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Best Illinois sports betting sites in January 2025

Written by: Declan Willis

Fact checked by: Martin Pramatarov

Map of USA, where state of Illinois is pinned.

Are you looking for the best Illinois betting sites? If so, you are at the right place. Placing wagers on sports is legal for residents of the Prairie State provided done with remote registration. You can sign up and claim bonuses for new players, earn some useful tips on how to gamble responsibly, and a lot more from this page. Whether you want to spend time with mobile wagering on the go, online or in person, this is all easily accessible. Learn how.

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The best IL sportsbooks

Verified by: Declan Willis Author at GameZinger.com
Last updated: 21.01.2025
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Placing bets on sports in the Land of Lincoln is legal and available on the Web and in physical venues. You can choose from the best Illinois sports betting apps and legal platforms. The Prairie State has become one of the most successful and competitive spots for Internet wagers since its legalization in 2019 and the opening of the first legal bookmakers, later in 2020.

The Illinois Gaming Board regulates and enforces the laws in all aspects of casino and video gaming, and sports wagering in the state. The IGB also administers a self-exclusion program for problem gamblers and consists of five bord members. The Board’s administrator is the chief executive that manages all daily agency operations.

Remote registration was permanently introduced in March 2022. Those who want to use mobile Illinois sports betting apps must be at least 21 years old and physically located in the Land of Lincoln. They must also have geolocation settings enabled on their mobile devices for safety, according to the law. Online sports betting in Illinois is legal only within IL lines as is the policy in the rest of the US states. Geolocation software of the best Illinois sports betting apps blocks users who try to place wagers from neighboring areas.

All gambling profit of over $600 is considered personal income and therefore taxed at a rate of 15% at the state level. After the increase of the sports wagering tax that the IL House enacted on May 29, 2024, local Illinois sportsbooks pay a 35% tax rate. Here are the betting types that are green-lighted by the local authorities:

  • Retail sportsbooks

    Illinois has fifteen retail sportsbooks, eleven of which are located inside casinos and three at off-track locations under the license of Hawthorne Race Course. This various distribution allows for widespread access to wagering across the whole state, contributing to the its significant sports betting handle. DraftKings at Wrigley Field recently opened in March 2024, adding to the growing list of local retail sportsbooks.

    Illinois has 15 retail sports betting locations inside brick-and-mortar casinos. Here are the top venues:

Most popular land-based sportsbooks in Illinois
Verified by:Declan WillisAuthor at Gamezinger.com
Last updated: 28.07.2024
SportsbookLocationOwnerLaunch dateOnline betting / Gambling website
250 S. Grove Avenue Elgin, IL 60120Caesars EntertainmentOctober 6, 1994Yes
100 E Front St, Metropolis, IL 62960, United StatesVici Properties, operated by Caesars Entertainment1993 (Originally opened as Players Island)Yes
151 N Joliet St, Joliet, IL 60432Vici Properties, operated by Caesars EntertainmentMay 4, 1993Yes
3000 S. River Road Des Plaines, IL 60018Churchill Downs Inc. and Rush Street GamingJuly 18, 2011Yes
DraftKings at Casino Queen 200 Front Street East St. Louis, Illinois 62201Gaming and Leisure Properties; operated by The Queen Casino & Entertainment, (an affiliate of Standard General)June 23, 1993Yes
1200 W Palatine Rd, Prospect Heights, IL 60070the Carey FamilyMay 2023Yes
13148 Rivercrest Dr, Crestwood, IL 60445Hawthorne Race CourseFebruary 17, 1992Yes
9301 Collinsville Rd, Collinsville, IL 62234, United StatesFlutter Entertainment, the parent company of FanDuel and the horseracing network and advance deposit wagering company TVGApril 27, 2021Yes
13148 Rivercrest Dr., Crestwood, IL 60418, USAHawthorne Race CourseFebruary 17, 1992Yes
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  • Mobile sports betting

    IL residents can use not only desktop computers and laptops, but apps on mobiles phones and tablets as well. The Illinois Gaming Board is the regulatory body that operates all online and casino gambling in the state. Residents have access to the best IL sportsbooks and the legal apps remotely from anywhere within the Land of Lincoln.

