Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker doubled down on the pending launch of the state's newly legalized sports betting industry and said it "appears to be on track and will up and running in time for March Madness," according to Mitchell Armentrout of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. This marks the "first concrete timeline for an industry launch from a state official since Pritzker signed sports wagering into law last summer as part of a massive gambling expansion." Pritzker's announcement during his annual budget address in Springfield last night also "backs up the claims of the Argosy Casino Alton," which earlier this month began advertising that it would "have a sportsbook up and running" by the time the NCAA Tournament tips off on March 17. Argosy Casino Alton is "one of three casinos issued temporary sports betting licenses last month by the Illinois Gaming Board." State regulators still must "approve the companies that supply and manage sports betting technology platforms." During his address, Pritzker "touted tax revenue from sports betting as a key new revenue stream." He said that revenue will help fund "badly needed maintenance and construction work at our universities, community colleges and state facilities" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 2/20).
