Press Releases
PlayIllinois.com: Mobile registration a boon for Illinois sportsbooks

An executive order that temporarily allowed remote registration for sports bettors helped Illinois open the door to a remarkable July, even if only two sportsbooks were operating to take advantage.
The Illinois Gaming Board announced Thursday that 230,000 mobile sports betting accounts have been created, a number that would have been a fraction of that with the state’s in-person registration requirement in effect, according to analysts for PlayIllinois, which tracks regulated online and retail gaming in the state. And with the remote registration window once again opened by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, at least until Saturday, new sportsbooks opening, and major sports returning, the difference in the coming months could be in the 10s of millions of dollars.
“We have seen over the past two years that legal jurisdictions with remote registration have a distinct advantage over those states with an in-person registration requirement,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “With Illinois’ sizable potential as a market, it could be a difference measure in tens of millions in wagers each month.”
PlayIllinois estimates that the sports betting market in the state will eventually grow to $9 billion to $11 billion in bets annually, but the industry is off to an uneven start amid a pandemic and confusing in-person registration rules that have been on again and off again. Through July, Illinois sportsbooks have accepted $61.8 million in bets, with $52.5 million coming in a July that was mostly void of major U.S. sports, according to official reporting released earlier this week.
$51.9 million of July’s handle was generated by BetRivers/Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, with the remainder coming from Argosy Casino Alton. The surge was inevitable, with or without remote registration. But to put BetRivers month into perspective, its Illinois handle would have topped every sportsbook in Pennsylvania except FanDuel during the month of July.
Not bad for a debut.
With few major sports to bet on, BetRivers received a significant boost from Gov. Pritzker’s executive order to suspend the state’s in-person registration requirement — which forces a sports bettor to be in the physical presence of a retail sportsbook at time of registration — until July 26. That suspension was reinstituted on Aug. 26 through at least Saturday, opening the door for a remote registration boom for DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, and William Hill, which have all launched online sportsbooks in Illinois since. But no one is certain if the governor will allow the executive order to lapse this weekend.
“We’re so early in the process in Illinois, but August and September will be particularly telling months,” Gouker said. “Obviously, we expect a surge in action just from a full schedule of major sports. But remote registration widens the market by simply adding a layer of convenience for those in Illinois who don’t live near a retail sportsbook.”
The difference between in-person registration requirements and remote registration can be dramatic. Nowhere is that clearer than in New Jersey and Nevada.
New Jersey, which does not have in-person registration requirements, has overtaken Nevada as the nation’s largest sports betting market. And that difference has been critical during the pandemic.
New Jersey — which does not have in-person registration requirements — has overtaken Nevada as the nation’s largest sports betting market, topping Nevada in every month this year and shattering Nevada’s record for monthly handle in August with $668 million in wagers. And from March through July, New Jersey accepted $834.5 million in bets, nearly twice as much as Nevada’s $441.1 million.
Indiana, Colorado, and Pennsylvania have seen success fueled by online betting without in-person registration, too.
“It is a key differentiator and fundamental difference between Nevada and the largest of the newer markets, all of which have benefited from their online products being untethered to in-person registration,” Gouker said. “That has held especially true during the pandemic, when in-person betting has slowed even after reopening from shutdowns.”
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.
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Stake Colombia welcomes tennis star Juan Sebastián Cabal as new ambassador

