Illinois bettors must be 21+ and present to place wagers in the state. If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling www.ncpgambling.org.
Best Illinois Sportsbook by Feature
There are strengths and weaknesses for every sportsbook available in Illinois, and finding the right one may come down to the features you value most. Use the table below to find our picks for the best overall sportsbook for each of the five features we know Illinois bettors value most. This will help you quickly find the best Illinois sports betting apps.
Feature
Winner
Why it's Our Pick
Best Mobile App
⭐️ DraftKings Sportsbook
It was a close race for best mobile app in Illinois but DraftKings brings home the bacon because of their user-friendliness, variety of betting options, and sheer speed.
Best Bonus Offer
⭐️ FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel is the most generous book in Illinois when it comes to bonus offers. Right now, new bettors can get a Bet $5, Get $100 deal!
Best Live Betting
⭐️ PointsBet
The PointsBet app is packed with outstanding features, but the live betting options beat every other Illinois sportsbook and are by far the best in the industry.
Best Rewards Program
⭐️ Caesars
Caesars Rewards is the best in the business. Every new Caesars player is eligible to earn a plethora of different prizes that are sure to make them smile.
Best Odds and Juice
⭐️ BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM checks all the boxes as far as juice and odds are concerned. You'll often find that BetMGM's juice is a few cents cheaper than rival sites like DraftKings and FanDuel. A little bit of savings in juice can go a long way!
Illinois became the 15th state to legalize sports betting in early 2019, and the first bet was officially placed at a BetRivers sportsbook on March 9, 2020. In a controversial move, the state bumped up the timeline to allow mobile sports betting far earlier than originally planned. The move was made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on the gambling industry in IL.
There were six mobile sportsbooks ready for opening day in Illinois (BetRivers, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, Caesars, Barstool), and Unibet launched shortly after the start of the 2021 NFL season. Below is everything you need to know regarding the current state of legal sports betting in Illinois.
Illinois Sports Betting Fact Check
Illinois is a booming market for both online sports betting and retail sports betting. Folks in Chicago are hardcore sports fans and the overall numbers support that. Here are some fast facts about sports betting in Illinois.
✅ Launch Date
March 9, 2020
📅 Legal Betting Age
21
🏬 Number of Retail Sportsbooks
6
📱 Number of Mobile Sportsbooks
7
💰 Total Illinois Handle (2022)
$9.7 Billion
📈 Total Illinois Handle (All Time)
$22.5 Billion
💸 Largest Sportsbook Handle
FanDuel (47%)
Best Sportsbook App in Illinois: DraftKings
Our pick for the best sportsbook app in Illinois is DraftKings Sportsbook. If you are a sports bettor in the state of Illinois, DraftKings is a must-have sportsbook app. Here are three of the features that we love about the DraftKings Sportsbook App.
Unbelievable Bonus Offer- DraftKings has a stellar reputation when it comes to rewarding new players with lucrative bonuses. The current bonus offer for new players in Illinois is incredibly generous. Right now, new players can get $150 in Bonus Bets when they make their first $5 wager, as long as their team wins! It's currently the top bonus offer in Illinois sports betting.
Odds Boosts - Here's another cool feature of the DraftKings App and website. Each day DraftKings offers various amounts of odds boosts. For example, let's say that the standard odds on a three-team MLB moneyline parlay is +600. DraftKings may choose to boost the odds by up to +750 to reward their winners with an even larger payout.
Variety of Betting Options - DraftKings offers more variety than any other IL sportsbook! Whether your pleasure is live betting, player props, or futures, there's something for every type of sports bettor at DraftKings.
Best Bonus Offer in Illinois: FanDuel
Illinois sports bettors have a ton of options when it comes to signup bonuses. In a tight race, we gave the nod to FanDuel and their Bet $5, Get $100 deal!
Getting in on the FanDuel bonus is easy as pie. Simply sign up on their website or app and enter your personal information. You don't even need a promo code!
Once you've made your first deposit, place your first bet. If it loses, FanDuel will give you Bonus Bets in your account to cover the loss. It's a Win-Win situation for folks in Illinois!
