Best Illinois Sportsbooks November 2024
Sports betting is officially approved for mobile betting. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the original sports betting bill in June of 2019. The first land-based sportsbook, BetRivers Sportsbook took its first bet in March 2020.
Illinois registration went fully online March 5th, 2022! Betting will finally make its way back to mobile devices.
Updated on : 11/29/2024
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| Online Sportsbooks · States · Illinois |
In 2019 the Illinois Gambling Act legalized Illinois online sports betting. In March 2020, the first online sports wager was placed in Illinois, signifying the start of a new era in gambling.
On this page we will give you all the information you need about Illinois sportsbooks, betting types, odds, betting markets, and the legal details you should know before wagering.
CONTENTS
- Best Illinois Betting Sites
- Illinois Retail Sportsbooks
- How To Place a Sports Bet in IL
- Play DFS in Illinois
- Illinois Online Sports Betting : Events & Markets
- Betting on Illinois Teams
- Illinois Sports Betting FAQ
- Illinois Casinos
- Conclusion IL Sportsbooks
BEST ILLINOIS SPORTSBOOKS
As sports betting is still relatively new to the online world, sportsbooks must currently partner with a brick and mortar casino to offer online betting.
Here are some top providers offering sports betting:
FANATICS SPORTSBOOK
Fanatics Sportsbook is now live in Illinois!
Featuring awesome promos, FanCash, competitive odds, and everything in-between, Fanatics Sportsbook is one of the best betting apps in Illinois.
*Now get up to 10% FanCash on your bets with Fanatics, win or lose.
Get started today with no Fanatics Sportsbook promo code needed:
Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO/DC/IL/KS/KY/LA/MD/OH/MI/NC/NJ/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV/WY), (800)-327-5050 or http://gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), (888) 789-7777 or http://ccpg.org (CT), or 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), or www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), or morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), or 1800gambler.net (WV). Must apply this Promotion in your bet slip & place and settle $5+ cash wager with odds of - 200 or longer to get a Bonus Bet match (up to $100) each day for 10 straight days. Your 10 days begin the day you sign up. Bonus Bets expire 7 days from issuance. Add'l Terms apply, see Fanatics Sportsbook app.
DRAFTKINGS
DraftKings is an American company with sports betting in several states, including Illinois. It has a fully-functional app compatible with Android and iOS devices and is available for download from the DraftKings site. Read on for more details about betting in Illinois on DraftKings.
Draftkings Welcome or Deposit Bonus
New players and eligible visitors can redeem the welcome offer which is
No DraftKings promo code is needed for the great DraftKings sportsbook offer.
Other time-limited promotions and bonuses are available at this IL sports betting site throughout the year.
Draftkings Sports Markets and Betting Options
There’s a wide range of sports available at DraftKings for Prairie State betting fans. American football and golf are among the most popular. You can also wager on other sports, including tennis, baseball, basketball, and motorsports.
Whether you prefer to bet before the match starts or wait until it’s in play, you can do so at DraftKings when betting in Illinois. All the main betting types are available. You can go for an outright win, over/under bet, or put a few selections into a Parlay. DraftKings makes betting straightforward.
Draftkings Payment Methods
You have a few options for depositing funds into your DraftKings account. They accept payments by Visa and Mastercard, American Express, and Paypal. You can also deposit money with the cashier at the physical location in Illinois, Casino Queen.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK
Known as "The King of Sportsbooks", BetMGM is one of the premier sports betting apps around. New players in Illinois can get online today and take advantage of a superb welcome offer upon signup with bonus code
(Exclusive offer has a 10x wagering requirement. Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.)
CAESARS SPORTSBOOK
Shortly after Illinois went back to remote registration in early March 2022, Caesars Sportsbook launched its sports betting product in the state. With solid promos and fantastic boosts across all sports and leagues, Caesars brings something unique to the table for Prairie State bettors.
ESPN BET
The ESPN BET promo code is now live in Illinois!
