportsbooks at American Place in Waukegan, it's possible that WynnBET, another new entrant into the Illinois sports betting market, could also align with a similar casino or tribe for their sports betting operations.