Best Live Betting Options in Illinois: PointsBet
Our pick for the sportsbook with the best live betting options in Illinois is PointsBet. PointsBet was founded in Australia back in 2017 and they've made a big splash in the USA sports betting market in a short period of time. Each and every day, PointsBet posts a ton of live betting options for all of their respective players.
The live betting section can be found easily on the top left-hand side of the PointsBet website or app. Once you click LIVE, you'll be able to see all of the current sporting events that have live betting options. PointsBet also offers live streams at some of their live betting events, which is nice for sports bettors that are on the go!
In January of 2022, PointsBet pushed the envelope even further when they announced that they would begin offering live same game parlays. Same game parlays are the fastest growing bet type in the Illinois sports betting market and, by becoming the first sportsbook to offer these in their live betting tool, PointsBet further extended its lead here.
Best Rewards Program: Caesars
If there's one thing that all Illinois sports bettors love just as much as winning, it's free perks. With Caesars Rewards, folks can enjoy the best customer loyalty program in the country.
For every dollar you bet on a game, Caesars will give you a certain number of Tier Credits and Rewards Credits. The more of these you accumulate, the greater the overall prizes.
Build up enough credits and you can cash them in for free hotel stays at any Caesars resort! You can also enjoy other fabulous perks like free dining and shopping!
Best Odds and Juice: BetMGM
Nothing will hurt a bankroll faster than paying too much juice on your plays or betting at the wrong odds. Luckily, sports bettors in Illinois won't have to worry about that with BetMGM Sportsbook.
Just one look at BetMGM's odds and folks in Illinois will be shocked as to how often they offer the most favorable odds. For example, most sportsbooks in Illinois may set the total in the Bulls game with the standard -110 juice. On several occasions, BetMGM will price that same total with -105 juice.
You may be thinking that saving 5 cents of juice isn't that big of a deal. However, just think about how much you'll save over the course of a whole season!
Sports Available to Bet on in Illinois
As we have seen with several other states, IL did place restrictions on what sports bettors can wager on. However, the list of restricted sports and events is much shorter than your typical US betting market.
Bettors are not allowed to wager on Illinois college teams, any minor league sports, or high school sports. That is tough news for any hardcore Illinois Fighting Illini or Northwestern Wildcats fan, but at least they can still bet on college sports. Every other sport, including e-sports, is eligible to be wagered on in IL.
Additionally, there are no wager types that are restricted in Illinois, but the state did make it clear that if a professional sports team thought a certain wager-type would put the integrity of their sport in jeopardy that they could request it be removed from IL sportsbooks. So far this hasn't happened, so Illinois sports bettors can still wager on their favorite Chicago Bears player to go Over a specific yardage prop.
List of Illinois Casino/Sportsbook Partnerships
As is the case in most of the US sports betting markets, Illinois requires online sportsbooks to partner with an existing Illinois casino in order to operate in the state. Below is a list of Sportsbooks, their IL casino partner, and the date the book launched. This list was updated on July 1, 2023.
Planning a visit to Illinois in the future? Not sure which casino to visit? Here's a bit more information on each of the casinos on this list.
Hollywood Casino
If you're anywhere near Aurora, Hollywood Casino is a must-visit venue! They have a sportsbook, over 1,000 slot machines, craps, blackjack, and roulette. They also have 4 delicious restaurants on the property.
Address: 1 W. New York St. Aurora, IL, 60506
Par-A-Dice Hotel & Casino
FanDuel may have moved out of this location, but luckily for sports bettors BetMGM has took its place. Par-A-Dice features luxury suites, an amazing fitness center, and all of the casino games you can handle.
Address: 21 Blackjack Blvd. East Peoria, IL 61611
Rivers Casino
For a superior dining and sports betting experience, you can't go wrong with Rivers Casino! BetRivers is one of the best sportsbooks in the business and this location has 6 different spots to eat or drink!
Address: 3000 S. River Rd. Des Plaines, IL 60018
Grand Victoria
The Grand Victoria is one of the best casinos in the Prairie State. Caesars Sportsbook at this location is open anywhere from 8 to 13 hours per day and folks will love Buckinghams Steakhouse And Bistro.
