Best Illinois sportsbooks for 2025

While this page contains information on every available Illinois sportsbook, below is a list of our top five.

Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes, Illinois sports betting is legal online and at retail locations. Nine online sportsbooks are available in the state, and there are several locations where you can bet in person.

What’s happening in Illinois sports betting right now

• Jan 5, 2025 — The Chicago Bears finished the season with a 5-12 record, and hold the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
• Dec. 17, 2025 — The Illinois Gaming Board approved international sportsbook operator bet365 for a license. Bet365 has partnered up with Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort.
• Nov. 29, 2024 — The 4-8 Chicago Bears announce the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus following a 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions.
• Nov. 21, 2024 — Heading into NFL Week 12, Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams, the top overall pick in the draft, is no longer among the favorites on the NFL Rookie of the Year odds board.
• Oct. 16, 2024 — With the Chicago Bears at 4-2 heading into their Week 7 bye, quarterback Caleb Williams is behind only Washington’s Jayden Daniels in NFL Rookie of the Year odds.
• Sept. 25, 2024 — The Illinois Gaming Board has adopted new rules aimed at improving responsible gambling in the state.
• Sept. 17, 2024 — Illinois sports betting handle was $773.7 million in July, down 9.5% from June and up 21% year over year.
• Sept. 6, 2024 — Illinois sports betting handle was $847.9 million in June, down 16% from May.
• Aug. 27, 2024 — The Hard Rock Bet sportsbook is now live in Illinois. The app is available statewide, and in-person betting will begin Aug. 29 at the Hard Rock Casino Rockford.
• Aug. 2, 2024 — DraftKings announced that it is implementing a “gaming tax surcharge” beginning on Jan. 1 in Illinois and three other states that have tax rates above 20%.

Illinois sports betting snapshot

Is online sports betting legal in Illinois?	Yes. There are nine legal sports betting apps in Illinois. Online sports betting launched in June 2020.
What sportsbook apps are legal in Illinois?	BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics Sportsbook, and Circa.
What sports can I bet on in Illinois?	Bettors can wager on all major professional sports but cannot bet on in-state college teams as of July 1, 2024. College betting is limited to spreads, moneylines, and totals.
Who can bet on sports in Illinois?	Anyone who is 21 or older can legally place bets in Illinois.

Comparing top IL sportsbook apps

The online sportsbook that will work best for you depends on how you bet and what features are important to you. The Land of Lincoln has nine sportsbooks available online, and each has its own strengths, weaknesses, and Illinois sportsbook promos. Here’s a brief guide to the best options in some key categories, followed by reviews of the apps:

• Best sportsbook for NFL betting: Caesars. Caesars has the deepest lineup of sports to bet on of any book in Illinois, including NFL player props and lines.
• Best sportsbook for navigation: FanDuel. FanDuel is a user-friendly app with 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. Based on your stated preferences and betting history, the carousel suggests likely wagers for you.
• Best sportsbook for iOS and Android apps: FanDuel, DraftKings. These consistently get positive reviews on Google Play and the App Store, with exceptionally high marks for app speed and design.
• Best sportsbook for high-limit players: Circa Sportsbook. Circa Sportsbook is one of the latest apps to launch in Illinois. The book is known for its willingness to take bets and provide higher limits than competitors.

1. Caesars Illinois

One of the elements of Caesars Sportsbook’s presentation that stands out is its extensive library of daily odds boosts. At any time, there may be more than 50 boosted bets. Caesars Sportsbook also has a solid welcome offer with the Caesars Sportsbook promo code LSRDYW for ten 100% profit boost tokens on your first $1 wager. 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: Lots of odds boosts
• Illinois welcome bonus: Bet $1, double your winnings on next 10 wagers with the code LSRDYW.
• Casino partners: Harrah’s Joliet, Harrah’s Metropolis, Horseshoe Hammond, Grand Victoria Casino Elgin

2. BetMGM Illinois

BetMGM Sportsbook is one of the top legal betting options in several states, including Illinois. 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 in bonus bets paid back if your first bet does not win. Use the BetMGM bonus code PLAYLSR.
• Casino partner: Par-a-Dice Casino

3. 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 its 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 concerning its biometric login and its customer support response.

