The Phoenix Suns will take on the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night. The Bucks have the opportunity to secure the NBA championship with a victory.
Milwaukee is currently favored by 5 points to win on Tuesday at Illinois sportsbooks. The Bucks have emerged victorious in the last three games of the series.
After the NBA Finals conclude, sports betting in Illinois slows down. In May, Illinois residents wagered $154.3 million on basketball, making it the most popular sport for betting. Baseball came in second with $126.1 million in bets placed.
What other factors could boost sports betting activity in Illinois during July and August? Here are some of the key sports and events available for betting in the state this summer.
Bet on Chicago sports: The White Sox are a candidate for the World Series.
As previously stated, baseball was the second most popular sport for betting in Illinois in May. It is expected to maintain this ranking in the upcoming June revenue report.
However, it is not uncommon for Chicago baseball betting to become the most popular choice in the Land of Lincoln during July. This is mainly due to the decrease in NBA playoff games as teams are eliminated, resulting in higher betting volume for baseball.
The odds for the White Sox confirm that they are currently the top team in the American League. Chicago boasts a record of 20 games above .500, with only the San Francisco Giants holding a better record in all of MLB.
You have the option to watch the Sox take on the Minnesota Twins in the comfort of your own home over the next few days.
Across town, the Cubs are heading in a different direction and are now below .500. They are expected to sell at the trade deadline, so there may be less excitement around Cubs betting compared to earlier in the season.
The Cardinals, a team based in Illinois with a large fan base, are facing a similar situation. The upcoming four-game series between the Cubs and Cardinals is expected to draw significant regional attention.
This month, place a bet on the Tokyo Olympics.
You can now place bets on the Olympic Games in Illinois for the first time since sports betting was legalized. Check out our comprehensive guide on what is allowed and prohibited for betting.
In summary, IL casinos are offering betting on a wide range of Olympic events, from sports like beach volleyball, hockey, and soccer to various other activities.
You can place bets on individual games and specific athletes’ performance, as well as country-related bets like which nation will win the most gold medals.
The amount of wagering money the Olympics generate will be a fascinating thing to watch. We are currently in uncharted territory, and with July typically being a slower month, the Olympics have the potential to increase market activity.
wager on NFL training game
It is clear that the NFL reigns supreme in the world of betting, so it is not surprising that preseason football betting is highly popular.
The Cowboys and Steelers are scheduled to face off in their first preseason game of 2021 on August 5th.
The Bears will participate in three preseason games this year, starting with a match against the Dolphins on Aug. 14. Illinois sportsbooks offer a variety of betting options for the Chicago Bears, such as Justin Fields props and Week 1 lines.
This year’s preseason in Chicago is highly anticipated as it will mark fans’ first opportunity to see Fields in the orange and blue uniform. While Dalton is expected to be the starter in the regular season, Fields is likely to get significant playing time during the preseason.
During the second training activity, the Bears could potentially compete against the Bills, where Mitchell Trubisky, a former teammate, now serves as Buffalo’s backup quarterback. This matchup may provide Trubisky with an opportunity to showcase his skills against the team that initially drafted him.
Illinois bettors, eager for football action, are likely to show significant interest in betting on the NFL preseason in August.
