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Illinois Sports Betting — Best Sportsbooks and Apps | Outkick
Illinois sports betting has been live since June 28, 2020, when the Illinois Gaming Board licensed its first online operators. Bettors in the state can now choose from 10 legal sportsbook apps.
Yes, sports betting is legal in Illinois and has been since June 2020, when mobile sports betting launched. It is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board, and bettors must be 21 or older. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Illinois Sports Wagering Act into law on June 28, 2019.
Illinois has a wide variety of sports betting apps, and choosing which you like best can be a fun experiment. There is no limit to the number of apps you can use, so feel free to download as many as you’d like and try all of them. We’ve provided a few highlights for each and some things you might want to be on the lookout for.
Illinois sportsbooks provide new users with a few primary types of welcome promotions, most notably profit boosts, bet-and-get offers, and deposit matches. Profit boosts increase your potential payout on a qualifying wager, sometimes doubling your profits if the bet wins. Bet-and-get promotions award bonus site credits after you deposit and place a small initial wager (often as low as $5). Deposit matches aim to boost your starting bankroll right away by matching a percentage—or the full total—of your first deposit with promotional funds.
Illinois sports betting was first signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker via the Illinois Sports Wagering Act in 2019. By 2020, Rivers Casino in Des Plaines launched the first retail sports wagering site. On June 18, 2020, BetRivers was the first online sportsbook. By March 2022, there was a permanent lift on in-person mobile registration requirements, meaning residents could register completely remotely.
Having a major city in your state always helps provide users with plenty of sports betting options. The Chicago Cubs and White Sox are professional baseball teams. The Blackhawks, Bulls, and Bears are options for the NHL, NBA, and NFL, respectively. They also have a diverse group of college teams, like the University of Illinois.
You can bet on college sports in Illinois; however, you cannot wager on an in-state school. Even if they are playing in a different state, you cannot put a wager on them ever. You also cannot bet on college player props.
There are multiple retail sportsbooks in Illinois. There are some standalone operations, but there are also some located within casinos, racetracks, and off-track betting facilities.
Licensed Retail Locations:
Rivers Casino Des Plaines (BetRivers Sportsbook) – Des Plaines
Grand Victoria Casino (Caesars Sportsbook) – Elgin
Hawthorne Race Course (Fanatics Sportsbook) – Stickney / Cicero
Hard Rock Casino Rockford (Hard Rock Bet) – Rockford
Hollywood Casino Aurora (ESPN BET / Penalty Box) – Aurora
Hollywood Casino Joliet (ESPN BET) – Joliet
Argosy Casino Alton (ESPN BET / PENN) – Alton
Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino (FanDuel / BetMGM Sportsbook) – East Peoria
Fairmount Park / FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing (FanDuel) – Collinsville
The Temporary by American Place Casino (Circa Sports) – Waukegan
Bally's Quad Cities Casino & Hotel (Bally Bet) – Rock Island
Walker's Bluff Casino Resort (bet365) – Carterville
Harrah's Metropolis Casino (Caesars Sportsbook) – Metropolis
Yes, sports betting is legal in Illinois both online and in-person.
Illinois has 10 different mobile sportsbooks available, so choosing the best one is really up to you. Try as many as you’d like and see what you like best about each app.
You must be 21 years of age and physically located in the state to bet on sports.
Yes, you can bet on college sports in Illinois, but you cannot wager on player props or in-state colleges.
You do not need to be an Illinois resident, but you need to be physically located in the state when the wager is placed.
There are 10 legal online sportsbook apps in Illinois.
Yes, you can bet in-person at a variety of locations in Illinois, including casinos, racetracks, off-track betting facilities, and even some standalone locations.
Kentucky Sports Betting — Best Sportsbooks and Apps | Outkick
Kentucky sports betting has been live since March 31, 2023, when House Bill 551 was signed into law. Sept. 28, 2023, marked the start of online operators launching in Kentucky. It is governed by the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. There are nine online sportsbooks for Kentucky residents to choose from.
