Illinois okays sports betting bill with online-only time-out

Illinois sports bettors are celebrating after their notoriously incapable state pols somehow found the temporary cohesion to pass the necessary legislation.

On Sunday, the Illinois Senate approved SB690 by a vote of 46-10, one day after the state House approved the capital funding bill 87-27. Both chambers had extended their legislative session after failing to come to terms by Friday’s deadline. The bill now heads to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, whose signature is viewed as a sure thing.

The cash-strapped state hopes to realize over $200m in additional funding through its expanded gambling activity, which will include both land-based and online sports betting, slot machine operations at racetracks, and the construction of six new casinos, including the first in downtown Chicago.

Wagering licenses will be available to the state’s casino and track operators, as well as large sports venues such as Wrigley Field. Land-based operators were shown clear favoritism in the bill, as they can launch online wagering along with land-based betting, but online bettors must register in-person at a land-based facility for the first 18 months following the official launch of betting.