Online Sports Betting in Illinois

Look no further than this page if you’re on the hunt for a new IL online sports betting site. We’ve carefully compiled a list of all the best IL sportsbooks into one neat place, so you can find all the information needed to make the best choice possible.

Sports betting has grown in popularity in The Prairie State since its arrival on the scene in 2020. Now a fully-fledged online sports wagering state, bettors in IL have been able to enjoy a whole host of exciting sports action across a variety of top-notch sports betting platforms.

The best IL betting sites have competitive odds, rewarding bonuses, and offer a wide range of popular markets. The only aspect of IL online sports betting that can be frustrating is trying to decide which bookmaker suits you best!

In a bid to make your journey towards choosing the best IL sportsbooks that little bit easier, we’ve piled all the most impressive IL sports betting sites into an easily digestible, ranked and rated, list below.

#1 Best IL Sports Betting Site - DraftKings Sportsbook

Arguably the best-known sportsbook in the country, DraftKings originally started as a DFS website. After enjoying success in the Daily Fantasy Sports industry, the team decided to shift their focus toward becoming an accessible site that offers legal sports betting in IL.

The betting site set up shop in Illinois in August 2020 after penning a crucial deal with Casino Queen, based in East St. Louis. Now boasting a downloadable app for iOS and Android mobile devices, the DraftKings IL sports betting site is a firm fixture of the sports scene in the state.

One of its most important features comes in the form of live betting. Most IL sports betting sites provide this service nowadays, and DraftKings is no exception. If anything, the bookie in question might just do in-play betting better than anybody else out there.

Betting at DraftKings IL is, first and foremost, fun. But the site is also easily navigable, the app can be downloaded freely, and players on the site are consistently offered exciting opportunities to grab new promotional offers. 

#2 Best IL Sports Betting Site - BetMGM

If you’ve ever indulged in gambling, you’ve probably heard of BetMGM in some capacity. Boasting a wide range of betting activities, the brand has recently moved into offering sports odds in Illinois. The market was already hot before the arrival of BetMGM, and now that the gambling giant has opened its doors to customers, those in The Prairie State can expect swathes of bonuses.

Getting started on the app and site is easy. Simply deposit into your new BetMGM account using any of the following payment methods:

• E-check
• Prepaid cards
• American Express
• Mastercard
• Skrill
• PayPal
• Visa

In doing so, you’ll be opening yourself up for the chance to wager on all kinds of sports events. Whether you’re a fan of the NFL, NHL, Golf, Soccer, MLB, UFC, or anything in between - BetMGM supports markets across all of them.

Not just that, but BetMGM is one of the best IL sports betting sites when it comes to the types of bets players can make. Point spreads, Totals, Futures, Parlays, and Moneyline bets are available on the platform. So, no matter what type of bettor you are, BetMGM will have something catered to your needs.

#3 Best IL Sports Betting Site - PointsBet Sportsbook

You’d be forgiven for not knowing who, or what, PointsBet is before they joined the US online sports betting industry. An Australian-native business, PointsBet had a real fight on its hands to get its name into the public domain when it was granted an IL sports betting license in January 2020.

In finalizing a deal with Hawthorne Race Course, the sportsbook was able to begin onboarding customers from September 2020. Although you’ll need to register in person at the Hawthorne Race Course to create an online account, the app is free to be used on the go by anyone who confirms their registration.

One of, if not the key reason for PointsBet attracting so much attention is the PointsBetting feature. Essentially, this puts you in the driving seat of everything related to your wager. Do you want to make a high-risk, high-reward bet? PointsBetting is the perfect way to do it. The amount won is purely based on the distance in reality between your bet and the outcome of the event.

#4 Best IL Sports Betting Site - FanDuel Sportsbook

For many bettors in Illinois, the announcement of FanDuel’s online sportsbook entering the market was considered not just important but necessary. Offering an inviting, enthralling online site and downloadable app that’s free for anyone to play on, FanDuel is a sportsbook competing with the best in the business.

Partnering with Par-A-Dice Hotel & Casino was just the beginning of its journey. The IL sports betting platform has gone from strength to strength in the time since then, garnering customers aplenty from all parts of the Prairie State.

There’s no hiding behind the rivalry between FanDuel and DraftKings; everybody knows the two entities are fierce competitors. This is fantastic for bettors, though, as it results in FanDuel handing out top-drawer promotions throughout the year.

As the 12th branch to take on customers in the US, FanDuel’s IL sports betting service is boosted by previous experiences and challenges faced by the operator during separate outings in the States. Today, FanDuel represents the best legal sports betting in IL.

