- The NCAA March Madness tournaments are beginning soon
- Illinois collegiate sports betting rules are different than most states
- There are key differences to know about Illinois online and retail sports betting for March Madness
The madness of March is on its way, as the men’s NCAA basketball tournament is set to begin on Tuesday, March 18.
But if you live in Illinois, you may find that you are prohibited from making certain bets on college basketball when the NCAA tournaments begin.
Understand what you can bet on here before you go online or head out to retail sportsbooks in your area.
Illinois In-State College Sports Betting Rules for March Madness
The Illinois Gaming Board has strict rules and regulations when it comes to betting on college sports in the state. Illinois launched sports betting in March 2020 and initially prohibited all collegiate sports bets on in-state schools.
This lasted until 2021, when the board amended the law to allow for bets on in-state colleges as long as they were placed in-person at retail sportsbooks. However, all bets online sports bets for in-state colleges are still prohibited.
Illinois online sports betting apps, including new addition bet365 Illinois once it launches, can accept bets on collegiate sports events that take place in the state, but they cannot do so if they include an Illinois college or university. If you want to make such a bet, you need to go to a retail sportsbook.
The same goes for prop betting on the tournament. Illinois has yet to place a prohibition on collegiate prop bets, but sportsbooks will not allow bettors to place player prop bets on any Illinois athletes.
These prohibition can make life difficult in March, as several Illinois programs usually find themselves in the mix to make the NCAA men and women’s tournament.
Which Schools Are Affected by Illinois College Betting Rules?
The prohibition on in-state college online sports betting is in effect for all D1 NCAA teams.
Likely, the most popular school this affects is the University of Illinois, which has been a top-seeded program in the NCAA tournaments for the past several years. Northwestern and University of Loyola Chicago have also found themselves in the tournament as of late, but will likely have to win their conference tournaments to receive a bid.
Before you visit your favorite March Madness betting apps, check out the schools affected by the prohibition:
- Bradley University
- Chicago State University
- DePaul University
- Eastern Illinois University
- Illinois State University
- Loyola University Chicago
- Northern Illinois University
- Northwestern University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE)
- University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Western Illinois University
March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for sports fans, especially in Illinois where sports betting has become increasingly popular. With the tournament just around the corner, it’s important for bettors to understand the special rules that apply to March Madness betting in the state.
One of the key things to know about Illinois sports betting during March Madness is that there are certain restrictions in place when it comes to betting on college sports. In Illinois, bettors are not allowed to place bets on games involving in-state college teams. This means that if you’re a fan of the Illinois Fighting Illini or the Northwestern Wildcats, you won’t be able to bet on their games during the tournament.
Additionally, Illinois sports betting laws prohibit betting on individual player performances in college games. This means that you won’t be able to place bets on things like how many points a specific player will score or how many rebounds they will grab. Instead, bets will be limited to things like the outcome of the game, the point spread, and the total number of points scored.
Another important thing to keep in mind when betting on March Madness in Illinois is that you must be physically located within the state in order to place a bet. This means that if you’re traveling out of state during the tournament, you won’t be able to place any bets until you return to Illinois.
It’s also worth noting that Illinois sports betting operators are required to use official league data for in-game betting during March Madness. This ensures that all bets are based on accurate and up-to-date information, providing a fair and transparent betting experience for all players.
Overall, understanding the special rules and regulations that apply to March Madness betting in Illinois is crucial for anyone looking to get in on the action. By familiarizing yourself with these rules, you can ensure that you’re making informed and responsible bets throughout the tournament. So get ready to fill out your brackets, place your bets, and enjoy all the excitement that March Madness has to offer!