  • Online sports betting

    Wagering with real money through desktop and mobile devices using Illinois online sportsbooks has been legal in the state since the end of June 2019 and is just a few clicks away. You have a great variety of bookmakers and platforms you can use. BetMGM Sportsbook is an excellent choice since it is a legal gambling operator licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board.

    The best sports betting platforms offer a variety of markets and types of wagering. If you use BetMGM, Fanatics, Bet365, DraftKings or other prominent bookmakers, you will be pleased with the overall experience.

  • Horse racing

    IL has three licensed racetracks – Arlington International Racecourse, FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing, and Hawthorne Race Course. They all offer betting action to the residents, who can also use the services of the best sportsbooks in Illinois.

  • Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

    Although the legality of DFS has been discussed in courts for many years, the Illinois Supreme Court finally declared that some daily fantasy sports contests are skill games and thus not illegal gambling under state law. The Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2019 legalized DFS. The major sites such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and other providers operate for residents who love these contests.

  • Popular types of sports bets in the Land of Lincoln

    There are lots of legal bookmakers, but certain limitations exist such as betting on local college teams is prohibited. This means that residents of IL state cannot wager on the University of Illinois Fighting Illini or Northwestern Wildcats, for example.

    Here, we outline the popular types of sports bets that are lawful:

    • Fixed-odds bets: The most common type, which allows you to wager on a specific outcome of events. This may be which team will be the winner of a game, what the total score will be, etc.
    • Parlays: It combines many bets into a single wager but has lesser odds of success. All your individual wagers within the parlay must be successful for you to win.
    • Teasers: Similar to parlays, they let you adjust the point spread or totals in your favor. The potential payouts are lower with them.
    • Futures bets: As their name suggests, these are wagers on events about to happen in the future (which team will win the championship, etc.)
    • In-game betting: With them you can wager on events happening during a live game (the next player to score and the like).

History of Illinois sports betting

The Prairie State has had a long and winding road with its betting industry. Most of the 20th century was dominated by organized crime, but a recent shift has brought legal sports gambling to the state. Let’s explore how the Land of Lincoln went from backroom activities to booming Illinois online sportsbooks and retail hubs, starting with the regulation of riverboat wagering.

Legalization of riverboat gambling – Feb.1990

Illinois was the second state in the USA to allow riverboat betting thanks to the passage of the Riverboat Gambling Act in February 1990. The first riverboat casino opened in Alton in September 1991, while the most recently launched one was in Chicago on September 9, 2023. Today, there are 15 authorized land-based gaming facilities operating throughout IL.

The 2019 Illinois Sports Wagering Act legalizes land-based and online gambling

A bunch of legislative activities in 2019 produced several bills but agreement in the Illinois General Assembly was still missing. Rep. Bob Rita played the mediator of the process and negotiated a few compromises with stakeholders. Governor J.B. Pritzker passed Bill SB 690 at the end of June, that effectively legalized sports betting.

The most important event in gambling in the Prairie State was namely the enactment of the Illinois Sports Wagering Act. It took place on June 28, 2019, as part of the landmark 2019 gaming expansion law. The Act made online gambling, sports betting and using horseracing tracks lawful once and for all. Though using bookmakers’ services was allowed a bit later in March 2020, it has evolved into one of the largest markets in the USA ever since.

2021 – Betting on state-based Illinois college teams allowed

The legalization process continued in 2021 when governor J.B Pritzker signed legislation that permitted limited betting on in-state college teams. In October the same year, the IL General Assembly voted to annule the physical registration requirement and allowed in-person pre-game wagers on intrastate teams.

The same year in March was launched Barstool, the sixth online sportsbook in Illinois. The handle and revenue continued to grow during the year. The local sports bettors did a record $840.4 million in wagers in October 2021.

