Illinois Sports Betting
Illinois sports betting has been live since 2020, and there are now eight Illinois sportsbooks to bet with online. With the likes of FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook all operating in the state, you have multiple Illinois Sportsbook promos to choose from.
Best Illinois Sports Betting Sites
For a quick glance at the top Illinois online sports betting sites in 2025, check out the offers below.
Best Sportsbook Betting Sites in Illinois
At oddschecker, we pride ourselves in providing the best value to our users, and to do that, we made sure we analyzed the Illinois online sports betting market as a whole so that you have the knowledge you need to bet successfully in the state. Here is how we picked out our favorite sportsbooks in the Illinois sports betting market.
Unique and Standout Features – When choosing your new Illinois online sports betting site, make sure you are looking for those offering unique features, or simply stand out among the crowd in the ones most important to you.
Bonuses and Promotions – We also considered the sports betting sites that offer the best welcome bonuses and promotions, as well as those who continue to support existing users with promotions as well.
Payout Speed and Payment Methods – If a sportsbook is slow to pay out or doesn’t offer a wide variety of payment methods, users are less likely to sign up. Our list of Illinois online sportsbooks are among the quickest in the state and offers plenty of payment methods.
Security and Regulation – We will only provide a list of secure betting sites that have been legalized and regulated in the Illinois sports betting market
Customer Support – Customer service is key in any industry, but particularly in the online sports betting market, where people are looking for resolutions to their sports betting queries.
DraftKings Sportsbook Illinois
DraftKings Sportsbook remains one of the most popular sportsbooks in the US, and that is particularly true in Illinois, where users in Chicago and the surrounding areas select it as a preferred online betting option.
DraftKings leads the way in terms of bonuses and promotions, for both their new and existing customers, and their betting app is one of the smoothest as well, so there are many reasons to sign up for an account, in the Illinois online sports betting market.
Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Cubs fans will be well aware of DraftKings, as the sportsbook have sports betting partnerships with both teams, giving them excellent exposure in both the NHL and MLB.
DraftKings Sportsbook just launched a retail sports betting location at Wrigley Field, as part of their multi-year agreement with the Cubs, so Illinois sports bettors will have a place to wager in person on game day.
You can also bet in person at Casino Queen, where there is also a DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Standout Features: Excellent sports betting app overall, New and existing customers rewarded with exciting bonuses, Wide range of betting options
- Bonuses and Promotions: New Users will bet $5, get $150 instantly on any sport
- Payout Speed: 1-5 Business Days
- Payment Methods: Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, Apple Pay, Skrill, Ewire, Internet Banking, Play+, Venmo, Trustly
- App Store Ratings: 4.7/5 (iOS) 4.6/5 (Android)
- Customer Support Rating: 5/5
FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois
FanDuel Sportsbook is the preferred betting platform across the United States and goes toe-to-toe with DraftKings in terms of popularity.
For Live Betting and Live Streaming, FanDuel holds an edge over DraftKings, and if that is important to you, we would advise picking FanDuel as your new Illinois sports betting site.
FanDuel has three retail locations in Illinois, with a brand-new state-of-the-art sportsbook lounge at the United Center adding to FanDuel Sportsbooks at both Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino, and the Fairmount Park retail location.
FanDuel’s partnership with the Chicago Bulls provides many offers and bonuses for NBA fans in the Illinois sports betting market, and this brand awareness adds to a substantial product.
Home of the original Same Game Parlay, FanDuel has always been a hit with bettors, and it is no different in 2025.
- Standout Features: Live betting and streaming best in class, Best for Same Game Parlays, Very competitive odds
- Bonuses and Promotions: New users bet $5, get $150 with their sportsbook wager
- Payout Speed: 1-5 Business Days
- Payment Methods: Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, Apple Pay, Ewire, Internet Banking, PayNearMe, Play+, Venmo
- App Store Ratings: 4.9/5 (iOS) 4.6/5 (Android)
- Customer Support Rating: 5/5
Caesars Sportsbook Illinois
Caesars Sportsbook has a huge retail presence in the Illinois sports betting market, having recently launched in two Harrah’s locations, adding to their first retail sportsbook at Grand Victoria Casino. Sports bettors looking to bet in person in IL can now head to Harrah’s Casino in Joliet and Harrah’s Casino in Metropolis.
