Sports Betting in Illinois
No doubt about it, online sports betting is officially legal in Illinois. The Prairie State even offers retail sports betting in casinos, racetracks, and eventually, Illinois professional team venues.
The Land of the Lincoln is experiencing a Golden Age with the legalization of sports betting because there are an additional six casinos to be built, thanks to the gaming expansion bill. PlayingLegal rates the top IL sports betting sites by analyzing all that each operator offers.
Best Illinois Sports Betting Sites
Sports betting experts at PlayingLegal compiled the top list of the best IL online sportsbooks. Each legal online sports betting site is rated by strict criteria and a thorough examination of welcome bonus offers. Not every Illinois sportsbook appears on our list.
William Hill Sports Book
- No rollover required
- Qualifying first bet must lose
- Free bet must be used within 7 days
- Valid for new customer accounts only
- Live Streaming
- Transparent terms of use
- Generous welcome bonus
- Responsive customer support
- Complete odds offer
- Cash Out not available yet
- The user interface could be improved
Over 87 of betting experience backs William Hill, originally based in the UK. Now, IL bettors enjoy the brand name's expertise with a superior betting interface, particularly for live in-play betting.
IL Sports Betting Law
Sports betting is now officially legal in the state of Illinois. After multiple attempts by state legislators and the gaming industry, Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law SB 690 (Senate Bill 690) on June 28, 2019, legalizing sports betting in Illinois.
Thanks to SB 690, Illinois sports betting encompasses online and mobile wagering, physical and retail sportsbooks at casinos, large capacity Illinois professional sports venues, and racetracks.
Sports Available
Currently, there are a variety of sports available to bet on in Illinois. In fact, more sports are added as operators request the IGB to approve sporting events.
| Available Sports to Bet in Illinois | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aussie Rules | Baseball | Basketball |
| Boxing | Cricket | Cycling |
| Darts | Football | Golf |
| Hockey | MMA | Motor Racing |
| NASCAR | Rugby League | Rugby Union |
| Sailing | Soccer | Tennis |
Note that the list above only applies to sporting competitions because there are restrictions on the types of wagers that legal IL sportsbooks can accept.
Restrictions
Beware of the following restrictions for legal online IL sportsbooks. To explain, if you see a sports betting site offering odds on the following restrictions below, the operator would be an illegal offshore sportsbook, which PlayingLegal does not recommend for safety and security reasons.
IL sports betting restrictions:
- Lines can only be offered, and wagers are solely taken on sporting events, which means unlike New Jersey, you cannot bet on events like the Academy Awards.
- Officials, coaches, players, or anyone considered personnel cannot bet on the sport they are involved in.
- You cannot wager on in-state collegiate team sports.
Notably, the last restriction is the most cumbersome one, and certainly, this restriction is not unique to just IL. Other states such as New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, and Rhode Island also have the same restriction on in-state schools. Although, New Jersey, the leader in online sports betting, may do away with this restriction by voter referendum.
To explain this restriction, take NCAA basketball; if there is a Big Ten tournament in Illinois, you cannot wager on any in-state schools. However, you can still place wagers on games that do not involve state schools.
Geo-location
The Prairie State requires legal and licensed online sportsbooks to verify potential sports betting customer’s geographic location. Yet, note that you do not need to be a resident of Illinois. The only requirement is that you are physically located within state borders.
To achieve this end, legal sports betting sites verify your geographic location using geolocation technology. A leading geolocation technology provider, GeoComply, obtained a supplier license from the IGB. Therefore, if using a sports betting mobile app, you will need to allow the operator to access your location.
Minimum Legal Age Requirement
In Illinois, the minimum legal age requirement to wager in-person at sportsbooks or online is 21. While you can sign up remotely, beware that legal and licensed sports betting sites require further identification to verify your age. For example, you may need to provide the last four digits of your SSN and a copy of your government-issued ID.
Licensed sportsbooks need to be diligent to maintain sports wagering licenses issued by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). Otherwise, operators may face a fine or, at worst, have their license revoked.
In-Person and Online Registration
The original 2019 IL sports betting bill that passed required in-person registration. This mandate was a compromise to bring legal online gaming to the Land of the Lincoln. Also, in-person registration was not a unique restriction to IL. Indeed, Nevada has long required in-person registration and banking to use mobile betting apps.
