Press Releases
PlayIllinois.com: Sportsbooks hit $450 million for first time
Illinois online and retail sportsbooks collected more than $450 million in wagers in November, setting a fresh record for monthly handle to place fourth among legal sports betting markets in the U.S. It’s a remarkable ascent for a fledgling market that has become the fourth state in history to enjoy a month with more than $450 million in bets, according to PlayIllinois, which offers news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.
“Illinois’ success is more than just a large population fueling impressive numbers that dwarf smaller states,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “Illinois is rivaling markets such as Pennsylvania that are far more mature and just as large, and it’s doing it because the top online sportsbooks in the country are investing heavily in the market and Illinois bettors are responding with an unprecedented fervor.”
Illinois bettors placed a record $451 million in wagers in November, according to “approximate” data released Wednesday by the Illinois Gaming Board. That is up nearly 4% from $434.6 million in October. Only New Jersey ($931.6 million) and Nevada ($609.4 million) — the two oldest legal sports betting markets in the U.S. — and Pennsylvania ($491.9 million) generated more in bets during November 2020.
November’s bets produced $41 million in adjusted gross revenue for the operators, down slightly from the state record $42.2 million in revenue generated in October. Those gains yielded $6 million in state taxes.
Despite a relative leveling from October to November, Illinois’ ascent remains unprecedented. New Jersey did not surpass $450 million in monthly handle until its 17th month after launch. It took Pennsylvania even longer, reaching the mark with $462.8 million in September 2020, 23 months after launch.
Aside from the suspension of the state’s in-person registration requirements, much of what has fueled the market is interest in regional sports, particularly the Chicago Bears and Notre Dame. But the Bears went 0-4 in the month, and without baseball and the NBA Finals, November offered less to bet on than in October. In addition, retail sportsbooks were shuttered in mid-November because of Covid-related restrictions.
That did not slow bettors, though, as the Illinois market showed resilience in the face of obstacles.
“At this point, it makes sense to adjust our expectations up for the market,” said Joe Boozell, analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “The retail market was shut down in November, and this was the first month since the market really heated up in July that the sports schedule was slower than the month before, and yet sportsbooks still made gains. Such resilience shows that Illinois is maturing more quickly than anyone imagined.”
With retail sportsbooks shuttered for the second half of the month, online sports betting accounted for the vast majority of all bets. Specific operator data was not immediately released.
With only five online operators, Illinois is still home to a relatively short roster of sportsbooks. But Penn National’s Barstool-branded app, BetMGM, and Unibet are among those that are expected to launch in Illinois in the coming months, which should give the state a boost.
“Remarkably, Illinois has done all this with just a handful of operators and without some of the best-known brands in the industry,” Boozell said. “The gains will continue to attract operators, and could have Illinois poised to challenge even the largest market in the U.S., so long as the state’s in-person registration requirement remains suspended.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Illinois, visit PlayIllinois.com/news.
About the PlayUSA.com Network:
The PlayUSA.com Network is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the United States. With a presence in over a dozen states, PlayUSA.com and its state-focused branches (including PlayIndiana.com, PlayIllinois.com, PlayNJ.com and PlayPennsylvania.com) produce daily original reporting, publish in-depth research, and offer player advocacy tools related to the advancement of safe, licensed, and legal online gaming options for consumers. Based in Las Vegas, the PlayUSA Network is independently owned and operated, with no affiliation to any casino — commercial, tribal, online, or otherwise.
BETBY, the premium supplier of cutting-edge sportsbook solutions, has published a detailed report titled “The Peruvian Breakthrough: A Market Ready for Takeoff”, offering a thorough analysis of the country’s newly regulated iGaming industry.
Following the implementation of Peru’s online gambling framework in 2024, this report explores the legislative transformation, market growth trends, and consumer behavior shaping one of Latin America’s most promising emerging markets.
The report covers several key aspects, including:
✅ Evolution of Peru’s gambling legislation and its impact on market structure and operator licensing;
✅ Market performance analysis, including land-based vs. online growth and mobile channel adoption;
✅ Economic indicators, such as GDP contribution, per capita GGR, and projected market size through 2030;
✅ Player profiles and betting behavior, with insights into frequency, motivations, and engagement across age and gender groups;
✅ Digital readiness, including mobile usage, internet speeds, and device preferences;
✅ Competitive landscape, with a breakdown of leading operators and changes in market share.
