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Illinois sports betting is officially approved for mobile betting. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the original sports betting bill in June of 2019. The first land-based sportsbook, BetRivers Sportsbook took its first bet in March 2020.
| Rank | IL Sportsbook | Welcome Offer | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | BetRivers Visit Review | 100% Deposit Match up to $250 T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in IL | |
| 2. | DraftKings Visit Review | Signup Bonus up to $1,000 T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in IL | |
| 3. | William Hill Visit Review | $300 Free Bet Bonus Code: VIMAXSPORT300 T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in NJ, CO, IL IN, MI | |
| 4. | FanDuel Visit Review | Risk-Free Bet up to $1,000 T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in IL | |
| 5. | Pointsbet Visit Review | 2 Risk Free Bets to $2,000 Bonus Code: VIRFBET T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in IL |
Updated on :
In 2019 the Illinois Gambling Act legalized Illinois online sports betting. In March 2020, the first Illinois online sports betting wager was placed, signifying the start of a new era in gambling.
Sports betting has arrived in Chicago and all of Illinois, and not a moment too soon! Illinois sports betting was allowed, provided that users register in-person. That restriction was temporarily changed by an executive order from Governor Pritzker. However, despite a short rollback, bettors can once again register on Illinois sports betting apps!
Now we'll give you all the information you need about Illinois sportsbooks, betting types, odds, betting markets, and the legal details you should know before wagering.
Contents
Best Illinois Betting Sites
As Illinois sports betting is still relatively new to the online world, Illinois sportsbooks must currently partner with a brick and mortar casino to offer online betting in Illinois. This partnership requirement is set to change in 2021, and online sports betting in Illinois will undoubtedly grow exponentially. At present, these are the best Illinois sportsbooks for online wagering.
DraftKings Illinois
DraftKings is an American company with sports betting in several states, including Illinois sports betting. It has a fully-functional app compatible with Android and iOS devices and is available for download from the DraftKings site. Read on for more details about betting in Illinois on DraftKings.
Draftkings Welcome or Deposit Bonus
New players at DraftKings can receive up to $1,000 based on their first deposit amount. The bonus is calculated at 20% of the first deposit. A deposit of $5,000 guarantees the maximum reward from this promo, uniquely high among Illinois betting sites, provided you meet the wagering requirements.
You must play through the deposit amount five times to achieve the maximum bonus. For every $25 played, you receive $1 bonus funds back into your account. This Illinois sports betting offer runs out 90 days after your first deposit.
Other time-limited promotions and bonuses are available at this IL sports betting site throughout the year.
Draftkings Sports Markets and Betting Options
There’s a wide range of sports available at DraftKings for Illinois online sports betting. American football and golf are among the most popular. You can also wager on other sports, including tennis, baseball, basketball, and motorsports.
Whether you prefer to bet before the match starts or wait until it’s in play, you can do so at DraftKings when betting in Illinois. All the main betting types are available. You can go for an outright win, over/under bet, or put a few selections into a Parlay. DraftKings makes betting in Illinois straightforward.
Draftkings Payment Methods
You have a few options for depositing funds into your DraftKings account. They accept payments by Visa and Mastercard, American Express, and Paypal. You can also deposit money with the cashier at the physical location in Illinois, Casino Queen.
BetRivers Illinois
Another excellent option for IL sports betting is BetRivers. This online sportsbook was the first of the Illinois sports betting apps to launch after the legalization of Illinois online sports betting.
You can download the app to your iOS mobile device from the App Store or from the website to your Android device. Here’s more of what to expect from BetRivers for Illinois sports betting.
BetRivers Welcome or Deposit Bonus
BetRivers offers a 100% deposit match bonus for your first deposit only, up to a maximum amount of $250. For Illinois sports betting, the lowest deposit amount that can qualify for the match bonus is $10. The wagering requirement for this bonus is 1x. Ensure you enter the correct promo code on this Illinois betting sites when depositing your money, or your deposit won’t qualify.
