When the Circa Illinois Sportsbook launched at the end of September 2023, it became the eighth licensed operator on the Illinois sports betting scene. What do we know about this exciting new addition to the market?
Circa has made it clear that they will not be offering promos any time soon.
Whatever the book lacks in promos, it makes up for in betting limits and competitive odds.
As things stand, the company has decided not to offer a Circa Illinois promo code for new customers.
Circa Sports is now live in four states, with a fifth (Kentucky) set to join the list soon. Here's a look at how it launched in Illinois.
You should not expect to find any Circa Illinois promo codes as the company has decided not to offer any. Circa director of operations Jeffrey Benson said on social media: “No app promos or bonuses planned – we’re more of a real sportsbook. Focus is attractive odds, high limits and exceptional customer service.”
You will not be able to use a Circa Illinois promo code because this sportsbook does not intend to offer any Circa Illinois bonuses. It will be interesting to see whether the focus on ultra-competitive odds and high limits turns out to be successful.
At present, there are no Circa Illinois promos. You may be able to claim a Circa Illinois bonus in person at the retail sportsbook in Waukegan, but online players will not find a Circa Illinois promo code of any kind through their mobile device.
No, you don't need a Circa Illinois promo code. In fact, right now you won't be able to find one. This operator is not offering a promo code in IL or any other state.
Instead, Circa Illinois is focusing on the quality of its user experience and the competitiveness of the odds it's offering.
Bettors are used to being offered a welcome bonus when they sign up and other regular promos as they wager. It remains to be seen if the Circa Illinois sportsbook be able to attract and retain customers.
While a strategic decision has been taken not to issue any Circa Illinois bonus codes, this is a sportsbook that still needs to attract customers in a fiercely competitive market. Let's take a look at some of the other Illinois sportsbook promo codes available.
The FanDuel Illinois promo for new customers offers an opportunity to get $150 in bonus bets. All you have to do after your open your account is place a first wager, which can be as little as $5. Whether or not that selection wins, you then receive $150 in bonus bets that can be used for the next seven days in whatever combination of wagers you like.
This bet-and-get sportsbook model of welcome bonus is simple but highly effective.
The BetMGM Illinois bonus is an example of another common type of welcome offer: the chance to place your first wager with relatively little downside.
If your initial bet here loses, up to a maximum of $1,500, you get your stake back in the form of bonus bets. When your initial stake is more than $50, each bonus bet is worth 20% of your initial wager.
Many online sports betting companies attract customers with this style of welcome bonus.
Circa Illinois doesn't have (nor is planning to have) any promos or bonuses available. However, there are some common types of sportsbook promotions that this operator could explore in the future:
Odds Boosts
If the company does decide to start offering Circa Illinois promos, one of the most compelling would be an odds boosts. As things stand, Circa Illinois sportsbook's approach suggests that its competitive odds inherently give bettors odds boosts when compared with other online sportsbooks.
However, in time the company may join many of its rivals in enhancing specific bets on certain markets each day.
Parlay Offers
One of the potential future Circa promotions Illinois bettors might be offered is an enhancement to parlay payouts. This is a common type of promo at other sportsbooks and adds to the excitement of trying to score a big win with a small stake.
Special Events
The Circa Illinois sportsbook has a strong focus on major North American sports and leagues. If the company does decide to start offering Circa Illinois bonuses, it may do so around leading events on the sporting calendar such as the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the NBA Finals.
These are ideal times to try to raise a sportsbook’s profile and grow its customer base.
This is not a Circa Illinois promo that is currently available. However, it may be one day; a referral promo tends to be on offer at leading online sportsbooks. In return for getting a friend to sign up with the operator and place a bet, you both receive a reward.
There is no rewards program currently available as a Circa Illinois sportsbook bonus. The only way to earn rewards through this sportsbook is by wagering in person at its original home in Las Vegas, which runs the Club One program.
As with all the other potential Circa Illinois promos on this list, it will be fascinating to see if the company shifts its position and starts to offer them online in the future.
