Illinois sports bettors finally have a locally licensed digital wagering option after Rush Street Interactive (RSI) launched its BetRivers.com online sportsbook.

On Thursday at 10am local time, BetRivers became the first online sportsbook to launch in Illinois, a little over one year after the state approved its sports betting legislation. The product is available via desktop computer, Android and iOS devices, although the bespoke iOS app has yet to be released.

RSI president Richard Schwartz said his group was “excited to make history” in Illinois just as some of the major sports leagues are returning following their COVID-19 suspension of play. Illinois is now the 11th US state (plus the District of Columbia) to launch some form of digital wagering.

RSI has teamed with Rivers Casino Des Plaines, which is owned by Churchill Downs Inc although gaming operations are managed by RSI’s parent firm Rush Street Gaming. Des Plaines was also the first Illinois casino to launch a retail sportsbook in March that lasted all of a week before Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered the state’s gaming venues to close their doors to minimize COVID-19 transmission.