Betting

Illinois Sports Betting: The Best IL Betting Sites – October 2024

Sports betting in Illinois has now become legal online and on mobile as of May 2023. Check out the best betting sites in the Prairie State. 


Check Out the Best Sports Betting Sites and Apps


Illinois Sports Betting

Online Sports BettingYes
Mobile Sports BettingYes
Retail Sports BettingYes
Minimum Age21+

Our top 7 Illinois Sports betting sites

  1. Fanatics – Illinois’ newest sportsbook.
  2. BetMGM – Top sportsbook for new and seasoned bettors alike.
  3. FanDuel – Best value odds.
  4. Caesars – Most generous promotions.
  5. ESPN BET – Leading pick from the Worldwide Leader of Sports.
  6. DraftKings – Long-time favorite in Illinois

6. DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings Sportsbook was one of the first online sportsbooks to hit the market after the 2018 overturning of PASPA. It initially went🥂 live in New Jersey and has since expande𝕴d to several states across the country.

♚Users appreciate the online sportsbook not only for its generous welcome bonuse🍷s but also its ongoing promos, seamless live betting, and Dynasty Rewards program with the potential for VIP status.

Right now, DraftKings new users can Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets Instantly.

5. ESPN BET Sportsbook

ESPN BET has now gone live after a groundbreaking deal with PENN Entertainment. ESPN BET Illinois should see huge growth, and it’s expected to compete with the best sportsbooks in the country.

With the promo code NYPOST, new users can get a $1000 First Bet Reset offer. ESPN BET also has a partnership with Hollywood Casino, which can be accessed in MI, 🎐NJ, PA, and WV.

4. Caesars

Caesars is one of the most well known and respected brands in the gambling industry, and is almost synonymous with the original betting hub of Las Vegas. As legal sports betting has spread around the country, though, so have Caesars via its leading sportsbook. New customers can get a First Bet up to $1,♍000 on Caesars.

As you may expect from a brand with such a strong background in hospitality, Caesars knows how to look after its customers. Caesars serves up some of the most desiraꦉble pr💝omotions and bonuses in the online sports betting market. 

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3. FanDuel

While FanDuel sta♐rted life as a fantasy sports plat🦩form, it has since expanded from its roots and now has one of the leading online sportsbooks.

What helps FanDuel s🧔tand out from other sportsbooks are its odds, which often give slightly more value than its competitors. Combined with generous promotions and bonuses, FanDuel offers one of the best value online sports betting experiences.

FanDuel’s new customer offer involves placing a simple $5+ wager to get started, all eligible new users will receive $200 in bonus bets and three weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket.

Players will also be able to visit FanDuel at numerous retail sportsbook locations. Along with its existing site at the Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria, FanDuel has recently signed a deal to constℱruct a new facility at the United Center.

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2. BetMGM

New BetMGM bettors can get a fantastic offer when they sign up with the BetMGM bonus code . Get a 20% Deposit Match up to $1,500 in Sports Bonus! Thisꦍ has a 10x wagering requirement.

Another new customer offer lets new users get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet doesn’t win with bonus code . This offer isn’t available in New York, Nevada, and Washington D.C. Bonus bets expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only.

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1. Fanatics

Fanatics joined the ranks of Illinois online sportsbooks in early April 2024. Like bettors in other live states, bettors in the Prairie State only have access to a Fanatics mobile app. The lack of a desktop site doesn’t slow things down, though, as the app offers a seamless betting experience.

Users alsജo praise the FanCash loyalty program and NFL live streaming that allows them to st♍ay up to date on all-things Chicago Bears.

Right now, Fanatics has a that lets new users  Bettors who opt in to this offer will be aജwar🎃ded $100 in bonus bets each day for 10 days after a daily first bet.

Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook Now Live in Illinois

In August 2024, Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook officially launched in Illinois! Following regulatory approval from the Illinois Gaming Board in July 2023, Hard Rock has expanded its presence with both retail and online sports betting options in the staꦯte.

Plans include a new retail spor♛tsbook at Hard Rock Rockford Casino, along with enhanced online betting through Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook. This licensing agreement runs until January 2027, with reꦍnewal options thereafter.

Retail Sportsbooks open in Illinois

There are a number of leading sportsbooks in Illinois, from tr☂aditional favorites such as Rivers Casino to newer facilities set up by out-of-market bookmakers who want to establish retail locations.

SportsbookLocation
DraftKings SportsbookCasino Queen, East St. Louis
FanDuelFairmount Park, Collinsville
Caesars SportsbookHarrah’s Metropolis
Caesars SportsbookHarrah’s Joliet
Caesars SportsbookGrand Victoria, Elgin

The history of Illinois Sports Betting

The first steps towards legalizing online sp𝓡orts betting in Illinois came about in 2018, following the Supreme Court’s decision to repeal the Professional and Amateur Sport Protection Act. However, these early bills were more exploratory in na🐻ture than serious legislation. 

In 2019, Governor J.B. Pritzker asked for the legislature to legali🐼ze sports betting and included potential early revenue from it in his annual budget. However, the bill came do♛wn to the wire due to disagreements over who would have the priority to operate in Illinois. 

The bill was eventually signed into law in June 2019. This lead to the first retail sportsbook opening in March 2020, followed𝐆 by BetRivers as the first online sportsbook in June 2020.&nb♊sp;

Nelson Velazquez
Starting on March 5, 2022, Illinois residents can register to bet on sports online. Diamond Images