Check the website regularly for details of other available bonuses and promotions for IL sports betting.
BetRivers Sports Markets and Betting Options
Illinois online sports betting is offered on a range of sports at BetRiver. Choose matches from some of the popular leagues such as the Major League Soccer (MLS), National Football League (NFL), or college football (NCAAF). Cycling, tennis, golf, and baseball feature prominently at BetRivers for betting in Illinois.
Illinois sports betting is easy at BetRivers. Make sure you understand how Illinois sports betting odds work before you place your first bet. The betting terminology is complicated, but once you’ve wagered a few times, you should catch on quickly.
All the standard betting options are available for Illinois sports betting - moneyline, outright, parlays - and you can also choose the exciting prop bets. Place your bets before the games start or during the game as long as in-play betting is available.
BetRivers Payment Methods
Once you’ve registered on Illinois betting sites, you must deposit money into your account. At BetRivers, you can do this in many ways. Visa and Mastercards have been firm favorites of the masses for years, and BetRivers also accepts Discover cards.
Payment options have increased for Illinois sports betting as technology has developed. Online banking is often a standard “go-to” payment method at Illinois sportsbooks. You can also choose an e-wallet like PayPal or an e-check from VIP Preferred. As BetRivers links to Rivers Casino, paying your deposit to the cashier at the land-based casino is another option.
PointsBet Illinois
Pointsbet is one of the newer Illinois sportsbooks to launch, starting operations in the state in September 2020. It hails from Australia and has been on the betting scene since 2017. This Illinois online sports betting site is unique in that it offers its customers a different type of betting called PointsBetting. We’ll cover this under the Betting Options subsection.
You can download the PointsBet app directly from the website to your Android device. If you’re an Apple customer, it’s available in the App Store on your device.
PointsBet Welcome or Deposit Bonus
Take advantage of the sign-up bonus at PointBet. New customers to this Illinois sports betting site benefit from up to $1,000 in risk-free bets. The offer comes in two parts. You receive up to a $500 refund in free bets if you lose your first fixed odds bet, and the same if you lose your first PointsBetting bet.
PointsBet offers other Illinois sports betting promotions and bonuses from time to time. Some bonuses have strict time limits attached, while others may be sport-specific. Terms and conditions apply to all promotions and special offers.
PointsBet Sports Markets and Betting Options
There are sports to suit everyone at this IL sports betting operator, from Ice Hockey to Boxing and everything in between. In addition to one-off matches and tournaments, there’s plenty of action around sports events during the year. PointsBet offers some of its best IL sports betting promotions during these as well, so you can maximize your potential winnings.
As we mentioned earlier, PointsBet has a unique betting system called PointsBetting. It’s different from your standard fixed odds betting. The size of the win or loss is only fixed at the end of the game.
In a simple over/under bet, you win a fixed amount by wagering on the right option. For example, in PointsBetting, you can bet that over 200 points will be scored in a basketball game. If 220 points were scored, you win by 20 points and multiply your stake by that amount to calculate your winnings.
PointsBet Payment Methods
Payment methods are limited at PointsBet compared to other Illinois sportsbooks. This Illinois sports betting site has Visa and Mastercard, online banking, and PayPal available for their customers. There are strict rules about deposits, and you should read the terms and conditions before effecting payment.
William Hill Illinois
William Hill Sportsbook needs no introduction, having been in the global industry for many years. It’s a welcome addition to the Illinois online sports betting scene. This well known app among Illinois betting sites is linked to the land-based Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, Illinois.
As with other Illinois betting sites, William Hill has an Illinois sports betting app for iOS and Android mobile devices. The Google Play store doesn’t offer legal Illinois sports betting apps, so download it from the website to your Android device through your web browser.
William Hill Welcome or Deposit Bonus
The risk-free $300 promotion is available to new customers at William Hill in Illinois. To qualify for this promotion, make a deposit and your first bet within seven days of registering on the IL sports betting site.
