Everything You Need To Know About Sports Betting In Illinois

Illinois is one of those US states that deemed sports betting illegal for a very long time. Hence, it comes as a surprise to many when we inform them that sports betting is now legal in the state. In short, whether you want to stake on your favorite sports in brick-and-mortar establishments or in online bookies (https://www.wsn.com/sports-betting-usa/illinois/), you are free to do so.

At the same time, people are still not well informed about the extent to which they can bet on their favorite sports in Illinois, and that is what this guide will address. We will go over everything you need to know about sports betting in Illinois—from the very beginning. Stay with us and you’ll be enlightened!

When was Sports Betting Legalized in Illinois?

Sports betting became legal in Illinois in 2019 after the US Supreme Court ruling of 2018 gave individual states the autonomy to make sports wagering legal or not, according to their discretion.

At first, it seemed that Illinois was uninterested in legal sports wagering, but things took a dynamic turn in 2019. We saw the General Assembly rule in favor of the Illinois Sports Wagering Act, pushing the agenda of legal sports betting. Within the same year, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the act into law, solidifying the state’s stance in June 2019.

Who is In Charge of Sports Betting Regulation in Illinois?

Subsequently, the Illinois Gaming Board is in charge of regulating and managing sports betting within the state. This board enforces the law to ensure that every individual follows the rules and regulations.

Standout Rules Enforced By the Illinois Gaming Board

Here are the major rules that have been enforced by the gaming board since the legalization of sports betting

• 21 is the legal gambling age: Any individual under the age of 21 years is prohibited from participating in any form of sports betting, whether online or physically.
• Betting on collegial and professional sports is legal, with an exception for Illinois college teams: Although you can bet on college and professional teams online, you can’t do so for Illinois college teams. The rule prohibits online betting for sporting events involving Illinois players or teams; if you wish to stake on them, you have to do it through physical retail casinos, and it must be before the game starts.
• Bets are only restricted to sporting events: Residents are only allowed to place wagers on sports, so you can’t bet on elections, reality shows, awards, or any other events outside sports.
• Employees of a sports league can’t bet on that sport: If you work with a league, the state forbids you from placing any form of wagers on that sport. This is to combat insider information and potential match-fixing.
• Self-exclusion program and gambling problem registry: The state has a registry and self-exclusion list for players who have issues relating to gambling addiction. Anyone who appears on this list won’t be able to bet on sports or take part in any gambling activities.

So, if you want to start gambling in Illinois today, keep these major rules in mind.

How do Illinois Bookmakers Settle Your Bets?

So, how do Illinois bookies handle your bets and payout when you win? How do they determine the final results of games and declare them official? They are bound by a couple of rules, and here is what you need to know about them

• Bet settlements are determined by the Illinois official league data: Before going live, sportsbooks have to purchase official league data from Illinois. This data pack is regularly updated, and all official results and league statistics come from it. If a game does not have enough data to declare it as completed, the bet may remain open till it is complete. But if there is too much delay, the bookie has the right to void your bet.
• Betting odds for each bet are determined by the exact odds when wagers are placed: If there is a fluctuation almost immediately after you place your bet, the bookie doesn’t factor it. In short, your wager is executed based on the exact odds at the time that you place it.
• Futures bet settlements only come at the very end when there is a clear result: With futures bets, sportsbooks are not allowed to follow speculative permutations that suggest that your prediction may be right or wrong. If the results are not yet in the books, it is not considered. However, in case of a canceled season or tournament, bookies must void and refund your bets.
• A sportsbook will entertain no complaints based on what may seem like officiating errors in a game: All results are based strictly on the results from the official data. So, unfortunately, bookies won’t entertain any extra complaints about what a bettor may “feel” about a game. The results are final, and that overrides all sentiments.

General Sports Betting Terms and Conditions to Note in Illinois

While bookies may have individual terms and conditions, they are not far off from each other. After all, bettors almost never read through the bulky terms and conditions of bookies. So, here are the general ones to keep in mind

• Errors from the bookie may be ruled as void: In very rare occasions, bookmakers may execute your bet at the wrong odds (odds posted in error). If this happens, the sportsbook may void such wagers at their discretion once they have confirmed that it is an error.
• Ineligible betting accounts will face termination: If an account is found to be for an individual below 21 years or on the self-exclusion list, the bookmaker will close the account. You are free to challenge them with proof if you feel like it is the wrong decision.
• Filing complaints to the Illinois State Gambling Board is allowed: Usually, the first step to take in case of any complaint is to reach out to the sportsbook’s customer support. But if you don’t get a convincing explanation or resolution, you have the right to file complaints directly to the state gambling board.
• Syndicate betting is illegal: Syndicate betting is a situation whereby several bettors team up to place sets of wagers. In Illinois, it is deemed as an illegal activity. If a sportsbook suspects this kind of activity, they can suspend your account to conduct a review.

Sports Betting Surge Post 2019 and the Recent 2023 Responsible Gambling Bill

Beyond the legalization in 2019, it is safe to say that sports betting was well received by residents of Illinois. In fact, the stake General Assembly was forced to remove the restriction that bettors needed to register physically to be able to gamble at online sportsbooks legally. Illinois generated $1.5 billion in gaming revenue to the state and local community from January 1 to December 31, 2023.

Subsequently, the Government passed a 2023 responsible gambling bill. With its passing, licensed sportsbooks now have to issue a pop-up message to promote responsible betting practices for every 10 wagers placed. It was well received and is a big indicator that the State Government is looking out for the safety of online gamblers.

Wrap Up

Online sports betting in Illinois has not clocked a decade, yet it is raking in astonishing numbers. The gaming trends are also getting more popular, presenting a win-win situation; bettors enjoy premium gambling fun and experience, and the Government also has a share of it. At this rate, it is no longer a doubt that sports betting is here to stay. Now you know everything you need to know about gambling in the state, make it count!