As a side note, the IL sports betting bill required an eighteen-month moratorium on allowing three online sportsbooks that are “untethered” to state casinos to operate in the Prairie State. This restriction was a specific snub to online sportsbook giants, FanDuel and DraftKings.
However, in March 2020, all physical gaming facilities were closed by Gov. Pritzker’s executive order due to the coronavirus pandemic. So, the forced closure left legal betting in limbo for a few months.
In June 2020, Gov. Pritzker signed Executive Order 2020-41 suspending the in-person registration requirement. While Pritzker allowed a brief lapse the following month, the order is renewed monthly since the brief lapse.
So, IL will continue to allow online and mobile sports betting registration without requiring in-person registration for the foreseeable future.
All IL Online Sportsbooks
Make no mistake. More online sportsbooks are coming soon to IL. Remember that IL sports betting is relatively new, and not every casino and racetrack received regulatory approval for licenses yet from the IGB. For now, here are the available IL online sportsbooks.
| Online Sportsbook | License Holder | Software Provider |
|---|---|---|
| William Hill Sports Book | Grand Victoria Casino 250 S. Grove Ave. Elgin, IL 60120 | Proprietary Software |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Casino Queen 200 S Front St, East St Louis, IL 62201 | SBTech |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Rivers Casino Des Plaines 3000 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018 | Kambi |
New Online Sportsbooks
Several online sportsbooks are launching in Illinois soon. These online operators are in the process of obtaining regulatory approval from the IGB and will be launching sometime in early to mid-2021.
As a matter of fact, Barstool Sportsbook officially launched on March 11th, 2021, right in time for the start of March Madness.
Retail Casino Sportsbooks in Illinois
Illinois sports bettors have a choice on betting in-person or online. According to the legislation revolving around sports betting in Illinois, riverboat casinos, racetracks, and even sports facilities can operate legal and licensed sportsbooks. Moreover, because sports betting in IL is newly established, there are sportsbooks yet to open.
| Retail Sportsbook | Address | License Date |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsbook at Argosy Casino Alton | Argosy Casino Alton 1 Piasa St, Alton, IL 62002 | June 11, 2020 |
| DraftKings at Casino Queen | Casino Queen 200 S Front St, East St Louis, IL 62201 | June 11, 2020 |
| William Hill Sportsbook | Grand Victoria Casino 250 S. Grove Ave. Elgin, IL 60120 | June 11, 2020 |
| The Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Aurora | Hollywood Casino Aurora 1 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506 | June 11, 2020 |
| The Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Joliet | Hollywood Casino & Hotel Joliet 777 Hollywood Blvd, Joliet, IL 60436 | June 11, 2020 |
| FanDuel Par-A-Dice Sportsbook* | Par-A-Dice Casino East Peoria 21 Blackjack Blvd, East Peoria, IL 61611 | June 11, 2020 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Rivers Casino Des Plaines 3000 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018 | June 11, 2020 |
*Note that FanDuel applied and gained approval from the IGB to switch licenses from Par-A-Dice Casino to the Fairmount Park Racetrack.
IL Racetracks
Racetracks in Illinois offer horse racing with harness and thoroughbred races plus betting. Additionally, IL racetracks can also offer sports betting. In fact, the Fairmount Park Racetrack will be renamed to FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing.
| IL Racetrack | Address | Sportsbook Name |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington International Racecourse | 2200 Euclid Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 | BetAmerica Sports Bar |
| Fairmount Park Racetrack | 9301 Collinsville Rd, Collinsville, IL 62234 | FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing |
| Hawthorne Race Course Stickney | 3501 S Laramie Ave, Stickney, IL 60402 | The PointsBet Sportsbook |
Churchill Downs Inc. is the parent company of Arlington International Racecourse. Moreover, Churchill Downs Inc. announced that their online gaming products would rebrand to TwinSpires. Thus, expect the BetAmerica Sports Bar to be renamed to TwinSpires eventually.
IL Sports Facilities
Included in the Illinois gambling expansion law is a provision that allows seven Illinois sports facilities to provide retail sports betting. Notably, the requirements are:
- The sports facility must have a capacity of at least 17,000.
