Press Releases
PlayIllinois.com: Sports betting drops, but Illinois still claims nation’s No. 2 market in April
Illinois became the nation’s No. 2 market despite suffering the steepest month-over-month decline in sports betting volume in the young market’s history, joining New Jersey as the only states with an April handle of more than $500 million. The decline in wagering was in line with a typical seasonal slowdown in sports betting that affected nearly every U.S. market, and less than expected with the return of in-person registration on April 4, according to analysts from PlayIllinois, which tracks the state’s regulated online gaming and sports betting market.
“Without the NFL or a major sports betting holiday like March Madness a decline in April was a near certainty,” said Joe Boozell, analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “The Illinois market faced a double-whammy with the return of in-person registration, which will eventually eat away at the market’s ceiling even if it hasn’t dramatically impacted handle yet. And there is no easy solution to that without a legislative fix.”
Betting at Illinois’ retail and online sportsbooks fell 15.2% to $537.2 million in April from the record $633.6 million in March, according to official data released Wednesday. Betting volume in April dropped to $17.3 million per day over the 31 days of the month from $20.4 million per day in March.
April’s handle created $43.6 million in adjusted gross revenue, down from $44.3 million in March, yielding $6.5 million in state taxes and more than $527,100 in local taxes. The state has now produced $4.1 billion in wagering since sports betting launched in 2020.
All but one U.S. legal sports betting jurisdiction reported a month-over-month decline in April wagering, including the 10 largest markets. Illinois’s decline was more than New Jersey (-13%), Tennessee (-13.6%), and Pennsylvania (-14.4%), but shallower than Colorado (-18.8%), Virginia (-22.1%), Indiana (-25.4%), Iowa (-26.7%), Nevada (-29.1%), and Michigan (-30.5%).
Despite the decline in April only New Jersey took in more wagers, making Illinois the No. 2 market in the U.S. Nearly all of those declines can be explained by the expected seasonal drop in sports betting, which typically begins in April and continues until the football season. Illinois’ handle, though, also faced the return of in-person registration requirements, and the impact came swiftly.
“Illinois is proving to be remarkably resilient as a market, overcoming the inconvenience of in-person registration at least temporarily,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for the PlayUSA.com network, which includes PlayIllinois.com. “A concerted push before in-person registration went into place likely helped lessen the short-term effects, but it will be difficult for Illinois to keep pace with the nation’s top markets over the long term.”
The NBA easily generated the most action in April with $171.4 million, which was down from $365.7 million. Baseball was the second-most wagered-on sport, generating $121.2 million in bets.
Online wagering accounted for 95.5%, or $513.2 million, of all bets in April.
With the partial removal of the ban on wagering on in-state college teams — allowing retail sportsbooks to take bets on Northwestern, Illinois, Northern Illinois, and others — the state legislature did give retail books something to look forward to when college football returns. But the ban will remain for online sportsbooks, which will mute the importance of the change.
“The change is a positive one, but it won’t make a significant difference in the short-term,” Boozell said. “Illinoisans overwhelmingly place their bets online. So, any change that only affects retail betting will be limited in its impact. Hopefully this will be an incremental step toward lifting the ban entirely.”
FanDuel/Fairmont’s online and retail sportsbooks attracted $177.8 million in bets, the first time FanDuel has topped the market. DraftKings/Casino Queen was second with $169.6 million in combined handle. BetRivers/Rivers Casino fell to $84.3 million in combined handle. Barstool/Hollywood Casinos was fourth with $51.4 million, in its first full month of online operation.
“FanDuel catching DraftKings is a seismic shift in the dynamics of the market, and a credit to FanDuel’s campaign to register bettors ahead of in-person registration,” Welman said. “Barstool’s push to register customers before in-person registration took effect made a difference, too. But it will be difficult to make significant inroads on the market leaders, which all had months of being able to register customers unencumbered.”
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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.
–Â 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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