Illinois sports betting handle reaches $435m

Industry experts forecast that Illinois could become the fourth-largest sports betting market in the US.

US.- Sports betting is on the rise in Illinois, with bettors wagering $435m in October – the fourth month of sports betting operations.

According to the figures released by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), October’s handle was up 43 per cent from September, when the handle reached $305m.

The IGB also reported that over 94 per cent of bets were placed on online platforms after governor J.B. Pritzker temporarily scrapped the obligation of rid of in-person registration for the sixth time since the beginning of the pandemic.

Illinois’ eight sportsbooks saw revenues after payouts of $42.2m. From that the state claimed 15 per cent ($6.3m) in taxes.

For now, Illinois is the fifth-largest sports betting market in the US, but experts believe it could become the fourth.

Since sports betting launched in Illinois, players have wagered over $941m, and analysts estimate that the state’s yearly handle could surpass $5bn within a few years.