Yes, sports betting is legal in Kentucky and governed by the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. Online operations launched in September 2023. Sports betting in Kentucky is legal for anyone over the age of 21.
With so many great options for sports betting in Kentucky, it can be a challenge to figure out which sportsbook is best. Below we’ve assembled a list of some of the most popular sportsbooks in Kentucky. Take a look below and see what are some of the reasons you might like each book, and what are some potential drawbacks.
Welcome offers are provided to new users in Kentucky, with the most common being profit boosts, bet-and-get models, or deposit matches. A profit boost bet is offered to new users, where users can often double their winnings if their wager wins. A bet-and-get system is where a bettor can place a small-value wager, often as low as $5, and receive bonus funds as a reward. Deposit matches try to build your bankroll immediately. You deposit an amount, and the sportsbook provides you with an equal or fraction of the amount you deposited.
Sports betting has been legal since 2023 in Kentucky when Andy Beshear signed House Bill 551 into law. In August, licenses were approved, and books were open in September 2023. New regulations and rules were passed in April 2026 to raise the minimum legal age to 21, and place restrictions on in-state college props.
Kentucky has Louisville City FC playing in the United Soccer League, playing out of Lynn Family Stadium out of Louisville. They have a sister club with Racing Louisville FC, who play in the National Women's Soccer League. It also has plenty of college teams that you can wager on. They have the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, and some smaller schools like Murray State and Morehead State.
Kentucky does allow sports betting on college sports; however, there are some regulations to be aware of. You can bet on in-state teams, but you cannot place a wager on a player prop for any Kentucky in-state college.
There are 12 physical locations to wager on sports in Kentucky, with most of them inside casinos and racetracks.
Licensed Retail Locations:
Churchill Downs (Kambi) – Louisville
Derby City Gaming & Hotel (FanDuel Sportsbook) – Louisville
Derby City Gaming Downtown (Kambi) – Louisville
Ellis Park Racing & Gaming (PENN Sportsbook) – Henderson
Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel (Fanatics Sportsbook) – Oak Grove
Sandy's Racing & Gaming (BetMGM Sportsbook) – Ashland
The Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs (Circa Sports) – Franklin
The Mint Gaming Hall (Circa Sports) – Bowling Green
The Red Mile (Caesars Sportsbook) – Lexington
Turfway Park Racing & Gaming (Kambi) – Florence
Yes, sports betting is legal and has been live since September 2023.
The best sportsbook in Kentucky is up to the user to decide. You can use any and all sportsbooks with no restriction to how many you try. Explore each option and see which you like best.
You must be 21 years old to wager on sports in Kentucky; this has changed from 18 after legislation passed in 2026.
Yes, you can bet on college sports and player props in Kentucky, but you cannot wager on in-state college player props.
You do not need to live in Kentucky to wager there, but you must be physically in the state when you place the wager.
There are nine online sportsbooks and 12 retail sportsbook locations in Kentucky.
Yes, you can visit one of many retail locations to place a wager. Most are located inside a casino or racetrack in Kentucky.
Dolly Parton’s nephew erupted in profanity-laced tirade in emails days before her death
Dolly Parton’s nephew unleashed an expletive-filled tirade in an email exchange involving the country music legend just days before her death, as tensions over security services boiled over, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
Bryan Seaver, Parton's nephew and longtime head of security, fired off the profanity-laced message Aug. 21 — four days before Parton's death — in an email chain carrying the subject line "Fwd: Letter from Dolly."
"Hi Billy. Message received," Seaver began before warning, "If you think my harsh language is too much for your failing vendors to digest, just wait until my lawyers start f---ing you up the a--."
While it's unclear who Billy is, Parton’s longtime manager, Danny Nozell, and other members of her team were included in the email chain.
"I challenge you to bring spurious and feeble complaints. Let’s play ball you f---ing s---bag loser," he continued.
Seaver also blasted the progress of an apparent Nashville project, alleging the build-out was "late and worrisome" and subcontractors "continue to do drugs in our venue."
"Explain to your shareholders why your project is still failing and your building is unfinished, unoccupied and mired in violations," he wrote.
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Seaver ended the blistering message with another warning.