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Latest News
BetOnline Expands Sportsbook Betting Site Services and Product Offerings for California Users
BetOnline bonuses has announced an expansion of its betting services tailored for sportsbooks users in California, reflecting ongoing trends in digital wagering and increased demand for accessible online sports platforms. The company’s latest updates include enhanced mobile features, expanded betting markets, and streamlined payout processes designed to support both recreational and experienced bettors across the state.
The updated platform allows users in California to access a wide range of wagering options across major sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, as well as emerging sectors such as esports and international competitions.
Recent Platform Enhancements
– Expanded Payment Methods: BetOnline now supports a variety of withdrawal options, including cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum), wire transfers, and e-checks. Crypto transactions are typically processed within 24–48 hours.
– Improved Live Betting Interface: Users can now place real-time wagers during games with an upgraded mobile experience and access to live odds across multiple sports.
– Bonus and Promotional Features: As part of its rollout, BetOnline continues to offer various promotions to eligible users, including deposit-based bonuses and reload incentives. California residents can review current welcome offers when setting up their accounts.
– Customer Support Upgrades: With 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and email, users can access assistance at any time regarding account services and transaction-related inquiries.
California sports fans can explore BetOnline’s current welcome offers and join thousands of users already engaging with their favorite teams through the platform’s enhanced betting experience.
Market Context
California remains one of the largest markets for sports entertainment and fan engagement. The state’s diverse sports landscape—from professional franchises to college athletics—makes it a key focus area for companies operating in the online betting and digital gaming space.
A spokesperson for BetOnline stated:
“As we continue to improve our services nationwide, California represents a significant user base. Our latest updates are focused on delivering a secure and user-friendly experience, consistent with emerging digital betting standards.”
With California’s rich sports culture spanning professional leagues to college athletics, BetOnline’s enhanced platform offers residents new ways to connect with the games they love. Interested users can discover current promotions and explore the expanded betting options available through the updated service.
For California Sports Fans
The platform’s expansion brings new opportunities for sports enthusiasts to engage with their favorite teams. Eligible users can explore current promotional offers and experience the enhanced betting features now available statewide.
Latest News
Yaamava’, Palms and AGS Celebrate First-Ever Dual Property World Premiere of Mariachi Fortunes Trio™ in Southern California and Las Vegas
AGS, a global gaming supplier, partnered with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel in Southern California and Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas to debut its newest slot family, Mariachi Fortunes Trio™, in a first-of-its-kind, bi-state world premiere.
On July 22, each property hosted a launch celebration inspired by one of the game’s two energetic themes. Yaamava’ Resort & Casino showcased Fiesta de los Vivos™ (the festival of the living) in a vibrant daytime event, while Palms Casino Resort brought Fiesta de las Calacas™ (the festival of the skeletons) to life with a nighttime celebration. Both themes are now live at both properties, inviting guests to explore the dual worlds of the living and the departed through thrilling gameplay.
The premiere transformed both casino floors into lively Mexico-style plazas with themed slot banks, folklorico dancers, live mariachi bands, decorated street carts, and larger-than-life visuals that brought the game’s festive setting to life. Club Serrano members at both Yaamava’ Resort & Casino and Palms Casino Resort received themed giveaways and were among the first to experience Mariachi Fortunes Trio.
“This premiere is a true celebration of innovation and partnership,” said Mark DeDeaux, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Slots, AGS. “Mariachi Fortunes Trio builds on the success of Piñata Pays, one of AGS’ best-performing games of all time and takes it even further with a more immersive theme, richer features, and broader bonus combinations. The dual themes of the game made Yaamava’ and Palms the perfect partners to launch this experience. With both properties under San Manuel’s leadership and a shared focus on delivering bold, unforgettable player experiences, this two-state debut brings the full story of the game to life in a way only they could.”
“From California to Las Vegas, Club Serrano members are the very first to dive into the electrifying world of Mariachi Fortunes Trio™, the thrilling new slot franchise from our incredible partners at AGS,” said Peter Arceo, Chief Gaming Officer for the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. “This groundbreaking dual-state world premiere is more than just a launch—it’s a fiesta of immersive gameplay, vibrant visuals, and nonstop excitement. Mariachi Fortunes Trio™ cranks up the energy on our gaming floors at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino and Palms Casino Resort, delivering unforgettable moments and heart-pounding fun our guests will love.”
Mariachi Fortunes Trio will be available exclusively at Yaamava’ and Palms for a limited time before expanding to casino floors across North America.
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