Nevertheless, Illinois placed third nationally in June handle, trailing only New Jersey ($767m) and Nevada ($546m).
Despite a drop in handle from May to June, Illinois sportsbooks saw gross gaming revenue increase 31.8% month-on-month to $48.2m, the third highest in state history. Sports betting generated $7.7m in state and local taxes.
The NBA playoffs led basketball to the top of the charts as the most wagered on sport in June with handle of $126.9m. Baseball was a fraction behind at $126.7m.
Parlay bets accounted for $101m of handle but were responsible for $22.8m in revenue. Tennis made up another $40.3m of the month’s wagers.
Counting June wagers, Illinois became the fastest state to lifetime handle of $5bn, reaching the figure in 16 months.
Illinois’ historic foray into retail and mobile sports betting overcame the Covid-19 pandemic which shut down most sports in spring 2020 as well as the state’s first-person sportsbook registration requirements.
Online made up $452m, or 94.8%, of June handle. The DraftKings Sportsbook at Casino Queen in East St. Louis led the market with $160m in wagers, 98% of which came online. DraftKings won $14m in GGR.
FanDuel was a close runner-up in handle at $156m but stole the market lead in GGR with $20.3m.
Illinois will soon see another retail sportsbook join the fray. The Commission on Chicago Landmarks unanimously voted to approve a two-story sportsbook adjacent to Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.
In 2020 the Cubs agreed to a multiyear deal with DraftKings, which will operate the sportsbook. There is no timeline for the launch of the venue.
"With this approval by the Chicago Landmarks Commission, we are excited to realize the potential envisioned by the State of Illinois to bring revenue, jobs and an exciting amenity to our fans," the Cubs said. "This sportsbook will play a huge role in helping to create economic impact through job creation, wages, investments and revenue for the City, State and County at a time when new sources of revenue are needed to fund infrastructure projects and education."
