Illinois Sports Betting | Best Online Sportsbooks in IL

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Illinois boarded the sports betting train in March 2020 when the first legal wager was placed in the state. Since then, a number of other online sportsbooks have joined the Illinois sports betting scene including FanDuel, DraftKings, Barstool, Caesars, and BetRviers.

Anyone who is 21+ located within the borders of Illinois is eligible to place bets with online sportsbooks. That’s right, you don’t have to be a resident of Illinois to place bets, you just have to be physically located there when you tap “Place Bet.”

To help you find the best online sportsbooks in Illinois, we’ve reviewed and analyzed each option to find the best overall as well as the best in certain categories.

Best Online Sportsbooks in IL

In total, we've analyzed and reviewed 6 Illinois sportsbooks. Below you will see those sportsbooks ordered by overall rating. We also found which each sportsbook was “best” at so you can find one that fits your needs.

Our ratings are based on 8 categories including odds, intro promo, promotions & odds boosts, sports & bets offered, user interface, deposits & withdrawals, customer reviews, and education & statistics.

Best Online Sportsbooks in IL

  1. Caesars: Best Sign-Up Bonus & Overall
  2. FanDuel: Best Overall (Tied)
  3. BetMGM: Best Overall (Tied)
  4. BetRivers: Best Odds
  5. DraftKings: Best Variety of Sports

Best Online Sportsbooks in IL

#1

5/5

Caesars Sportsbook

#2

5/5

FanDuel Sportsbook

>> Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

#3

5/5

BetMGM Sportsbook

>> Up to $1,500 Back If Your First Bet Loses

#4

4.8/5

BetRivers Sportsbook

#5

DraftKings Logo
4.8/5

DraftKings Sportsbook

1) Caesars Sportsbook IL: Best Sign-Up Bonus & Overall

Caesars Sportsbook Logo
5/5

Promo code: OA1000

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 5/5

Intro Promo

If your opening bet at Caesars loses, you'll receive a Bonus bet of equal value as a refund, up to $1,000. You must use the Bonus Bet within 14 days once it hits your account. Access it with our exclusive link here.

Caesars Sportsbook became one of the best sportsbooks available after acquiring William Hill and integrating its technology into the Caesars platform.

Caesars Sportsbook offers one of the best sign-up for new customers in the industry—a Bonus Bet up to $1,000 as a refund if your first wager loses. To claim the sign up offer, use promo code OA1000. Once you receive your Bonus Bet, you have 14 days to use them.

The perks of the Caesars Sportsbook don't end after you take advantage of the intro bonus, either. They offer some of the most competitive odds in the industry and have attractive ongoing promotions and odds boosts to help you win more.

Caesars also offers all major sports and bet types—including same game parlays that allow you to combine sides, totals, and prop bets from the same game in one parlay.

The Caesars Sportsbook app is also one of the best available in the nation. It's easy to navigate, is very responsive, and rarely crashes or has other issues. 

Overall, Caesars Sportsbook is a phenomenal option when it comes to betting. They have the best sign-up bonus, great odds, regular odds boosts, and an awesome user experience.

Pros

Cons

2) FanDuel Sportsbook IL: Best Overall (Tied)

fanduel sportsbook logo
5/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 5/5

Intro Promo

New players receive $200 in bonus bets if their first $5+ bet wins. Your bonus bets will be credited within 72 hours of your first wager winning and you have 7 days to use them. Access the promo with our exclusive link here.

FanDuel is tied as our highest-rated sportsbook thanks to the competitive odds, generous promotions and odds boosts, variety of bet types and sports to wager on, and a great user experience on both the website and mobile app.

The Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets sign-up bonus if one of the best of all legal sportsbooks since it only requires a $10 deposit and $5 bet to receive 30x your initial bet if it wins. FanDuel's welcome bonus gives you the opportunity to build a nice bankroll to start off betting with.

FanDuel pioneered the “Same Game Parlay” and offers the smoothest and most complete process for betting them. With these, you can combine prop bets, totals, and sides from the same game in a single parlay. If you've ever seen screenshots of ridiculous parlays from a single game online, it was likely a Same Game Parlay from FanDuel.

Whether you are looking for a single sportsbook to use or want to add another book to your lineup of options, FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the best options currently available. There's a reason FanDuel dominates market share in the U.S. and we think you'll be very satisfied if you decide to go with them.

Pros

Cons

3) BetMGM Sportsbook IL: Best Overall (Tied)

betmgm sportsbook logo
5/5

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

 

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 5/5

Intro Promo

If your first bet loses, receive a refund in bonus bets up to $1,500. You must use the Bonus Bets within 7 days of them being credited to your account but there is only a 1x rollover requirement. Access it with our exclusive link here.

BetMGM Sportsbook is another one of our highest-rated online sportsbooks—scoring well in all categories we analyze.

