This guide is here to tell you everything you need to know about Illinois betting sites. Essential reading for anyone looking to bet on sports in the Prairie State.
The good news is that sports betting has been legal in Illinois since 2020 and this is the place where you’ll find the perfect home for your sports bets. After all, you’ll get to see the top five online sportsbooks in the state who’ll give you superior odds and some awesome promo offers too.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new Sportsbook customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: dkng.co/offer. Get 1 promo code to redeem a 3-month NBA League Pass subscription, complimentary of DraftKings. Subscription auto-renews monthly at then-current price (currently $16.99/mo); cancel anytime. Terms, restrictions, and eligibility requirements apply. Redeem League Pass by 12/19/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Addt’l terms: support.watch.nba.com/hc/en-us/articles/9165532876183-League-Pass-Terms-of-Use_. Ends 11/29/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
Cashable
No
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5, Get $200 + 3 Months of NBA League Pass!
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpgg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). Find online real money wagering only. Min $5 wager required for 7 consecutive days. $5 free play credit. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus with cash withdrawable bonus with cash withdrawable. Bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
Cashable
No
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Cashable
No
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Key Things to Know About Online Sports Betting in Illinois
Before you rush to sign up to one of the IL online sportsbooks listed below, it’s best to get a good grounding into how sports betting works in the Prairie State. Here is what you need to know:
Sports betting launched in Illinois in June 2020 after the activity was legalized in June 2019.
There are nine legal online sportsbooks operating in Illinois and each are partnered with one of the state’s casinos. You can also bet in-person at over a dozen licensed physical sportsbooks in the Prairie State.
You can bet on all professional sports, but you cannot bet on politics, entertainment or in-state college sports teams.
Betting on college sports will also be limited to moneylines, spreads and totals.
A new sports betting tax was introduced in June 2025 that caused some of the state’s sportsbooks to add an extra fee onto each mobile bet.
Sports betting in IL is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board.
You can also bet on horse racing and daily fantasy sports in Illinois.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new Sportsbook customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: dkng.co/offer. Get 1 promo code to redeem a 3-month NBA League Pass subscription, complimentary of DraftKings. Subscription auto-renews monthly at then-current price (currently $16.99/mo); cancel anytime. Terms, restrictions, and eligibility requirements apply. Redeem League Pass by 12/19/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Addt’l terms: support.watch.nba.com/hc/en-us/articles/9165532876183-League-Pass-Terms-of-Use_. Ends 11/29/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5, Get $200 + 3 Months of NBA League Pass!
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpgg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). Find online real money wagering only. Min $5 wager required for 7 consecutive days. $5 free play credit. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus with cash withdrawable bonus with cash withdrawable. Bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Claim Bonus
Five of the Best Betting Sites in Illinois
There are nine legal online sportsbooks currently operating in Illinois and below you will find five of the best of them. While you might recognize some of these brands from our shortlist of
Ohio betting sites, that’s just because they are market-leading sportsbooks in both states and they’ll give you a superior way to bet. So let’s have a closer look at these brands:
IL Online Sportsbook
Welcome Offer
Bet365
No sweat bet up to $1,000 or bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets
BetMGM
Lose your first bet and get your stake refunded up to $1,500 in bonus bet tokens
Caesars
Get your first qualifying bet matched by 100% up to $250 in bonus bets
FanDuel
Bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your qualifying bet wins
DraftKings
Bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bet tokens
Bet365 – The Latest Online Sportsbook to Come to Illinois
Multiple welcome promos
Longstanding rep.
Regular “Bet Boosts”
Great for props and parlays
Only available in 17 states
This hot new sportsbook only came to Illinois in March 2025 but it has already caused a major stir. Much of this is down to the fact that bet365 puts on consistently strong odds, and then it’ll take things to the next level by putting on odds boosts and even some self-explanatory Super Boosts.
While it’s a UK-based sportsbook, bet365 is great for betting on US sports with an eye-watering amount of betting lines for each game in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. Plus with a nicely-designed app, 24/7 customer support and a choice of no less than two welcome offers, you’ll be having a lot of fun here.
BetMGM – Massive Online Sportsbook with Huge Welcome Offer
30+ sports markets covered including the top US leagues
Superior in-play betting experience
Amazing BetMGM rewards program with real-world benefits
High-quality Android and iOS app
The welcome bonus only triggers if your first bet loses
Visit BetMGM Sport
Everyone knows that BetMGM is one of the biggest sportsbooks in the US and so it makes sense that it would offer you a huge welcome bonus that’ll take the sting of any opening losses. Plus the brand has a nice line in bonuses for existing customers too with a generous range of odds boosts and that already-legendary MGM Rewards program.
While the brand’s site is a little heavy on the information, it’s actually pretty easy to navigate around and things get even simpler on the excellent BetMGM mobile app. You also cannot fault the sports coverage here with enough betting lines to appease even the nerdiest of sports fans.
It’s only fair that one of the biggest sportsbooks in the US would be a big betting brand in Illinois, and most sports fans will find what they are looking for at FanDuel. This means getting nothing but quality odds, enjoying a nicely generous welcome offer and making the most of a speedy and easy-to-navigate app.
Other highlights to note include the fact that you can make some awesome same game parlays here, and there are some handy referral deals too. Plus with some withdrawals going through in under two hours, you won’t have to wait too long to get your hands on your well-deserved winnings either.
