How bet365 Compares to Other Illinois Online Sportsbooks

By Paul Costanzo in Sports Betting News
Published:

Illinois is expected to get a new online sportsbook as bet365 Illinois has cleared to launch.
But when bet365 does come on board in the Land of Lincoln, will it be any different than the other nine Illinois online sports betting apps?
In some key ways, yes.
What to Expect From bet365 Illinois
Illinois is set to become the 12th US state where bet365 is available. That’s exciting news for Illinois sports bettors, and not just because it’s a chance to claim a new, bet365 Illinois bonus code.
bet365 has long had a strong international presence, but its success in major US markets such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and North Carolina shows that it’s a strong contender in the tier below DraftKings and FanDuel when it comes to market share.
It has reached that point thanks to a well-designed mobile app that’s simple to navigate, fair odds and massive markets that sometimes are not available at other US sports betting apps.
How is bet365 Different From Other Illinois Sportsbooks?
When a new sportsbook debuts in a state, we realize that most people simply claim their promo code, use the funds then head back to the apps they’ve been using for years.
So, what will keep you betting at bet365 Illinois?
No. 1 is the odds. While we always recommend line shopping at multiple sportsbooks, we’ve also found that bet365 regularly has incredibly fair prices on its betting markets and rarely, if ever, comes in at a number that seems slanted toward the book.
You’re also not having same-game parlays pushed down your throat at every turn. Yes, you can make SGPs at bet365, and yes, they prominently display their boosted parlays, but the focus remains on the games and odds, which is a welcome change.
Best Features at bet365 Illinois
Our favorite feature at bet365 is the milestone bets for individual player props.
These are essentially alternate lines, but the way they’re presented is easy to understand and navigate. Rather than having to hit five different dropdowns to view all players alt lines, you can see them all right in front of you, all at once.

Early payouts are another key feature you can expect at bet365 Illinois, which is essentially a much more profitable cashout option if the team you picked gets a significant lead. Some examples that qualify for early payouts are a 20-point lead in the NBA, 17 points in the NFL or three goals in the NHL.
New Betting Markets Available at bet365
As an international sportsbook first, you will sometimes encounter betting markets at bet365 that you can’t find elsewhere.
The biggest example is LIV Golf, which is not available at most US sportsbooks. You can find odds on it, however, at bet365, and we expect that to be the case in Illinois.
Some other oddities found at bet365 include surfing and pickleball odds. There’s also a robust selection of esports odds most days, although that is growing at other online betting sites, as well.

Evergreen Writer/Editor; Sportsbook Expert
With nearly two decades of experience in sports media, Paul Costanzo turned his professional attention to sports betting and online gambling in January of 2022. He's covered every angle of the industry since then, managing and creating content for PlayMichigan and The Sporting News, and now SBD.