2022 – Remote registration for betting allowed

On March 5, 2022, online remote registration returned to Illinois after the state had removed the in-person requirement. The first full month after this law change resulted in a record of $971.3 million in handle. Caliente, a brand-new bookie, qualified to launch in the Land of Lincoln in April, while Fubo did not pass the check. At the same time, DraftKings and the Chicago Cubs planned their opening of a retail sportsbook at Wrigley Field in 2023.

March – June 2020 regulated retail and online sports betting in Illinois

After wagering got the green light via the Sports Wagering Act in June 2019, on June 4, 2020, the IL Gaming Board made more permanent regulations. Land-based betting at retail venues has started on March 9, 2020, web-based bookmakers – on June 18, the same year. In 2024 two iGaming bills were introduced: HB 2239 and SB 1656. Both would create the internet gaming act.

DraftKings get a 4-year license for in-person and online wagering

The bookmaker DraftKings opened doors at Wrigley Field. After having previously been operating under a temporary license, the company had been approved by the Illinois Gaming Board for a four-year retail and online sports betting at Wrigley Field. Fanatics Sportsbook replaced PointsBet, which was launched in April.

The most important Illinois sports betting laws

Let’s make a round-up of the most significant moments in the gambling development of the Land of Lincoln. Legalization started with riverboat activities, thanks to the passing of the Riverboat Gambling Act in February 1990. The Video Gaming Act permitted the installation of Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) in licensed retail establishments and other places. Illinois had more than 46,400 VGTs in 8,400+ licensed video gaming spots. This is the largest video gaming network of its kind globally.

The most significant event in the state was the coming into force of the Illinois Sports Wagering Act on June 28, 2019. It regulated sports betting at brick-and-mortar casinos and horseracing tracks and on the Internet. This activity was launched in March 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor allowed gambling with remote registration in 2020.

The first-ever bookies Rivers Des Plaines and Argosy Casino Alton were opened in March 2020, but they had a short life. In June 2020, the first web-based betting platform in Illinois was launched – BetRivers Sportsbook. Four more followed in its steps by the end of the year.

The Illinois Gaming Board set more permanent laws that regulated land-based sports betting since March 2020 and web-based wagering since June. Governor J.B Pritzker permitted limited wagering on in-state college teams later in 2021. Next year, online remote registration gambling was allowed once again. DraftKings finally got a permanent 4-year betting license at Wrigley Field.

The betting handle and revenue of the Prairie State had consistently continued to increase from 2021 to 2023. In October 2021 bettors made wagers that totaled a record $840.4 million. The first full month of remote registration in 2022 hit another record of $971.3 million in handle. In 2023, Illinois sports betting market reached new highs in revenue, handle, and taxes: over $1 billion in handle in each of the last winter months of 2023, with November record at $1.375 billion in bets.

What is the legal online sports betting age in IL? 21 years and older individuals can create accounts at web-based bookmakers, also using apps. The same age restriction is valid for land-based casinos, racetracks, and off-track betting facilities. Remote registration has been an option since March 5, 2022, when it was introduced permanently. In other words, you need to be at least 21 years old for legal sports betting in IL, whether virtually or in person at one of the state’s casinos or racetracks.

To place wagers with locally operating online sportsbooks, you must:

  • be at least 21 years old
  • be located within Illinois
  • have geolocation settings enabled on your mobile phone/tablet

Residents of the state can play the lottery, engage in pari-mutuel betting, bingo and horse racing in person and online if they are at least 18 years old. The legal gambling age for different activities is as follows:

Legal sports betting age

Betting typeLegal age at land-based establishmentLegal age onlineLegal since
Lottery1818June 2019
Pari-Mutuel wagering1818June 2019
Horse Racing1818June 2019
Bingo1818June 2019
Casinos gambling2121June 2019
Poker2121June 2019

How to find the best Illinois betting sites

You can wager through one or more odds providers, but here’s what to look for to find the best Illinois betting sites. The criteria below will help you decide which platforms and betting apps to try first. The Internet bookmakers on this page rate highly in our list and you can’t go wrong with any of them. While many Illinois sports betting sites may look similar to the casual visitor, our picks differ significantly. The latter have checked all of the following boxes to earn a spot on our top-rated list.