For Illinois online sports betting users, the Caesars Sportsbook app offers one of the best betting platforms in the Prairie State, as like FanDuel, they offer some of the best live betting and live streaming options.
The Caesars Rewards program is also a huge draw for Illinois bettors, who can earn rewards to use online on Caesars Sportsbook, or in-person in Caesars properties, namely on the Las Vegas Strip.
In terms of customer support, Caesars ranks among the best, and in addition to this, their $1000 first bet bonus rivals BetMGM as one of the biggest in the market.
Standout Features: Best Sportsbook Rewards Program, Good betting App layout, Live betting options impressive
Bonuses and Promotions: New users will get their money back up to $1000 if they lose their first bet
Payout Speed: 1-5 Business Days
Payment Methods: Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Skrill, PayPal, Bank Transfer, PayNearMe, Play+
App Store Ratings: 4.7/5 (iOS) 4.3/5 (Android)
Customer Support Rating: 5/5
BetMGM Illinois
BetMGM arrived in the Prairie State in 2022 and hasn’t looked back. Despite being late to the party, the self-titled ‘King of Sportsbooks’ has already settled into the Illinois sports betting market, and has been a great addition for Illinois bettors.
One of the ways BetMGM has separated itself from the competition is through the biggest welcome bonus on the market. They are awarding new users in the Illinois sports betting market with a $1500 first bet bonus, which lets you bet big, without the fear of losing, first time out. Not all users will want to bet as much as $1500, but you can cover any bet from $10 all the way up to $1500, with the BetMGM welcome bonus in Illinois.
BetMGM has not yet launched any retail locations in Illinois, focusing their sole attention on Illinois online sports betting users. In 2023, BetMGM overhauled their betting app to make it one of the best in class, and users in IL can take advantage of this new app when betting on sports.
One of the improvements to the BetMGM app was the Same Game + feature, which allows users to combine their multiple SGP bets across several sports, into one bet.
- Standout Features: BetMGM is now one of the best apps after its redesign, Same Game Parlay+ is a popular feature, $1500 is the biggest bonus in the Illinois sports betting market
- Bonuses and Promotions: New customers bet up to $1500 and get their stakes back as bonus bets if they lose
- Payout Speed: 1-5 Business Days
- Payment Methods: Mastercard, Visa, American Express, PayPal, Skrill, Bank Transfer, PayNearMe, Play+
- App Store Ratings: 4.8/5 (iOS) 4.5/5 (Android)
- Customer Support Rating: 3/5
Fanatics Sportsbook Illinois
Fanatics Sportsbook took over from PointsBet in 2023, and users in the Illinois sports betting market can now enjoy their refreshed platform.
It has been a positive start for Fanatics’ launch into the sports betting market, and the famous sports memorabilia market is now competing with the biggest names in this space as well.
PointsBet was entrenched in the Illinois sports betting market, with four retail locations, and now Fanatics will have their fingerprints on these, under the umbrella of ‘PointsBet A Fanatics Experience’.
The PointsBet app was already a popular choice in Illinois, and with Fanatics now improving the product, there is plenty to enjoy about this leading Illinois sports betting option.
New users can now bet and get up to $1000 in Bonus Bets when joining Fanatics Sportsbook Illinois, and that gives new users a huge head start.
- Standout Features: One of the best NFL betting platforms, Fanatics have improved the existing PointsBet product, 10 x $100 bet matches appealing
- Bonuses and Promotions: Bet and Get up to $1000 in Bonus Bets
- Payout Speed: 1-5 Business Days
- Payment Methods: PayPal, Online Bank Transfer, Mastercard and Visa, Venmo, Apple Pay, Wire Transfer
- App Store Ratings: 4.7/5 (iOS) 4.4/5 (Android)
- Customer Support Rating: 4/5
Is Sports Betting Legal in Illinois?
