5 things you should know about sports betting in Illinois
Sports betting went live in Illinois last year, for both online and retail wagers. Since the rollout, six top-ranked mobile sportsbooks now serve the state, as well as more than a dozen retail locations. To say business is booming would be an understatement; in total, residents of the state have spent $5,497,674,003 in the first year and a half since sports betting launched. In just one year, Illinois climbed to the top 5 sports betting states in the country.
If you're new to sports wagers in the state, there are five key things you should understand before you place your first bet.
You Must Register Your Account in Person
First of all, you must be at least 21 years of age to bet on sports, or at least 18 to bet on horse racing.
Second, sports betting in Illinois got off to a rocky start; within a month of the state's retail sportsbooks opening their doors, Governor J.B. Pritzker ordered them shut, due to COVID-19. That put would-be mobile sports bettors in a dilemma since state law demanded that they register an account in person, at an affiliated retail location.
In response, Governor Pritzker issued a series of executive orders allowing online registration. However, as of April 2021, all of those executive orders have expired, and sports bettors must once again register at a retail location affiliated with their app.
So Far, Six Mobile Sportsbooks Have Been Approved
Six top-rated mobile sportsbooks are licensed to operate in the state. These are all trustworthy, national brands with good reputations for fairness.
- BetRivers, affiliated with Rivers Casino in Des Plaines
- DraftKings, affiliated with Casino Queen in East St. Louis
- FanDuel, affiliated with Par-A-Dice in East Peoria
- William Hill, affiliated with the Grand Victoria in Elgin
- PointsBet, affiliated with Hawthorne Racetrack in Cicero
- Barstool Sportsbook, affiliated with Hollywood Casino in Aurora and Joliet
Before you decide on your mobile app, you might want to see which retail location is closest to you. You'll need to go in person to the sportsbook inside the casino, register your account and get started. When registering, you'll need to provide a valid ID, your name, date of birth, home address, and your Social Security number.
For residents in far-flung communities like Bloomington and Decatur, signing up in person could mean a long drive, and maybe even a weekend stay at the closest casino resort. More retail locations are likely to open in the future, so watch out for that.
There are Thirteen Retail Sportsbooks in Illinois
While gambling at home is convenient, sometimes, it's good to get out to a sports lounge. In Illinois, the retail sportsbooks are located within the state's 13 land-based casinos and racetracks. While you're there, you can also sign up for mobile sports betting app at some of these locations.
- Grand Victoria, in Elgin
- Rivers Casino, in Des Plaines
- Casino Queen, in East St. Louis
- Argosy, in Alton
- Par-A-Dice, in East Peoria
- Hollywood, in Joliet
- Hollywood, in Aurora
- Hawthorne Racetrack, in Cicero
- Harrah's, in Joliet
- Harrah's, in Metropolis
- Arlington International Racecourse, in Arlington Heights
- Jumer's, in Rock Island
- Fairmount Park Racetrack, in Collinsville
Professional sports venues, such as Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, United Center, and Guaranteed Rate Field, can also legally offer sports betting. But as of now, that is still in process. In August 2021, the Cubs and Wrigley Field received city approval to open a 22,350-square-foot sportsbook, which should open at the end of 2022.
Illinois State Law Doesn't Allow for In-State College Team Bets
Unfortunately, Illinois residents cannot bet for their favorite, local college teams, either on in-state or out-of-state games. That means until that ban is lifted, you won't be able to bet on the Illinois Fighting Illini or the Chicago State Cougars. Also, you cannot bet on minor league or high school sports in Illinois.
However, as of the summer of 2021, there were rumors that the state legislature was considering lifting the ban on college sports betting. As a compromise, state lawmakers have proposed a new gaming bill that would allow in-state college betting, but only in-person at a retail casino sportsbook or racetrack. That is still in the works, but be on the lookout for the college ban to be lifted.
Sports Betting in Illinois Continues to Evolve
The laws concerning sports gambling are far from settled in the Land of Lincoln; as mentioned previously, the ban on college sports betting could be amended very soon. Also, the in-person registration requirement is up for debate.
More casinos are also in the works around the state; for example, casino licenses are available for Waukegan, Rockford, and even Chicago. As new casinos are built, they'll certainly partner with online sportsbook operators, expanding the options for Illinois sports bettors.