"I encourage it. Go f--- yourself you f---ing weakling," he wrote. "Tell Mr. [redacted] to call me and we’ll talk man to man. Otherwise, your doom ensues."
The court exhibit does not reveal the contents of the apparent "Letter from Dolly" referenced in the subject line.
DOLLY PARTON’S SISTER REVEALS ‘LAST THING’ COUNTRY LEGEND ASKED OF HER BEFORE DEATH
The email came just two days after Seaver directly invoked his famous aunt while complaining about security arrangements at a Nashville hotel project.
"Your contract security company (Titan) you’ve hired in spite of me and Dolly’s request for service at the hotel has completely f---ed up and let an employee be assaulted," Seaver alleged in the Aug. 19 email.
"Let me know when you are ready to hand the security situation completely over to Dolly’s contracted service providers in Nashville and I will fix your problem," he added. "SAPS (Seaver’s Squadron Augmented Protection Services) is your answer."
The combative exchanges marked a dramatic shift from correspondence less than three months earlier.
On May 29, Seaver offered to help staff and train security personnel in Nashville. The recipient, identified as "Bill," thanked him for his "genuine care and concern" and said he hoped both teams would support "each other in success."
Parton died Aug. 25 at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
Seaver, who had served as Parton's head of security for more than two decades, was chosen by his aunt to publicly announce her death. Less than a month later, tensions between Seaver and members of Parton's business circle spilled into court.
As Fox News Digital previously reported, Parton's manager, Nozell, who runs She’s Alive, LLC, sought a restraining order against Seaver and his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services.
She's Alive is an entity Parton created to oversee her business interests.
DOLLY PARTON LAID TO REST AS NIECE SHARES EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE TO ‘GRANNY’
A Tennessee judge granted a temporary restraining order, citing an alleged pattern of threats and demands for payment, along with Seaver's "claimed access to weapons, experience with violence, and intention to retaliate." The order barred Seaver and his company from entering She’s Alive properties, coming within 1,000 feet of its employees and business partners or contacting them.
She’s Alive alleged Seaver's communications continued to escalate after Parton's death.
In a Sept. 1 message included in earlier court filings, Seaver allegedly threatened to start a podcast aimed at damaging Parton's business relationships unless he was paid.
According to documents previously obtained by Fox News Digital, the alleged messages prompted several employees to resign, Parton's trust and estate attorney to step away, and She’s Alive to hire private security to protect employees at work and at home. Seaver was fired Sept. 15 over what the company characterized as "terrorizing conduct."
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Seaver has denied threatening anyone and maintained that his communications were taken out of context.
"I've never threatened anyone," Seaver previously told ABC News, calling the restraining order "spurious and simply a publicity stunt."
The newly surfaced emails show that tensions involving Seaver, Parton's business interests and security arrangements had been escalating even before the singer's death.
In an Oct. 5 filing, attorneys for She’s Alive specifically pointed to the communications, arguing that Seaver had not disputed sending them.
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"He has not denied that he sent any of the texts or emails attributed to him," the attorneys wrote.
Those assertions were made by She’s Alive and were not findings by the court.
The filing also accused Seaver of attempting to evade service, claiming a process server tried three times to serve him. During one attempt, four vehicles were spotted in his driveway, but no one answered the door. The filing said his residence later had a "no-trespassing" sign in the yard and barbed wire draped across the handrails leading to the front door.
On Oct. 6, Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles granted Seaver additional time to obtain counsel and rescheduled the hearing for Oct. 20. The temporary restraining order will remain in effect through the hearing.
Parton's sister Freida has publicly defended her nephew amid the legal battle, insisting there is "no feud within our family" and adding, "We all love Bryan, just as we all love each other."
Fox News Digital's Larry Fink and Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.
Florida GOP hopeful on backing Trump in Iran: 'This is about ending a long war, not starting a war'
For GOP congressional candidate Dan Green, the military confrontation with Iran isn't the start of a new war — it’s the long-overdue resolution of a conflict that began in 1979.
