Best Illinois Sports Betting Sites 2024

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Illinois?

Illinois sports betting was legalized in June 2019, with Governor J.B. Pritzker signing SB 690 into law after a fairly smooth ride through the Illinois General Assembly. It took several months for sports betting to become a reality in the Prairie State. Retail sportsbooks started taking their first wagers in March 2020, followed by Illinois online sports betting platforms in June. 

BetRivers was the first operator to enter the market, with Rush Street owner and Chicago native Neil Bluhm going out of his way to block the established industry leaders FanDuel and DraftKings. The real estate and casino magnate cited both Daily Fantasy League platform’s supposed unlawful activities in the Prairie State over the past decade. 

Illinois sports bettors also had to contend with a potentially damaging in-person registration requirement for the first few years of legal sports betting, although this was temporarily paused during the pandemic. Governor Pritzker finally ended the requirement for good in March 2022, immediately helping Illinois sportsbooks hit a new record $971.3 million betting handle. 

While the Prairie State still has relatively few IL sportsbook options considering its size, the industry is still in a much healthier state than analysts originally feared. DraftKings CEO Jason Robins revealed it was “very disappointing that Illinois customers will not have the best options available to them for 18 months” after the initial BetRivers launch. However, DraftKings, FanDuel, and FanDuel all started taking bets by the end of 2020. 

Now that Illinois sports bettors don’t need to visit a land-based casino or retail sportsbook to register, the market has started to fulfill its potential. The Prairie State recorded an impressive $12,436,240,107 betting handle in 2023, creating $161,000,140 in taxes for state education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Governor Pritzker recently tabled a motion to increase the 15% tax rate to 35%, a move that would generate further benefits for the people of Illinois. 

Illinois Betting Info

• Is online sports betting legal? Yes. 
• Illinois sports betting launch date? Illinois retail sportsbooks launched in March 2020. Online betting sites commenced operations a few months later in June. 
• What is the legal age to gamble? 21+ 
• How many sportsbooks are available? Sports bettors can currently access eight Illinois sports betting sites. 
• Are retail sportsbooks available? Yes. Residents can place wagers at 16 retail sports betting locations and counting. 
• Illinois college sports betting? College betting is restricted to moneylines, totals, and spreads. Additionally, betting on in-state college teams is prohibited unless you make a pre-game wager at a retail sportsbook. 
• Who is the state regulator? The Illinois Gaming Board regulates online sports betting in the Prairie State. 

Best Sports Betting Sites Currently Available in Illinois

Our experts have done ample research to find the best sports betting sites Illinois has to offer. We weigh up several important factors when deciding the top ranking sportsbooks, from sports betting apps to bonus bets and other promotions. Other important factors include the sportsbook user interfaces, payment methods, odds quality, betting markets, and in-play wagering. Here are four of the best Illinois sports betting platforms to consider: 

DraftKings Sportsbook Illinois 

DraftKings Illinois launched in August 2020, not long after BetRivers became the first online sportsbook in the Prairie State. America’s second-largest operator is packed with eye-catching selling points, regularly scoring the highest during our expert review process. We’re particularly fond of the extensive array of ongoing promotions, with options available for almost every type of bettor. Want same-game parlay insurance, odds boosts, bonus bets, referral schemes, and more? DraftKings covers all options under the “Promos” tab. 

The online sportsbook is great for beginners in this regard, offering various opportunities to score free wagers or boosted bets. Nevertheless, we actually recommend DraftKings the most for seasoned bettors ready to take advantage of the operator’s first-class attention to detail. This is particularly evident for US major leagues, with the powerful Stats Hub and individual player pages allowing you to place props and other in-depth markets with unmatched precision. If you enjoy crafting intricate wagers like same-game parlays informed by detailed statistical analysis, this is a great platform to unearth hidden betting value. 

Our expert review process also regularly compares prices across the main sportsbooks to find which platform has the most competitive odds. DraftKings comes up on top more often than not, even against Chicago-native platforms like BetRivers. For example, DraftKings had the Bulls at -455 to beat the Detroit Pistons during NBA Game Week 25, compared to -480 at BetRivers. That’s a whole extra $15 wager required to win $100 – a notable difference. 

