On this page, you’ll find an overview of the Illinois sports betting landscape, highlighting the best IL sportsbooks, and walking through the basics of registration. We’ll also detail a history of sports gambling in Illinois and offer tips for responsible gambling practices.
Illinois was one of the quickest states to approve sports betting following the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s 2019 authorization of SB 690 paved the way for the state’s sports gambling industry to launch in March 2020, bringing millions of dollars in tax revenue to the state since then.
Bettor In Green has deemed these five online operators to be the best Illinois Sportsbooks. Criteria for selection included bonus frequency, mobile app performance, betting market availability, line competitiveness/favorability, and much more.
DraftKings Sportsbook began its operation as a popular daily fantasy sports operator, boasting millions of players across the United States before PASPA was overturned. After the Supreme Court decision, it quickly incorporated a sportsbook into its list of verticals, using the familiarity among DFS enthusiasts to springboard into becoming one of the most-used sports betting sites in Illinois and across the United States.
Illinois DK users will particularly appreciate the broad selection of live-betting markets on the platform, the rock-solid mobile app, and the ability to place bets in person using the retail sportsbooks at Wrigley Field and Casino Queen.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: DraftKings Sportsbook Illinois has lived up to its reputation as one of the top sports betting operators in the country, and its strong Illinois performance substantiates that idea. Novice sports bettors would be wise to add DK to their sportsbook arsenal, though experienced bettors will enjoy the bookie as well.
ESPN Bet launched in Illinois in November 2023, replacing Barstool Sportsbook as PENN Entertainment’s sports gambling brand. The bookie is continuing to integrate with existing ESPN products and apps, and ESPN’s on-air talent frequently produces betting-themed content as part of their partnership with PENN (though we should note ESPN DOES NOT set lines or odds).
We’ve found the mobile app to be the preferred way to play, though making bets through a web browser is a satisfactory option, too. ESPN Bet users will also want to be sure to register for the PENN Play Rewards program, one of the top loyalty programs in the industry.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: ESPN Bet Illinois has succeeded in many areas where Barstool Sportsbook came up short, in particular with a superior mobile app. We expect continued app developments will allow ESPN Bet to remain a strong option for Illinois players.
Circa Sports chose Illinois as its first state for expansion outside of its retail operation in Nevada, and it has quickly become a go-to option for parlay betting enthusiasts. The main reason for this is odds being “juiced” in the players’ favor, which Circa has opted to use instead of offering bonuses and promotions.
Additionally, Circa offers betting with higher limits than other Illinois betting sites and does not penalize bettors who continue to win with a high success rate. The state-specific mobile app also helps to streamline the customer support process so you aren’t competing with those around the country for an agent’s assistance.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: Circa remains the best option in Illinois for high stakes bettors. While casual gamblers may enjoy Circa as well, the benefits of the bookie may not be as applicable.
FanDuel has the highest-rated mobile app among both Android and Apple device users. Like DraftKings, FanDuel burst onto the scene as a DFS operator before becoming one of the most dominant sportsbooks in the U.S.
In Illinois, FanDuel offers three retail locations (Par-a-Dice Casino in Peoria, Fairmount Park in Collinsville, and at the United Center in Chicago). It also has the largest selection of same game parlay markets, excellent customer support, and a highly intuitive user interface that is great for newcomers.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: FanDuel’s prop betting market is second to none, and the customer service interactions have been some of the best we’ve encountered. We can confidently recommend FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois for all bettors.
bet365 Sportsbook Illinois (which uses the lowercase name in its branding as you’ll see throughout this piece) is a high-quality option for players who are odds shopping. We highly recommend bettors of all experience levels and skill sets practice odds and line shopping, which is checking in with multiple betting operators to find the most player-friendly lines and odds for the markets they intend to play.