By using our ESPN BET promo code code
ESPN is a name you know, and that brand authority coupled with a forward-thinking team of experts is bringing legal, online sports betting to a ton of states in the US! In a partnership with Hollywood Casino, ESPN BET is bringing legal online betting to a ton of states including IL.
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
FanDuel is well known for its fantasy sports offering, and it’s a prominent feature on the IL sports betting site. When Illinois opened its doors opened to sports betting, FanDuel grabbed the opportunity to excel in online sports betting. Fantasy sports remain popular, but FanDuel is proving to be a force to be reckoned with.
Their sports betting apps are compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems. Download the app to your Android mobile device directly from the website, or visit the App Store on your iPhone.
FanDuel Sports Markets and Betting Options
FanDuel focuses on mostly American sports, with some international soccer in the mix. College basketball and football are available, in addition to a wide variety of niche sports including including darts, table tennis, and MMA.
Betting options in Illinois include boosts on some matches, which potentially increase your win. One of the most popular bets at FanDuel is a spread. Odds on spreads are usually around 11-10. You bet $11 to win $21, a profit of $10.
FanDuel Payment Methods
FanDuel has a decent number of deposit methods, similar to most Illinois sportsbooks: credit/debit card, PayNearMe, PayPal, online banking, and wire transfer. You can also deposit at Par-A-Dice Casino, the land-based casino for FanDuel.
While FanDuel accepts Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards, it doesn’t accept Amex or Discover cards.
CIRCA SPORTSBOOK
Illinois bettors, are you finally ready to stop being limited on other sportsbook apps? The Las Vegas giant has announced it will be launching in IL with both a retail location, and mobile. If you are not familiar Circa sets the industry standard when it comes to limits, risk assessment, and more. Bettors will have a fair marketplace with odds that beat the competition.
HARD ROCK BET
In late July 2023, Hard Rock Bet received a sports betting license from the IGB, and as of September 2024, they're finally live in IL! This storied brand is offering a ton of live betting options, boosted odds, and more.
Check out current offers in Illinois and how each sportsbook stacks up below!
| Operator | ||
| BetMGM IL | (10x wagering requirement. Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.) | |
| FanDuel IL | ||
| Caesars Sportsbook IL | ||
| Fanatics IL |
ILLINOIS SPORTS BETTING SITES FEATURES
| Operator | In-Play Betting | Live Streaming | Parlays | Same-Game Parlays | Prop Bets | Loyalty Rewards Program | Mobile App |
| BetMGM | |||||||
| FanDuel | |||||||
| Caesars | |||||||
| Fanatics | |||||||
| Fanatics | |||||||
| Hard Rock Bet |
ILLINOIS RETAIL SPORTSBOOKS
Illinois went live with legal sports betting in March of 2020. This mix offered both retail sportsbooks at land-based casinos and online betting. When first launched, the state required in-person registration for mobile betting accounts at Illinois retail books.
DraftKings operates a retail sportsbook through a partnership with Casino Queen in East St. Louis. The Rivers Casino Sportsbook has ties to BetRivers. Penn National’s entry into the retail segment is through the Sportsbook at Argosy Casino Alton. Expansion into retail sportsbooks at Chicago sports venues could be next on the horizon.
HOW TO PLACE A SPORTS BET IN ILLINOIS
The legalization of Illinois betting sites and sportsbooks has opened doors to an exciting new world. For new bettors, there’s a minefield of jargon to wade through before placing your first bet. Those familiar with sports betting understand the lingo but may not be familiar with the laws. For everyone, knowing the laws around sports betting is key to an enjoyable experience.
ILLINOIS BETTING LAWS
The laws around sports betting in Illinois are well-regulated to ensure compliance. Initially, bettors needed to register in person at a casino to bet online at one of the available betting sites. Authorities have temporarily relaxed this law to enable sports betting customers to register online.
You must observe the following legalities:
- You must be at least 21 years of age to participate in online sports betting.
