online sports betting

In the United States, online real money betting is regulated by each state. But not all the sports bettors in the US are happy because sports betting is not legalized in all the states at the same time. Fortunately, the tide is about to change, and legal online betting is gaining more and more ground. Betting on sports in Illinois was legalized in March 2020. Choosing an online Sportsbook it is not an easy choice. be careful to choose a trust worthy online betting site.

Which states offer legal sports betting sites?

There is a handful of states that have their online sports betting sites operational. Here are the states that currently offer legal betting:

  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania – Competitive betting market
  • Colorado – Ready to Be a Challenger for New Jersey
  • West Virginia – Solved issues at launch, now need to expand the offer
  • Illinois – BetRivers is the first online site to launch, most anticipated ahead of football season
  • Indiana – only a few mobile apps available
  • Iowa – in-person casino registration required
  • New Hampshire
  • Rhode Island – in-person casino registration required
  • Oregon
  • Washington, DC

Then there are a few states that have legalized online betting but haven’t launched it live yet. All are expected to be commissioned in 2020.

Legal Sports Betting Illinois

So, what are the criteria for legal Illinois betting websites?

  • Legal in the state of Illinois
  • Fast and secure payments
  • Widely available banking methods like Mastercard and PayPal
  • Reliable customer service
  • Easy to use on mobile
  • Excellent bonuses

Fast payments, plenty of banking methods, and mobile-friendliness are also three essential aspects of a legitimate sportsbook. You’ll want your deposits processed instantly with your preferred banking method, so you don’t have to go through extra hoops just to get a few bets. Nowadays, it is also essential to be able to bet on a fast, mobile betting platform, and their in-play bets should run smoothly on the go.

You should always take advantage of the online betting bonuses that you will get by signing up with a new online sportsbook. This is something we should dig a little deeper into.

Types of Online Betting Bonuses in Illinois

You will always receive a sports betting bonus when you register with an online sportsbook where you are not yet a customer. Betting bonuses come in various forms, most of the real value of deposit bonuses.

Most of the time, they give you a SignUp bonus. So, every time you sign up with an online sportsbook in Illinois, they will credit you with the bonus promised when you sign up as a new customer.

What are deposit bonuses?

The deposit bonus at an online sportsbook is always your deposit with a predefined percentage. If they have a deposit bonus and “will match 100% up to $ 100”, that means when you deposit a hundred dollars you will get a total of $ 200 into your betting account.

Deposit bonuses are generally the most beneficial of all the Illinois online betting bonuses.

Free money

Free money offers are hard to find in online betting. Sometimes online casinos give out free money, but free money offers are harder to find when it comes to sports betting Ilinois.

If you are lucky, you can find free money bonuses without needing to deposit, but don’t count on it. Always be prepared to make a small deposit to get the most out of an online sportsbook welcome bonus offers.

What are free bets?

Free bets are bets that a sportsbook gives upon registration or when you have been their customer for a while. Typically, an online bookie matches your bet with a free bet of the same size.

What are matched bets?

Matched bets supplement your earnings. If a sportsbook gives you a “100% match bet up to $ 100”, it will match your winnings up to $ 100. Matched bets are available for most sports leagues.

Like free bets and risk-free bets, matched bets are also usually granted to a new or existing client when a big event like the National Championship or the Kentucky Derby is approaching.

Promotions and Contests for Existing Customers

A sportsbook will offer you something more, even though you may have used all of the welcome offers. In addition to monthly promotions, the added value can range from event promotions to contests. The UFC or golf bettors may be the lucky ones who receive the added value when big events approach and bookies look for accounts for the betting activity on the sport in question.

Wagering Requirements

Each type of real money betting bonus comes with certain conditions. In the world of online gambling, these strings are known as wagering requirements (also known as rollover conditions).

You cannot withdraw your winnings until you have met the wagering requirements.

The rollover requirement is usually stated somewhere in the terms and conditions (aka “the part of a gambling website that no one reads”). This number tells you how many times you need to wager your money before you can cash it out.

For wagers, the rollover requirement is usually 3 to 6. Compare that 3-6 to online casino bonuses, which have a rollover requirement of 25 to 60. That’s a huge difference.

In betting bonuses, the rollover requirement calculated as follows:

A bet required before cashing = rollover * (bonus money + initial deposit).

