RSI storms Illinois mobile betting market as governor suspends in-person registration
Governor passes emergency order to mitigate Covid-19 struggles as retail sportsbooks remain closed
Rush Street Interactive (RSI) is the first to launch its betting mobile app in Illinois after Governor JB Pritzker passed an executive order to suspend in-person registration requirements for sportsbooks during Covid-19.
The BetRivers sportsbook is available via desktop, Apple and Android on mobile and will live stream upcoming sports events as professional sports return around the world.
Richard Schwartz, president of Rush Street Interactive, said: “We are excited to make history in bringing the first online sportsbook to sports fans in our home state just in time as American sports are coming back into action.”
“While entertainment options are limited as we seek to minimize the spread of the virus, we are focused on BetRivers.com providing sportsbook players with a high-quality online product with exciting sports betting options,” he added.
Illinois set legal betting live in March shortly before the state ordered the closure of all casino and retail sportsbooks to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
To help stimulate the industry and reap betting tax dollars during the pandemic, Governor Pritzker moved to suspend in-person registration requirements on June 4 for the duration of Illinois’ state of emergency.
According to Chris Krafcik, MD of boutique research firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has set out criteria for online-only operators partnering with state casino or racetrack licensees to display both brands within their product.