Illinois, known for its iconic sports teams like the Chicago Bears and its proximity to the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts, is a hot spot for NFL betting on its online sportsbooks. With a variety of betting options and promotions such as odds boosts, bet loss insurances, and profit bonuses, the state provides NFL bettors with plenty of opportunities to place their bets.

During the NFL season, bettors have the opportunity to wager on weekly moneylines, props, spreads, and totals for each game. Live betting is also available during games. Additionally, futures odds can be evaluated both before and after the season.

Discover the most up-to-date live NFL game lines from leading online sportsbooks in Illinois, along with valuable NFL betting tips to assist you in getting started.

Best NFL Betting Sites

Live NFL odds at Illinois online sportsbooks

Check the live feed below for the most up-to-date NFL point spreads, moneylines, and totals odds from online sportsbooks in Illinois. You can also find real-time NFL futures odds like Super Bowl 57 futures odds and NFL MVP odds. Click on any odds to go directly to the sportsbook, where you can sign up, get your bonus, and place your bets.

How to bet on the NFL in Illinois

Since the legalization of sports betting in July 2019, a number of legal online sportsbooks have been introduced in Illinois, operating in the Prairie State.

DraftKings Sportsbook

If you’ve been to East St. Louis, you probably know about the Casino Queen, which is now linked with DraftKings Sportsbook in Illinois. DraftKings, known for its daily fantasy sports, is expanding its presence with online sports betting in Illinois.

FanDuel Sportsbook

The FanDuel retail sportsbook is located at the Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria. It is expected that most sports bettors in the state will use the FanDuel Sportsbook on their mobile devices or computers. Like DraftKings, FanDuel also brings significant marketing presence to Illinois.

PointsBet Sportsbook

PointsBet Sportsbook, an Australian company, has a physical presence at Hawthorne Race Course. Known for its unique betting strategy called “pointsbetting”, Illinois bettors have the opportunity to set their own lines for events.

BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers Sportsbook, operating under the master license of Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, is the first legal physical and online sportsbook in Illinois. With a strong presence in the Chicago market, it is poised to become a major competitor for market share in the future.

Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars is a prominent figure in the US legal sports betting industry, with operations in Illinois through its partnership with the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin. They offer legal wagering through their sportsbook in multiple jurisdictions across the country.

Is it legal to bet on the NFL in Illinois?

Sports betting was legalized in Illinois in July 2019, and the first official sportsbook began operating in March 2020. As long as you are 21 or older and physically located within the state of Illinois when placing a bet, it is legal. With online registration now permanently available, all you have to do is download a legal sports betting app to begin.

It is easy to determine if you are using a legal sportsbook. Look for a disclaimer stating registration with the Illinois Gaming Board at the bottom of the app or website. If this information is not provided, then the sportsbook is likely offshore.

In Illinois, sportsbooks have the freedom to accept any NFL bets they choose as there are no specific regulatory or statutory restrictions. However, some types of bets are more common than others.

How to bet on NFL games in Illinois

Most gamblers are familiar with the betting odds found in the NFL section of their favorite sportsbook. Once you understand the terminology, it’s easy to grasp.

Moneyline

In these markets, you will only see two pieces of information: the teams playing in the game and the American odds associated with each team. The information will be displayed in the following format:

Indianapolis Colts  +150

Chicago Bears  -280

In these markets, your bet is solely on which team you believe will win the game, with no consideration for the teams’ scores or the margin of victory.

Tips on understanding NFL moneyline odds:

• The home team is always at the bottom.
• The favorite will always have odds in the negative, while the underdog will consistently have odds in the positive.
• The larger the difference in odds, the greater the sportsbook’s confidence in the favorite winning.

Point spread

This type of bet, commonly referred to as the point spread, involves the sportsbook predicting the score difference between the winning and losing teams in the game. The betting lines will be shown in the following format:

Indianapolis Colts   +9.5 -110

Chicago Bears  -9.5 -110

It is common to see half-point spreads in football betting, known as a “hook” to prevent ties and ensure a clear winner between the house and the bettor, as scoring half a point in football is impossible.

The spread indicates your potential winnings if you win, with equal odds typically seen on both sides of the market.

