Both DraftKings and FanDuel have received temporary sports betting permits allowing them to operate in Illinois, allowing both to launch in the state when their land-based partners receive master licenses.
Both operators received management service provider permits last week, allowing them to operate a sportsbook on behalf of a land-based license holder.
The state’s sports betting rules included a “bad actor” clause which prohibited companies who had offered previously betting or daily fantasy sports – which was offered by both DraftKings and FanDuel – in the state from receiving a master betting license for 18 months.
However, by entering into partnerships with a land-based operator, the betting giants may enter the state without obtaining a master license of their own, provided their partner holds such a license.
DraftKings has partnered with Casino Queen, an operator based in the St Louis area.
“We can confirm that we received our temporary operating permit in Illinois, which brings us one step closer to going live in the state,” DraftKings chief operating officer Tim Dent said. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Illinois Gaming Board towards being able to offer Illinois’ sports fans our top-rated sportsbook platform to wager on their favorite sports, teams and players.”
FanDuel has not yet announced a partner in Illinois.
Last week, PointsBet received a license of its own to operate in Illinois. The certification will allow to operator to roll out retail and online wagering in the state, once its partner, the Hawthorne Racecourse in the Southwest Chicago suburbs, receives a master license.
BetRivers is currently the only operator to take sports bets in Illinois, launching a retail product in March and online last month.