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Illinois is DraftKings country now! The state legalized sports betting and the DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook is officially live. To commemorate the big day, the book is offering a sign-up bonus that could reach up to $1,000 for new users.
There will be plenty for Illinois residents to bet on as sports is back in full swing. Almost every professional team in Illinois is playing or about to start play. The Chicago Bulls did not qualify for the NBA’s restart bubble, and is now waiting for the draft lottery. The Chicago Fire were taking part in the MLS Is Back Tournament, but have been eliminated and now await the rest of the regular season once the tournament wraps in a week.
That leaves everybody else to bet on! Here’s a look at where each notable Illinois team stands with sports back on and the arrival of the DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook.
Chicago Cubs
World Series odds: +2200
NL pennant odds: +1000
NL Central odds: +100
The Cubs are 9-2 and hold a four-game lead in the NL Central with a game set for Thursday evening. They are tied for seventh with the White Sox and several other teams for most handle to win the World Series. They are eighth for handle to win the NL pennant and second, behind the Cincinnati Reds, for handle to win the NL Central.
Chicago White Sox
World Series odds: +3500
AL pennant odds: +1400
AL Central odds: +275
The White Sox are 7-4 and currently sit two games back of the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. They are tied for seventh with the Cubs and several other teams for most handle to win the World Series, and rank tenth for most handle since the restart was announced in late June. They rank third for handle to win the AL pennant and first for handle to win the AL Central.
Chicago Blackhawks
Stanley Cup odds: +6500
Blackhawks-Oilers series line: CHI +133, EDM -162
The Blackhawks entered the NHL’s restart the 12 seed in a 12-team conference. They stunned the Oilers in the series opener, winning 6-4. That was followed by a 6-3 loss, and they get back at it Wednesday evening at 9:30 p.m. CT. Odds to win Game 3 are Blackhawks +110 and Oilers -127.
Chicago Sky
The Sky entered the WNBA restart at +1800 to win the title, which were 8th among the 12 teams. 12 days in, the Sky are 4-1 and tied with the favored Seattle Storm atop the league. DK is not offering title futures at this point, but keep an eye out for game lines. They’ve been winning close games of late, with a three point win over the Wings as a seven-point favorite and a two-point outright win over the favored Mystics.
Chicago Bears
Super Bowl odds: +4000
NFC title odds: +2000
NFC North odds: +425
To make playoffs: Yes +200, No -250
Win total: 7.5 (Over -130, Under +107)
The Bears are coming off an 8-8 season and now have a quarterback controversy. The team traded a fourth round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Nick Foles. He will compete with Mitchell Trubisky, who took a step back in 2019 after helping lead the Bears to a division title in 2018.
Illinois football
National title odds: +25000
Big Ten odds: +8000
Illinois wen 6-7 last year and capped the season losing to Cal in the Redbox Bowl. It was the best season in Lovie Smith’s four-year career at the school. He’s loaded up on transfers for 2020 in hopes of building on that. However, the 2020 college football season is uncertain while the conferences sort out their plans for fall sports.
Illinois men’s basketball
National title odds: +1500
To make Final Four odds: +300
The Illini will return star guard Ayo Dosumnu next season, and add an exciting recruiting class to a program projected to be in the Top 10 by many in 2021. Head coach Brad Underwood was building a terrific season before college basketball was stopped last season, but a nice mix of underclassmen and athleticism should have the I-L-L towards the top of what was the best conference in the NCAA last season.
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