Published on: October 28, 2024, 09:48h.
Last updated on: October 28, 2024, 09:58h.
Illinois sports bettors have fewer options to wager on following a request from the NFL to remove certain lines from sportsbooks.
Last week, Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter temporarily approved a request from the NFL to suspend certain wagers that the league believes could impact game integrity. The suspended lines include bets on player injuries, penalties, and officiating assignments.
Fruchter explained in his order to retail and online sportsbooks, “I have determined that any wagering of the manner identified in the request poses a significant likelihood of serious risk to the integrity of the Illinois sports wagering industry. Accordingly, I am suspending all such wagering in Illinois.”
The suspension of these bets went into effect last Thursday.
Bets on Hold
In a letter dated Oct. 4, 2024, the NFL’s Jonathan Nabavi requested the Illinois Gaming Board to remove certain bets offered by licensed sportsbooks in the state. The list of suspended bets also includes wagers on fan safety, player misconduct, and other game-related aspects.
Nabavi described these “objectionable bets” as derogatory and inflammatory, leading to their suspension.
Nabavi emphasized the importance of protecting game integrity and ensuring fair play for all involved in the sport.
Illinois’ Sports Betting Market
The suspension of objectionable bets in Illinois will be in place until the next meeting of the Illinois Gaming Board on December 12. The state has a thriving sports betting market, with nearly $4 billion wagered at Illinois sportsbooks from January to August 2024.