Sports Betting Could Open to Illinois College Teams
Since sports betting began in Illinois in 2020, betters could not wager on University of Illinois football or basketball games featuring U of I star Ayo Dosunmu (above). New legislation cou
When legislators enacted sports gambling in the state in 2019, which began in 2020, betters were not allowed to bet on Illinois teams, like Illinois basketball or Northwestern football.
Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside), who has been the leading proponent of online gaming in the state, is attempting to reverse the prohibition on wagering on Illinois teams.
But the state’s universities are opposed to the provision. At a House hearing this week, University of Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman said betting on college games in Illinois is different than betting on professional sports.
“We have a unique situation here where our student athletes are more susceptible to undue influence than would be say, professional athletes,” he said. “They’re living among the people who are betting on them, which is strange to know that somebody who lives in the dorm room right next door might be betting on them. That’s a major concern.”
Zalewski said all a better has to do today is cross the border to place a bet on an Illinois team.
Whitman called that “easier said than done.”
“If somebody really wants to drive a half hour out of their way to place a bet on an Illinois team then a half hour back, I think we have to accept that as a possibility,” Whitman said. “Somebody has to really, really want to bet on an Illinois team to drive over the line, place their bet, and then come back. I, personally, think that’s a pretty strong disincentive for people to bet on our teams, which, I think, is a good thing.”
The Athletic Directors of all 13 Division I schools in the state sent a letter to Governor JB Pritzker and members of the General Assembly to keep the ban on in-state school betting in place.
Whitman says, more than anything else, is a concern for the safety and wellbeing of student athletes.
“{There is a] growing concern around the physical and, in particular, the mental health and wellbeing of our student athletes,” he said, referring in part to abusive and racist tweets sent to Illinois basketball player Kofi Cockburn earlier this year. “The commentary is vile, abusive, it’s threatening, and, in some cases, it directly references gambling losses. I think we can all appreciate if they’re that angry without discussion about gambling, if you insert the possibility that someone may have lost $100, or $500, or $1,000 on a bet, that narrative is only going to intensify.”
Zalewski says he’s introducing language for a University to ask the Illinois Gaming Board to opt-out if threats are being made against a player or team, but Whitman says the provision didn’t go far enough.
With just a month remaining in the legislative session and numerous high profile bills still unresolved, The Illinoize asked Zalewski Thursday if he believes the legislation is still “doable.”
“I do, yes,” he said.
Whether it passes on its own or is included in other gaming legislation is yet to be seen.