Yes, online sports betting was legalized in Illinois back in June 2019, with BetRivers becoming the first online sportsbook to launch in IL back in June 2020. This means the Illinois sports betting market has been up and running for four years.
Legal Sportsbooks in Illinois
Below is a list of the eight online sportsbooks available in Illinois.
- FanDuel
- DraftKings
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- BetRivers
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- ESPN Bet
- Circa Sports
Illinois sports bettors have the opportunity to bet with the main betting platforms, such as FanDuel and DraftKings, but there are only eight online sportsbooks due to the high licensing fee for online-only sportsbooks in IL.
Illinois Betting Partnerships With Professional Sports Teams
Here is a list of sportsbooks your local professional sports teams have teamed up with in Illinois in 2025.
- Chicago Bears – BetRivers Sportsbook
- Chicago Blackhawks – DraftKings Sportsbook
- Chicago Bulls – Betway, FanDuel Sportsbook
- Chicago Cubs – DraftKings Sportsbook
- Chicago White Sox – Caesars Sportsbook
Will Any New Sportsbooks Launch in Illinois in 2025?
Hard Rock Sportsbook and Betway have both been granted sports betting licenses in Illinois, but there is no timeline for their launch, while Bally Bet’s license is also pending in the state. At the moment, we do not have any confirmation of new launches in the Illinois sports betting market, but will keep you updated here once we know more.
What are the Legal Requirements for Sports Betting in Illinois?
There are legal considerations for both sportsbooks and bettors to consider, before accepting and placing wagers in the state. We will run through the most important of these below, so you know where you stand, when it comes to the Illinois sports betting market.
Requirements to Become a Legal Sports Betting Site in Illinois
The Illinois Gaming Board allows 23 Master Licenses, which means sportsbooks can partner with retail locations.
For new sportsbooks looking to operate online only though, there is a $20 million license fee, which has proved a deterrent for new sportsbooks to launch in the state. This figure seems steep now, but the one benefit is that a potential license holder wouldn’t have to share their revenue with a partner.
Tax Requirements for Online Sports Betting in Illinois
The sports betting tax is set at 15% in Illinois for both retail sports betting and online sports betting wagers.
Minimum Age Requirement for Legal sports betting in Illinois
Individuals must be 21+ and physically located in Illinois to place a bet both in a retail location or on a mobile sports betting app.
Proxy Betting Prohibited in Illinois
Proxy betting or ‘Messenger betting’ is prohibited in Illinois. You cannot legally place a wager for users from a non-betting state in the Prairie State.
How to Bet in Illinois
If you are new to the Illinois sports betting market and want to place a wager, here is a quick guide to placing a wager.
Step 1: Choose a Sportsbook
Pick your new online sportsbook from one of the 8 Illinois online sportsbooks outlined above. We have detailed our preferred betting sites to give you the information you need to choose your sportsbook.
Step 2: Sign up for Your Chosen Sportsbook
Now that you have chosen your sportsbook, your next step is to register for an account. Click the links above, and you will be taken to the sign up landing page for your chosen Illinois sports betting sites.
1) Enter your personal details – this is to prove your age and location
2) Create a username and password, this is how you will access your Illinois sports betting app
3) Enter your preferred payment method, this is what you will use to make your first deposit
4) If a promo or bonus code was provided by us above, then enter this in the promo code section before completing your registration, this will ensure you qualify for our exclusive sign-up offers
Step 3: Deposit Into Your New Sportsbook Account
To place a bet you will need to keep your sports betting account funded. All sign-up offers require a minimum deposit to qualify, normally between $5 and $10, so make sure you are aware of this minimum if you are looking to claim a welcome bonus in the IL online betting market. Most sportsbooks require a minimum deposit of $5.
Step 4: Find Your Bet
Now you are signed up and your account is funded, head to your favorite online betting site or mobile betting app in Arizona, and find the sport and game/event that you are looking to bet on. For example, if you were looking to bet on the Chicago Bulls, you would head to the Basketball (or NBA) section of your chosen sportsbook site, and then find the particular game you were looking to wager on.
