Players from United States accepted
After legalizing sports betting in 2019, Illinois saw its first retail sportsbooks open in 2020. It didn’t take long for online bookmakers to join the market, too. Right now, everything is organized and regulated by the IL Gaming Board.
As the industry continues to grow, more and more betting sites are launching. Therefore, you’ll have to carefully decide which operator has what you want as an Illinois bettor. Our reviews will make that a lot easier. You can check out the top platforms we recommend and learn their upsides and drawbacks.
Full List of Best IL Betting Sites
Those looking for the top legal bookies in IL can find them on our pages. We have the best American football bookies, the top NBA bookies, and the best all-rounders that offer to bet on every sport you can imagine.
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4.6
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4.9
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4.2
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Rakeboost bonus
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4.1
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160% Sports Free Play bonus up to $800
T&Cs Apply
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4.1
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100% up to $500 on 1st deposit and 50% up to $250 on 2nd deposit
T&Cs Apply
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4.1
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3+1 in Free Bets
T&Cs Apply
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4.4
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100% up to $500
T&Cs Apply
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4.2
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4.2
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50% up to $1000
T&Cs Apply
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4.0
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T&Cs Apply
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Welcome offers
Additionally, our IL bookmakers also offer plenty of great Illinois betting bonuses. Thanks to them, you will earn plenty of extra cash, leading to betting on more markets and, hopefully, bigger wins.
Of course, all the betting sites are fully safe and legal, so you don’t have to look over your shoulder, fearing the law.
BetOnline
BetOnline is among the veterans in the gambling scene. It was first conceived in 2001 and has been delivering top-notch betting services. The bookmaker acquired its license from the Panama Gaming Commission. The licensing body ensures that bettors wager in a secure betting environment. The bookie has reliable SSL encryption and advanced software. It is aimed at protecting customer data from third-party access.
The betting site has a black-and-red color combination with well-arranged icons. It enhances easier navigation with just one click. There are lots of lucrative bonuses and promotions at BetOnline. Rookie bettors get a 50% welcome bonus up to $1,000. This bonus requires a minimum deposit of $55, with a wagering rule 10x within seven days.
You will also find a 25% sports reload bonus. It requires a $100 least deposit with a 6X wagering rule. The platform also rewards crypto users with a 30% reload bonus of up to $300. You must deposit at least $50 to activate the bonus. The winnings will be processed after you meet a 7X rollover rule. The sportsbook has a reliable customer support team. You can access detailed assistance using 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support.
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Everygame
Everygame came into being in 1996 and was initially known as Intertops Red. It was later rebranded to Everygame in 2011. The bookie offers excellent sports betting services, with many sports to bet on. Creating an account at the betting site is easy, as you must provide basic information.
The bookmaker has an appealing welcome bonus of 100% up to $500. There are also seasonal bonuses that vary monthly. You can access them by frequently checking the promotions page. Users can earn a refer-a-friend bonus of up to 35% for each wager wagered by a player monthly. Everygame has a loyalty program that awards points based on how often you wager. These points can be converted to rewards, like cash or other sportsbook-related perks.
Bettors can wager on numerous sports with many betting markets. They include football, baseball, American football, tennis, rugby, cricket, golf, and horse racing. Their customer support team is available via email and live chat.
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Jackbit
Jackbit was established in 2022 and has emerged as one of the leading betting sites worldwide. The bookie's owners are Ryker B.V. and have acquired a license from Curacao. They have also incorporated top-notch encryption and firewall technologies. It inhibits the loss of data and finances. Bettors can access the betting site using various languages that promote betting diversity. Such include English, Spanish, German, Finnis, Russian, Portuguese, and French.
The sportsbook is compatible with various mobile devices. Users can bet using Android and iOS devices. Jackbit's site is responsive, allowing you to navigate and place bets without complications. You can make payments using various renowned and worldwide systems. They include Visa, MasterCard, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Jackbit has set a weekly least withdrawal of $10,000 and a monthly cap of $20,000. Despite being a new betting site, many real-time bettors have applauded their services.