To give you an idea of how it’s possible to wager on the site, here are some notable sports found at FanDuel:

• Tennis
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Golf
• MMA

#5 Best IL Sports Betting Site - BetRivers Sportsbook

By teaming up with the Rivers Casino Des Plaines, BetRivers was able to become the first-ever sportsbook to launch in IL. Owned by Rush Street Gaming - a business that has enjoyed all kinds of success over the years - BetRivers is easily one of the best IL sportsbooks in operation at the moment.

The first thing to note about BetRivers is undoubtedly the rewards program. Namely, the IRush Rewards Program. In this, users are credited points for each bet placed on the site. These are known as Loyalty Level Points and place players in tiers, each of which goes toward the Bonus Points Store. It’s here that users can claim rewards in exchange for points. The more points available to you, the greater the prizes will be.

To begin playing at BetRivers IL, simply use any of these payment methods to process a deposit:

• Credit/debit cards
• Cash at cage
• Prepaid cards
• Online Banking

Once the first deposit has been successfully processed, it’s time to wager. As one of the best IL betting sites, customers are supplied ample opportunities to bet using point spreads, futures, props, parlays, moneylines, and even live betting.

#6 Best IL Sports Betting Site - WynnBet Sportsbook

WynnBet deserves all the attention and praise that’s coming its way over the next few years. Now firmly embedded as one of the IL sportsbooks on the market, players can sign up for free whenever it best suits them.

The IL online sports betting platform has various other branches scattered across the nation, including the likes of PA, NV, and Indiana. However, the Illinois offering is - in our books - the most viable option for customers seeking great odds, a tonne of markets, and bags of fun.

Getting off to a good start can be vital to enjoying the rest of your time at any sportsbook, not just WynnBet. Use any of these payment methods to deposit and place for your first wagers:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• Prepaid card
• PayPal

Although it is a little more limited than others on the market, WynnBet IL supports each of the most popular payment methods that bettors use today. Added to that is the ability to deposit in person, and you’ll see that the team at this IL sports betting site has all bases covered.

#7 Best IL Sports Betting Site - William Hill Sports

The Grand Victoria Casino saw William Hill debut in Illinois as a sportsbook in September 2020. Since its inception, William Hill has been on the receiving end of endless support and recommendations from customers not only in IL but even across the pond.

As it started operations in the UK, William Hill took some time to understand what the Illinois and US markets wanted. With a keen eye for detail, the guys working on William Hill developed a fantastic app that can be downloaded to iOS and Android devices without so much as a hiccup.

Bettors can wager on the move or from the comfort of home. Thanks to the app, the choice is entirely up to the bettor. All that’s needed is a quick visit to the in-house casino to create an account, then begin betting immediately afterwards.

Of course, you’ll need to deposit before placing wagers on the site. Each of the available payment methods for William Hill can be found below:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• E-check
• Online Banking
• PayNearMe

In terms of withdrawals, users can take money out of William Hill accounts using E-check, online banking, and a William Hill prepaid card.

It’s not always easy finding the best IL sportsbooks. For this reason, we’re willing to give our readers a helping hand by sharing some of our criteria used to decipher which platforms are the best for customers in Illinois.

Here, we’ve outlined the most important elements of every IL sports betting site and how you can use them to your advantage. Things like payment methods, safety, licenses, and more all come into play, with each bit of criteria playing its own role in how we pick the best IL sports betting sites.

Legal, Licensed, Safe

In order to ensure you avoid getting scammed, look out for illegal websites. Legal and licensed IL sportsbooks will provide information detailing their license, the security of the platform, and under which jurisdictions they are allowed to operate.

By playing at legal IL online sports betting apps and sites, you’re contributing to a fairer gambling environment. Here, customers are treated with respect, bookmakers are regulated, and platforms have nowhere to hide if they behave mischievously.

In Illinois, the regulatory body providing oversight is known as the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). Under their ruling, sportsbooks are held to high standards across the board. This includes making sure that sites are licensed, operating in the correct manner, and providing customers with a respectful, enjoyable experience.

Despite claims from offshore sites, there is no question that legal sports betting in IL is not a grey area.

Good Range of Payment Methods

Is there anything worse than sifting through an online sports betting site, thinking that it has all the bells and whistles you could ever wish for, only to discover your preferred payment method isn’t supported?

That’s why it’s vital for bettors to rigorously examine the available deposit and withdrawal methods on each of the best IL betting sites. In most instances, you’ll be able to withdraw using the same method that was utilized to deposit, but that’s not always the case.

The best IL sportsbooks should support these payment methods:

• Credit cards
• Debit cards
• Bank Transfers
• Cash at cage
• E-wallets
• Cryptocurrency
• E-check
• Prepaid cards
• PayNearMe

Depending on the method of payment chosen, processing times may vary. It’s also a good idea to look at the time funds are held by IL sportsbooks prior to being released for withdrawals.