Step 5: Placing Your Bet
Once you have found your bet, you now just need to click on the odds displayed, which will then add your chosen bet to your betslip. You will have the choice to bet with real money or your newly-received bonus bets below.
Step 6: Tracking Your Bet
It doesn’t matter whether you are betting from the game, or at home, you are going to want to track your bets. You can do so in the ‘My Bets’ section of any of your Illinois sportsbook apps.
Step 7: Withdraw Any Winnings
If your bet wins, you now have the option to withdraw the winnings from your chosen Illinois sportsbook. This can take up to 5 business days to process but is generally a lot quicker.
What Can I Bet on in Illinois?
Sports bettors have a wealth of options when it comes to sports and events to wager on, and below is a list of the most popular sports users typically bet on in the Prairie State.
Sports You Can Bet on in Illinois
You can bet on all of the following professional sports/leagues as well as many others in the Illinois sports betting market.
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- UFC
- Boxing
- Soccer
- Golf
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Tennis
- Darts
- + Many More
Things You Cannot Bet on in Illinois
It is easier to point out the sports and events you cannot bet on in Illinois, rather than detailing every sport you have to choose from.
High School Sports
There is a blanket ban on High School Sports betting in Illinois.
Politics
Betting on Politics is prohibited across the United States, so you will not be able to bet on things like the Next Presidential Election in Illinois.
In-State College Betting Online
College sports betting is available in Illinois, but you cannot wager on in-state teams such as Northwestern, when betting on an Illinois sports betting app. This could change after July 2024, but as the extension to this law was unanimously voted for (54 votes to 0) it seems unlikely anything will change any time soon.
Esports
You cannot bet on Esports in Illinois.
Can I Bet on Horse Racing in Illinois?
Horse Racing betting is available in Illinois. You can either bet in person at Arlington International Racecourse, FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing, and Hawthorne Race Course, or via your favorite legal horse racing betting site.
Can I Play Daily Fantasy Sports in Illinois?
Yes, you can create lineups on DFS sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel in Illinois.
You can also sign up for accounts with sites such as Boom Fantasy and Underdog.
Illinois Sports Betting Teams
Illinois is an excellent market for sports teams, and locals have a wealth of options when it comes to teams to follow and bet on. You can find details of each team in each of the main sports leagues below.
Chicago Bears are a National Football League (NFL) member, playing in its National Football Conference North Division (NFC North). The team is one of the oldest professional football teams in the world, founded in 1919 in Decatur as the Decatur Staleys.
Two years after its founding, the team relocated to Chicago, playing at the home field of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field. After winning its first NFL championship in 1921, the team changed its name to the Bears. During the 1930s, the team won two NFL championships and three divisional titles.
The 1940s were the golden age for the Chicago Bears organization. Throughout the decade, the franchise won four championship games in 1940, 1941, 1943, and 1946, and a divisional title in 1942. Most of this was down to the play of QB Sid Luckman, an elite long-range passer. The Bears claimed one more title in 1963 but struggled after this season, despite recruiting iconic running back Walton Payton.
The struggles finally ended when the organization recruited former Bears running back Mike Ditka as head coach in 1982. Ditka assembled one of the most famous teams of the 1980s on the gridiron, with a defense led by William “The Refrigerator” Perry in a then-revolutionary 46 defense. The team won its last Super Bowl in 1985, beating the New England Patriots 46-10.
Since 1981, the team has played its home games at the historic Soldier Field. It is well known for its cold winter games, as temperatures can get below freezing, and the winds can get crazy.
Inaugurated in 1966, the Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team that competes in the National Basketball Association in its Eastern Conference Central Division. The Bulls were granted an NBA expansion franchise in 1966, becoming the third NBA side in the city after the Stags (1946-1950) and the Zephyrs (1961-1963).
Despite posting the best first-season record for an expansion team in NBA history and making the playoffs, the team subsequently struggled in its opening years. However, the Bull’s fortunes were transformed with the 1984 NBA Draft when Chicago selected Michael Jordan as the third overall pick. Jordan helped the Bulls form one of the greatest dynasties in major league sports, as the team won six championships between 1991 and 1998.