If you lose on your first wager, Willam Hill credits you with either $300 or 100% of your wager, whichever is the lowest amount. You must wager on a match taking place within seven days after registration.
Other promotions on the William Hill Illinois sports betting site have time constraints, are sport-specific, or for mobile users only. Promotions change regularly, so keep an eye on the site for details.
William Hill Sports Markets and Betting Options
The range of IL sports betting markets is more limited than some other Illinois betting sites. Some of the favorites are there - basketball, baseball, horse racing - and you can also wager on boxing and auto racing.
Inplay wagering is popular at William Hill, and there are plenty of matches with this option. Over/under, spread and moneyline remain ever-popular wagering types for sports like football. Customers also enjoy a range of proposition bets. If you want to bet on who’ll score the first touchdown, pick the prop bet option.
William Hill Payment Methods
There are several payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, a VIP Preferred e-check, e-wallets like PayPal, and Skrill. The operator accepts cash deposits at land-based casinos linked to the online sportsbook.
William Hill is another of the Illinois sports betting apps accepting deposits. Popular methods are debit/credit cards, wire transfers, or the PayNearMe facility at some retail outlets.
FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois
FanDuel is well known for its fantasy sports offering, and it’s a prominent feature on the IL sports betting site. When doors opened to Illinois sports betting sites, FanDuel grabbed the opportunity to excel in online sports betting. Fantasy sports remain popular, but FanDuel is proving to be a force to be reckoned with.
The Illinois sports betting apps are compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems. Download the app to your Android mobile device directly from the website, or visit the App Store on your iPhone.
FanDuel Welcome or Deposit Bonus
FanDuel is a fan of risk-free betting and has a great deposit offer for new customers betting in Illinois. The offer applies to the first deposit made after registration. If you lose, you receive up to $1,000 back in credit. You receive the same amount of credit as you wagered in the lost bet.
The Refer-a-Friend promotion benefits both new users of the Illinois sports betting site and their referees. Both parties receive $50 bonus funds if they meet the terms and conditions.
FanDuel Sports Markets and Betting Options
FanDuel focuses on mostly American sports, with some international soccer in the mix. College basketball and football targets students over 21 years of age who are participating in Illinois sports betting. There’s a range of about 14 sports currently listed, including darts, table tennis, and MMA.
Betting options in Illinois include boosts on some matches, which potentially increase your win. One of the most popular bets at FanDuel is a spread. Odds on spreads are usually around 11-10. You bet $11 to win $21, a profit of $10.
FanDuel Payment Methods
FanDuel has a decent number of deposit methods, similar to most Illinois sportsbooks: credit/debit card, PayNearMe, PayPal, online banking, and wire transfer. You can also deposit at Par-A-Dice Casino, the land-based casino for FanDuel.
While FanDuel accepts Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards, it doesn’t accept Amex or Discover cards. The Illinois sports betting apps work well for online payments to IL sports betting sites.
The Best Online Sports Betting Site
How To Place A Sports Bet In Illinois
The legalization of Illinois betting sites and sportsbooks has opened doors to an exciting new world. For new bettors, there’s a minefield of jargon to wade through before placing your first bet. Those familiar with sports betting understand the lingo but may not be familiar with the laws. For everyone, knowing the laws around Illinois sports betting is key to an enjoyable experience.
Illinois Betting Laws
The laws around sports betting in Illinois are well-regulated to ensure compliance. Initially, bettors needed to register in person at a casino to bet online at one of the Illinois betting sites. Authorities have temporarily relaxed this law to enable Illinois sports betting customers to register online.
You must observe the following legalities:
- You must be at least 21 years of age to participate in Illinois online sports betting.
- You must be inside the Illinois state lines at the time of IL sports betting. You don’t need to be a permanent resident in the state.
- You should not be on a self-exclusion list. In other words, you must not have a gambling addiction or be at risk of developing one through betting in Illinois.
