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Illinois sports betting is fully legal online and in person. Online wagering launched in June 2020, following retail openings earlier that year. You can bet through licensed apps statewide or at approved retail locations. As of September 2025, the Illinois Gaming Board lists 10 legal online sportsbooks operating in the state. This guide covers IL sportsbook promos, the best sportsbook apps, how to start betting, local sports teams to know, and key legal facts so you can get set up quickly and safely.
Illinois Sports Betting Overview
- 📆 Online Launch Date: June 18, 2020
- 📱Online Sportsbooks Available: 10
- 🏬 Retail Sports Betting: ✅Legal (casinos, racetracks, and arenas)
- 🎂 Legal Betting Age: 21+
- 🏈 College Sports Betting: ✅Some Restrictions (no in-state teams, no player props)
- 🎰 Online Casinos: ❌ Not Legal
Is Illinois Sports Betting Legal?
Yes. Sports betting has been legal in Illinois since June 2019, when lawmakers passed SB 690. Retail sportsbooks opened in March 2020, and online betting began in June 2020. The market is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. You can wager online or on mobile with licensed operators, and in person at approved retail sportsbooks and casinos. You must be 21 or older and physically located within Illinois, and sportsbooks use geolocation to verify your location.
College Sports Betting in IL: No In-State Teams or Player Props
- No betting on in-state college teams
- Player props for college athletes are prohibited.
Top Illinois Sportsbook Apps Ranked & Reviewed
Illinois’ online market is competitive, with several major national operators live statewide. While more sportsbooks may enter over time, this section focuses on the top five based on market share, app quality, promotions, and betting features.
DraftKings Illinois
- Best known for: deep market depth, fast live pricing, and one of the most polished apps.
- DraftKings launched in Illinois in August 2020 via DraftKings at Casino Queen, and it is a national market leader known for deep markets and fast live pricing.
- Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets instantly, plus over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket.
- App experience & notable features: iOS rating 4.8/5 (847K+ ratings); live betting hub, SGPs, wide prop catalog
- Final take: choose DraftKings if you want the broadest menu and fast, reliable live markets on IL teams.
FanDuel Illinois
- Best known for: the most intuitive Same Game Parlay builder and strong live markets.
- FanDuel went live in Illinois in August 2020 (originally tied to Par-A-Dice) and is a top national operator recognized for an intuitive app and elite same-game parlay tools.
- Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if your first bet wins. No code required.
- App experience & notable features: iOS rating 4.8/5 (847K+ ratings); live betting hub, SGPs, wide prop catalog
- Final take: pick FanDuel if you value a slick app and elite parlay tools with instant payout previews.
BetMGM Illinois
- Best known for: Frequent profit boosts and broad SGP options and MGM Rewards integration for hotel and resort perks.
- BetMGM launched online in Illinois on March 5, 2022, as in-person registration ended, and it is a well-known national brand backed by MGM Resorts with broad market coverage.
- Welcome offer: “First Bet Offer” up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet loses.
- App experience & notable features: iOS rating 4.8/5 (~240K ratings); live betting, cash-out, wide sport coverage.
- Final take: if you value boosts and MGM Rewards status, BetMGM is a strong secondary book in IL even when a first-time promo isn’t running.
Fanatics Sportsbook Illinois
- Best known for: FanCash rewards that convert to bonus bets or merchandise and steady football-season promos.
- Fanatics Sportsbook launched in Illinois in 2024 after acquiring PointsBet’s U.S. business, and it is growing nationally with its FanCash rewards model and clean, modern app.
- Welcome offer: Sign Up & Get 20+ $100 No Sweat Bets FanCash if Your Football Bet Loses EVERY Gameday.
- App experience & notable features: iOS rating 4.8/5 (138K+ ratings); clean UI, live betting, responsible gaming tooling.
- Final take: a great add for rewards hunters, especially during football season, with daily FanCash value.
