- BetRivers online sportsbook launched today marking the start of regulated online sports betting in Illinois.
- Illinois also approved the sports betting licenses of seven brick-and-mortar casinos including ones to be built throughout the state.
- BetRivers will live stream numerous sporting events while allowing bettors to bet on their platform simultaneously.
CHICAGO — Online sports betting in Illinois is now live thanks to BetRivers in conjunction with Rush Street Interactive and Rivers Casino Des Plaines. BetRivers launched on Thursday at 10 p.m. CT making it the first state-regulated online sportsbook in Illinois.
BetRivers gives residents of Illinois the ability to bet on sports through their mobile devices and no longer have to go to in-person sportsbooks to bet.
“We are excited to make history in bringing the first online sportsbook to sports fans in our home state just in time as American sports are coming back into action," said Richard Schwartz, president of Rush Street Interactive.
The launch of BetRivers online sportsbook comes in a time where more sports are returning to sports betting menus after many leagues paused their seasons due to the coronavirus. With the Premier League set to start this week while the NBA and NHL plan on returning next month now was the best time for Illinois to capitalize on the market.
"While entertainment options are limited as we seek to minimize the spread of the virus, we are focused on BetRivers.com providing sportsbook players with a high-quality on-line product with exciting sports betting options," said Schwartz. "We will have great customer service with fast payouts and an overall friendly approach that treats every player with honesty and care.”
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State law required bettors to register for BetRivers in-person before betting online but because of COVID-19, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker waived that law with an executive order. Now that bettors can register from the comfort of their home BetRivers is expected to launch an iOS and Google Play app to further enhance the sports betting experience.
Future of Online Sports betting in Illinois
Now that Illinois has launched its first online sportsbook, expect other sports betting operators to start to claim their stake in the blossoming market. With more sports returning and being able to be bet on, it puts even more pressure on other sports gambling companies outside of BetRivers to take advantage of the state's market.
Some companies have already positioned themselves as Illinois has already given the go-ahead on six new casinos to be built. Furthermore, FanDuel, PointsBet, American Wagering, and Crown IL have already applied for licenses in Illinois but there’s no timeline set for when they’ll be allowed to launch in the state.
With mobile betting widely available in Illinois, expect to see a major boom in the state’s betting market which will be aided by Governor Pritzker waiving the in-person registration requirement. Keep in mind that you must be 21+ to legally place a bet in the state of Illinois and must be located inside the state.
As a professional sports writer, Robert has written for outlets such as the FAMUAN and other sports-centric platforms. He focuses mainly on NFL and NBA betting, though he keeps tabs on every major sport.
