Illinois Betting Sites, Apps & Guide
As the 11th state to legalize sports betting following the U.S. Supreme Court’s repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018, Illinois, with its bustling Chicago sports market, has become a major player in the booming sports betting industry.
Despite only having eight legal online Illinois sportsbooks active, existing bettors have gotten the most out of the top Illinois sports betting apps. If you are a new bettor in Illinois or have yet to sign up with all the top Illinois betting sites, this article details all the ins and outs regarding elite Illinois sports betting locations and Illinois online sports betting.
From sign-up bonuses and best sportsbook features to guides on how to join new sportsbooks, place your first bet and state history, this comprehensive Illinois betting guide has you covered end to end.
🔥 Top Illinois Betting Apps
Kicking off this guide to Illinois sports betting, we present a table that orders our picks for the top Illinois betting sites, including the best Illinois sports betting app.
Welcome offers garner significant attention when composing an official ranking, so outlines of each offer with links to sportsbook sign-up pages are attached to each selection in the table.
#1 - DraftKings Sportsbook
Sign Up Bonus: Bet $5, Get $200 Instantly + No Sweat NBA SGP Token Daily
Rating: 5/5
#2 - FanDuel Sportsbook
Sign Up Bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 if Your Bet Wins
Rating: 4.95/5
#3 - BetRivers Sportsbook
Sign Up Bonus: Up to $500 in a Second Chance Bet
Rating: 4.8/5
Best Illinois Sports Betting Sites: Where to Bet in Illinois
Now that we have sorted the top Illinois sports betting apps, it’s time to dive into quick reviews of these Illinois betting sites, including breakdowns of each welcome bonus.
#1 DraftKings Sportsbook Illinois
DraftKings Sportsbook takes the cake as the best Illinois sports betting app. DraftKings issues the undisputed best welcome offer, employs a betting carousel tailored to each user and has a cash-out option that allows users to pull out of a ticket during a game/event before it ends.
DraftKings Sportsbook Welcome Offer
For all who become a NEW member today, DraftKings dishes $200 in eight $25 bonus bets plus a No Sweat Same Game Parlay token instantly after you submit your first bet of $5.
💲 Welcome Bonus - Bet $5, Get $200 Instantly + No Sweat NBA SGP Token Daily
📆 Legal in New Jersey from August 8, 2018
📱 Available Platforms - Desktop / iOS / Android / Retail
⚡ Payout Speed - 1-3 Days
🎯 Best Feature - Early-Bird Odds Release For Upcoming Events
⭐ Our Rating - 4.9/5
#2 FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois
FanDuel is right there with DraftKings atop Illinois sportsbooks because of the user interface of its app and because it is the originator of the Same Game Parlay bet market. FanDuel offers a wide array of Same Game Parlay options.
FanDuel Sportsbook Welcome Offer
FanDuel dishes $150 in bonus bets to all new players who CLICK HERE TO JOIN TODAY, ☀️ deposit $10+ and win their first $5+ bet on anything.
💲 Welcome Bonus - Bet $5, Get $150 if Your Bet Wins
📆 Legal in New Jersey from - September 1, 2018
📱 Available Platforms - Desktop / iOS / Android / Retail
⚡ Payout Speed - 1-7 Days
🎯 Best Feature - Sleek Interface With the Best New Jersey Betting App
⭐ Our Rating - 5/5
#3 BetRivers Sportsbook Illinois
BetRivers might not have the same universal recognition and prestige as the other Illinois sports betting apps on this list, but BetRivers was the first Illinois online sports betting app to debut, has its headquarters in downtown Chicago and is the official betting partner of the Chicago Bears. BetRivers doesn’t get much better for Illinois bettors.
BetRivers Sportsbook Welcome Offer
BetRivers is the first of our Illinois sportsbooks on this list to offer bonus bets back if you lose your first bet, and you can get up to $500 in protection if SIGN UP HERE to create an account and deposit $10+.
💲 Welcome Bonus - Up to $500 in a Second Chance Bet
📆 Legal in Illinois from June 18, 2020
📱 Available Platforms - Desktop / iOS / Android / Retail
⚡ Payout Speed - 0-14 Days
🎯 Best Feature - iRush Rewards
⭐ Our Rating - 4.8/5
How to Sign Up With an Online Sportsbook in Illinois
The process of joining any of the top Illinois sportsbooks is almost universal. To sign up with any of the highlighted Illinois betting apps, follow this step-by-step guide:
Join any number of Illinois betting sites with specified links from this article
Deposit $5+ at DraftKings or $10+ at FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM and BetRivers
Wager $5 at DraftKings and FanDuel for a bankroll boost, up to $500 at BetRivers, up to $1,000 at Caesars or up to $1,500 at BetMGM for a refund if you lose
How to Bet on Sports Online in Illinois?
Placing your first bets with any of the top Illinois sports betting apps is just as efficient as joining and activating the welcome offers:
- Select a league or event from the sports betting menu on the homepage
- Scour game lines
- Click into a matchup for in-depth markets like game and player props
- Select odds of a desired market to add to a bet slip
- Enter your bet slip
- Enter a stake ($ amount)
- Click “Place Bet”
Illinois Betting Overview
⚖️ Is betting legal? - Yes
📆 State legalized on June 2019
🎂 Legal age to bet 21
💻 Online sportsbooks - Yes
🏢 Retail sportsbooks - Yes
🧾 Tax rate on winnings - 4.95% state personal income tax and federal taxes, 24%
When Did Sports Betting Become Legal in Illinois
Illinois sports betting was legalized in June 2019, and the first retail sportsbook launched in March 2020. It wasn’t until June 2020 that the first of eight Illinois Sportsbooks went live online with the BetRivers app.
Illinois Sports Teams to Bet on
Outside of in-state colleges, every sport, league and market type under the Chicago skyline and beyond is available to bet on in Illinois. If you want to keep your action regional, the Chicago Bears of the NFL are headed in a new direction with Caleb Williams under center.
The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox of the MLB are two of the most iconic baseball teams, with the Cubs playing at hallowed Wrigley Field. The Chicago Bulls of the NBA had one of the most dominant stretches of any team in any sport in the 1990s. The Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL had its run of championships in the 2010s.
FAQs
❓ What is the Most Trusted Online Betting Site in Illinois?
DraftKings Sportsbook is the best Illinois sports betting app and the most trusted online betting site because it commands the largest handle, contributing over a billion dollars monthly.
❓ Which Sports Betting Site in Illinois has the Fastest Payout?
BetRivers is the best Illinois sports betting site in terms of fastest payouts.
❓ How Old do You Need to be to Bet on Sports in Illinois?
You must be at least 21 years old to place bets on any of the Illinois sports betting apps.
❓ Can you Bet on College Sports in Illinois?
Yes, but you can’t bet on in-state schools, such as Northwestern University or the University of Illinois.