Wide Range of Sports & Betting Markets

Next up, we recommend glancing over the sports betting markets. This is because IL sports betting sites don’t always support the exact same markets as one another, so your favorite sportsbook might offer different markets compared to a new one you’ve been thinking of joining.

Does the IL sports betting site offer live streaming and in-play betting? Can I cash out? How many markets does it offer per sport? These are three important questions every IL bettor should ask before creating an account with IL sportsbooks.

Without a doubt, IL online sports betting should be open to players of all interests. That’s why the most popular sportsbooks have odds on the biggest sports in the world, such as:

• MLB
• NBA
• NHL
• Soccer
• MMA
• Tennis
• Golf
• Racing

High Betting Odds

Always keep an eye out for high betting odds. These provide the best possible opportunities to grab a handy win from a bet that would have previously been a little boring, and, in some cases, not even worth betting on.

For example, let’s say you’ve been looking at the odds on a specific betting site for a while, and for the most part, it’s been an underwhelming experience. We’ll call this bookie Sportsbook 1.

Sportsbook 2, on the other hand, has been showing off some higher odds. Right now, it has the Lakers to beat the Knicks at 3.0, whereas Sportsbook 1 is offering odds of just 1.5. By betting at Sportsbook 2, you’d effectively be doubling your money.

Too many bettors remain in their comfort zone at a specific bookmaker. Get out there and check out all the great odds displayed by the best IL sportsbooks right now. There’s a lot to take from simply experiencing other sites, and it’s the best way to hone in on your betting skills.

Mobile Betting & Apps

Betting on the go has never been easier for bettors in Illinois than it is today. Most of us use our smartphones and mobile devices for various other things in life, so why not add sports betting to the list?

If you’re desperate to be given the freedom to wager while on the move or if you simply want to place bets from home, look no further than IL sports betting sites that provide downloadable apps. These apps can be downloaded in an instant, with most offering the same great features found on the desktop version of the site.

Apps should be available on the following types of OS:

• Windows
• Android
• iOS

We take every care to ensure all bases are covered when testing mobile apps. Moreover, we check to see whether or not the browser version of the website can be used on a mobile device. For sites not supplying an app, this can be incredibly helpful to their customers.

Customer Support

Without a solid team working at customer support, the sportsbook stands no chance of surviving. The best IL sportsbooks have wonderfully helpful agents on hand at all times of the day, with each of them willing to go the extra mile in helping customers out.

That’s why we implore all of our readers to search for IL online sports betting sites that have reliable, efficient, and informative customer support agents ready to chat whenever you are.

See if the platform you’re thinking of joining offers support via any of these means:

• Telephone support
• Live Chat
• Support Ticket
• Email
• Support by Mail
• Social Media Support

The most dedicated sports betting sites will keep their customer support open 24/7 so that customers can get the help they need no matter what time of day it is.

Welcome Bonuses & Promotions for Existing Customers

The competition for customers in Illinois has never been higher than it is right now, and bettors are the beneficiaries of it. This is because IL sportsbooks are competing with each other every day, both for customers and revenue, which means they’re forced to offer new players fantastic opportunities in an attempt to attract new registrations.

Regardless of which IL online sports betting platform you end up choosing, the likelihood is that you’ll wind up being granted a reward of some sort. Look out for the following welcome bonuses when creating your account:

• Sign Up Bonus: By far the most common welcome bonus, and with good reason. Sign-up bonuses will usually match users’ deposits up to a certain amount, with some bettors doubling their money. 
• No Deposit Bonus: Newly registered customers don’t need to put funds into an account wallet to get involved with this offer. Just create an account, and whatever the bonus is, it should be credited to you.
• Free Bets: Although it’s not possible to withdraw free bets, players can earn impressive winnings from them. Free bets are usually earned by new customers when the first deposit or wager is made.

There are plenty of reasons to remain loyal at IL sports betting sites, too. More often than not, sportsbooks will give existing customers the opportunity to join in on a Loyalty Program, indulge in Reload Bonuses, or make the most of Enhanced Odds.

The definitions of these boosts can be found below:

• Loyalty Program: At its core, a loyalty program is there to reward customers that have stuck with an IL sports betting platform through thick and thin. Often, they’ll use a tiered system, and the more points earned from wagering, the better the rewards will be.
• Reload Bonus: The more you deposit, the greater you’ll be rewarded upon your next deposit. Reload bonuses can boost deposits by anything from 10% to 100% or more.
• Enhanced Odds: A normal bet with unbelievably rewarding odds.

Once you’ve decided on the sportsbook to create an account at, the most difficult hurdle has been passed. The next step is setting up your account.