Drawing on his own military tours in Iraq, the Navy veteran running in Florida’s 9th Congressional District argues that America is finally settling decades-long strife with Tehran, even as he faces a tough domestic battle over inflation, kitchen-table economics, and a 10-year Democrat incumbent in the newly redrawn Orlando-based suburban district.
"I think one thing to know about Iran is that they've been at war with us since the 1970s, when they seized our embassy in Tehran and they took our Americans hostage. So to me, this is about ending a long war, not starting a war.
"Whether it's the Marine Corps barracks in the 80s when Iran bombed those, the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, and also with my tours in Iraq, the Iranians were killing a lot of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.
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"So, the question is, what's the butcher's bill you're willing to tolerate of dead Americans? And we also know they plotted to kill and assassinate our president.
So, to me, this has been a long time coming, but I think what we really need to focus on is how do we get a successful termination of this conflict and stability back in the Middle East?"
Green is running in a district that voted for President Donald Trump by a large margin in 2024, yet the Republicans face headwinds as inflation and energy prices remain a persistent preoccupation for voters. Yet, he remains confident in the appeal of the GOP brand, compared to the Democratic alternative.
"I think the Democrats have a huge problem right now. I don't think they know what they're really about," Green said. "As you know, they have a democratic socialist wing that is rising in power throughout their party, and a lot of moderate members are finding they have to make peace with that, or even liberal members as well."
He continued: "We've got a lot of members getting elected now across the country who are democratic socialists who believe in this radical ideology, who want to frankly destroy our Constitution in so many ways: they want to abolish the U.S. Senate, they want to bring back woke ideology, transgender ideology, and higher taxes. So I think in some ways we know what they are going to bring, but it's not a good future."
GOP CHALLENGER TEARS INTO DEM'S ‘MODERATE’ IMAGE: ‘VOTES WITH THE SQUAD 90% OF THE TIME’
Florida's ninth district, like much of the state, contains a large Latino population, which has been pivotal in shifting the state from purple to red. Green argues that while Republicans must appeal to voters on kitchen table economics, ultimately they need to be the party that upholds the rule of law.
"I think Americans of all backgrounds, regardless of race or ethnicity, are concerned about the cost of living these days. What we've been campaigning on is making America affordable again," Green said. "So these kind of kitchen table issues of grocery prices, gas prices, property insurance rates — they resonate irrespective of background, I would say.
"But the cornerstone of our republic is the rule of law, making sure we adhere to it and we follow it. There are ways of being compassionate with how we do that. There are ways of implementing that law more effectively. At the end of the day, we're either a nation of laws or we aren't. And so we need to do what's required to make sure the law is enforced."
The ninth district, which stretches from Orlando to the south, has a distinctly conservative bent, which Green argues will enable to him to compete against the advantages of incumbency.
"My opponent is an incumbent and sometimes with that come some advantages; name ID, access to greater resources," Green said. "But I think the district fundamentally is a conservative district and I think even non-party-affiliated members who aren't Democrat or Republican tend to be conservative.
"So I think we have a lot of great strength in this district for our campaign. I have worked in the military, I can put a plan together, and we're executing a good campaign plan to take the seat back and flip it from blue to red."
Finally, Green said he believes Soto's votes on economic policies will be key to building a contrasting vision for the voters of the ninth district.
"Well, he's been reelected from a portion of our district, not the rest of the district. Most of the district has never voted for him or really seen him," Green said. "To me, you've got a decade of not solving our district's problems.
"He has voted against eliminating taxes on Social Security. He's voted against eliminating taxes [on] overtime. He's voted against eliminating tax on tips. To me, when you have the sort of affordability issue right now, those are not the right votes to take for this district. His values are also not aligned with our voters, as well.
"You know, he voted to not prohibit transgender care. He's also not done anything to stop insider trading for 10 years … and also, frankly, the democratic socialists are taking over the Democratic Party. You know, a vote for him is a vote for them, and I think that's not what this district wants."
Hasan Piker accused of racial profiling after dividing White voters into ‘good’ and ‘bad’
Far-left streamer Hasan Piker is drawing backlash for dividing Americans into "good Whites and the bad Whites," while outlining his strategy to win over conservative voters in a recent interview.