- Sports personnel - coaches, officials, etc. - aren’t permitted to participate in Illinois online sports betting in their sports.
- You can’t wager on in-state college teams at Illinois sportsbooks.
You’re legal to participate in betting in Illinois, Provided you don’t tick any of these boxes.
Step-by-Step Process For Illinois Online Sports Betting
Choose Your Illinois Sportsbook
Before you make your first bet at one of the Illinois betting sites, decide with which of the Illinois sportsbooks you’re going to register. Factors to consider when choosing are the welcome offer or deposit bonus, the range of sports markets, betting types, and the payment options. Read through the terms and conditions of the Illinois betting sites you’re considering before deciding.
Register and Create An Account in IL
Registration on Illinois betting sites is a straightforward process. Click on the relevant button that takes you to the screen to create your account. Complete the online form, entering the details requested. Ensure the information you provide is accurate to avoid any problems with Illinois sports betting at a later stage.
Most Illinois sports betting sites require certain documents to verify your details. You can either email these or upload them directly from the website. The method depends on the Illinois online sports betting site.
Make Your First Deposit
Follow the instructions provided to fund your account and choose from one of the payment methods provided. Keep in mind that you may need to use the same payment method for withdrawing funds as well.
The payment information is found in the terms and conditions of the Illinois betting sites. Ensure you select an appropriate payment option so that there’s no hassle when you withdraw your winnings.
If the Illinois sports betting site that you’ve chosen has a deposit bonus, make sure that you deposit the right amount to qualify. As a new bettor to Illinois sports betting, you only get one chance for a site’s deposit bonus; make it count.
If you’re a visitor to Illinois, you can create an account and bet from within the state. You can also withdraw your funds from outside state lines.
Place a Bet in Illinois
While Illinois online sports betting markets are slowly opening up after a lean few months, some exciting sports tournaments are underway. What’s available on the IL sports betting websites is a snapshot of what you usually find.
Make sure you understand the various types of Illinois sports betting. If you're new to wagering, stick with something simple like a moneyline win or an over/under wager. Points spread is a popular choice when betting in Illinois. It requires a little more thought and knowledge of the competing players or teams.
Log in to your account on the Illinois sports betting apps or your desktop. Select the sport from those available for Illinois sports betting, and choose a tournament from the drop-down menu. From there, you can select a specific match and scan through the IL sports betting choices and odds.
If the Illinois sports betting odds are favorable, click on the type of bet, and it will appear in the virtual betting slip on the screen. You can now type in the amount you’d like to wager. You should see what your potential winnings will be at the current odds.
Double-check the bet details - the game, odds, and amount - to make sure they’re correct. To finalize the bet, click the confirm or bet button.
Don’t bet in a hurry. Choose carefully when betting in Illinois and think the wager through before finalizing. If you’re not happy with the IL sports betting odds at the time, don’t place the bet. Recheck the odds at a later stage and only bet when you’re satisfied.
Play Illinois Daily Fantasy Sports
In addition to Illinois sports betting, you can take part in daily fantasy sports. You create fantasy teams and compete against other contestants' fantasy teams. You can choose a new team every day, rather than sticking with the same one.
You don’t bet directly on any real-life sporting events. Fantasy sports are available on the Illinois sports betting apps, and on Illinois sportsbooks’ websites. You can play for free against friends or enter competitions with a chance to win real money.
FanDuel and DraftKings are the two largest Illinois betting sites for fantasy sports. Your sports options include, but aren’t limited to, football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and golf.
| Rank | Daily Fantasy Sports | Welcome Offer | Claim Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Monkey Knife Fight Visit Review | 100% Match up to $50 - Code: BONUSMAX T&C’s Apply, 21+ | |
| 2. | DraftKings DFS Visit Review | Deposit Bonus up to $500 T&C’s Apply, 21+ |
Illinois Online Sports Betting: Events And Betting Markets
Illinois online sports betting is taking off, with many bettors wagering on their favorite sports and players. In recent months, the most popular sports were soccer, baseball, boxing, and mixed martial arts. American football is on the rise too now that the season is underway. Here are some of the events that you can choose for betting in Illinois.
