An Arlington Heights panel yesterday "endorsed the prospect of a sportsbook as part of" the Bears' proposed $5B redevelopment of Arlington Park, according to Christopher Placek of the Chicago DAILY HERALD. The panel recommended to the village board that it "make changes to the shuttered racetrack's overlay zoning district that would list a sports wagering facility as a possible use on the sprawling development site." Bears officials believe a sportsbook would be "valuable to the overall stadium and mixed-use development it is proposing." Plans for sportsbooks already have been "unveiled at Wrigley Field and the United Center." Under current NFL rules, the Bears could "not own the sports wagering facility itself" but could "partner with a sports betting operator that would legally hold the state sports wagering license." The team has had a sponsorship agreement with Rivers Casino in Des Plaines and its BetRivers sportsbook since June 2021. The deal allows BetRivers to "have in-stadium signage at Soldier Field, and social media, print and digital ads" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 10/12).