Address: 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Casino Queen
Hardcore DraftKings fans will love this location in East St. Louis. The sportsbooks features 28 LED TVs, a 60-foot video wall, 5 betting windows, and 38 betting kiosks. Folks also rave about the wonderfully delicious stadium foods that they serve.
Address: 200 S Front St. East St. Louis, Illinois 62201
Online Sportsbooks Available in Illinois
The Land of Lincoln joined the sports betting bandwagon in 2019, but its full potential was realized only in June 2020. Now, Illinois is home to a plethora of sportsbooks vying for the attention of bettors. However, with so many options, picking the perfect one can be quite a task. To alleviate this stress, our team has gone through every Illinois sportsbook, meticulously examining their perks and drawbacks. From the launch date to the current bonus offers, we have compiled all the information you need to make an informed choice. Don't worry, we've got your back.
Caesars Illinois
Illinois Launch Date: March 2022
Current Illinois Bonus Offer: Bet Up to $1,250 on Caesars (Bonus Code: BVFULL)
Illinois, brace yourselves, because the mighty Caesars Sportsbook has stormed into the sports betting arena! With its grand entrance in March 2022, the sportsbook offers a lucrative welcome bonus for all the new users who sign up using the promo code "BVFULL". Believe us when we say that there's no catch here. The bonus bet amount goes up to a staggering $1,250, making it something too good to pass up. It doesn't end there as Caesars Sportsbook has a wide range of betting options to choose from, catering to both rookie and veteran bettors alike. Although their promotions may not match up to some of their competitors, who can refuse an opportunity to try their luck on the house? But beware, some users may experience a moderate delay in the first-time deposit process as compared to other sportsbooks, potentially stalling your action-packed debut. However, we recommend keeping this in mind only if you're looking to dive into Caesars' vast betting universe right away. Caesars Review
DraftKings Illinois
Illinois Launch Date: August 2020
Current Illinois Bonus Offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets (No Code Needed)
The well-loved sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, has been a staple in Illinois since August 2020. When you place your first wager of just $5 with our link, you could receive up to $150 in free bets. It's unheard of in the world of sports betting and an exclusive offer you surely wouldn't want to pass up. But DraftKings Sportsbook has so much more to offer than just this bonus. They present users with the chance to place bets in real-time through their Live Betting feature, allowing them to back out early if things look dicey. Sure, you will take a hit on the win, but such a one-of-a-kind and exciting feature adds to the thrill of sports betting. Though compared to its competitors, DraftKings' promotions may appear less enticing, but their exclusive features and incredible first-time bonus put them right up there in the highly competitive Illinois sports betting market. DraftKings Review
FanDuel Illinois
Illinois Launch Date: August 2020
Current Illinois Bonus Offer: Bet $5, Get $100 deal
The sports betting giants, FanDuel, arrived in Illinois with a bang in August 2020 and brought a sign-up bonus that leaves others in the dust. With a whopping Bet $5, Get $100 deal up for grabs, it's no surprise that bettors are excited to place their first wager with this sportsbook. As betting enthusiasts ourselves, we genuinely appreciate a fantastic welcome bonus. One of FanDuel's most notable qualities is its sleek and user-friendly interface, leaving the Illinois sports bettors to focus solely on placing their bets. FanDuel's live in-play betting market is diverse and full of exciting options, providing users with a thoroughly enjoyable online betting experience. We do have one caveat, however, as one downside to this sportsbook is its promotions that last for just the first 24 hours of betting. So, if you plan on signing up with FanDuel, make sure to place your bets quickly to make every cent of that bonus count. FanDuel Review
BetMGM Illinois
Illinois Launch Date: March 2022
Current Illinois Bonus Offer: $1,000 First Bet Offer (Bonus Code: EWBET1)
