Many U.S. sports fans are asking whether si sportsbook is legitimate in 2026. This guide provides a clear, evidence-based answer and a practical checklist you can use right away to confirm whether any SI-branded site is authorized to accept deposits. We focus on public regulator records, the documented 2024 brand exit, and step-by-step verification actions so you can make safe decisions rather than relying on brand claims or promotional pages.

SI Sportsbook exited U.S. consumer betting in 2024 and is not listed on key state operator pages in 2026.

Always confirm an operator on your state regulator's approved-operator list before depositing.

If you find an SI-branded site taking deposits, stop, document transactions and report to your regulator and payment provider.

Quick answer: Is si sportsbook legit in 2026?

Short verdict

Short verdict: no authoritative evidence shows si sportsbook is an authorized, licensed operator in U.S. regulated markets in 2026; the brand exited U.S. consumer betting in 2024, and regulators do not list it among approved operators, so treat SI-branded deposit sites as likely unauthorized unless a state regulator says otherwise Reuters report.

Is SI Sportsbook legitimately licensed to operate in U.S. regulated states in 2026?

No. After the March 2024 announcement that Evoke plc would exit U.S. consumer betting and terminate the Sports Illustrated brand licence, SI Sportsbook operations ceased in the U.S., and it is absent from key state regulator operator lists in 2026; treat SI-branded deposit sites as likely unauthorized unless a state regulator lists them.

What this article will cover

This article gives a concise evidence-based verdict, an at-a-glance verification checklist, practical how-to steps for checking state regulator operator lists, examples using Virginia, Colorado and Michigan, common red flags, and a clear set of next steps if you find an SI-branded site soliciting deposits. The verification checklist later in the article will show exactly where to look and what to document.

At-a-glance verification checklist you can use now

Step-by-step checks

1) Confirm whether the operator appears on your state regulator's approved-operator or permit-holder list. If the name is missing, treat the site as unauthorized until proven otherwise.

2) Cross-check state findings with a national aggregator like the American Gaming Association state map for a quick sanity check, then return to the regulator page for final confirmation American Gaming Association state map.

Quick actions to take if you find a site

3) Review the site for clear KYC and withdrawal policies and verify secure HTTPS and contact details before considering any deposit.

4) Only attempt a small deposit and withdrawal with operators that appear on a state regulator list, and keep records of transactions and communications to support a complaint if needed.

What happened to the SI Sportsbook brand: timeline and implications

March 2024: Evoke plc announcement

In March 2024, Evoke plc, the company that had licensed the Sports Illustrated brand for betting, announced it would exit U.S. consumer online betting and terminate the Sports Illustrated brand licence, a decision that led to SI Sportsbook operations in the U.S. being shut down Evoke plc announcement.

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Check your state regulator operator list now to confirm any site claiming the SI Sportsbook name, and do not deposit unless the operator appears on the regulator list.

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Post-2024 regulatory and market implications

The 2024 brand exit means the Sports Illustrated name no longer carried an active U.S. betting license under that arrangement; absent a new, documented license and regulatory approval, any SI-branded site taking U.S. deposits should be treated with caution. This historic action is the primary reason to demand regulator confirmation before engaging with an SI-branded service.

Why brand licensing and state licensure determine legitimacy

Difference between brand name and licensed operator

A brand name is an identity or a marketing asset and does not by itself grant legal authority to accept bets or deposits in regulated U.S. markets. Legal permission to operate comes from a state-issued license and a regulator listing for the operator company, not from brand claims on a website.

How licensure and regulator oversight protect consumers

Close up laptop screen showing regulator webpage listing licensed operators with approved badge visible minimal Funded Plays dark theme si sportsbook

State gaming regulators maintain approved-operator lists and oversee complaint and dispute channels; using the regulator list is how consumers confirm an operator is subject to oversight and remedies in case of disputes Colorado Division of Gaming operator page.

How to check a sportsbook on state regulator lists (step-by-step)

Find your state regulator

Start by identifying which state regulates the activity where you live or where the operator says it is licensed. Search for your state's gaming regulator or lottery agency and look for pages titled approved operators, sports betting permit holders, or similar. You can also consult aggregators such as BettorSafe for a quick license lookup, but always use the regulator page as the final source.

Search the operator list

On the regulator page, use the site's search or the operator table to find the operator name, company name or license number. Confirm the company name, the license number if shown, and the status field to ensure it is active.

quick operator lookup for state regulator verification

Operator name
State
License number

Use the regulator's approved-operator page first

What to look for on the regulator page

Key fields that confirm authorization include the operator or corporate name, a license or permit number, the operator status showing active or suspended, and contact or compliance info. If those fields are missing or the operator name does not match the website's corporate name, treat the listing as absent and follow the regulator's guidance for reporting.

National cross-checks: using the American Gaming Association and state summaries

When to use national maps vs state sites

National aggregators like the AGA state map are useful for a quick cross-check of where sports betting is legal and which states have regulated markets, but they are not a substitute for the official regulator list when confirming whether a specific operator is licensed American Gaming Association state map.

Limitations and best practice for cross-checking

Always return to the state regulator page for final confirmation and to use its complaint channels. Aggregator maps can lag or simplify operator-level details, so rely on the regulator for definitive license status and for official contact points if you need to file a complaint.

State examples: Virginia, Colorado, Michigan - what the lists show

Virginia: approved permit holders and SI absence

As of early 2026, SI Sportsbook was not listed among the Virginia Lottery's approved sports betting permit holders, indicating the brand is not authorized to operate in Virginia under the normal regulator process Virginia Lottery approved list.