There is no specific Circa Illinois NFL promo. NFL betting is popular across the U.S., particularly in Illinois, home to the Chicago Bears.
Circa Illinois sportsbook will claim to have highly competitive odds on Bears playoff chances, among other Chicago football markets, but there is no NFL promo yet.
The Circa Illinois sportsbook operates in the state in partnership with The Temporary by American Place Casino in Waukegan. As you can tell from the name, this is a temporary facility; a full American Place Casino is scheduled to open on the site in 2026.
At the moment, the only way you can place online wagers with the Circa Illinois sportsbook is through the Circa Illinois app. This operator launches a fresh, state-specific app where it obtains a license.
In all states, the Circa sportsbook app is a streamlined, simple offering that lets you get straight down to the business of placing bets. This may not be entirely to the taste of many bettors who enjoy the extra features and bonuses you find at other Illinois sportsbook apps, but it might be ideal for high rollers and experienced bettors looking for extra value through competitive odds.
The defining characteristic of the Circa Illinois betting app is its simplicity. All you will find here is the chance to place bets on a range of sports leagues and events.
If you do not want or need the distraction of features, banners and promos, and simply want to get your money on your selection, the Circa Illinois sportsbook is perfect for with you.
There is no desktop version of the Circa Illinois sportsbook, so if you want to place bets you will have to download the Circa app. It is available for iPhone and Android owners through the two major app stores.
As you might expect from such a stripped-down mobile offering, the iOS version of the Circa Illinois app takes up relatively little storage space, just 58.6MB. You will need iOS 10.2 or later.
Android users will need version 5.0 and up.
Positives of the Circa App
Negatives of the Circa App
There are two ways to access the mobile wagering platform of the Circa Illinois sportsbook. One is to visit the app store that corresponds to your mobile device, search for Circa Illinois, and download it instantly to your home screen.
The other is to visit the sportsbook’s landing page via your mobile web browser and to click the button that takes you to the store.
Yes, there is. The Circa sportsbook creates a state-specific app wherever it gains a license.
The Illinois version is so new at the Google Play Store that no reviews or ratings have been left yet.
Apple App Store Score: | ⭐️ 1.4 |
Google Play Store Score: | ⭐️ N/A |
You can register as a Circa Illinois sportsbook customer through the app. Expect to follow these simple steps:
The Circa Illinois sportsbook represents a fascinating addition to the sports betting landscape in the Prairie State. This is a brand that takes a markedly different approach to so many of its rival online sportsbooks.
It’s always a bold move to make it clear that you are focusing on a particular niche – in this case, high rollers and experienced bettors. But if Circa Illinois does what it does as well as it can, there is a chance that niche will be more than enough.
We are still in the very early stages of Circa Illinois. Let’s look now at the current features.
It is very clear how the Circa Illinois sportsbook intends to stand out from the crowd in the Prairie State. In the absence of any Circa Illinois bonuses, it is important that this operator delivers on the value it promises to attract its core audience of experienced bettors and high rollers. The following features give it a strong chance of being able to do so.
Experienced bettors are adept at comparing the odds available at a range of sportsbooks so that they can be sure of always getting the most attractive price on a particular market. The Circa Illinois sportsbook has set out its stall as the destination where you will find the most appealing odds and the smallest margins.
This is another area where Circa Illinois is determined to stand above its rivals, by offering a place for people who want to place large bets without worrying about limits. Most online sportsbooks have a cap on the amount you can stake on particular sports, which can deter the high rollers.
At the Circa Illinois sportsbook, the general guide is that you will be able to wager up to $5,000 on any bet right from the start. After that, your limit should rise quickly to $10,000. High rollers will undoubtedly be made to feel welcome here, particularly because the brand says it will not impose restrictions on bettors who win big.
The range of bet types available at Circa Illinois stands compares well to leading rival sportsbooks such as BetMGM and DraftKings. There is one sort of wager, however, available here that will catch the eye of the shrewd long-term bettor.
