Instead of the Chicago Bulls competing for a spot in the NBA Finals, it’s the Celtics and Heat vying for the Eastern Conference crown. And although Bulls fans went home empty-handed, there’s still time for them to become winners thanks to the welcome bonus from BetMGM Illinois. Just how awesome is it? How about $200 in free bets simply for making a $10 real money wager after using the BetMGM IL bonus code REALGM during registration?

It’s one of our favorite sportsbook promo codes among the top Illinois sportsbooks, and it’s available right now during the heart of the NBA playoffs. And remember, you don’t have to live in Illinois to take advantage of the BetMGM bonus code, you simply need to be physically present in a state in which BetMGM operates

We’ll go over everything Illinois bettors need to know to both earn the welcome bonus and redeem your free bets, so you’re up and running as we head down the final stretch of what has been an incredible NBA postseason. And you can do it with one of the top sports betting apps!

BetMGM IL Bonus Code Lets You Bet $10, Win $200

Though the Bulls were second-to-last in the NBA in 3-point makes this season, they still made nearly 11 triples per contest. That would have been easily more than enough to earn the BetMGM IL bonus code REALGM, which is giving $200 in free bets if an NBA team you bet on or its opponent makes just one 3-pointer.

Here’s how it all breaks down: Use the BetMGM Illinois bonus code REALGM when registering for a new account. As long as you use that specific code, you’ll be locked into the welcome bonus. Complete the standard registration steps to create your account, and then make a qualifying deposit bonus of at least $10. Easy enough, right? Then we get to the fun stuff.

Place a $10 or more wager on any NBA team’s moneyline or point spread. It doesn’t matter which team you choose or how much more than $10 you wager on. As long as it is at least $10 and on a specific team, you’re good. Then all Illinois players need to do is wait for that team or its opponent to make just one 3-pointer. Once the first bucket from deep connects, you’ll have $200 in free bets in your account.

It truly is one of the easiest welcome bonuses to earn considering every NBA game this season has featured at least one 3-pointer. The BetMGM IL bonus code REALGM is a no-brainer. On top of tall that, players can still earn profit on their original moneyline or point spread bet.

Redeeming Your Free Bets With BetMGM Illinois

Instead of one giant lump sum of free bets that most online sportsbooks offer players, BetMGM Illinois does things a bit differently. Once your team or its opponent makes a single 3-pointer, you’ll have four $50 free bets to play with on any matchup with any set of odds. Being able to space out your free bets is a nice touch that makes the overall betting experience more enjoyable.

There’s a seven-day timer to use those free bets, but there’s a ton to bet on right now so that won’t be an issue. Note that the free bet amount is not included in any winnings, but there’s just a one-time playthrough requirement. That means any winnings become real cash to be played with again or withdrawn.

There isn’t an easier welcome bonus to earn than the BetMGM IL bonus code REALGM. You’ll earn your $200 in free bets early in the first quarter and can focus on your real money bet hitting to double up on your winnings. So, register today, use the code, and start earning perks just in time for the NBA Finals.

Sports betting remains very popular in Illinois, and fans in Ontario can enjoy it as well. To find more information about Ontario’s mobile sports betting and online casino bonuses, you can check our Ontario sports betting and Ontario online casino bonus codes reviews.

Zach LaVine underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday and is expected to make a full recovery.

LaVine has been dealing with discomfort in his knee since landing awkwardly on January 14 against the Warriors.

LaVine is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

He has been linked with several teams over the past week, with a return to the Bulls no longer considered a "slam dunk."

The NBA has announced that their NBA Paris Game will return for the 2023 season. The Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons will play each other on January 19, 2023 at the Accor Arena.

Chicago previously played two preseason contests in Paris in 1997. Detroit has played in two international regular season games in London in 2013 and Mexico City in 2019.

The game is expected to serve as a homecoming for Pistons guard Killian Hayes, who was born in France.

The last NBA regular season game played in Europe featured the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks on January 24, 2020.

Zach LaVine re-signing with the Chicago Bulls is no longer considered a "slam dunk," reported K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

LaVine has been linked with at least the Lakers, Trail Blazers, Mavericks, and Hawks this past week.

LaVine has previously said that he plans to "enjoy free agency."

The Bulls can offer LaVine a max contract worth more than $210 million over 5 seasons, though Johnson adds that there is speculation among rival executives as to whether the Bulls will offer the max.

LaVine is currently set to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Executives across the NBA have begun to think Zach LaVine could possibly leave the Chicago Bulls this offseason.

LaVine recently said he plans to "enjoy free agency" in what could be the final major contract of his career. LaVine was previously a restricted free agent and returned to the Bulls after they matched an offer sheet he signed with the Sacramento Kings.

"Zach LaVine gave an interesting interview," said Brian Windhorst. "Executives in the league kind of thought Zach LaVine was kind of off the market. [He] was going to stay in Chicago. They really thought that after Zach, at midseason, got checked out for three or four days in southern California. He left the team right before the All-Star break and had this cocktail of stuff done. He had PRP. He had the knee drained. He got a couple of things done. He pretty much admitted he probably needed knee surgery, but he was hoping that midseason refresh was going to help him get through the season.

"Executives in the league thought, 'well, if the Bulls and Zach are on the same page about him playing on a hurt knee, they must haven an understanding he's going to get a contract.'"

Windhorst added that the fifth-year Chicago could offer to LaVine would hold tremendous sway on his decision. The Bulls could sign LaVine to a five-year, $213 million deal. 

"That was the operating theory, at least amongst agents and executives that I talked to. But then Zach came out at the end of the season and he said, I'll just use this quote: 'I plan to enjoy free agency. We're going to have to experience A though Z without making any fast decisions. I think that's something me and agent Rich Paul are going to go through and experience.'

"Subsequently, as I've talked to league executives, there's now some belief and maybe only Zach knows, but there's some belief that Zach could be in play. That what a lot of people thought was a foregone conclusion of Zach staying in Chicago on whatever deal it was going to be might not be the case."

Windhorst later added that the Portland Trail Blazers are a team who could pursue LaVine with a max offer. The Detroit Pistons are another team who have been linked with LaVine. 

Zach LaVine will undergo a scope procedure on his left knee in the coming weeks. LaVine played through the injury that was suffered in January. 

LaVine will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason after being named to each of the past two All-Star teams with the Chicago Bulls.

LaVine was previously a restricted free agent in 2018 when he signed a four-year, $80 million offer sheet with the Sacramento Kings, which was matched by the Bulls.

LaVine tore the ACL in his left knee in 2017.