BetMGM is one of the most popular sportsbooks when it comes to online betting and they've finally landed in Illinois in March 2022, adding to the excitement in the state's sports betting market. As a newbie, you can bag yourself up to $1,000 in bonus cash for your first bet with them. Just use our fantastic promo code - "EWBET1" - to get the ball rolling. What sets BetMGM apart from the rest? Their unmatched Live Odds feature provides users with accurate, up-to-date information for making the best bets. Alongside this, their immense selection of betting markets and ever-changing bonuses and promotions keep the excitement of betting alive. As with everything, there may be a downside to using BetMGM, which primarily includes a lack of customer service options and not as competitive lines and juice. However, these minor setbacks are indisputably outweighed by their exclusive features and unique bonus offers, making BetMGM a strong contender for one of the best online sportsbooks in the state. BetMGM Review
PointsBet Illinois
Illinois Launch Date: September 2020
Current Illinois Bonus Offer: $250 in Bet Credits (Bonus Code: BVIEW1)
PointsBet is the sportsbook that is known for offering one of the best online betting experiences around. And if you happen to be a new user, you're in for a colossal bonus. You can benefit from a mind-blowing $250 bonus bet credits that you can redeem using our never-before-seen promo code, "BVIEW1." It doesn't end there. This sportsbook offers little-to-no juice and some of the most competitive odds that any bettor could ask for on almost all sports - now, that's nearly unheard of! PointsBet has mastered the art of providing the best odds and betting experiences, and they're doing it right in Illinois since September 2020. We think you're going to love getting in on the PointsBet action in Illinois. PointsBet Review
BetRivers Illinois
Illinois Launch Date: June 2020
Current Illinois Bonus Offer: $500 Second Chance Bet
If you've never tried BetRivers, you're going to want to give it a shot. They've been part of the Illinois sports betting market since June 2020 and have come a long way since then. When you sign up you can get a $500 second chance bet right out the gate. That's bonus cash in your account. While we love their app and how intuitive it is, we do think their promos could be beefed up just a bit more. The current promo is great, but make sure you read the terms for using it. BetRivers Review
Recent Illinois Sports Betting News
Total Numbers - So how big is sports betting in Illinois? In less than two years, residents of the Prairie State have wagered nearly $15 billion on sports! This has resulted in over $150 million in tax revenues for the state.
2022 Handle Totals $9.7 Billion - Folks in Illinois love their sports teams and they proved it in 2022 by spending $9.7 billion on sports betting. With a major sports market like Chicago leading the charge, the sky is the limit for sports betting in Illinois.
2023 Handle Sits at $5.4 Billion Thru June - Even with the slower summer months of May and June, Illinois is still on pace to break last year's record handle of sports bets. FanDuel continues to be the top book of choice for most Illinois folks.
Top New Player Bonus Offer for Illinois: FanDuel
Illinois sports bettors have a wide variety of sportsbooks available to them, which means a wide variety of promo code offers. These offers typically come in one of two forms: a deposit bonus or a bonus bet. Here is what you should know about each offer type.
Deposit bonus - State operators like BetRivers, BetMGM, DraftKings, and Unibet offer a deposit bonus that is paid as a percentage of your initial deposit. These offers can range from 100% at most books to 20% at DraftKings and can cap anywhere between $250 to $1,500.
Bonus bet - Several books choose to offer their bonus in the form of a bonus bet. This is the case with Caesars, PointsBet, and FanDuel. However, in FanDuel's case, they guarantee you don't lose your first bet (refund) rather than offer a bonus bet. The bonus bet caps at $1,000 at FanDuel and $2,000 at PointsBet.
Our staff compares all of the available promotions in Illinois on a weekly basis to determine which offer is best for new players in the market. As of this July, our top-rated offer in Illinois comes from DraftKings Sportsbook. Register using the promo code listed at the top of this page to receive $150 in bonus bets with any $5 wager.
Alternatively, you can always check out our entire list of sportsbook promotions to find the offer that fits your deposit best. Shopping promotions and shopping lines are an essential part of becoming a successful sports bettor so we highly encourage our readers to do so.
How to Sign Up at an Online Sportsbook in Illinois
Now that the Illinois sports betting law removed the in-person-only requirement, it's super easy to register with all of your favorite Illinois sports betting apps. The main perk now is you can sign up with your phone or laptop as long as you're within the Illinois state lines. Here's how to get started with any Illinois online sports betting app.