Learn More: DraftKings Sportsbook Review 

Caesars Sportsbook Illinois 

Caesars Sportsbook acquired the iconic UK bookmaker William Hill in 2020, a move that significantly upgraded the Vegas brand’s wagering catalog. Illinois sports betting enthusiasts looking for the widest range of sports and betting markets will love the platform. While FanDuel and DraftKings have a slightly better selection of props on major leagues, Caesars Sportsbook beats them for markets on things like soccer and Australian Rules. If your betting taste is slightly more niche, it’s a key thing to consider. 

Another area where Caesars Sportsbook beats pretty much all other Illinois betting sites is the extensive selection of daily odds boosts. There were 36 separate offers during our review process, with 22 on the upcoming Masters Tournament alone. William Hill has long been known as one of the top UK platforms or odds boosts, and the brand has infused Caesars Sportsbook with the same advantageous offers. The operator also has the most quick-pick same-game parlays available, conveniently placed on a horizontal scrolling menu on the homescreen. 

But we haven’t even got to arguably the most significant Caesars Sportsbook highlight – Caesars Rewards. The operator uses its sizable Las Vegas presence and nationwide network of resorts to create the best loyalty scheme on the Illinois sports betting market. All wagers contribute towards your Caesars Rewards points, with various incentives up for grabs, including discounted hotel stays, dining offers, free casino play, and more. 

Learn More: Caesars Sportsbook Review

FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois 

FanDuel is America’s largest and most popular online sportsbook, offering users a wealth of eye-catching benefits. The operator has arguably the most powerful same-game parlay builder, with thousands of potential selections on NFL and NBA games. FanDuel’s “Parlay Hub” is also a great place for beginners to get acquainted with these advanced wager types, featuring numerous pre-built options. The best bit compared to other operators with similar pages is the search capabilities – you can search via sport, odds, and parlay type. 

Our favorite FanDuel Sportsbook selling point is the mobile platform. The brand leads the list of best sports betting apps in Illinois by quite some distance, mixing top-spec functionality with a streamlined user interface and some eye-catching special features. FanDuel’s iOS app currently has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on the App Store after almost 1,500,000 reviews – you cannot argue with that. Other than the complete reliability and glitch-free software, we also love the integrated live streaming and in-play wagering. This can be clunky on other mobile sports betting apps, so it’s worth considering if you’re an avid live streamer and in-play bettor. 

FanDuel is also the only sportsbook that can match DraftKing’s competitive odds. In some cases, the operator can even offer better prices. Let’s take the Chicago Bulls @ Detroit Pistons example from the DraftKings mini-review. FanDuel has the Bulls at -430, compared to DraftKings at -455. As a result, the operator is often the best place for bettors wagering on Chicago-native franchises when they are favorites. Other notable FanDuel Sportsbook highlights include the generous ongoing promotions, great bet $5 get $200 in bonus bets welcome bonus, and brilliant sports selection (even including snooker). 

Learn More: FanDuel Sportsbook

BetRivers Sportsbook Illinois 

BetRivers was the first online sportsbook to launch in Illinois, giving it a special place in the Prairie State. The Chicago brand isn’t the largest operator and can often lag behind the competition regarding its odds, but there are still several significant positives to consider. We’re huge fans of the “Prop Central” page, displaying the player prop options for the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and EPL. The convenient layout makes it a dream for prop bettors, with easily accessible categories for things like total points, total assists, total rebounds, and more. 

BetRivers Sportsbook also has one of the most interesting selections of House Specials, offering something a little different to other platforms. For example, we could get boosted odds on “Novak Djokovic to Win vs Lorenzo Musetti with a Set Score of 2:1” during the Monte-Carlo Masters, a wager we didn’t see elsewhere during our Illinois sports betting investigations. Speaking of tennis, BetRivers Sportsbook also regularly has the most live streaming options for the sport, a notable advantage for tennis betting enthusiasts. 

But these selling points aren’t even the main reason why we’d recommend BetRivers to Illinois bettors. The operator recently unveiled its brand-new RushPay automation system, enabling lightning-fast withdrawals. In fact, bettors can receive payouts within a few seconds – by far the fastest payouts available across the Illinois sports betting scene. 

Learn More: BetRivers Sportsbook Review 

Illinois Sports Betting Timeline & Legislation Updates

Learn about the road to legalization and latest Illinois sports betting news below. Our experts research sports wagering history in the Prairie State to further our understanding and make better predictions regarding the future of the IL industry. 

