The rule change suspending in-person registration has expired, and now users must visit one of numerous retail locations in order to create an account with a preferred sportsbook. Even though players can download a sports betting app, they must register in person in order to bet in Illinois.
Additionally, a new casino is set to open in Chicago, with several more on their way. The prospect of new casinos means that sports betting in Illinois could become a lot easier.
Best Illinois Online Sports Betting Sites
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95 /100BetRivers Sportsbook
Get a 2nd Chance Bet up to $250!New players only, 21+. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER. Available in CO, NJ only. In order to participate in this promotion, the player needs to make the first deposit (of at least $10) using code SPORTS. Full T&C apply. Visit site -
90 /100
FanDuel Sportsbook
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets!Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. Gamblinghelplinema.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or Text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA (permitted parishes only), MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). Visit site -
90 /100Caesars Sportsbook
Get up to $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses!21+ only. New users and first $10+ wager only. Offer valid and must be physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, and WY only. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? IL, MD, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV: Call 1-800-GAMBLER. MA: CALL 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org. NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). ©2023, Caesars Entertainment Visit site
All Illinois Sportsbooks
As of now, more Illinois sports betting operators are becoming available. The Rivers Casino Des Plaines is already taking pledges with BetRivers being among the first to open their online doors to Illinois bettors.
With the approval of Illinois sports betting now law, more operators are interested in joining. Here are some online websites that players from the Prairie State could potentially start using.
PointsBet
PointsBet is an operator originally created in Australia but has since then made its way to the US. After launching in January 2019 and taking the country by storm, they began operating in a number of states.
New Jersey, Iowa, Colorado are already on their map, while Illinois is one of the latest ones being included on their list of additions.
People interested in Illinois sports betting who want to sign up with PointsBet Bonus Bet might also enjoy their stellar welcome offer. New customers can receive bonus: Get up to $1000 in Bonus Bets!.
BetRivers
BetRivers is a known online sportsbook provider that already operates in states such as Colorado, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Besides their fabulous offering of sports betting events, they also have an interesting welcome bonus for new users.
Currently available is a 100% First Deposit match bonus of up to $250 in bonus money. A prime welcome offer that will support further Illinois sports betting.
FanDuel
FanDuel developed from a small idea devised in a backyard by friends into one of the US’s most popular betting sites. It is already available in a wide range of states and offers Illinois sports betting opportunities.
If you want to get to know them better, you can do that by obtaining a very useful welcome bonus. New players can Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets!. Users need to place their first bets and if it loses, they will receive a refund.
DraftKings
DraftKings is a sports betting provider that aims to bring the best possible experience to its customers with a superior offering. Besides betting on sports, the provider also has one of the best fantasy sports platforms on the market.
Currently, new players stand to earn a 20% deposit bonus of up to $1,000 in credits. The bonus is a great way for a new player to start their betting career with a reliable Illinois sports betting provider.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook is the newest addition to the Illinois Sports Betting scene. With a Caesars Bonus Code, which gives a Bonus: Get up to $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses!, which is a tempting choice for new players in the Land of Lincoln.
Caesars is in the process of rebranding from William Hill and we expect many good things from the operator.
Legalization in Illinois
The Illinois Senate got bill SB 690 passed into law in June 2019. The Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, making sports betting legal on a federal level. At that point, most states did their best to enact sports betting laws in their states.
The first version of the SB 690 bill was passed a mere 7 months after PASPA was overturned. SB 690 allows casinos in the state to offer sports betting, table games, and slot machines. It also allows casinos to purchase an online sports betting license and operate in the Chicago area.
Existing casino properties will be allowed to expand their current properties and add 2,000 gaming positions. Additionally, racetracks can add table games and slots.
As for Illinois online sports betting opportunities, operators will be able to offer online and in-person betting for people in the state with the legal age of 21+.
The only downside of the bill is that operators who want to offer only online services will have to wait slightly. It seems that only three online-only licenses will be awarded for now, while others will be added later on. This means that certain operators will have to hold on for a bit longer.
Thanks to passing bill SB 690 and removing PASPA, Illinois sports betting is now a reality, and more and more operators are looking for their opportunity to add sportsbooks in the Prairie State.
Online Casinos in Illinois
Unfortunately, even with the bill’s passing, it didn’t resolve the problem for online casinos in the state. Illinois sports betting may be a reality but the same cannot be said for IL online casinos.
Therefore, playing traditional table games and slot machines on a desktop computer or using a mobile device is still not legal.
For now, the only way to play those types of games is through social casino sites. These are perfectly legal, and they do allow players to play traditional games found in a land-based venue.
Online Gambling in Illinois
Illinois sports betting may be on the rise at this point, but other types of gambling are also possible in Prairie State. Of course, every one of them comes with its regulations.
For instance, thanks to the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, which has been amended a number of times to this day, betting on horses is perfectly legal. You can even do it online as some sites offer these services.
Daily Fantasy Sports have been on the rise in popularity in the US but has been on a hiatus in Illinois. The court’s decision brought forth in 2015 was overturned in May 2020.
However, due to some legal issues in other states, lawmakers have put certain operators in a penalty box, which means that they will have to wait at least 18 months so they can once again offer DFS.
Finally, the lottery is and always has been legal in Illinois. IDOR regulates it and all people from the Prairie State have access to it. You can buy a real ticket or do it online as both forms are supported. Mega Millions and the US Powerball are probably the two most popular ones.
Sports Events in Illinois
The people of Illinois love their sports. One only needs to mention Michael Jordan’s name to remember the six titles the Chicago Bulls have won. But let’s not forget the two major baseball teams coming from the state of Illinois, the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs will be remembered for breaking their curse in 2016 by winning the World Series after 108 years.
We can’t forget representatives in other sports like the famed NFL franchise, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Blackhawks from the National Hockey League. Soccer also has its very own representative in the form of the Chicago Fire.
Illinois Sports Betting FAQ
Take a look at some of the added answers to some of the most posed questions about Illinois sports betting.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Illinois?
Yes, it is. However, the executive order signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker suspending in-person registration has expired, meaning that users must visit the retail partner of their preferred sportsbook to sign up and start wagering.
How Old Do You Need to Be to Bet on Sports in Illinois?
The age restriction for sports betting in Illinois is 21 years of age.
Can I Bet on College Sports in Illinois?
No, you may not. Placing bets on college sports is illegal in IL and bookies do not accept these types of wagers.
Illinois Sports Betting Summary
Great things are stored for bettors across the Prairie State. With added regulations and the bill’s passing, it is getting much easier to wager on sports online in Illinois. On the plus side is that more operators are joining the fun as well as they aim to cater to new players. We can expect a real boom in online sports betting quite soon.