To start, all new BetMGM customers are eligible for a Second Chance Up to $1,500. If your first bet loses, receive a refund in bonus bets up to the limit. There is no BetMGM bonus code required to receive this promo—it's automatically applied to your account after you register and make your first bet.

BetMGM also offers a wide variety of sports and bet types, generous promotions and odds boosts, competitive odds, and a good user experience.

Another thing that sets BetMGM apart is that it offers true same game parlays (called “One Game Parlays”). Like with FanDuel's Same Game Parlays, you can combine prop bets, totals, and/or sides from the same game in one parlay.

Of all the sportsbooks we've analyzed, BetMGM has the best customer reviews. On the Apple App Store, BetMGM has an average of 4.8 stars from over 87 thousand reviews.

On the downside, BetMGM doesn't have player statistics available in the app and it can be difficult to get ahold of customer support.

Overall, BetMGM is one of best sportsbooks currently available, offering one of the best intro promos in the nation, competitive odds boosts and ongoing promotions, a great user experience, and everything else you may want in a book.

Pros

Cons

4) BetRivers Sportsbook IL: Best Odds

BetRivers Sportsbook Logo
4.8/5

*Varies by state

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 4.5/5

Intro Promo

BetRivers offers a second chance bet up to the following limits: $500 (IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, NY, PA, VA), $250 (CO, NJ), $100 (NY). You have 30 days to use the bonus bet if you receive it. Access it with our exclusive link here.

BetRivers Sportsbook checks in next on our list of the top sports betting sites/apps. It ranks as “best” or “above average” in every category we score.

The BetRivers intro promo is competitive with other sportsbooks. If your first bet loses, BetRivers will refund it with a bonus bet up of either $500, $250, or $100 depending on your state.

To make things even better, BetRivers regularly offers better odds than every other sportsbook—especially when it comes to the NFL. While other books have standard -110 odds, BetRivers often offers -109 or -108, meaning you have to win fewer bets to be profitable.

Aside from odds, you'll find everything bettors come to expect in online sportsbooks these days with BetRivers, including same game parlays, a variety of markets to choose from, a smooth user experience, and ongoing odds boosts and promotions.

On the downside, some customers have complained of bets taking a long time to settle. In addition, BetRivers doesn't offer team or player stats in the app/on the site—though you can usually find this info on other sites.

If you are looking for a longterm betting app, BetRivers is a great option thanks to the industry-leading odds and well-founded betting experience.

Pros

Cons

5) DraftKings Sportsbook IL: Best Variety of Sports

Draftkings Sportsbook logo
4.8/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 4.5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 4.5/5

Intro Promo

DraftKings will match 20% of your first deposit of up to $5,000 ($1,000 max match in site credit). You must bet the bonus 25x before you are able to withdraw it and you have 90 days to do so.

DraftKings Sportsbook is another amazing option when it comes to sports betting sites.

DraftKings offers competitive odds, generous promotions and odds boosts, a variety of sports to wager on and bet types (including Same Game Parlays), and great user experience on both the website and mobile app.

The intro promo provides good value ($1,000 if maxed out), but the 25x rollover requirement is a lot especially considering you only have 90 days to bet it. In order to take advantage of the full welcome bonus, you would need to deposit $5,000 then bet $25,000 over the first 90 days.

Like most other competitive online sportsbooks, DraftKings regularly offers odds boosts and ongoing promotions—such as parlay insurance, ways to earn bonus bets, and more. Taking advantage of these is a great way to maximize your winnings.

Though it isn't quite our highest-rated sportsbook, DraftKings in undoubtedly one of the best options currently available and we think you'll be very satisfied if you go with them. Just be sure to read the fine print on the intro promo and bet the deposit match in time.

Pros

Cons

How We Rate Online Sportsbooks in Illinois

Here at Odds Assist, we are committed to creating objective, transparent ratings to help you make the best decisions when it comes to which sportsbooks to use. We will continually update our Editorial Ratings over time as sportsbooks introduce new features, change promotions, etc.

Each sportsbook we review goes through our extensive rating process that evaluates thousands of data points in eight categories, including the following:

Category Weight Description
Odds
25%
How competitive the odds offered are across all major sports
Intro Promo
15%
How competitive the intro promo for new customers is
Promos & Odds Boosts
15%
How many & how generous ongoing odds boosts & promotions are
Sports & Bets Offered
10%
Which sports & types of wagers are offered by the sportsbook
User Interface
10%
How user friendly the website & mobile app(s) are
Deposits & Withdrawals
10%
Which deposit & withdrawal methods are available as well as payout speed
Customer Reviews
10%
How positive customer reviews across other platforms are
Education & Statistics
5%
The availability of educational & responsible gaming resources as well as team & player statistics

We rate each sportsbook relative to other sportsbooks in each category. Each is scored from 1 to 5 with each representing the following:

  • 5 Stars: Best in category
  • 4 Stars: Above-average
  • 3 Stars: Average
  • 2 Stars: Below-average
  • 1 Star: Worst in category

Data for all sportsbooks were collected simultaneously to ensure fairness. For example, we only compared odds for the same games at the same times across all sportsbooks reviewed.