Colorado: operator list and SI absence

Colorado's Division of Gaming does not list an SI Sportsbook operator among its active sports betting operators, which is consistent with the brand having been withdrawn from U.S. betting operations after the 2024 announcement Colorado Division of Gaming operator page.

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Michigan: how authorized operator lists look

Michigan maintains a public list of authorized internet sports betting operators and related information; reviewing one of these state lists shows the format regulators use to confirm authorization and provides an example of the fields to check when you search your own state list Michigan Gaming Control Board authorized operator list.

How to file complaints and why regulator oversight matters

Typical complaint process at state regulators

Licensed regulators such as Colorado and Virginia provide formal complaint and dispute channels; they accept reports about operator conduct, processing problems and disputed balances and will typically require documentation such as account details and transaction records Colorado Division of Gaming operator page.

What consumers can expect after filing

After filing a complaint, expect the regulator to acknowledge receipt, review the provided evidence and, when appropriate, open an inquiry with the operator. Regulators can require records, mediate outcomes or refer matters for enforcement when operators are under their jurisdiction.

Common red flags: how to spot likely unauthorized SI-branded sites

Claims to be 'SI' without state license

The clearest red flag is a site claiming the SI Sportsbook name or Sports Illustrated branding while missing from the relevant state regulator's approved-operator list; given the 2024 brand exit, such sites are likely unauthorized unless explicitly licensed by a state regulator Reuters report.

Suspicious payment and withdrawal behavior

Other red flags include unclear or absent withdrawal policies, delays or refusals for small withdrawals, insistence on unusual payment methods, or a lack of documented KYC processes. If a site refuses a small, properly requested withdrawal and you cannot find a regulator listing, that is a strong sign the operator is not licensed.

How to test a sportsbook safely: withdrawals, security checks and small tests

Security checks (HTTPS, contact details)

Confirm the site uses secure HTTPS, has clear contact and corporate information, and publishes a KYC and withdrawal policy before any deposit. These are baseline security indicators but do not replace a regulator license check.

How and why to attempt a small withdrawal first

If an operator appears on a regulator list, perform a small deposit and request a small withdrawal to confirm processing. Document all communications and transaction evidence so you can supply it to a regulator or payment provider if a dispute arises American Gaming Association state map.

Practical scenarios: three examples and what to do in each case

You find an SI-branded site that takes deposits

Action: do not deposit, run the regulator operator lookup for your state, take screenshots of the site and any payment pages, and if the operator is absent from the regulator list file a complaint with the regulator and notify your payment provider.

You see a third-party app using the SI name

Action: check the app store listing and the developer's stated company name, then cross-check that corporate name on the regulator list. If the app or developer is not a regulator-listed operator, avoid sending funds and report the app to the store.

You spot an SI-branded social media promo asking for payments

Action: do not follow payment instructions. Document the post, report it to the social platform, and verify the operator via the regulator list before considering any interaction.

If you find a live 'SI Sportsbook' site in 2026: immediate next steps

How to proceed if you already deposited

Treat such sites as likely unauthorized unless they appear on your state regulator list. Immediately stop further deposits, document all transactions, contact your payment provider to dispute unauthorized transactions if needed, and assemble evidence for a regulator complaint American Gaming Association state map.

How to report and who to contact

File a complaint with your state gaming regulator or lottery agency and include account numbers, timestamps, screenshots and payment receipts. If funds were moved through a bank card or payment service, contact that provider to report suspected fraud and consider a dispute or chargeback.

Alternatives for verifying sportsbook legitimacy without relying on brand claims

Use regulator lists and official operator entries

Always prefer regulator-approved operator entries over marketing claims on a website. Look for the corporate operator name and license number on the regulator site and confirm the operator status and any public sanctions or enforcement history American Gaming Association state map.

Cross-check corporate license and parent company information

When possible, verify the platform's corporate name, licensing entity and parent company details against the regulator record. If the site uses a different corporate name from its branding, the regulator entry should show the licensed corporate holder or a disclosed corporate structure.

Summary and clear next steps for readers

Recap of the key verification actions

SI Sportsbook exited U.S. consumer operations after Evoke plc's March 2024 announcement, and as of 2026 the brand is not listed on key state operator lists, so treat SI-branded sites soliciting U.S. deposits as likely unauthorized unless a state regulator lists them Evoke plc announcement.

Where to go next if you need help

Priority actions: check your state regulator operator list first, use the AGA state map for a quick cross-check, attempt a small withdrawal only with licensed operators, and file a regulator complaint if you find an unauthorized SI-branded site. If you want to learn about skill-based alternatives that use evaluation challenges rather than traditional betting, consider the platform information available on Funded Plays Challenges for structured challenge descriptions.

Is SI Sportsbook licensed in the U.S. in 2026?

No. Following the 2024 brand exit, SI Sportsbook does not appear on key state regulator lists and is not considered a licensed U.S. operator unless a state regulator shows otherwise.

What should I do if a site claiming to be SI Sportsbook asks for deposits?

Do not deposit. Check your state regulator operator list, document the site and contact the regulator and your payment provider to report suspected unauthorized activity.

How can I recover funds if I deposited to an unauthorized SI-branded site?

Contact your payment provider immediately to request a dispute or chargeback, and file a complaint with your state gaming regulator with evidence of transactions and communications.

Confirming operator legitimacy is a straightforward process when you rely on state regulator lists and clear documentation. If you encounter a suspicious SI-branded site, prioritize safety, document everything and use regulator complaint channels. If you prefer skill-based, structured evaluation platforms rather than traditional betting, review the platform descriptions for challenge-based services to understand how they differ from regulated sportsbooks.