Yes/No futures are as straightforward as they sound. You can decide whether or not a team will win its conference, its division, or the championship at the end of the season. Your money can go on either way, and the margins on this market are notably slim.
At first glance, your options for funding your Circa Illinois sportsbook might look more restrictive than at rival operators. However, upon further inspection, it's actually not too different from payment methods you're already used to.
The only way to put money into your Circa Illinois account is via the Circa Sports Play+ feature in the app. However, you can fund this in several different ways.
The minimum deposit is $10, and your money should be available straight away. Once you sign up for a free Play+ account, you can deposit money in it using the following:
The only way you can withdraw money from your Circa Illinois account is via Play+, from which you can then transfer it to your personal account.
The fact that there is only one way of withdrawing funds from your account means the overall process may take longer than at other sportsbooks. When taking money out via Play+, it should clear into your personal account in 3-5 business days.
There is no way of taking cash out instantly via your mobile betting portal. The only way of withdrawing cash is in person, if you visit the Circa Illinois retail sportsbook at The Temporary by American Place in Waukegan.
No, you cannot use CashApp at Circa Sportsbook Illinois. This is not among the banking methods currently supported by this operator.
You can use PayPal, to fund your wagering via your Circa Sports Play+ account. But you cannot currently use Venmo.
🔥 MORE: PayPal Betting Sites Illinois
The range of sports available to bet on at the Circa Illinois sportsbook is not as extensive as you will find elsewhere. There is a strong focus on the main North American pro leagues – the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB, as well as plenty of markets on college football and basketball.
However, the only other sports regularly featured are soccer, golf, tennis, motorsports, boxing, and MMA. It will be interesting to see if the book broadens its reach in the months to come.
The focus at Circa Illinois is on the top leagues in pro sports, and there are tons of NFL betting options with this sportsbook.
Illinois bettors will likely want to pay atttention most to NFL betting markets around the Chicago Bears. These include wagering on Bears Super Bowl odds, player props, chances to make the playoffs, year-end awards, and more.
As the MLB season (and therefore the MLB betting season) comes to a close, Illinois bettors can finish strong with Circa Sportsbook. There are game odds available on the rest of the postseason.
Betting on the NBA, as well as other pro leagues like the MLB and NHL, is popular on Circa, with odds becoming available for the first few weeks of games for the 2023 season.
There aren't many odds available yet for NHL betting on Circa Sportsbook. We'll keep monitoring to see when game odds are released.
Your selection of sports betting markets may be slightly restricted here, but how you can bet on sports in Illinois is not. All the following major bet types are available:
IGT, an experienced and respected name in the world of sports betting technology, powers the Circa Illinois Sportsbook through its PlaySports platform. The lack of extra features such as Circa Illinois promotions and bonuses means you should in time enjoy a smooth, streamlined user interface.
As a licensed online sports betting operator, Circa Illinois is fully aware of the need to protect its customers’ personal information at all times. The company applies 128-bit encryption technology to all its transactions. You should do your part by setting security questions, choosing a complex password, and changing that password frequently.
There are no options that enable you to speak directly and instantly to a member of the customer support team at the Circa Illinois sportsbook. You won’t find a telephone number you can call or a live chat option.
The only way to get in touch is by emailing [email protected], where you should get an answer within 24 hours. You may get a quicker response by contacting @CircaSports on Twitter/X.
Circa made its name as a provider of in-person sports betting facilities – specifically, at its self-styled “largest sportsbook in the world” on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now that experience is available in Illinois at The Temporary by American Place in Waukegan, roughly halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee.
This is, as the name suggests, a temporary facility while a permanent American Place Casino is prepared for a 2026 opening. But the sportsbook is stunning, with 36 big TV screens, the largest measuring 80 feet, to bring you all the latest sporting action.
The sportsbook facilities include 12 self-service kiosks where you can place your wagers. These kiosks are open during casino hours, which are 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. You should be able to place any type of bet at these kiosks.
If you want the personal touch, there are three staffed windows at which you can place bets. The personnel here should also be able to answer any questions you have. Don’t forget that you can also make your wagers through your mobile device on the app while you are on the premises.