- You must be inside the Illinois state lines at the time placing a sports wager. You don’t need to be a permanent resident in the state.
- You should not be on a self-exclusion list. In other words, you must not have a gambling addiction or be at risk of developing one through betting in Illinois.
- Sports personnel - coaches, officials, etc. - aren’t permitted to participate in Illinois online sports betting in their sports.
You’re legal to participate in betting in Illinois, provided you don’t tick any of these boxes.
STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS FOR ILLINOIS ONLINE SPORTS BETTING
Choose Your Sportsbook
Before you make your first bet at one of the Illinois betting sites, decide which sportsbooks you’re going to register with. Factors to consider when choosing are the welcome offer or deposit bonus, the range of sports markets, betting types, and the payment options. Read through the terms and conditions of the sites you’re considering before making a decision.
Register and Create An Account
Registration is a straightforward process. Click on the relevant button that takes you to the screen to create your account. Complete the online form, entering the details requested. Ensure the information you provide is accurate to avoid any problems at a later stage.
Most sports betting sites require certain documents to verify your details. You can either email these or upload them directly from the website. The method depends on the betting platform.
Make Your First Deposit
Follow the instructions provided to fund your account and choose from one of the payment methods provided. Keep in mind that you may need to use the same payment method for withdrawing funds as well.
The payment information is found in the terms and conditions of all betting sites in Illinois. Ensure you select an appropriate payment option so that there’s no hassle when you withdraw your winnings.
If the betting site you’ve chosen has a deposit bonus, make sure that you deposit the right amount to qualify. As a new bettor to a sports betting provider, you only get one chance for a site’s deposit bonus; make it count.
If you’re a visitor to Illinois, you can create an account and bet from within the state. You can also withdraw your funds from outside state lines.
Place a Bet
While Illinois online sports betting markets are slowly opening up after a lean few months, some exciting sports tournaments are underway. What’s available on the offer is a snapshot of what you usually find.
Make sure you understand the various types of sports bets. If you're new to wagering, stick with something simple like a moneyline win or an over/under wager. Points spread is a popular choice when betting in Illinois. It requires a little more thought and knowledge of the competing players or teams.
Log in to your account on the sportsbook app or your desktop. Select the sport, and choose a tournament from the drop-down menu. From there, you can select a specific match and scan through the options and odds.
If the odds are favorable, click on the type of bet, and it will appear in the virtual betting slip on the screen. You can now type in the amount you’d like to wager. You should see what your potential winnings will be at the current odds.
Double-check the bet details - the game, odds, and amount - to make sure they’re correct. To finalize the bet, click the confirm or bet button.
Don’t bet in a hurry. Choose carefully when betting in Illinois and think the wager through before finalizing. If you’re not happy with the odds at the time, don’t place the bet. Recheck the odds at a later stage and only bet when you’re satisfied.
PLAY ILLINOIS DAILY FANTASY SPORTS
In addition to sports betting, you can take part in daily fantasy sports. You create fantasy teams and compete against other contestants' fantasy teams. You can choose a new team every day, rather than sticking with the same one.
You don’t bet directly on any real-life sporting events. Fantasy sports are available on the sports betting apps and sportsbook websites. You can play for free against friends or enter competitions with a chance to win real money.
FanDuel and DraftKings are the two largest Illinois betting sites for fantasy sports. Your sports options include, but aren’t limited to, football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and golf.
ILLINOIS ONLINE SPORTS BETTING: EVENTS AND BETTING MARKETS
Illinois online sports betting is taking off, with many bettors wagering on their favorite sports and players. In recent months, the most popular sports were soccer, baseball, boxing, and mixed martial arts. NFL football is on the rise too now that the season is underway. Here are some of the events that you can choose for betting in Illinois.