Beyond that, you’ll also find bet365 frequently has among the lowest minimum wagering requirements for bonuses (with a special nod to welcome bonuses). We’ve seen many promotions on bet365 that require a qualifying wager of as low as $1 in any market to unlock hundreds of dollars in bonus bets and promo credits.
bet365 also has a retail sportsbook in Illinois at Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: bet365 has quickly risen through the ranks and is challenging the other major players in the state with live betting, international markets, and more.
These are the other legal sportsbooks in Illinois to consider:
BetMGM is a futures bet enthusiast’s dream, with odds and lines for season-long bets frequently available before other Illinois sports betting sites. Not only does this allow BetMGM Sportsbook Illinois users to take advantage of favorable lines earlier than at competing books, but also such futures bets are eligible for rewards points in the bookie’s loyalty program.
Recent overhauls to BetRivers’ website and mobile app have made both platforms noticeably stronger, with faster load times, easier menu navigation, and an overall sharper aesthetic. Access to the iRush Rewards Program is another great benefit, as is the list of niche sports markets, including darts, cycling, Jai Alai, handball, and badminton
Caesars Sportsbook Illinois has some of the highest-reaching welcome bonus offers available to new players, with deposit matches and second chance bets that can exceed $1,000 in site credit. Users will also be able to access live-streaming of many in-play events after placing a wager on that game.
Previously operating as “PointsBet Sportsbook”, sports merchandising giant Fanatics acquired PointsBet’s U.S. sports betting and casino gambling licenses in the summer of 2023. Already a major player in the Illinois market, Fanatics Sportsbook IL has continued to build on PointsBet’s success with a strong mobile app and four retail sportsbooks throughout the state.
Last but not least, Hard Rock Bet mobile app makes a valuable counterpart to the retail bookie at the casino in Rockford. Hard Rock has impressive depth in its market coverage of the “Big Four” leagues, and the rewards program allows users to continue to rake in bonuses and benefits.
While the exact steps to placing a sports wager will vary slightly depending on which sportsbook you’re using, the process should look something like this:
Take a look at the most noteworthy Illinois sports betting news:
Sports betting is legal in Illinois, though there have been a few stipulations over the years, some of which are still in effect.
For example, Illinois gamblers are able to wager on college sporting events but only on the games and events that do not involve in-state teams or players. This extends to national events like the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments, Heisman Trophy futures wagers, and more.
When Governor J.B. Pritzker signed SB 690 in 2019, a stipulation in the bill required IL bettors to register for their sportsbook accounts in person before using a mobile app. The law has since been modified for convenience, as the COVID-19 pandemic hit just as the state was launching sports betting in March 2020; you can now register from anywhere within state borders.
Here are a few of the key moments in the history of sports betting in Illinois. We will continue to update this section as more news and events occur.
Below is a list of all online sportsbooks in Illinois. These operators are licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) and are safe for use.
Additionally, the following bookmakers have since ceased their Illinois sports betting operations.
Illinois sportsbook promotions and bonuses are the main manner in which sportsbooks try to attract and keep their users. Occasionally, these bonuses will require a promo code, but most have done away with that practice and now utilize an opt-in system or award promos as part of their loyalty program.
Here are some of the most popular and common types of promotions you should know about:
Mobile sports betting apps is far and away the most popular way to gamble on sports in Illinois. It is often more convenient than traveling to a retail sportsbook location, it allows you to claim bonuses (and rewards points where available), and you can make your bets before the odds change as they would if you were commuting to a brick-and-mortar location.
Below, you’ll find the app store ratings for all licensed Illinois sportsbooks on Apple and Android devices. Ratings are accurate as of January 2025.
| Sportsbook | Apple App Store Rating | Google Play Store Rating |
|---|---|---|
| bet365 Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.4/5 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Circa Sports | 1.9/5 | 2.7/5 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.4/5 |
| ESPN Bet Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | 4.9/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 |
Sports betting winnings are taxable income in Illinois and must be reported on both your state and federal income tax returns. Most sportsbooks will issue you a copy of Form W-2G if you win more than $600, though this form can also be downloaded from the IRS website.
