Fans hoping to legally wager a few bucks on (or against) the Bears come football season will be able to do so — in the privacy of a self-serve terminal or with the help of a live teller — at the Golden Nugget Danville.

But it will be awhile before Cubs-Cardinals is in play at central Illinois’ first sports book.

While casino officials still hope to open sometime this spring, the sports-betting operation won’t start until later, said Jimmy Wilmot, chief operating officer of the long-awaited project’s developer, Wilmorite.

“No matter what, we have to be open for football, but hopefully before that,” Wilmot said.