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Bovada
Bovada has established itself as one of the most popular betting brands worldwide. It is due to its excellent service provision and numerous betting features. The bookie has a license from the Curacao government. They ensure player safety and maintain a transparent betting environment. Additionally, Bovada offers new bettors a huge % welcome bonus of 100% up to $3,000.
The site has an easy-to-use interface with a modern layout for easier navigation. The main features, such as the sportsbook, casino, racebook, live dealer, and poker, are displayed on the top of the homepage. You will also find a drop-down menu on the right section that allows bettors to access other features. A search bar is also quite effective in conducting spot-on searches.
You will find lots of betting markets with excellent odd offerings. The most common options include moneylines, spreads, teasers, props, parlays, futures, and totals.
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BUSR
The BUSR betting platform has garnered a massive reputation over the years. It is due to its extensive racebook and sports betting sections. You will also find an array of fantastic bonuses, such as a 100% welcome bonus up to $1,000. This bonus has a wagering rule of 5X and is available for new bettors only. A fixed cash bonus of $150 is also designated for fresh accounts. You must deposit at least $100 to unlock this bonus and wager within 30 days.
BUSR has several deposit and withdrawal options, like credit and debit cards, with a minimum deposit of $45 and a maximum of $2500. You can also transact using cryptos such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash.
The bookie has a customer support team that functions around the clock. It means that you can get detailed help anytime you encounter a problem. There are several channels to contact the support team. It includes live chat, email, and telephone support.
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BetNow
BetNow has been around since 2015 and has established a huge fanbase over the past few years. The betting platform has a simple website with standard logos and themes. It is important in functionality, as you will easily locate what you need. The bookie's sign-up process is a seamless one as you need to provide basic information, including date of birth and address, and create a strong password.
Users can access the betting site using mobile devices. This is because BetNow is fully optimized to operate on smaller screens. The mobile website provides a similar experience to the desktop version, and it is fairly responsive. Rookie bettors are onboarded with a 100% match up to $1,000 after creating a new account. There is also a refer-a-friend program, where you are awarded for recruiting new bettors on the betting site.
BetNow has an impressive list of betting options, such as the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAAF, and MLS. These betting options have great odds on numerous markets. The most common include moneylines, totals, point spreads, parlays, live betting, and props.
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MyBookie
MyBookie was founded in 2014 and has a well-established reputation due to its excellent betting services. The bookmaker operates under the Curacao license, which ensures maximum transparency. They have also invested in reliable 128-bit SSL encryption technologies for customer protection. Such systems have many layers of protection which inhibit any access by third parties. The betting site has great measures on gambling addiction risks. It includes options like setting deposit limits, self-exclusion, and preventing underage betting.
There are various deposit and withdrawal options at MyBookie, such as Visa, MasterCard, and person-to-person transfers. You can also use cryptos ranging from Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Binance.
MyBookie allows withdrawals using bank wire transfers and Bitcoin, with a maximum withdrawal limit of $5,000. There are lots of sports betting options at the betting site, such as football, ice hockey, tennis, basketball, baseball, and cricket, to name a few. Football has the largest number of betting markets, and the betting site offers competitive odds on numerous markets.
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BetAnySports
BetAnySports has gained recognition due to advanced betting features and a wide range of options. The site also has a user-friendly interface that makes your betting experience seamless. BetAnySports has been in the gambling scene for over two decades and constantly offers top-notch betting services.
The bookie provides value to your betting by providing competitive lines. You will also find excellent odds on numerous sports and events that allow you to maximize your potential payouts. Additionally, the betting platform is a perfect destination for seasoned punters due to its high betting limits. It allows you to wager substantial amounts and target better returns.
BetAnySports reputation has been attributed to a legitimate license that ensures bettors place bets in a safe betting space. There are also no unresolved customer complaints, which is a testament to excellent customer experience. The bookmaker supports several currencies, and currency conversions have no fees.