• 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 $300 in bonus bets if your bet wins. No FanDuel promo code necessary; click to claim.
• Casino partner: FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing, formerly Fairmount Park

4. Fanatics Sportsbook Illinois

Fanatics Sportsbook is now live in Illinois. This new app is still working through some kinks that can sometimes affect functionality, but there are some interesting features available for new users. The “Discover” page, for example, curates a section of the app for users with trending bets, rewards, and promos.

Alongside the Fanatics Sportsbook promo for new users, FanCash, the app’s loyalty program, lets bettors accumulate extra money they can redeem in the app for bonus bets or use on the Fanatics retail site.

• App rating: 4.7 (iOS), 3.5 (Android)
• Key takeaway: New app with interesting features
• Best feature: FanCash
• Illinois welcome bonus: Bet and get up to $1,000 in no-sweat bets.

5. 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. Alongside a very solid deposit match offer with the DraftKings promo code, it’s also 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 in bonuses plus the King of the End Zone promo.
• 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 sportsbook promos in Illinois and the codes to access them when you sign up:

Sportsbook	Latest welcome bonus	Latest promo code
Caesars Sportsbook	Bet $1, double your winnings on next 10 wagers.	LSRDYW
BetMGM Sportsbook	Up to $1,500 in bonus bets paid back if your first bet does not win.	PLAYLSR
FanDuel Sportsbook	Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets if your bet wins.	No code necessary; click to claim.
Fanatics Sportsbook	Bet and get up to $1,000 in no-sweat bets.	No code necessary; click to claim.
DraftKings Sportsbook	Up to $1,250 in bonuses plus the King of the End Zone promo.	No code necessary; click to claim.

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 bonus as credits or bet vouchers. They become available when you create an account, and no deposit is necessary. You won’t be able to cash out these credits until you meet a playthrough requirement by placing bets.
• Odds boost: Sportsbooks offer odds boosts to spur action. The book will artificially shift odds on specific wagers solely to entice bettors with potentially higher payouts than they would otherwise stand to get from 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 not receive any award. If you lose, the site will award you credits to use. The credits will equal all or some of the value of your initial wager.

What to expect at a legal Illinois sportsbook

Illinois’ online sportsbooks are safe, secure, and reliable. All the apps 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 anywhere in the state you have online access. Additionally, online sportsbooks have bonuses and betting options you cannot find at casinos.

List of all Illinois sportsbooks

At present, nine 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:

• Caesars Sportsbook (Grand Victoria Casino Elgin/Harrah’s Joliet/Harrah’s Metropolis)
• BetMGM Sportsbook (Par-a-Dice Casino)
• BetRivers Sportsbook (Rivers Des Plaines)
• FanDuel Sportsbook (FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing, formerly Fairmount Park)
• Hard Rock Bet (Hard Rock Casino Rockford)
• DraftKings Sportsbook (DraftKings at Casino Queen)
• Fanatics Sportsbook (Hawthorne Race Course)
• ESPN Bet (Hollywood Casino Aurora/Hollywood Casino Joliet)
• Circa Sportsbook (The Temporary by American Place Casino in Waukegan)

New Illinois sportsbooks

Illinois is one of the country’s most populous states offering online sports betting sites with more than 10 million residents. While it is home to several online sportsbooks, others, such as Bally Bet (license pending for a Chicago casino), could enter the market.

Land-based Illinois sportsbooks

In addition to the nine online Illinois sports betting sites, several locations throughout the state allow bettors to place wagers in person. Below is a list of land-based Illinois sportsbooks that are 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	Penn	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
DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field	DraftKings	1012 W Addison St, Chicago	Open
Grand Victoria Casino Elgin	Caesars	250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin	Open
Hollywood Casino Aurora	Penn	1 W. New York St., Aurora	Open
Hollywood Casino Joliet	Penn	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	Fanatics	3501 S. Laramie Ave., Cicero	Open
Club Hawthorne Prospect Heights	Fanatics	1250 River Road, Prospect Heights	Open
Club Hawthorne Crestwood	Fanatics	13148 Rivercrest Drive, Crestwood	Open
Club Hawthorne at Crazy Pour	Fanatics	105 E. N Ave., Villa Park	Open
Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort	n/a	777 Walkers Bluff Way, Carterville	Sportsbook coming soon

