Until recently, sports betting was illegal in most states. However, the most recent law passed in Illinois allows anyone over the age of 21 to place bets on sporting events.
Illinois sports betting is currently available at both retail and online sportsbooks. The state has a few brick and mortar sportsbooks including the FanDuel Sportsbook at Par-A-Dice Casino and the DraftKings Sportsbook at Casino Queen in Alton. You can also wager on in-state college teams through retail betting.
The state has also passed a law allowing mobile betting, which was not possible for almost a year. Mobile betting will not become legal until 18 months after retail sports betting begins. The state’s mobile betting regulations are not as complicated as many states. In addition, mobile betting is permitted with an integrity fee, which is a nifty bit of legislation.
The state’s new sports betting law also allows for physical betting. You can now place wagers at sportsbooks that are located at nearby horse tracks. Physical sportsbooks are more convenient and also provide extra help to customers.
The state also introduced a “penalty box” period, which allows for sportsbooks to test their mettle and work out kinks before the major players come into the fold. This 18-month period is designed to help local sportsbooks test their mettle and develop a loyal client base before the big boys come knocking. Hopefully, Illinois will continue to expand its sports betting industry in the years to come.