Retail sports betting locations have been operating in Illinois since March 2020, with the first online Illinois sports betting sites launched in June 2020. In addition, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation in June 2019 that made legal sports betting in Illinois a reality.
- Best Illinois sports betting sites
- Where can I find Illinois online sports betting sites?
- Available legal Illinois sports betting sites
- Best IL Sports Betting Sites
- Latest Illinois sports betting updates
- How Online Sports Betting Works in Illinois
- Promotions for online sports betting in Illinois
- Sports to bet on in Illinois
- Illinois sports betting: Teams to bet on
- What are you not allowed to bet on in Illinois?
- Available bet types at legal Illinois sports betting sites
- The history of Illinois sports betting
- FAQs Illinois sports betting
Best Illinois sports betting sites
Illinois Sports Betting: All sites are 100% legal & licensed by the state.
| Company | Bonus | Features | Visit |
 | DraftKings Sportsbook Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets |
| Bet now DraftKings Sportsbook IL |
 | Caesars Sportsbook Up to $1,500 in bet credits |
| Bet now Caesars Sportsbook IL |
 | BetRivers Sportsbook Get up to $500 in bonus bets |
| Bet now BetRivers Sportsbook IL |
 | BetMGM Sportsbook Up to $1,000 in bonus bets |
| Bet now BetMGM Sportsbook IL |
 | PointsBet Sportsbook Five Second Chance Bets Up To $100 Each |
| Bet now |
Where can I find Illinois online sports betting sites?
Players must currently visit a physical sports betting location to complete their account registration and place online bets; however, this has change. On March 5, 2022, the in-person restriction was removed, allowing gamers to register online at IL sports betting sites.
As a result, more online-only Illinois sports betting sites are now available to players. Our guide has compiled the best Illinois sports betting sites in our top list for you to compare.
Available legal Illinois sports betting sites
By the beginning of 2023, Illinois will have seven sports betting sites. Illinois sports bettors will benefit greatly from these being some of the largest brands in the state.
- DraftKings
- Caesars
- BetMGM
- FanDuel
- PointsBet
- BetRivers
- Barstool
Best IL Sports Betting Sites
There are a few high-quality sports betting sites in Illinois, but not all are equal. Each has its own set of inventions, special features, advantages, and extras. Some sports betting sites have loyalty schemes that succeed. Others use odds to keep things interesting.
Here are some of the features from the list of all Illinois sportsbooks, as well as mini-reviews of the top Illinois sports betting apps:
Caesars
Caesars name always comes up when discussing the most well-known and renowned gaming companies. It is nearly synonymous with Las Vegas’s original betting center. In addition, Caesars has expanded its premier betting sites as legal sports betting has spread across the country.
Recently, Caesars bought leading British William Hill to manage its online betting service; the results speak for themselves. The website and app are beautifully designed, and gamers can choose from various sports and lines.
Caesars knows how to treat its customers, as one might expect from a company with such a long history in the hospitality industry. In the online sports betting sector, Caesars Sportsbook Illinois offers some of the best promos and bonuses.
BetMGM
Since online betting became legal in Illinois, BetMGM has quickly become one of the main betting platforms. Illinois residents will soon be able to learn why.
BetMGM Sportsbooks Illinois provides a comprehensive list of sports to bet on and a detailed analysis of lines to ensure you can locate the exact market you’re looking for. This betting site offers odds boosts, promotions, and One Game Parlay possibilities.
BetRivers
Because of its physical presence in the Des Plaines neighborhood of Chicago, BetRivers Sportsbook Illinois was the first online betting sites to start in the state, debuting in June 2020. This made in-person registration for online sports betting services simple for many Illinois residents.
Similar to DraftKings Sportsbook Illinois, BetRivers’ online betting site receives the same care and attention as its physical facility. As a result, there is a wide variety of sports to bet on and a wide range of lines and a number of high-value, pre-made parlays.
“Buy-Out,” which allows users to pay out their bets early, is one of the nicest features on the BetRivers app and website. This allows bettors to secure their profits in exchange for a smaller payout.
FanDuel
FanDuel started out as a fantasy sports platform, but it has since grown to become one of the most popular online betting sites in IL.
The odds at FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois, which are frequently somewhat better than its competitors, help it distinguish from other sites. In addition, FanDuel offers one of the greatest value online sports betting experiences, with great promos and bonuses.