Live betting

Wagers on live events relish high interest and popularity that go up all the time. Sports enthusiasts want the best Illinois sportsbooks that offer to make live bets placed as fast as possible. If a gambling platform takes too long to load or place a live wager, you miss out on competitive odds.

Welcome bonuses and other promotions

Ideally, you’ll want online sportsbooks with worthwhile deals, including a good welcome offer and recurring promotions for existing users. The best operators offer generous welcome bonuses such as second chance and bonus bets. Be vigilant and diligent to make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions of the operators’ offers to avoid problems when you cash out your winnings.

User experience

Usability should be one of the main priorities for sports betting operators. The best sportsbooks in Illinois ensure smooth registration and banking, great navigation and loading times. We recommend you try mobile casinos that offer wagering from browsers and Illinois sports betting apps to see how different platforms function on different devices and which ones best suit your needs.

Make sure the IL sports betting sites you have chosen work the way you want them to. Are the apps and desktop platforms laggy? Are the interface and functionality buttons intuitive and pleasant to use? The ultimate user experience is achieved through a smooth operating website, intuitive design, and functionality, and focus on the players’ needs. Check out our top online casino reviews to find out which sites offer sports betting options.

Variety of bet types

Ordinary gamblers prefer to have the option to bet on NFL money lines, point spreads, and Over/Unders (totals). Many sports aficionados want to be able to build same-game parlays, enjoy live, in-game wagering on every play, and place futures besides the bets mentioned above. The variety that bookmakers offer is paramount.

The gambling operators you choose should have all the markets you are interested in. While licensed Illinois sports betting sites have odds on all major US sports, the specific markets and bet types vary by operator. Pay attention to how competitive the odds of the sportsbooks you have chosen are. If you try your luck frequently or place substantial wagers, small differences in odds add up in the long run and translate to the whole quality of the services you get.

Banking options

The more banking options available, the better. The best betting sites in Illinois offer not only common methods like online banking, credit/debit cards and digital wallets, but they ensure additional ones. The seamless deposit and payout processes let you access your winnings quickly. Make sure the web–based bookie you use offer the payment methods you prefer to use.

The top-rated sports betting sites in Illinois offer quick payouts via PayPal, Play+, and other common withdrawal methods. With them you can have your funds released in as little as one day.

Customer support

Reliable customer service is important especially when you have any issues with your online sports betting account. At some point you may have questions about the markets, the withdrawal process, or the terms and conditions of a new promo. In such cases, you need the help of the bookmaker’s customer support team. The best IL sportsbooks offer a combination of live chat, phone, and email support.

Best overall sports betting platformBetMGM
Range of betsBorgata
Excellent bonusesBetRivers
Top eventsDraftKings
Safe and reliable online sportsbookCaesars
Responsive and kind customer serviceBetMGM
Great payment methodsDraftKings
Best browser and app user interfaceCaesars

The most popular sports for betting in IL

Below, we outline the top sports you will find in the best betting sites in Illinois. These are ordered by popularity starting from the one preferred by the majority – football. Check them out:

Football

Football undoubtedly is the most popular activity for Illinois online sports betting. The local team, the Chicago Bears, a popular franchise with a loyal fanbase, is the residents’ favorite. The NFL season gathers immense interest during the regular season games, the playoffs and in major events like the Super Bowl.

Basketball

Basketball is the second most wide-spread sport in the Prairie State. The Chicago Bulls are another iconic team with a long history that ensures significant betting activity. The NBA’s fast-paced nature and high-scoring games make it an exciting league for residents. If you want to learn more about basketball, check out our NBA betting guide.

Baseball

Baseball may not be as dominant as football and basketball, but it still enjoys a strong following in IL. Both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox teams have dedicated fanbases, which also contribute to the popularity of baseball betting. The peak times for wagering are during the MLB season and the World Series.