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Sportsbetting.ag
Sportsbetting.ag is a perfect betting platform for both rookies and seasoned bettors due to features such as excellent bonuses and promotions, diverse betting features, and excellent customer support. The bookmaker was founded in 2002 and has been licensed by the Panama Gaming Control Board. Besides reliable licensing, Sportsbetting.ag has a proactive approach in resolving customer complaints, that ensures maximum customer satisfaction.
There are diverse promotions on the betting platform, which include cashback offers, reload bonuses, and special bonuses on specific events and sports. These bonuses have fair terms and conditions to ensure you are relaxed when placing bets.
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Best IL Betting Bonus Deals & Offers
As mentioned, the sites on our list feature the top bonuses, promotions, and deals you can ever get. You’ll have plenty of chances to earn extra cash under fair terms and low wagering requirements.
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4.6
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4.9
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4.2
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Rakeboost bonus
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Rakeback is a withdrawable bonus that is accrued for each bet and depends on your current Rank. Please bet responsibly, begambleaware.org. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. | |
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4.1
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160% Sports Free Play bonus up to $800
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4.1
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100% up to $500 on 1st deposit and 50% up to $250 on 2nd deposit
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Kick off your new GTbets.ag account with our top-rated CASH sign up bonus. Make your first deposit to receive a 100% cash bonus up to $500, and then 50% up to $250 on your second deposit. Full T&Cs apply. | |
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4.1
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3+1 in Free Bets
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Place 3 consecutive bets and get the 4th bet as a free bet! Full T&Cs apply |
The Illinois sports betting offers from the bookies on our list are easy to claim. It all starts with free bets. You will get one at every sportsbook, but that’s not all you’ll earn. You'll earn plenty of other extras at the best betting websites, so make sure not to miss the promotions section.
With all those extra bucks in your pockets, you’ll have plenty of chances to choose your bets and win.
Choose Your Bet of the Day in Illinois
As a state that’s just legalized online betting, IL is a breeding ground for fun betting markets and top odds. You can bet on various sports, competitions, tournaments, teams, and players. You name it, and our recommended IL sports betting sites got it.
WHAT IS THE BEST BET FOR TODAY?
You'll have plenty of options, from football and the Super Bowl to the NBA and individual bets.
Bet on Sport
Betting on sports is hugely popular in Illinois right now. As mentioned earlier, it was just legalized, so bettors are rightfully going crazy. You'll need a funded account to bet on sports in the Prairie State online. Once you top it up, you’ll earn free bets in Illinois that can be spent on most sports in a bookmaker’s library.
There are plenty of options to choose from, attracting a wide range of bettors.
Bet on Competitions
When you bet in IL, you’ll start with betting on competitions. The most popular ones are the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, and MLS. Of course, this goes without taking a deep dive into soccer, with the Premier League, Champions League, and La Liga among the favorite competitions.
The popularity of teams such as Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, and Chicago Bulls has made the respective competitions popular.
Bet on Tournaments
What’s even more exciting to bet on than competitions? That’s right – sports tournaments. The top matches you can bet on in Illinois include the NBA and MLB playoffs and the Superbowl. The latter is the most-watched sports event in the USA and one of the most famous globally. Not surprisingly, it’s also the one people love betting on the most.
The IL betting odds on some of these tournaments are fantastic, seeing how the state has legalized sports betting. Read any IL betting site reviews online, and the odds will be highlighted in the pros section.
Bet on Teams
With so many great teams coming from Illinois, team betting is one of the favorite markets in Prairie State. The White Sox and Cubs are among the teams people bet on the most in the MLB. The legendary Chicago Bulls are also popular with the best bookmakers in Illinois.
The fact is that there are more significant numbers of teams based in IL than in other states, so it’s no wonder why team betting is the favorite market of many bettors.
