Best Illinois Sports Betting Sites
Illinois sports betting has been legalized in 2019 and multiple major sportsbooks have joined the state.
In-person registering is no longer needed in the state, which means you can sign up online and start betting at any time. Check out our guide below for all the do’s and don’t for Illinois sports betting, we find the best welcome bonus and so much more.
Best Illinois Online Betting Sites 2022
Top Results for Virginia, US | # | Sportsbook | Bonus | Visit Site | T&Cs | |||
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Caesars Sportsbook |
Up to 1100$ free bet Cashback |
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Play |
Use bonus code: CZR
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
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2.
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FanDuel Sportsbook |
Up to $1,000 risk-free bet Free bet |
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Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required; Register to claim
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
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3.
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BetMGM review |
Up to 1000$ free bet Free bet |
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Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required. Register to claim offer
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
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4.
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BetRivers |
100% up to 250$ Match deposit bonus |
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Play |
Use bonus code: 250MATCH
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
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5.
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PointsBet |
2 risk free bets up to 2000$ Cashback |
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Play |
Use bonus code: WELCOME
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
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6.
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Unibet |
Up to 250$ free bet Cashback |
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Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required; Register to claim
Qualifying bet: $10 or more Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
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7.
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WynnBET |
Bet $50 get $200 in free bets Cashback |
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Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required; Register to claim offer
Qualifying bet: Bet $50 or more at minimum odds of -120 Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
Top 3 Illinois Sports Betting Sites
You have quite a variety of online Illinois sports betting sites to choose from, we looked at all of them and chose the top three.
We made our decision based on their welcome bonuses, odds, and promotions. DraftKings Sportsbooks is one of the top major sportsbooks across the US, so it’s no wonder it’s first in our top three list.
DraftKings Sportsbook #1
PointsBet Sportsbook #2
Fanduel Sportsbook #3
Illinois Betting Site Winners by Category
Deciding which Illinois sports betting site to join may seem a bit intimidating, which is why we created the table below. You’ll find which sportsbook is the best according to your requirements.
If you want to join the best betting app in Illinois we suggest you download Fanduel Sportsbook. Not only do they have very competitive odds, but their sportsbook app features an in-app live streaming option which is rare to find.
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How to Find the Best Online Betting Site in Illinois
When looking for the best online betting site in Illinois, there are a few things you should keep in mind. We’ve listed the five factors we always look out for when searching for the best online betting sites. You could also use these five factors to evaluate any other sportsbooks of your choice that you’d like to join.
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Safety and licensesFor an Illinois sports betting site to be legal, it must always be licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board. The IGB is in charge of overseeing all gambling in Illinois, they ensure that licenses are valid, conduct checks on employees, and investigate when necessary. When it comes to online betting in Illinois, they can aid you in resolving any issue, as they can hold the sportsbook accountable.
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BonusesBonuses are a great way to increase your profit when using them at an online sports betting site. All bonuses have terms and conditions that you must adhere to. The first thing you should do is check these conditions and evaluate if the bonus is worth it. When we analyzed our chosen top Illinois sports betting sites, we were careful to check these conditions.
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Quality of oddsOne of the first things you should look out for when choosing a sports betting site is the odds quality that they have to offer you. Always try to compare the odds for the same match with another sportsbook, this ensures that the odds are of good quality. You might also calculate the overround percentage to check if the odds are favorable.
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Mobile appsIt is crucial for a sports betting site to have a good working app available in today’s world. The majority of bettors prefer using a mobile app than a desktop to place their bets online. Almost every sportsbook will have an app available for you to download on iOS or Android. The apps that these sports betting sites offer will have different features and betting options available. You should always check what betting features they have to offer as not all sportsbook apps have all the betting features you’re looking for.
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Payment methodsAll the accepted payment methods should be listed in the sports betting site ‘cashier’ section. If you’re searching for a particular betting payment method to use, you should check this section before creating an account with the sportsbook as it will save you a lot of time. Remember that each sportsbook will have a different limit for both their deposits and withdrawals.
