Illinois Sports Betting 2023 – Best IL Sportsbook Offers
Illinois sports betting is now legal, live, and available online. In-state bettors can choose from eight Illinois sportsbook apps and sites.
Best Illinois sports betting sites 2023
Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes, Illinois sports betting is legal online and at retail locations. Eight online sportsbooks are available in the state, and there are several locations to bet in person.
What’s happening in Illinois sports betting right now
- Oct. 3, 2023 — Circa Sports officially launched in Illinois. Partnered with The Temporary by American Place Casino in Waukegan, Circa is the eighth Illinois sports betting app.
- Sept. 20, 2023 — Illinois sports betting handle hit $611.3 million in July, an 8.1% decrease from June. Revenue was up, however, to $61.8 million from $52.2 in June.
- Sept. 14, 2023 — An Illinois court ruled that a unlicensed sports betting lawsuit against Underdog Fantasy will be dismissed unless a better case can be made by the plaintiff.
- Sept. 13, 2023 — Harrah’s Casino in Metropolis has opened a new Caesars Sportsbook at its facility. There are now 15 retail casinos open in Illinois.
- Sept. 13, 2023 — Bally’s temporary casino at the Medinah Temple in Chicago is now open for business.
- Sept. 8, 2023 — Bally’s temporary casino at the Medinah Temple could open in the coming days if it has a successful trial run this week and passes an Illinois Gaming Board review. It would be the first retail casino in Chicago.
- Sept. 5, 2023 — Gaming Leisure Properties now owns the land under what will be the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford. Hard Rock has a 99-year lease on the property.
Comparing top sports betting apps in Illinois
Ultimately, the online sportsbook you choose depends on what you bet on, and what works best for you. Illinois has eight sportsbooks available online, and each carries its own strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a brief guide to the best options in some key categories, followed by reviews of the apps:
- Best sportsbook for Chicago sports: BetRivers. BetRivers’ parent company, Rush Street Interactive, is headquartered in Chicago and is the exclusive partner of the Chicago Bears. As such, it has many Chicago-centric options for people in the Windy City.
- Best sportsbook for a variety of sports: Caesars. Caesars has the deepest lineup of sports to bet on of any book in Illinois, in part thanks to its acquisition of William Hill.
- Best sportsbook for navigation: FanDuel. FanDuel is a user-friendly app with a clear and simple organization. Its slick and simple design makes it easy to find the games you want and to monitor your wagers during the game. In a 2021 Eilers & Krejcik independent study, FanDuel scored 4.6 out of 5 for the betting interface category, with high marks for user experience, as well.
- Best sportsbook for innovative or distinct design: DraftKings. DraftKings is a pioneer of the early cash-out option in the US and offers a customized betting carousel when you log onto the site. The carousel suggests likely wagers for you based upon your stated preferences and betting history.
- Best sportsbook for iOS and Android apps: FanDuel, DraftKings. Both of these consistently get positive reviews on Google Play and the App Store, with particularly high marks for app speed and design.
1. Caesars Illinois
One of the elements of Caesars’ sports betting presentation that stands out is its extensive library of daily odds boosts. At any time, there may be more than 50 boosted bets. However, while Caesars is a fine sportsbook, don’t expect to be blown away by slick design features or flashy elements — it’s a very meat-and-potatoes presentation.
- App rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.4 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Solid sportsbook with competitive odds
- Best feature: Copious odds boosts
- Illinois welcome bonus: $1,000 (code: LSR1000)
- Casino partners: Harrah’s Joliet, Harrah’s Metropolis, Horseshoe Hammond, Grand Victoria Casino Elgin
2. BetMGM Illinois
BetMGM is one of the top legal betting options in several states, including Illinois. Top features include a large menu of sports and types of wagers, as well as innovations like the ability to edit your bet. However, navigation could be a bit smoother on the web platform and the app does lack some of the flash of other Illinois sportsbooks.