To learn more, check out our full Ratings Methodology page.

All Online Sportsbooks in Illinois

Even though only six online sportsbooks are currently active, the Illinois Gaming Board will probably award additional licenses soon. Here’s a detailed overview of online IL sports betting sites you can access right now.

Sportsbook

Affiliated WithTech Provider

Launch

Intro Promo

BetRivers

Rivers Casino-Des PlainesKambi

June 2020

$500 second chance bet

Caesars

Grand Victoria Casino

Liberty Technology (owned by Caesars)

August 2020 (William Hill)

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

DraftKings

Casino QueenKambi / SBTech

August 2020

$1,000 deposit match

FanDuel

Par-A-Dice Casino, Fairmount ParkFlutter / IGT

September 2020

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

BetMGM

Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino 

IGT

March 2022

Up to $1,500 Back If Your First Bet Loses

Physical Sportsbooks in Illinois

In case you want to place bets in person, check out the available physical sportsbooks on the site:

  • Argosy Casino Alton – 1 Piasa St, Alton, IL 62002
  • Grand Victoria Casino – 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
  • Hawthorne Race Course – 3501 S Laramie Ave, Stickney, IL 60804
  • Hollywood Casino Aurora – 1 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506
  • Hollywood Casino Joliet – 777 Hollywood Blvd, Joliet, IL 60436
  • Rivers Casino-Des Plaines – 3000 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018
  • Casino Queen – 200 S Front St, East St Louis, IL 62201
  • Par-A-Dice Casino – 21 Blackjack Blvd, East Peoria, IL 61611
  • Fairmount Park – 9301 Collinsville Rd, Collinsville, IL 62234

Team Partnerships with IL Sportsbooks

Illinois sports fans are among the most fierce supporters of local teams, and they have every right to be.

IL is home to some legendary franchises, such as the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, and Chicago Blackhawks. Other popular teams are Chicago White Sox, Chicago Sky, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Fire, and Chicago Red Stars (pretty clear where Illinois likes to put their sports teams, huh?).

  • BetRivers & Chicago Bears – BetRivers, Rivers Casino, and Chicago Bears announced a multi-year exclusive partnership in June 2021, making BetRivers the title partner of a free-to-play game available on the official Chicago Bears App. Moreover, BetRivers makes collaborative promos for bettors who decide to bet on the popular football team. Before joining forces with BetRivers, the Bears had been partnered with PointsBet.
  • DraftKings & Chicago Cubs – DraftKings announced an exclusive partnership with the Chicago Cubs in September 2020. On top of that, the popular fantasy sports and sports betting company allied with Michael Jordan, the legendary basketball player, to promote its services in IL.

Illinois Sports Betting Timeline

  • June 28, 2019 – The Sports Wagering Act was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker.
  • March 9, 2020 – The first official sports bet takes place in Illinois.
  • June 18, 2020 – The first online sportsbook launched in Illinois—BetRivers.
  • August 2, 2020 – William Hill becomes the second online sportsbook to join the Illinois market.
  • August 5, 2020 – DraftKings launches in Illinois, becoming the state’s third official online sports betting site.
  • September 10. 2020 – FanDuel becomes part of the Illinois retail sports betting market with a Par-A-Dice partnership.
  • September 12, 2020 – PointsBet launches in Illinois.
  • March 15, 2021 – FanDuel opens its second retail IL sportsbook at Fairmount Park and continues its expansion in Illinois.

Illinois Sports Betting Rules and Regulations

After signing the Sports Wagering Act (230 ILCS 45/) into law, sports betting became legal in Illinois. By law, eight operators were to receive an operating license, six of which are online operators. Every online operator features a land-based casino as a partner, and players from Illinois are free to place bets at these casinos.

According to our sports betting statistics, Illinois now has the fourth-highest all-time handle of all states with legal sports betting.

Let’s explore the essential rules and regulations that every bettor should bear in mind before starting to place wagers in Illinois-based online and retail sportsbooks.

Who Can Register with Online Sportsbooks in Illinois?

Anyone of legal gambling age (21 and up) that is located in Illinois can register a sportsbook account.

Unfortunately, to open an account, players need to go through a lengthy two-step verification process, including filling in an online verification form and going in person to the nearest retail sportsbook from the provider of your choice, and completing your registration.

Most states don’t require in-person registration like Illinois does. While this takes some extra time, once you do it, you are free to place bets online moving forward.

