December also marked the third-consecutive month where Prairie State sports bettors cleared the billion-dollar mark as $1.02 billion in bets were recorded in the state. That was good for $84.4 million in net revenue for the eleven retail and seven online sportsbook operators.
FanDuel Leads Illinois December Handle
FanDuel, the online arm of Fairmount Park, took in $350.7 million in bets in December for net revenue of $37.3 million on a 10.7% hold. The sportsbook giant finished second in the state in 2022 with $4.9 billion in bets for 2022.
Illinois Fourth in Nation in Lifetime Handle
The December totals helped lift Illinois to 4th in the nation in total sports betting handle, slightly above New York but well behind Pennsylvania, Nevada, and New Jersey.
- New Jersey — over $33.7 billion
- Nevada — over $29.5 billion
- Pennsylvania — over nearly $18.9 billion
- Illinois — $18.7 billion
- New York — over $16.6 billion
Illinois Third in Lifetime Revenue
Illinois sportsbook operators rank third in lifetime sports betting revenue through December 2022, just behind Nevada and New Jersey.
- New Jersey — nearly $2.37 billion
- Nevada — nearly $1.7 billion
- Illinois — nearly $1.5 billion
- Pennsylvania — nearly $1.5 billion
- New York — $1.41 billion
Problem-Gambling Popups?
Democratic Sen. Bill Cunningham introduced SB1508 this past Tuesday, proposing that online sportsbook operators should have popup ads displaying resources for every 10 bets a Prairie State bettor makes online.
Illinois Gaming Board is supposed to oversee the proposed popup ads, but there’s no guarantee the bill will be passed into law. Still, at least lawmakers are attempting to curb what seems to be a growing problem of gambling nationwide.
Illinois Looks for Record 2023 Year
As profitable as 2022 was for the sportsbook operators in Illinois, 2023 looks to be another record year, and bookies and bettors alike are looking forward to wagering on the following 2023 events.
Super Bowl LVII
The Super Bowl is one of the world’s most wagered events. Illinois bettors have numerous promotions, odds boosts, teasers, and other unique wagers for Sunday’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
March Madness
Illinois bettors are prohibited from wagering on instate college teams online, but Land of Lincoln sports bettors are expected to flock to the books for the annual rite of passage known as March Madness. Conference tournaments begin on February 27 and conclude with the NCAA Final on April 3.
2023 MLB Season
The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox open training camp this weekend with Cactus League games beginning February 25. The White Sox open their 2023 season on March 30th with a four-game series vs. the Houston Astros, and the Cubs host the Milwaukee Brewers for game one of a three-game series beginning March 30.
NBA Playoffs
The Chicago Bulls are 9th in the Eastern Conference and should find their way into the playoffs when they begin April 15. Illinois bettors can wager on the Bulls or any other NBA playoff game, and the books will indeed offer special promos for Illinois sports bettors to enjoy.
