Despite the fact that more than 96% of Illinois’ $30.28 billion all-time sports betting handle has come via online and sports betting apps, sometimes wagering can truly be about the old real estate axiom of “Location, location, location.”
And a little bit of good timing.
DraftKings opened its retail sportsbook adjacent to iconic Wrigley Field on Friday, just in time for major conference tournament action in college basketball, which then feeds into the NCAA Tournament. Selection Sunday is six days away — on St. Patrick’s Day no less — which brings its own version of March Madness on the north side of Chicago even before the First Four tips off March 19.
What makes the long-awaited opening of the DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field compelling is that it gives Chicago bettors a second option to place wagers for upcoming college basketball games involving Illinois schools — most notably the Illini, Northwestern, and fellow NCAA Tournament hopeful Loyola of Chicago — besides Rivers Casino in Des Plaines.