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Illinois Sports Betting

Sports betting has gained popularity in Illinois since the legalization of online sports wagering in 2019.

With numerous options available, and extensive research and testing carried out by our betting experts, we have determined the best Illinois sports betting sites as well as listed the top sportsbooks based on their offerings, bonuses, and user experience.

Top Legal Illinois Sports Betting Sites & Apps

All of these options are open to consumers in Illinois who want to make bets. There is a good chance that other Illinois sports betting applications will be launched. For the time being, citizens of Illinois may choose from the following options:

1. FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel

4.9/5 Read Review

Bet $5, Get $200 if your bet wins!

FanDuel introduced an online sports betting app in the summer of 2020, owing to a partnership with the Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria announced earlier in January. After seeming as if it might be forced to wait for a time, FanDuel moved rapidly to start and take advantage of the option to sign up bettors from anywhere in the country. In terms of revenue and wagers accepted, FanDuel is one of the most successful sportsbooks in the US.

2. DraftKings

DraftKings

4.8/5 Read Review

Get a $1,000 Deposit Bonus

DraftKings Sportsbook is a highly popular and reputed online sportsbook that allows you to place bets on sports events, as well as fantasy sports. A partnership between DraftKings Sportsbook and the Casino Queen in East St. Louis will allow the online sportsbook to provide sports betting in the state. At the moment, sportsbooks must collaborate with a land-based organization in order to offer mobile gambling.

 

3. PointsBet

PointsBet

4.7/5 Read Review

PointsBet has unique features like PointsBetting

When PointsBet opened its doors for business to Illinois bettors in September 2020, it became the fourth app to launch in the state. The relationship between the Australian sportsbook and Hawthorne Race Course, one of Illinois’ three racetracks, allowed the sportsbook to open its doors. PointsBet stands out from the competition in the sports betting industry because of its trademark product, PointsBetting. Players place bets on a predetermined mark, such as a point spread or a total, and are paid or punished based on how much the actual score differs from the estimate.

4. BetRivers

BetRivers

4.7/5 Read Review

2nd Chance Bets ($100-$500)

Illinois’ first sports betting app, developed by Rush Street Interactive (the company’s Internet subsidiary), was released in 2014. A number of states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania, have previously approved BetRivers‘ online sports betting services.

5. Caesars

Caesars

4.8/5 Read Review

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

Caesars Sportsbook is a sportsbook that is owned by Caesars Entertainment Corporation. One of the most widely used sportsbooks in the legal US market launched its mobile application in Illinois just in time to capitalize on the exploding football gambling industry throughout the season. The Caesars by William Hill platform provides incentives and promotions that are comparable with those offered by the major mobile Illinois sports betting applications on the market.

6. BetMGM

BetMGM

4.9/5 Read Review

$1,500 First Bet Offer

BetMGM’s approval by the Illinois Gaming Board came in the last week of January. It initially applied for its license in September 2020. BetMGM was granted market access by Boyd Gaming’s Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria. This tethering option opened after FanDuel changed its license affiliation to Fairmount Park Racetrack last year.

Chicago Stadium Sportsbooks Coming

In December 2021, the Chicago City Council approved an ordinance that lifted a ban on sportsbooks in stadiums. Despite months of back and forth discussions, the ordinance was approved without any debate.

Illinois’ sports betting law allows stadium sportsbooks, but it took the city more than two decades to make this move. There is now a movement going to get the stadium sportsbooks launched. One, however, could wait. The Chicago Bears are considering relocating, which would mean Soldier Field might not be included.

How we pick the best sports betting sites in Illinois

It might be difficult to tell what’s worthwhile and what’s not if you don’t have a lot of experience. We have dedicated a lot of experience in this field. We know what you should look for and what you should avoid as bettors ourselves.

While your particular tastes will always be the deciding factor, we can surely put you in the correct direction. The factors listed below are the ones we believe are most crucial for you to consider when choosing a new online sportsbook. While not all of them may be crucial to you, we’re certain that a significant portion of them will. The purpose of this list is to assist you in determining what criteria are essential to you and what constitutes excellent, good, and bad in each of them.

One of the first questions you’ll have about an online sportsbook is what sports they offer. If you’re betting on a popular sport like the NFLMLB, or NBA, you can expect to find coverage from almost any bookmaker. However, if you like betting on other sports, you should investigate the level of activity available.

For example, if you’re a huge lover of betting on cricket, you should be aware that not every website on the internet will allow you to do so. Sites established in the United States are unlikely to do so, although foreign and European sites often do.

This isn’t always a negative thing for sites that don’t provide specific sports betting, since it’s generally a reaction to the desires of their customer base. However, this is about you, and if they don’t provide the sports you desire, you shouldn’t waste your time with them.

In addition, you should consider how much coverage they have for each sport. The majority of internet sportsbooks, for example, accept college football betting. However, not all sites provide activity on all games. Some online sportsbooks simply scrape the surface, offering only bets on the big games. Other sites, on the other hand, provide coverage of every game every weekend.

