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Illinois Sports Betting Options Reduced After NFL Requests Some Odds Be Punted

Sports gamblers in Illinois have limited options for betting after state gaming authorities responded to an NFL request to eliminate specific lines from sportsbooks. 

Last week, Marcus Fruchter, the Administrator of the Illinois Gaming Board, announced that a request from the NFL to ban specific bets deemed detrimental to game integrity had been temporarily authorized by the state. Fruchter instructed the state’s licensed sportsbooks to halt betting lines related to player injuries, penalties, and officiating duties.

"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,” Fruchter wrote in his order to retail and online sportsbooks. “Accordingly, I am suspending all such wagering in Illinois.”

Fruchter's suspension took effect last Thursday. 

Wagers Temporarily Suspended 

In a letter from Oct. 4, 2024, Jonathan Nabavi, the NFL’s vice president for public policy and government relations, asked the Illinois Gaming Board to eliminate specific bets available in the state through its licensed sportsbooks. Fruchter's suspension of prohibited bets also encompassed wagers related to fan safety, player misconduct, the game's opening play, roster or personnel choices, a player's failure to make a field goal or extra point, the quarterback's initial pass, and any other bet with an outcome that can be influenced by a single player. 

Nabavi mentioned that "offensive wagers" such as predicting player injuries or inappropriate fan behavior are "intrinsically disrespectful" and "intended to provoke." 

“These markets often are not directly related to gameplay or can have a negative impact on the consumer and player involved,” Nabavi wrote.

Nabavi clarified that the other wagers where just one player can affect the result “present the highest risk — or perceived risk — to the integrity of the game.” 

In his plea to have such wagers banned, Nabavi mentioned numerous other states that already restrict objectionable bets, such as Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and Vermont. 

“There is no greater priority for the NFL than protecting the integrity of our games and the welfare of our players,” Nabavi continued. “Fans, players, coaches, and personnel deserve to know that we are doing everything possible to ensure no improper influences affect how our games are played and that we are taking all appropriate steps to ensure that their participation in our games is not subject to unfair and unwarranted allegations relating to sports gambling.”

Illinois' Market for Sports Betting 

Fruchter's halt on objectionable wagers will stay effective until at least December 12, when the Illinois Gaming Board reconvenes and may deliberate on making the pause permanent. While the suspension is in effect, books are prohibited from accepting such wagers. 

Illinois boasts one of the wealthiest sports betting markets in the United States. Approximately $4 billion was bet in-person and online at Illinois sportsbooks from January to August 2024.