- App rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.1 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Large menu of sports and bets
- Best feature: “Edit My Bet”
- Illinois welcome bonus: Up to $1,500 (code: PLAYLSR)
- Casino partner: Par-a-Dice Casino
3. PointsBet Illinois
PointsBet Sportsbook is an Australian sportsbook with a style of betting that sets itself apart from other Illinois sports betting apps. PointsBetting, the app’s betting system, determines payouts by how much your bet is either right or wrong rather than using a rigid outcome. PointsBet also has several partnerships with retail sports betting locations throughout Illinois.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: PointsBet is a nice change of pace from the standard sportsbook.
- Best feature: PointsBetting
- Illinois welcome bonus: Get up to $1,000 in second chance bets. (no code necessary)
- Casino partner: Hawthorne Race Course
4. BetRivers Illinois
BetRivers Sportsbook is the closest thing to a “home” sportsbook that Illinoisans have. It is the exclusive online gambling partner of the Chicago Bears, and its parent company has its headquarters on North Michigan Avenue. BetRivers is one of the few online books to maintain a dedicated rewards program — iRush Rewards — for sports bettors. However, the app itself is still a work in progress, with many functionalities in need of smoothing.
- App rating: 2.5 (iOS), 3.2 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Hometown app focuses on the Chicago community
- Best feature: News feed proclaiming big winners in the main lobby
- Illinois welcome bonus: Up to $500 (code: LSRRIV)
- Casino partner: Rivers Casino Des Plaines
5. FanDuel Illinois
FanDuel Sportsbook has risen in the past few years to become one of the best sports betting apps in Illinois. Its main appeal is the ease of use. It is also one of the best places to find same-game parlay options. However, FanDuel is still working out some bugs with regard to its biometric login and its customer support response.
Bet $5, Get $200 FanDuel special: FanDuel is running a special welcome bonus for a limited time. New users Get $200 in bonus bets after their first $5 cash wager settles, no bonus code necessary. Click here to claim this FanDuel promo. Also, while this deal is in effect, the traditional “no sweat first bet” welcome bonus will not be available.
- App rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: One of the best sportsbook apps in terms of navigation
- Best feature: Wide selection of same-game parlays
- Illinois welcome bonus: Bet $5, Get $200 in bonus bets (no code necessary).
- Casino partner: FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing, formerly Fairmount Park
6. DraftKings Illinois
DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the top betting options in Illinois and the country. Its best features include its cash-out option, which allows bettors to close their tickets before the end of the game. The betting carousel that tailors itself to each user is also a solid addition. However, DraftKings could stand to improve promotions for existing customers. It’s one of the fastest-paying sportsbooks, with PayPal, Venmo, and online banking payment options.
- App rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Innovative app that offers customized experiences
- Best feature: Betting carousel
- Illinois welcome bonus: Up to $1,250 (no code necessary)
- Casino partner: DraftKings at Casino Queen
How to get started with the best Illinois sportsbook bonuses
It’s easy to get started at an Illinois sports betting site. For the most part, the process takes just a few minutes. The choice of where to wager is up to you, but here are some of the top sports betting promos in Illinois and the codes to access them when you sign up:
- Caesars Sportsbook promo code: $1,000 first bet on Caesars. Use the code LSR1000.
- BetMGM bonus code: Use the code PLAYLSR to get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if you don’t win.
- PointsBet promo code: No code necessary. Get up to $1,000 in second chance bets.
- BetRivers bonus code: Use the code LSRRIV to receive a second-chance bet up to $500 if your first bet loses.
- FanDuel promo code: No code necessary. Bet $5, Get $200 in bonus bets.
- DraftKings promo code: No code necessary. Get up to $1,250 in bonuses.
Be sure to read the fine print of each promotion. Some common types of bonuses include the following:
- Deposit bonus: The sportsbook agrees to match all or a portion of your first deposit with bonus funds — effectively increasing your deposit to a certain degree. These bonuses are often called match bonuses.
