Online sportsbook PointsBet, in partnership with Hawthorne Race Course located in Stickney, has officially launched in Illinois. The PointsBet app is quickly becoming one of the largest and most popular ways to gamble in the state. Back in June 2019, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a massive gambling expansion. The expansion was included in a group of bills with $45 billion worth of construction (six new casinos) and increased taxes on gas and cigarettes. On July 16, PointsBet was issued their temporary gaming license in Illinois, which allows them to take in online sports bets through Hawthorne. Hawthorne has a master sports wagering license in Illinois. On September 12, PointsBet launched and became the fourth legal online sportsbook in the state. Betting on Chicago sports has never been easier, or legal, and PointsBet Sportsbook is the best mobile app to win big in Illinois.
What Makes PointsBet Sportsbook Unique
PointsBet is an Australian company down under that decided to pack up and move its headquarters to the United States to expand its vision for sports gambling. They started in New Jersey and Indiana, quickly making a splash as the newest mobile-focused sports betting app on the market. Besides their excellent user interface and the best sign-up bonus in Illinois, what truly makes them unique is their value proposition called points-betting.
Points-betting takes the form of the traditional over/under prop betting, but with a twist. 
You can win or lose a multiplier of your wager. For example, if you bet $20 on Allen Robinson to go over 75 rec yds in a game, you can win a multiple of your bet for every yard he goes over that number. This, of course, goes both ways. If he only manages 35 rec yds, you will lose more than your original $20 bet. So please don’t go crazy with it, but it offers a new and unique way to bet that is sure to give you a rush.
Promotions
PointsBet is offering up to $500 back if you lose your first fixed odds bet, as well as up to $1,000 back if you lose your first PointsBetting wager. This promotion can be worth up to $1,500 in risk-free bets, so sign up today and use the promo code “LINEUPS” to receive your risk-free bets. They also offer “no-brainer” bets occasionally, such as super-boosting up the Bears point-spread to +89. This means that as long as the Bears don’t lose by 89 points, you win. Look for more offers like these to come during future Chicago sports games.
Devin Hester and the Bears Partnership with PointsBet
The Chicago Bears announced that PointsBet would be the club’s first sports betting sponsor on September 28. Under the new sponsorship terms, PointsBet gains full usage of the Chicago Bears’ IP, marks, and logos and sponsorship opportunities and brand visibility across various digital assets. The sportsbook said it would offer the best price in-market for all Bears games this season across both the pregame spread line and Moneyline bet types. Ted Phillips, the president and CEO of the Bears, touts PointsBet as a new way for fans to interact with the team.
This just shortly after the news that future NFL Hall-Of-Famer and Chicago legend, Devin Hester, signed a deal with the company to serve as a business partner and the face of its Chicago-based sports betting products. “Chicago is the best sports city in the world. I’m incredibly excited to join the PointsBet team to bring the most premium sports betting experience to the best fans in sports,” said Hester. “PointsBet gives Chicagoans the most convenient options with a new Hawthorne location and the three other retail spots in every corner of the city, and fans anywhere can bet on the PointsBet app, which is incredibly fast and very easy to use. Are you ready, Chicago? Let’s go!”
During his incredible 11-year career, Hester broke 10 NFL records as one the most prolific kick/punt returners in history. He is the first player to return the opening kickoff of a Super Bowl for a touchdown and holds the NFL record for most all-time return touchdowns and most punt return touchdowns in NFL history.
How to Register with PointsBet Sportsbook
It’s quite easy to sign up with PointsBet and start making your way towards epic victory. Just follow these five simple steps:
- Go to the PointsBet website or app: Simple and easy.
- Select “Illinois” on the PointsBet site or app: There will be a drop-tool where you can select your state.
- Create an account with your information. “MOCKERY” should be in the promo code space already. If it isn’t, enter “MOCKERY” in the box: Name, email, and password.
- Deposit the amount you wish into the casher: Put in a credit card, use PayPal, or sign-in to your bank.
- Place up to $1,500 on your risk-free bets: Check out all the lines. They’re the best in Illinois.
That’s it. Winnings are instantly paid out when the game/bet is over, and you can withdraw your money anytime. There are no hidden rules where you have to let your money sit on the system; you can put your money in or take it out whenever you want. There isn’t a sportsbook available that is more straight-forward.
PointsBet Sportsbook Illinois Review
While you can use DraftKings or FanDuel to make standard wagers, you’ll find the best lines on Chicago teams at PointsBet, Illinois. Plus, there is no other sportsbook that offers points-betting, a unique and new way to bet. PointsBet makes sure to educate all of its users on the different ways to make wagers, ensuring that you can be confident in the bets you place. They have a blog called “PointsBet Pulse,” which provides tons of useful information for new and experienced bettors.
