Betway will not be entering the sports betting market in Illinois after withdrawing from the process of obtaining a license from the regulator.
The Illinois Gaming Board has confirmed that the Super Group sportsbook brand had removed itself from the process of getting a license. Betway has been in the regulatory process for Illinois for over two years after failing in its first attempt in 2021.
However, it has now terminated its interest in the market, leaving all three untethered online licenses vacant.
Illinois has established itself as one of the US’ most lucrative sports betting markets, lagging behind only New York and Ohio in terms of handle and revenue. It has posted $1bn-plus in handle on several occasions, yet operators do not seem to be flooding the regulator with interest in entering the state.
It was only in July when Digital Gaming Corporation, the subsidiary of Betway in the US, was approved by the IGB board for an online sports betting license as part of its continued US growth strategy.
Two months later, those plans are buried and Betway will remain in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
The IGB is planning to issue 233 new licenses, including 109 video gaming locations and a casino supplier license as the regulator aims to expand gaming in the state.
“The Board and staff continue their important work to implement the landmark gaming expansion law and regulate Illinois’ robust and evolving statewide gaming industry in an ethical, transparent, compliant, and efficient manner,” said IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter.