- No-deposit bonus: You receive this type of bonus as credits or bet vouchers. They become available as soon as you create an account and there is no deposit necessary. You won’t be able to cash out these credits until you meet a playthrough requirement that you meet by placing bets.
- Odds boost: Odds boosts are offered to try to spur action on a sportsbook. The operator will artificially odds on specific wagers solely to entice bettors with potentially higher payouts than they would otherwise get on that same bet.
- First bet promo: Once you’ve made a wager that satisfies the sportsbook’s qualifications, you can take advantage of the promo after the result of your bet. If you win, you will no receive any award and can bet normally. If you lose, the site will award you credits to use. The credits will be equal to all or some of of the value of your initial wager.
Daily Deals in Illinois
What to expect at a legal Illinois sports betting site
Illinois’ online sportsbooks are safe, secure and reliable. All the apps that this page lists have met the requirements of the Illinois Gaming Board. Legal sports betting sites have strict rules about security practices and business standards to keep you and your bets safe and fair.
Once the app is on your phone and the online sportsbook has verified your account, you can bet from anywhere in the state where you have online access. Additionally, online sportsbooks have bonuses and betting options that you cannot find at casinos.
Full list of legal sports betting apps in Illinois
At present, eight online sportsbooks are live in Illinois. BetRivers was the first to launch in the state in 2020. Each book is partnered with a casino in the state. Here are the legal online sportsbooks in Illinois:
- Barstool Sportsbook (Hollywood Casino Aurora/Hollywood Casino Joliet)
- BetMGM Sportsbook (Par-a-Dice Casino)
- BetRivers Sportsbook (Rivers Des Plaines)
- Caesars Sportsbook (Grand Victoria Casino Elgin/Harrah’s Joliet/Harrah’s Metropolis)
- Circa Sportsbook (The Temporary by American Place Casino in Waukegan)
- DraftKings Sportsbook (DraftKings at Casino Queen)
- FanDuel Sportsbook (FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing, formerly Fairmount Park)
- PointsBet Sportsbook (Hawthorne Race Course)
New sports betting apps in Illinois
Illinois is one of the most populous states to offer online sports betting in the country, with over 10 million residents. While it is home to several online sportsbooks, there are still more to come. Below are some of the most likely candidates to open for business soon:
- Fanatics Sportsbook (no timeline, eventually replacing PointsBet)
- Hard Rock Sportsbook (license granted, no launch date)
- Betway (license granted, no launch date)
- Bally Bet (license pending for a Chicago casino)
Land-based Illinois sportsbooks
In addition to the eight online Illinois sports betting sites, there are several locations throughout the state to place wagers in person. Below is a list of land-based Illinois sportsbooks available (or coming soon) for bettors.
| Sportsbook Location | Partner | Address | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Temporary by American Place | Circa Sports | 4011 Fountain Square Place, Waukegan | Temporary casino open; American Place Casino planned for 2026 opening |
| Argosy Casino Alton | Barstool | 1 Piasa St., Alton | Open |
| Bally’s Chicago | Bally’s | Medinah Temple, 600 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago | Open |
| DraftKings at Casino Queen | DraftKings | 200 Front St., East St Louis | Open |
| Grand Victoria Casino Elgin | Caesars | 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin | Open |
| Hollywood Casino Aurora | Barstool | 1 W. New York St., Aurora | Open |
| Hollywood Casino Joliet | Barstool | 777 Hollywood Blvd., Joliet | Open |
| Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino | FanDuel | 21 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria | Open |
| Rivers Casino Des Plaines | BetRivers | 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines | Open |
| FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing (Fairmount Park) | FanDuel | 9301 Collinsville Road, Collinsville | Open |
| Harrah’s Casino | Caesars | 100 E Front St, Metropolis | Open |
| Hawthorne Race Course | PointsBet | 3501 S. Laramie Ave., Cicero | Open |
| Club Hawthorne Prospect Heights | PointsBet | 1250 River Road, Prospect Heights | Open |
| Club Hawthorne Crestwood | PointsBet | 13148 Rivercrest Drive, Crestwood | Open |
| Club Hawthorne at Crazy Pour | PointsBet | 105 E. N Ave., Villa Park | Open |
| Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort | n/a | 777 Walkers Bluff Way, Carterville | Sportsbook coming soon |
Latest Illinois Sports Betting News
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10 quick facts about Illinois sports betting
- Illinois legalized sports betting in June 2019.
