Illinois launched legal sports betting in 2020. You’ve got DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and a bunch more apps available throughout the state. So why would any Illinois bettor bother with Bovada?
A few reasons actually. And whether they matter depends on how you bet.
Illinois Legal Betting Background
Illinois jumped into legal betting with both feet. Mobile betting launched statewide. The major sportsbooks all entered the market. Revenue numbers have been huge - Illinois is consistently a top-5 state for betting handle.
But Illinois also has some restrictions:
No in-state college bets. You can’t bet on Illinois, Northwestern, DePaul, Loyola, or any other in-state college team through legal books. This was a compromise to get the legislation passed.
15% operator tax. This gets passed to bettors through the vig. Illinois lines are slightly worse than some other legal states.
Account limits. Legal books will limit you if you win consistently. This is standard practice but it matters if you’re a sharp bettor.
Bovada doesn’t have any of these restrictions.
The In-State College Issue
This is the big one for Illinois.
Want to bet on Illinois football in the Big Ten? Not through FanDuel.
Want to bet on the Illini in March Madness? Not through DraftKings.
Want to bet on Northwestern basketball? Nope.
The legal books are blocked from offering any wagering on Illinois-based college teams. It’s written into the law.
Bovada? They cover every college team in the country. Illinois, Northwestern, DePaul, NIU, SIU, Loyola Chicago - all available with full lines and props.
For Illini and Wildcat fans, this alone is enough reason to have a Bovada account alongside your legal options.
Poker Situation
Illinois hasn’t legalized online poker. The mobile sportsbooks don’t offer it. The casinos in the state don’t have online poker rooms.
If you want to play poker online from Chicago, you’re going offshore. Bovada’s poker room works from Illinois. Anonymous tables, cash games at all stakes, regular tournaments.
The traffic is decent. Not massive but enough to find games. Late nights and weekends are busiest.
Chicago Sports Coverage
Bovada covers Chicago teams the same as every other book:
Chicago Bears - Every NFL game has deep markets. Bears moneyline, spread, totals, player props for whoever’s playing. Team futures, division odds, all of it.
Chicago Cubs and White Sox - Full MLB coverage for both teams. Run lines, totals, pitcher props, team props. Baseball props are actually better on Bovada than some legal books.
Chicago Bulls - NBA markets are solid. Player props on guys like Lavine, Derozan, or whoever the current roster features. Bulls have been up and down but the betting action stays consistent.
Chicago Blackhawks - Hockey betting works well on Bovada. Puck lines, totals, period betting, goalie props.
Chicago Fire - MLS betting exists if you care.
The Tax Angle
Illinois has a progressive tax rate that tops out at 4.95%. Gambling winnings count as income. Legal books report your wins to the IRS via W-2G forms.
Bovada reports nothing. They’re offshore with no US reporting obligations.
You’re still legally required to report gambling income regardless of where you bet. The difference is documentation. Legal books create a paper trail automatically. With Bovada, you handle your own records.
Some people prefer the automatic reporting. Others prefer managing it themselves. Neither is wrong - just different approaches.
Getting Funds In and Out
Legal Illinois books connect to your bank account. Deposits and withdrawals are seamless. Usually 2-3 business days for withdrawals.
Bovada requires crypto for reliable deposits from Illinois. Cards get blocked by most banks - Chase, Bank of America, BMO Harris, whatever you use probably won’t work.
The crypto process:
- Buy Bitcoin or Litecoin via Coinbase or Cash App
- Send to Bovada’s deposit address
- Funds arrive in minutes
- Request withdrawal whenever
- Crypto hits your wallet in under 24 hours usually
- Sell back to dollars if needed
More steps than a legal book. But also faster for withdrawals once you’re set up.
Who Should Use What
Casual bettor, occasional action: Stick with legal books. DraftKings and FanDuel are easy. The convenience matters more than small line differences. You get promos and boosted odds.
Illini or Wildcats fan: You need Bovada for college betting on Illinois teams. Legal books literally won’t let you.
Poker player: Bovada’s your only real option from Illinois. Legal poker doesn’t exist.
Sharp bettor facing limits: Bovada is more tolerant of winners than legal books. If your DraftKings account is limited, Bovada might still take your action.
Someone who wants everything in one place: Bovada combines sportsbook, poker room, and casino. Some people like not jumping between apps.
Living in Chicago vs Downstate
Chicago has the population and the infrastructure. The legal sportsbook presence is strong. Bars show games, people use apps casually, it’s normalized.
Downstate Illinois - Champaign, Springfield, Peoria, the smaller cities - still has betting access through the same apps but the culture is different. College sports matter more. And you can’t legally bet on the local teams.
From what I hear, offshore usage is higher downstate partly for this reason. The Illinois/Missouri border also creates some interesting situations with cross-state traffic.
Getting Started
If you already use legal Illinois books: Add Bovada for college team bets and poker. That’s the main use case. Crypto deposit is mandatory.
If you’re new to sports betting: Start with a legal app like DraftKings. Learn the basics. Easier interface, legal protection, straightforward deposits. You can always add Bovada later.
If you mainly bet college sports: Set up Bovada first since you’ll need it for Illinois teams anyway. Then add a legal book for NFL if you want.
FAQ
Can I use Bovada in Illinois?
Yes. Bovada accepts Illinois players without issues. You can sign up, deposit with crypto, and bet on everything - including Illinois college teams that legal books can’t offer.
Is Bovada legal in Illinois?
It’s a gray area. Illinois regulates its licensed sportsbooks but has no law specifically prohibiting use of offshore sites. Players don’t get prosecuted. The practical risk is minimal.
Why can’t I bet on Illinois teams with DraftKings?
Illinois law prohibits legal sportsbooks from offering wagers on in-state college teams. This includes Illinois, Northwestern, and any other college team based in the state.
Should I use Bovada or DraftKings in Illinois?
Both, ideally. Legal books for NFL, NBA, most regular betting. Bovada for Illinois college sports, poker, and as a backup if you get limited elsewhere.