Three months ago, Rivers Casino became the first retail sportsbook in Illinois to accept a legal bet. On Thursday, June 18 at 10 a.m. CT, BetRivers made history once again as the state’s first online sportsbook to accept legal wagers.
Residents and visitors in Illinois can now place online bets following regulatory approval and support from IL Gov. JB Pritzker’s office. However, one of these conditions will be temporary.
BetRivers ready to take bets online in Illinois
Pritzker’s decision to suspend the in-person registration requirement for sports betting apps in Illinois allowed BetRivers to quickly expand into the state.
Illinois residents can now conduct all their BetRivers IL transactions online thanks to Pritzker’s executive order. This includes registering for accounts, making deposits, placing bets, and withdrawing winnings.
It is important to note that while the Illinois Gaming Board has released guidelines for the reopening of casinos and racetracks in the state, a specific timeline has not been provided. The exact date for the reopening of gaming facilities in Illinois is still uncertain.
Without Pritzker’s order, Illinois residents would not have any legal avenues to place bets on sports events. The efforts of BetRivers to enter the market are a key factor in this situation, providing additional options for bettors in Illinois. There is also relevant information available for those looking to place bets in the state.
How to bet on BetRivers IL
Illinois residents can access BetRivers from anywhere in the state by visiting BetRivers.com on a desktop computer, Android, or Apple mobile device. Android users must download the new Illinois-specific app from BetRivers.com in order to place bets on their mobile devices. Even if users have downloaded BetRivers Android apps in other states, they will need to download the Illinois-specific app for full access.
Apple device users can easily sign up and place bets on their mobile browsers. To access the site on your iPhone, you will need to download the GeoGuard app from GeoComply. This app quickly syncs with the Rivers website, allowing for seamless betting directly from the browser.
BetRivers is preparing to release its iOS app for Illinois in the near future.
BetRivers is offering a one-time deposit matching bonus of $250 to all new IL users.
In Illinois, bettors can take advantage of the bonus to wager on a variety of events online. It is important to note that the convenience of online registration may only be temporary in the state.
The in-person registration requirement may return
Pritzker’s order temporarily suspends the in-person registration requirement in Illinois, rather than abolishing it altogether. The order is only in effect as long as Pritzker’s coronavirus restrictions are in place.
Certainly, Rivers Casino in Des Plaines is expected to resume operations by that time. Residents of Illinois will then be able to complete their registrations at the physical sportsbook. It is possible that certain circumstances may lead to the elimination of this requirement.
Once the IGB grants the first of three independent, digital-only sportsbook operator licenses, the need for in-person betting is eliminated. According to Illinois law, the board must wait 540 days after retail books start accepting bets before issuing that license.
The timeline for that period started on April 9th with the opening of Rivers’ retail sportsbook. If Pritzker’s directive goes beyond this date and the IGB approves an online-only license, Illinois residents may never have to meet the in-person requirement.
The likelihood of that situation occurring is heavily dependent on the pandemic situation in Illinois. Decreasing COVID-19 cases in the state would be very advantageous, even if it means potentially reinstating the in-person registration requirement.