To get started, there are a few things you’ll need to keep close by as they will likely be needed during the registration process. These are important documents containing personal information, as well as some details regarding basics about your life:

• Photo ID
• Date of birth
• Home address
• Email address
• Mobile Number
• Social security number
• Country of Residence

Once you’ve checked each of those boxes, it’s time to create your account with one of the sites offering legal sports betting in IL. To do this, visit your local retail venue that provides the sportsbook services you’re looking for, then fill out the registration form provided. Using the details mentioned above, this shouldn’t take long.

After completing the registration form and entering a username, as well as a new password, it’s time to activate your account. The IL sports betting site will either email a link to the address you’ve input into their database or send an SMS via text with a code.

Either enter the code or follow the link. In doing so, you’ll have activated your account.

Verifying Your Identity at IL Sportsbooks

Before being allowed to deposit, withdraw, and in some instances, wager at IL online sports betting sites, you’ll need to verify your identity.

This is an understandably tedious task for bettors, but it’s a sure sign that the betting site cares about the security of its customers. We know this because by verifying customers’ IDs, the operator can prevent criminals that may have stolen documents from setting up accounts at the bookie.

To confirm your identity, take photos or scan the following documents:

• Photo ID (driving license, passport)
• Credit card
• Utility bill (bank statement, phone bill)

It could take a few minutes for the security team at the IL sports betting site to confirm your ID. You’ll be notified when the confirmation has gone through successfully.

How to Deposit & Withdraw Funds on IL Sports Betting Sites

It couldn’t be much easier to deposit and withdraw at IL sportsbooks.

The first thing to do is log in, head to the cashier or banking section of the site, then click on the type of transaction you’d like to carry out.

The best IL sportsbooks accept the most popular payment methods, such as:

• Mastercard
• Visa
• PayPal
• Cryptocurrency
• Online Banking
• E-check
• PayNearMe

Quite often, IL sports betting sites will require that customers withdraw funds using the same method that was used to deposit. However, as not all payment methods are accepted for deposits and withdrawals, this isn’t a blanket requirement.

We should note that withdrawal times may vary depending on the payment method you’re using. For instance, e-wallets will process transactions significantly quicker compared to credit cards. 

Now that online sportsbooks are legal in Illinois, bettors have more opportunities than ever before when it comes to wagering on their most-beloved sports action.

Legalized thanks to a bill signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2019, sports wagering in Illinois took off as soon as it opened the following year. The bill, named SB 690, permitted sports betting to take place at racetracks, casinos, online, and even at lottery vendors.

However, the Governor had his attempt to extend the allowance for mobile registration at IL sportsbooks via the internet rejected in April 2021. This means that all new customers must register at a retail sportsbook for the foreseeable future.

One thing to note about sports betting at lottery vendors is that those wagers will be regulated by the Illinois Lottery rather than the Illinois Gaming Board.

For operators seeking to offer solely online sports betting services, they’ll need to cough up around $20million in licensing fees.

Regarding restrictions on what customers can bet on in Illinois, the following types of bets are strictly prohibited by law:

• Wagering on collegiate sports events
• Leagues involving minors
• An event that is not recognized as an official sports event (awards ceremonies, TV, etc)

The Regulatory Body for Sports Betting in Illinois

A body known as the IGB (Illinois Gaming Board) is, along with the Illinois Lottery, the provider of oversight for all things sports betting related.

Made up of five members, the IGB seeks to create a safer, fairer, more accessible environment for everybody involved in sports betting. Each member is personally selected by the Governor and subsequently approved by the Senate.

The IGB is capable of handing out, revoking, and suspending licenses of IL sportsbooks. The Board is given the final say on whether or not an IL sports betting site is up to the required standard needed to obtain a license. However, the IGB holds no responsibility for wagers taken by lottery vendors as those bets are regulated by the Illinois Lottery, which is a separate entity.

The main thing to remember about the IGB is that it is a regulatory body present to serve bettors in the best possible way. Players can report poor behavior from operators, enquire about particular laws, and offer insight.

Legal Sports Betting in IL vs Offshore Illegal Sportsbooks 

Remember how we explained that the IGB is a body in place to serve bettors? Well, that only applies to players at domestic, licensed IL sportsbooks. By playing at offshore, unlicensed betting sites, you’re putting personal information and money at risk.

This is because offshore sportsbooks are not regulated by a registered US body. Therefore, there is no way of knowing how safe the sportsbook in question is.

Under PASPA, states were not allowed to accept sportsbooks in the US. Now that PASPA is no more, there’s no reason to continue playing at offshore sportsbooks. By playing at offshore sports betting sites, you lose access to help from the IGB as the site in question is not under their jurisdiction.

As you can see, the best way to bet on sports events taking place across the world is actually by playing at sites from home. By wagering at the best IL sportsbooks based inside state lines, you’re adding to an increasingly healthy gambling environment, boosting local infrastructure through tax revenue, and playing safely. Using offshore sites is, quite simply, no longer necessary.