POPULAR EVENTS
- Kentucky Derby (Horse racing)
- Masters Tournament (Golf)
- NFL (American football)
- Formula 1 Grand Prix (Motor racing)
- Grand Slams (Tennis)
- MLB (Baseball)
- NBA (Basketball)
COMMON TYPES OF BETS
Sports betting comes with a wide range of bet types. Some make it clear by their name what you’re betting on, but others are a bit more confusing. These are some of the more common bets you’ll come across on some of the best Illinois betting apps and websites.
Straight Bets
These are some of the most common bets. You choose either the favorite or the underdog and wager on the margin of points by which they’ll win or lose. Sports betting apps set a point spread, or betting line, for this type of bet. If the match ends in a draw, no-one wins.
Moneyline (Outright) Bets
Another very straightforward bet is the moneyline. Here, you bet on the team to win the match outright. These are popular bets when betting on sports.
Total Line Bet (Over/Under)
The sportsbook sets a total number of points, goals etc., to be scored in a game. You bet on whether the total will be over or under that number. Your concern here is the number of points and not how a specific team plays.
Parlay Bets
Also known as accumulator bets, they consist of several selections combined into one bet. If one of those selections lose, you lose your accumulator bet. These bets are risky in IL sports betting as a successful outcome depends on each selection winning.
Props (Proposition Bets)
Props are side bets during a game that don’t depend on the outcome of a match. They include such things betting on player performance, when during a game a goal will be scored or which team will have the first yellow card. You place prop bets either before a game or while it’s in play.
BETTING ON PRO SPORTS TEAMS IN ILLINOIS
NFL BETTING
The NFL remains a popular tournament throughout the United States. With the legalization of Illinois online sports betting, fans can now bet on their home team from the comfort of their chair.
Futures betting is available in the NFL, from training camp through the pre-season period. Bettors can wager at any Illinois outlet on the likely winner of the tournament. Some sportsbooks have welcome bonuses or promotions for NFL betting.
Chicago Bears Betting
Prairie State bettors are very supportive of their home team, the Chicago Bears. The team competes in the NFL as a member of the National Football Conference North Division.
The Chicago Bears have won nine NFL championships, but only one Super Bowl. You can find all the NFL odds on your sports betting app of choice.
NBA BETTING
As one of the four major professional sports leagues in the USA, NBA features prominently among sports betting enthusiasts. The wager that most bettors favor for the NBA is a point spread bet. Betting on the number of points by which the favorite team wins is perceived as less risky than a moneyline bet.
Chicago Bulls Betting
Famously home to Michael Jordan in the 90s, the Chicago Bulls participate in the NBA as part of the Eastern Conference Central Division.
You can bet on the Bulls to win their conference, or pick them for the championship win. Better yet, wait for the in-play action and place some prop bets through one of the sports betting apps available in Illinois.
NHL BETTING
Ice hockey is among the favored sports at Illinois online sportsbooks. Punters prefer a moneyline bet for hockey, which is purely a bet on the winner or loser. Payouts depend less on the odds than in other betting types.
Another popular option in IL sports betting in the NHL is the puck line. Here you bet on a team to win by a predetermined number of goals. The standard is two goals but can be higher if teams are not equally matched.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting
The state ice hockey team is the Chicago Blackhawks. They are one of the original six NHL teams and compete in the Western Conference. They are a six-time winner of Stanley Cup, which is awarded to the NHL champion each year. Their most recent win was the 2014-2015 season.
You can place your futures bet on the Chicago Blackhawks at any Illinois online sports betting site for the current season. Apps also have futures available.
MLS BETTING
Major League Soccer started in 1993 and has grown in popularity. The season runs from February/March through to October, and each team plays 34 games.
Moneyline bets, point spread, and total line bets are common types for this league. Betting enthusiasts also enjoy the excitement of prop bets during the game. Place your bet at any betting site with odds on the MLS teams.
Chicago Fire FC Betting
Chicago Fire is a member of the Major Soccer League’s Eastern Conference. They won their first MLS Cup in 1998, the first year of competition in the league. No further cup wins have come their way, but they have a firm fan base throughout Illinois.