Betting Sites in Illinois to Avoid
Although there are a lot of sports betting sites that allow you to place bets on them doesn’t mean you should. If you want to keep your funds safe, we highly suggest you don’t use offshore sports betting sites. There are multiple disadvantages to using these offshore sportsbooks, the primary disadvantage being that they don’t need to comply with US laws and they don’t have to follow a set of guidelines.
Illinois sports betting sites are safe as they are regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. This means that they make sure that the IL sportsbooks are following a set of rules and laws. The main goal of this board is to create a safe and fair betting environment for Illinois bettors.
There is no need for you to use these offshore sportsbooks since you have a lot of safe and legit sportsbooks that you can join in Illinois. The following three sports betting sites are all offshore which means they do not follow US laws and you cannot open any disputes with the Illinois Gaming Board to collect your funds.
MyBookie
Bovada
BetOnline
How to Sign up for an Illinois Sports Betting Site
You can now register online in Illinois when creating a new sportsbook account. It’s great that finally, Illinois bettors don’t need to worry about going in person to register. You can now be in the comfort of your own home and join a new sportsbook, no need to worry about being stuck in traffic to go to a retail casino to register.
Find the sportsbook that you would like to download.
Register with the sportsbook of your choice.
Create a new username and password, the sportsbook will also ask for your email address.
Head to your emails and verify your email address.
In the cashier section of the sports betting site select deposit and make your first deposit.
Illinois Betting Bonuses
If you’re stressing about which Illinois sports betting site to join based on their bonuses and promos, you should take a look at our below table. We’ve done our research on all the Illinois bonuses and chose the appropriate Illinois sportsbook for each bonus. There are quite a few free bet bonuses available in Illinois, Fanduel Sportsbook in our opinion has the best free bet bonus in Illinois.
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Illinois Payment Methods and Banking
We’ve done our research on the different betting payment options available at Illinois sports betting sites and have come up with the table below. Not all sportsbooks will have each and every payment option listed below.
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| Min. deposit | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Max. deposit | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $500-$25,000 | $10,000-$25,000 |
| Deposit time | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant | N/A |
| Min. withdrawal | N/A | N/A | N/A | $5 | N/A | N/A | $5 |
| Max withdrawal | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Withdrawal time | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1-2 days | N/A | N/A | 3-5 days |
The deposit and withdrawal limits will vary according to the sports betting site that you’re using. Therefore, you should always check in the cashier section of the sportsbook for the exact limits and payment methods available.
How to Deposit at Illinois Betting Sites
Depositing at an Illinois sports betting site is not as complicated as you might imagine it to be. The process is very simple, especially after you’ve done it the first time. Below we have a step-by-step guide on how to place your deposit at an online Illinois sportsbook.
Mobile Sports Betting in Illinois
Mobile betting apps are available and legal in Illinois, therefore you can download an Illinois sports betting app. Most sportsbooks will require you to follow a set of guidelines to have a successful mobile betting experience. We’ve listed the top three guidelines you should always keep in mind and follow when using an Illinois betting app.
Like every other US state which has legalized sports betting, you may only place a bet while you’re in Illinois only. When you’re outside of the state you will not be allowed to place a bet online, even if you’re a resident of Illinois.
Illinois sports betting sites will need to confirm your location is in Illinois where they have a license. For them to do this they use your mobile phone GPS, which is why you should always keep your GPS turned on. If you decide to switch the GPS off the sportsbook will not allow you to place any bets.
Some Illinois sports betting apps don’t have a geo-locater incorporated in the app itself, and you’ll have to download an extra geo-locator software. This geo-locator software is used by the online sportsbook to confirm your location within state lines.
Best Sports Betting Apps in Illinois
IL sports betting apps are available for those who prefer placing a bet on their mobile. You’ll find that sportsbooks offer these apps on both iOS and Android, and you’ll usually find the direct link for the betting sports app on the sportsbooks main site.
After reviewing and evaluating all the Illinois sports betting apps, we’ve determined the top three sportsbook apps.
Sports Betting in Illinois
Sports betting in Illinois was legalized in 2019, it was a bit of a rocky start as bettors had to go in person to register for an online Illinois sports betting account. Luckily you can now register at any legal online sportsbook in Illinois on your mobile or desktop at home.
