At the time of writing, BetMGM members can wager on 19 different sports at the site. It almost goes without saying that the big leagues are all present and correct, so you can show your support for the likes of the Chicago Bulls, the White Sox and the Bears. You’ll also be able to branch out to place bets on everything from the German Handball-Bundesliga to the PDC World Darts Championship. If a diverse array of options is what you’re after, BetMGM has you covered.
There’s no shortage of legal sportsbooks in the Prairie State, and one of the biggest names is undoubtedly BetMGM. This major league operator was a relative latecomer to the Illinois sports betting scene, launching a few years after the first wave of online bookies went live in the state. But BetMGM has quickly cemented its place as a go-to destination for sports fans, and this review will reveal why.
Here on this page, you’ll learn key details about the site, from the kind of sports you’ll be able to bet on, to the promos you can expect. Let’s get into it.
Why Sign Up To BetMGM Illinois
BetMGM has a well-earned reputation in numerous states, whether in terms of its attractive interface, the range of sports covered by the site, or the much-vaunted rewards program. All of these boxes are checked in Illinois, so there’s certainly plenty to sink your teeth into. Wherever your sporting passions lie, you’ll find satisfying market depth at BetMGM. This means you can enjoy making in-depth wagers on both top-tier leagues and lesser-known events.
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History of BetMGM Illinois
Quite some time after rival sites such as FanDuel and BetRivers launched in Illinois, BetMGM finally joins the fray by going live in March of this year.
Governor JB Pritzker signs through a law that legalizes sports betting in the Prairie State. This sets the stage for bookmakers like BetMGM to set up shop in Illinois.
BetMGM Illinois Promo Code
At BetMGM, your first wager comes with a handy insurance policy. Just sign up, deposit at least $10 into your account, and then make your bet. If it wins, great! If it loses, you’ll have up to $1,000 of your stake returned as free bet credits. No promo code is needed to access this risk-free bet offer – you’re automatically eligible as long as you make that minimum first deposit.
It’s important to be aware of how the reimbursement works. If your losing stake is greater than $50, your refund will come in five free bet tokens, each worth 20% of the total stake. If, however, your stake is $49 or less, the whole amount will be reimbursed in a single free bet.
Promotions
The risk-free welcome offer is just the beginning, bonus-wise. Head over to the dedicated ‘Promotions’ page, which is signposted by the loudhailer icon, and you’ll see what’s available at any given moment. The deals can change up over time, and often coincide with major sporting events. You may, for example, be offered overtime insurance for NBA Playoff games, so that if your team loses in overtime, you’ll get up to $25 of your moneyline wager back as a free bet.
Similar insurance offers are frequently available for one game parlays, returning you some of your stake if, say, your 4+ parlay loses by one leg. All in all, we have to give BetMGM top marks for providing a generous and eclectic selection of promos for loyal customers.
Sports available at BetMGM Illinois
Live Betting & Streaming
Live betting is a very big deal at BetMGM. For one thing, there’s a rich range of in-play markets. So, whether you want to bet on who’ll win the current set in a tennis match, or on what the first half result will be in a soccer game, these selections will typically be available.
The site also prides itself on its live streaming service. This means that you’ll be able to watch broadcasts of numerous events through the BetMGM desktop site or app. Enhancing the live betting experience still further is the cash out function. Simply put, you’ll be able to close certain bets before the outcome has been determined, with BetMGM paying out an amount based on odds calculated at that precise moment in time.
Say you’ve backed the Chicago Bulls against the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Bulls are indeed surging ahead. The bookmaker may offer an amount you can claim then and there, well before the game is over. It’ll be less than what you’d win if you stick it out to the end, but it’s a guaranteed profit. On the flip side, if the Bulls are faltering badly, you may decide to bail out with a small cash out amount, mitigating your potential losses to some extent.