• 2024 – The year starts with Governor Pritzker proposing a tax hike to 35%, a move that would significantly increase tax revenue, but may put off future operators coming to Illinois. In a landmark move, lawmakers also begin discussing the formulation of new online casino gaming laws. 
• 2023 – A proposed change to Illinois sports betting law to allow betting exchanges stalls. Meanwhile, the Prairie State smashes records for betting handle, revenue, and tax profits. Residents benefit from a record-breaking $20,517,094 in taxes collected in December. 
• 2022 – Despite the vote on in-person registration coming in October 2021, it takes until March 2022 for the requirement to be lifted. This coincides with a significant increase in Illinois sports betting handle to a record $971.3 million in March. 
• 2021 – Aside from the launch of two more Illinois sportsbooks, 2021 is notable for an Illinois General Assembly vote on the dismantling of the in-person registration law. Lawmakers also make pregame college wagering legal, but only at retail sportsbooks. 
• 2020 – The Illinois Gaming Board is tasked with formulating new sports betting laws, allowing retail sportsbook establishments to open in March. Growth is slow, although the arrival of online sportsbooks in June and temporary suspension of the in-person registration requirement is the catalyst for a flowering industry. BetRivers is the first Illinois sports betting site, followed by FanDuel, DraftKings, and PointsBet by the end of the year.  
• 2019 – The appetite for legal sports betting within the Illinois General Assembly is clear from the outset, with several bills proposed. Despite the positive consensus, the legislature runs into difficulties satisfying stakeholders. Representative Bob Rita plays a crucial role in breaking the impasse, allowing the conditions for Governor J.B. Pritzker to sign SB 690 into law on June 28.  
• 2018 – The State of New Jersey finally wins its protracted battle against the NCAA in the US Supreme Court, successfully arguing that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (which had until then blocked states for implementing legal sports betting) went against the Tenth Amendment. This frees individual states to create legal online sports betting legislation. 

Illinois Sportsbooks Hoping to Launch Soon 

The Illinois online sports betting landscape is crying out for a few more sportsbook options. Fanatics Sportsbooks became the newest sports betting site to hit the Prairie State in April 2024, taking over from PointsBet. But it certainly won’t be the last. Here are a few Illinois sports betting apps hoping to launch soon: 

bet365 Sportsbook Illinois 

bet365 is currently live in six US states, and the UK-owned operator has set its sights on launching in the lucrative Illinois market. The online sportsbook is one of only two to offer an Edit Bet function and also has some of the most frequent odds boosts via the iconic “Bet Boost” feature. bet365 is a particularly great choice for UK sports fans, offering the best soccer and rugby options on the market. 

Learn More: bet365 Sportsbook Review 

Betr Sportsbook Illinois 

Betr was founded in 2022 by Joey Levy and Jake Paul, starting life as a Daily Fantasy Sports platform. It has since mutated into an innovative sportsbook focussing on “micro bets”, essentially very precise prop wagers. 2024 looks to be an exciting year for the brand, with authorization to launch in several states, including Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Illinois isn’t on the list as of yet, but a recent acquisition by BlueBet could change this. Keep your eyes peeled. 

Best Sportsbook Promo in Illinois

All Illinois sportsbooks offer bonus bets for customers creating sports betting accounts for the first time, but these promotions can differ significantly regarding the incentives available. Our experts routinely assess the options available to help you find the most fruitful bonus bet offers. Check below for the current favorite: 

Caesars Sportsbook: Up To $1,000 First Bet Refund 

Caesars Sportsbook currently offers new users up to $1,000 as a bonus bet if their first wager loses – a great way to place an initial bet with less stress. This is one of the most generous first-bet safety net promos on the market, we’ll run you through the main details below: 

• Must use CZR1000 promo code 
• Place a qualifying wager up to $1,000 with 30 days of registration 
• If your bet loses, you’ll receive a bonus bet up to $1,000 
• Bonus bet expires after 14 days

Requirements to Play at Illinois Sports Betting Sites

You must satisfy the following requirements to enjoy sports betting in Illinois: 

• Age – You must be over 21 to register at an online sports betting site. 
• Location – Sports betting in Illinois is only legal for users who can prove they are within state boundaries with geolocation software. 
• Valid Account – You must have a valid Illinois sports betting account to make sports wagers.

