Sports gambling is currently legal in Illinois under the state’s constitution.
On Monday, Eddie Olczyk, former Chicago Blackhawks player turned broadcaster, placed the first legal sports bet in the state by betting $100 on the White Sox to win the American League championship at BetRivers Casino.
I have a strong feeling that the Chicago White Sox will secure the American League championship. It may not be a sure thing, but I have faith in it. At the event in Des Plaines, Olczyk confidently declared, “I bet $100.”
As of Monday morning, BetRivers had the White Sox listed at 16-1 odds to win the AL.
Second to business: BetRivers
Rivers Casino has five gambling windows and 30 sports betting kiosks strategically placed throughout the casino.
The new book offers 14 HD televisions, a 47-foot-wide LED movie wall, and live betting odds.
Moreover, there is a fully operational table service available, accommodating up to 32 guests.
Corey Wise, the General Manager of Rivers Des Plaines, shared his excitement with FOX 32 Chicago on Monday, expressing how thrilled they are for this moment they have been eagerly awaiting. “We are eagerly anticipating launching the first legal sports bet in Illinois. Our team has prepared a fantastic space for our guests and we are excited to get started.”
We unveiled our new sports bar at the end of December, featuring 5,000 square feet of space complete with televisions and a 45-inch movie wall. Our luxurious chairs, reminiscent of a Vegas casino, provide ultimate comfort for our guests. We are thrilled to showcase this exciting new addition.
Wise continued, “Our platform provides a variety of sports including MLB, NBA, and Major League Baseball, as well as lesser-known options like rugby and darts that are available for betting. Our betting options range from simple moneyline bets on the winner to more complex parlays combining bets from multiple events for a bigger payout. We aim to cater to all types of sports bettors with our diverse selection of offerings.”
following in Illinois
It is expected that both Argosy in Alton and the Grand Victoria in Elgin will soon open their own retail sportsbooks, with a possible launch as early as next week.
Argosy Kansas City’s Twitter profile revealed the truth on Monday with a tweet.
We are thrilled to announce that the sportsbook at our sister property, Argosyalton, is now open for business as of March 16th! Start getting your bets ready!
It is unlikely that the online sports betting market in The Prairie State will be operational before the beginning of the 2020 NFL season.
Wise declared that they will be releasing their online mobile app later this year. They have implemented a pre-registration system at their card center which enables customers to sign up for a Rush Rewards card. This ensures that when their site is launched, customers will already be pre-registered for their online services.
Sports betting lounges or kiosks may be coming soon to Wrigley Field, Guaranteed Rate Field, and the United Center in Illinois.
