Running your eyes down the list of sports at PointsBet, you’ll notice that all the biggies are here. Whether you want to place props on NBA games, or back your favorite UFC fighter, you’re well catered for at PointsBet. The international coverage is also strong. For example, in terms of soccer alone you can go globetrotting by betting on everything from the UEFA Champions League to the Brazilian Serie A. While the site could perhaps benefit from having some more obscure or niche sports in the mix, the coverage should provide plenty to keep most customers busy.
Hailing from Australia, PointsBet made immediate waves on these shores when it launched its first US site in New Jersey. Since then, the bookmaker has gone live in a number of states, and Illinois is among them.
Of course, sports fans are spoiled for choice when it comes to online betting sites in the Prairie State. So, if you’re wondering what PointsBet has to offer, you’re in the right place. Our review will break down the essential things to know about the site, from its bonuses to its sports coverage to its banking options. Let’s take a closer look.
Why Sign Up To PointsBet Illinois
One of the main draws of PointsBet is right there in its name. This is the only site which offers Points Betting, a wagering method where your potential reward is determined by the margin of success. This is undoubtedly a big selling point, but PointsBet also excels when it comes to other things, such as the coverage of different sports and user-friendly mobile betting. You can follow our link to create your account right away, or carry on reading for the skinny on the site.
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History of Pointsbet Illinois
Operating in partnership with Hawthorn Race Course, PointsBet goes live in Illinois.
Governor JB Pritzker passes legislation legalizing sports betting in Illinois, setting the stage for bookmakers like PointsBet to enter the state.
Pointsbet Illinois Promo Code
There’s a two-part welcome offer at PointsBet. It’s activated by inputting the promo code WELCOME when you’re creating your account. Once you’re all set up, your first fixed odds bet is risk-free up to $500. In other words, if your first fixed odds bet loses, you’ll get your stake refunded in the form of bet credits up to a $500 max.
The second part of this risk-free welcome bonus covers you for up to $1,500 on your first Points Betting wager. So, if you’ve never tried Points Betting before, this insurance deal can be a good way to try out this higher risk wagering style, safe in the knowledge you’ll have your stake returned if things don’t go your way. Just remember that the reimbursed bet credits will expire if not used within 14 days.
Promotions
The good news is that PointsBet Illinois has a whole section devoted to ongoing promos for regular customers. The not-so-good news is that deals can be thin on the ground, depending on when you’re using the site. At the time of writing, for example, there are no specific bonus offers available. However, the very fact that there’s a dedicated promotions page means it’s worth checking in regularly to see if there are new deals tying in with particular sports events.
Sports available at Pointsbet Illinois
Live Betting & Streaming
PointsBet has great in-play wagering options, with a host of events and betting markets typically available at any given time. So, if a tennis match is underway, you should be able to jump on the latest odds for imminent outcomes, such as which player will win the very next point.
Another big plus at PointsBet is the availability of live streams. You’ll be able to watch select events right there on the site or app, which certainly makes it easier to analyze the form of the players or teams, and place better-informed in-play bets.
PointsBet also provides cash outs for certain live bets. Say you’ve backed an NBA team to bet its rival, but your guys are lagging badly behind. You may choose to cash out your wager for a small return, rather than risk a seemingly inevitable outright loss. Conversely, if your selection is way ahead, you may cash out for a guaranteed profit, rather than keep the bet in play and risk a comeback by the opposing team.
PointsBet even lets you go for a partial cash out, using a slider to indicate how much of the bet you’d like to close, and how much you’d like to keep in contention.
Odds
PointsBet stands shoulder to shoulder with its rivals in Illinois, offering odds that are around the market average. You may also see boosted odds offered on certain selections, bringing you bigger-than-average returns if your predictions come good.
Looking for the odds on selections not currently featured the site? You can put forward a suggestion though the ‘Name a Bet’ tool. By tapping the relevant tab, you can enter a request for the wager in question, and PointsBet may then agree to include it among its offerings.
