A fast-growing gambling operator is entering Illinois through a partnership with Full House Resorts. Circa Sports and Full House publicized the deal earlier this week.
The Prairie State is the fourth jurisdiction Circa Sports is entering. The company is focusing on entering more states this year. For instance, it recently announced its entry into Sparks, Nevada.
Initially, Circa will run its operations at Full House’s transitory casino in Waukegan as they await to relocate to a new building.
The temporary casino facility will host several dozens of TVs and betting kiosks. Then, Circa Sports will move to American Place once the constructions of the casino are through.
The Agreement Between Full House and Circa Sports
While Circa Sports will benefit from Full House’s sportsbook skin and operational base, the latter has several ways to benefit too. For starters, Full House will get $5 million in May from Circa Sports.
Then, the sportsbook operator will pay an additional $5 million each year. Full House and Circa Sports entered into an eight-year contract.
Meanwhile, Circa Sports still has an option to sign another four-year deal with Full House.
Circa Sports Illinois Expected New Look
Circa Sports is expecting to run a retail and mobile sportsbook in the Prairie State. The retail sportsbook will be at Waukegan, the temporary casino where Full House is offering its casino games. Unfortunately, Circa Sports is yet to reveal more details about its mobile sports betting app.
There are several things Illinois residents can expect at the temporary sportsbook. They will find retail counters and betting kiosks.
Rumors have it that there will also be digital odds panels showing real-time sports betting odds. The on-site sportsbook will also have 36 televisions, allowing bettors to watch live sports at the sportsbooks and possibly wager on their favorite matches.
While details about the upcoming sportsbook at the permanent casino venue are still scarce, people can predict what to expect. Going by other on-site Circa Sports sportsbooks, the venue will be top-notch.
Full House has indicated that its new casino will have a 1,500-seat live entertainment area. The casino will also have a gourmet restaurant. For now, you can expect a state-of-the-art Circa sportsbook similar to the ones in Colorado, Iowa, and Nevada.
Why Illinois?
Circa Sports had several reasons to enter Illinois. Yet, Prairie State is not the first place sports operators think of when they want to expand their operations.
However, Circa Sports stand to benefit hugely. For starters, Illinois is one of the fastest-growing legal gambling markets in the country. Secondly, this is the largest market Circa Sports will be operating in, as it has a bigger population than Iowa, Colorado, and Nevada.
Circa Sports will also benefit from Full House's new casino location. It is situated in Waukegan, with the highest population in Lake County. The city is 30 miles from Chicago. In other words, Circa Sports will have millions of prospective gamblers in Waukegan and surrounding areas.
However, Circa Sports will not have it easy, especially with other sports operators making their moves by partnering with professional sports teams. For example, Caesars Entertainment partnered with the Chicago White Sox, making it its official wagering partner. The Bears and Bulls have also partnered with other sportsbooks.
