Fanatics Betting and Gaming has introduced that it’ll proceed to function cell sportsbooks in Illinois with a market-access partnership with PENN Leisure by Argosy On line casino Alton.
Following the suspension of its earlier associate, Hawthorne Race Course, the betting big has sought to maintain its foothold within the state.
Betting rules within the Land of Lincoln require any licensed on-line sportsbook to be hand in hand with a land-based on line casino or racetrack that additionally holds the required license to function.
Playing trade commentator and insider Ryan Butler posted information of the model’s partnership with PENN’s location on X, and had additionally talked about that Fanatics confirmed the transfer in a buyer communication.
Fanatics will proceed to function it is cell sportsbook in Illinois, the corporate reaffirmed in a buyer electronic mail earlier immediately; Fanatics has switched to a working partnership with PENN Leisure-owned Argosy On line casino Alton after Hawthorne Race Course was shut down this month
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) January 27, 2026
“Fanatics has switched to an working partnership with PENN Leisure-owned Argosy On line casino Alton after Hawthorne Race Course was shut down this month,” mentioned Butler.
For Fanatics bettors, the transfer didn’t actually change a lot, but it surely’s one other pink flag for the Chicago-area racetrack, which had its harness racing license suspended by the Illinois Racing Board only a day earlier.
“Immediately the Illinois Racing Board made a really tough choice to droop the working license of Suburban Downs,” mentioned Domenic DiCera IRB government director, cited by the Paulick Report.
“On Jan. 15, IRB requested financial institution statements that replicate the working fund, and any fund associated to racing operations at Suburban Downs. Sadly, their monetary difficulties, together with failure to offer monetary paperwork exhibiting their capacity to function assigned 2026 race dates, have led us to droop their license.”
As an Illinois Racing Board spox confirmed to me yesterday, solely the harness racing licenses (reside & ITW) are suspended.
Hawthorne’s thoroughbred reside & ITW licenses aren’t affected by this. However as the opposite Steve B. factors out, the problems doubtless prolong past harness racing https://t.co/n6x10Wuo5t
— Steve Bittenbender (@Stepbitt) January 28, 2026
Fanatics builds on main offers
The information comes on the again of a number of main offers for Fanatics throughout 2025 and in early 2026.
We reported that the betting identify determined to enter the prediction market fray with Crypto.com, which is quick turning into the norm for established playing operators trying to make the most of the market’s wagering gold rush.
Powering Up Predictions! We’re excited to announce our subsequent prediction markets partnership with Fanatics as they launch @Fanatics Markets – the primary Fan-Led Prediction Market on the Intersection of Sports activities, Finance, and Tradition.
Learn extra: https://t.co/rd4KymEOIW pic.twitter.com/LBMUVBlUeI
— Crypto.com (@cryptocom) December 3, 2025
Travis McGhee, International Head of Predictions at Crypto.com, mentioned of the deal that “Crypto.com was the primary to launch sports activities prediction markets, and our attain continues to develop by progressive partnerships with top-tier platforms akin to Fanatics.
“We couldn’t be extra proud to be the associate of selection for Fanatics, and collectively we are going to present followers with a secure and compliant method to entry prediction markets.”
The model can be making a concentrated advertising and marketing push throughout the US with celebrity-focused content material, akin to Kendall Jenner’s “Huge Sport” industrial.
Followers nationwide can wager with or towards the truth tv star through the Fanatics Sportsbook app starting Thursday, January 29, following the reveal of her decide on Wednesday, January 28, at midnight.
Featured picture: Fanatics Media