The New Jersey-born political influencer said that while he considers himself a Westernized "White guy," he distinguishes himself from "bad" White people.
"Wisconsin has the good kind of White folk. Not the libertarian streak of White folk," he told New York Magazine. "Like, Texas has the libertarian streak of White folk. Wisconsin is, like, German, Dutch, old trade unionists."
HASAN PIKER ADMITS HE HAS 'DIALED DOWN' HIS OPINIONS AFTER PUBLIC AND DEMOCRATIC BACKLASH
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Piker, 35, contended that Democrats have failed to target these strains of White conservatives, but optimistically noted that they can be "mobilized."
"The kind of White folks — maybe the Democrats haven’t been able to successfully target them or give them something and they’ve since forgotten their roots, but they could be mobilized," he told the outlet.
The self-described Marxist streamer theorized that "bad Whites" became conservative after falling victim to a "propaganda apparatus" that convinced them Democrats had not improved their lives.
"Maybe at some point, due to Reagan neoliberalism and unbelievable amounts of culture war, a fairly successful reactionary propaganda apparatus that is constantly churning out slop, people got duped, where they’re like, ‘Yeah, maybe the Democrats aren’t really invested in our well-being; maybe it is the Mexicans who need to be purged,’" he said.
JAMES CARVILLE DECRIES 'IDIOT' HASAN PIKER, ORDERS DSA TO CHANGE ITS NAME
Piker recalled an encounter with a "good" White person in a Milwaukee hotel lobby in which a White woman asked him for a photo and thanked him for his work. Afterward, he said, "What did I tell you? Good Whites."
Democratic strategist Doug Friednash told Fox News Digital that "every leader" in the Democratic Party must condemn Piker’s comments, calling the socialist streamer a "cancer to America."
"Dividing Americans into ‘good Whites’ and ‘bad Whites’ is racial profiling, plain and simple," Friednash said. "If someone on the far right talked this way about Black, Latino or even Jewish Americans, Democrats would rightly condemn it and call it racist."
Piker argued that conservatives have been "socially conditioned" by pro-corporate political and media forces. He added that turning conservatives into Democratic voters requires offering social-welfare benefits rather than appealing to right-wing beliefs.
"My theory of change is I’m going to tell the racists they deserve housing, too," the streamer said. "I’m going to tell them, ‘Look, you’re going to get healthcare, Medicare for All, single-payer. And if you’re transphobic, you’re still going to get it. But trans people are going to get it too. Are you not going to vote for that?’"
Friednash warned that Piker’s close association with the Democratic Party is a "recipe for Election Day disaster" as Democrats make their final push ahead of the midterms in November.
"Democrats need to make clear that Hasan Piker and his brand of communism have no place in the Democratic Party," he told Fox News Digital. "The more he becomes associated with Democrats, the more working-class and independent voters we drive away."
Fox News Digital has reached out to Piker for further comment.
FIRST ON FOX: Elon Musk heads back to White House as Trump marks prestigious first of presidency
FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump will award Elon Musk and other leading American innovators the nation’s highest honors for scientific and technological achievement Thursday, Fox News Digital has learned, marking Trump’s first time presenting the awards.
"The Trump administration is grateful for the contributions of these incredible leaders in science and technology. These recipients are helping ensure America keeps leading the world in innovation," White House spokesperson Liz Huston told Fox News Digital.
The honorees, who will be recognized at the White House’s Science: A New Golden Age Summit, include some of the most powerful figures in American technology and mark Elon Musk’s latest return to Trump’s orbit after his high-profile departure from the administration and subsequent public rupture with the president.
Trump will award the National Medal of Science to Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su, while Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will receive the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during the summit, Fox News Digital learned.
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The ceremony will mark the first time Trump has presented the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during either of his administrations.
The summit will bring together leading scientists and tech innovators to discuss how super intelligence and private-sector investment can accelerate scientific breakthroughs and strengthen U.S. leadership in science and technology.