The IL sports betting site will also be available at a few retail betting locations. FanDuel just announced a deal to build a new facility inside the United Center and its existing location at the Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria.
Latest Illinois sports betting updates
The removal of the requirement to register for an account at a physical betting location is the biggest news for sports bettors in Illinois. This law, which had been in effect since the legalization of online sports betting in June 2020, expired on March 5, 2022.
Because accounts no longer need to be verified at a physical place, more online betting sites can now serve citizens of the Prairie State. The biggest of these is BetMGM, which expands into Illinois and offers bettors access to its superb sports betting site.
FanDuel has also announced that work on a brand new retail Illinois sports betting location at the United Center, home of the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls, will begin soon. This location will complement its renowned online betting site and its physical facility at Fairmount Park.
How Online Sports Betting Works in Illinois
Customers who want to sign up for Il mobile sports betting app no longer need to go to a brick-and-mortar bookmaker. On March 5, 2022, Illinois online registration reopened.
Online registration is a quick and painless process that should only take a few minutes. You only need to verify your age and location and provide legal documentation.
Let’s go over the steps for signing up for one of Illinois’ seven betting sites online:
- Create a new user account.
- Use the bonus/promo code for the betting site.
- Make a deposit.
- Then you can make a wager.
Promotions for online sports betting in Illinois
The significance of bonuses is one of the most important contrasts between online and traditional betting locations. Online sports betting sites must work harder to keep customers interested, pleased, and committed because the competition is only a few clicks away.
Here are a few promotions you’ll find at Il online betting sites.
Bet credits & bonus bets
These bonuses are one of the most popular sign-up bonuses. You will get the winnings if your first bet wins. However, if it loses, you’ll get your stake back as a bonus bet or site credit. The biggest advantage is that you are not afraid of losing money, which is advantageous for any bettor.
No deposit bonuses
The no-deposit bonus is one of the best forms of promos. You do not need to make a deposit to take advantage of these bonuses, while they are most commonly used to lure new players into creating an account.
Deposit match
A bonus on their initial stake is another frequent technique for new customers to acquire greater value. Regardless of how much you deposit in your new account, the Illinois online gambling site will boost your funds by a fixed amount of up to 100%. However, check the terms and conditions carefully because there may be a requirement to wager a particular amount of money or wager a certain number of times before you can withdraw any profits.
Referral bonus
All IL sports betting sites are constantly seeking new ways to expand their customer base. For example, if you suggest a friend who opens an account, you and your buddy may both be eligible for a bonus. This is normally a bet credit, which in the most generous situations can be as much as $100.
Cash-back
Bonuses pay for losses on certain bets or during specific time periods. They’re normally only given out for net losses, but the best they can do is help you break even.
Event bonuses
These bonuses are awarded for specific player or team achievements, such as goals or specific types of scores. They give you a fixed sum each time they occur throughout a game.
Loyalty programs
Customers will get rewards for their loyalty through these programs. You will receive benefits and incentives based on the total wagers you place on the site.
Odds boosts
To make a wager more appealing, the betting site can increase its odds. Almost all the betting sites in Illinois offer odds boosts frequently. This method is for winning more money on a bet than you expected.
Sports to bet on in Illinois
There are numerous sports to gamble on in the state. Here is a list of some Illinois games you can wager on.
NFL betting
Illinois is home to the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts. Naturally, therefore, NFL betting is popular at Illinois online betting sites. Illinois sports bettors have a variety of options to wager on the NFL and a variety of NFL promotions, such as money-back guarantees for lost bets, odds enhancements, and profit bonuses.
It’s playoff time, and it’s the most wonderful time of the year. The Super Bowl is approaching.
Each game has weekly props, moneylines, spreads, and totals to bet on during the NFL season. NFL live (in-game) betting is available while games are in progress. In addition, there are future odds to consider before and after each season.
NBA betting
The NBA is the second-most wagered on sport behind the NFL, making it a popular betting market for legal online betting sites. There’s a lot to like about NBA betting, and Illinois residents are starting to join in.
Despite the hometown Chicago Bulls being ousted from the NBA Playoffs, there is still plenty of great basketball to watch and wager on.
You can now wager on NBA games directly from your computer or phone in Illinois.
MLB betting
Illinois baseball betting lovers can now legally bet on their favorite MLB club from anywhere, including their phones. The Cubs and White Sox are both based in Chicago, so the state should have a thriving baseball betting market.
