Illinois online sports betting laws

Even before the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was ruled unconstitutional in 2018, moves had begun towards the legalization of Illinois sports betting. Exploratory bills had been tabled earlier that same year and by the end of 2018 five had been introduced in the state legislature.

Given the immense potential of the Illinois sports betting industry, efforts to legalize it were stepped up in 2019. Progress was stalled because of wrangling over Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) sites and the legality of their operations in the state up to this point.

One of the consequences was that, when sports betting was legalized in March 2020, you had to register for an account in person at one of the premises licensed to take bets, or do your betting there. This became problematic when the Covid-19 pandemic forced casinos to shut their doors.

State Governor J. B. Pritzker and the Illinois Gaming Board temporarily lifted that restriction, but that ended in April 2021, which means in-person registration is again required for online sports wagering accounts in the state. Despite the shaky start to life as a state that allows sports betting, Illinois is already seeing a monthly handle in excess of $500 million .

Online sports betting was allowed under the Illinois Sports Wagering Act. Initially, however, you had to sign up for Illinois online betting in person at a casino – which became tricky when they were all closed by Covid-19.

That restriction was lifted on a month-by-month emergency basis by the state governor, however the in-person registration requirement was re-instated in April 2021. One element that will stay constant after the pandemic is the requirement to be within state lines when placing a bet with an Illinois sportsbook.

Make sure your geolocation technology is switched on when signing up for an account and when enjoying a sports wager.

Several of the biggest names in sports betting moved swiftly to enter this incredibly promising market. Brands like William Hill and DraftKings quickly signed deals with land-based casinos to allow them to offer the people of Illinois online sports betting opportunities.

Three online-only sportsbooks will be up for grabs in late 2021 under the terms of the Illinois Sports Wagering Act. Competition will be fierce. This is the largest state in terms of population to legalize sports betting, so the Illinois market could be the biggest in the nation within a very short space of time.

Yes, they are. The IRS views any money you make from any form of gambling as taxable income. Make a note of any wins you have from Illinois sports betting. The sportsbook you play with should withhold a percentage of your winnings for tax purposes – but you may still owe additional money when you file your tax return.

Nobody under the age of 21 can place a sports bet in the Prairie State. You will have to prove your age when you sign up with a sportsbook.

Today’s geolocation technology means that sportsbooks should be able to check where you are – even if you are not actually in a casino licensed to make sports bets.

It’s important that you keep this switched on when betting remotely, otherwise you may be unable to place your wager. You don’t have to be a resident of Illinois to bet in the state but if you want to play with an Illinois sportsbook, you have to be within state lines.

Anyone whose job sees them involved in sports is disqualified from wagering on sporting events where they or their team is participating, or they otherwise may have non-public information. That includes players, coaches, and team officials.

You may not bet on sports events involving teams from Illinois colleges. Given the large number of programs that field sides at several levels of the NCAA, this is quite a large restriction. Note that this prohibition does not include wagering on the final outcome of a series or combination of sports events such as a tournament or season outcome that includes both Illinois and non-Illinois collegiate teams or individuals, so long as no wager is accepted on the Illinois participant.

The Sports Wagering Act permits wagering on professional sports or athletic events, collegiate sports or athletic events, motor race events, or any other event or competition of relative skill authorized by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). The IGB may grant requests by sports wagering licensees to offer wagers on non-sporting events or competitions, and once a request is granted, any master sports wagering licensee may offer wagering on the event or competition in question.