Bonus clearing example:

You deposit $ 50 and receive $ 50 with a rollover requirement of 3

You must wager: 3 * ($ 50 + $ 50) = $ 300

You need to bet with specific odds for your stake to clear your bonus. This limit is often -120. Bets below the threshold do not count towards clearing the bonus.

Once you have fulfilled the wagering requirements and played with your bonus, you are free to cash out your winnings.

Live / in-play Betting

Live betting is one of the most popular ways to bet online. You no longer only bet on the pre-match slip. You can place mid-game bets on intermissions and halves.

Live betting odds are constantly changing. In the NBA, the odds change during the game – even in the middle of a possession. The tempo is fast, so you’ll want to watch the games on TV instead of live broadcast, as there is much less lag on cable TV if you’re betting live.

Live betting is the # 1 way to make money because Las Vegas has low pre-game counts these days. Live betting is still much less of an exact science for real money online bookies, as in-play betting has only been around for years, while the pre-game market has been around for decades.

In live betting, it is much easier to judge teams against each other, as you see them playing on the same pitch. You can see it all live and then decide what you’re going to bet on, instead of trying to beat the online sportsbook in pre-match betting.

Mobile Betting Apps

You don’t need a real money sports betting app to bet on your phone in Illinois. All online betting sites are fully compatible with your phone’s browser, whether you are using an iOS, Android, Blackberry, or Windows Phone.

Real money betting apps are never needed, as online sportsbooks work great with your browser. Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari – no problem.

Currently, you cannot download a betting app if you reside in a state that has not yet licensed online gambling. What would that be for because you can’t play online anyway? Once the states legalize online betting, you will also see online betting apps appear in your app store.

The most popular betting sites have one thing in common: they are licensed to operate legally in Illinois. They offer odds on all major sports: MLB baseball, college football, NHL hockey, FIFA World Cup, NCAA basketball, or the National Football League, to name a few. You can use your preferred payment method, deposits and withdrawals are free, and you can trust your credit card details with sports betting.

Remember, when you bet you have to have fun. Betting and casino games are for entertainment purposes only. When the fun stops, you have to stop too.

FAQs: Sports Betting at BetRivers Illinois

Can I place bets online in Chicago?

Yes, you can bet online in Chicago and throughout Illinois. However, you cannot register online.

On March 9, when sports betting launched in Illinois, the players had to register in a brick and mortar casino. That requirement was dropped because of COVID-19 social distancing, so all adults in Illinois can bet at any time if they are located within the state borders.

Then, on July 26, the regulators announced that the state would revert to the registration in person.

The first online sports betting venue in Illinois was BetRivers.

Do I have to be in Illinois to bet at BetRivers?

It’s correct. Since sports betting is legal and regulated at the state level, each state is implementing geolocation technology to limit betting to only in-state players. This also applies to sports betting in Illinois.

However, you don’t have to be a resident of Illinois to bet. This means if you’re from another state, but are visiting Chicago for business, you can download the BetRivers app, sign up and place bets while in the state. You can withdraw money from anywhere.

Can I deposit and withdraw money online?

It’s correct. Although you need to register in person, you can deposit, bet, and withdraw funds online.

What is the legal age to bet on sports in Illinois?

You must be 21 years of age or older to bet on sports in Illinois.

How can I withdraw money from sports betting in Illinois?

It’s not complicated to deposit and withdraw money on our website/app. Just click the cashier button and choose “Withdraw”. You can set this up so that these funds are sent directly into your bank account.

Although you must be in Illinois to register, deposit, and place bets, this is not the case for withdrawals. So, if you forgot to withdraw while in Chicago, you can do so after you leave.

What sports can I bet on in Illinois?

In Illinois, you can bet on a wide range of popular sports, including major leagues such as the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA, as well as smaller sports like golf and UFC.

Illinois players can bet on college sports, and unlike New Jersey, they can bet on Illinois-based teams.

Can make a deposit using a credit card at BetRivers?

Yes. We allow sports betting with credit cards. This is the most common way to deposit money.

Our online banking services:

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • VIP Preferred
  • Wire Transfer
  • PayPal
  • Play + BetRivers card

Do I have to pay taxes when I win at sports betting?

Yes. All winnings from sports betting are considered income and therefore will be taxable if you are an Illinois resident.