Illinois is home to the famous Chicago. Here, you will find some of the biggest teams in American sport. All these teams attract a huge interest whenever they play. So we can safely assume that Illinois online gambling sites will have no problems getting customers. The most popular markets are the NBA, NFL, MLB, and the NHL. Let us look at the principal players in these categories.
The Chicago Bulls is one of the most notable brands in the NBA. Michael Jordan spent 13 years at Chicago, endearing it in the hearts of many. This franchise enjoys bitter rivalries with the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat. The regular NBA season usually runs from October to April, although some things have been moved around because of the pandemic. But there is still a lot of action to be had in NBA Illinois sports betting.
The Chicago Bears are the pride of Illinois, hailing from their base at Soldier Field. They are the only NFL team in the whole state and manage to draw much local attention. The best year for the Bears was 1985, when they clinched the Super Bowl Championship under Coach Mike Ditka. But their last dance at an NFL play-offs was over a decade ago. Many new football betting sites will, no doubt, be eager to provide NFL betting options to Illinois players.
The MLB is another exciting option for sports betting Illinois. Chicago is home to two baseball squads, these are the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bears. If there was ever a perfect time for online betting apps to set-up shop in Illinois, it would be now. In 2016, the Chicago Bears overcame a hundred year drought to lift the World Series. More than 5 million fans are reported to have attended the celebrations.
The United Center is the home of the Chicago Blackhawks. The franchise is one of the oldest in the league and among the top five most successful teams in the NFL. The Blackhawks have won six Stanley cups and are a viable option for any NHL bettor.
Illinois Sports Betting sites
Illinois sports betting platforms offer a range of options. You need to familiarise with them if you are to enjoy your experience. Different sports markets entail different odds. Our team of casino experts at usbetting.xyz have put together all you need to know before betting.
We will start with the common aspects across all markets featured in sports gambling sites. Players are able to claim lucrative bonuses when they sign up in Illinois sports betting platforms. What and how much you get will vary depending on the site. But you will be able to use these freebies on all markets. Normally, you would have to make an initial deposit first.
Making a deposit in mobile betting sites is straightforward. Illinois sports betting platforms want you to play, so they have made the process hassle-free. Many of the popular services used for online payments are also available.
Now to the differences. The main area where you see a marked difference between markets is the betting options. The available options depend largely on the nature of the game itself. Illinois sports betting players have options to bet on score lines or the overall game winner. But there are many other options which are market specific.
Is Sports Betting legal in Illinois
Yes, sports betting was legalized in the Prairie state in 2019. This followed the signing into law of S 690 by Gov. J. B. Pritzker. This is the $44 million capital funding plan which also necessitated the adoption of the Illinois sports betting bill. New Illinois gambling laws allow sports betting facilities at racetracks, casinos, and at various lottery vendors. We have already seen some movement in this regard.
A clear structure has been provided to show gambling service providers how they can be part of Illinois sports betting. The rules state that racetracks and casinos have to fork out $10 million to get licensed. Alternatively, they can choose to cede 5% of their revenues. There are also rules for terminals, sports venues, and lotteries. The way that these licenses are being taken up, it seems operators are happy.
Unlike other sports betting service providers, Lottery vendors are regulated by the Illinois lottery. This means, however, that they will be limited to offering just parlay wagers. The best sportsbook providers have a plethora of odds and betting options. But being among the best will not come cheap, especially for online operators. These will be expected to put $20 million for the license.
Since the action taken by state authorities to legalize sports betting, two operators have already opened up shop. But this is just the beginning. Illinois gaming reports reveal that there are seven casinos which have already obtained licences to run sportsbooks. Were it not for the pandemic, the picture of gambling in Illinois would be totally different. There would be more options for players looking to place a friendly bet.
The legality of Illinois sports betting is beyond refute, but there are other factors you need to consider. First of all, the gambling age in Illinois is 21 when you are wagering sports. If you are below this age, your only alternative for a flutter is horse racing. Players from other states who are asking where is sports betting legal will be very disappointed. The reason is the Illinois gambling bill, which became law in 2019, allows only for residents.
How do I bet online in Illinois?
