Considering the state is home to legendary sports-based teams in cities such as Chicago, it is no surprise that the people of Illinois are extremely passionate when it comes down to watching their favorite teams and sportspeople.
Indeed, when thinking about the teams that are based in Chicago, you only have to think of the Chicago Bulls in the NBA, the Chicago Bears in the NFL, or the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox in the MLB.
In regard to individuals, anyone who has been a fan of wrestling or MMA/UFC will know how passionately the crowd back their home athlete, with many events to have taken place in Illinois having proved how well-backed one of their own is.
Those that know their sporting history will know that each of the teams mentioned above has managed to create huge and lasting legacies within the sport that they compete in, thus perhaps highlighting why people from the state of Illinois are extremely passionate about this particular form of entertainment.
However, it seems that they are about to be able to get even more passionate about the industry – if that is even possible – as sports betting has finally been unleashed within the state’s borders as March 2022 will see a change to the laws.
Sports betting to change in Illinois
Previously, Illinoians would have to register for a sports betting account in person by turning up to a casino to verify who they were. However, as of March 5, 2022, this law is set to come to an end, and they will now be able to use the IL sports betting apps that are available to register like many others around the world are currently able to do.
This could help to see the sports betting industry become even bigger than it already is within the state, as it may encourage more people to look to get involved.
There will, undoubtedly, have been some who would not have wanted to register physically in person for a variety of reasons. Examples could include simply not be bothered to do so, lacking the time to do so, or not being provided the accessibility in order to actually be able to go and do it.
Now, with the opportunity to do it from their preferred device, there is no real reason why those that may have been put off in the past may not want to do it now.
Will Illinoians actually get involved in sports betting?
As mentioned, the state of Illinois is one that is extremely passionate about sport and residents continue to support their favorite teams and competitors fiercely and loyally.
Indeed, teams in Chicago have been able to enjoy some success in recent years, with the WNBA’s Chicago Sky enjoying success in 2021, whilst the MLB’s Chicago Cubs won the World Series in 2016. Let’s not forget, the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks managed to win the Stanley Cup in 2015, too.
Given the amount of success that the sports organizations have had in various competitions, they have always been top prospects to back and ones that are rather easy to get behind when they take to the arena in which they play.
The timing of this decision to allow verification from mobile devices in March could also be rewarded as the NCAA Division March Madness tournament begins; a competition that attracts many from around the world watching some of the most competitive, but unpredictable, college basketball matches in a knockout format.
Summary
Sports betting in Illinois is finally set to be unleashed three years after it was legalized in the state with the abandonment of the previously required in-person verification laws. With more residents likely to take advantage, this industry market could boom even further than it already has, especially when there are a number of iconic sports franchises from the region.