The Legal Situation of Online Sports Betting in Illinois
After years of speculation, IL finally legalized sports betting in 2019. The first bet was placed in March 2020, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Online sports gambling in Illinois didn’t take long to become a hit. Millions of bettors were waiting for an update to the law to allow them to place bets on their favorite teams. As long as it was legalized, the first bookmakers popped up online.
Both DraftKings and FanDuel are now fully legal to use in IL. As the two biggest sportsbooks in the US online space, they’re well worth a visit.
IL Sports Betting Bill
Illinois pulled quite a trick when it comes to legalizing sports betting. Everything looked like it couldn’t come together until it did. The final bill passed as part of a larger casino expansion bill without casinos and the public knowing any details.
A week before the legislation, DraftKings and FanDuel put ads targeting Rivers Casino before pulling them down. Ultimately, the gaming expansion with sports betting became part of a more prominent proposal, legalizing IL bookies and bringing joy to millions.
Sports Gambling Taxes in Illinois
Online sports taxes in IL are in the middle of the pack compared to other states. Winnings are currently taxed at 15%, which is much higher than any NV bookie but lower than New York’s taxes.
The tax rate applies to the adjusted gross revenue or what’s left after winnings have been paid.
What Is the Sports Gambling Age in Illinois?
Like in Nevada and most other states, Illinois's legal sports gambling age is 21. If you’re under that age, you cannot legally place bets at the top bookmakers.
How to Choose the Best Bookmakers in Illinois
Like in other locations across the USA, choosing a bookmaker in Illinois is not as easy as it seems. There might be several options, but you must consider numerous factors before picking the right one.
- The license is the number one factor you should check for. If the betting site isn’t licensed, it’s not worth joining;
- Make sure that the betting site you plan to join is properly safe and secured;
- A good betting site in 2024 will offer hundreds of markets and great odds;
- Live betting in Illinois is all the rage for the right reasons. Make sure your bookie has an in-play betting section;
- Check out the bonuses and promotions before you join. It’d be great if the bookie offered numerous rewards for newbies and veterans.
Which Illinois Bookmaker Has the Best Odds?
It’s tough to say which IL bookie has the best odds. It depends on what you want to bet on. DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers are often counted among the bookies with top IL betting odds. It all comes down to your preferences, so shop for odds before deciding which site you join.
Best Sports Betting Apps in Illinois
Nearly all Illinois sports betting sites have dedicated mobile apps. These apps are available in both the Google Play and iOS App stores, so you can easily download and use them.
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4.9
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100% up to u₿50000
T&Cs Apply
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100% up to $600
T&Cs Apply
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4.8
Up to $30 in Free Bets
T&Cs Apply
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4.8
Bet £10 get £30 in free bets
T&Cs Apply
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Why are mobile betting apps so popular? Well, they give bettors a chance to bet on the go. Betting from your PC is great, but placing bets on the go is better. You can do it anytime and anywhere and get many special mobile promotions and features.
Try the best sports betting apps in Illinois, and we’re sure you’ll never bet from your PC again.
Deposit Methods at IL Sportsbooks
Real money IL betting sites accept a variety of currencies, including USD and numerous payment methods. All IL betting sites will allow you to deposit via credit and debit cards, and most will also accept e-wallets and possibly even cryptocurrencies.
The limits are different for each method, while the processing times are usually instant. The most popular options are:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Neteller
- Skrill
- PayPal
- Bitcoin
Withdrawal Methods at IL Sportsbooks
Online sports betting Illinois sites will issue your winnings on the deposit method you’ve used previously. It means that if you’ve deposited with American Express, you will get your money back on it as well.
It means you can also use PayPal and Bitcoin, depending on what the bookie accepts. Remember that withdrawal times are slower, so choose the one with the fastest withdrawals.
Illinoisan Live Betting & Streaming
A bookie in 2024 can’t live without live betting. It’s the future of betting, but it’s already here. Live betting allows you to place bets on live matches, which is inexplicably more exciting than betting on pre-match odds.
All Illinois sports gambling sites provide live betting, with many offering live streaming. These sites will allow you to watch the matches you bet on, which is much more convenient than looking for a TV match.