Other sports on high demand in IL

Here are a few others that are heavily sought after and preferred by Illinois bettors:

  • College football: While you can wager on college sports like football in IL, there are some limitations. For example, you cannot place bets on in-state college teams on your mobile phone, only in person at a retail sportsbook. But college football betting in Illinois is fully legal only for teams outside of the Land of Lincoln, which is another reason why college football is so widespread and preferred.
  • College basketball: The state has a strong college sports culture, so it’s no surprise that betting on such is so common. The situation here is just like with college football as described above. To place wagers on in-state colleague teams, you must be physically at a retail sportsbook. You cannot place such bets on your device at Illinois sports betting sites. On the other hand, wagers on out-of-state teams are allowed.
  • Hockey: Thanks to the Chicago Blackhawks, there is a solid hockey fanbase that ensures massive betting interest. Represented by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL, it has a dedicated following and attracts interest throughout the whole hockey season. Hockey’s high popularity is thanks to the team’s loyal following.
  • Soccer: The Chicago Fire has helped increase the sport’s popularity, leading to massive betting on MLS matches. Soccer is in high demand in the Land of Lincoln, driven by the sport’s global appeal and the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer (MLS) presence.

Overall, Illinoisians have a wide range of leagues and tournaments they can choose to bet on sports.

Popular sports events

Sports fans have a good selection of Prestigious Sporting Competitions to place bets on popular events. Here are the most attention-grabbing spectacles Illinoisans can legally wager on:

  • National Football League (NFL)
  • Major League Baseball (MLB)
  • National Basketball Association (NBA)
  • College Sports (Out-of-State teams)
  • Major League Soccer (MLS)
  • National Hockey League (NHL)
  • Kentucky Derby (Horse racing)
  • Grand Slam (Tennis)
  • Formula 1 Grand Prix (Motor racing)

Most important teams from Prairie State

Here are the top Illinois sports teams that attract the most attention. These are the NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLS champions: Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, Chicago Fire, and Chicago Cubs.

Chicago Bears logo

Chicago Bears (NFL)

Prairie State bettors ensure strong support for their home team, the Chicago Bears that competes in the NFL. The team has won nine NFL championships so far and is a member of the National Football Conference North Division. Their last appearance in the playoffs was in 2018. The Chicago Bears were one of the expected winners of the NFC in 2020, but they were defeated by the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round. Betting on them is a tradition for many Midwesterners.

The best web-based sportsbooks in Illinois offer various bet types, including point spreads, money lines, and over/under totals. You can place prop bets on specific players (like the team’s star quarterback), predict the number of passing yards or touchdowns, etc.

Chicago Bulls logo

Chicago Bulls (NBA)

The Chicago Bulls are the world-famous team of Michael Jordan from the 90s that currently compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Eastern Conference’s Central Division. The Bulls may be a firm contender for their conference, but their chances in the next round are unclear.

You can wager on the Bulls to win their conference or choose them for the championship. Residents of IL state can wager on regular game outcomes or specific player performances with prop bets. The latter might involve whether a player (the team’s leading scorer, for example) will exceed a certain number of points in a game.

Chicago Blackhawks logo

Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)

The state’s local ice hockey team the Chicago Blackhawks are one of the original six NHL teams that compete in the Western Conference. The six-time winners of Stanley Club (awarded to the playoff champion club each year) had their latest victory in the 2014-2015 season.

You can place your futures bet on the Chicago Blackhawks. Apps also offer futures as well as diverse other options. You can predict the game outcomes, place prop bets on a player’s performance, such as goals scored if you understand the odds.

Chicago Fire FC logo

Chicago Fire FC (MLS)

Chicago Fire is a member of the Major Soccer League’s eastern conference, winners in the first MLS Cup in 1998. Despite the team’s lack of further cup wins, they boast a firm fan base across Illinois. Soccer fans often wager on Chicago Fire FC games. Apart from typical game outcome bets, popular among locals are prop bets on players, such as the number of goals or assists a top player will score.

