Illinois sports betting to go live
Governor JB Pritzker signed the Illinois sports betting bill into law, clearing the segment and six new casinos to launch all across the state.
US.- The gaming industry continues to expand. After waiting for nearly a month, Illinois joined the sports betting market as Governor JB Pritzker signed the respective bill.
The piece of legislation cleared the General Assembly earlier in June. Senate Bill 690 passed the high chamber on a 46-10 vote and was awaiting the governor’s signature.
“Together we passed the largest, most robust capital plan in this state’s history,” Pritzker said. “We’re investing US$45 billion over six years to fix what’s broken and repair what needs fixing.”
“This isn’t just an infrastructure plan,” Pritzker explained about “Rebuild Illinois,” the plan’s name. “It’s a jobs plan, for job creation across our state, the likes of which we haven’t seen in Illinois for a very long time. This really is about increasing economic growth in this state, giving people more economic opportunity.”
The bill authorises six new casinos in downtown Chicago, Williamson County, Rockford, Waukegan, Danville and South Suburbs. Moreover, those facilities, as well as race tracks and sports venues with more than 17,000 seats will also be eligible to buy Illinois sports betting licences.
“Legalised sports betting and expanding gaming will create jobs up and down the state. That’s where communities hungry for employment will see 10,000 new jobs,” the Governor had said after the House approved the bill. “Gaming expansions in this state have been attempted and failed for years. Today is a win for the whole state,” he added.