To keep things simple, PointsBet offers a few ways to deposit and withdrawal money. It has its own branded MasterCard for which you can choose to use, in addition to e-check and PayPal. The minimum deposit and withdrawal are $5. They even have a live chat in which a real person returns to you if you have any questions or have any problems. That’s right, no robots here. Just extremely knowledgeable customer service representatives that are there to help you out.
PointsBet is a big name in the betting industry, so you can be confident that your personal information will be safe. For the casual bettor, they have every sport you could want to wager on.
Deposit and withdrawal options
There are several ways to deposit and withdraw money using the PointsBet app.
| Deposit/Withdraw Option | Details |
| Credit Card | Visa, Mastercard, Discover, etc. |
| Debit Card | ACH transactions using a debit |
| E-Check | An electronic bank check |
| PointsBet branded Mastercard | A PointsBet theme Mastercard with special perks |
| PayPal | Use your PayPal account. |
History of PointsBet Sportsbook in Illinois
PointsBet launched in the United States in January of 2019 and has quickly become one of the fastest-growing sports-betting online sportsbooks in the country. They are rapidly expanding, as shown by their recent openings in New Jersey, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, and beyond. According to their website, PointsBet “is a cutting-edge bookmaker that prides itself on having the quickest and most user-friendly app (iOS and Android) while also providing the best content and experience for sports bettors. PointsBet is the only U.S. online bookmaker to offer PointsBetting – a unique and innovative way to bet – and has also introduced a slew of well-received, bettor-first initiatives, including Good Karma Payouts, Early Payouts, and an exclusive $10,000 gameday guarantee for all NBA and NHL playoff games, as well as the entire MLB and NFL seasons. PointsBet offers the most markets on all four major U.S. sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) and PointsBetting in the world, including up to 1,000 markets per NBA game.”
Editors Independent Review
PointsBet offers everything that other sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers do, with the unique factor of points-betting. This new way for us to bet on all of our favorite sports, combined with the fact that we won’t find better odds on Chicago team games anywhere, make PointsBet the best place to go if you want to bet on Chicago based sports teams. The app is great, and you won’t find a more helpful support staff. However, do your homework when you go to bet on any sporting event. Do not use one single sportsbook for all of your wagers. There is a good chance that you will find different lines via different sources. Ensure you are getting the best of the line, and not betting on and allowing the oddsmakers to juice the line. Good luck, everyone.
PointsBet Sportsbook Illinois FAQ
- Is betting on PointsBet legal in Illinois?
- What is PointsBet’s customer service like?
- Is the $1,500 promotion the only that PointsBet offers?
- How can I sign up for a PointsBet account?
- Does PointsBet offer a rewards or loyalty program?
- Is PointsBetting the only way you can wager?
- How can I trust my PointsBet app to work properly?
Is betting on PointsBet legal in Illinois?
Yes it is. You must be 21 years of age and physically located within the state. The site uses geolocation technology to ensure you are not outside of the state boundaries using the app. The Illinois Gaming Board regulates sports betting.
What is PointsBet’s customer service like?
PointsBet has “The Revis Betting Academy” where users can learn the basics of sports betting. It has some of the better tools for those new to sports betting. The live chat and email support are available 24/7 if you are having problems.
Is the $1,500 promotion the only that PointsBet offers?
Not even close. This $1,500 bet is just the start of what PointsBet will be offering. It is the best deal you can get as a sign-up bonus for a sportsbook. Check throughout the year for all types of promotions on many of your favorite sports.
How can I sign up for a PointsBet account?
The steps located on this page are simple and easy to follow. All you need to do is create an account with contact information, username, etc. Then you can make your first deposit into your PointsBet account. When betting, you can do so online or use its mobile app.
Does PointsBet offer a rewards or loyalty program?
For sure. The rewards page will keep track of your bets and give you points for every dollar you wager. For every five points you gain, PointsBet will give you $1 in free bets. This is one of the few loyalty programs available in the sportsbook industry.
Is PointsBetting the only way you can wager?
Not at all. PointsBet offers traditional money line, spread, over/under bets, and much more. In addition to that, it offers its own form of betting called PointsBetting. This is a unique way to win more if you’re right, but you can also lose more if you’re wrong.
How can I trust my PointsBet app to work properly?
PointsBet has used a substantial amount of resources to make the best app possible for its customers. PointsBet has an e-mail help chat that will help you resolve any issue and explain what might be going wrong with any issues you encounter.