Since Jordan departed from the Bulls in 1998, the team has not reached the NBA Finals or won a Conference Championship. However, Jordan’s six triumphs in the 1990s leave Chicago with the distinction of never losing an NBA Finals series in its history.
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team that competes in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central Division.
The team was inaugurated in 1870 under the stewardship of William Hulbert, a pioneer of professional baseball, and was initially known as the Chicago White Stockings. In 1876, Hulbert signed several star players to his new team, including Adrian “Cap” Anson and Albert Spalding, and joined the new National League as a charter member.The Cubs went on to win the league’s first pennant.
In 1881 Hulbert died, and Spalding, who had gone on to form Spalding Sporting Goods, took over the team. After the loss of Anson in 1897, Spalding revamped his side with several promising players, and the press nicknamed the franchise the Cubs. The team won back-to-back World Series in 1907 and 1908.
The team moved into a new ballpark in 1916 named Weeghman Park. Chewing-gum magnate Bill Wrigley bought the team in 1921 and renamed the field Wrigley Park, which remains the Cubs’ home to this day. The team reached the World Series under Wrigley’s ownership six times between 1929 and 1945. However, the team didn’t win a World Series during this period.
In the 1945 World Series, stadium officials ejected a man called William Sianis and his goat from the stadium. Sianis telegrammed the team owners in response that the Cubs would never win another World Series, beginning the “Curse of the Billy Goat.”
Despite various attempts to reverse the curse, the team failed to reach the World Series from 1945 to 2015. However, in 2016, the Cubs reached the World Series and beat the Cleveland Indians 4-3. This ended the longest drought without a World Series championship in MLB history.
The Chicago White Sox is an MLB team competing in the American League (AL) Central Division. Located on the South Side of Chicago, the team is known as the South Siders. Founded in 1900, the team was an AL charter member, winning the inaugural AL pennant.
The White Sox reached its first World Series in 1906, defeating crosstown rivals Chicago Cubs in six games. In 1910 the Sox moved to Comiskey Park and added a second win in the Fall Classic in 1917 when it defeated the New York Giants.
In 1919, the team lost to massive underdogs, Cincinnati Reds, fuelling speculation White Sox players had fixed the series. Eight of Chicago’s best players were banned, and the team didn’t win another pennant for 40 years. The team had a period of success from 1951-1967, the high point of which was winning the AL in 1959.
The White Sox declined from the late 1960s to the 1970s. Rumors began that the team would relocate to either Seattle or Milwaukee in the early 1970s. However, relocation was mooted in the late 1980s as owners sought a new ballpark on the site of Comiskey Park. A deal with the city of Tampa, Florida, was nearly agreed upon, and only a late deal from the Illinois State Legislature kept the team in Chicago. The new ballpark, “New” Comiskey Park, was opened in 1991.
In 2005 the team won its third World Series championship, sweeping the Houston Astros in four games to collect its first title in 88 years. This broke the second-longest drought for a team going without a World Series win.
One of the “Original Six” National Hockey League (NHL) teams, the Chicago Blackhawks are a member of the Central Division of the NHL’s Western Conference. The team was founded in 1926 and was successful in its early years, winning the Stanley Cup in 1934 and 1938. The Blackhawks returned to the finals in 1944 but were defeated in four games by the Montreal Canadiens.
As the Original Six era began, Chicago struggled to break the dominance of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings owner James E. Norris held a controlling stake in the Blackhawks and used it to improve his Detroit team. Between 1945 and 1958, the team only made the top-four playoffs twice in a six-team league.
Norris’ son, James D. Norris, took over the club in 1950 and guided the team back to health, acquiring a new young team, including Bobby Hull, Stan Mitka, and Pierre Pilote. This returned Chicago to the playoffs in 1959. In 1961, the Blackhawks shocked the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals to claim the trophy. However, this triumph marked the start of a series of near misses, with the team reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 1962, 1965, 1971, and 1973, losing all four.
