As Detroit Visits Chicago, We Ask: How Does Illinois Sports Betting Compare With Michigan?

As the Detroit Lions gear up to face the Chicago Bears this Sunday, we decided it was a perfect opportunity to touch base with our friends in the gambling industry in Illinois, who are eagerly awaiting the game.

How does gambling in Illinois compare to Michigan after both states launched sports betting in the same week last year? Michiganders enjoy taking weekend trips to Chicago for its excellent food and holiday shopping.

I communicated with my colleague Joe Boozell from PlayIllinois, who is well-informed about all aspects of Illinois sports betting.

Make sure to visit PlayIllinois for the remaining part of this discussion, where we analyze the sports scenes in Detroit and Chicago as a whole.

Let’s get to it!

Michigan sports betting could be on cusp of big leap

Joe Boozell from PlayIllinois asks, “What is the current state of the sports betting market in Michigan?”

Since the launch of sports betting in Michigan, things have been going exceptionally well. The main challenge encountered was the lengthy delay, with sports betting becoming available at Detroit casinos in March 2020, while online betting only became accessible in January of this year.

This indicates that it will be the inaugural complete NFL season for betting, leading me to anticipate a significant influx of bets during September.

Although Michigan is not currently posing a threat to Illinois for a spot in the top three U.S. states for sports betting handle, the potential for such an achievement is on the horizon.

I anticipate that Michigan will likely achieve a groundbreaking milestone, nearing $500 million in bets, potentially surpassing that amount by the conclusion of the season. This scenario is particularly plausible as local-team enthusiasm diminishes due to the struggles faced by the Lions.

Compared with Michigan, Illinois gambling still has access issues

Although the numbers in Illinois are substantial, there are ongoing issues that are impacting the industry’s maximum potential.

Just to clarify, are you saying that currently, I am unable to create an online sports betting account in Illinois unless I personally visit a physical casino amidst the ongoing pandemic? Is my understanding correct?

Joe Boozell: Absolutely! Illinois not only has a statewide mask mandate but has consistently been one of the most stringent states in implementing COVID-19 restrictions. It’s a logical and sensible approach.

We are hopeful that online registration will make a comeback in 2024. However, this relies on someone stepping forward to bid for a $20 million mobile-only license, which is a requirement for activating online registration under the Sports Wagering Act. The issue at hand is that several individuals have expressed doubt that anyone will be interested in bidding for that license. Consequently, unless a legislative solution is implemented, we might find ourselves in a challenging situation.

Nevertheless, the sports betting market in Illinois is flourishing. In terms of monthly handle, it currently ranks third, following behind New Jersey and Nevada. I anticipate that starting from September, the handle will reach a minimum of $500 million per month. However, considering the implementation of online registration, it is reasonable to speculate that Illinois might secure the second position in the US, trailing only behind New Jersey.

Matt: However, you’re still unable to place bets on a football game between Michigan and Illinois while tailgating in Champaign.

Joe: Furthermore, it is impossible to place bets on Illinois, Northwestern, and other teams within the state of Illinois.

During last year’s March Madness, the annoyance among people was particularly palpable when Illinois, as a No. 1 seed, played against Loyola-Chicago.

Having said that, a bill legalizing in-person betting on Illinois college teams in the spring was approved by the House. The Senate is yet to cast their vote, which might happen by the end of October. However, it is peculiar that Illinois is showing interest in visiting casinos amidst a pandemic. It’s difficult to generate much enthusiasm for the bill due to the requirement of in-person betting.

Michigan online casino gambling still the envy of Illinois

Joe: Are there any controversial aspects of the Michigan betting laws?

Matt confidently states that the gambling problems in Michigan are nowhere near as peculiar as those in Illinois.

In an effort to regulate college betting, Michigan implemented a rule that prohibits wagering on specific prop bets for college players. However, enthusiasts can still participate in predicting the winners of prestigious awards like the Heisman Trophy.

Although it is a minor issue that did not spark any controversy, I am curious if they will later address the subject of college props.

Michigan online casinos and online poker have emerged as the primary revenue generators for public entities, accumulating over $120 million in state tax revenue through August.

You believe that it is just a question of time before Illinois includes them?

Joe: Initially, it seemed like a promising prospect, but I fear that may be overly hopeful. Many individuals in this vicinity harbor jealousy towards the thriving online casino industry in Michigan.

