Illinois March Madness Sports Betting: Special Rules and Restrictions
Illinois sports bettors face unique restrictions during March Madness tournaments. Here's what you need to know about the state's collegiate sports betting rules.
Current Betting Restrictions:
- No online bets on Illinois colleges/universities
- No retail sportsbook bets on in-state schools
- Player prop bets prohibited for Illinois athletes
- These rules apply to all Division I NCAA teams
Illinois March Madness basketball action
Regulatory History:
- Sports betting launched: March 2020
- Initially: All in-state college bets prohibited
- 2021 Amendment: Allowed in-person bets at retail sportsbooks
- July 1, 2024: Amendment expired, reverting to full prohibition
Affected Illinois Schools:
- University of Illinois
- Northwestern University
- Loyola University Chicago
- Bradley University
- Chicago State University
- DePaul University
- Eastern Illinois University
- Illinois State University
- Northern Illinois University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Western Illinois University
Important Note: You can still bet on collegiate sports events happening in Illinois, as long as they don't involve Illinois-based teams. These restrictions apply to both the men's and women's NCAA tournaments.
The rules particularly impact betting during March Madness, as several Illinois programs regularly qualify for the NCAA tournaments. Bettors should verify their selected teams aren't on the prohibited list before placing wagers.