Illinois has a flat state income tax rate of 4.95%, so no matter how much you win, this will be the rate on your winnings. Additionally, if you live in Illinois but win money out of state, you’ll be required to pay the Illinois rate when you report.
Responsible gambling refers to all practices that promote the prevention of gambling addiction and compulsion. It is a shared initiative between legitimate sports betting operators and those who place wagers with those companies.
Sportsbooks that practice responsible gambling do so by refusing to target advertisements toward those under the legal age and people who have put themselves on the voluntary self-exclusion list. They also provide easy access to limit setting on user accounts, enabling players to restrict the amount of money and time they spend gambling and recommending a cool-down period for those who have spent considerable time using their products.
On the gambler’s side, responsible gambling practices involve practicing self-awareness and self-discipline in making wagers, betting within one’s means, and participating in a safe manner. It is always better to take a break or stop betting altogether than to continue to chase losses, trying to win back the full amount of what was lost on increasingly larger wagers.
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 1 in 100 U.S. adults is at risk of developing a gambling addiction. As more states legalize gambling and expand access, this number is expected to rise.
The following gambling assistance resources are available to Illinois gamblers:
As an extreme member, we also recommend those who are at high risk of developing a gambling compulsion (or who already are managing a gambling addiction) to register for the voluntary gambling self-exclusion list. Those on the list are prohibited from entering a gambling facility or from accessing or attempting to access an online sports betting account, and will be subject to legal penalties for doing so.
Inclusion on the list carries a mandatory minimum term of five years but you won’t automatically be removed after that time has passed. It’s possible to enter a review for removal from the list after five years, though we highly encourage those in the program to continue their exclusion.
Bally Bet Casino in Chicago is expected to open in full in 2026. When it does, Bally could apply for a sports betting license to open a retail sportsbook, online bookie, or both.
Another future opportunity would be reversing the ban on collegiate sports betting on in-state teams.
This topic often faces legal challenges in sports betting bills. Proponents of the ban argue that it protects local athletes from gambling-related exposure, while those in opposition argue that they should be permitted to back their local schools.
Repealing this aspect of the bill would also increase sportsbook revenue and, by extension, gambling tax revenue.
Illinois is one of the biggest states for sports betting, and that trend should continue for the foreseeable future. By lifetime betting handle, Illinois trails only New Jersey, New York, and Nevada; it could overtake Nevada by the end of calendar 2025.
Now that you’ve learned about which sportsbooks are available to you, feel free to try a few out to find which options are available. We’ve composed comprehensive reviews of all Illinois sportsbooks to help you with that process and provide even more in-depth analysis of their strengths and weaknesses.
You can also sign up for the Bettor In Green cheat sheets, which provide a daily analysis of prop betting markets to help you find betting value and track the lines that are most likely to hit in that day’s NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB action. The cheat sheets can be yours for the low cost of $4.99/month.
Good luck, have fun, and always gamble responsibly!!
The top sports betting strategies for Illinois bettors are shopping the odds for the best deal on lines, managing your bankroll (especially through unit betting), and hedging bets when appropriate. However you decide to make your wagers, please do so responsibly!!
No, there is no limit to how many sportsbooks you can join in Illinois. You are welcome to participate at as many sportsbooks as you’d like. Gambling with more than one operator will allow you to shop the lines for the best odds, helping you to make more money on winning wagers.
Mobile sports betting in Illinois works by using geolocation technology to confirm you are within the state borders while placing your wagers. Additionally, an age verification process during account registration will ensure bettors are of legal age to gamble. All licensed Illinois operators have sports betting apps available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Yes, there are Illinois-specific sports betting promotions. They are most often available through partnerships with IL-based sports teams. You’re most likely to see them at the start of the regular season or in the playoffs.
No, once you have placed a sports bet in Illinois, you will not be able to cancel or void it. However, your bet may be eligible for early cashout, which can help you to cut your losses if the bet you placed doesn’t look likely to hit.
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