Caesars Illinois
- Best known for: daily “Super Boosts” and frequent promos and Caesars Rewards credits on eligible wagers.
- Caesars has operated in Illinois since 2020 through the former William Hill platform, and it is a prominent national book known for Caesars Rewards and regular odds boosts.
- Welcome offer: Bet $1, get 20 tokens for 100% Profit Boosts (double your winnings) on subsequent bets
- App experience & notable features: iOS rating 4.7/5 (89K+ ratings); SGPs, live betting, simplified navigation.
- Final take: if you want steady boosts and a national rewards program that ties into Vegas stays, Caesars is a solid rotation book in IL.
bet365 Illinois
- Best known for: elite in-play betting, early-payout features, vast global menus, and very robust alternate totals/spreads.
- bet365 launched in Illinois on March 16, 2025, and is a globally respected sportsbook known for elite live betting, streaming, and deep alternate lines.
- Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets or a First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000
- App experience & notable features: iOS rating 4.8/5 (189K+ ratings); strong live betting hub with rapid markets and useful in-game stats.
- Final take: stands out for best-in-class live betting with fast odds updates, deep markets, and integrated live streaming that makes in-game wagering seamless.
All Legal IL Sportsbooks
- 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)
- bet365 Sportsbook (Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort)
- Fanatics Sportsbook (Hawthorne Race Course)
- ESPN Bet (Hollywood Casino Aurora/Hollywood Casino Joliet)
- Circa Sportsbook (The Temporary by American Place Casino in Waukegan)
Best IL Sportsbook Promos & Welcome Offers (September 2025)
New Illinois users can unlock about $450–$600 in near-instant value right now by stacking the biggest Bet & Get style deals. Claim the welcome promos first, then decide which app you like best for live betting, parlays, and props. Always check the in-app terms for minimum odds, settlement timing, and expiration before placing your qualifying wager.
DraftKings Sportsbook IL Promo – Bet $5, Get $300 instantly in Bonus Bets, + $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket
Offer Summary:
Key Details:
- Minimum deposit $5, qualifying bet $5+.
- “Bet and Get” structure, bonus credits paid instantly after placing the qualifier.
- Bonus bets expire per in-app terms, Sunday Ticket discount applied after opt-in.
Standout Perk:
- The instant $300 plus the NFL Sunday Ticket discount is one of the best football-season bundles.
Quick How-to-Claim:
- Sign up in IL, deposit $5+, place a $5 cash bet on any market, receive $200 in bonus bets instantly and claim the Sunday Ticket discount in your account.
FanDuel Sportsbook IL Promo – Bet $5, Win, Get $300 in Bonus Bets
Offer Summary:
Key Details:
- Minimum deposit $5, first cash wager $5+.
- “Bet and Get if you win,” bonus credits post after settlement of a winning first bet.
- Bonus bets typically issue within 72 hours and expire per terms.
Standout Perk:
- Cleanest SGP builder in the market, and the welcome pairs well with small first plays. (See FanDuel’s IL page for current terms.)
Quick How-to-Claim:
- Create your IL account, deposit $5+, place your first $5 cash bet, get $150 in bonus bets if that wager wins.
BetMGM IL Promo – Up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets
Offer Summary:
Key Details:
- Minimum deposit typically $10, first bet qualifies.
- “First-bet insurance,” only pays if the first wager loses.
- Bonus bets are split per terms and carry an expiry window.
Standout Perk:
- High ceiling on protection, useful if you want to take a bigger first swing.
Quick How-to-Claim:
- Register in IL, opt in on the promos page, deposit, place your first cash bet, receive bonus bets up to $1,500 if it loses.
Fanatics Sportsbook IL Promo – Bet $10, Get $50
Offer Summary:
Key Details:
- Minimum deposit $10, qualifying cash bet $10 at odds of −500 or longer.
- “Bet and Get” in FanCash, not bonus bets.
- FanCash converts to bonus bets or merchandise, must be used within the app per terms.
