You can now place bets on jai alai at BetRivers Sportsbook in Illinois and Iowa.
In a recent press release, Rush Street Interactive (RSI), the parent company of BetRivers, announced that jai-alai, known as “the fastest sport in the world,” is now being played in a head-to-head format.
How to place an Illinois jai-alai wager
As a part of the agreement, RSI is now the exclusive sports betting partner of Magic City Jai-Alai. This partnership allows RSI to receive unique league data directly from Magic City Jai-Alai. Additionally, bookmakers at the BetRivers Sportsbook will have the opportunity to view live game streams and place bets on them.
According to RSI CEO Richard Schwartz, the proposal is as follows:
We were impressed by The League’s commitment to honor and justice from the start. Ultimately, RSI aims to offer our players top-notch, captivating betting material, and we are excited that Magic City’s league is able to achieve both of these goals.
Jai-alai gambling will be permitted in Illinois and Iowa, making them the first states where RSI will allow this activity.
Schwartz continued:
RSI is excited to partner with Magic City Jai-Alai to introduce a new high-speed style of play to the sport, which has a rich history in Florida dating back to the 1930s and has always been a favorite among bettors.
Customers have the opportunity to participate in head-to-head matchups, either by set or even point by point, similar to traditional tennis and table tennis gambling. These H2H matches are transitioning from the conventional parimutuel style to a new fixed-odds betting format, increasing the importance of every exciting point.
Jai-Alai, the fastest sport in the world with ball speeds over 150 mph, now offers an electrifying new format for bettors to enjoy in real-time and place in-play wagers. We are excited to provide a special way for fans to watch and engage with this thrilling activity.
A comeback for Jai-Alai?
Of course, betting provides the public with a greater incentive to be invested in a particular game. Scott Savin, the Chief Operating Officer of Magic City, anticipates a significant resurgence in the popularity of the game.
Savin added:
Collaborating closely with the RSI team, & ldquo is excited to bring a new perspective to a beloved classic and offer fans innovative ways to engage with Jai-Alai, while also introducing the sport to a fresh digital betting audience. From the start, our mission has been to create a modern and stylish platform that prioritizes the integrity of the game and its athletes, ensuring the trust and loyalty of our bettors and players. & rdquo
Jai-alai has a history dating back to the 14th century, and Magic City Jai-Alai has participated in over 4,000 games since it was established in 2018.
Jai-alai is most popular in Florida among all the states in the US.
Illinois’s status for BetRivers & rsquo
RSI’s headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois, and BetRivers is recognized as one of the largest sportsbooks in the country.
In Illinois, it is currently ranked third in monthly sports betting handle and revenue, with DraftKings and FanDuel leading the market.
BetRivers, the official sports betting partner of the Chicago Bears, also runs the most popular retail casino in Illinois at Rivers Casino.
A unique sport is being introduced that could attract a completely different audience.