PointsBet brings back Spirit of ’86 for Bears fans

Sports book operator will allow Illinois bettors a ‘can’t lose’ +86 spreadline

PointsBet is continuing its big play for sports bettors in Illinois by offering a +86 spreadline on this Thursday’s National Football League game between the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The company said its “extremely favorable” spreadline will turn $25 into $50 as long as the Bears do not lose to Tom Brady and the Buccs by more than 86 points. The number is a symbolic tip of the cap to the 1986 Bears team that won the Super Bowl.

PointsBet is the official sports betting partner of the Chicago Bears. The operator recently announced a partnership with Chicago Bears legend Devin Hester, who played for the team from 2006 to 2013, a major portion of his 11-year NFL career.

Earlier this year, PointsBet opened a sportsbook at Hawthorne Race Course, which it said is the closest in-person sports betting destination to downtown Chicago. Hawthorne said the sportsbook is part of a $400 million development scheduled to open in late 2021, pending final regulatory approval.

The brick and mortar sportsbook at Hawthorne is the first of four Chicagoland locations the companies will open as Illinois partners. PointsBet, which operates sportsbooks worldwide, debuted its mobile app and digital sports betting product in Illinois at the start of the NFL season.

The +86 spreadline will mark the third time this season PointsBet Illinois has offered a “Can’t Lose” Bears Booster.  

For Week 1 at the Lions, the Bears spread was boosted five points with every 200 bets placed from its starting position of +3, resulting in a final line of +100. For Week 2 vs. the Giants, PointsBet’s On the House Bears Booster started and remained at +89, representing the distance of brand ambassador Devin Hester’s longest punt return for a touchdown.

Michael Bartlett

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