For the third consecutive year, DraftKings will celebrate “Free To Bet Day” on May 14.
On May 14, 2018, the Supreme Court struck down the Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act, which limited US sports betting.
Now, the Illinois sports betting market is alive and thriving. Illinoisans bet $633.6 million on sports in March, the third-highest figure of any state.
To celebrate, DraftKings Sportsbook will issue all users a bonus bet on Friday. Here are the details.
How to bet for free at DraftKings on Friday
DraftKings will issue new and current customers a bonus bet worth $5.14. The value is an obvious nod to the date.
You must claim and use the bonus bet on Friday. There is one qualifying bet per user.
How does a bonus bet work? If you place a bet and lose, you won’t actually lose any of your money.
If you win, DraftKings will add the winning balance to your account. Essentially, it’s a free shot at a profit.
There is plenty of MLB and NBA betting action, among other sports from which to choose.
The hometown Cubs and White Sox both play on Friday. PlayIllinois has the live odds on the Cubs vs. Tigers, and the White Sox have a double-header against the Royals.
Sign up for DraftKings in Illinois
This promotion is eligible for existing and new DraftKings users. However, if you’d like to sign up for DraftKings in Illinois, it’s no longer as easy as downloading an Illinois sports betting app.
Due to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s decision to bring back in-person registration in early April, you will have to visit DraftKings at Casino Queen in East St. Louis to sign up for a DK online account.
PASPA repeal paved way for legal sports betting in Illinois
PASPA, which stands for the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, limited sports betting to one state for decades.
It was repealed in 2018 by a 6-3 decision and is why we have legal sports betting in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, etc.
PASPA was signed into law in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush. In 2018, the Supreme Court decided that it was unconstitutional.
Despite the in-person registration headache we previously mentioned, sports betting is off to an excellent start in the Land of Lincoln thus far.
Illinois nearly surpassed Nevada in March handle. In total, Illinoisans have bet more than $3 billion on sports since legalization, resulting in about $40 million in state and local tax revenue.
DraftKings, who’s offering this promotion, is the market leader in Illinois by handle. IL customers bet more than $200 million at DraftKings in March alone, the highest figure of any sportsbook in the state.