Head to your favorite Illinois sportsbook's website or download their app
Copy the bonus code that is found in the table at the top of this page
Complete the entire registration form with a few basic details
Paste the promo code into the appropriate box when prompted
Make your initial deposit into your new online sports betting account
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the bonus money from each Illinois sportsbook
IL only. 21+. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Illinois SportsBook FAQs
It is always exciting to see new sports betting markets have the sort of success Illinois has. The state has had over $22 billion in sports betting handle and $1.8 billion in revenue in only 3 years! That number should only continue to rise as devoted fans of the Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Blackhawks sign up for new online sports betting apps.
That being said, the size of the handle should also concern members of the industry because it represents a lot of money coming from first-time sports bettors. The FAQs below should help new Illinois bettors as they try to navigate the state's betting rules and regulations, and find the best sportsbook for their action.
Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes, Illinois legalized sports betting in March of 2020 and in January of 2021 that the first bet was placed. In addition to online betting, there are a number of brick-and-mortar retail sportsbooks across the state.
Is mobile sports betting legal in IL?
Yes, Illinois bettors can place wagers both online and in-app at any of the state's licensed sportsbooks. The top downloaded mobile sports betting apps in Illinois over the past six months belong to FanDuel, DraftKings, and PointsBet.
Do I have to live in Illinois to bet on sports?
No, you do not have to be an Illinois resident to bet on sports. You simply need to be within the state lines when placing your bets. All of the sports betting apps use geo-locating technology to confirm your location.
What is the legal sports betting age in Illinois?
The minimum age to bet on sports in Illinois is 21. This is on par with the rest of the US sports betting industry as every state currently has the age requirement set to 21. Illinois is one of the few states in the US that may lower this age as the lottery and horse racing age requirements are both 18.
Do any Illinois sportsbooks offer a no-deposit bonus?
No, unfortunately, there aren't any Illinois sportsbooks that are currently offering any type of no-deposit bonus. However, our current Top 3 sportsbooks in the state are offering nice bonus offers with a very low deposit requirement. Check out FanDuel, BetMGM, or DraftKings.
What sports can you legally bet on in IL?
Illinois sports bettors can wager on all professional and collegiate sporting events with one exception. It is illegal to bet on any event that includes an Illinois college or university. There are no restrictions on prop betting or in-game betting in Illinois. Residents can track betting laws by visiting the state's gaming board website.
What is the best sportsbook in Illinois?
At the moment, we have FanDuel rated slightly higher than competitors BetMGM and DraftKings. While all three offer state-of-the-art sportsbooks, FanDuel offers more player props and live betting options than any other sportsbook in Illinois.
What is the best sportsbook bonus offer for IL?
We currently have the DraftKings promo code offer rated as the top promotion available in Illinois. We will update this on a daily basis as new promotions come out. We also factor in the terms and conditions for each offer when ranking them. DraftKings not only has a better offer than any other IL sportsbook, but the terms are extremely player-friendly with no rollover requirement on the $150 bonus bets.
Can I use more than one promo code?
Unfortunately, Illinois sportsbooks do not allow customers to use multiple promo codes. However, those that have already used a promotional code can take advantage of other offers available throughout the year, such as reload bonuses and bonus bets. These bonus offers are typically sent via email or text messages to existing customers.
Can I share bonus codes and promotions?
Of course! You can not only share the bonus codes and promotions with friends and family, but you can also post them on social media. It’s always a good idea to double-check the promotion details before sharing. That way, everyone is aware of what they are getting into.
How do I deposit money to bet on sports in Illinois?
Illinois sportsbooks accept various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, e-checks, prepaid cards, and bank transfers. Bettors can deposit at the retail sportsbook location or via associated cashiering apps. Deposits made via credit card will likely incur a fee of up to 5%.
Do I have to pay taxes on sports betting winnings in Illinois?
Yes, If you win a cumulative of $600 or more in a year, you'll be taxed at the 15% tax rate on your winnings. That's why keeping track of your wins and losses and reporting them when filing taxes is important. Additionally, the sportsbook will send a W-2G form detailing all winning over $600 for tax purposes.
Subscribe to EatWatchBet
Enter your email to receive exclusive bonus offers, player prop picks, best bets, sports betting news, and more.
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. EatWatchBet makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.
