The Land of Lincoln’s sports betting market just got a little bit more crowded.
Hard Rock Bet launched its online sportsbook in Illinois on Monday, making it the state's ninth active operator. Bettors in the state can now sign up and access the platform, which continues to expand across the US.
Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook is now live in a total of eight states, including Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Retail Location Opens at Rockford Casino
The company also opened its new retail location at the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford. The new location features four betting kiosks, three windows, and a large seating area facing a wall of televisions.
The retail location's opening and the online platform's launch give the Hard Rock brand a significant presence in the state’s sports betting market.
“The launch of Hard Rock Bet on mobile and in-person sports betting is another milestone for the Hard Rock brand in Illinois, one that adds to the complete array of entertainment options for our guests,” said Hard Rock Casino Rockford President Geno Iafrate.
Tax Rate for Online Sportsbook Still Unknown
Hard Rock Bet is the first online sportsbook to launch in the state since it imposed a progressive tax rate. The progressive system sets the tax rate for each operator based on their adjusted gross revenue. Illinois voted to adopt the new tax structure instead of significantly increasing it across the board.
While it is unknown where Hard Rock will fall on the scale, many industry experts believe it will range between 20% and 25%.
Hard Rock Continues Impressive Year
Few bookmakers have had the success Hard Rock has enjoyed over the last year.
Their run of luck started at the end of 2023 when they finally launched the Hard Rock Bet platform in Florida. The sportsbook, which the Seminole Tribe owns, was supposed to be the sole operator in the Sunshine State back in 2021. However, legal battles caused the platform to shut down for a couple of years.
Hard Rock’s future in Florida hung in the balance as opponents challenged them in federal and state courts. After initially losing the initial challenge, Hard Rock won each appeal from that. The issue was settled once the Supreme Court decided against taking the case.
Florida has the third-largest population in the country, giving Hard Rock sole access to a massive sports betting market.
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The AGA has come out strongly against the SAFE Bet Act, describing the proposed bill as a slap in the face to the efforts of states and their regulators. If passed, the bill would move almost all regulatory control over sports betting to the federal government.
Caesars Sportsbooks has been approved to launch 53 sports betting kiosks across Washington, D.C., replacing the ones previously operated by GameBetDC. The move is the result of sports betting expansion language included in the District’s 2025 budget.
Fanatics Sportsbook launched its platform in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, making it the fifth operator to go live in the market. Fanatics is now available in 22 markets across the US, making it one of the most widespread sportsbooks in the country.
Two lawmakers have proposed the SAFE Bet Act, which would completely overhaul the US sports betting industry. The proposal would reset the market, handing control over to the federal government. The bill would also add severe advertising restrictions and protections for bettors.
Circuit Court Judge Green has ruled that a lawsuit challenging a sports betting initiative lacked the evidence needed to keep it off the November ballot. That means residents will have a chance to legalize the industry in the upcoming election.
New York has reported a 29% year-over-year increase to their sports betting handle in August, a third of which was generated in the first week of the college football season. DraftKings led all operators for the first time since May with $526 million in wagers.
The IRS has sent out a press release warning bettors against using unregulated sportsbooks when wagering on the upcoming NFL season. They estimate that the illegal sports betting market in the US to be worth northwards of $700 million.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has levied a $33,000 fine against bet365 for offering unapproved betting options on its sportsbook. The wager in question revolved around events that were on tap delay, making them illegal under New Jersey law.
The AGA estimates that the NFL season will see around $35 billion in wagers, a 30% increase from last year. More states starting the season with legal sports betting, an expanded D.C. market, and Bovada's downfall are expected to lead to more wagers this season.
A study from the University of Bristol showed that most US sportsbooks’ social media posts do not include verbiage about responsible gaming. The AGA confirmed the study was likely correct but also clarified that sportsbooks are not required to include it in non-sponsored posts.
The NFLPA has filed a lawsuit against DraftKings, believed to be worth about $65 million, for breach of contract related to its failed NFT marketplace. The NFLPA claims the company plans to end its rights deal and cease all future payments.
DraftKings and the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superiors Chippewa Indians have agreed to a deal that will allow for a new retail sportsbook in Wisconsin. The new sportsbook will open at a casino up north, making them the first outside operator to do so.
A Massachusetts court has rejected DraftKings Sportsbook's motion to dismiss a lawsuit over its deposit match welcome bonus. That means the Public Health Advocacy Institute lawsuit will proceed, which accuses DraftKings of deceptive advertising about the offer.
A new lawsuit has been filed challenging a recent sports betting initiative to get legalization on the ballot in November. Though the group behind the initiative gathered enough signatures, the lawsuit alleges that confirming those signatures was done incorrectly.
BetMGM no longer requires bettors in Nevada to use unique accounts; instead, it allows them to use funds and bonuses from accounts set up in other states. They are the first Nevada online sportsbook to offer this seamless experience.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has voted unanimously to remove events from the controversial International Boxing Association from the state’s bet catalog. The move comes soon after an Olympics scandal that revealed Russia’s control of the league.
The MGC has announced that a roundtable discussion about limiting sportsbook customers will be held before the first week of October. While the state’s active sportsbooks are expected to participate, they did not attend the talk hosted earlier this summer.
Reports are that Washington D.C., is demanding documentation from Intralot as a part of an ongoing investigation. Attorney General Brad Schwalb has yet to confirm any details, including who the target of the investigation is.
The Missouri Attorney General has approved an initiative to get the topic of sports betting put on the November ballot. This will allow residents of the Show-Me state to decide the issues themselves, circumventing years of legislative roadblocks.
DraftKings has announced that it will no longer move forward with a controversial surcharge on betting winnings in four major markets with high tax rates. The decision comes soon after FanDuel other operators declined to follow suit by adding similar charges.
DraftKings stunned the sports betting industry by announcing a new surcharge on all customer winnings in four US markets starting in 2024.
