Not On Par: Why Bettors Can’t Wager On Golf At Illinois Sportsbooks

Illinois residents can no longer place bets on PGA Tour events or file for sports gaming on mobile devices. Illinois has legalized sports gambling, but the state’s implementation has been disappointing.

What’s going on with the golfing gambling in Illinois?

In late July, BetRivers, which was the sole live mobile sportsbook at the time, removed PGA Tour, NASCAR, and KBO lines. The removal of the PGA Tour was particularly intriguing because it was highly favored among Illinois bettors, especially in the absence of traditional sporting events.

However, due to the wording of the state’s gaming bill, there are issues of integrity associated with PGA Tour betting.

If an individual fails to achieve the split, the expenses for the event will exceed their earnings. This is in violation of the ongoing sports betting laws in Illinois. Though it may appear unlikely, there is a clear worry that players might intentionally avoid the split to make money that hasn’t been wagered.

Furthermore, this may also be applicable to players who only receive a small part of the prize money each weekend. This is where we need to delve into the details.

Even if an individual wins some money, could their flight, training, and caddie expenses be higher than their tournament fees? Perhaps, which could result in a completely different logistical challenge.

Currently, it’s up to the sportsbooks to figure this out. BetRivers, DraftKings at Casino Queen, William Hill at GrandVictoria, and Argosy Casino Alton are all operational.

Illinois golfing betting might come back.

Most likely, a solution is coming soon, which is encouraging.

On July 23, golf betting was restored by Illinois sportsbooks. However, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) is required to wait 30 days before responding.

The BMW Championship is set to commence at Olympia Fields Country Club on Aug. 27, potentially aligning with the resurgence of golf in Illinois. Olympia Fields is located in a southern suburb of Chicago.

Though the PGA Championship was only occasionally offered in the state, the last two major tournaments this fall – the US Open and The Masters – are expected to be available for sports betting. However, the Open Championship will not occur in 2020.

More problems from the rhinovirus in Illinois

Even as COVID-19 numbers are rising, the main issue in Illinois sports betting continues to be the requirement for in-person registration. This overshadows the irritation caused by the limited golf betting options.

In the early summer, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker temporarily suspended the requirement for in-person registration. However, he did not prolong his executive order into late July.

To register for online sports betting, bettors are now required to attend a game in Illinois. BetRivers, located in the suburb of Des Plaines, Chicago, holds a notable edge over DraftKings which is in East St. Louis. BetRivers was also live during the short wireless registration period, unlike DraftKings.

Increased COVID – 19 situations in Metro East

Currently, Argosy and William Hill only operate in the retail sector.

The Illinois Department of Public Health recently released the latest COVID-19 positivity rates. East St. Louis, which is part of Region 4, is included in these statistics.

Average local enthusiasm over 7 days for 11 locations in IL as of August 12 (see personal charts in the following comments).

3.4% in Region 1, 5.5% in Region 2, 6.0% in Region 3, 8.4% in Region 4, 7.5% in Region 5, 2.4% in Region 6, 6.7% in Region 7, 4.9% in Region 8, 5.7% in Region 9, 6.0% in Region 10, 5.0% in Region 11. pic.twitter.com/iTdapsfBeg

This was tweeted by Hannah Meisel on August 15, 2020.

Pritzker implemented mitigation efforts effective from Aug. 18, due to Region 4 recording a positivity rate higher than 8% for three consecutive days. Pritzker stated:

We are implementing stricter countermeasures that take into account the distinctive aspects in this region in collaboration with local authorities in the Metro East area and across the border in St. Louis. If you haven’t been taking( the coronavirus ) seriously yet, now is the time to start, Dr. ( Ngozi) Ezike and I are pleading with local authorities and locals alike. & rdquo,

The restrictions are admittedly minor.

Restaurants, bars, and casinos within Region 4 must close by 11 p.m. due to limited capacity. Interestingly, Chicago residents are still required to travel to a COVID-19 hotspot to register for online sports betting instead of merely signing up from their homes.

In summary, if you were a bettor from Chicagoland hoping to place a bet on the Wyndham Championship at DraftKings this past weekend, we extend our sympathies to you.