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Illinois

Illinois gamblers now have their first chance ever to lay down legal bets on the Super Bowl, but forget about wagering on the length of the national anthem or what commercial is coming up next.

Unlike in some other states — and on plenty of illegal offshore sportsbooks — Illinois bettors will have to stick to on-field action.

Illinois Gaming Board administrator Marcus Fruchter said at a meeting last week his agency will only allow bets on “activity directly within the control or jurisdiction of the NFL and/or individuals subject to the NFL integrity policy.”

Fruchter acknowledged such novelty prop bets — such as whether a winning player will declare he’s going to Disney World, or if a halftime performer will suffer a wardrobe malfunction — are good for “the growth and success” of the industry.

But he said it’s “imperative that sports wagering be conducted with the highest standards of integrity, and without any appearance or possibility of potential impropriety.”

* The Question: Do you think the state should allow prop bets? Make sure to explain your answer.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 3:49 pm

Comments

Outside bets are a fun part of the game as well.

Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 3:59 pm
Yes, if they want to gamble, let them gamble.

Comment by Not the Dude Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:01 pm
Which other states permit betting on wardrobe malfunctions or commercials? I’ve never seen that sort of thing at a legitimate sportsbook in Nevada or New Jersey.

Comment by Homebody Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:01 pm
Sure. Bring in the bucks.

Comment by Lt Guv Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:06 pm
My guess is that people will gamble about the same amount whether prop bets are legal or not, but can’t think of a good reason to allow one and not the other.

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:10 pm
Given how well the state has rolled out various things lately, probably smart to keep the betting simple and easy to objectively verify, and add the goofy prop bets later after proving they know what they are doing.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:14 pm
No. I know it seems like an oxymoron goal to only want gambling for fun and those who can afford it but prop bets are for addicts and should be criminalized.

Comment by Lurker Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:14 pm
I bet this story gets at least 5 comments

Comment by Commisar Gritty Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:14 pm
If they allow wagers on PGA golf events where the 3rd round leader can decide to give himself relief from a very questionable “embedded” ball, then yes, they should allow prop bets. I’d rather see an IL sportsbook take in the prop bets than have that money go out of state or offshore.

Comment by Chambanalyst Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:15 pm
Absolutely. If they want to waste money let them. Also them bet on state schools. Already gambling. Like being a little bit pregnant or shutting barn door reasons for all those sayings because they are true. Are we trying to protect the virtue of gamblers?

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:16 pm
If someone is willing to honor the wager, who am I to argue?

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:17 pm
Does the restriction to NFL employees mean we can bet on who wins the coin toss?

Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:26 pm
We only want to allow bets on the things that can be controlled. The length of the National Anthem has too many variables and can be manipulated by bad actors trying to upset the point spread. S/

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:27 pm
To the actual question… Allow any and all bets. As long as the state gets a cut, who cares what is bet on?

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:28 pm
It’s betting. Vegas knows how to assess risk.

But, Illinois has to Illinois…

Comment by DuPage Moderate Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:35 pm
Should not be allowed. I agree with the state’s approach here. We may have addiction issues, but we have honor.

Comment by CitizensArrest Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:39 pm
Yes, please! While I understand the arguments against it, it just adds an element of excitement over mundane parts of the game. Kind of a buyer beware approach. You accept the risk when you place those bets.

Comment by Consultant101 Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:56 pm
“Fifty bucks says the Smails kid picks his nose.”

So yes I think there should be prop bets.

Comment by Nagidam Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:57 pm
K.I.S.S - Keep it Simple.

If you are going to allow it, then do not try to regulate every corner.

Comment by Mr. Hand Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:00 pm
==== Does the restriction to NFL employees mean we can bet on who wins the coin toss?====
Pretty sure I saw that bet on one of the sites (but I might have been in Indiana). I assume since that is controlled by the NFL it would be allowed.

Comment by Been There Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:01 pm
I just checked one of the sites. They not only allow bets on the coin toss but also on the color of the Gatorade.

Comment by Been There Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:06 pm
Yes if you can bet on the air pressure of Brady’s ball

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:06 pm
Yes. They should also allow online poker like NJ.

Comment by ChicagoVinny Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:18 pm
Seems an odd place to draw the line. The state gets its piece of the vig whether the bet is manipulated or not so who cares? If the bet is rigged the bettor’s beef is with the house, not the state. If the state discovers a dishonest bet, are there not provisions to sanction the betting site?

Comment by Captain Obvious Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:26 pm
Allow prop bets. The game usually goes 4 hours and actual playing time is 1 hour (much less of actual play action). So the idle timeouts, play reviews, time between plays, etc. begs for some fun in between the slow action.

Comment by Tombrady Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 6:10 pm
You can bet on the coin toss in Illinois, any yes they should allow the more entertaining prop bets.

At this point considering what was once taboo 20 years ago and what the state is ok with now, I am not sure prop bets on the Big Game is the place to draw the line.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 6:25 pm
While I understand where he is coming from I think the state would benefit as more people might be inclined to bet if it was expanded and that would only help state revenue.

We need revenue and novelty betting likely can help with that.

Comment by The Dude Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 6:41 pm
===Do you think the state should allow prop bets?===

Yes. Those tend to be the most fun bets. This is gambling. There should be no distinction between how far ones favorite athlete runs with a ball and how long The Weeknd holds a note.

The NFL doesn’t control who wins the game, who scores a touch down, so lets stop pretending like there’s some purity or virtue to sports betting.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 7:18 pm
Just what we need more government regulation lol. Ya roll the dice ya takes your chances.

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 7:24 pm
==considering what was once taboo 20 years ago and what the state is ok with now==

Yet some still complain about a nanny state.

Regarding the question, maybe there are already enough ways to empty the pockets of young dudes who have had a few beers.

Comment by Anonanonsir Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 7:45 pm
Yes. They should be allowed. I really don’t see how those kind of prop bets might create the “appearance or possibility of potential impropriety.”

Comment by low level Friday, Feb 5, 21 @ 10:33 am