The team would win the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in 1991 but had to wait until 1992 to reach another Stanley Cup series, losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in four games. Chicago moved to the United Center in 1995, but the next great period in Blackhawks' history was the early 2010s when the team won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015.
A member of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)’s Eastern Conference, the Chicago Sky was founded before the 2006 WNBA Season. Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child and Mathew Knowles, father of Beyonce, were announced as the initial owners of the team. Initially, the team struggled to make an impact in the WNBA, posting losing seasons in each of its first seven years. In 2013, the team finished first in the Eastern Conference, earning its first playoff berth. However, the Sky fell in the Conference Semifinals, losing to the Indiana Fever in two games. The team had a prolonged period of success following its first playoff berth, reaching the playoffs for four successive seasons.
After missing out in 2017 and 2018, Chicago returned to the WNBA playoffs in 2019, going out to the Las Vegas Aces and the Connecticut Sun, respectively. In 2021, the team finally won its first WNBA title, beating the Phoenix Mercury in four games.
A founding member of both Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the Chicago Red Stars were founded in 2013 and play games at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
The team has been a prominent professional women’s soccer team since the founding of the WPS. When the WPS struggled at the end of the 2011 season, the Red Stars joined the Women’s Professional Soccer League (WPSL).
It founded the WPSL’s Elite division in 2012 to transition the remaining WPS teams before the founding of the NWSL, which US Soccer backed. The team won the US Women’s Open Cup and reached the championship game of the WPSL Elite.
Since the founding of the NWSL, the team has yet to win a championship but finished runners-up in 2019 and 2021. It also finished runners-up in the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2020.
The Fighting Illini has been successful across all sports, with the wheelchair basketball program being the oldest in the US. It is also one of the most successful, with 29 claimed national championships between the men’s and women’s teams.
However, the football team draws the most attention, playing at the 60-000 capacity Memorial Stadium. The program has five claimed national championships, four of which came under the coaching of Bob Zuppke. During his tenure, he coached many top players, including Hall of Famer Red Grange, who played for the Chicago Bears.
Following the Zuppke era, the Illini won its fifth and final national title in 1951. The team went 8-0-1 over the season, then triumphed in the Rose Bowl over Stanford University Indians 40-7.
Along with the football program, Illinois also won a tennis championship in 2003.
The football program at Northwestern University has seen a high level of success over the years, competing in the Rose Bowl in 1948 and 1995. These games added to its tied record with Notre Dame for the longest losing streak in bowl games in history. However, the Wildcats beat this nine-game slide in 2013 by beating the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the Gator Bowl.
Northwestern has also won seven national championships in women’s lacrosse across a period of dominance from 2005 to 2012.
The Huskies have only won one national championship in history, claiming the men’s cross country title in 1958. However, the football program has been fairly competitive, winning the Mid-American Conference six times. The team was ranked No.1 in the US in 1963 and had a 10-0 record with George Bork at QB.
The Blue Demons helped set up the Great Midwest Conference in 1991 before moving to Conference USA, then the Big East. The basketball program at DePaul has been fairly successful, reaching the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament twice. Both of these triumphs came under legendary head coach Ray Meyer, who coached the team from 1942-1984.
The Loyola University basketball program won the national championship in men’s basketball and is remembered for a significant matchup on the way to that triumph. The season came during the civil rights movement when many teams didn’t have more than two black players. However, Loyola had four black starting players.
The Ramblers met the Mississippi State University Bulldogs in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs had an all-white team and had been prohibited from playing teams with black athletes. However, the program went against the wishes of the Mississippi Governor and lawmakers to play the Ramblers. The game is now known as the “Game of Change”, which Loyola won 61-51.
In addition, to its national championship in basketball, Loyola has also won two men’s volleyball championships.
IL Sports Betting Handle by Year
Here is the breakdown of the Illinois sports betting revenue and handle each year from 2020 to 2023.
