Best Illinois sports betting sites 2023

RANK
OPERATOR
BONUS
INFO
ACTION
1
$1,000 FIRST BET
On Caesars
Top Features
Up to $1,000 Back as a Bonus Bet if Your Bet Loses
Stream NFL Games In-App for Free
Use Promo Code: LSR1000
Get Up to $1,000 at Caesars Sportsbook
2
UP TO $1,500
In Bonus Bets
Top Features
$1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets
Free Live Streaming – Watch Live Games 
Use Bonus Code: PLAYLSR
Get Up to $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets
3
GET UP TO $1,000
In Second Chance Bets
Top Features
Get up to $1,000 in Second Chance Bets
10 Bonus Bets up to $100 each
To Claim: Click Play Now
Get up to $1,000 in Second Chance Bets at Pointsbet Sportsbook
4
$500 BONUS
2nd Chance Bet
Top Features
Up To $500 in Bet Credits
ONLY 1x Play Through!
Use Exclusive Affiliate Code: LSRRIV
Claim Your $500 Bonus At BetRivers Sportsbook!
5
BET $5
get $200
In Bonus Bets
Top Features
Get up to $200 in Bonus Bets
Available on Desktop, Android & iOS
To Claim: Click Play Now
New Players get up to $200 in Bonus Bets at FanDuel Sportsbook
6
UP TO $1,250 BONUS
New User Bonus. T&Cs Apply.
Top Features
DraftKings Promo: Bet $5 Get $200
PLUS $50 Bonus Bet On Deposit 
PLUS Up to $1,000 Deposit Bonus
PLUS a Daily No Sweat Same Game Parlay
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
To Claim: Click Play Now
Claim Your $1,250 Bonus at DraftKings Sportsbook

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

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

  1. Caesars Sportsbook promo code: $1,000 first bet on Caesars. Use the code LSR1000.
  2. BetMGM bonus code: Use the code PLAYLSR to get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if you don’t win.
  3. PointsBet promo code: No code necessary. Get up to $1,000 in second chance bets.
  4. BetRivers bonus code: Use the code LSRRIV to receive a second-chance bet up to $500 if your first bet loses.
  5. FanDuel promo code: No code necessary. Bet $5, Get $200 in bonus bets.
  6. 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:

Daily Deals in Illinois

NFL RB LEIPZIG VS. MAN CITY
Openda First Goalscorer
+650
+750
15% Boost
BET NOW
MLB CREATE CHAOS
Carroll & Marte Each Over 1.5 Total Bases
+375
BET NOW
NFL NEWCASTLE VS. PSG
Newcastle Wins 2-0
+1400
+1400
14% Boost
BET NOW
MLB BREWERS BOUNCE BACK
Yelich & Taylor Each Over 1.5 Total Bases
+400
BET NOW
NFL ATLETICO MADRID VS. FEYENOORD
Griezmann First Goalscorer
+450
+500
11% Boost
BET NOW
MLB PHILLIES HOT BAT BOOST
Harper, Turner, Castellanos, Bohm All Record Hit
+275
BET NOW
NFL DORTMUND VS. AC MILAN
Dortmund Wins 2-0
+1200
+1400
17% Boost
BET NOW
MLB DIAMONDBACKS VS. BREWERS
Adames & Donaldson Each Hit HR
+1900
BET NOW
NFL SCARY TERRY
McLaurin Over 69.5 Receiving Yards & TD
+375
BET NOW
MLB BLUE JAYS VS. TWINS
Correa & Polanco Each 2+ Total Bases
+325
+450
38% Boost
BET NOW
NFL AIR FIELDS
Fields Over 149.5 Pass Yards & Over 1.5 Pass TDs
+225
BET NOW
MLB TWINS VS. BLUE JAYS
Twins Win & Lewis Hits HR
+675
+750
11% Boost
BET NOW
NFL BEARS VS. COMMANDERS
Howell Over 149.5 Pass Yards & Over 24.5 Rush Yards
+275
BET NOW
MLB MARLINS VS. PHILLIES
Schwarber & Realmuto Each Over 1.5 Total Bases
+500
BET NOW
NFL AP MVP
Burrow Wins AP MVP
+8000
BET NOW
MLB WEDNESDAY PARLAY
Rays, Twins, Brewers All Win
+450
BET NOW
NFL BEARS
Bears Make the Playoffs
+2000
BET NOW
MLB WILD CARD GAME 2
Rays, Blue Jays, Brewers, Phillies All Win
+950
BET NOW
MLB BLUE JAYS VS. TWINS, DIAMONDBACKS VS. BREWERS, MARLINS VS. PHILLIES
No Run in 1st Inning
+475
BET NOW
MLB BLUE JAYS VS. TWINS
Bichette, Springer, Guerrero Jr., Biggio Each Record Hit
+270
+325
20% Boost
BET NOW

DISCLAIMER

Legal Sports Report does not promote or endorse any form of wagering or gambling to users under the age of 21. This site encourages responsible gambling and provides advice for anyone who believes they, or someone they know, may have a gambling addiction.

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:

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:

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 LocationPartnerAddressStatus
The Temporary by American PlaceCirca Sports4011 Fountain Square Place, WaukeganTemporary casino open; American Place Casino planned for 2026 opening
Argosy Casino AltonBarstool1 Piasa St., AltonOpen
Bally’s ChicagoBally’sMedinah Temple, 600 N. Wabash Ave., ChicagoOpen
DraftKings at Casino QueenDraftKings200 Front St., East St LouisOpen
Grand Victoria Casino ElginCaesars 250 S. Grove Ave., ElginOpen
Hollywood Casino AuroraBarstool1 W. New York St., AuroraOpen
Hollywood Casino JolietBarstool777 Hollywood Blvd., JolietOpen
Par-A-Dice Hotel CasinoFanDuel21 Blackjack Blvd., East PeoriaOpen
Rivers Casino Des PlainesBetRivers3000 S. River Road, Des PlainesOpen
FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing (Fairmount Park)FanDuel9301 Collinsville Road, CollinsvilleOpen
Harrah’s CasinoCaesars100 E Front St, MetropolisOpen
Hawthorne Race CoursePointsBet3501 S. Laramie Ave., CiceroOpen
Club Hawthorne Prospect HeightsPointsBet1250 River Road, Prospect HeightsOpen
Club Hawthorne CrestwoodPointsBet13148 Rivercrest Drive, CrestwoodOpen
Club Hawthorne at Crazy PourPointsBet105 E. N Ave., Villa ParkOpen
Walker’s Bluff Casino Resortn/a777 Walkers Bluff Way,
Carterville
Sportsbook coming soon

Latest Illinois Sports Betting News

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 $840.4 million in a single month.
  4. Illinois sportsbooks have realized as much as $78.2 million in monthly revenue.
  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. Wagering on in-state college teams is legal only for pregame wagers that you make in person.
  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:

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:

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

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:

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