Illinois has been moving quickly since legalizing online gaming. DraftKings recently went live in the state through Casino Queen, but now has plans to have a sportsbook inside Wrigley Field.
This can’t happen until 2022, with a few more barriers and clearances from the state government for it to go live. The licensing fee for a sportsbook within five blocks of a stadium is $10 million in Illinois.
Illinois recently got rid of their physical betting sign-ups because of a Governor JB Pritzkers having a change of heart because of COVID-19. Chicago hopes to have growing success with sports betting in the city.
Growing Trend
Sports teams partnering with sportsbooks has become a growing trend. Washington D.C recently announced plans for Capital One Arena to have a sportsbook.
However, Wrigley Field would become the most prestigious stadium to announce a sportsbook.
“We look forward to working in collaboration with the Cubs, an organization steeped in tradition, and making our presence felt in and around Wrigleyville,” DraftKings co-founder Matt Kalish said.
They are becoming trailblazers in the industry with this retail sportsbook. This trend is also occurring in Colorado and Michigan with their professional sports teams. The Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, and White Sox could soon all announce similar deals.
“DraftKings has been a great partner for a number of years, and we are excited to expand this relationship as sports betting grows rapidly in Illinois,” said the Cubs’ president of baseball operations Crane Kenney. “We’re excited to be one of the first to engage in developing a retail sportsbook at a professional sports venue.”
Wrigley Field is on the north side of Chicago and initially opened in 1914. Along with Fenway Park in Boston, it is one of the oldest stadiums in baseball. The stadium is known for the ivy that covers the outfield wall.
Michael Jordan joins DraftKings.
The relationship with the city of Chicago and DraftKings continues to grow. They just also announced their partnership with Michael Jordan.
He will join the board of directors to provide business insights and advice.
“Michael Jordan is among the most important figures in sports and culture, who forever redefined the modern athlete and entrepreneur,” Jason Robins, CEO and co-founder of DraftKings said in the release. “The strategic counsel and business acumen Michael brings to our board is invaluable, and I am excited to have him join our team.”
Michael Jordan’s name and gambling have always been linked. In a recent documentary about the 90s Bulls, Jordan discussed only betting on himself, mostly in golf.
“I never bet on games,” he said. “I only bet on myself, and that was golf. Do I like to play blackjack? Yeah, I like playing blackjack. There’s no laws with that. The league did call me and asked questions about it. And I told them exactly what was happening.”
DraftKings has been expanding with more and more states legalizing sports betting. It appears Illinois will be a place they will succeed in the near future.
