Illinois Inching Towards Finish Line

Legal sports betting in Illinois can be best described as being a signature away.

The Prairie state is on course to become the next state to offer some form of legal sports wagering, with the bill on the desk of Mr Governor Pritzker as we speak.

The framework proposed will see casinos, racetracks and sports venues with a capacity of over 17,000 offer both in-person and online/mobile sports betting, all in time for the big NFL kick-off in September - great news for fans of the Bears.

For the first eighteen months, bettors will be required to create accounts in-person, rather than on-line.

This is to appease the concern of the casinos who fear online wagering will see a drop-off in walk-in gamblers.

Destined to become the gambling capital of the mid-West

Looked upon as an unnecessary compromise in the eyes of many, it should perhaps be expected given the huge changes the industry will undertake in one swift move.

Other important features of real note include bettors being forbidden from betting on collegiate within IL and online operators needing to pay a whopping $20 million for a sports betting license - excuse us while we pick our jaw off the floor there!

But with the potential to become the Gambling capital of the mid-West - Iowa and Indiana have also enacted laws in 2019 but remain some distance off launch dates - it’s sure to be money well spent.

Bulls, Bears, Cubs and White Sox fans eagerly awaiting the opportunity to place that first legal wager, your time is almost here.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest regarding online sports betting in Illinois by paying a visit to our specific IL state page.