What You Should Know About Online Sportsbooks in Illinois
Illinois has a thriving sports betting industry, and both in-person and online wagering is legal. However, in order to comply with state law, all new players in the past and up to March 5th this year must register in person at an authorized retail casino. As of March 5, 2022, this requirement will no longer be in effect.
DraftKings, BetRivers, and Caesars Sportsbook are just a few of the many well-known sportsbooks with Illinois locations. Bettors can also access 11 brick-and-mortar locations and 6 online ones. The bill S690, the state’s legalized sports betting law passed in 2019, has been regularly updated to allow for online betting and other forms of gambling. There is a lot to look forward to for Illinois gamers in the coming years, but there are still some legal points to remember.
Legal Issues
The legalization of sports betting at brick-and-mortar locations in 2019 was followed by the legalization of sports betting online in 2020. Even though the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned in May 2018 by the US Supreme Court, it was still difficult for the state of Illinois to move forward from decades of hardship under the law, which made sports betting illegal across the United States.
With Illinois having always had a friendly attitude toward gambling, PASPA’s repeal has made it one of the first states to join the sports-betting bandwagon. When casinos in the state were shut down as a result of COVID 19, however, new users were unable to sign up for online betting in person as required by the law, leading to the expiration of this requirement in 2022. When betting online in Illinois, the following legal considerations should be kept in mind.
- Taxes levied against gambling profits are 15%, some of the highest in the country.
- Bettors can bet on football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer, along with several other sports. College sports are allowed, except for home state teams.
- Users must be 21 years old to participate.
- You do not have to live in the state to place bets in Illinois, but activities must take place within the state itself, using geolocation when placing bets.
- Illinois residents are not allowed to utilize offshore sportsbooks. This is illegal within the state.
Popular Teams in Illinois
Several well-known professional sports teams call Illinois home, as do many well-known sports organizations. You can place bets on any of these teams at sporting events, and many of them have a rich history in Illinois. Any of these teams, as well as lesser-known sports like soccer or roller derby, can be wagered on. Despite the fact that college sports can be bet on, there are some restrictions on home teams.
Baseball
For more than a century, Wrigley Field has served as the home of the Chicago Cubs and the home of the Chicago White Sox, both of which have a rich history and a passionate fan base. While the White Sox compete in MLB’s American League Central Division, the Cubs represent the National League Central Division.
Basketball
Located in Chicago, Illinois are two of the state’s most well-known basketball teams. The United Center Arena is home to the Chicago Bulls, who were founded in 1966, while the Wintrust Arena is home to the Chicago Sky Women’s Team, which was founded in 2005. The NBA’s Chicago Bulls are regarded as one of the country’s top basketball teams.
Football
The most well-known professional football team in Illinois is, without a doubt, the Chicago Bears. Founded in 1919, the team plays in the National Football Conference, North Division of the NFL, and is headquartered at Soldier Field. They have a long-standing rivalry with the Green Bay Packers, and games between the two teams offer rigorous sports betting each year.
Hockey
There is only one NHL team in Illinois, the Chicago Blackhawks, which was founded in 1926. They play in the Western Conference of the NHL and call the United Center their home.
Promotions and Bonuses
There are now a number of reputable sportsbooks operating in Illinois, which have taken advantage of the state’s recent legalization of online sports betting. After March 5th, the requirement to register in person at a retail location will no longer be in effect, so you can now sign up for any of the Illinois-based sportsbooks online from the comfort of your couch. Illinois residents can take advantage of a variety of incentives and promotions, including:
- Draft Kings : New users can get $100 free on sign up, and a 20% deposit match up to $1,000.
- FanDuel : New users can get $100 free on sign up and can place the first real money bet risk free for up to $1,000.
- PointsBet : New users get $100 free on sign up and two risk free real money bets totaling up to $2,000.
- BetRivers : Users can get a 100% deposit match bonus up to $250.
After the in-person registration requirement expires in March 2022, BetMGM will also begin operations, offering sportsbook services in Illinois. It’s likely that they’ll have their own offers for new users as well. However, you should not choose a sportsbook based on the bonuses it offers, but rather on the features it offers. Free trials are a great way to see which sportsbooks have the features you need and the user interface you like best before deciding which one to join.