The registration process is somewhat similar for all online sportsbooks in IL, so here’s a quick step-by-step overview of how to become a member and start placing real-money bets.

  1. Select an online sportsbook and open it in your browser or the mobile app.
  2. Find the Register or Sign Up button.
  3. Fill in the registration form. Usually, the first step is to provide your email address, username, and password. Once that is completed, you’ll have to provide additional details about you, including first and last name, address, city, state, ZIP code, date of birth, phone number, and Social Security number.
  4. Go to the retail sportsbook to complete the registration. One of the staff members will confirm your identity.
  5. Make a deposit: Once your account is created, go to the cashier section and select one of the available payment methods.
    Take advantage of the intro promo: Many online sportsbooks feature welcome bonuses that make your first bet “risk-free” up to a certain amount or match a portion of your deposit. This free site credit is a great way to get a leg up on your sports betting journey off the bat.
    Have fun placing bets on your favorite sports and remember to gamble responsibly.

Please bear in mind that offshore gambling (including offshore sports betting) is not allowed in Illinois. All legally approved sites in Illinois feature a logo by the Illinois Gaming Board, the only legitimate regulator in the state. You can usually find additional information about the license in the footer of the site.

Is Geolocation Required?

After the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was lifted on the federal level, states were presented with a choice to legalize sports betting. In other words, the legality of sports betting is determined on the state level, and that’s why many territories require geolocation trackers, and Illinois is no different.

Therefore, if you leave Illinois’ borders, you can’t place bets using IL online sportsbooks legally. What’s more, once your IP changes after leaving the state, many IL sports betting sites won’t give you an option to place bets anymore.

The tracking mechanism is slightly different for every online sportsbook. In most cases, it’s turned on automatically if you use an Android or iOS app, as phones usually have built-in location tracking. However, desktop users might need to install a piece of software called GeoComply to confirm that they are in Illinois.

What Types of Markets Can I Bet On?

You can place bets on most professional and collegiate sport events with Illinois sportsbooks—with a few exceptions. Wagering on high-school games isn’t legal in Illinois. Also, you aren’t allowed to place wagers on sports events involving a collegiate team from Illinois.

Most sportsbooks also offer live betting and cashing out of bets early.

Here’s a quick overview of popular betting markets available in Illinois:

Licensing Details and Tax Rates

Even though the sports betting act was signed into law in 2019, the first sportsbook officially opened its doors to bettors on March 9, 2020.

To launch the sports betting industry, lawmakers in Illinois had to make a strict legal framework for it. The official regulatory body is the Illinois Gaming Board, and it awards licenses and taxes all gambling and online gambling operations in the state.

Here’s a quick overview of the licensing and taxing system for IL sportsbooks:

  • Players need to pay a 15% tax on all sports betting winnings over $600.
  • Sportsbook operators who are partnered with a casino or face track pay up to $10 million to acquire a four-year license. Every four-year renewal costs $1 million after that.
  • Online-only operators must pay $20 million for a four-year license, then $1 million for a renewal of the same time period. It appears that all online sportsbooks in IL are partnering with land-based casinos to avoid this extra $10 million+ fee.
  • Operators must pay 15% of adjusted gross revenue to the state. Wagers placed in Chicago are taxed an additional 2%.

Illinois Sports Betting FAQ

Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes, sports betting has been legal in IL since 2019, but the first sportsbook started operating in March 2020. Right now, there are six sportsbook operators, with several of them joining the market soon.

What is the legal gambling age for sports betting in Illinois?

You need to be at least 21 years old to place bets legally in Illinois.

Can I bet from my mobile device in Illinois?

Yes, the majority of sportsbooks offer their services to players who like to wager on the go. However, you have to be within Illinois' borders to be able to place wagers.

What payment options can I use to fund my sportsbook account in Illinois?

Every sportsbook has a different payment method list. However, some of the options you’ll find in most sportsbooks are Play+ prepaid cards, cash at casinos (in-person deposits and withdrawals), PayPal, ACH, and online bank transfer.

Are there any single-bet limits in sportsbooks?

It’s up to sports betting operators to decide on the minimum and maximum betting limits.

Do I have to be an Illinois resident to place bets?

No, but you need to be in Illinois to place bets legally but you must be physically located there. You also have to complete your registration in-person at a physical sportsbook.

Can I bet in person in Illinois?

Yes, you can. There are eight casinos in Illinois at the moment featuring retail sportsbooks.

Dave Rathmanner

Dave Rathmanner is the Founder & CEO of Odds Assist. After struggling to find helpful sports betting resources and honest reviews when he first started betting, he decided to create the site he always wished he had. Dave has been betting on sports since NJ legalized it in 2018 and regularly analyzes sportsbooks to find the best options for bettors. Aside from creating new content for OA readers, Dave is also passionate about researching betting markets, creating models, and developing profitable betting strategies.