New Sportsbook Launches In Illinois With bet365

bet365 has expanded into the Land of Lincoln, marking the brand's 13th state of operation and one of the newest Illinois sportsbooks available to bettors. 

Going live on March 16, the bet365 app and site arrived to Illinois sports bettors just in time for the March Madness NCAA Tournament, and it comes with a lucrative welcome offer to use while betting on the tournament!

Find out more about the bet365 Illinois bonus code in our complete review, including how to claim and specific terms and conditions. 

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose

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Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, IA, IL, KY, LA, OH, NC, NJ, PA, TN, VA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Risked amount excluded from returns. New Customer only. T&Cs Apply.

bet365 Slow to Expand in the US

Despite being the biggest sportsbook globally, bet365 hasn't quite made its mark on the US just yet. Since first entering the US sports betting market in 2019 through a launch in New Jersey, bet365 is now available in just 13 states following the Illinois launch. Most of the other big names like DraftKings, FanDuel and Caesars Sportsbook are available in 20+ states. 

And that's been reflective of bet365's market share in the US, holding just 2% of sports betting handle share nation-wide and good for seventh among all operators. 

Now, the question is whether bet365 waited too long to launch in the US or is expanding at just the right time by waiting for market consolidation. It'll have to be seen which is the case, but in some of the more recent markets that have opened, bet365 has double-digit market share. 

So we'll have to see whether bet365 can take share in the Land of Lincoln despite launching several years after the market went live. For now, it has to compete with the incumbent IL betting apps for control of the market. 

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose

Visit Site

Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, IA, IL, KY, LA, OH, NC, NJ, PA, TN, VA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Risked amount excluded from returns. New Customer only. T&Cs Apply.

Walker's Bluff Casino Gets in on the Action

Sports betting law in the state of Illinois dictates that each online sportsbook must have a retail partner in order to launch. 

In this case, bet365 is partnered with Walker's Bluff Casino Resort in Carterville in southern Illinois. Now, there is no retail bet365 sportsbook at the casino itself, but Walker's Bluff offers what it calls "one of the best area sports viewing experiences for all sports fans" at the Draft Day Sports Lounge. 

This lounge allows customers to enjoy a completely immersive sports viewing experience while placing bets on the bet365 app. And who knows, you may even find some lucrative Illinois sportsbook promos while visiting this lounge.