These are some of the characteristics you should look for in our evaluations or when you try out a prospective site for yourself. There are many betting options available.

Taking the aforementioned criteria a step further, you’ll want to make sure the sportsbook also provides the sorts of bets you like. What if you, for example, like placing a lot of NFL prop bets? While most sites will give moneyline, totals, and spreads on every game, not every site will offer prop action.

Some sites may give it on the big games, while others will offer detailed props on every game, even preseason games. This is probably not a significant concern if you’re completely new and have no idea what sorts of bets you’ll be placing.

However, if there is anything in particular that you like, we suggest looking for it. Coverage of a game is meaningless for you if you can’t place the kinds of bets you desire.

User-Friendliness

In every category except user-friendliness, many online sportsbooks might seem to be similar. What we’re talking about here is how simple it is to register an account, search for the bets you want, and place those bets. There is an issue of trying to find out where things are being hard or impossible.

The ease is one of the major advantages of betting online. When things become tough, though, all of this convenience is lost, and you’d be better off getting in your vehicle and driving to the sportsbook. As a result, one of the most significant elements we consider when racking and stacking online sportsbooks is this.

We consider user-friendliness in the larger picture, but we’re also quite particular about tiny things. If you want to make a number of separate bets for the same dollar amount, for example, we believe you should be able to choose your bets and write in that dollar amount once and select it to apply to all of your bets.

This may not seem to be a significant feature, but it may save you a few minutes and is something we look for. This is just one of the many characteristics we’ve come to appreciate over time.

While certain aspects of user-friendliness are subjective, the majority may be achieved by someone who knows the sector and what should and should not be present.

Options for Mobile Betting

Keeping with the convenience theme, you should be able to make bets from anywhere in the state with an internet connection and a smart device, whether you’re in a pub with your pals or trapped at the doctor’s office.

You may utilize a desktop version of any online sportsbook from your home computer. However, not all online sportsbooks provide you with a mobile betting option.

To be clear, we’re not referring to a separate application that you must download. We’re talking about creating a mobile-friendly website that adjusts to the device you’re using automatically.

A reputable online sportsbook will set up their product such that it can be used on a computer, tablet, or smartphone without the need for any downloads. The site will automatically detect your device and switch to the version that is most appropriate for it.

While we believe that this should be common practice for every online sportsbook these days, some remain behind the times. Some of them even claim to offer a fantastic mobile betting option. Still, in reality, they have a terrible platform that is impossible to use unless you are using a desktop computer with a large display.

We want to be able to accomplish anything we do on our PC just as effortlessly on our smartphones or tablets. We recognize that fitting all of that information into a smaller screen is difficult, but here’s the deal: We’re certain that it can be done, and that it can be done successfully.

Options for Live Betting

Live betting is one of the most exciting and fast-paced methods to wager on sports these days, owing to technological advancements. This is where you may put bets after a game or match has already begun, and it’s also known as in-game betting.

You may have choices on every play, or you may have them at random points during the game. The odds vary often, and you must be quick to recognize value when you see it.

This is not recommended for novices, but if you’re a seasoned sports bettor or a pure adrenaline addict, this may be a game-changer. The odds will change as the game progresses. This gives you the chance to wager on game patterns and profit from what you observe in the game.

Furthermore, in-game betting drives the sportsbook to make swift choices. This is sometimes done by a machine, and other times it is done by a real human watching the game and adjusting the lines. This opens numerous possibilities. If it’s a person, no one is perfect. They’re not going to be flawless, no matter how keen they are on the game. This opens up some amazing bargain chances as well.

You don’t have to worry about this while choosing an online sportsbook if you’re not interested in live betting. However, if it’s essential to you, consider it while making your decision.

Remember that if you prefer multiple platforms at different places, you may always have a sportsbook for “regular” betting and another for in-game betting. It’s all about figuring out what you like the most and what makes you feel most at ease so that you can win the most money possible.

How to start betting in Illinois

To begin your sportsbook journey in the state of Illinois, the process is very simple. Previously, registering in person at a retail sportsbook was required. Fortunately, this hurdle was removed in 2021. Once your account is registered, you are now ready to begin using your online sportsbook account to place your bets and manage your transactions safely. Placing bets and getting paid has never been easier.

Benefits of betting online in Illinois

To mention some of the benefits of online sportsbooks in Illinois, it is also important to mention the most recent upgrades to the service, which will now allow even more options for users to be able to complete all the processes that the state requires online.

It is more convenient for more bettors nowadays to be able to check their balances, manage their transactions, and even place their bets as quickly and easily as possible. Being able to wager almost anytime and anywhere through an online sportsbook is a huge plus.

One of the main concerns for users in the past for online sports betting is the security of their account and how safe it is to place their bets. With today’s options, those are no longer a concern as the most popular service providers are some of the safest and they guarantee total protection for all registered accounts.

Most popular sports to bet on in Illinois

Illinois has some of the most iconic and fan-favorite sports teams in the US. Most of them represent the city of Chicago, which is a very big place that is beloved by most locals and even nearby sports fans. These teams include a variety of sports like football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer.