- Sports betting windows can either be in the facility or within a five-block radius.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed Rate Field | 333 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616 |
| Wrigley Field | 1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613 |
| Soldier Field | 1410 Museum Campus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 |
| The United Center | 1410 Museum Campus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 |
| Chicagoland Speedway | 500 Speedway Blvd, Joliet, IL 60433 |
| SeatGeek Stadium | 7000 S Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL 60455 |
| Allstate Arena | 6920 Mannheim Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018 |
Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs already announced a partnership with DraftKings. On the other hand, there’s a hefty $10 million sports wagering license fee coupled with the $250,000 application fee. Finally, there is also the consideration of whether lottery sports-betting terminals should be included within the IL sports facilities' five-block radius.
Land-Based Casino Expansion
Furthermore, there is literally room for expansion in the Illinois sports betting landscape. The Rebuild Illinois Act allows for six more land-based casinos in certain areas. In particular, these areas earmarked for casino expansions are:
- Chicago
- Southern Suburbs
- Danville
- Rockford
- Waukegan
- Williamson County
Obviously, the largest casino on the list will be the Chicago casino. Native American tribes who already run successful casinos in other states have submitted proposals:
- Choctaw Nation
- Ho-Chunk Nation
- Seminole Tribe (Hard Rock International)
- Potawatomi
- Poarch Creek Indians (Wind Creek Hospitality).
For now, it is unknown who will gain approval to open the largest physical casino in Illinois, located in Chicago. Moreover, Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, expressed concerns over the exact location of a mega-casino.
IL Sports Betting Apps
Certainly, mobile sports betting in IL has an interesting start, covered below in our timeline. Additionally, more online sportsbooks are launching soon. For now, PlayingLegal compiled our ranking of the best IL sports betting mobile apps below.
FanDuel boasts “America’s #1 Sportsbook App”, and honestly, the app delivers. The IL FanDuel app is by far the most user-intuitive mobile betting app.
William Hill Sportsbook Mobile App
- No rollover required
- Qualifying first bet must lose
- Free bet must be used within 7 days
- Valid for new customer accounts only
- Live Streaming
- Transparent terms of use
- Generous welcome bonus
- Responsive customer support
- Complete odds offer
- Cash Out not available yet
- The user interface could be improved
Worldwide, William Hill claims to collect a million bets a day, with most users wagering on mobile devices. Definitely, the IL William Hill app provides a truly unforgettably smooth mobile betting experience.
DraftKings Sportsbook Mobile App
- Valid 1 per new customer.
- Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet.
- $150 issued in bonus bets.
- Opt in req. 1 No Sweat token issued per day.
- SGP/SGPx bets only. 3+ legs req.
- Max. wagering limits apply.
- Must use funds from cash balance. Must select token BEFORE placing bet.
- Bet must lose after applying Token. Paid as one Bonus Bet based on amount of losing bet.
- Tokens expire at start of the last game each day when offered.
- No Sweat cannot be used to redeem Bet $5 Get $150 offer.
- Rewarded bonus bets expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded.
- Bonus bets must be wagered 1x and stake is not included in winnings.
- A reputable and historic brand
- Live Streaming
- In-play betting
- Cashouts
- Slow customer support
- Mobile app stability issues
- High wagering requirements for the bonus
DraftKings offers one of the top-rated sports betting mobile apps. However, recently the mobile app appears to be plagued with stability and freezing issues. On the other hand, DraftKings does release mobile app updates often, so perhaps the mobile app improves.
BetRivers Mobile App
The BetRivers mobile app ranks last on our list that experts recommend. For now, improvement is needed as the app lags. Additionally, Touch ID is not available, which is imperative when time is of the essence during live in-play betting where odds shift quickly.
How to Bet Online in Illinois
Originally, there was a requirement for in-person registration to place sports wagers online. However, in-person registration is waived for the foreseeable future.
- First, pick a legal online sportsbook from PlayingLegal’s top list.
- Next, navigate to your chosen sports betting site via your web-based browser.
- If you wish to download the app using a mobile device, click on either the Android or iOS icon. Follow the instructions and prompts for installation.
- Now, sign-up for the IL sports betting site with your personal information:
- Legal name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Last four digits of your SSN
- If available, enter the promo code.
- If requested, be ready to provide a copy of your government-issued ID for verification.
- Select a payment method to fund your new sports betting account.
- Be sure to verify that your welcome bonus is active in your account.
