Press Releases
PlayIllinois.com: Sportsbooks finish 2020 with nearly $500 million in December
Illinois online sportsbooks ended 2020 on the highest note yet, pushing the statewide handle to nearly $500 million in monthly wagering and ending the industry’s inaugural year with nearly $2 billion in bets even as retail casinos remained closed in December. But even as the book on 2020 closes, brisk betting on February’s Super Bowl signals an even bigger year ahead, according to PlayIllinois, which offers news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.
“No state has made a bigger splash in its first year of regulated sports betting than Illinois,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “But with growth that is expected of any fledgling market, combined with, hopefully, a return to more normal life for everyone, 2020 should be a prologue to a year that has the potential of being one of the most lucrative for any legal jurisdiction. The caveat is, though, that a lifting of the current suspension of the state’s in-person registration requirements would have a chilling effect throughout the market.”
With retail sportsbooks closed, Illinois online operators attracted $491.7 million in bets in December, according to official data released Monday. That is up 8.6% from $449.2 million in November and represents the fourth-largest handle in the U.S. for the month, behind New Jersey ($996.3 million), Nevada ($588 million), and Pennsylvania ($548.6 million).
December’s bets produced $28.4 million in operator revenue, down from $41.3 million in November. That yielded $3.6 million in taxes for the state.
Despite a pandemic that slowed the launch of sports betting until July and deeply impacted retail sportsbooks, Illinois’ retail and online sportsbooks for all of 2020 produced:
- $1.9 billion in wagers.
- $125.5 million in taxable revenue.
- $20.2 million in state and local taxes.
Despite the historic start, the best is likely yet to come. Bets on February’s Super Bowl, for instance, reached $45.6 million, fourth most among states that released data following the game.
“With results that have rivaled far more established markets, it might be easy to forget that Illinois is still nowhere near its maturity as a market,” said Joe Boozell, analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “The state is still very much ramping up, but there is no question that Illinois will be an increasing force in the industry.”
December’s results were helped by the playoff run of the Chicago Bears, which spurred football betting to $204.4 million, or 41.6% of the state’s handle. College basketball and the opening of the NBA season vaulted basketball betting to No. 2 with $441.2 million, or 29.3% of Illinois’ handle.
Illinois’ sportsbooks are also getting more creative, which should help bolster their bottom line. Some sportsbooks are now offering odds on where major NFL free agents will eventually sign, the kind of unconventional bet that has made its way to only a handful of states.
“Unconventional bets, prop or otherwise, are more than a fun curiosity for sportsbooks,” Welman said. “They offer new ways for consumers to engage, especially during a sport’s offseason. That is especially true for football betting, which commands more action than any other sport.”
With a $195.4 million handle, DraftKings/Casino Queen accounted for 40% of the state’s overall handle. DraftKings’ month was up from $166 million overall and $164.1 million online in November. FanDuel/Par-A-Dice Casino moved to No. 2 with $144.5 million in December, up from $113.5 million overall and $113.3 million online in November. BetRivers/Rivers Casino slipped to No. 3 with $111.2 million, down from $133.2 million overall and $125 million online in November.
New brands, most notably Penn National’s Barstool-branded app, which is among the most popular in Pennsylvania, will reach new customers and open new sources of revenue, and that will raise expectations for the state.
“The more robust the roster of operators in the state, the better it is for customers,” Boozell said. “The Barstool app should be an important addition, capable of not only grabbing a significant share of the market, but also helping to grow the pie for all.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Illinois, visit PlayIllinois.com/news.
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:
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✅ Market performance analysis, including land-based vs. online growth and mobile channel adoption;
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✅ 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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