BetMGM Launches Retail Sportsbook at Wrigley Field as Illinois Stadium Betting Expands
BetMGM has opened its first in-stadium sportsbook at Chicago's Wrigley Field, marking the latest expansion of retail wagering venues at major U.S. sports venues. The 8,000-square-foot facility operates year-round and includes betting kiosks, a lounge, and dedicated entry from Gallagher Way.
BetMGM officially opened its retail sportsbook at Wrigley Field on Thursday, becoming the first major league baseball stadium in Illinois to feature a fully integrated in-venue wagering facility. The 8,000-square-foot space, located adjacent to Gallagher Way on the ballpark's west side, includes a manned betting counter, 24 self-service kiosks, a premium lounge area, and a sports bar concept operated in partnership with the Chicago Cubs' hospitality division. The venue will remain open year-round, including non-game days and the MLB offseason.
The launch follows nearly two years of regulatory back-and-forth in Springfield, where lawmakers updated Illinois stadium betting rules in late 2024 to permit standalone retail entrances accessible without a game ticket. BetMGM, which signed its partnership with the Cubs organization in 2023, said the facility represents an investment of approximately $22 million and will employ around 85 staff at full capacity. Company executives indicated that mobile betting integration will allow patrons to fund and withdraw from BetMGM app accounts directly at the venue's cashier windows.
The opening reflects a broader trend of operators pursuing premium retail footprints in marquee sports venues as a brand-building exercise rather than a pure revenue play. Industry analysts at Eilers & Krejcik noted that stadium sportsbooks typically generate modest handle relative to mobile channels but offer significant customer acquisition value, particularly in markets with high tourism flow. Wrigley Field draws roughly three million visitors annually across Cubs home games, concerts, and tour traffic.
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt, speaking at the ribbon-cutting alongside Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, said the company is evaluating similar projects at two additional venues for 2027, though he declined to identify specific partners. The Illinois Gaming Board confirmed the Wrigley location is the third retail sportsbook license issued under the updated stadium framework, following earlier approvals tied to the United Center and Guaranteed Rate Field.