- Now, select your first sports bet.
- Add your selection to the bet slip.
Most Popular Sports in IL Sportsbooks
The Prairie State hovers between the fifth and sixth most populous state according to the US Census. Moreover, Chicago is the third-largest metropolitan city in the nation. Thus, IL is home to multiple professional sports teams, and Illinoisans claim a long love affair with the associated home teams.
Certainly, the excitement and interest surrounding the rapidly growing venues both online and in-person are understandable as these teams have large fan bases. Therefore, there is no surprise that sportsbooks offer many betting types and ongoing promotions, especially when IL home teams are in season.
| 🏈 NFL | 🏀 NBA |
| 🏒 NHL | ⚾ MLB |
NFL
Home to the Chicago Bears, who play at Soldier Field. In fact, the Chicago Bears’ first season dates back to 1920, which makes the Bears one of the oldest NFL teams. The Bears hold multiple titles and championships, including one Super Bowl win.
Find Chicago Bears odds and bet types at all the online sportsbooks, such as:
- Moneyline
- Point Spread
- Over/Under
- Futures
- Props
Futures on the Chicago Bears deserve a special mention as fans enjoy betting on odds to win the NFC or Super Bowl.
NBA
Home to the legendary Chicago Bulls, who play at the United Center. Founded in 1966, the Bulls rose to notoriety in the 1990s, not just in the US but worldwide. Truly, an NBA dynasty, the Bulls with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Phil Jackson won six championships.
Overall, NBA betting in IL bears many similarities to NFL betting. Again, IL bettors enjoy betting on futures like:
- NBA Finals
- Conference Championships
- MVP
- Defensive POY
NHL
The Chicago Blackhawks are part of the NHL and play at the United Center. Again, like the other Illinois professional teams, the Blackhawks are one of the oldest NHL teams in existence.
Founded in 1926, the Blackhawks have won six Stanley Cup championships. Moreover, the last three of the Stanley Cup championship titles actually came in the previous decade. Overall, Illinoisans who are Blackhawks fans will have an interest in placing futures bets on additional Stanley Cup championships.
MLB
Finally, last but definitely not least, Chicago is home to two MLB teams. The historic Chicago Cubs play at Wrigley Field, and the Chicago White Sox play at Guaranteed Rate Field.
To explain how loyal fans are to the Cubs, the team has played in Chicago since 1871. Not to mention, the White Sox team also enjoys a long history, dating back to 1901.
Finally, the IL sports betting expansion law allows the two baseball fields to offer retail sports betting either on-premises or within five blocks. In fact, Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs already partnered with DraftKings.
Types of Sports Betting in Illinois
IL sports betting law is explicitly clear on the types of sports betting types allowed. So, popular bet types include:
- Single-game bets
- Teasers
- Parlays
- Totals (Over/Under)
- Moneylines
- Live in-play betting or in-game wagering
- Props
- Futures
History and Timeline of Sports Betting in IL
Certainly, it was a long road and, sometimes, a muddled journey to legalize sports betting in the Prairie State. The result of the eventual IL sports betting bill was a compromise passed at the eleventh hour, well after the initial deadline of Gov. Pritzker. Explore below the timeline of sports betting legalization in Illinois.
-
2009
Illinois allows video gambling at bars, restaurants, and liquor-serving businesses.
-
2018
IL legislators introduce five bills regarding the legalization of sports betting without any real progress.
-
Feb. 2019
Gov. JB Pritzker unveils plans for budget shortfall covered by legal sports betting.
-
Spring 2019
IL state legislature passes a bill for IL sports betting available at riverboat casinos, racetracks, and sports facilities.
-
May 2019
After much back and forth between IL legislators and the casino industry, comprises were made to combine legal sports betting and casino gaming expansion and an imposed 18 month regulatory period before mobile wagering.
-
June 28, 2019
Gov. Pritzker signs SB690, legalizing sports betting for Illinois.
-
March 9, 2020
Rivers Casino Des Plaines collects the first legal sports wager.
-
March 12, 2020
Argosy Casino Alton officially opens The Sportsbook at 7 pm, marking the second sportsbook to launch.
-
June 5, 2020
Gov. JB Pritzker signs executive order suspending in-person registration for sports betting.
-
June 18, 2020
The first online sportsbook in IL, BetRivers, launches.