Local IL Bookmakers vs Online Betting Sites
Are online betting sites better than local bookies? Yes, they are, and by a mile. Online bookies have a much wider choice of markets and usually have better odds too.
That’s before we delve into the depths of bonuses and promotions. They’re better than what local bookies offer, and it’s not even a competition.
How to Win at Betting in Illinois
Winning at betting in any state, not just in IL, is not as easy as it looks. You’ll have to pay attention to various factors and do your homework too.
- When betting online, you must check the results of previous rounds and look for a pattern. While a model can be broken at any time, it will give you clues about the form of a team or player;
- Make sure to shop for odds. Every online sportsbook in Illinois has different odds, so pick the one with the best value;
- Never chase your losses. It is a basic gambling rule that also applies to online sports betting;
- Keep in mind that the favorites don’t always win. Just because you love your team doesn’t mean it’s going to win the next match.
The Most Active Betting Cities in Illinois
Illinois is a big state, with dozens of cities where players can enjoy sports betting. The most active betting cities so far include Chicago and Rockford.
IL Casinos with Sportsbooks
The most popular casino with a sportsbook in IL so far is BetRivers. DraftKings is big as well, as is the Grand Victoria casino where William Hill is located. These casinos offer both sides of gambling activities, including slot gaming, table games, and sports betting.
Illinois Betting Tips & Predictions
The best Illinois sports betting sites have blogs to share tips and predictions about upcoming sports matches. More often than not, these are written by experts and former athletes.
Their knowledge of the subject is invaluable, so don’t hesitate to use it. Reading tips and predictions about the matches you want to bet on can raise your chances of winning your next bet slip.
Illinois Overview
As one of the latest states to legalize sports betting, bookmakers in IL are hot. Legal sports betting in Illinois is the favorite pastime for thousands of bettors week in and week out. Below you can see a list of interesting facts about the state and sports betting at the moment.
- IL is a US state that lies Midwest and borders Indiana;
- The most popular cities in Illinois are Chicago, Rockford, Aurora, and Springfield;
- English is the official language of the state;
- The most popular legal sportsbooks in Illinois are William Hill, BetRivers, ESPN Bet, DraftKings, and FanDuel;
- If you’re looking for the top casinos with sportsbooks, you should visit the Grand Victoria, Argosy Casino, Rivers Casino, and Casino Queen;
- IL bettors love to use American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal for deposits;
- The most popular sports in Illinois are basketball, baseball, and American football;
- The top competitions and sports events in Illinois are the NBA, NFL, MLB, and the Superbowl;
- NBA superstars Isaiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, and Tim Hardaway were born in Illinois. Other famous athletes from the state include George Mikan, Ray Meyer, and Red Grange;
- The most popular teams from Illinois are the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Bears;
- Illinois is the 15th US state to legalize sports betting.
Bottom Line
We hope our guide to the best Illinois sports betting sites has helped you find the right bookie for your preferences. We’ve reviewed the top IL betting sites with the best markets, odds, bonuses, and promotions.
Register at each one from your PC or use mobile betting apps in Illinois to enjoy sports betting on the go like a pro.
Need a trusted bookie in Illinois?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is online sports betting legal in Illinois?Yes, online sports betting has been legal in IL since 2019. The first wager placed in the state was made in early 2020.
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When can I bet on sports in Illinois?You can bet on sports in Illinois legally from 2020 onwards.
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What are the best sports betting apps in Illinois?The best IL sports betting apps so far are DraftKings and FanDuel. Many operators are developing apps allowing players to place bets on the go.
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Can I use the FanDuel sportsbook in Illinois?Yes, FanDuel is open to bettors from Illinois.
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Is Bet365 legal in Illinois?Yes, Bet365 is legal in the state of Illinois. Following many bills from 2018, sports betting in IL is entirely legal.
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Is DraftKings sportsbook legal in Illinois?Like Bet365 and FanDuel, DraftKings is fully legal to use in Illinois.
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