Here’s the list of the biggest teams in Illinois:

Chicago Cubs – MLB
Chicago White Sox – MLB
Chicago Fire – MLS
Chicago Bulls – NBA
Chicago Bears – NFL
Chicago Blackhawks – NHL
Chicago Sky – WNBA

It is safe to say that Illinois is home to some major and very popular sports teams and some other semi-professional sports teams. Therefore, sports bettors have plenty of options when looking to place their wagers on Illinois-based sports teams.

Other Sporting Events in Illinois to bet on

Illinois has a highly passionate fan base for sports betting, and has a significant revenue when compared to other US states. Sporting events such as Greyhound racing are also popular and are offered by some major sports betting operators.

Additionally, a classic US sport, horse racing, is also decently popular and has a respectable fan following. Therefore, while major sporting leagues and tournaments such as the NBA, NFL and MLS command the large majority of the market share, there are still niche and less popular, or more specialized betting markets provided by sports betting sites in Illinois.

Illinois Sports Betting Mistakes to Avoid in Illinois

 Sport betting mistakes to avoid

There are several methods a bettor can make use of in order to prevent them from losing money. Once you know the common mistakes, avoiding them is easy.

Double-check the amount of your wager and the payout notification
Ensure that you understand the terms and conditions
Maintain proper disciple and solid structure
Very important to learn efficient bankroll management
Make use of authentic and trusted statistical data from credible data sources
Illinois Sports betting site promotions
There are several methods that various sportsbooks use in order to entice customers and make them sign up on their platform. These are very diverse, and usually range from free wagers to boosted odds.

Boosted Odds: Sportsbooks offer this incentive in order to entice customers into making wagers on specific betting lines. Comes in the form of improved odds on lines.
Free Bets: Sportsbooks allow a specific amount in free bets, allowing the bettor to play while not risking his or her own money.
Risk-free wagers: If some bettor loses a risk-free wager, his or her amount of the bet is refunded.

Illinois Sports Betting Law

Sports betting is permitted in Illinois, and it may be done in both retail and online venues. The Illinois Gaming Board is in charge of regulating sports betting in the state of Illinois. Casinos and racetracks may seek a license to operate sportsbooks if they meet certain requirements. Illinois is one of the states where sports venues are permitted to operate sportsbooks.

In a five-block radius, stadiums and arenas with a seating capacity of 17,000 or more people are eligible to apply for licenses to allow sports betting to the general public. Sportsbooks might be available at Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, and the United Center, among other venues in Chicago. Illinois Lottery vendors are permitted to provide sports betting kiosks as well, although they are governed by a distinct set of rules.

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) was ruled lawful in Illinois by a judgment issued by the Illinois Supreme Court in April 2020, which determined that the skill component of DFS rendered them acceptable in the state. The decision overturned the Attorney General’s 2015 determination that DFS constituted unlawful gambling.

Online sports betting is permitted statewide. Illinois sports betting legislation permits the operation of internet sportsbooks. Sports bettors in Illinois who are 21 years or older may place wagers on professional and college sports, as well as on foreign athletic competitions. However, there are certain limits on some sorts of wagers that are imposed by law.

The following forms of wagers are permitted in certain states. However, in Illinois, sports operator licenses are not permitted to collect bets on the following sports:

An athletic event in the lower leagues
A sporting event featuring a college team from Illinois (mobile-only, retail is allowed)
A sports competition for students in kindergarten through the 12th grade.
The term “non-sports event” refers to any event that is not a “professional sport or athletic event,” “a college sport or athletic event,” “a motor racing event,” or any other event that has been sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The latter prohibition on betting on non-sports events bans the acceptance of bets on events such as the Academy Awards. Betting on the Academy Awards and similar events is permitted in some states, like New Jersey and neighboring Indiana.

Tax Rates for Sportsbooks in Stores and on the Internet

The law legalized sports betting in Illinois, and a state-mandated tax on sports betting income is collected from both land-based and internet sports betting operations in the state. After all, from the state’s perspective, the objective of legalizing a new activity is to collect taxes from those who participate in it. There was a lot of discussion in the Illinois General Assembly about how much to tax sports betting. However, the final version of the law agreed on a flat 15% tax rate, regardless of the format in which the betting took place.

Yes. As of 2021, sports betting, both retail and online, is legal in the state.

The DCP, or the Department of Consumer Protection, is in charge of regulating and overseeing the sports betting industry in Illinois.

Anyone of legal age present within the state boundaries can wager at one of the three licensed sportsbooks, which are BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, BetRivers, FanDuel, DraftKings and Barstool.

Both BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, BetRivers, FanDuel, DraftKings and Barstool all provide fully functioning mobile betting websites and applications.

Anyone above the legal age of 21 and owner of a valid account on a legal online sportsbook that operates in Illinois.

Written and updated by

Top Sportsbooks

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FanDuel

Bet $5, Get $200 if your bet wins!

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bet365

$1,000 Safety Net or Bet $5, Get $150

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DraftKings

Get a $1,000 Deposit Bonus

T&C Apply