10 quick facts about Illinois sports betting

1. Illinois legalized sports betting in June 2019.
2. The first retail sportsbooks in Illinois opened in March 2020, and the first sportsbook app (BetRivers) arrived in June 2020.
3. Illinois sports bettors have wagered as much as $1.38 billion in one month, posting that in November 2023.
4. Illinois sportsbooks have realized as much as $128.4 million in monthly revenue, posting that figure in December 2023.
5. Sports betting is available to anyone in Illinois who is 21 or older.
6. You must be inside state lines to bet, but you do not have to be a resident of Illinois.
7. It is not legal for key sports employees (players, coaches, referees, etc.) to bet on their own sports.
8. Bets must occur on sporting events, not elections or award ceremonies.
9. The state no longer allows wagering on in-state college teams as of July 1, 2024.
10. 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.
• Originally, the state taxed sportsbooks at a flat rate of 15% of gross gaming revenue. That changed on July 1, 2024, when a new law raised the top rate (above $200 million in adjusted gross revenue) to 40%. The bottom rate (on the first $30 million in AGR) is now 20%.
• Live wagers must use official league data.

Illinois sports betting restrictions

Bettors in Illinois can bet on all professional sports, but college bets are limited to spreads, totals, and moneylines. Prop bets on college teams and players are not permitted, and betting on in-state college teams is banned as of July 1, 2024.

Illinois sports betting revenue by the numbers

Illinois sports betting launched its first online sports betting app in June 2020, and since then the market has grown to be among the top few in the US. Illinois is fourth in handle all time as of January 2025. The tables below display Illinois sports betting revenue, handle, and taxes in recent years and months.

Illinois sports betting year over year

Year	Handle	Revenue	Taxes
2024 to date	$7,363,303,594	$658,796,707	$112,393,306
2023	$12,436,240,107	$1,120,103,665	$161,000,140
2022	$10,685,165,574	$933,864,323	$127,668,464
2021	$7,021,763,064	$534,086,819	$84,691,181

Illinois sports betting month over month

Month	Handle	Revenue	Taxes
July 2024	$773,703,869	$76,250,616	$15,002,646
June 2024	$847,966,974	$81,322,996	$15,341,233
May 2024	$1,016,698,918	$102,530,449	$16,218,547
April 2024	$1,103,531,944	$88,204,662	$14,729,668
March 2024	$1,264,532,904	$103,814,124	$16,006,617
February 2024	$1,070,625,059	$77,162,218	$13,452,317
January 2024	$1,286,243,926	$129,511,642	$21,642,278
December 2023	$1,314,056,821	$126,360,303	$20,517,094
November 2023	$1,375,398,292	$73,297,758	$11,666,914
October 2023	$1,161,060,707	$104,679,506	$18,055,019
September 2023	$1,078,339,446	$99,829,998	$13,855,307
August 2023	$676,065,425	$58,823,721	$7,549,895

Illinois sports to bet on

People in Illinois can bet on many major sports teams if they choose. Though the Bulls, Blackhawks, and MLB teams are incredibly popular, Chicago Bears odds are likely the most popular wagers in the state despite the team’s recent struggles.

• NBA — Chicago Bulls
• NFL — Chicago Bears
• MLB — Chicago White Sox
• MLB — Chicago Cubs
• NHL — Chicago Blackhawks
• MLS — Chicago Fire FC

Here are the most popular sports and Illinois teams on which to bet in the state:

In addition to these Chicago teams, there are options for wagering on other games in these leagues, special events like March Madness, and more individual-focused sports like tennis, mixed martial arts, golf, and motorsports.

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.

2024: Two iGaming bills are introduced at the start of the state’s legislative session. Both HB 2239 and SB 1656 would create the Internet Gaming Act.

The DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field opens for bets. The Illinois Gaming Board approves DraftKings for a four-year retail and online sports betting license at Wrigley Field. DraftKings had previously been operating under a temporary license.

Fanatics Sportsbook launches in April, replacing PointsBet.

The Illinois legislature passes a bill raising the state’s tax rates on sports betting.

The Illinois Gaming Board announces a ban on in-state college sports betting starting on July 1, 2024. The previous law allowed bets on in-state colleges if done in person at a retail sportsbook.

2023: Illinois sports betting hits new record highs in handle, revenue, and taxes in 2023. The state has over $1 billion in handle in each of the last four months of the year, with November setting the current record at $1.375 billion in wagers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Illinois sports betting FAQ

Additional resources on Illinois sports betting

• Illinois General Assembly website — lawmaking body for the state of Illinois.
• WeKnowtheFeeling.org — problem gambling assistance group funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services.