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Musk’s expected award marks another step in his return to Trump’s orbit after their relationship ruptured last year. The split followed Musk’s departure from DOGE, when he blasted Trump’s signature tax-and-spending bill as a "disgusting abomination," setting off a personal feud that included Trump threatening his government contracts.
The two have since renewed ties, with Musk again appearing alongside Trump at a recent technology leader lunch and was present during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit.
The Tesla CEO has also returned to an advisory role in the Trump administration, co-leading the Pentagon’s Project Meridian, which studies the future of warfare and the weapons and technologies the U.S. military will need to maintain its technological edge.
Trump has a personal tie to the award. His uncle, John G. Trump, was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Science by President Ronald Reagan for his pioneering work involving ionizing radiation and its applications in medicine, industry and atomic physics.
Cody Rhodes says he re-signed with WWE, plans to retire with company
Cody Rhodes may not hear "voices" in his head like his on-screen rival Randy Orton, but whoever he was talking to about his next contract with WWE, he listened.
Rhodes revealed the decision on "Flagrant" with comedian Andrew Schulz as he promoted his new movie, "Street Fighter," and was asked if he had a chance to think about settling down or if there was a "number in mind when wrestling retirement would come."
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"Forgive me if this is breaking news and please edit it if I’m not allowed to share it, which is fine, I just re-signed with WWE. So, I’ll end my wrestling career (there)," Rhodes said.
"I’ll end my wrestling career with WWE but also my wrestling career with WWE might continue. … We’re now able to go do this stuff (films). So, say I do have another project. Say, I got two other projects, whatever it may be, I’m able to take a step away and I’m able to collaborate with WWE and I’m able to come back home. I’m just saying, I’m able to come back home."
"The American Nightmare" said he was unsure when the time to settle down will come. He said he felt like his parents were always there for him when he was around the age of 8 and he would love to be there for his children as much as he could when the time comes.
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"I need to get to work," he said.
Rhodes, the son of pro wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes, started his career with WWE in 2006, grinding in Ohio Valley Wrestling before getting the call up in 2007. He spent about 10 years there before famously departing the company and building up his own persona on the indies, in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and helping start All Elite Wrestling.
He made a triumphant return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 as Seth Rollins’ mystery opponent. Since then, he’s grown into one of the top stars across all of pro wrestling. He finished his "story" and won the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40.
He’s held the title two more times after that moment.
Currently, Rhodes is in a program with Orton. The "Legend Killer" cost Rhodes a spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match on the latest episode of "Friday Night SmackDown." Orton also screwed Rhodes out of a title at SummerSlam.
Your phone says it's updated. Check other settings, too
Most of us have done it. A software update pops up when we're busy, so we swipe it away and figure we'll deal with it later. Then later turns into tomorrow, and suddenly that update has been sitting there much longer than we planned. There's another wrinkle. Even when your phone appears to be running the latest software, there may be another security update or protection worth checking.
Apple, Google and Samsung all have ways to get security fixes onto your phone between larger software releases. However, they handle those protections differently. If you use an iPhone running iOS 27, a Google Pixel running Android 17 or a Samsung Galaxy running the latest software available for your model, there are a few places I would check right now.
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TURN ON LOST-PHONE SETTINGS BEFORE YOU NEED THEM
Apple has a feature called Background Security Improvements that can deliver certain security protections without waiting for another complete iOS update. Apple says these lightweight releases can protect Safari, WebKit and other system libraries. That gives Apple another way to address certain vulnerabilities between larger software releases. iOS 27 is Apple's latest public iPhone software, so make sure your compatible iPhone is running it before checking the security setting below.
If your iPhone says iOS 27 and no newer update appears, you're current at the time you check.
Once your iPhone is updated:
Your iPhone can then automatically install eligible Background Security Improvements as Apple releases them. These smaller protections do not replace regular iOS updates. You should still install full updates because they can contain additional security patches, bug fixes and broader changes throughout the operating system.