Stake Colombia is proud to announce its sponsorship and the incorporation of Juan Sebastián Cabal, the Colombian tennis legend, as its new ambassador. This alliance celebrates Cabal’s unparalleled career and reinforces Stake Colombia’s commitment to sports, excellence, and the Colombian community.
Juan Sebastián Cabal, an iconic figure in Colombian tennis, reached the top of the doubles world ranking in 2019, forming one of the most prominent duos of the last decade with Robert Farah. Together, they conquered Wimbledon and the US Open, were finalists at Roland Garros and the Australian Open in men’s doubles, and Cabal also won the Australian Open in mixed doubles. Furthermore, they achieved multiple victories in ATP 1000, 500, and 250 tournaments. His career is a clear example of perseverance, talent, and excellence, leaving an indelible mark on global tennis.
“Having Juan Sebastián Cabal as an ambassador is key for Stake Colombia. At a time when paddle is experiencing an explosion in popularity across the country, fostering entertainment among young people is fundamental. Supporting, connecting with the community, and offering new experiences is what drives us, and this alliance is an opportunity to truly excite both paddle and tennis enthusiasts alike,” stated Diana Otálora, Country Manager of Stake Colombia.
Beyond his impressive records and titles, Juan Sebastián Cabal embodies the fighting and resilient spirit of Colombian athletes. He has represented Colombia in three editions of the Olympic Games and has been a fundamental pillar in the Davis Cup for more than 15 years. Currently, Cabal continues his legacy in padel and sports development through his club “Padeling by Cabal,” which promotes well-being and physical activity in his hometown, inspiring new generations of athletes and strengthening national pride.
Regarding this new alliance with Stake Colombia, Cabal stated that “it is a fantastic opportunity to continue promoting the values of sport and dedication that have accompanied me throughout my career. I am excited about the idea of working together to inspire more people and support sports development in our country.”
The collaboration between Stake and Juan Sebastián Cabal is a testament to their shared passion for sports and entertainment. Through this partnership, Stake Colombia will seek to promote sports integrity and connect communities with innovative and exciting experiences.
Latest News
Buffalo Run Casino & Resort Selects QCI Go to Empower Hosts and Enhance Guest Engagement

Buffalo Run Casino & Resort has chosen Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Go, a native mobile app designed specifically for casino hosts, to elevate host productivity and deliver a superior guest experience.
QCI Go provides hosts with powerful tools including player card scanning, real-time player lookup, seamless access to QCI Meet and QCI Events, and robust task management features—all in a user-friendly mobile interface. By putting these capabilities directly in the hands of hosts, QCI Go enables faster service, deeper guest relationships, and greater operational efficiency on the casino floor.
Mary Jewett, Vice President and General Marketing at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort, expressed excitement about the implementation:
“Bringing QCI Go to Buffalo Run Casino & Resort represents a significant advancement in how we empower our hosts to serve guests. With mobile access to key player information, events, and task management, our team can deliver personalized service in real time, enhancing both the guest experience and host effectiveness.”
Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, shared his perspective on the partnership:
“We are thrilled to deploy QCI Go at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort. By providing hosts with mobile access to the QCI platform, we enable them to deliver exceptional, timely service and foster stronger player relationships. This is a great example of how our mobile-first innovations help operators improve team productivity and guest satisfaction.”
QCI Go is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s broader commitment to innovation in the gaming industry, providing operators with state-of-the-art tools that support host teams, streamline operations, and drive meaningful guest engagement.
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BMM TESTLABS’ BIG CYBER CLARIFIES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AND ORGANIZATIONAL OVERSIGHT

BMM Testlabs (“BMM” or “the Company”), the world’s original gaming test lab renowned for exceptional product compliance and certification services, today announced that Amit Sharma, former Chief Executive Officer of its BIG Cyber business, has not been affiliated with the Company in any capacity since October 2024.
BIG Cyber is focused on delivering world-class cybersecurity solutions to the global gaming industry under the leadership of Marzia Turrini, President, iGaming & Cybersecurity at BMM Testlabs. Turrini provides executive oversight for BIG Cyber’s strategy, services, and partnerships, ensuring the highest standards of security, professionalism, and customer care.
BMM Testlabs Chief Executive Officer Martin Storm said, “We take the integrity of our brand and communications seriously. While we thank Amit for his past contributions, we want to make it clear that he no longer represents BIG Cyber, BMM Testlabs, or BMM Innovation Group in any form. Our BIG Cyber solutions business continues to grow under the trusted leadership of Marzia Turrini and our global team of experts.”
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