When betting on this market, you must decide whether you agree with the sportsbook’s assessment. In this case, the sportsbook is predicting that the Chicago Bears will win the game by at least 10 points.

If you agree, you should bet on Chicago -9.5. You will win if the Bears win the game by at least 10 points. However, you will lose if the Colts win by any margin or if the Bears win but do not cover the spread.

If you think there’s an error in the book, your best bet would be to go with the Colts +9.5. You’ll win if Indianapolis wins by any amount or if Chicago doesn’t cover the spread by winning by less than the designated margin.

Point total

Similarly, an over/under bet is often referred to as a totals wager, where the goal is to predict the combined score of both teams in a game.

For those new to betting, it’s important to note that the focus is on the total points scored by both teams in a game, rather than just one team’s individual score. The betting markets will reflect this.

Over   56.5 -110

Under   56.5 -110

The initial number denotes the total score projected by the sportsbook for both teams in the match. The inclusion of a half-point, known as the ‘hook’, is to prevent a ‘push’, where neither the book nor the bettor wins. The last number signifies the amount you will be paid out if your bet is successful.

In these markets, you must decide whether the sportsbook was too generous or not generous enough.

If you think the two teams will score more points than the book’s prediction, bet on the over. If you believe the book’s total prediction is too high, place your bet on the under. The outcome of the game or the teams’ scores do not matter in these markets.

How do prop bets work in the NFL?

Proposition bets allow for wagers on different elements of an NFL game.

This could include individual or team statistics, specific events during the game, or which team will reach a particular game milestone first. Examples include:

• Do you think Mitch Trubisky will throw for more or less than 229.5 yards?
• Will the Bears score a touchdown on defense or special teams? Yes/No
• Will the first score of the game be a field goal? Yes or No?

How does live betting work in the NFL?

This type of betting is often referred to as in-game betting, as the odds change during the course of the game. Common live bets for NFL games include:

• How many points will the team score in a particular quarter?
• Which team will have more offensive yards in a half?
• Which player will score the next touchdown for the Bears?

With the ongoing advancement of technology, we can expect to see a rise in the frequency, diversity, and volume of these wagers. It is not inconceivable that in the future, it may be permissible to place bets on the results of every play during an NFL match.

How does betting on NFL futures work?

The NFL futures market allows fans to stay involved with the sport they love all year round by placing bets on outcomes that won’t be decided until well into the future, sometimes months later.

Having a long-term perspective is essential for these bets, but if predicted accurately, they can result in substantial profits. You can find futures odds available during the NFL offseason.

The biggest markets will be unveiled after this year’s Super Bowl, with additional ones scattered between then and the start of training camp. Here are a few of the most popular NFL futures bets for you to choose from:

• Placing bets on the winner of the Super Bowl
• Division and conference winners
• Teams that are on the bubble for the playoffs
• Team regular-season win totals
• Individual awards, such as NFL MVP and Rookie of the Year, are given to outstanding players.
• Player statistics for the entire season including touchdowns, yards, sacks, and more.

NFL futures odds are usually arranged with favorites at the top, long-shots at the bottom, and other options in between. The objective is to find the selections you’re interested in at the best possible price.

Some gamblers prefer to place bets as soon as odds are released and then wait for the season to end, while others prefer to constantly monitor futures for the best prices and opportunities.

Utilizing the futures market can be a valuable tool for researching and preparing for the upcoming NFL season. By examining regular season win totals, bettors can gain insight into what to expect for the upcoming campaign, which can be advantageous when handicapping the early part of the season.

NFL schedule explained

Starting in 2021, NFL teams will play three preseason games and 17 regular-season games, which is one less preseason game and one more regular-season game than in previous years. The season is expected to run from August to early January.

Regular-season games are typically scheduled on Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays. Each team plays a game every week, with one exception, during the 18-week regular season. This week off, known as the bye week, occurs at some point during the season.

Teams that qualify for the playoffs include the champions of the eight NFL divisions, in addition to the three teams in each conference with the best winning percentages who did not win their division.

Every year, they participate in a single-elimination tournament that culminates with the Super Bowl on the second Sunday in February.

How to stream or watch NFL games live

NFL games are broadcast on numerous channels and streaming platforms because they are considered essential live sporting events for advertising.