- The first retail sportsbooks in Illinois opened in March 2020, and the first sportsbook app (BetRivers) arrived in June 2020.
- Illinois sports bettors have wagered as much as $840.4 million in a single month.
- Illinois sportsbooks have realized as much as $78.2 million in monthly revenue.
- Sports betting is available to anyone in Illinois who is 21 or older.
- You must be inside state lines to bet, but you do not have to be a resident of Illinois.
- It is not legal for key sports employees (players, coaches, referees, etc.) to bet on their own sports.
- Bets must occur on sporting events, not elections or award ceremonies.
- Wagering on in-state college teams is legal only for pregame wagers that you make in person.
- To bet online, you used to have to complete your registration in person at a land-based casino in Illinois. However, that stipulation is no longer in place.
Illinois sports betting law and regulations
Illinois legalized sports betting with the passage of SB 690 in June 2019. The law allowed for online and retail sports betting in the state. Retail facilities cleared to offer sports betting included the state’s casinos, racetracks and larger sports venues. The law also provided for three online-only licenses to be awarded in 2021.
The defining feature of the law used to be its in-person registration requirement, which ended March 2022. According to the law, all sports bettors used to have to travel to the partner casino of their chosen online book to complete their registrations. Here are some details about Illinois’ current sports betting law:
- License fees are 5% of the previous year’s or the current year’s handle, depending on when the state issues the license. The maximum fee is $10 million.
- The online-only licenses, however, require a $20 million fee.
- All licenses are valid for four years and are renewable for $1 million.
- The state taxes sportsbooks at a rate of 15% of gross gaming revenue.
- Live wagers must use official league data.
Popular sports to bet on in Illinois
Illinois is home to a slew of major sports teams for people in the state to support and bet on, if they choose. Thanks to the language of Illinois’ sports betting law, bettors will soon be able to place wagers at the stadiums of many of these teams, as well.
Here are the most popular sports and Illinois teams on which to bet in the state:
- NBA — Chicago Bulls
- NFL — Chicago Bears
- MLB — Chicago White Sox
- MLB — Chicago Cubs
- NHL — Chicago Blackhawks
- MLS — Chicago Fire FC
In addition to these Chicago teams, there are also options for wagering on other games in these leagues, special events like March Madness or the Olympics, and more individual-focused sports like tennis, mixed martial arts, golf and motorsports. Illinois lawmakers extended the ban on betting on in-state college sports for one year starting July 1, 2023.
Illinois sports betting history
Although sports betting legalization efforts in Illinois began in 2018, they didn’t get serious until the following year. For that matter, it took a challenge from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who included sports betting revenue as part of his budget, to motivate Illinois lawmakers to put forth measures to make the activity a reality in the state. Here’s a brief rundown of everything that happened to bring sports betting to this point in Illinois.
2019: A flurry of legislative activity produces several bills but little agreement in the Illinois General Assembly. Ultimately, Rep. Bob Rita takes the mantle as the mediator of the process and negotiates several compromises with stakeholders. Pritzker signs the bill into law in late June.
2020: The first retail sportsbooks go live in March at Rivers Des Plaines and Argosy Casino Alton. Their service is short-lived due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Pritzker suspends the in-person registration requirement in May as the launch of online sports betting approaches. The first online sportsbook, BetRivers, opens its virtual doors for business the following month. Before the end of 2020, four other online sportsbooks will launch in Illinois.