Standout Perk:
- FanCash can be converted to bonus bets or used on merch, and IL is an eligible state for this national promo.
Quick How-to-Claim:
- Sign up in IL, deposit $10+, toggle the promo in your bet slip, place a $10 cash bet at eligible odds, receive $50 in FanCash.
Caesars Sportsbook IL Promo – Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Next 20 Wagers
Offer Summary:
Key Details:
- Minimum deposit usually $10, qualifying first bet $1.
- Not a traditional Bet-and-Get or insurance. This is a bundle of 100 percent profit boosts.
- Boosts are issued over 10 days and have per-token max stakes and expiry.
Standout Perk:
- Twenty 100 percent boosts give flexible value on straight bets, parlays, and many SGPs during your first 10 days.
Quick How-to-Claim:
- Create a Caesars IL account, deposit, place a $1+ qualifying bet, receive two 100 percent profit boosts per day for 10 days and apply them on eligible markets.
bet365 IL Promo – Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
Offer Summary:
- New users can bet $5 and receive $200 in Bonus Bets, regardless of the outcome.
Key Details
- Minimum deposit of $10 and made in the seven days prior to you claiming the offer.
- Consists of: Getting $150 in Bonus Bets. It doesn’t matter if the bet wins or loses.
- Bonus Bet expiration: 30 days after registering your account.
Standout Perk
- Includes $150 of Bonus Bets regardless of whether your bet wins or loses.
Quick How-to-Claim
- Sign up, deposit $10+, place your first $10 wager, and get Bonus Bets.
How to Start Betting on Sports in Illinois
1. Choose a Legal IL Sportsbook
Compare welcome bonuses, odds quality, and app UX. Check for Bulls, Bears, White Sox, Cubs, and Fire promos.
2. Register Online
Illinois allows remote sign-up. You’ll typically enter: full name, email, date of birth, last 4 of SSN, and physical address. Verify location and age (21+).
3. Claim a Welcome Bonus
Click the “claim” button on this page to opt in. Read the terms and conditions for minimum odds, qualifying bet, and expiry.
4. Deposit Funds
Common IL methods: credit and debit card, online banking/ACH, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Play+ prepaid.
5. Place Your First Bet
Example: bet $5 on the Bears to win at DraftKings to unlock bonus bets. You can also try a simple total or moneyline.
6. Withdraw Winnings
Payout options usually include online banking/ACH, PayPal, Venmo, and Play+. E-wallets often pay fastest, while bank transfers can take longer. Check processing times in the app’s cashier.
Illinois Sports Betting Handle
The betting handle is the total amount of money wagered with legal sportsbooks over a given period. It counts every dollar staked before any winnings are paid out. Handle is not the sportsbook’s revenue. Revenue equals handle minus payouts, and the hold (or win rate) is revenue divided by handle.
Quick example: if bettors place $200 million in wagers and sportsbooks pay out $188 million, revenue is $12 million and the hold is 6%.
| Year | Handle | Revenue | Hold | Taxes |
| 2020 | $1.88B | $137M | 7.3% | $20.2M |
| 2021 | $7.02B | $534M | 7.6% | $84.7M |
| 2022 | $9.75B | $806M | 8.3% | $127M |
| 2023 | $11.6B | $1.01B | 8.7% | $161M |
| 2024 | $14B | $1.2B | 8.6% | $276M |
Responsible Gaming in Illinois
Sports betting should be enjoyable and fit your budget. If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, confidential help is available in Illinois and nationwide. Most sportsbooks also offer deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion to help you stay in control.
Help and resources:
- Illinois Council on Problem Gambling – ilcpg.org – 📞 217-652-9611
- National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) – ncpgambling.org | 📞 1-800-522-4700 | 📱 Text “HELP” to 800-522-4700 | 💬 Live Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat
- Gamblers Anonymous – gamblersanonymous.org | 📞 1-855-222-5542
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