Legal sports betting has taken off in Illinois over the last couple of years, and the market doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. We anticipate that more and people will take up the hobby of gambling leading to betting sites creating more promotions and bonuses to reward loyal bettors.
Now that only leaves one thing for you to do: make sure you choose a strong sportsbook so you get the best bang for your buck.
Illinois offers plenty of strong sportsbooks both in-person and online, so the last thing you want to do is choose a weak bookmaker. To help you in your search for the perfect Illinois sportsbook, we have created our very own list of the 10 best betting platforms in the state .
When making our list, we have rigorously tested each platform, making sure they’re all reliable and, most of all, safe to use. Our ranking has also been based on odds, promotions, sports library, number of betting styles, features, and customer service.
Just make sure you don’t discount the bookmakers at the bottom of the list; they still have plenty to offer.
FanDuel is a must-have on any sportsbook ranking, as the giant offers one of the best gambling platforms on the Internet . You can wager on your favorite sports every day of the week with spectacular odds and a range of top-quality bonuses.
You can even take advantage of IL no-deposit bonuses; all you need to do is click on the ‘FreePlay" section and start sports betting.
While FanDuel may not have the pedigree that other sportsbooks have, it more than makes up for it in quality.
We are licensed and regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board as a Sports Wagering Management Service Provider pursuant to and in accordance with Illinois sports wagering regulations found in the Illinois Sports Wagering Act (“Act”) of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (“ILCS”) at 230 ILCS 45. We are offering online internet sports betting in Illinois under an agreement with Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, a Illinois Sports Betting Operator License holder. Our internet sports betting platform is tested by an independent test laboratory approved by the Illinois Gaming Control Board to provide an internet sports betting system that is fair and operates correctly. Must be 21+ years of age or older to wager. Must be present in IL. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537) or by texting GAMB to 833234. You can also visit
BetMGM"s Illinois sports betting platform gives you a premier betting experience from your living room. The gambling behemoth is by no means new to the industry and has been putting its expertise on full display with its online presence.
You gain access to Las Vegas-quality sportsbook odds alongside a host of great promotions , which, when combined, can create plenty of potentially profitable combinations.
If you want to bet with some peace of mind with a well-known brand while also knowing you"re in good hands, BetMGM is a strong choice.
The bright green logo of DraftKings is a staple at sports games and on TV nowadays, with the sportsbook plastering its name everywhere, but it"s for good reason. DraftKings offers one of the most accessible platforms out there , with a super simple website and app layout, which makes betting all too easy.
It also doesn"t hurt that you gain access to tons of promotions and bonuses , some of which are weekly offers.
If you"re looking to start gambling in Illinois and don"t really have much experience, DraftKings is the place to be.
You are welcome to register from any state in the U.S., but must be 21+ years old and physically located in Illinois to wager. Not valid for any participant of the Illinois Gaming Board Statewide Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Rush Street Interactive IL, LLC is licensed in the state of Illinois by the Illinois Gaming Board to provide sports wagering services in partnership with Midwest Gaming & Entertainment, L.L.C. d/b/a Rivers Casino Des Plaines.
BetRivers sits comfortably at number four on our list, showing an overall solid platform. However, its main strength lies in its slim margins and huge selection of promotions , with the sportsbook showcasing tons of potentially lucrative offers for those looking to bet in Illinois.
These promotions range from trivia games to profit boosts, all of which work towards increasing your potential earnings while decreasing your losses.
Caesars has been a prominent figure in the gambling world since long before many of us were born and has brought its A-game when making its online betting site. The sportsbook has not only invested heavily in the general look of the platform but has also made sure to offer great odds and an ample number of promotions .
These promotions don"t usually fall under the ‘Promotions" tab, instead being offered in each sports section as Quick Picks. These special Caesars Sportsbook promotions change with the current state of the league you"re betting on and are set on specific games and matchups.
Whether you’re looking to throw some money down on the Cubs or are a White Sox fan, setting up a gambling account is easy. All you need to do is follow the simple steps outlined below, and you’ll soon be betting like a pro.
The first step is to find a reputable betting site licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board. Any of the sites we’ve reviewed on this page are legit and licensed so if you choose one of them, you’re good.
You’ll need to provide some personal information, such as your name, date of birth, and address, as well as some government ID. Once you finish that process, it should only take a little bit of time for your account to be verified.
After registering with a sportsbook, the next step is to fund your betting account. Sportsbooks typically offer various deposit options, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and more .
Choose the payment method that works best for you, input the relevant information, and how much you’d like to deposit.
Lastly, make sure you look at the promotions and bonuses available before you start wagering. In many cases, there are potentially rewarding sign-up bonuses that only apply to your first wager, but you need to opt into them.
Make sure you always check the ‘Promotions’ tab when you’re new to a platform. You should also regularly look out for new offers once you’ve been betting on a sportsbook for a while as promos pop up all the time.
There are a number of sports that can be legally bet on in Illinois, with options available from across the world. All you need to do is ensure that your preferred sportsbook carries the sports you want to bet on.
Your IL sports betting options include:
Online gambling has been legal in Illinois since June 2019 . Since then, Illinois gambling laws have sat in the middle of the road in terms of government oversight, with the state not being too relaxed or too strict. However, for the everyday bettor, you really only need to make sure you’re over 21 because that’s the gambling age in Illinois.
In terms of who sets the intricate rules of betting and how sportsbooks can operate, that is established by the Illinois Gaming Board. They ensure that sportsbooks in the state are run in a fair and legal manner, mainly to ensure everyday people don’t get scammed.
Still in the dark about sports betting in Illinois? Don’t fret – we’ll be answering some of your most important questions.
Yes, sports betting is legal in Illinois. Online sports wagering in the Land of Lincoln was legalized in 2019, and the Illinois Gaming Board governs and licenses all sportsbooks.
To get started, register with a licensed sportsbook. Deposit funds into your betting account, then place wagers on your preferred sports events using the sportsbook’s platform.
Our pick for the best Illinois sportsbook is FanDuel. The bookmaker has consistently proven itself to be one of the most reliable platforms, with competitive odds and lots of promotions. No matter what your skill level is, betting on FanDuel is sure to offer the ultimate online wagering experience.
