New Sports Betting Sites in Illinois 2023

Five Things All New Illinois Betting Sites Should Have

One would think a bookie’s launch date makes no difference, at least when reviewing them. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. When we do re-reviews, it’s much easier because of all the available info. We can even compare the current state to our past findings to see if the bookie really improved.

But new betting sites in Illinois are pretty much-uncharted land. That’s why the Gambla team uses a special approach. Although we can’t reveal all the steps of the process, we can share the pillars of our analysis. Pay attention to them, and you’ll be able to ‘sniff out’ the top IL bookies.

1. Top-notch Security 

No feature can make up for a lack of security. Period. New betting sites in Illinois must invest adequate resources into strengthening their platform. They should use modern safety solutions, as well as have HTTPS and other backend certificates. Additional seals of approval from Visa, Mastercard, and other popular providers will do, too.

Make no mistake – this is something you can’t cheap out on. There are more hackers than ever before, and they’re always looking for sites with lackluster security and lots of traffic. Online sportsbooks are perfect for this. To stay safe and prevent yourself from getting exposed to criminals, stick with Gambla’s recommendations. Our experts monitor every site and test it thoroughly. If there are any security issues, you’ll know about them.

2. Inclusive Banking Section

Nowadays, there are plenty of different deposit options. Thus, there’s no reason to use something you’re not comfortable with. It’s not 2005 anymore, and there are far better options than wire transfers. We’re talking about credit cards, e-wallets, digital banking gateways, vouchers, and even cryptos.

This has plenty of benefits, none of which is more important than beginner-friendliness. No matter how amazing a bookie is, you shouldn’t be forced to learn new processes or create a new account. If you, for instance, prefer to use Apple Pay, look for new IL sportsbooks that accept it. You can find all of this in our top list, so don’t worry about conducting a lot of research.

3. Suitable Means of Support

Traditional bookmakers had one big advantage – there were no points of failure. If you won, you won and that was it. But nowadays, everything is finicky and depends on servers, front-end architecture, and much more. This makes it difficult for the average player to resolve issues. Support is, therefore, imperative at new betting sites in Illinois.

First and foremost, support should be easy to use. Gambla prefers 24/7 live chat, as it’s the most beginner-friendly option out there. You just log into your account, type out the message and send it. It can’t be easier than that, but email and phone are also great alternatives. Whatever the case may be, an FAQ section can also come in handy.

4. IGB Licensing 

The Illinois Gaming Board is tasked with licensing all new betting sites in Illinois. Usually, an operator has to come up with a business plan and then formally present it to the IGB. The regulator then decides if the plan is feasible and if the bookie is capable of behaving accordingly. They also run extensive background checks, just to see if everything is legal.

Therefore, an IGB license is an important seal of approval. Don’t trust bookies that don’t have it. You’ll probably see upstart bookies that claim they’re ‘in the process’ of getting licensed. Never fall for tricks like this. Only fully compliant bookies are worth playing at. If you expose yourself to anything else, you risk getting scammed or being a victim of identity theft.

5. Player Safety Tools 

We already mentioned safety a little while ago, but it’s important to circle back to it. As much as bookies can do about on-site security, they can’t do much about the activity itself. Gambling will always be risky, which means that players are often the biggest risk factors to themselves. In an effort to combat this, new betting sites in Illinois developed all kinds of tools.

Self-imposed limits are probably the most popular. They work by allowing players to set custom caps on their daily/weekly/monthly deposits, withdrawals, and bets. This effectively lets you tailor the whole sportsbook to your needs. If you’re a casual player, a $50 weekly cap will do just fine. Regardless of what happens, you won’t be able to change the limit without a waiting period. This discourages irresponsible behavior.

Promos at New Betting Sites in Illinois

Everyone loves a good promo. But there’s more to this aspect of new Illinois sportsbooks than just grabbing and spending the bonus money. Before you claim a promo, let’s take a look at the different types you’ll encounter:

• No-deposit Bonus: This is everyone’s favorite promo. It’s completely risk-free and doesn’t require any sort of investment. Just opt in and you’re good to go. The only downside is that you can’t win much.
• Deposit Bonus: Deposit matches are perhaps the most common bonus type. They’re the most feasible for bookies since they get money upfront. The rules are also more relaxed, giving you more opportunities to have fun and experiment with bets. Just don’t deposit too much.
• Cashback: These bonuses are almost always meant for regular players. You have to spend a certain amount of money in order to be eligible. Once you hit that amount, the bookie will return a certain percentage back.
• Reload: They’re match deposit bonuses for existing players. Unlike welcome bonuses which usually match deposits up to 100% or more, reload bonuses are more toned-down.
• VIP Scheme: And last but not least, the most fruitful bonus. Unlike other examples on this list, VIP programs have levels. Each bet carries certain points, and you have to accumulate them. The more points you amass, the better the prizes.

