By Darren Cooper
BetMGM Sportsbook is giving new players in Illinois big options and the chance at big rewards.
New players can sign up for the BetMGM Illinois sportsbook just in time to bet on March Madness and take advantage of two offers to get their accounts up and running.
Between the NCAA Tournament (both men and women’s), the NBA, the PGA Tour, NASCAR and UFC, there is something for every Illinois sports bettor this month.
What are the BetMGM offers for Illinois?
There are two.
New players in Illinois enter the Bonus Code PLAYBONUS when prompted and earn a $1,000 bonus bet when they sign up. If you lose that first bet, no worries. BetMGM will refund the entire amount up to $1,000 in credits, which you then must use within seven days.
Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win* *Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER Use Bonus Code: PLAYIL
The second is directed toward NBA fans. New customers can bet $10 on any NBA game and are guaranteed four free $50 bets if either team hits a three. You’ll also profit on your $10 bet if you chose the winning side.
Four bonus bets? That can be fun, especially this time of year.
Now, if you’re looking for a few options on how to lay out those bets, we got you covered.
How about the Bulls?
It’s a good news, bad news situation right now for the Bulls.
Heading into Wednesday night’s game with the Detroit Pistons, the Bulls are 39-26, second in the Central Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference. DeMar DeRozan is rising up the MVP charts (he’s +1,600 at BetMGM to win the honor) and Coach Billy Donovan is +1,100 to be the NBA Coach of the Year.
Pretty good, right?
The bad news is the Bulls have now lost five in a row.
Meanwhile, the Pistons are 18-47 and way out of the playoff chase; however, since the All-Star break they are 5-2 and have won three straight.
Chicago has already beaten the Pistons three times this season, including a 133-87 beatdown back in January.
But if you’re not feeling betting on the Bulls right now, there is enough college basketball right now to make any fan happy. Most of the major college basketball conference tournaments start Wednesday. Here’s a look at some of the big ones.
BetMGM will have odds on all the day’s match-ups and future bets on the potential winners.
The Big 10
Illinois fans can’t bet on the Illini in the Big 10 Tournament (in other states they are second on the board at +300). This is the 25th year for the Big 10 Tournament, which starts at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis Wednesday. Wisconsin and Illinois shared the regular-season title this season, but Purdue is listed as the favorite at +225.
The Illini are the defending Tournament champs. Michigan State has the most Big Ten Tournament titles with six.
The ACC Tournament
Nothing says the ACC like a tournament in Brooklyn….but that’s where the ACC teams will congregate. The ACC Tournament started Tuesday with three play-in games. Duke, playing for coach Mike Krzyzewski in his last season, is the heavy favorite to win at -130, followed by North Carolina and Notre Dame.
Duke has won the ACC Tournament a record 21 times.
The Big East
The Big East Tournament opens Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden with a tripleheader. Even though Providence won the regular-season title, Villanova is the favorite at BetMGM at +150 followed by UConn.
Georgetown is the defending Big East Tournament champion but is the 11th seed out of 11 teams this year. The Hoyas have eight Big East Tournament titles. UConn is next with seven.
The Big 12
Texas is the defending champion and enters the Big 12 Tournament at 21-10 and the fourth seed in Kansas City.
Baylor and Kansas are the co-favorites, each at +210. The two teams split regular-season meetings, with Baylor winning 80-70 two weeks ago and Kansas winning 83-59 in early February.
The Bears have never won the Big 12 Tournament title; meanwhile, Kansas has won it 11 times. Don’t be surprised to see those two meet in the final.
