There’s big news on the Illinois online sports betting front – the state’s prospective bettors can once again register in-full without an in-person requirement for mobile sportsbook apps, which includes DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook. 

In another plot twist delivered today by Governor J.B. Pritzker for Illinois online sportsbooks, the state’s in-person registration requirement was waived through at least at September 19.

The big winner in the short-term in Illinois is DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook, which is located in East St. Louis. The other big winner is those looking to register and use DraftKings as soon as tonight.

If you’re in Illinois and looking to grab $1,000 in free bets, along with a load of other special offers, click here.

DraftKings, which launched in Illinois earlier this month, is one of the most popular online sportsbooks on the legal betting market, but its initial rollout was limited because it required bettors to drive to its retail location in East St. Louis in order to finalize registration. Now, bettors can simply register online to begin – and complete – the sign up process from anywhere in the state.

DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook App is Now a Full Go

It has been a roller coaster ride for online sports betting in Illinois. After coronavirus caused a total shutdown of the state’s retail sports betting rollout just days after its launch, BetRivers became the first online sportsbook to get up and running back in June.

Initial state betting laws required online sportsbook registrations to be completed in-person, but with social distancing and safety measures in mind, J.B. Pritzker temporarily suspended the requirement which spurred online sportsbook growth.

However, in late July, the in-person requirement returned, just as the DraftKings powered app was getting set to become the second online sportsbook to launch in Illinois. Now, this latest development, which again lifts the in-person requirement, paves the way for a mad dash to complete online registrations at DraftKings branded app.

It’s not currently known how long the in-person requirement will remain waived, but there appears to be a window of at least 30 days. Of course, if you’re looking to eliminate the potential for having to drive to East St. Louis to finish the process, you can now sign up, deposit, and start betting tonight – from wherever you are in the state of Illinois – by clicking here.

BetRivers Also Stands to Benefit

BetRivers, the online sportsbook app of Rivers Casino, which became the state’s first online sportsbook to launch back in June, also figures to be a beneficiary of Pritzker’s decision to waive the in-person requirement. BetRivers offers new players a $250 first deposit match (which you can get right here).

It remains one of two online sportsbook options in the state and features a wide range of sports betting markets.

With the NBA and NHL playoffs both in full swing, the Cubs off to a hot start, and the NFL season just a few weeks away, things are lining up for BetRivers to establish itself as a go-to destination for Illinois online sports betting – even as fierce competition joins the field in the coming weeks and months.

A Big Boost For Illinois Online Sports Betting

As far as DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook in Illinois is concerned, this is a fortuitous development which should instantly cement the product as one of the most heavily utilized in the state.

DraftKings entered the Illinois betting market following a partnership with Casino Queen, which was necessary because betting law prohibited online-only operators such as DraftKings from entering the market for the first 18 months of online sports betting. Instead of waiting out the 18-month period, DraftKings simply entered into an agreement with Casino Queen to run its mobile and retail sports betting operations.

The latest news also stands to benefit BetRivers, the online sportsbook product of of Rivers Casino, but most of all, it stands to benefit those who’ve been looking to skip the trip and begin betting right away.

If you’re in Illinois and looking to grab $1,000 in free bets, along with a load of other special offers, click here.