The presence of a thriving video gaming terminal industry poses a significant challenge for online casinos in this area. While casinos are eager to tap into this market, VGT operators strongly oppose such expansion due to their substantial contribution to state tax revenue. Consequently, many politicians align themselves with the interests of VGT operators, even though a portion of the legislature is in favor of expanding internet gaming. As these VGT operators are typically local businesses that suffered greatly during the pandemic, lawmakers often sympathize with their plight and are reluctant to introduce further competition.

Can I envision it being completed eventually? Yes. However, earlier this year, there was a strong chance that it would be passed in 2024. Currently, I believe that possibility is unlikely. While I do think it will eventually be accomplished, it might take several years to reach that point.

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Matt asked, “So, I heard something about a sportsbook being set up at Wrigley Field. Is that true?”

Are there any non-casino establishments in Illinois that might introduce physical sportsbooks? Is it currently legal, or will they need to modify existing laws for this?

Joe mentioned that there will indeed be a DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field. He advised to disembark the red line ‘L’ train at Wrigley and witness what resembles a DraftKings sanctuary, although the sportsbook is not operational yet. However, Joe added that, as typically observed in Illinois, the process is expected to be intricate.

However, the responsibility for this lies with Chicago. According to Illinois law, professional sports teams have the permission to operate retail sportsbooks. However, currently, the city of Chicago does not permit this.

The sports betting ban in Chicago is expected to be lifted by an ordinance, which is likely to pass in the future. The exact timing of its passing remains uncertain.

The retail sports book is desired by every professional sports team, and they have enlisted lobbyists to advocate for their cause.

Matt enthusiastically says, “That’s great! Can you please do me a favor and place an order for an Old Style and a Lions Super Bowl futures bet for me next summer? I have a strong feeling about the upcoming year!”

Detroit and Chicago sports: Which city can think championships?

Matt: By the way, let’s conclude with this topic: Let’s rank all nine men’s major professional sports teams between Chicago and Detroit (excluding the Sky and the Fire since I don’t closely follow the WNBA/MLS leagues) based on their likelihood of winning a championship next.

Afterwards, I will reciprocate. Here’s a clue for my turn: The White Sox will claim the top spot, while the Detroit Lions will consistently remain at the bottom.

Joe: You got it:

1. The White Sox have an enormous lead.<br>2. The Cubs follow behind the White Sox.<br>3. The Bulls secure the third spot.<br>4. The Tigers come in at fourth place.<br>5. The Blackhawks claim the fifth position.<br>6. The Pistons take the sixth spot.<br>7. The Bears rank seventh.<br>8. The Red Wings settle at eighth place.<br>9. The Lions round out the list at ninth.

Upon reviewing this list, it becomes apparent that it may be biased towards the home team. However, it is only when one engages in an exercise like this that the true extent of the challenges faced by Detroit sports teams becomes evident. This realization can be quite shocking!

Matt exclaimed, “I can’t believe Bulls are only eighth on my list! I may need to reconsider my choices.”

(Thinks …)

Nah.

1. The White Sox are ranked first.<br>2. Following suit, the Tigers secure the second spot.<br>3. The Cubs proudly claim the third position.<br>4. The Blackhawks gracefully take fourth place.<br>5. The Red Wings skillfully secure the fifth spot.<br>6. The Bears confidently claim sixth position.<br>7. Holding strong, the Pistons claim the seventh spot.<br>8. The Bulls skillfully secure the eighth position.<br>9. Lastly, the Lions proudly claim the ninth spot.

Joe: Let me clarify, I don’t believe the Bulls are anywhere near being contenders. However, I do believe they have the potential to secure a spot in the NBA playoffs this year, which is more than I can say for most of the other teams.

The Cubs’ performance is subpar, but I believe they possess the necessary resources and prospects to potentially achieve a remarkable transformation.

Matt: With the exception of the White Sox, it’s unlikely that any of these teams will have a significant chance in the near future. I agree with you on the Cubs’ resources, and I also took into account the unpredictable nature of the MLB/NHL playoffs in order to give those teams a boost.

Now, let’s discuss the Lions and Bears game happening this Sunday. What is the atmosphere like among Bears fans? It was quite unusual for me, having lived in Chicago, to witness a fan base genuinely supporting their team. It was like, “Oh, you guys actually embrace NFL fandom without any irony.”

(… Don’t forget to visit PlayIllinois for the second part of this conversation, where we delve into Detroit and Chicago sports, explore the rivalry between the cities, and analyze how the NFC North underdogs will fare for the rest of the season.)