Circa Sports launch in Illinois joined by former NFL star
12 Oct 2023
During the special opening event, Urlacher was joined by Circa Sports CEO Derek Stevens, the Mayor of Waukegan, Ann B. Taylor, Circa Sports vice president of operations Mike Palm and vice president and general manager of American Place Casino, Jeff Babinski.
Following the welcoming remarks, Circa Sports hosted a baseball wild card watch party, where fans cheered on their favorite teams as they competed for a spot in the playoffs on one of the book’s 36 televisions. The day was filled with photos and meet-and-greets with Urlacher, giveaways, app sign-ups, food, drinks and more.
“We are thrilled to have introduced Circa Sports to the Illinois market and to have Brian Urlacher here to ring it in with us,” said Circa Sports CEO Derek Stevens. “This has marked a major milestone for the brand, as it’s our fourth and largest market to date. We are excited to see what the future holds and are thankful to our partners at American Place for bringing this to life.”
Along with the new book at American Place – created in partnership with Full House Resorts, Inc. – Circa Sports Illinois is now available via a mobile betting app. Using the app, bettors can register, fund and wager on sports from anywhere in the state. Circa Sports offers a new low-hold model for Illinois and is home to some of the best odds in the country. Helmed by some of the industry’s top professionals, limits are the same for every player, whether the bettor is a novice or a sharp.
Jeff Babinski, vice president and general manager of American Place Casino said, "Celebrating the official launch of Circa Sports here at American Place Casino has been an exhilarating journey, and we were truly honored to have the esteemed presence of Brian Urlacher and our esteemed City Mayor, Ann B. Taylor at this momentous event. This partnership between sports, entertainment, and the community represents our commitment to delivering an unforgettable gaming experience. As we open this exciting new chapter, we invite everyone to come and share in the excitement at American Place."
The Circa Sportsbook in American Place boasts a large wagering area with multiple betting kiosks, physical ticket windows and real-time odds placed on digital boards. Currently located in the temporary casino Full House Resorts is operating while constructing the permanent American Place casino, Circa Sports will launch a best-in-class retail sportsbook in the permanent American Place matching the quality and scale of the casino development.
Since launching in 2019, Circa Sports has achieved tremendous growth and currently operates in four states. This includes four satellite books in Southern Nevada, including the world’s largest sportsbook at Stevens’ Circa Resort & Casino; a physical book in Legends Bay Casino in Sparks, Nev.; and via mobile offerings in Colorado and Iowa, and soon in Kentucky.
American Place is currently being developed as a premium gaming and entertainment destination within Waukegan’s Fountain Square district. The permanent casino facility will include approximately 1,600 slot machines, 100 table games, a state-of-the-art sports book, an exclusive 20-villa hotel, a 1,500-seat live entertainment venue, and a wide variety of bars and restaurants.