App Review
Whether you want to place live bets when you’re far from a computer, or simply feel like browsing the betting markets while relaxing in the back yard, the PointsBet native apps makes it all very easy. Boasting smooth, fast functionality, it lets you swiftly place all kinds of wagers, from props to over/unders to the signature Points Betting selections, with a few taps. And, since the app lives on your device, you won’t have to bother opening your browser and signing in whenever you need to manage your account.
After following our link to create your PointsBet account, you can download the app from either Google Play (if you’re an Android user) or the App Store (for iOS devices). Then, simply sign in and bet as normal.
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Design & Usability
PointsBet’s black and red aesthetic is certainly distinctive, but the user experience leaves a little to be desired. While most online sportsbooks lay out the full list of sports along the left hand side of the page at all times, PointsBet breaks with convention. It requires users to open a dropdown menu to see the list. This adds an extra step whenever you want to switch categories. The site also feels a little cramped, as the right hand side is taken up by a list of upcoming sports events, with tickers counting down the seconds to each one. While some may find this a helpful feature, it does add clutter to the interface. All things considered, PointsBet would probably benefit from having a more traditional sportsbook layout.
Special Features
Points Betting is THE special feature at this sportsbook, so what is it all about? Simply put, it’s a form of wager where the amount you win or lose will depend on the precise final result. Let’s say you’ve bet $10 on an NFL quarterback to achieve more than 240 passing yards. Now let’s say he manages 250 passing yards. This means you’ve won the bet by 10 units, meaning a $100 (10 x $10) return. Of course, it works both ways, so you’d lose money in proportion to a losing margin.
Points Betting can lead to big returns and makes every event a nail-biting experience right to the final second. It is, however, a riskier way to bet, and you may feel more comfortable sticking to PointsBet’s traditional, fixed odds market instead.
Cashier
Being a top Illinois sportsbook, PointsBet supports a conveniently wide array of banking methods. When it comes to paying funds into your account, you can use your debit or credit card, online banking and PayPal. You can also deposit with cash at a PayNearMe retailer, or at one of PointsBet’s retail sportsbooks in Illinois.
You’re able to withdraw funds using ACH/eCheck, online banking and PayPal. You can also make an in-person withdrawal at any of the retail sportsbooks. Just remember that you’ll need to wait for an SMS notification that your money has been processed and is ready to collect at the sportsbook cage. This can take up to 24 hours.
Unfortunately, Play+ cards aren’t available for PointsBet deposits or withdrawals at the present time.
Min deposit | Minimum Withdrawal Limit | Withdrawal Processing Time | |
Cash @ retail sportsbook | $5 | $50 | Up to 24 hours |
PayNearMe | $5 | N/A | N/A |
Credit/debit card | $5 | N/A | N/A |
PayPal | $5 | $5 | 1-2 days |
ACH/eCheck | $5 | $5 | 2-5 days |
Online banking | $5 | $5 | 2-5 days |
Pointsbet Illinois Customer Support
PointsBet’s help section is brimming with FAQs on everything from banking options to the Points Betting mechanic. But, if you have a specific issue or problem that needs to be addressed, you can contact the customer support team by live chat through the site. Alternatively, you can drop them an email or call the helpline.
Your Questions Answered
Does PointsBet have a loyalty program?
It does indeed. PointsBet Rewards will give you one point for every $5 you place on a fixed odds selection, one point for every $1 you place on a parlay, and one point for every $1 you stake on Points Betting markets. Your loyalty points can then be redeemed for free bet credits.
Does PointsBet have a VIP program?
Yes, the PointsBet Diamond Club caters to what the site refers to as its ‘top loyal clients’. Members will be given bespoke bonuses, invitations to live events, 24/7 customer service, and other perks. However, access to the Diamond Club is by invitation only.
What is the ‘Good Karma Payout’?
A novel attribute at PointsBet is its ‘Karma Kommittee’. This has the power to reimburse your stake if you lost as a result of a bad beat. For example, if a sudden injury or a problematic referee decision affects your wager. If you feel you have a good claim, you can tweet them using the hashtag #KarmaKommittee.