Gambling in the USA
PlayIllinois.com says launch of sports betting first step in what could be $10B-a-year industry
Illinois officially has joined the ever-growing list of legal sports jurisdictions in the U.S. with the launch of BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, and by doing so took the first step in what could be one of the largest markets in the U.S.
If the Illinois market fully matures — which would have to include the widespread launch of online sports betting — the state could generate from $9 billion to $11 billion in wagers annually and $650 million in operator gross revenue, according to projections from PlayIllinois.com, which tracks regulated online and retail gaming in the state.
“Illinois’ potential is enormous, but it has a long way to go to become a major player relative to the largest markets in the U.S.,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst at PlayIllinois.com. “Launching the industry is obviously a momentous first step. But because of regulatory roadblocks to online sports betting, it will be years before Illinois can enjoy the same kind of boom that we’ve seen in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.”
On Monday, Illinois became the 15th state to allow legal sports betting. Of those, only New York and Pennsylvania have a larger population from which to draw. And Illinois’ retail sportsbook market is expected to ramp up quickly, with five more expected to open soon, including sportsbooks at Argosy Casino Alton, Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino Joliet, Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, and Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino in East Peoria. Fairmont Park Racetrack in Collinsville, near St. Louis, has also been approved for a temporary operating permit.
Significant hurdles remain, though, particularly for online sports betting, which isn’t expected to launch until later this year. And when it does launch it will require in-person registration for mobile accounts.
The Illinois law, passed in December, allows for three “stand-alone” mobile operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel. But because of the state’s in-person registration requirement, those would-be operators will not be able to accept a bet for at least 18 months. And with a hefty $20 million fee to obtain one of those three licenses, it’s not clear which operators will apply.
“Illinois’ high licensing fees for online operators and its in-person registration requirements will undoubtedly stunt the growth of the industry,” Gouker said. “Even with the high fees, the appeal of the Illinois market will eventually be too much to resist for the country’s largest operators. But neighbor Indiana will be able to continue to cash in on the Chicago market until Illinois gets up to speed.”
Online sports betting is by far the most significant revenue driver in the major U.S. markets. In New Jersey, which has quickly grown to become the country’s largest market, 87% of all sports bets in January were made online. By contrast, Rhode Island, which put in place a similar in-person registration requirement as Illinois, draws just 15% of its bets from online sources.
Illinois’ 10 existing casinos, three racetracks, and as many as seven sports venues are eligible to apply to open retail sportsbooks. Those sportsbooks will also be able to set up mobile sports betting apps.
“The Illinois model isn’t ideal, but for Illinois bettors today is unquestionably a good day,” Gouker said. “Most of the state’s residents should be able to place a bet in relatively close proximity. And that is much better than the alternative.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Illinois, visit PlayIllinois.com/news.
Zitro has announced the U.S. rollout of FANTASY, its latest slot cabinet, following an outstanding early reception across multiple states. Since its debut, FANTASY has resonated with players and operators alike, quickly positioning itself as one of the standout new cabinets on casino floors nationwide.
The cabinet launched its U.S. journey in Minnesota before expanding into Michigan, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and North Carolina, and the story has been consistent across all six states. Strong player engagement, positive operator feedback, and consistent floor performance have followed FANTASY everywhere it has gone.
FANTASY’s strong performance reflects the depth of the experience it delivers. Zitro developed world-class content specifically for this cabinet, including stunning animations, exceptional graphics, and a rich multimedia experience that connects with today’s players. An individual game color lighting system gives each title a distinct identity on the casino floor, and every title was developed exclusively for this form factor. The result is a complete entertainment experience that goes well beyond the cabinet itself.
“We always knew FANTASY was something special, but the response we’ve seen across different casino properties has exceeded our most optimistic expectations. Players are genuinely connecting with this cabinet, operators are seeing the results on their floors, and we believe this is just the beginning of a defining journey for FANTASY in the US,” said Derik Mooberry, CEO of Zitro USA.
The post Zitro Announces the U.S. Rollout of FANTASY Cabinet appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
RLX Gaming, the innovative iGaming aggregator and content supplier, has officially launched its full portfolio with Fanatics Casino in the United States.
Players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania can now access RLX Gaming’s extensive library of in-house and third-party titles, following a soft launch in Pennsylvania. Leading slot hits like Temple Tumble, Bonsai Dragon Blitz, and The Great Pigsby are now live, alongside a broad selection of releases from some of the most creative studios in the industry.
Fanatics Casino, available in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia on iOS and Android, offers a wide variety of classic and modern casino experiences, including slots, blackjack, roulette, progressive jackpots, and video poker. Each game is designed to deliver authentic casino action, ensuring endless entertainment for players.
This partnership marks a significant step in RLX Gaming’s mission to deliver dynamic, globally-ready content that drives innovation and engagement in the online casino space.
Matthew Hockenjos, Commercial Account Manager for North America at RLX Gaming, said:
“Our collaboration with Fanatics Casino represents a major milestone for RLX Gaming as we strategically broaden our footprint across North America. Fanatics Casino’s commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment aligns perfectly with our mission, and we’re thrilled to bring our engaging slot experiences to players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”
Kieron Shaw from Fanatics Casino added:
“We are delighted to integrate RLX Gaming’s captivating portfolio into our platform. This partnership reinforces our dedication to offering a premier online casino experience, giving players access to high-quality titles with proven appeal across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”
The post RLX Gaming expands US reach through Fanatics Casino launch appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gambling in the USA
WWE and White Hat Studios Deliver WrestleMania®: Road to Gold Exclusively to Fanatics Casino
WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), and White Hat Studios have announced the launch of the official WWE-branded slot, WrestleMania®: Road to Gold, exclusively on Fanatics Casino starting today.
Available in the United States, this real-money online casino game features 20 WWE superstars, including fan favorites Cody Rhodes and Rhea Ripley, just ahead of WrestleMania® 42, returning to Las Vegas on April 18–19, 2026.
The game’s Unlock Trail mechanic takes players through WWE Premium Live Events, with progressive bonus features inspired by SummerSlam®, Survivor Series®, Royal Rumble®, Elimination Chamber®, and Money in the Bank®. Each milestone builds excitement and win potential, culminating in the ultimate WrestleMania® showdown. The ringside experience is enhanced by the unmistakable voice of Michael Cole, adding authenticity and immersion to every spin.
Armen Tatarevic, VP of Gaming at White Hat Studios, said:
“WWE is an iconic brand steeped in entertainment history, and the aim was to collaborate closely to channel that legacy into WrestleMania®: Road to Gold. From superstar athletes to headline events, there are numerous touchpoints that fans will enjoy, and this is a major IP launch for White Hat Studios as we continue to deliver a main event experience to casino players in the United States.”
Conor Grant, President, Casino at Fanatics Betting and Gaming, added:
“WWE is a worldwide entertainment phenomenon, and the energy of the brand has been captured perfectly in WrestleMania®: Road to Gold. This new WWE-branded experience on Fanatics Casino reflects our strategy to leverage the power of Fanatics IP assets to offer customers a premium, differentiated experience.”
Fanatics Casino, the fastest-growing online casino in the U.S., is available on iOS, Android, and web in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. WrestleMania®: Road to Gold joins Fanatics’ lineup of licensed WWE titles, including WWE® Blackjack, Raw® Multiplier
The post WWE and White Hat Studios Deliver WrestleMania®: Road to Gold Exclusively to Fanatics Casino appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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