No, Barstool Sportsbook is not legal in Illinois. Online sportsbooks in Illinois have been live since March 5th, 2022, but Barstool Sportsbook transitioned to ESPN Bet in November 2023. This followed the expiry of the requirement that betting could only be done in person. The only online alternative at that time was to open an account with the sportsbook at the physical retail site so that you could access it online.
All that changed. You could freely register and bet on the Barstool site online. Those who preferred in-person betting could bet at Barstool's land-based retail partners: the Hollywood Casino Aurora and Argosy Casino Alton.
Barstool had one of the best-developed betting apps in the state of Illinois. It employed the use of the latest technology, which made it highly efficient. The sportsbook had high-level security to keep your data and money safe.
About the former Barstool betting app
The app was very easy to use. You could navigate through the various functions without problems. Also, since they were well-arranged, you could easily spot the registration, betting, banking, and sports on offer. The site was well-designed and generally pleasant to the eyes. As soon as you opened the app, you would get a feel of its modern overall outlook.
Security of the app
The app took a number of security measures to keep players and their money safe. These included a secure login process, encryption of all data, and secure payment processing.
They also partnered with a third-party company, Thawte, to provide additional layers of security and authentication. Thawte was a leading provider of online security solutions and helped to protect players by verifying identities, encrypting data, and monitoring for suspicious activity.
Additional info
The Barstool betting app was available for both iOS and Android. The iOS version of the app was 115.9 MB, while the Android version was 24 MB. The app was optimized for smartphones, but it should also have worked on most tablets. Barstool provided support via email and their website.
This support included help with setup, account management, deposits, and withdrawals. The app also tracked your gaming data, such as wins and losses. This data was used to help improve the user experience and customize your gaming experience.
How you could download the Barstool app on iOS
You could easily find the Barstool app on the App store when you searched for it. Once you clicked on it, you would see the download tab. You could then start the download process by tapping on this tab. The download was quick and easy. You could then find the app on your smartphone and open it. It took a matter of minutes, and you were done.
How you could download the Barstool app on Android
You could also get the app for your Android cell by searching on Google Play Store. When you found it, just click “Download” and then accept and trust the apk file for the download to proceed. Once it completed, you would find the app on your cellphone, and you could begin using it.
Old Barstool app reviews from the App Store and Google Play Store
The Barstool app had many positive reviews on both the App Store and Google Play Store. Among the issues that received praise was the ease of use on the mobile platform. The other was the great customer support you could access in real-time through the chat feature. The app was also renowned for swift payouts of wins and the wide variety of sports and bonuses on offer.
Overall, the app scored an average of 4.3, which was quite high from 1000 reviews on the Play Store. Nevertheless, some reviewers took issue with the fact that you could hardly use the same method to make payments and withdrawals. You would find that you must use one method to make deposits and another to withdraw. This was inconvenient for some people.
Common complaints and positive reviews
The negative comments about the Barstool app were that “I had one of my parlay wagers cashed out for way less than it should’ve been” and “you have to log into the app via two factors each time you open the app so it will log you out automatically each session”.
The positive comments were that “this app is the best Sportsbook app, it is very easy to navigate”, and that “this sportsbook app is very fun to use and provides a unique experience in comparison to other sportsbook apps”.