NHL betting
Wait until you have some skin in the game if you thought the NHL was thrilling. Right here in Illinois, we can see it for ourselves. Because sports betting is legal in this country, the NHL is available for wagering.
From the start of the regular season until the Stanley Cup playoffs, you’ll have your pick of hundreds of games to wager on. Then, finally, the Stanley Cup Playoffs have arrived, and it’s the most thrilling time of the year for hockey fans.
College basketball betting
In Illinois, you can legally wager on college basketball if you are 21 or older.
You have a lot of alternatives when it comes to college basketball betting. Parlays, Futures, brackets, and, of course, point spreads, Moneyline bets, and totals are all options. Furthermore, you can place live bets in Illinois via online betting sites.
One thing to remember concerning NCAA betting is that it is unlawful in Illinois to put mobile wagers on teams from the state. However, with the enactment of HB 3136, betting on Illinois college teams through a retail betting location is now legal.
We’re deep into March Madness, but no Illinois teams are competing. Both Illinois and Loyola Chicago were eliminated in the first round.
College Football betting
Legal sports betting is a flourishing industry in Illinois, where bettors can place wagers through online sports betting sites. From NFL games to MLB series to college sports, you can bet on it all. But unfortunately, only college teams from Illinois are not available for betting on mobile devices.
As a result, you can now do so in person at retail betting locations. However, the online ban will last until at least 2023.
There are so many other college football teams to gamble on that the absence of betting on the Illinois Fighting Illini and Northwestern Wildcats may go unnoticed. However, betting has never been easier, thanks to sports betting sites, which provide a variety of games and wager options.
Illinois sports betting: Teams to bet on
As Illinois is one of the 13 states to have a home team from each of the four major sports leagues, it has franchises from the NFL, NBA, and NHL, along with two MLB sides.
While it is not currently possible to bet on college sports in Illinois, the five professional teams are plenty for the residents of the state.
Chicago Bears
Since their inception in 1920, the Chicago Bears have called the Windy City home, winning more titles than any other team from the Prairie State. Before the AFL-NFL merger, the Bears won the NFL Championship eight times, including a Super Bowl victory in 1985.
There have been many memorable Bears throughout the years, but none are more well-known than their Super Bowl-winning club. This team is still famous even after 40 years, thanks to a tough defense led by William ‘Refrigerator’ Perry and the memorable ‘Super Bowl Shuffle’ rap.
Chicago cubs
With a history dating back to 1876, the Chicago Cubs are the city’s and league’s oldest baseball teams. The squad is famous for representing the city’s North Side.
The Chicago Cubs have won three World Series championships.
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox is the city’s relatively younger baseball team, having been established in 1900. Their name is derived from the Chicago White Stockings, which was also the name of their cross-town rival Cubs’ inaugural squad.
From their home at Guaranteed Rate Field, the White Sox represent Chicago’s South Side. They’ve won three World Series for the South Side in 1908, 1917, and most recently in 2005.
Chicago bulls
Due to the achievements of one man, Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls are possibly the most famous basketball team in the world. Between 1984 and 1993, he was a member of the Chicago Bulls before returning from 1995 to 1998.
The Bulls enjoyed two famous three-peats with Jordan, winning back-to-back NBA Championships in 1991-93 and again in 1996-98. However, since Jordan’s second retirement, not even eight years of Derrick Rose have been able to bring the Bulls another championship.
Chicago Blackhawks
Since 1926, when they were one of the Original Six founding NHL teams, the Chicago Blackhawks have been a fixture in the city. They are now based in the United Center in Chicago’s Near West Side, which they share with the Chicago Bulls.
Between 1934 and 2015, the Blackhawks won six Stanley Cups, making them one of the most successful teams in NHL history. The Blackhawks have also won four Conference Championships and 16 Division Championships and two Presidents’ Trophies for having the best overall record in the league.
What are you not allowed to bet on in Illinois?
In Illinois, sports bettors aged 21 and up can wager on professional and collegiate sports and foreign athletic events. However, the law places various restrictions on some forms of bets. The following forms of wagers are legal in some states. In Illinois, however, sports operator licenses can not accept wagers on:
- Athletic events in the minor leagues
- An Illinois collegiate team competes in a sporting event
- A sporting event for grades K-12.
- A non-sporting occasion
Accepting wagers on non-sports events, such as the Academy Awards, is prohibited by the latter prohibition (permitted in some states, like New Jersey and neighboring Indiana).
