Bonuses and Promotions
Odds Vs. The Competition
Market Depth & Variety
Deposit & Cash Out
Mobile App
The BetRivers Illinois sportsbook is an excellent option for experienced bettors and newcomers alike. The sportsbook is easily accessible via a mobile browser, desktop, or Android app. The user interface makes navigating through betting options seamless and simple.
Though BetRivers’ bonuses aren’t quite as lucrative as those of its competitors, the sportsbook still offers great promotions for new players and loyal bettors. A wide variety of bets and sports on offer, including featured wagers on Illinois’ many professional sports teams, make BetRivers an excellent option for any Illinois player. BetRivers is a solid sports betting site and a frontrunner in Illinois.
BetRivers in Action
BetRivers Illinois Promo Code 2021
You can use the BetRivers Illinois promo code: 250Match to get up to $250 dollars on your first deposit.
| BetRivers Illinois Promo Code | 250Match - or use our exclusive link |
| Deposit/Match Bonus | 100% up to $250 |
| What States Allow BetRivers | IL, IN, IA, PA, CO |
| BetRivers Land-Based Partner | Rivers Casino Des Plaines (Rush Street Gaming) |
| Promo Code Verified | January 2021 |
Sign-up bonus offers are a key element of any online sportsbook’s strategy, and BetRivers in Illinois is no different. However, compared to the competition, BetRivers stumbles with its bonuses.
When you sign up for a BetRivers account in Illinois, you’ll receive up to $250 as a first deposit match. That’s by no means a bad deal, but it doesn’t stack up to the likes of FanDuel or DraftKings. FanDuel, for example, offers up to $1,000 in risk-free first bets while DraftKings will reward players with up to $1,000 as part of a 20% first deposit match bonus. BetRivers may not edge out the competition with its bonus sizes, but it does offer the $250 with only 1x playthrough, meaning you get the money as soon as you place bets totaling $250. DraftKings, by comparison, requires 25x playthrough to claim the same bonus amount.
How To Claim The BetRivers Bonus
Still, $250 is nothing to scoff at. When I signed up, BetRivers automatically applied the bonus to my first deposit. In a matter of seconds, that first deposit doubled thanks to the promotion. Though it requires you to make a deposit and fund your account, BetRivers’ welcome bonus is easy to redeem. It’s a great way to kickstart your sportsbook experience in Illinois.
Sportsbook sign-up bonuses come in all shapes and sizes. Keep your eyes peeled for changes to BetRivers bonus offers as the Illinois market matures and competition heats up. There’s always a chance operators will ramp up the value of their promotions to bring new players into the mix.
Once again BetRivers edges out its eventual competition by virtue of being one of three sportsbooks live in Illinois. But we can still take a look at BetRivers odds as they compare to DraftKings and FanDuel in Illinois and other competitors that are live in different states.
BetRivers and its competitors are gearing up for the 2020 NFL season, and many sites have odds already listed for weeks one and two. Here’s a look at an Illinois match-up and how the odds compare.
| Sportsbook | Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| BetRivers (IL) | +112 | -136 |
| DraftKings | +112 | -136 |
| FanDuel | +108 | -128 |
| BetMGM | +110 | -130 |
BetRivers gives comparable odds to major operators. The landscape will likely look very similar once BetMGM, and others join the fray in Illinois.
Alongside DraftKings, BetRivers offers slightly better payouts on the underdog while losing a bit of an edge on the favorite. However, this isn’t the case for every set of odds reviewed. BetRivers occasionally flips the script and offers better odds on the favorite than the underdog depending on the match-up.
llinois only has a few major sports betting restrictions. Bettors can’t wager on college sports involving an in-state school (even if the match is played elsewhere), and there’s no betting allowed on non-sporting events such as elections or awards shows. There’s no betting permitted on high school sports or minor league games.
Other than the legally required absence of those betting types, BetRivers delivers plenty of options to Illinois sportsbook enthusiasts.
Professional Sports
You’ll find all the major sports on BetRivers, including Illinois’ many professional sports teams. Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fire, they’re all available at BetRivers Illinois. Of course, you can bet on almost every professional sports team nationwide using BetRivers as well.
BetRivers doesn’t stop there, though. The site provides a plethora of bets on globally popular sports. Soccer, MMA, UFC, tennis, golf, NASCAR, Formula 1, and various other sports are available to bet on.
Types Of Bets
The bet types at BetRivers don’t disappoint, either. Moneylines, spreads, and parlays are all fair game at BetRivers Illinois.
