Rush Street Interactive (RSI) and Rivers Casino Des Plaines have announced that they will launch the first legal online and mobile sportsbook platforms in Illinois today (June 18).
Due to go live at 10:00am CT, Kambi-powered BetRivers.com will enable players over the age of 21 in the state to wager on a wide range of sports via a desktop computer or mobile device.
The brick-and-mortar BetRivers sportsbook at Rivers Casino Des Plaines was also the first retail facility to take the first legal sports wagers in Illinois when the state opened its regulated market on March 9 this year.
“We are excited to make history in bringing the first online sportsbook to sports fans in our home state just in time as American sports are coming back into action,” RSI president Richard Schwartz said.
Consumers can register for BetRivers.com remotely after Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker earlier this month signed an executive order to temporarily relax rules requiring players to register in-person.
The state, usually requires players to register in-person at a licensed venue. However, this has not been possible since mid-March due to the closure of all casinos as a result of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Schwartz added: “While entertainment options are limited as we seek to minimise the spread of the virus, we are focused on BetRivers.com providing sportsbook players with a high-quality on-line product with exciting sports betting options.
“We will have great customer service with fast pay-outs and an overall friendly approach that treats every player with honesty and care.”