BetRivers Casino sportsbook to start taking bets on Monday

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The BetRivers Sportsbook will open for business Monday, March 9, at noon following a 10:00 a.m. opening ceremony at Rivers Casino, 3000 S. River Road in Des Plaines—the home of the first brick-and-mortar sportsbook to be approved by the Illinois Gaming Board, and becoming the first to accept a legal sports bet.

We are proud to announce that BetRivers Sportsbook will accept Illinois' first sports bet on Monday, March 9 pending final regulatory approval. Join us at noon to place your first bet! pic.twitter.com/lpbmKjArGS

— Rivers Casino (@RiversCasinoCHI) March 6, 2020

“The BetRivers Sportsbook will take March Madness out of the office pool and into an exciting, elevated live sports wagering experience,” said Corey Wise, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Rivers Casino. “We are grateful to the Illinois Gaming Board staff for their work approving our sportsbook in time for the college basketball tournament—one of the greatest sports events of the year.”

“Whether you are a seasoned sportsbook player or a casual sports fan interested in this new entertainment option, we’re dedicated to an environment where all customers will enjoy themselves in this great venue within our premier casino,” said Greg Carlin, CEO and co-founder of Rush Street Gaming, Rivers’ parent company.

The BetRivers Sportsbook features a 4,840 square foot state-of-the-art sports bar with a 47-foot-wide ultra HD LED video wall. There will be five betting windows in the Sportsbook and a total of 30 sportsbook kiosks in Rivers Casino Des Plaines. In addition to the video wall, fans can enjoy ten 86-inch and four 75-inch HD televisions placed throughout the lounge offering patrons a panoramic view of live sports events. A full-service island bar in the space offers seating for 32 and the Sportsbook also offers 26 bar-top video poker games, 29 leather lounge chairs and additional table seating options.

BetRivers will launch the BetRivers.com site and mobile app later this year.

“BetRivers Sportsbook meets the high bar established by the team at Rivers Casino Des Plaines as one of the most successful and unique regional gaming destinations in the country,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated, the racing, online wagering and gaming entertainment company which co-owns Rivers. “We’re excited to add this top-flight amenity to what is already a premier destination.”