One of the most famous features of any Circa sportsbook is the huge digital boards. This is where all the real-time odds from current markets will be displayed, so that you know exactly what prices are available.
The Circa Illinois sportsbook is designed to be different than all the other online sports betting offerings in the Prairie State. There are two specific factors that Circa hopes will enable it to stand apart from rival companies operating here.
It will be interesting to see if rival books try to combat Circa Illinois directly on these two fronts. Caesars Sportsbook in Illinois is well known for its innovative and flexible approach, and it likes to style itself as a book for all types of bettors, including high rollers. How will it respond to the challenge posed by Circa Illinois?
As you would expect from any respected sportsbook operating under a license, the Circa Illinois sportsbook accepts its duty to encourage players to keep their gambling under control. The Responsible Gaming section here is not as exhaustive as you find at some sportsbooks, but there is advice about self-exclusion and setting limits.
You should also find links to agencies with expertise in this field that can offer support to anybody worried they are developing a gambling problem. These include the Illinois Gaming Board itself, and the state branch of the National Council on Problem Gambling.
“We’re more of a real sportsbook.” That line from Circa director of operations Jeffrey Benson used repeatedly on social media illustrates perfectly the Circa Sportsbook’s mindset.
Here, it says to the world, is sports betting in its purest form. Forget about all the whistles and bells, the offers and the promos. Head this way if you just want to bet on sports.
As a result, how you feel about Circa Illinois will be dictated by the type of bettor you are. If you like the occasional wager, or are a newcomer to the activity, you may prefer somewhere with more in the way of bonuses and promos. Similarly, if you enjoy placing bets on less mainstream sports, you may be better off elsewhere.
But if you are a serious bettor, for whom competitive odds are most important, this is a sportsbook for you. Similarly, if you want to wager large sums of money with high limits—and no fear of restrictions on your account if you score some big wins—you will feel at home with Circa Illinois.
The sleek simplicity of the mobile user interface is designed for people who want no fuss or distraction, just a simple journey to the bet they want to make.
The contrast with a rival such as DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook could not be more stark. That’s a brand that sells itself with a brash, assertive approach based around great offers, innovative bets, and a far broader sports betting experience.
As the Circa Illinois Sportsbook begins its battle for a place at the top table in the Prairie State, it will be fascinating to see how successful its purist, targeted approach turns out.
Yes, there is. You may place bets on your favorite sports and leagues either in person at The Temporary by American Place in Waukegan, or through the state-specific Circa Illinois app, which is available for both iPhone and Android device owners.
Yes, it is. The Circa Illinois sportsbook has been operating under license in the Prairie State since the end of September 2023. It was the eighth online sportsbook to go live in Illinois, where it functions through a partnership with Full House Resorts, owner of The Temporary by American Place.
There is no Circa Illinois sportsbook promo code for new users of the sportsbook. This is a brand that has deliberately shied away from offering Circa Illinois bonuses; it seeks to offer the same extra value that promos deliver by allowing its customers access to ultra-competitive odds.
The Circa Illinois sportsbook went live on September 29, 2023. Since then, you have been able to place bets through the company’s mobile app, and in person at The Temporary by American Place in Waukegan. Circa Illinois had been approved for a license to operate in April 2023.
Yes, there is. Circa Sports launches a separate app in every state where it obtains a license. This leads to inevitable growing pains in the early days of the app’s launch, but allows for a greater degree of localization in the betting markets it can then offer.
There is no Circa Illinois bonus code that will activate an eye-catching offer for new customers, such as a bet-and-get or a refund of your first stake. Circa Illinois has decided against offering promos and bonuses, preferring to give its customers extra value on a daily basis by setting attractive, competitive odds on its sports betting markets.
Author
Award-winning contributor covering sports betting and casino gaming around the world for decades, Martin Booth is one of the most trusted voices in online gambling. From legislative updates in Illinois to breaking down the top betting apps in IL, Martin covers a gambit of topics for IllinoisBet.com.
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