BetRivers also features a Jackpot Parlay that requires bettors to select the outcomes of a number of matches, usually between three and eight. If you predict every outcome accurately, you can win the jackpot. It’s a unique format that’s ideal for high-risk high-reward betting. It’s unlikely to hit, but the win potential is massive, and the Jackpot Parlay is exclusive to BetRivers bettors.
Illinois bettors should have no trouble at all when it comes to depositing and withdrawing funds at BetRivers. The sportsbook makes funding your account simple and fast. Here are the primary deposit methods at BetRivers Illinois:
- Online Banking
- Credit/Debit Card (BetRivers accepts VISA, Mastercard, and Discover)
- PayPal
- VIP Preferred ACH (e-check)
- BetRivers Play+ Prepaid Card
- Cash (at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines)
Withdrawals can be processed using most of the same methods:
- Online Banking
- PayPal
- VIP preferred ACH (e-check)
- BetRivers Play+ Prepaid Card
- Cash (at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines)
With such a variety of funding and withdrawal options, BetRivers sets itself apart from more limiting competitors. Online banking, credit, debit, and cash are all fairly self-explanatory. PayPal is a quick and easy method to use if you have an account. For this review, I connected my PayPal account and made a deposit with just a few clicks.
Play+ is one of the more unorthodox options, allowing you to fund your prepaid card and use it at the sportsbook.
Withdrawing is just as easy as depositing, and BetRivers makes it easy to funnel your funds back into your bank account using one of the approved methods.
BetRivers operated in Illinois for quite some time without a full-fledged iOS app. Now it has one, and the app works just fine. You can easily navigate available bets, sports, and promos. It’s easy to view your bet slip and access your account, as well.
Android users can download the app straight from the BetRivers website. Google doesn’t allow regulated gambling apps on its Google Play marketplace. The Android app is easy to navigate and very user-friendly. Whether you’re making a deposit, placing a wager, or perusing new promotions, everything you need is only a few taps away.
Now that BetRivers has launched its iOS app, it remains a top contender for best Illinois sportsbook.
Generally, BetRivers is a fantastic option for Illinois bettors. The user experience is well-developed and simple to grasp. The site’s odds and wagers are comparable to most of the competition, and its Jackpot Parlay bet sets it apart from other operator offerings.
BetRivers offers a sign-up bonus that’s slightly lacking compared to other sportsbooks, but the $250 deposit match is still very beneficial to new players and the 1x playthrough requirement alone makes it worthwhile.
BetRivers can definitely compete with other powerhouse operators. It’s a great sportsbook for Illinois bettors.
See our complete Guide To Online Sports Betting In Illinois.
Is BetRivers Legit?
The shortest possible answer to this question is a simple “yes.” BetRivers is legit and safe to use in Illinois. However, there are still sketchy operators in Illinois because the market is so young. Here are some key reasons you can trust BetRivers in Illinois.
BetRivers Is Licensed
The Illinois Gaming Board regulates all sports betting in the Land of Lincoln. It’s a government organization that reviews all sports betting license applications and grants them to operators that meet the criteria. BetRivers is licensed by the IGB, and the sports betting site includes a seal at the bottom of the homepage indicating as much.
BetRivers Has No Illinois College Bets
Illinois law prohibits any sports betting on in-state college matches. BetRivers doesn’t offer bets on Illinois schools, signaling that it is a legitimate, law-abiding sportsbook.
Awards Shows And Elections Are Off Limits
In some states, bettors can wager on things like the Oscars or the Tonys or even political elections. Illinois doesn’t allow bets of this type (called “non-sporting events” in the legislation), so BetRivers doesn’t offer them. This is another small distinction that makes it easy to tell legal, regulated books apart from offshore suppliers in Illinois.
Geolocation Is A Must
BetRivers uses a geolocation app (or browser plug-in) to confirm that you’re within state lines when you place a bet. If you can’t confirm your location or if you’re out of state, the site won’t let you place a bet. This provides an extra level of safety to ensure bettors are abiding by the Illinois gambling laws.
Why Choose BetRivers Over Illegal Betting Sites?
Playing at a legal, regulated sportsbook boasts some key advantages over offshore/grey market sites. As the only regulated online sports betting site in Illinois, BetRivers is easy to tell apart from its illegal counterparts for a few reasons.
Live Betting
BetRivers allows in-play wagers. You can bet on a game while it’s in progress. The odds may change during a match based on the score, player performance, and a variety of other factors.