The table below includes all the important information about sports betting in Illinois such as the year the official betting regulator of the state were founded.
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Illinois Gambling Laws
To be able to place a bet on any online sportsbooks you need to be older than 21. There is no need for you to be a residence in Illinois to be able to place a bet, you just need to be physically present in the state when betting online.
Betting online on an in-state college team is not allowed in Illinois, you can however place an online bet on other college teams. Fantasy sports in Illinois is not illegal and you can use sportsbooks such as DraftKings Sportsbook and Fanduel Sportsbook.
Who Regulates Sports Betting in Illinois
Sports betting in Illinois is regulated and overseen by the Illinois Gaming Board. The main mission of this board is to protect Illinois bettors from false promotions as well as audit sportsbooks for fairness and security.
Without this board, Illinois bettors would not be protected when placing a bet online. If encounter a problem when using Illinois online sports betting you can open a dispute with them to help you with the issue.
Pros and Cons of Online Betting in Illinois
If you’re still contemplating if sports betting in Illinois is worth it or not, we’re here to help you make that decision easier. The advantages outdo the disadvantage of sports betting in Illinois, as you’ll surely have an amazing experience.
The legal sportsbooks in Illinois offer fantastic betting promos which will help you start your Illinois betting. You also have a number of sportsbooks to choose from, with the major sportsbooks such as DraftKings and Fanduel being available in the state.
The main disadvantage which isn’t a big deal is that you cannot place any bets on in-state college teams. It’s not a big deal since you can still place NCAA bets on other college teams, not in the state.
- Great welcome bonuses available
- Good variety of sports betting sites
- Great selection of mobile apps
- No betting on in-state college teams
History of Sports Betting in Illinois
The first sports betting bill in Illinois to try to pass was back in 2018 when Illinois lawmakers expressed their interest in making sports betting legal in the state. It only took another year for sports betting in Illinois to be legalized.
Legalization of online lottery tickets
Illinois becomes the first state to legalize the purchasing of an online lottery ticket in the US.
Riverboat Gambling Act is passed
Illinois was the second state to legalize riverboat casinos and the first riverboat casino opened in 1991.
Riverboat Casinos docked
Riverboat Casinos were finally given permission to be permanently docked in Illinois.
New legislation in Illinois
Bar video poker and slot machines become legal in Illinois
Sports betting legislation
Sports betting is legalized in Illinois and the first sports bets were taken in 2020.
List of all Illinois Betting Sites
Illinois is very well-known for its riverboat casinos, the Illinois Gaming Board requires sportsbooks to partner with one of these casinos to get a license. In the table below you’ll find all the licensed Illinois sports betting sites and apps, along with their casino partner.
| Sportsbook | License Partner | Date Launched |
|---|---|---|
| Barstool | Hollywood Casino Aurora | 2021 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | DraftKings at Casino Queen | 2020 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing | 2020 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Grand Victoria Casino | 2021 |
| PointsBet | Hawthorne Race Course | 2020 |
| Bet Rivers Sportsbook | Rivers Casino | 2020 |
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes, sports betting became legal in 2019 when the sports wagering act was passed. Multiple sportsbooks have since been applying for licenses to become legal in Illinois.
Is online sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in Illinois as it was passed along with the sports wagering act in 2019. There is no need for in-person registering anymore, so now you can register online at any of the legal sportsbooks in Illinois.
Are there any sports betting apps?
Mobile sports betting in Illinois is legal and you can find multiple sportsbook apps available that you can download on your iOS and Android. Most betting apps have the same features the sports betting site has, so you shouldn’t find any missing features.
Who regulates sports betting in Illinois?
Since 1990 the Illinois Gaming Board has been in charge of regulating and overseeing all the gambling in Illinois. All the sports betting in Illinois is regulated by this same board, if you encounter any issues with a sportsbook, you can open a dispute with them for assistance.
How can I place a deposit on an Illinois sport betting site?
If it’s your first time placing a deposit it may seem intimidating, however, placing a deposit is not complicated. First, you should check out our favorite sports betting sites in Illinois then create an account and place your first deposit.