Illinois Fans Can't Legally Bet on Illini's Final Four Run

Sports betting is booming in Illinois, but wagering on the home-state Illini basketball team is still prohibited.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:52am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a college basketball game, with the Illini logo and uniforms broken down into abstract shapes and colors, conveying the frustration of fans unable to legally bet on their home team's success.The Illini's surprise Final Four run has fans eager to bet on their team, but Illinois law prohibits wagering on in-state college sports.Chicago Today

While sports betting has become widely legal and popular in Illinois, the state has maintained a specific ban on wagering on any games involving in-state NCAA universities, including the University of Illinois Illini basketball team as they make a surprise run to the Final Four. This law, passed in 2020 when sports betting was legalized, has left many Illini fans frustrated that they cannot legally bet on their own team's success.

Why it matters

The Illinois ban on betting on in-state college teams is an outlier, as most states with legal sports betting allow wagers on local universities. This rule has denied Illinois bettors the ability to financially engage with one of the biggest sports stories in the state this year - the Illini's unexpected Final Four appearance. It also highlights the complex balance states must strike between enabling a thriving sports betting market and addressing concerns over problem gambling, especially among young adults.

The details

Under Illinois law, all NCAA games involving in-state schools, including championships, are off-limits for sports betting, even on popular sites like DraftKings. This prohibition extends to traditional bets as well as more creative "prop" bets. The only legal workaround for Illini fans is to drive to neighboring states with legal sports betting to place wagers. Meanwhile, Illinois' governor says he has a friendly sports bet brewing with the Connecticut governor ahead of the Illini's Final Four matchup against UConn, which would be exempt from the state's college betting ban.

  • Sports betting was legalized in Illinois in 2020.
  • The state's ban on betting on in-state NCAA schools was passed as part of the 2020 sports betting legislation.
  • The University of Illinois Illini men's basketball team clinched a spot in the 2026 NCAA Final Four on March 26, 2026.

The players

JB Pritzker

The Democratic governor of Illinois, who recently said he won $1.4 million playing blackjack in Las Vegas and is now arranging a sports bet with the Connecticut governor ahead of the Illini's Final Four game.

Ned Lamont

The Democratic governor of Connecticut, who has been in contact with Illinois Gov. Pritzker to finalize details of a public sports wager on the Illini-UConn Final Four matchup.

Anita Pindiur

The executive director of the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, who has noted a 30-35% increase in young adult males seeking treatment for gambling addiction since sports betting was legalized in the state.

University of Illinois

The state's flagship public university, whose men's basketball team has advanced to the 2026 NCAA Final Four but whose fans cannot legally bet on the team's games within Illinois.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have definitely seen an increase in people coming in to treatment. We have seen about a 30 to 35% increase in young adult males, 18 to 35.”

— Anita Pindiur, Executive Director, Illinois Council on Problem Gambling

“I already got a call from the governor of Connecticut, because we're playing against the University of Connecticut on Saturday. And he wants to make a bet...a public...so you'll be hearing about that.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

What’s next

The details of the sports bet between Illinois Gov. Pritzker and Connecticut Gov. Lamont are expected to be announced on Tuesday.

The takeaway

Illinois' ban on betting for in-state college teams, including the popular Illini basketball squad, highlights the complex balance states must strike between enabling a thriving sports betting market and addressing concerns over problem gambling. While the law may frustrate many fans, it reflects the state's efforts to protect vulnerable populations, even as sports betting continues to grow rapidly across the country.