Popular Illinois Events
- Kentucky Derby (Horse racing)
- Masters Tournament (Golf)
- NFL (American football)
- Formula 1 Grand Prix (Motor racing)
- Euro 2020 (Soccer)
- Grand Slam (Tennis)
- MLB (Baseball)
- NBA (Basketball)
Common Types of Bets
Illinois sports betting comes with a wide range of bet types. Some make it clear by their name what you’re betting on, but others are a bit more confusing. These are some of the more common bets you’ll come across on Illinois sports betting apps and websites.
Straight Bets
These are some of the most common bets. You choose either the favorite or the underdog and wager on the margin of points by which they’ll win or lose. The Illinois sports betting apps set a point spread, or betting line, for this type of bet. If the match ends in a draw, no-one wins.
Moneyline (Outright) Bets
Another very straightforward bet is the moneyline. Here, you bet on the team to win the match outright. These are popular bets in Illinois sports betting.
Total Line Bet (Over/Under)
The Illinois online sports betting site sets a total number of points, goals etc., to be scored in a game. You bet on whether the total will be over or under that number. Your concern here is the number of points and not how a specific team plays.
Parlay Bets
Also known as accumulator bets, they consist of several selections combined into one bet. If one of those selections lose, you lose your accumulator bet. These bets are risky in IL sports betting as a successful outcome depends on each selection winning.
Props (Proposition Bets)
Props are side bets during a game that don’t depend on the outcome of a match. They include such things betting on player performance, when during a game a goal will be scored or which team will have the first yellow card. You place prop bets either before a game or while it’s in play.
Betting On Pro Sports Teams In Illinois
NFL Betting in Illinois
The NFL remains a popular tournament throughout the United States. With the legalization of Illinois online sports betting, fans can now bet on their home team from the comfort of their chair.
Futures betting is available in the NFL, from training camp through the pre-season period. Bettors can wager at any Illinois sports betting outlet on the likely winner of the tournament. Some Illinois sportsbooks have welcome bonuses or promotions for NFL betting.
Chicago Bears Betting
Illinois bettors are very supportive of their home team, the Chicago Bears. The team competes in the NFL as a member of the National Football Conference North Division.
The Chicago Bears have won nine NFL championships. They last appeared in the playoffs in 2018. The Bears are one of the favourites to win the NFC in 2020, but their chances of topping the league are slim. You can find all the odds on the Illinois sports betting apps.
NBA Betting in Illinois
As one of the four major professional sports leagues in the USA, NBA features prominently in Illinois sports betting. Bettors can wager on the draft picks before the start of the finals. The NBA Draft Lottery determines the order of the top four picks.
The wager that most bettors favor for the NBA is a point spread bet. Betting on the number of points by which the favorite team wins is perceived as less risky than a moneyline bet.
Chicago Bulls Betting
Famously home to Michael Jordan in the 90s, the Chicago Bulls participate in the NBA as part of the Eastern Conference Central Division. While the Bulls are a firm contender to win their conference, their chances in the next round are uncertain.
Futures betting for the next season is already open on Illinois sports betting sites. You can bet on the Bulls to win their conference, or pick them for the championship win. Better yet, wait for the in-play action and place some prop bets through one of the Illinois sports betting apps.
NHL Betting in Illinois
Ice hockey is among the favored sports at Illinois sportsbooks. Punters prefer a moneyline bet for hockey, which is purely a bet on the winner or loser. Payouts depend less on the odds than in other betting types.
Another popular option in IL sports betting in the NHL is the puck line. Here you bet on a team to win by a predetermined number of goals. The standard is two goals but can be higher if teams are not equally matched.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting
The Illinois state ice hockey team is the Chicago Blackhawks. They are one of the original six NHL teams and compete in the Western Conference. They are a six-time winner of Stanley Club, which is awarded to the playoff champion club each year. Their most recent win was the 2014-2015 season.
