Illinois Betting Sites

• BetMGM Sportsbook
• BetRivers Sportsbook
• Caesars Sportsbook
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• ESPN BET
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• PointsBet Sportsbook

As well as being available in person, sports betting in Illinois is also available online via the use of mobile devices. In fact, most sports betting in Illinois is done online, using the various sports betting apps that are legally available in the state.

The first mobile sports betting app available in Illinois was BetRivers, which launched in Illinois back in June 2020. Each betting app in Illinois is partnered with a land-based casino. Below is a list of every sports betting app in Illinois.

All of Illinois' 7 different betting sites offer welcome promos of differing types and sizes. While they all provide value to new customers, some are notably better than others.

We have taken the time to compile them all into a single list for you to compare and choose from. Keep in mind you aren't limited to choosing just one welcome promo, so if you want to make an account with each betting site and claim every single promo, there's nothing stopping you!

Here's our list of the best sports betting promos in Illinois (use the table below to claim each promo):

If you are just starting out with sports betting, we recommend using a betting site that is easy to understand and geared towards making the whole betting process simplified.

We have compiled a list below of what we believe to be some top betting sites for newcomers just starting out.

Best IL Betting Sites for Beginners

1. DraftKings Sportsbook
2. FanDuel Sportsbook
3. Caesars Sportsbook

Odds are an important factor when choosing a betting site for one simple reason: you want to get the best value for a bet.

What many people don't know is that not all betting sites offer identical odds. Some may offer better odds for certain events, while some may offer better odds for others. It's important to note that no betting site will always offer the best odds for all markets, however, there are some betting sites that typically offer better odds than others. Those are the betting sites that we will be highlighting in this section.

Best IL Betting Sites for Odds

1. Caesars Sportsbook
2. BetMGM
3. DraftKings Sportsbook

Live betting is growing in popularity at an increasing rate, and that doesn't come as much of a surprise when you try it for yourself. It's a fast-paced way to get in on the action and, if you find yourself on a hot streak, it can be a great way to earn some quick money. When looking for a great live betting experience there are three main factors to consider: live streaming, quick odds updating, and available markets.

With that in mind, let's take a look at our favorite sports betting sites in Illinois for live betting.

Best IL Betting Sites for Live Betting

1. BetMGM
2. FanDuel Sportsbook
3. BetRivers

Illinois is one of the biggest sports betting markets in the US, surpassing over $7 billion in sports betting handle in 2021 alone, making Illinois the third-largest handle in the US. Currently, there are 7 different online betting sites/apps legally accepting real money wagers in Illinois, with at least three more expected to join the market in 2022.

Sports betting became legal in Illinois back in June 2019 when SB 690 was passed and ultimately signed off by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) was designated as the governing body responsible for regulating the Illinois sports betting market.

Illinois saw its very first ever legal wager placed on March 9, 2020, at Rivers Casino. It wasn't until June 18 of the same year that Illinois saw its first legal wager placed online, via BetRivers.

Illinois Betting Laws

• The legal betting age is 21 years old.
• Betting on Illinois college teams is prohibited online, but is permitted at retail sportsbook locations.
• In-person registration was required until March 5, 2022.
  ↳ Remote registration is now permitted state-wide.
• Illinois state law requires sportsbooks to purchase and use "official league data" when settling all wagers.
• Sports betting revenue will be directed to the "Rebuild Illinois" fund, which will finance public infrastructure upgrades, education, and other charitable endeavors.
• Up to 23 “master licenses” allowed.
• 3 mobile-only licenses are allowed.
• One mobile “skin” (betting app/site) is allowed per retail sportsbook, race track & sports venue.
• Operators will be taxed at a rate of 15%.
• License fees range from $3 million to $20 million per license.
  ↳ It costs pro sports venues $10 million for a license.
  ↳ It costs mobile-only operators $20 million for a license.

While bettors in Illinois have the ability to wager on numerous sports and events around the globe, there's nothing like placing a bet on your home-state teams.

With the way Illinois betting laws are structured, fans of IL sports teams can expect retail sportsbooks to pop up at their favorite stadiums in the near future, further enforcing Illinois' reputation as a sports betting juggernaut in the US.

Wrigley Field Sportsbook: Wrigley Field x DraftKings Sportsbook

Following the initial announcement in September 2020, and approval in 2021, construction of the new retail sportsbook located in the former Captain Morgan Club will begin this year.

DraftKings Sportsbook has partnered with Wrigley Field to bring fans a brand new sportsbook to enhance game days at the ballpark, as well as turn Wrigley Field into a year-round destination for Chicago sports bettors.

The 22,350 square feet, three-story building is set to open at the end of this year and will feature a DraftKings Sportsbook as well as food and beverage options.

Name a better trio than ballpark dogs, beer, and betting. It just doesn't get any better than that.