PointsBet Hawthorne Race Course Sportsbook

PointsBet & Hawthorne Race Couse open brand new Sportsbook close to Chicago

Global gambling operator PointsBet has teamed up with Hawthorne Race Course to officially open the newest retail sportsbook in Illinois. The new retail sportsbook is also the closest in-person sports betting location to Chicago. Hawthorne’s sportsbook is the first of four sports betting operations the two companies will launch in the Chicagoland area. This move is the first part of what both companies will hope is a significant project completing next year. A PointsBet sportsbook is set to be part of Hawthorne’s $400 million casino development, which, if approved, will open late next year.

The PointsBet sportsbook, which is now open at Hawthorne, is in Stickney, approximately 10 miles from downtown Chicago. It becomes the first retail sportsbook to appear on the southwest side of the city. It has been revealed the company will also commence retail operations shortly at OTBs in Prospect Heights, Oakbrook Terrace, and Crestwood.

Tim Carey, president, and CEO of Hawthorne Race Course said the forthcoming year would be “action-packed for Hawthorne” with the work to re-develop the race track into a casino. Carey said the action has now started with the opening of the new sportsbook and that they decided to partner with PointsBet as “they have the best technology” and “put customer service at the forefront.”

PointsBet has recently been extraordinarily active in the United States, launching its app on September 12 in Illinois to join DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers. Bettors are currently allowed to register for sportsbooks online as Gov. JB Pritzker extended remote registration on September 18. Mobile sportsbooks can sign up new customers anywhere in the state until October 17. PointsBet is the first significant sportsbook to officially open in conjunction with a horse racetrack.

The Ceremonial 1st Bets?

-Illinois State Rep. Bob Rita – Cubs + White Sox ML Parlay
-Stickney Mayor Jeff Walik – Cubs Run Line

While the Chicago teams didn’t come through today, it was a fine way to celebrate the doors to PointsBet Sportsbook @ClubHawthorne opening! pic.twitter.com/uduhrgksRY

— PointsBet Illinois (@PointsBetIL) September 30, 2020

What will PointsBet Sportsbook at Hawthorne look like?

The new PointsBet sportsbook at Hawthorne covers every base for bettors. It will have a “bet-and-go” lobby featuring six self-service kiosks and on-site entertainment. PointsBet has stressed that the sportsbook will adhere to social distancing measures with a “watch and-wager” feature in place.

Additionally, the sportsbook has 20 self-service kiosks, 60 HDTVs, a three-person betting concierge counter, and a VIP lounge with reserved seating.

Johnny Aitken, CEO of PointsBet USA, said the company had made a name for itself by “offering a personalized mobile sports betting experience” and that with stadiums shut around the world, their sportsbook is a place sports fans can “engage together and share that game day excitement.”

Following the book’s opening, Jeff Walik, mayor of the Village of Stickney, and Illinois State Rep. Bobby Rita placed ceremonial wagers to kick things off officially. Thoroughbred racing will return to Hawthorne on October 2 and will also offer racing for the rest of 2020. The current temporary sportsbook and racing clubhouse will host betting activity while the new casino project is in development.

PointsBet Expands in Illinois

The news of the Hawthorne sportsbook launching follows the announcement that PointsBet has agreed to a deal to become an official betting partner of the Chicago Bears. This added a second NFL team to their collection, as the company announced a similar deal with the Indianapolis Colts the day before.

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