Illinois' Rivers Casino in Des Plaines to Lead as First for Accepting Sports Bets
Exciting Launch: Sports Betting in Illinois Starts Monday!
Get ready, sports fans! Sports betting in Illinois is officially taking off on Monday following this weekend's announcement by Rivers Casino in Des Plaines that they'll start accepting wagers from noon CT.
Sports betting in the state became legal in June 2019 after Governor J.B. Pritzker signed off on a hefty gaming bill. Ever since the Illinois Gaming Board released the applications and initial rules package in December, they've been working hard to prepare, and Rivers Casino – one of five casinos in the state to secure a temporary Master Sports Wagering operating permit – has worked tirelessly to reach this milestone first.
Illinois will now join the ranks of 14 other states offering sports betting when counting both mobile and retail sportsbooks, edging out Michigan, which is scheduled to start Tuesday. Former Chicago Blackhawks forward Eddie Olczyk, who now works as an analyst on NHL on NBC and NBC Sports Chicago, is expected to join Rivers Casino CEO John Carlin and Rush Street Gaming Chairman Neil Bluhm in placing the ceremonial first bet.
Accounts from Rivers Casino suggest the festivities will center around the BetRivers SportsBook, an experience aimed at bringing March Madness out of office pools and into a thrilling, elevated live sports wagering environment. Corey Wise, senior vice president and general manager of Rivers Casino, commented, "We're thrilled to bring the college basketball tournament one of the greatest sports events of the year, right into our lively sportsbook."
A Closer Look at the BetRivers SportsBar
The BetRivers SportsBar, strategically designed by DMAC Architecture, promises an unparalleled sports viewing experience located in the heart of the sportsbook. With its state-of-the-art features – including a 47-foot ultra HD LED video wall, multiple HD TV screens, a 32-seat full-service island bar, and plenty of comfortable seating options – this sports lounge is set to become a go-to destination for sports enthusiasts in Chicago and beyond.
Pritzker had expressed optimism last month that sports betting would be available by the start of the March Madness college basketball tournament. Fortunately, Illinois bettors will still get to enjoy the excitement of the games, albeit without the option to wager on in-state college teams, a provision included in the gaming bill. This means there will be no betting available for games involving teams such as Fighting Illini, Illinois State, Loyola of Chicago, DePaul, and others from colleges within Illinois.
Stay tuned for our ongoing coverage as Illinois welcomes sports betting with open arms! And don't forget to join us at noon on Monday to be among the first to place your bets!
Eying the Northwest Indiana Market
As the first Illinois-side challenger to the Northwest Indiana sports betting market, Rivers Casino will be a formidable competitor. Places like Ameristar Casino in East Chicago and Horseshoe Casino in Hammond have seen steady traffic from Illinois residents due to Indiana's early adoption of online sports betting – which doesn't require in-person registration like Illinois – and strong appeal of Indiana's own casinos. Ian Kasparek, managing partner at investment firm Wintergreen Advisers, acknowledges the potential impact of Rivers Casino, saying, "If they continue to play their cards correctly, they could generate a significant share of the Northwest Indiana gaming market." The Indiana Gaming Commission saw over $170 million in handle in January 2020, with a majority of the bets coming from mobile devices.
- On Monday, Rivers Casino in Illinois will start accepting sports bets, marking the beginning of sports betting in the state, following the legalization in June 2019.
- The BetRivers SportsBook is anticipated to offer an elevated live sports wagering environment, the center of the festivities for the launch of sports betting in Illinois.
- The BetRivers SportsBar, strategically designed by DMAC Architecture, promises an unrivaled sports viewing experience with state-of-the-art features.
- Pending final regulatory approval, BetRivers Sportsbook will be the first in Illinois to start accepting sports bets on Monday, while Illinois bettors will still get to enjoy the college basketball tournament games, albeit without betting on in-state college teams.
- Rivers Casino, as the first Illinois-side competitor to the Northwest Indiana sports betting market, might generate a significant share of the Northwest Indiana gaming market with its strategic moves, according to Ian Kasparek of Wintergreen Advisers.
