A glance at the A-Z list of sports categories at BetRivers quickly confirms this site has all the big bases covered. So, whether you’re in the mood to bet on the NBA or the NHL, or perhaps top-tier European leagues like the Bundesliga, you’ll have plenty of markets to dive into. On top of the perennial favorites, BetRivers covers some of the lesser-followed categories like handball and darts. Wherever your passions lie, chances are you’ll find your niche here.
BetRivers occupies a special place in the history of legal sports betting in Illinois. After all, it was the very first online sportsbook to launch in the Prairie State, signaling the start of a bold new era for sports fans. That milestone aside, what does the site offer in terms of promotions and betting markets?
We’ll delve into the details in this review, giving you a panoramic view of the whole site. If it sounds like the online bookmaker you’re looking for, simply follow our link to create an account in no time.
Why Sign Up To BetRivers Illinois
Fun fact about BetRivers: its parent company, Rush Street Interactive, is actually based in Illinois. But, state loyalty aside, why should you consider signing up? There are a number of reasons, including the sprawling sports coverage, great welcome bonus, and highly user-friendly mobile app. All things considered, BetRivers is undoubtedly one of the top sportsbooks in the state, so let’s take a closer look at what’s in store.
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History of Bet Rivers Illinois
A multi-year deal with the Chicago Bears makes BetRivers the official sportsbook partner of the football team. This is the Bears’ first exclusive deal in the sports betting industry.
BetRivers becomes the first online sportsbook to legally launch in Illinois.
Illinois’ governor, JB Pritzker, signs legislation that gives the legal go-ahead to sports betting in the Prairie State. This lays the foundations for sites like BetRivers to operate here.
Bet Rivers Illinois Promo Code
Your bankroll will get an instant boost when you make your first payment into your BetRivers account. That’s thanks to the matched deposit bonus of 100% up to $250. To activate the offer, you’ll need to enter the promo code 250MATCH when making the deposit. The site will then match your money in bonus funds, up to a $250 max. So, if you sign up and deposit $20, you’ll be given an additional $20 to bet with.
There are some T&Cs to keep in mind, though. The bonus funds will expire if not used within 30 days, and there’s a 1x playthrough requirement. This means you’ll need to wager the bonus amount before you’re able to withdraw any winnings related to the promo.
Promotions
BetRivers doesn’t just make new customers feel appreciated. There’s also a raft of bonus offers for existing customers to take advantage of. These often tie-in with big-ticket sports events. For example, you may be offered home run insurance for a particular MLB game, meaning you’ll get your stake refunded as bet credits if your player records a hit but not a home run.
You may also be offered free bets in return for making a minimum number of wagers. Say, three same game parlays at $10+ each. We recommend returning to the promo page to check for fresh offers, which can include profit boosts for certain selections.
All in all, BetRivers has one of the more impressive lineups of ongoing deals we’ve seen at any Illinois sportsbook.
Sports available at Bet Rivers Illinois
Live Betting & Streaming
Hit the ‘Live’ tab at BetRivers, and you’ll typically see a wide variety of events to bet on. There’s plenty of market depth for in-play categories, so you can look forward to predicting, say, the current set winner in tennis, or the total goals in the current soccer half.
Live streaming is a major perk at BetRivers. Tap that ‘Stream’ tab and you’ll see what sporting events you can watch right there on the desktop site or app. Not only is this an enjoyable add-on, but being able to actually survey the action in real time can make it easier to assess the game and make savvier in-play betting choices.
The site also provides the cash out feature on many live bets. This is known as ‘buy out’ at BetRivers, and means you can close bets that are still in contention. Say you’ve made a moneyline wager on a tennis player to triumph, but they’re a set behind. In this case, you might decide to call it quits on your bet and accept a small return from BetRivers, rather than see the bet through and suffer a total loss. A similar principle applies if your player happens to take the lead. You may decide it’s better to hit ‘buy out’ and secure a profit there and then, rather than risk keeping the bet in play for a potentially larger profit later.
Odds
BetRivers’ odds are in line with what you’d expect from the leading sportsbooks in Illinois, which is good to know. Even better, the site runs daily odds boosts on certain selections. By betting on these enhanced lines, you can enjoy bigger returns than the market average.
BetRivers also lets you create same game parlays on some events. This can allow you to boost your potential profits by combining odds from different bets on the same slip. All the legs of the parlay have to go your way for the parlay to win, however, so this is a higher risk, higher reward way to play.
App Review
Whether you’re on the bus, killing time in a coffee shop, or simply resting up on the couch, you can manage your BetRivers account and place wagers with ease thanks to the app. It shares the same smart functionality as the desktop site, and allows you to access the full range of selections and promos wherever you are. You can also watch the live streamed events through this nifty native app.
Getting it is easy. Once you’ve followed our link to create your BetRivers account, the app can be downloaded from either the App Store or Google Play, depending on your device type.
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Design & Usability
The structure of the BetRivers desktop site follows sportsbook tradition. By that we mean you’ll see the list of sports categories running down the left-hand side, with the betting markets themselves in the center of the page. This all works well, but if we’re going to nitpick we would say the site could do with a bit of de-cluttering. Hefty icons and the unnecessary newsfeed of recent wins by other bettors make for a rather cramped interface.
That said, we like the relaxed, blue color scheme and plethora of clear links which make it easy to find your way around the whole site.
Special Features
BetRivers has a genuinely unique selling point. Namely, the option to bet on Jai-Alai H2H. This is a fast-paced spin on classic jai alai, a racquetball-like sport. BetRivers’ parent company Rush Street Interactive signed an exclusive partnership deal meaning this is the only sportsbook where you’ll be able to bet on Jai-Alai H2H events, which take place on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Cashier
Thanks to the array of banking options supported by BetRivers, you should be able to make payments and withdrawals in a way that suits you. Deposit methods include debit and credit cards, online banking, the BetRivers Play+ card, and VanillaDirect.
There are slightly fewer payout routes, but on the plus side you can typically expect rapid processing times when withdrawing to a BetRivers Play+ card. Just bear in mind that internal procedures can add up to 24 hours to the times below.
Min deposit | Minimum Withdrawal Limit | Withdrawal Processing Time | |
VanillaDirect | $10 | N/A | N/A |
BetRivers Play+ card | $10 | Immediately | |
Credit/debit card | $10 | N/A | N/A |
PayPal | $10 | ||
VIP Preferred (ACH) | $10 | 2-5 business days | |
Online banking (ACH) | $10 | 2-5 business days | |
Check by mail | N/A | 10-14 business days |
Bet Rivers Illinois Customer Support
If you have a question that isn’t answered on the BetRivers help page, or there’s a problem with your account, you can easily get in touch with customer support staff. Firing up the live chat window is perhaps the most convenient option, with operators available every day from 9.30am to 2am, EST. You can also drop BetRivers an email if you’d prefer.
Your Questions Answered
Is there a rewards program at BetRivers?
There is indeed. It’s called iRush Rewards, and it gives you Loyalty Level and Bonus Store Points as you wager. The Bonus Store Points can be redeemed for bet credits and other perks, while the Loyalty Level Points allow you to rise up the program tiers, unlocking bigger benefits like birthday gifts and invites to VIP events.
Can I play casino games like online slots and roulette at BetRivers?
Not in Illinois, as online casino gaming hasn’t been legalized in the Prairie State. You can, however, enjoy BetRivers casino games in eligible states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Do I have to be an Illinois resident to make sports bets at BetRivers?
Not at all. All that’s required is that you’re physically within state lines. So, whether you live in Illinois or just passing through, you can place real money wagers at BetRivers.