Betting options abound for Chicago Fire matches. There are many prop bets, and some of the best Illinois sportsbooks allow parlay bets on the same game.
OTHER ILLINOIS TEAMS TO BET ON
Illinois sports betting laws now allow wagering on Illinois college teams or in-state schools. If you're betting in Illinois, you can also wager on out-of-state college teams playing in Illinois. Here are some of the teams representing Illinois colleges in football and basketball.
BETTING ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Northwestern Wildcats
The Wildcats are the team at Northwestern University. They’re a Division 1 team and part of the Big Ten Conference, which they’ve won three times.
Northern Illinois Huskies
The Huskies represent Northern Illinois University. They are part of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and play in the Mid-American Conference.
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Fighting Illini is the football team at the University of Illinois. They are also in the Football Bowl Subdivision and are a founding member of the Big Ten Conference.
BETTING ON COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Northwestern Wildcats
The Wildcats are a Division 1 college basketball team. They represent Northwestern University in the Big Ten conference.
Northern Illinois Huskies
The Huskies from Northern Illinois University currently play basketball in the Mid-American Conference.
University of Illinois Fighting Illini
The University of Illinois’s basketball team, the Fighting Illini, is a Division 1 college team and competes in the Big Ten Conference.
IL ONLINE SPORTS BETTING FAQ
Take a look at the FAQ about IL online sports betting below. You might find a piece of information you are looking for.
ARE SPORTS BETTING SITES LEGAL IN ILLINOIS?
Yes, sports betting was legalized in 2019, and the first Illinois sportsbooks opened in 2020. Several online betting sites operate in the state.
WHAT DO I NEED TO REGISTER AT AN ONLINE BETTING SITE IN ILLINOIS?
In order to register at any legal online gambling website (or app) in Illinois, you’ll need to be 21 or older and physically located in the state specified by the website or app. Additionally, you’ll need to provide identity verification details and share your location in order to stay compliant with state and federal laws.
CAN I BET ONLINE ON MY PHONE IN ILLINOIS?
Yes, you can. Download the Illinois sports betting apps linked to sportsbooks, or place your bet through the Illinois betting sites online.
WHERE CAN I BET ON SPORTS IN ILLINOIS?
You can take part in betting at any Illinois sportsbook, online or land-based. You can also use one of the Illinois sports betting apps to place your bet.
ILLINOIS CASINOS
If you prefer slot machines and table games, like blackjack, poker and roulette, visit one of the land-based casinos in Illinois. There are currently almost twenty that you choose from, with a range of games and slots for your entertainment.
Even though sports betting is legal, online casino gambling isn’t. Casino lovers have to make do with playing social casino games online if they can’t visit a brick and mortar establishment. One of our favorite social casino is WoW Vegas. Check out our review today!
Currently, online casinos are still illegal. You may only access Illinois online betting through sportsbooks or lottery games. Illinois online casinos are only available through sweepstakes sites. If you're ever in a state that does offer mobile casino gaming, such as Michigan, be sure to check out our page on the best casino apps that you can download and use during your visit. Additionally, you can read our take on the best casino payouts so that you're prepared for all the fun mobile casino wagering while visiting a state with mobile casinos.
BEST CASINOS IN ILLINOIS
Now, if you want to get into Illinois online casinos, first you will want to look into the casinos that are already in the state. You will want to do this because many times the already existing casinos will become the best online casinos.
Here is a list of the best casinos located in Illinois:
- Harrah's Joliet Hotel and Casino / Harrah's Metropolis Hotel and Casino
- Hollywood Hotel and Casino Joliet
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines
FINAL THOUGHTS ON BETTING IN ILLINOIS
Illinois online sports betting is a growing market, and the legalization of Illinois sportsbooks is a massive step in the right direction. Sports fans have embraced this access to IL sports betting, and we look forward to seeing what further developments arise.