There are also various restrictions on the forms of betting on collegiate sports. For example, individual props and in-game betting on collegiate games are not legal.
Available bet types at legal Illinois sports betting sites
Here are some bet types you can expect to see on Illinois sports betting sites.
Moneyline
You have to predict which team will win the game in this type of bet. You will win the wager if the team on which the Moneyline bet is placed wins. This is one of the easiest bets available to bettors.
Parlays
In a parlay, many wagers are combined into a single ticket. The advantage is that the chances increase exponentially, but if even one of the parlay bets fails, the entire ticket loses.
Totals
These bets are on the total score of both teams in a game. Before the start of a game, the operators will publish a line that shows the total expected scoring for each team. Bettors will then bet on whether the game will end with a higher or lower score.
Point spreads
IL sports betting sites use the Point spreads to equalize the playing field between two teams of varying strength. The better team must win by a specific margin, but the weaker team can lose and still win their point spread bet if they finish within that margin.
Futures
These wagers are on events that will occur in the future. Futures are normally for major sporting events such as championship games or individual awards. Because it’s impossible to predict sporting events so long in advance, the odds of winning are usually high.
Prop bets
These types of bets are wagers on the game’s less common occurrences. These can range from betting on the performance of specific players to betting on random events. The Super Bowl is well-known for its extensive prop betting options.
Live bets
These bets are on a game that is now being played. Most bookmakers will provide the same betting markets as they did before it began during the game. This is becoming a more popular method of wagering, especially with the advent of mobile betting.
The history of Illinois sports betting
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, Illinois took the initial steps toward legalizing online sports betting in 2018. These early measures, however, were more exploratory than serious legislation.
Governor J.B. Pritzker requested that sports betting be legalized in 2019, and he included possible early revenue in his yearly budget. However, arguments about who would have precedence to operate in Illinois brought the bill to a close.
In June 2019, the bill was passed into law. This resulted in the first retail sports betting location launching in March 2020 and the first online sports betting site, BetRivers, debuting in June 2020.
Timeline of Illinois sports betting
- Aug 2022: The Illinois Gaming Board said on August 1, 2022, that the state’s sports betting sector had produced more than $2 billion in revenue in total since its inception in March 2020.
- Jan 2022: The Illinois Gaming Board said on January 22, 2022, that the state’s sports betting sector had produced more than $1 billion in revenue in total since its introduction in March 2020.
- Sep 2021: The Illinois Gaming Board revealed that sports betting produced $47.5 million in revenue for the state in August 2021, a new high.
- Aug 2021: The Illinois Gaming Board stated on August 27, 2021, that it has awarded licenses to six additional online bookmakers, which brings the total amount of regulated betting sites in the state to 15.
- July 2021: Governor Pritzker enacted SB 521 into law on July 1, 2021, making the interim ban of in-person registrations permanent.
- June 2020: Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Governor Pritzker signed an executive order on June 18, 2020, temporarily suspending the in-person permit system for internet sports betting.
- March 2020: The first legalized sports wagers in Illinois were placed on March 9, 2020, at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines.
- June 2019: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signs Bill 690 into law, allowing sports betting in the state, on June 2, 2019.
- Dec 2018: The United States Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on sports betting on December 20, 2018, allowing individual states to legalize and oversee sports betting.
FAQs Illinois sports betting
Are sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes, sports betting has been legal in Illinois since 2019. Online sports betting became legal on March 5, 2022. Sports betting is legal in Illinois for residents and visitors, both online and in person.
Where can I bet on sports in Illinois?
Seven online sports betting sites are available in Illinois, including BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel. You can also gamble at a retail betting in most Illinois casinos, such as FanDuel & Horse Racing in Collinsville and DraftKings at Casino Queen in East St. Louis.
Who oversees sports betting in Illinois?
The Illinois Gaming Board regulates both online and retail sports betting. This five-member body is responsible for collecting taxes, issuing operator licenses, and assuring fair gambling in the Prairie State.
Is FanDuel legal in Illinois?
Yes, FanDuel has been legal in Illinois since August 2020.
Can I bet outside of Illinois?
No, betting on an Illinois betting site from another state is illegal. Sites require geolocation software to authenticate each player’s location on the site.
Failure to comply with this criterion may result in fines and sanctions from regulatory agencies. As a result, there will never be a day when the books overlook out-of-state play.