Operators Seek Longer Pre-Registration Period to Adapt Regulations and Ensure Compliance

Illinois held q public consultation on legal sports wagering from 27 August to 27 September and the process included input from several operators such as William Hill, MGM and Rivers Casino. of the public other stakeholders were also part of the procedure.

The participants discussed several key topics such as the delayed launch of mobile wagering in the state and they also came up with suggestions for the longer period needed for companies to adjust with licensing and regulations.

William Hill Comes up with “Grace Period” Idea

The operator pointed out that a transitional period of 270 days as a part of pre-registration would be an ideal time frame for interested companies to adjust their business and comply with regulations and licensing reciprocity between jurisdictions.

As far as William Hill stated…

…this longer period should be enough to “provide for a smoother launch” and in-stadium registration, and they requested license reciprocity between “major gaming jurisdictions.” At the time being, the brands find it challenging and rather difficult to adapt to regulations that are introduced only weeks before the market was launched.

Among the most challenging aspect to comply with are federal guidelines on money laundering as well as shared customer data.

from Other Companies

MGM Resorts and Rivers Casino also suggested a pre-registration process, while IGT expressed for shared customer data and license reciprocity.

Operators of Illinois’s largest casino in Des Plaines, Rivers Casino…

…demanded sports wagering to be allowed anywhere on a licensed operator’s gaming floor while PointsBet, spread betting operator came up with a request that betting on collegiate sports should be allowed.

The operator added that brands should team up with data providers other than the league’s own data.

Arlington Park Issues

Churchill Downs’ decision not to apply for a racino license at Arlington Park was also severely criticized. of the public called on the company to have its sports wagering approval canceled.

After the company performed the acquisition of a majority stake in Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, a racino at the site was requested as part of the state’s gaming expansion bill.

As far as the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association said in its letter to the Gaming Board:

“Churchill Downs has failed the most basic test of honesty and integrity.”

Concerns about the Destiny of Mobile Betting

However, of the public expressed their concerns about the postponed launch of mobile betting in the state.

The contributors pointed out that the fact that operators will have to wait 18 months after retail wagering goes live before they are allowed to offer wagering on portable gadgets could have a negative impact on market growth.

As one of the clarified:

“Every day you hesitate to implement mobile sports betting in Illinois you are losing money. Mobile sports betting will likely be the greatest revenue generator in the realm of gambling. These days no one is interested in going to a venue to place a bet.”

They mainly agree that this form of entertainment should be approved as soon as possible, otherwise punters will visit the neighboring states (for example Indiana) to place wagers.

Source:

“Operators call for compliance “grace period” in Illinois”, Daniel Oboyle, igbnorthamerica.com, October 7, 2019.