Red Flags to Watch Out for at New Betting Sites in Illinois

Even though new betting sites in Illinois are well-regulated, bookies will still try to be sneaky. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, and they must gain an edge. However, abusive practices and borderline scammy behavior are not the way to do it. If you’re only getting started with IL sportsbooks, watch out for the following:

High Fees

Nowadays, it’s somewhat normal to pay fees for at least something. Bookies have to make ends meet, and they are in their right to ask for fees. Sure, as long as the fees are within reasonable limits. The best way to determine this is to compare the site with others.

If the price difference is too high, it’s a rip-off. And if you’re wondering how people fall for it, it’s simple – they’re lazy. While you may have the time and the will to compare sites, others don’t. Likewise, you should also be wary of bookies with no fees and high odds.

Lack of Transparency

While sports betting is meant to be fun, it still involves money. What’s more, you’re sharing sensitive information with online bookmakers. In such a situation, it’s good to know who you’re dealing with. And we don’t mean just licensing. This also means certificates, background information, and more.

Now, we’re not saying a lack of info means a bookie is bad. There are indeed good sites that just don’t handle this part of marketing very well. But more often than not, it’s a sign that the site has something to hide. Check out our reviews of new betting sites in Illinois to be extra sure which ones are worthwhile.

Abusive Bonuses

On a wider scale, sportsbooks in IL can’t offer big bonuses or use overly enticing language when advertising promotions. This is good, but there are still tricks that manage to fall through the legal cracks. Gambla classifies this as abusive practice. They can come in many shapes and forms, especially rules hidden in the T&C.

For instance, a betting site might advertise a $1,000 bonus. It seems simple enough once you see it, but upon closer inspection, it’s a mess. The wagering requirements are 50x and you can’t bet more than $5 per slip. These things happen all the time and are known to mess up the average Joe’s experience at new Illinois betting sites.

Most Popular Sports at New Betting Sites in Illinois

Everyone knows that Illinois is one of the best sports states. Whether it’s the Cubs or the Bulls, every game garners plenty of attention. This, of course, involves a lot of bets placed. Compared to, let’s say Indiana and Iowa, citizens of IL are much more eager to bet on international sports. That’s why you’ll often see lots of action during the FIFA World Cup or the Hockey World Cup.

Likewise, you’ll find plenty of niche options, such as winter sports or Gaelic sports. At any given time, there are at least 20 different sports you can bet on. Of course, we can’t forget about NCAA basketball or other college sports. While basketball and baseball reign supreme, new betting sites in Illinois have some of the best arrays of choices out there. Though, this might not be as important if you’re a casual player or a one-sport bettor.

New Betting Sites vs. Old Sportsbooks: What’s Better? 

Oftentimes, our readers wonder if new betting sites in Illinois are really worth it. At the end of the day, this depends on your preferences. But we can get an objective look if we compare new bookies to old ones, which we’ll do right now:

Pros & Cons of New Betting Sites in Illinois

Pros

• Exciting new features
• More player-friendly than established brands
• Plenty of choices
• Easy to find exotic bets

Cons

• Brands are often inexperienced
• There can be growing pains

New Betting Sites by US state

• New Betting Sites in Arizona
• New Betting Sites in Colorado
• New Betting Sites in Connecticut
• New Betting Sites in the US
• New Betting Sites in Indiana
• New Betting Sites in Iowa
• New Betting Sites in Kansas
• New Betting Sites in Louisiana
• New Betting Sites in Maryland
• New Betting Sites in Massachusetts
• New Betting Sites in Michigan
• New Betting Sites in New Jersey
• New Betting Sites in New York
• New Betting Sites in Ohio
• New Betting Sites in Pennsylvania
• New Betting Sites in Tennessee
• New Betting Sites in Virginia
• New Betting Sites in West Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions About New Illinois Betting Sites