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Samsung Galaxy phones run Android, but Samsung adds its One UI software on top. Because of that, Galaxy owners often see different menus than Pixel owners. As of today, One UI 9 is Samsung's latest interface. Samsung began its U.S. rollout on Sept. 16 with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26+ and S26 after One UI 9 debuted on its newest foldable phones. However, you should not assume that every Galaxy phone eligible for One UI 9 has received it yet. Samsung rolls updates out by device, carrier and region. Whether your Galaxy has One UI 9 already or is still waiting for it, you can check directly from Settings.
On a current Galaxy phone:
Depending on your Galaxy model or carrier, Samsung says you may instead see Download and install, System updates or Check for software updates. If an update appears, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. You can also check which version your phone is running by going to:
That screen shows details about the software currently installed on your Galaxy.
Galaxy phones also use Google's underlying system services, so there is one more update worth checking.
If you have a Samsung Galaxy, you may be running the latest Samsung software available for your phone and still have a separate Google Play system update waiting to install.
Pixel owners will not find Apple's Background Security Improvements setting. Google handles the job differently. As of today, supported Pixel phones are running Android 17. Google began rolling out its September 2026 Pixel software update on Sept. 15, while the October 2026 Android Security Bulletin was published Oct. 5. Pixel phones receive regular Android software updates that can include security fixes. They also receive Google Play system updates, which let Google update certain parts of Android separately from a complete operating system release. That means Pixel owners should check two areas rather than assuming one update screen tells the whole story.
On a Pixel running Android 17:
Google says supported Pixel devices running Android 17 are receiving the September 2026 software update in phases. Your exact availability can depend on the device and carrier. Pixel phones can also install downloaded Android updates in the background. However, you may need to restart the phone before the update becomes active.
You should check this separately:
If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it. The Google Play system update can be easy to overlook because the name sounds like an update for the Play Store. It actually helps Google update underlying parts of Android and its system services.
I'm a fan of automatic updates because they remove one more thing you have to remember. Still, I wouldn't turn them on and completely forget about them. An update might need your phone to restart before the protection becomes active. Your device may also be waiting for Wi-Fi, sufficient battery power or the next stage of a phased rollout. That's why I like checking the update screens every so often. If you see an update waiting, finish it. A downloaded security fix cannot fully protect you if your phone still needs a restart before activating it.
Your phone can keep working long after the manufacturer stops supporting it. That's where things can get tricky. If a phone no longer receives security updates, newly discovered vulnerabilities may remain unpatched. That can leave an otherwise usable device exposed to security problems that newer phones have already fixed. Apple supports iPhones with software and security updates for years, but older models eventually stop receiving the newest iOS releases. If you're wondering whether your current iPhone has reached that point, check out our guide on whether it's time to upgrade to a new iPhone at CyberGuy.com.
Google currently provides seven years of operating system and security updates for Pixel 8 and newer phones, measured from when each device first became available in the U.S. Samsung also provides extended software support for many newer Galaxy devices, although the support period depends on the model. If your iPhone, Pixel or Samsung Galaxy no longer receives security updates, that should become part of the decision about when it's time to replace it. If you're thinking about upgrading your Pixel or Samsung Galaxy, take a look at our Top Android phones of 2026 for our current picks at cyberguy.com .
Updates close known security holes, but criminals have plenty of other ways to go after your phone. Phishing texts can trick you into handing over passwords. Fake websites can imitate Apple, Google or a financial institution. Malicious apps can also create problems if you install software from an untrusted source.
That's why I would combine current software with a strong device passcode, biometric protection and the theft-protection features available on your phone. I would also use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for your accounts. Strong antivirus software can add another layer by helping detect malicious links, risky downloads and other threats before they cause trouble. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
I like security protections that can do some of the work for me. I'm not going to spend every morning checking whether Apple patched WebKit or whether Google released another system update, and I don't expect you to either. Still, seeing "up to date" on one screen does not always mean you've checked every security layer your phone uses. On my iPhone, I'd look at Background Security Improvements and Software Update. If you're carrying a Pixel, check both the Android update and Google Play system update. Galaxy owners should check Samsung's software update and Google's system update too. Then finish the job when your phone asks for a restart. That extra minute could be what finally activates the protection you thought was already there.
