DraftKings, FanDuel making the best of a bad betting situation in Illinois

Casino operator Boyd Gaming has struck a Nevada sports betting deal with International Game Technology (IGT), while FanDuel is prepping its Illinois market launch courtesy of a local Boyd casino and DraftKings is urging bettors to direct their rage at Illinois politicians.

On Wednesday, IGT announced a “long-term” deal to supply Boyd’s Nevada properties with its PlaySports platform for both retail and online wagering, while the venues will also feature IGT’s self-service PlaySports Kiosks. The deal expands on the firms’ existing sports betting partnerships in Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi and Pennsylvania.

The deal comes just two weeks after IGT convinced betting operator FanDuel to utilize the PlaySports platform at the latter firm’s retail sportsbooks, while FanDuel will also access IGT’s PlayCasino online games.

FanDuel also has an online gambling partnership with Boyd that is poised to take root in Illinois, although the timing remains a mystery. FanDuel received its temporary betting permit from the Illinois Gaming Board a month ago but Boyd’s Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria has yet to receive formal permission from the Board to launch betting operations.