Council committee approves sports betting at Chicago stadiums

A joint City Council committee has agreed to lift Chicago’s ban on sports betting to allow sportsbooks in and around five stadiums.

US.- Chicago City Council’s Joint Committee on Zoning and License City Council has given its OK to a move to lift the ban on in-stadium sports betting in the city. The decision was validated by nineteen votes to seven. The proposal would initially allow sports betting at five stadiums. The City Council floor will now discuss the ordinance.

Bets would be allowed at Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, the United Center, Guaranteed Rate Field and Wintrust Arena.

Tom Ricketts, chairman of the Chicago Cubs, who play at Wrigley Field, has already announced a $100m deal with DraftKings, as the stadium plans to become the first on-site sportsbook in Major League Baseball.

“With your approval of this ordinance, construction would begin immediately with the aim of opening a restaurant with a sportsbook in time for the 2023 season. This will create construction jobs and revenues now and permanent jobs in just over a year,” Ricketts said.

Ricketts also suggested that the construction of the in-house restaurant will generate temporary jobs and permanent jobs in twelve-months’ time.

Others who showed support on the issue during the hearing include Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz and Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.

Grant Govertsen of Union Gaming, who prepared a study on the city’s behalf about whether sports betting would cannibalise gambling at an eventual Chicago casino, said the two attract different groups of consumers, which have limited crossover.

“There appears to be little to no correlation to sports betting revenue and traditional casino revenue,” Govertsen said.

See also: Chicago proposes further 2% city tax on sports betting