Odds
Being one of the top sportsbooks in the state, BetMGM provides odds that are reliably in line with rival sites. It also provides tools that can potentially allow you to maximize your returns. As we touched on earlier, same game parlays are very much a thing at BetMGM, meaning you can combine multiple selections, and multiple odds, for the same event. This can bring in far a far bigger payout compared to placing bets individually, though your risk also goes up because all the legs have to win.
It’s worth noting that BetMGM also boasts an ongoing Parlay Plus promotion, providing a profit boost of up to 40% on winning parlays that feature 4-7 legs.
App Review
Betting on the move (or lounging on your couch) is a cinch thanks to BetMGM’s native app. It shares the desktop version’s glossy appearance, and lays out the sports and markets in a highly intuitive way. That’s a very good thing, as the last thing you want when placing time-sensitive live bets is to lose your way in a badly designed app.
To use the app, simply follow our link to sign up for a BetMGM account. You can then download the app via Google Play or the App Store, depending on whether you’re on an Android or iOS device.
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Design & Usability
There’s no two ways about it: BetMGM is a looker of a site. There’s just something to be said for gold lettering on a black backdrop, not to mention the conspicuous celebrity imagery (think Wayne Gretzky and Jamie Foxx). But none of this razzle dazzle would matter if the site wasn’t also a doddle to navigate. The full range of sports can be viewed on not one but two menus, with the list running along the top of the page and down the left hand side. The presence of clear, eye-catching tabs for promos and live bets is the icing on the cake.
Special Features
A standout feature at BetMGM is the ‘Edit My Bet’ tool. This makes it very easy to alter some of your bets, including parlays. You can, for example, add or remove legs from a parlay, or raise the stake amount.
Another selling point of the site is the BetMGM Rewards program, which gives you points as you bet. In fact, there are two types to collect: BetMGM Rewards Points, which can be redeemed for bonus credits or in-person perks like hotel stays, and MGM Tier Credits, which can propel you up the loyalty program ranks.
Cashier
Nobody wants to spend time setting up unfamiliar payment methods. The good news is that, when it comes to managing your funds, BetMGM has options to suit the majority of members.
Deposits can be made using your debit or credit card, online banking, PayPal, and the BetMGM Play+ card. You can also pay into your account using cash at participating PayNearMe retailers.
Similar options are available for payouts, with the quickest withdrawals usually available via PayPal and Play+ cards.
Min deposit | Minimum Withdrawal Limit | Withdrawal Processing Time | |
PayNearMe | $10 | N/A | N/A |
BetMGM Play+ card | $10 | $20 | Within 6 hours |
Credit/debit card | $10 | N/A | N/A |
PayPal | $10 | $20 | Within 24 hours |
VIP Preferred (ACH) | $10 | $20 | 3-7 business days |
Online banking (ACH) | $10 | $20 | 1-3 business days |
Check by mail | N/A | $20 | 7-20 business days |
BetMGM Illinois Customer Support
If you have questions about how the site works, and how to use various parts of your account, chances are the answers await you in the ‘Help’ section. But, if you have an issue that needs resolving, you can always contact the customer support staff through live chat or by email. There’s also a dedicated customer support Twitter account. At the time of writing, phone support isn’t available, but this may change in the future.
Your Questions Answered
Can I play casino games like roulette and slots at BetMGM Illinois?
While BetMGM does have a sprawling online casino, you won’t be able to access it in Illinois. That’s because online casino gaming hasn’t been legalized in the Prairie State.
Do I have to download special software or apps to watch live sports through BetMGM?
Not at all. You can simply enjoy the live streamed action through the BetMGM app or desktop interface, with no need to download any extras.
Does BetMGM provide safer gambling tools?
As you’d expect from a reputable and licensed bookmaker, BetMGM does indeed have a range of tools to help you manage your gambling. You can, for example, set daily, weekly and monthly deposit limits, or choose to lock yourself out of your account for a set period. There’s even a dedicated team you can contact for help or advice, at [email protected].