Popular Sports & Leagues to Bet on in Illinois

There’s no shortage of local teams and sports for betting in Illinois. Our experts round up the main options below

Illinois Sport Leagues

Sports in Illinois generally center around the following leagues: 

Illinois Teams to Bet On

All Illinois major league teams ply their trade in the state capital, Chicago. Here is a breakdown: 

Betting Types Available At Illinois Online Sportsbooks

Illinoisans have extensive betting options nowadays, so learning the different types available is vital before getting stuck in. We describe the main wager types below: 

• Moneyline – These wagers are simple forecasts on the winner or loser of a game. 
• Props – Precise predictions on specific match events. These can either be player props (i.e. the number of three-pointers scored by a particular player) or team props (i.e. the total number of three-pointers scored by a team). 
• Parlays – One of the most exciting betting options, parlays allow bettors to blend several legs under one overarching stake. Each selection increases the potential payout, but also makes the bet harder to win. You must accurately predict each leg for success, so bear this in mind. 
• Futures – Long-term predictions on the winner of a particular competition.

What You Can't Bet On In Illinois

The three main betting categories currently banned by the Illinois Gaming Board are eSports, politics, and cultural award ceremonies. This echoes the general law across the US, although some states like New Jersey grant much more flexibility. Betting on the NFL Draft is legal in Illinois, a relative rarity compared to other states. 

Can you bet on Illinois College Sports?

The rules surrounding Illinois college betting aren’t as straightforward as elsewhere. First off, bettors can wager on out-of-state college games, but only via moneylines, totals, and spreads. Betting on in-state college teams is restricted to retail sportsbooks, so you must visit somewhere like Grand Victoria Casino or Par a Dice Casino to place these types of wagers.

Responsible Gaming in Illinois

Don’t get carried away on Illinois betting apps. Responsible wagering is something we take very seriously at BettingOddsUS, as falling into addiction can be extremely dangerous. Bettors must take responsibility for their hobbies by setting budgets, sticking to time restrictions, and using sportsbook tools to help. For example, you can set deposit limits and time reminders to help you stay on top of things. Additionally, these resources can help: 

• National Council of Problem Gambling

• BeGambleAware.org

• Gamblers Anonymous

Other Types of Gambling in Illinois

Online betting is by far the most popular type of gambling in Illinois, but it’s not the only option. Check below for a round-up: 

• Real Money Casino – Illinois has several land-based casinos like Grand Victoria Casino and Par a Dice Casino, although online real-money casino gambling is still prohibited. This might change soon, however, as lawmakers have expressed interest in a regulated iGaming industry on several occasions. 
• Sweepstakes – Illinoisans living too far from one of the state’s land-based casinos can enjoy online slots and other options via the growing number of US sweepstakes platforms. These sites use virtual currency and don’t require real money deposits to play, keeping them legal. Our sweepstakes gambling page has all the vital information. 
• Horse Racing – Illinois has a comprehensive array of horse racing betting options, from the two race tracks – Fairmount Park and Hawthorne Race Course – to dozens of off-track wagering locations. Popular online horse racing platforms like TwinSpires are also completely legal. 
• Online Poker – Traditional online poker is still banned in Illinois. Residents can access free platforms like Global Poker or visit land-based casinos to get their poker fix. 

Upcoming States to License Online Sports Betting Sites

Legal sports betting apps are proliferating across the US after a wave of legalizations over the past few years. Here are some of the most recent developments: 

• North Carolina – Governor Roy Cooper approved sports betting in the Tar Heel State in 2023, with North Carolina betting sites launching in March 2024. 
• Oklahoma – Many legal sports betting experts are tipping the Sooner State to be the next location to offer legalized sports wagering. Oklahoma betting sites must hope for the relevant legislation first. 
• Georgia – The Peach State is another location tipped for legalization. Check our Georgia betting sites page for more information.

Overview of Illinois Sports Betting Sites

That’s everything you need to know about the Illinois sports betting industry. The Prairie State has one of the fastest-growing markets – no surprise considering the brilliant array of options available. Choose a sportsbook, register, and claim the welcome bonus to get started!