I Need a Place to Bet on The Fighting Illini Basketball Games Online From Illinois

The Fighting Illini looked sensational to kick off 2025 in their first true road test of the 2024-2025 season against the Oregon Ducks.

But those in Illinois were just plain out of luck (those in Oregon as well, we might add).  You see, the Illinois regulated apps do not allow for betting on games that feature the Fighting Illini and other in-state schools.  These include the likes of DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM. 

But where there's a will, there's a way.  Online sportsbooks like BetOnline have been available to residents of the state since 1999.

Ways to Bet the Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Games Online From Illinois

Sportsbooks With International Licenses

As noted above, back in the 1990's old school bookies with brains got the idea to set up shop offshore and take phone bets from hungry gamblers in the U.S..  This would eventually evolve into online and mobile sports betting.

Some of these early companies are now 25 years or older.  In fact, we visited BetOnline back in 1999 the first week of taking bets out of their Costa Rican office.  The company has since relocated to Panama City, Panama and is now considered among the top five largest online gambling sites in the world.

Back when our dear leader (Gambling911.com's founder) worked as a temporary paralegal in New York City, offshore sportsbooks were widely featured in all the NYC street newsstand publications including sports handicapping rags like the Las Vegas Sporting News (LVSN) and even Maxim.  They also widely advertised on local radio.

Sites like BetOnline no longer engage in direct advertising with Illinois residents, nor do they offer an app.  The BetOnline website is browser-based.

BetOnline also follows international laws much like the cruise ship industry.  They welcome those 18 and up (unlike the typical 21 adhered to at FanDuel and DraftKings in Illinois).  BetOnline also takes bets on college player performance props.

Daily Fantasy Sports Pick'em Model

You've probably seen the ads for PrizePicks.

These Daily Fantasy Sports models pretend not to be sports betting.  News flash: They are.

The concept revolves around a parlay player prop model found at most real money sportsbooks.  DFS sites simply refer to this as a "contest".

Most operate in Illinois but few offer these contests for college games.  That's likely to change as companies become more creative and more competitive.

Local Illinois Bookies

Because Illinois residents have difficulty betting on in-state schools like the Illini with the more prominent apps like DraftKings and FanDuel, there is a cottage industry for bookies employing the services of what are known as Pay Per Heads.

These PPH platforms charge a small weekly fee per customer and in return the bookie gets everything from an odds feed, dedicated hosting and 24/7 customer service.  Some companies even offer a live dealer casino at no extra cost.

Gamblers will mostly find these bookmakers through friends and family.  They can bet anonymously and on credit (no deposit necessary).

Local bookies now even have the ability to allow customers to settle via Bitcoin.

The Pros and Cons of Using an Unregulated Sports Betting App From Illinois

Pros

• Ability to bet on in-state schools, including player props.
• Those 18 and up can bet.
• When traveling, bets can be placed from out-of-state, including those states where regulated apps are unavailable.
• No social security number needs to be provided.
• Some sites in existence now for over 25 years (BetOnline among these).
• Often more competitive odds and extensive bet options that include politics and entertainment.
• These operators are less inclined to impose limits when going on a hot streak.
• Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin accepted.
• Payouts are often within hours, even on Sundays in some cases.

Cons

• Sites are browser-based (no apps available).
• Illinois regulators cannot assist in case of disputes (which are extremely rare, we should note).
• Some payment methods not available.
• Because offshore sportsbooks and local bookies do not report your winnings, it is up to you to maintain thorough tax records, and a tax professional may be needed if your winnings are excessive.
• Illinois regulated sportsbook apps are partnered with state casinos, some of which offer additional perks not found with offshore sportsbooks and local bookies.
• Fly-by-night operators still exist, though are less common and more difficult to find online.

Unfortunately, just as there is a cottage industry for legitimate local bookies, there exist unscrupulous so-called "Twitter bookies". 

Always exercise caution.