DraftKings, one of the leading sports betting operators in the United States, has been approved for a four-year retail and online sports betting license at Wrigley Field after operating there since early March under temporary licensure.
Wrigley Field is one of two Chicago pro sports stadiums with a retail sportsbook–the other being a FanDuel Sportsbook in the United Center.
DraftKings finally secures permanent mobile and retail license
On Thursday, April 25, the Illinois Gaming Board decided to formally grant a full Illinois sports betting license for both retail and mobile wagering to Northside Crown Gaming, a subsidiary of DraftKings. It enables the company to continue to offer mobile and retail sports betting at Wrigley for up to four years. The vote was taken in executive session, but it’s been reported that it was unanimous.
The DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook at iconic Wrigley Field, the second-oldest ballpark still in use in MLB, opened a few weeks before the 2024 baseball season. In March, IGB administrator Marcus D. Fruchter used his authority to grant DraftKings a temporary operation license for Wrigley Field. DraftKings has been competing head-to-head with FanDuel since opening day at Wrigley, the home of the Chicago Cubs, on the north side of the city.
The Illinois Gaming Board granted provisional approval to DraftKings for a retail sportsbook at Wrigley Field on March 7, and the company began taking bets there shortly thereafter.
In addition, the IGB approved a license for Crown IL Gaming, the company formed by DraftKings to operate a sportsbook at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis. That location also had been operating under a temporary license. Illinois regulators have frequently used the power of temporary licensure to allow sports betting operators to quickly open for business in the state.
Image Credit: Matt Marton / AP Images