2021: The sixth online sportsbook in the state, Barstool, launches in March. Handle and revenue continue to grow throughout the year, with Illinois sports bettors placing a record $840.4 million in wagers in October. That same month, the Illinois General Assembly votes to rescind the in-person registration requirement and allow in-person pregame wagering on in-state college teams.
2022: On March 5, the in-person registration requirement finally ends. The first full month of remote registration results in a record $971.3 million in handle. A new sportsbook called Caliente qualifies to launch in Illinois in April, but another, Fubo, does not pass muster. Meanwhile, DraftKings and the Chicago Cubs plan to open a retail sportsbook at Wrigley Field in the next year.
Related pages to Illinois sports betting
- Indiana sports betting
- Iowa sports betting
- Kentucky sports betting
- Missouri sports betting
- Ohio sports betting
- Wisconsin sports betting
FAQ on Illinois sports betting
Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes, Illinois sports betting is legal. There are several online and retail sportsbooks active in the state. The Illinois General Assembly passed a sports betting law in 2019, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed in June of that year.
Where can I bet on sports in Illinois?
Sportsbook apps make betting available statewide in Illinois, but state law permits wagering at the state’s casinos, racetracks and selected sports arenas, as well. Not every eligible facility has opened a sportsbook yet. Here are the locations that have a book open for business:
- The Temporary by American Place, 4011 Fountain Square Pl, Waukegan, IL 60085
- Rivers Des Plaines, 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018
- Argosy Casino Alton, 1 Piasa St., Alton, IL 62002
- Grand Victoria Casino, 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
- DraftKings at Casino Queen, 200 S. Front St., East St Louis, IL 62201
- Par-a-Dice Casino, 21 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria, IL 61611
- Hollywood Casino Aurora, 1 W. New York St., Aurora, IL 60506
- Hollywood Casino Joliet, 777 Hollywood Blvd., Joliet, IL 60436
Is Bovada legal in Illinois?
No. Bovada is not licensed to operate by the Illinois Gaming Board and is not part of the regulated options for sports betting in the state. Bovada offers service to Illinoisans from outside the United States in violation of federal law. We recommend that you use one of the regulated options listed above for your wagers on sports in the Prairie State.
How old do I have to be to bet on sports in Illinois?
The minimum betting age is 21. Anyone who wants to bet on sports in Illinois, live or online, must verify that they are 21 or older.
Is horse betting legal in Illinois?
Yes. There are numerous outlets for betting on horse racing in Illinois. First and foremost, you can place bets in person at one of the two live racing tracks in the state — Fairmount Park and Hawthorne Race Course. In addition, each track maintains several satellite locations for off-track betting around the state. Between the two, there are 13 OTB parlors in Illinois.
Finally, Illinoisans are eligible to bet on horse racing through their mobile devices and computers at several online horse betting sites. Of those sites, the best option is TVG, which offers both wagering across the country and a 24-hour broadcast network dedicated to horse betting.
Can I play daily fantasy sports contests in Illinois?
Yes. Although the legality of DFS was a question for the courts for many years, the Illinois Supreme Court finally declared that some daily fantasy sports contests are skill games and are not illegal gambling under state law. Thus, DraftKings, FanDuel, and other DFS providers are available to Illinois residents who want to play.
Additional resources on Illinois sports betting
- Illinois Gaming Board website, chief regulatory agency over gambling in Illinois.
- Illinois General Assembly, lawmaking body for the state of Illinois.
- WeKnowtheFeeling.org, problem gambling assistance group funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services.
- Chicago Sun-Times, one of two main newspapers in Chicago, with information on the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, and other local teams.
- Chicago Tribune, one of two main newspapers in Chicago, covers Illinois sports and state legislation.
- Daily Herald, newspaper serving suburban areas of Chicago such as Aurora, Elgin, and Naperville.