Chicago Cubs logo

Chicago Cubs (MLS)

The Chicago Cubs are one of the oldest teams in baseball that offer numerous and some of the best Illinois sports betting options. You will find lots of game markets on the Chicago Cubs, including unique player props, as well as futures markets like the NL Cy Young award winner. Besides game outcomes, you can make prop bets on central players, like predicting a star pitcher’s strikeouts. Some of the best IL sportsbooks allow parlay wagers on the same game.

What other types of gambling are legal in the Land of Lincoln?

Illinois has 15 gaming facilities, three racetracks, and plentiful live and web-based poker rooms live and web-based poker rooms. The Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2019 legalized daily fantasy sports, but real money online casinos are illegal here.

While you cannot play real money casino games on the Web, there are some alternatives:

  • Land-based casinos: There are 15 that operate and offer traditional games in the state.
  • Sports bets on the Internet: You can place such since June 2019.
  • Sweepstakes casinos: They offer games that are similar to those at the traditional ones you play for virtual currency. You can win real prizes, but you can’t deposit money to play with.

The Land of Lincoln has legalized online sports betting, but it has not yet taken the same steps for online casinos.

Riverboat and land-based casino gambling

In recent years, the IL laws have allowed local riverboat gaming facilities to transition to land-based operations. This led to the expansion of their services and attracted more players. Currently, the state has a limited number of casino licenses.

For now, gamblers can enjoy lots of table games and a variety of slot machines at the state’s riverboat locations. Reel and progressive slots, and video poker are all available at each of these casinos.

The retail gaming operators in IL include riverboat and land-based. Plans for the $1.7 billion investment Bally’s Chicago project include a 500-room hotel, entertainment center, and a casino with 3,400 slot machines and 170 table games.

Sweepstakes gambling

Sweepstakes casinos are the only web-based ones allowed in the state. This model is allowed in many locations where gambling is prohibited by gaming laws. The reason is that it lets players enjoy casino games, similar to the traditional ones, and earn real money using virtual currency.

Online poker at Global Poker and land-based poker gambling

Illinoisians can play poker in person at many of the state’s major casinos. Internet poker was not planned in Bill SB 690 and the only legal option you can use is Global Poker. After visiting it, you can gamble with virtual cash.

Allowed types of gamblingMinimum legal ageSubtypes of gambling allowed
Casino Gaming21Slot machines (including progressive slots), table games (blackjack, roulette, craps, etc.), poker
Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs)21Electronic slot machines and video poker
Horse Racing18Pari-mutuel betting
Sports Betting21Betting on various sporting events
Lottery18Instant scratch-off tickets, draw games (Powerball, Mega Millions), online lottery
Bingo18Charitable gaming
Pull Tabs and Jar Games18Charitable gaming
RafflesVaries by eventCharitable gaming

The best Illinois betting sites – the Conclusion

Given the size of the state’s population, we would have expected more online operators. But the $20 million licensing fee has made some operators consider whether to invest.

The return of fully remote registration was a massive boost to bettors and bookies. The authorities removed the in-person registration requirement in March 2022, but wagering on in-state college teams is limited to pre-game wagers made in person at an Illinois casino or racetrack. These limitations on college sports betting could prove costly.

Illinois online sports betting is a growing market. The legalization of bookmakers is a great step in the right direction. Enthusiasts have embraced the access they have to IL sports betting. We are looking forward to seeing what further developments are about to happen.

Declan WillisAuthor at Gamezinger.com

FAQ

Is betting legal in Illinois?

Yes, it is allowed by the law. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed SB 690 bill on June 28, 2019, that made it lawful in the Land of Lincoln. Check out which forms of sports betting are legal in Illinois state here.

How old do you have to be to be able to bet on sports?

Overall, the legal gambling age in IL is 21 for using both sports betting sites in Illinois and land-based venues. More on the topic you can read in the section sports betting legal age in Illinois.

Which are the best betting sites in Illinois?

The best Illinois sportsbooks stand out among the rest and can meet the needs of every sports fan and expert. More about the top brands in sports betting you can check in the section here.

Can I wager on college sports using virtual bookies in the state?

Yes, you can, but there are certain restrictions. Sports betting sites in Illinois cannot offer wagering on IL college teams.