Have you ever checked your phone's update screen and found a security update waiting that you didn't know about? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Parents of slain IDF soldier Omer Neutra mark three years since Oct 7 massacre in mourning
For 421 days, Ronen and Orna Neutra fought to bring their 21-year-old son Omer home from Hamas captivity, believing he was still alive. Three years after the Oct. 7 massacre, they are marking the anniversary by mourning the loss of their son.
"It doesn't get easier," Orna Neutra told "Fox & Friends" Wednesday. "For us, this is three years since Omer was killed, but it's really the first year where we can properly go to his gravesite and mourn him and have a memorial."
Omer Neutra, a Long Island native and grandson of Holocaust survivors, moved to Israel after high school and enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Hamas terrorists attacked his tank near the Gaza border on Oct. 7, 2023, killing him and taking his remains into Gaza.
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For 421 days, Neutra's parents didn't know he had died and continued their fight to bring him home alive.
The couple pleaded for Omer's release for over a year, believing he was among the Hamas hostages who could still be brought home.
"For 14 months, we were fighting to bring him back alive," Orna recounted. "We thought he was a live hostage."
The Neutras wouldn't learn their son had been killed on Oct. 7 until 421 days after the attack. Even then, their wait to bring him home was far from over.
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"After that, it took over a year," Orna said. "We actually just buried him on November 7th, 2025, and that's less than a year, so it's been such a crazy ordeal... it's very difficult."
Israel is marking three years since the deadliest single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. As the anniversary arrives, Omer's parents say remembering their son also means remembering what he believed he was defending.
"It's all about moral clarity," Ronen Neutra said. "Our son is a grandson of Holocaust survivors. He understood that Israel is the only state where Jewish people are fully protected and protecting themselves."
Jon Rahm won't participate under LIV Golf's 'unacceptable' new terms amid league's bankruptcy, lawyers say
LIV Golf is doing whatever it can to stay alive after the Public Investment Fund (PIF) ended its monetary commitment to the league — however, it may now need to stay afloat without its best player.
Jon Rahm shocked the golf world nearly three years ago when, after publicly dismissing the league, he joined it on a deal that was rumored to be between $300 and $600 million.
But at Wednesday's bankruptcy hearing, Rahm's attorneys stated that he will not be part of what has been dubbed "LIV 2.0."
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Rahm "has independently reviewed the proposed terms of LIV 2.0 ... and has determined that those terms are unacceptable to him, and he will be not be participating going forward," according to Front Office Sports.
The PIF halted funding in April to redirect money toward domestic projects and manage financial pressures from the regional war with Iran. Following the decision, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan resigned from LIV’s board.
LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New Jersey last month. Between 2021 and 2026, LIV spent an estimated $5 billion to $8 billion. Bankruptcy filings show the league owes millions of dollars in unpaid compensation to top players, including Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Cam Smith.
Rahm is reportedly owed more than $7 million and was "more than willing to fulfill" the details of his original contract.
PIF provided $50 million to help LIV pay its bills and continue operating during the bankruptcy case. The league’s future depends on a proposed restructuring plan called "LIV 2.0."
Under the proposal, London-based private equity firm BC Partners, which has financial ties to player agency GSE Worldwide, would fund a 2027 relaunch. The plan would also give the players majority ownership of the league.
LIV has laid off most of its operational staff, left event contractors waiting for payment and faces a lawsuit from the Premier Golf League alleging breach of confidence and conspiracy.
Brooks Koepka was the first big name to leave LIV Golf, doing so late last year and returning to the PGA Tour. Patrick Reed followed in his footsteps shortly after.
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Shortly after the PIF pulled its funding, LIV CEO Scott O'Neil said the LIV calendar would not be altered, but that did not occur. The league's originally-scheduled championship weekend was cancelled, forcing it to be played a week earlier.
Rahm is a two-time major winner, winning the 2021 U.S. Open and the 2023 Masters. He and Tyrell Hatton were the lone LIV Golfers on Team Europe during last year's Ryder Cup.
OutKick's Alejandro Avila contributed to this report.
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