BetRivers can offer these bets because it’s required to use official league data. Offshore competitors don’t have access to this data because they aren’t regulated, so you won’t find in-game bets on those sites.
Help For Problem Gamblers
Legal Illinois sportsbooks have to include resources for problem gamblers on their websites. There are protections in place to help gamblers who may have issues with spending too much at online sportsbooks. There’s a problem gambling hotline and a self-exclusion list where players can sign up to be excluded from Illinois’ legal sportsbooks.
Grey market operators have no such resources because they don’t care either way if players spend all their money at a casino. They’re entirely focused on profit, rather than aiming to provide a polished entertainment experience with helpful resources for those who need them.
Customer Support
Simply put, illegal sites have limited customer support options and are not legally required to assist you if you ever have an issue with their site. BetRivers is just the opposite. Because it’s a licensed operator in a regulated jurisdiction, BetRivers has customer service available from 9:30 am EST to 2 am EST daily. You can submit a support request via email or live chat with a customer service representative. Offshore operators have limited hours and service options, making it difficult to navigate any issues you might encounter.
Why Can You Trust BetRivers With Your Money?
There are a number of ways BetRivers protects your money and the funds of other players in Illinois. The first is that BetRivers, like most other secure websites, uses SSL.
SSL provides internet security to websites by encrypting your data so no third parties can access or steal it. SSL and other high-level encryption tools are used by websites you likely visit every day such as Facebook, Amazon, or your online banking platform.
BetRivers also has strict measures in place to prevent money laundering. This keeps the large community of law-abiding sports bettors safe by removing bad apples from the bunch. BetRivers reserves the right to report suspicious account activity to local authorities to protect its user base.
You can also take personal steps to protect your funds. BetRivers’ “strong authentication” tool is one way to do so. When you enable strong authentication, every time you log in, you’ll receive a PIN to your registered email. You must enter the PIN before you can access your account.
Additionally, BetRivers enables a setting by default that emails you every time you access your online account. If you ever receive the email without having recently logged in, that’s a red flag and you should contact support immediately.
BetRivers Facts
| Minimum betting age | 21 |
| Stats where it's live | IL, IN, CO, PA |
| Land-based partner in IL | Rivers Casino Des Plaines (Rush Street Gaming) |
BetRivers Sportsbook FAQ
Yes. To place a sports bet in Illinois, you must be within state lines. BetRivers IL confirms this by using a geolocation app or browser plug-in, depending on which platform you use. Once you’ve downloaded the app or installed the plug-in, it will automatically confirm your location any time you log into your BetRivers account.
If you’re outside of Illinois, you can still deposit funds and explore available bets. You just can’t wager until you’re in Illinois.
There’s no “best” way to deposit simply because the options are plentiful. It comes down to your preference. PayPal is a simple and seamless method, especially if you already use the e-wallet service on a regular basis. Credit and debit cards are preferred by many because of their simplicity. Online banking and e-checks are quick ways to deposit as well.
If you already visit the casino frequently, cash is an option, too. Visit the cashier cage at Rivers Des Plaines to deposit into your account.
Yes. BetRivers offers an initial deposit match up to $250. Once you sign up and make your first deposit, the sportsbook will match the amount, effectively doubling your account value. Though some sportsbooks offer higher matches, $250 is a great offer and an easy way to maximize your account value right off the bat.
No. Esports is one notable omission from Illinois’ sports betting laws. Currently, it’s neither expressly allowed nor explicitly prohibited in the state, so BetRivers does not offer esports bets.
Illinois won’t allow election or awards results betting. This results from a clause in the state’s gambling law that prohibits betting on non-sporting events. It remains to be seen whether Illinois will group esports with those types of wagers or will carve out new legislation to allow sports betting. If the latter, it’s likely Illinois will prevent wagers on any contests with participants below the age of 18. Essentially, esports is still largely uncharted territory in the sports betting world, and we’re not sure where Illinois will stand.
Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. BetRivers is an obvious extension of the suburban Chicago property, which is partially owned by Rush Street Gaming. Rush Street Interactive develops and supports the BetRivers app. It’s also a great option for people looking to place bets near Chicago.
There are so many sports on offer, you’re bound to find a bet that fits your tastes. NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS, and countless other sports are available. Golf, Tennis, NASCAR, and various international sports are on offer, too.
The only sports you won’t find are high school matches, minor league sports, and college games that involve an Illinois school, all of which are not allowed on any Illinois regulated sportsbook site.