2023
- Total Sports Betting Handle: $11.6B
- Total Sports Betting Revenue: $794.1M
- Sports Betting Hold Percentage: 8.20%
- Sports Betting Tax Revenue: $161M
2022
- Total Sports Betting Handle: $9.74B
- Total Sports Betting Revenue: $796.4M
- Sports Betting Hold Percentage: 8.17%
- Sports Betting Tax Revenue: $118.4M
2021
- Total Sports Betting Handle: $7.02B
- Total Sports Betting Revenue: $527.6M
- Sports Betting Hold Percentage: 7.5%
- Sports Betting Tax Revenue: $83.8M
2020
- Total Sports Betting Handle: $1.88B
- Total Sports Betting Revenue: $125M
- Sports Betting Hold Percentage: 6.1%
- Sports Betting Tax Revenue: $20M
Illinois Land-Based Sportsbooks
There are many excellent retail sportsbooks that you can visit all across Illinois. While there is no longer a need for in-person registration, many of the retail sportsbooks still offer a tremendous in-person experience with restaurants, bars, and the capabilities for watching games.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| DraftKings At Casino Queen | 200 S Front St, East St Louis, IL 62201 |
| Rivers Casino Des Plaines Sportsbook | 3000 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018 |
| PointsBet Off-Track Betting Facilities | Crestwood: 13148 Rivercrest Dr, Crestwood, IL 60445\nOakbrook Terrace: 17W648 22nd St, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181\nProspect Heights: 1250 River Rd, Prospect Heights, IL 60070 |
| Par-A-Dice (FanDuel Sportsbook) | Riverboat casino in East Peoria |
| Grand Victoria (Caesars Sportsbook) | 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 |
| Argosy Casino Alton Sportsbook (Penn National Gaming) | 1 Piasa St, Alton, IL 62002 |
| Hollywood Joliet (Penn National Gaming) | 777 Hollywood Blvd, Joliet, IL 60436 |
| Hollywood Aurora (Penn National Gaming) | 1 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506 |
| Harrah’s Joliet and Metropolis (Barstool Sportsbook) | 151 N Joliet St, Joliet, IL 60432 |
| PointsBet Sportsbook At Hawthorne Racecourse | 3501 S. Laramie, Stickney/Cicero, IL 60804 |
Illinois Responsible Gambling
The Illinois Gaming Board implements a state-wide self-exclusion program, which allows bettors to ban themselves from Illinois casinos and sportsbooks. The program was already in place when sports betting launched, and the Sports Wagering Act added sports betting.
You’ll need to visit one of the Illinois Gaming Board locations which allow you to join the program. You will also need a valid driver’s license to complete the process, which usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes. While most locations are in Illinois, you can also find some locations in Iowa which allow you to join the self-exclusion list.
In addition to the self-exclusion program, the Illinois Gaming Board requires sportsbooks to provide problem gambling help resources. These include account tools like deposit limits and time limits. Many betting sites also supply guidance to third-party support organizaions, and information on problem gambling.
IL Sports Betting History
2024: There are now 8 legal Illinois sports betting sites. Despite being one of the biggest sports betting markets in terms of handle and revenue, there are still only eight online sportsbooks in the Prairie State, due to the high licensing fee.
2023: An amendment was proposed to allow betting exchanges in the Illinois sports betting market. There has been no decision made on this yet, so as it stands, betting exchanges are not available in IL.
2022: As of March 5th, 2022, users no longer need to sign up for a sportsbook in person, and can join an Illinois online sports betting app remotely. This was temporarily allowed during COVID-19, but the change is now made permanent.
2021: J.B. Pritzker signs legislation to allow in-state college sports betting, but this is only available in-person and not online. At the time of writing, this is still the case, meaning you can only bet on Illinois college sports teams at retail sportsbooks.
2020: BetRivers becomes the first online sportsbook to launch in the Illinois sports betting market, in June 2020. A year after online sports betting is legalized in the Prairie State. DraftKings joins the betting market later in the year.
2019: In June 2019, Illinois Governor, J.B. Pritzker confirms online sports betting is now legal, but online-only sportsbooks will not be able to launch for another 18 months.
2018: The Supreme Court ruled the PASPA unconstitutional and therefore moved to legalize sports betting. Each state is now free to set its own online sports betting and retail sports betting laws.