Placing your first bet online in Illinois is not as daunting as it sounds. The providers of Illinois sports betting platforms have made it as easy as possible for you to get up and going. It is in their best interest as well that the entire process is as straightforward as can be. We at usbetting.xyz have also prepared this guide with the novice in mind. You will find all you need to know about how to join the best online sports betting sites.
You might be wondering how you may even go about choosing the best Illinois sports gambling website. That one is quite easy, and we have already got you covered. Here we feature the best sports betting sites in Illinois. So finding where to place your first bet is as easy as scanning through the options found here.
The next step in your gambling journey is to download the sportsbook’s betting app. While downloading is effortless, installation can put you in a slight spot of bother. And that’s putting it mildly. If you are an avid Android user, you may need to check, “install from unknown sources” in the phone settings. Some platforms may also offer a download free sportsbook mobile app in the future.
Once the application is running on your device, the next steps should be easy. The best gambling apps are the ones which feature a cool theme with a simple layout. Find the register or sign up button and open your new account. The casino will usually ask for verification. Just go through the entire process, it makes life way easier in the future. This is also where you can input your promo code if you have one.
Your account should now be online, and you are free to bet on any of the markets available. If you were not able to get a new customer bonus, do not fret. Players in Illinois can fund their real money accounts via dozens of methods. The options at your disposal will depend on the mobile gambling site. You have options for e-wallets, debit cards, online banking, credit cards, and even cash.
Are Online Casinos legal in Illinois
We have dealt with the concerns of players wondering is online betting legal for sports. The natural follow up question would be if you can do the same in casinos. Unfortunately, you cannot play online casino games in Illinois yet. The legislation that was passed in 2019 only allowed sports betting. So, players preoccupied with the enquiry, is sports betting legal in Illinois, can rest easy. But for others, a lot still needs to be done.
Take poker, for example. This game is widely played in many casinos and homes across Illinois. It is a great way to pastime the time with friends. You will find it listed as an option in the best casino in Illinois. The problem comes when you start looking for where to place bets online. Under Illinois law, online poker and other casino games are outlawed.
We do not expect things to remain this way for long, though. The list of casinos in Illinois is very impressive. No doubt, these companies are waiting in the wings for their turn, after online sports betting Illinois was legalized. It is only a matter of time before legislation is tabled to regulate their operations. This will open a way for the rollout of casino mobile gambling apps.
But for now, players will have to make do with land-based alternatives. It is not that bad if you look at it. Illinois has a vibrant casino gambling scene. You will not find it difficult to get a venue where you can place a bet legally. These casinos also play host to the most impressive sports gambling Illinois platforms. Here you will find comfortable lounging and big screen TVs.
You can also opt to play in offshore casinos. You need to be careful when you do this, though. Stick only to sites which are regulated.
Are other forms of online gambling legal in Illinois
So what are your options, do you have any? Well, there are a few, and we have included them in this guide. At usbetting.xyz we only encourage you to bet on sports online or other legal gaming options. That is why we have not only looked at how to sports bet here. But also how you can do it legally and safely.
Online gambling Illinois enthusiasts have a few options. Daily fantasy sports are a popular gambling market in Illinois. The debate on is online gambling legal in Illinois, was also conducted with regards to DFS. While this seems to be ongoing, there are some sites where you can play these games. Apart from DFS, you can also gamble online in horse racing and the online lottery.
Online horse racing is an established form of gambling. It is regulated by the Illinois Racing Board. There are numerous betting options for players in horse racing. The great thing is that players as young as 18 years can participate. This is better than spending time wondering is online sports betting legal for them.
The lottery claims its place as one of the most popular forms of gambling. Many players like how easy it is to understand and how you can win big from so little. The best betting app offers players instant lottery games. Illinois is only one of six states that have online lotto for locals.
Sweepstakes based platforms take advantage of loopholes in the system. By all definitions of the law, they are legal. So you need not bother yourself with a question like is gambling legal in Illinois. These sites allow players to come and purchase casino money, which they can use in house. Since the money is useless elsewhere, it does not fall under gambling. You can, however, redeem your winnings for cash in the casino.