DraftKings – Enjoy Making Speedy Withdrawals at This Market-leading Sportsbook
Generous bonuses and promotions
Mobile app
Excellent live betting platform
VIP program
Limited live streaming
Visit DraftKings Sport
No list of IL online sportsbooks would be complete without a mention of DraftKings. After all, this is a heavyweight betting brand that has put on a typically grand welcome offer giving you a huge amount of bonus bets just for making a modest opening bet.
You can also count on DraftKings to put on seriously competitive odds for massive events like the Super Bowl all the way through to niche sports taking place on the other side of the planet. Plus with a speedy app and even speedier withdrawals, you should have a decent time here.
How to Use These Illinois Sports Betting Sites
Most of the above sportsbooks should work in roughly the same way. This means that you’ll just have to do the following to enjoy the best of sports betting in Illinois:
Click on any of the IL online sportsbooks listed in the banners of this page to be taken to their sites.
Follow the links to download the sportsbook’s betting app to your mobile device.
Create your customer account by filling in the registration form with personal details like your name, address, email, mobile number and date of birth.
Enter in any promo codes required to activate a welcome offer.
Submit your account application and verify your identity by submitting the required documentation.
Log into your account and navigate to the cashier section.
Make an opening deposit with one of the accepted payment methods.
Go the sportsbook lobby and navigate to the sporting event that you want to bet on.
Browse the betting lines and tap on any of the odds to have them added to your bet slip.
Enter your betting stake and submit your bet.
Key Ingredients of All Good IL Betting Sites
You’ll notice that all of the Illinois sports betting sites featured in this guide will share a few key characteristics. Here are the essential ingredients of all good IL sportsbooks:
📝 IGB Licensing
Failure to have licensing from the Illinois Gaming Board would mean that the sportsbook was acting illegally by accepting customers from Illinois. It’s the same over the border in Iowa where all
Iowa betting sites
have to be licensed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
🔒 Secure and Fair
Each online sportsbook should feature SSL encryption to safeguard your data and deposits. There should also be a privacy policy, KYC procedures and an array of player protection tools.
⚽ Variety of Bets
Obviously you should be able to bet on all of the big sports like football, hockey, basketball and baseball, but there should be coverage of dozens more sports ranging from soccer, tennis and golf through to MMA, boxing and beyond. Plus you should get hundreds of betting lines for each major sporting event.
💰 Quality Odds
We’ve held extensive odds comparison tests for each of the IL sportsbooks listed here to make sure that they can give you competitive odds for your chosen sporting event. Plus there is nothing like the occasional odds boost to liven up that sporting event.
📺 Action-Packed Live Betting
You should also be able to bet live on your chosen sport with the full range of in-play betting odds as well as extra features like live trackers, live streaming and more.
🎉 Promo Offers
There should be a wide range of promos for both new and existing customers. These could contain anything from bonus bet deals, no sweat bets, parlay profit boosts to some VIP reward programs.
💳 Safe Payment Methods
You should be given access to a variety of trusted payment providers that you could use for making secure and speedy deposits and withdrawals. These should include major credit and debit cards, ewallets, bank transfers and so on.
🤝 Professional Customer Support
Each sportsbook should be able to take good care of its customers and this means that you should be able to get in touch 24/7 live chat, email, phone and even social media.
Pros and Cons of Using IL Sports Betting Sites
Chances are that you are already considering signing up to one of these online sportsbooks, but just in case you’re having your doubts, here are the main pros and cons of doing so:
Pros and Cons
Legal way to bet in Illinois
User-friendly betting apps
Handy welcome offers
Wide range of betting lines
Betting can be risky
Conclusion – Enjoy the Best of Illinois Sports Betting Online
By now you will understand that Illinois is home to some excellent online sportsbooks who’ll each give you a legal, safe and highly enjoyable way to bet on your favorite sports. After all, they’ve all been tested to ensure that they offer nothing but decent odds and generous bonuses.
So don’t worry about heading over the border to use those
Indiana betting sites, as you’ve got a great way to bet right here in the Prairie State. So register your account at any of these featured sportsbooks and start betting.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new Sportsbook customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: dkng.co/offer. Get 1 promo code to redeem a 3-month NBA League Pass subscription, complimentary of DraftKings. Subscription auto-renews monthly at then-current price (currently $16.99/mo); cancel anytime. Terms, restrictions, and eligibility requirements apply. Redeem League Pass by 12/19/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Addt’l terms: support.watch.nba.com/hc/en-us/articles/9165532876183-League-Pass-Terms-of-Use_. Ends 11/29/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5, Get $200 + 3 Months of NBA League Pass!
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpgg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). Find online real money wagering only. Min $5 wager required for 7 consecutive days. $5 free play credit. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus with cash withdrawable bonus with cash withdrawable. Bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Claim Bonus
Illinois Betting Sites FAQ
You can download each of the IL sportsbook apps listed on this page from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Each of the betting sites should have their own download links too.
You will have to be at least 21 years old to bet online in Illinois. This is the same minimum age requirement for using
Pennsylvania betting sites
and most other online sportsbooks in the nation.
The only way that you are going to be able to consistently bet on sports for free is to use a social sportsbook where you play with virtual currencies. Each of these IL online sportsbooks listed here will expect you to make a real money deposit and then use those funds as stakes for your sports bets.
In theory, yes, but in reality, these deals can be pretty hard to track down and most no deposit bonuses have some tough wagering conditions.
It varies according to the betting site that you are using. However, most IL sports betting sites will expect you to upload a scan of some kind of government-issued photo ID, some proof of residence, as well as a selfie in order to verify your identity.
