FanDuel In-Arena Sportsbook Lounge At United Center
FanDuel will soon open a Sportsbook lounge inside Chicago’s famed United Center. The lounge provides Illinois bettors and sports fans another way to place wagers and enjoy unfolding action while present at Bulls and Blackhawks games.
The official announcement was released this past Monday via the United Center website and at NBA.com/Bulls.com, saying that plans are still dependent on approval from the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB).
FanDuel Lounge At The United Center: An Experience “Unlike Any Other”
Despite not having approval for the Sportsbook lounge, FanDuel IL is developing a two-story non-wagering space adjacent to the United Center atrium where game attendees can watch live sports. Of course, the area will be FanDuel branded, designed for optimal viewing enjoyment throughout, and ultimately equipped with the best sports betting technology available when it can accept wagers.
“As an industry leader in sports betting with a large and loyal existing customer base, FanDuel has a proven track record of innovation and excellence making them the perfect partner in developing the sportsbook at the United Center,” said Howard Pizer, Executive Vice President, and Chief Executive Officer, United Center Joint Venture. “It is designed to give sports fans a brand new, fully immersive sportsbook lounge experience unlike any other.”
FanDuel Group’s CEO Amy Howe also weighed in: “Chicago sports fans are some of the most loyal and passionate in the world and plans for our sportsbook lounge inside the United Center reflect their excitement…and we can’t wait to make this sportsbook lounge the premier destination for Chicago sports fans and a place where they can fully experience the FanDuel brand.”
Illinois Continues Advancing
The Chicago City Council has already approved sports betting at citywide professional sports venues, so it feels like a formality for the IGB to approve this new in-arena venture.
Illinois has also been vigilant in its short history with legalized sports betting about revising and re-developing its sports betting laws to make the landscape more favorable to bettors and operators alike. Some recent changes to allow for mobile sportsbook registration and in-state collegiate wagers also point to the new Sportsbook lounge will also be approved.
Furthermore, this trend is growing in other states. New York has also pushed to bring betting kiosks to its sports stadiums after recently launching mobile sportsbooks statewide.
FanDuel Illinois Staying Ahead of the Competition
As of November 2021, FanDuel has been second in Illinois in total handle for seven consecutive months. DraftKings took $283.8 million (38% of market share) worth of wagers in November to FanDuel’s $214.4 million (28.7%).
FanDuel already has partnerships with the United Center’s primary tenants: the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and Chicago Blackhawks (NHL). Expanding its presence inside the arena should allow the company to further take advantage of the media, advertising, and VIP fan experience perks it already experiences.
In turn, this can help keep FanDuel at the forefront of Illinois sports betting. Other competitors such as DraftKings (Chicago Cubs), PointsBet (NBC Sports), and BetRivers (Chicago Bears) have forged partnerships and made strides to do the same in what has been a top-three sports betting market nationwide for over a year.
Hill Kerby comes from a background of poker, sports, and psychology, bringing all of them to the table with his writing. An overall fan and proponent of competition, Hill looks forward to the continued growth of all forms of betting as more markets open across the country.