You can place your futures bet on the Chicago Blackhawks at any Illinois online sports betting site for the 2021 season. The Illinois sports betting apps also have futures available.
MLS Betting in Illinois
Major League Soccer started in 1993 and has grown in popularity. The season runs from February/March through to October, and each team plays 34 games.
Moneyline bets, point spread, and total line bets are common types for this league. Illinois sports betting enthusiasts also enjoy the excitement of prop bets during the game. Place your bet at any Illinois betting sites with odds on the MLS teams.
Chicago Fire FC Betting
Chicago Fire is a member of the Major Soccer League’s eastern conference. They won their first MLS Cup in 1998, the first year of competition in the league. No further cup wins have come their way, but they have a firm fan base throughout Illinois.
Betting options abound on Illinois sports betting apps for Chicago Fire matches. There are many prop bets, and some Illinois sportsbooks allow parlay bets on the same game.
Other Illinois Teams To Bet On
Illinois sports betting laws don’t allow wagering on Illinois college teams or in-state schools. However, if you're betting in Illinois, you can wager on out-of-state college teams playing in Illinois. Regardless of the legalities, here are some of the teams representing Illinois colleges in football and basketball.
Betting on College Football in Illinois
Wildcats
The Wildcats are the team at Northwestern University. They’re a Division 1 team and part of the Big Ten Conference, which they’ve won three times.
Huskies
The Huskies represent Northern Illinois University. They are part of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and play in the Mid-American Conference.
Fighting Illini
The Fighting Illini is the football team at the University of Illinois. They are also in the Football Bowl Subdivision and are a founding member of the Big Ten Conference.
Redbirds
The Redbirds hail from Illinois State University. They compete in the NCAA Division 1 subdivision, where they’ve appeared in the playoffs eight times.
Betting on College Basketball In Illinois
Wildcats
The Wildcats are a Division 1 college basketball team. They represent Northwestern University in the Big Ten conference.
Huskies
The Huskies from Northern Illinois University currently play basketball in the Mid-American Conference.
Fighting Illini
The University of Illinois’s basketball team, the Fighting Illini, is a Division 1 college team and competes in the Big Ten Conference.
Redbirds
The Redbirds represent Illinois State University. They are part of the NCAA Division 1 basketball and play in the Missouri Valley Conference.
IL Online Sports Betting FAQ
Take a look at the FAQ about IL online sports betting below. You might find a piece of information you are looking for.
Are sports betting sites legal in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois sports betting was legalized in 2019, and the first Illinois sportsbooks opened in 2020.
What do I need to register at an online betting site in Illinois?
In order to register at any legal online gambling website (or app) in Illinois, you’ll need to be 21 or older and physically located in the state specified by the website or app. Additionally, you’ll need to provide identity verification details and share your location in order to stay compliant with state and federal laws.
Can I bet online on my phone in Illinois?
Yes, you can. Download the Illinois sports betting apps linked to sportsbooks, or place your bet through the Illinois betting sites online.
Where can I bet on sports in Illinois?
You can take part in Illinois sports betting at any Illinois sportsbooks, online or land-based. You can also use one of the Illinois sports betting apps to place your bet.
Illinois Casinos
If you prefer slot machines and table games, like blackjack, poker and roulette, visit one of the land-based casinos in Illinois. There are currently almost twenty that you choose from, with a range of games and slots for your entertainment.
Even though Illinois sports betting is legal, online casino gambling isn’t. Casino lovers have to make do with playing social casino games online if they can’t visit a brick and mortar establishment.
Final Thoughts On Betting In Illinois
Illinois online sports betting is a growing market, and the legalization of Illinois sportsbooks is a massive step in the right direction. Sports fans have embraced this access to IL sports betting, and we look forward to seeing what further developments arise.
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