-
July 27, 2020
Gov. Pritzker rescinds the executive order, and in-person registration is required again.
-
Aug. 3, 2020
William Hill officially opens a physical sportsbook at Grand Victoria Casino Elgin.
-
July 2020
The IGB reports over $52 million in handle for July, with sports betting revenue up to $7.3 million.
-
Aug. 5, 2020
DraftKings launches in IL at 1 pm.
-
August 19, 2020
Executive Order 2020-41 is back in effect, and mobile registration is once again available. Moreover, this executive order has been renewed monthly since.
-
Sept. 12, 2020
PointsBet launches in IL.
-
Sept. 15, 2020
William Hill becomes the fifth mobile sports betting operator to launch.
-
Nov. 2020
IGB reports over $449 million in handle for November, with sports betting revenue of over $41 million.
The Future of IL Sports Betting
In making predictions about the future of IL sports betting, revenue needs to be assessed and discussed. The IGB releases monthly sports betting revenue reports. Overall, Illinois sports betting revenue shows an increasing trend, with over $449 million in revenue reported for Nov. 2020.
Clearly, most months set new records in terms of revenue. Obviously, there are fluctuations in the monthly reports as certain sports come in and out of season.
Certainly, the Illinois sports betting market is going from strength to strength. Obviously, a few factors are fueling the growth of the Land of the Lincoln.
- Firstly, Illinois is one of the most populous states in the US, ranking fifth in size. Therefore, bigger sports betting revenue numbers are expected as the market matures with such a large population.
- Secondly, mobile sports betting revenue dominates over in-person wagers. Due to the executive order signed by Gov. Pritzker, the mobile sports betting trend will continue.
- Thirdly, more online sportsbooks vying to gain approval by the IGB and launch in the Prairie State. More mature markets, such as New Jersey, support more than 3x the number of operators that Illinois currently has.
- Lastly, the IL sports betting expansion bill has permits for six new land-based casinos. In turn, these yet-to-be-built casinos can offer retail sportsbooks and partner with online operators.
In conclusion, expect to see many more online sportsbooks and retail sports betting operators in Illinois. As the market matures and more operators enter Illinois, customers only benefit from sportsbooks offering better and more aggressive welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions.
IL Online Sports Betting FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Illinois. In fact, gambling has been legal in IL for many years with casinos, lottery, and horse racing. However, IL Gov. JB Pritzker signed bill SB690 in June 2019, which legalized retail and online sports betting. Currently, you can legally bet on sports online or in-person at retail sportsbooks in the Prairie State.
Where can I place a sports bet in Illinois?
Currently, you can place sports bets online and in-person in IL. For IL online sportsbooks that are legal, please choose from our list of best betting sites. Also, there are currently quite a few retail sportsbooks that are opened or plan to open soon, thanks to IL passing legislation legalizing sports betting.
What are the sports betting locations currently open in Illinois?
In Illinois, there are a variety of retail sports betting locations. These retail sports betting locations are in casinos or at IL racetracks. Additionally, major sports facilities such as Wrigley Field can also offer retail sports betting. Also, as part of the IL gaming expansion law, more retail casinos are yet to be built and will eventually offer sports betting.
Can I use FanDuel Sportsbook in Illinois?
Yes, in fact, FanDuel Sportsbook launched as the third online sports betting app in Illinois. Moreover, for now, you can sign-up for FanDuel directly on the mobile app without in-person registration at a brick-and-mortar sportsbook.
Is bet365 legal in Illinois?
Unfortunately, bet365 is not yet legal in Illinois. bet365 is only legal in New Jersey for now. While sports betting is legal in the Prairie State, bet365 is not a licensed operator. However, you can choose from our top list of legal IL sports betting sites.
What is the sports betting revenue in Illinois?
Monthly, the Illinois Gaming Board releases reports detailing the breakdown of sports betting handle and revenue. The start of sports betting in March 2020 was quite low. Although, it was due to forced closures resulting from the pandemic. Nonetheless, IL sports betting revenue is growing at a rapid pace. Nov. 2020 saw Illinois report close to $450 million in sports betting handle.
Is Barstool Sportsbook legal in Illinois?
Yes! As a matter of fact, Barstool sports officially launched on March 11, 2021. The launch came right in time for the start of the March Madness season.
