Aurora Sportsbooks
After decades of only being a casino town, Aurora sportsbooks have now changed the gaming dynamics of the small Illinois city. The first Aurora casino was opened on June 17, 1993, and has since become a pillar in the community. Casino gaming brings in more than $7 million to the city each year, and now that sports betting is on the table this number would only increase. As far as the actual gaming options in Aurora, all types of Class III wagering is legal. This includes slot machines and table games such as blackjack, craps, and poker.
One point to note about the current gambling climate in Aurora is that state law restricts gambling to riverboat casinos. While the law once meant that patrons would have to board actual cruises, the language was amended to allow casinos to be docked. Aurora sportsbooks are now located inside of existing establishments, taking the necessity out of building “riverboat” betting lounges.
Now that sports betting has arrived in Aurora, bettors can expect to have a wide range of wagering options. If you have ever been to Vegas or are signed up at an offshore sportsbook, you may already be familiar with some of what sports betting will offer. You will be able to watch the biggest games of the season while waiting to see if your bet pays off. All of the best sportsbooks in Aurora Illinois have numerous wide-screen televisions, and depending on the lounge, may also feature a full bar.
The combination of the existing casino gaming and new sports betting action has made Aurora one of the top destinations to bet on sports in Illinois. Being that laws are set in stone, we can give you a preview of where we believe the best sportsbooks in Aurora are.
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Is Sports Betting Currently Legal In Aurora?
Yes, sports betting is currently legal in Aurora. But, getting to this point was a longtime coming. While Illinois and other states previously fell under the umbrella of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), this is no longer the case. PASPA limited sports betting to just four states, with Nevada being the only location permitted to offer commercial sports gambling. When the Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey in Murphy vs NCAA, it also decided that the federal ban on sports wagering was unconstitutional and therefore made the law ineffective. Now that each state can determine whether to prohibit or regulate sports betting, the only roadblock are states themselves.
In order for land-based sports betting in Aurora to have become legal, the Illinois Gaming Board had to set the regulatory framework for the industry. Decisions were made regarding which operators will be eligible to become Aurora sportsbooks, whether it be existing casinos or outside vendors. Determining when mobile and/or online sportsbooks will be regulated by the state was also another factor. Some states even have restrictions on not being allowed to wager on local college teams. Illinois opened up that discussion but decided local fans could bet on their local colleges.
In addition to the sportsbooks that are now in the city via the state-based process, Aurora’s bettors can already access some of the best sportsbooks in the world via the internet. There are a lot of excellent offshore sportsbooks that Aurora’s bettors can use, and these sportsbooks are generally regarded as some of the best in the world. There is a table of some recommended online books above this section that you can check out if you want to place a wager on the NFL in Aurora, the Kentucky Derby, or any other sporting event!
What Is The Betting Age In Aurora, Illinois?
The betting age in Aurora, Illinois is 21 or older, which gamblers in the state should already be familiar with. All of the casinos in the state already require patrons to be at least 21 years old to play, and the same rule applies to sports betting in Aurora, IL. This is because Illinois gambling law established the age requirements when riverboat gambling was first legalized in the state. Aurora sportsbooks will utilize the same age verification procedure as any other gaming establishment, requiring visitors to show a government-issued ID before placing wagers.
Many of the online sportsbooks will have a sign-up age of 18, but don’t let that fool you. You must obey the laws of the state. If the state says 21, it doesn’t matter when the sportsbook lets you sign up. Make sure that you are over 21 before placing a wager on the Chicago Bears or the bet on the Kentucky Derby in Aurora.
Other Cities With Sportsbooks In Illinois
Best Sportsbooks In Aurora
The best sportsbooks in Aurora are those that offer a full-scale sports wagering experience. Though there could potentially be new operators that enter the market, we will focus on existing gaming venues for now. There is currently only one casino in the city that was allowed to open a sportsbook for Aurora, IL residents – the Hollywood Casino Aurora. Now that the operator can legally accept sports bets, patrons will be able to visit their betting lounge and place wagers on football, basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer, and more. There are also a ton of other gambling options available at Hollywood Casino & Sportsbook Aurora.
Similarly, you can access the online sportsbooks when you are located in Aurora. These sportsbooks might actually end up being the better long term options as well, especially if you are a fan of any local sports team. Local sportsbooks have to respond to local markets, which means that the odds on local teams will be less profitable. The online sportsbooks respond to global markets, removing this bias. This makes it a bit better to use the online sportsbooks compared to any local ones. Betting on the NFL in Aurora or any other sport is oftentimes more profitable through these avenues.
- Hollywood Casino Aurora
- http://www.hollywoodcasinoaurora.com/
- Address: 1 W. New York Street Bridge, Aurora, Il 60506
- Phone: 630-801-1234
The Hollywood Casino Aurora has been around for more than 20 years and is the premier gaming venue in the area. The 53,000 square foot gaming floor is jam-packed with casino action for all types of players. If you are all about the hottest slots and latest titles, you will find more than 1,000 machines at Aurora Casino. Play classic reels, 3D slots, video slots, and more! Slot machines come in all denominations, fr om penny slots up to $100. Progressives give players the chance to hit huge jackpots and become a big winner. With sports betting in Illinois now legal, it only adds to the ways you can win big.
If table games are more your speed, then the Aurora Casino will not disappoint. The selection of games is huge, with options like blackjack, craps, roulette, three-card poker, baccarat, and more. In total, there are 26 table games along with a live poker room that hosts frequent tournaments. The poker room has 7 tables with “$5/$10, $10/$20, $15/$30, $20/$40 Lim it and 1-2 No Limit Texas Hold 'Em”. You can always check out the Promotions Calendar to see what’s coming up next.
But, the crowning jewel for dedicated sports bettors is the Barstool Sportsbook open at Hollywood Casino. The venue was able to make renovations to accommodate for the inclusion of Barstool. There are plenty of TVs, tellers, seats, and food to make your experience the best it can be. There is also an online sportsbook that you can use anywhere on the premises or outside the premises.
Though we are primarily focused on the future sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Aurora, it is also important to discuss what else the venue has to offer. For entertainment, visitors can watch live bands and other acts perform at Center Stage. Hungry? Stop by any of the three restaurants at Hollywood Aurora, including Fairbanks Steakhouse, Epic Buffet, and Take-Two Deli.
Hollywood Casino has also had amazing promotions going on all the time for its loyal players. This is one thing that not only brings players back but also brings in new players. That is one that this casino has a lot of is promotions and to have many promotions going on each month is very huge. A couple of promotions like Amazon Free Gift Card, $15,000 Jackpot Party, and New Member play up to $500 on us are a few promotions that are usually going on. These are just a few that they have going on and many players are very much excited about it. Having a promotion that happens on one specific day every week is basically great for those who are excited for they can possibly win. So Hollywood Casino having a drawing every Thursday only brings more crowd to the casino. Promotions and bonuses that vary but can do nothing but win prizes are huge for all players.
*As more Aurora sportsbooks are announced, we will add them to our list so that sports fans always know where to find the best action for sports betting in Illinois!