If you have a cable, satellite, or livestreaming subscription, consult your channel guide for NFL games and be sure to check the schedule for the correct times.

• Thursday Night Football (TNF) is available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video.
• CBS and FOX have the majority of regular-season Sunday daytime games rights. FOX has the rights to most games where an NFC team plays at home, which is important for Bears fans. AT&T has the streaming rights for out-of-market games, available with a DirecTV Sunday Ticket package.
• The television show “Football Night in America,” also known as Sunday Night Football, is created by NBC. Viewers can watch the game on their local NBC affiliate regardless of where they are located. Alternatively, if you prefer to stream the game, you can access it through the NBC app by logging in with your TV provider credentials.
• ESPN broadcasts Monday Night Football. Viewers with an ESPN+ subscription through a TV provider can stream the games using the ESPN app.

Playoffs games and the Super Bowl

ABC will be broadcasting one of the wild card games, while CBS, FOX, and NBC will each broadcast one as well. CBS will air all games from the AFC divisional and conference championship rounds, while FOX will be the broadcaster for all NFC divisional and conference championship rounds.

The Super Bowl is broadcasted on a rotating basis among the mentioned networks each year. FOX is scheduled to broadcast Super Bowl LVII in February 2023. If you do not have a subscription to any streaming or TV services, you can still watch games on broadcast channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. In Illinois, these channels are available.

Which NFL team is most popular in Illinois?

The Chicago Bears, a long-standing NFL team with a history dating back to its early days, proudly represent Illinois as their home. Referred to as the “Monsters of the Midway”, they have a dedicated fan base that extends beyond the state borders. Below are some intriguing statistics about the Chicago Bears:

• Established: 1920
• A victory in Super Bowl XX in 1985 resulted in one Super Bowl win.
• They have appeared in the Super Bowl twice, with their most recent appearance in 2006.
• The NFL team has won a total of eight championships, with their most recent victory occurring in 1963.
• Two conference championships have been won, with the most recent victory occurring in 2006.
• The team has claimed 19 division titles, the most recent of which was in 2018.
• The team has qualified for the playoffs 26 times, with their most recent appearance occurring in 2018.
• 14 is the highest number of retired jerseys in the NFL.
• The Hall-of-Famers consist of 30 primary players and nine others who had brief stints with the Bears.

The Bears have been home to some of the greatest players in NFL history, such as Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, and Dick Butkus.

Despite only winning one Super Bowl, the Bears secured nine NFL championships before the AFL-NFL merger.

In 2020, despite a six-game losing streak in the regular season, the team clinched a playoff berth with an 8-8 record. Unfortunately, their hopes of reaching the Big Game were crushed after losing to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round. Keep reading to find out where you can watch the Bears play live.

• Stadium: Soldier Field
• The address is 1410 South Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605.
• Capacity: 61,500
• Opened: 1924
• Renovated: 2002-03

Chicago Bears’ biggest rivals

The Bears are a part of the NFC North division, commonly referred to as the “Black and Blue” division, which also includes:

• Detroit Lions
• Green Bay Packers
• Minnesota Vikings

The Bears have three primary rival clubs that they face in two matches each season, one at home and one at the opponent’s field.

This indicates that the Bears will play six divisional games during the 17-game NFL regular season, showcasing some of the major highlights of their season. Looking back at historical data, the Bears’ performance against these three teams up to the 2020 season has been recorded.

• Lions: 102-75-5
• Packers: 95-101-6
• Vikings: 57-61-2

The Bears and Packers are renowned for having one of the most storied rivalries in NFL history, and their matchups are the most frequently played in the league’s history.

Following the merger of the AFL and NFL, teams were assigned to the NFC Central division, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a new team in the 1970s. The divisional structure remained unchanged after a league restructuring in 2002 to its current configuration.

Here is an analysis of the teams with the most NFC North titles accumulated over the years.

• The most recent iteration of Four Bears was released in 2018.
• Lions: Zero
• The Packers’ most recent score of 11 came in 2020.
• Four Vikings, the latest one being in 2017.

Five of the top players to come from IL

Choosing the top five NFL players out of the many born in Illinois is no easy task. Nevertheless, here are our selections for some of the most exceptional players from the state.

John Lynch, S

• Career: 1993-2008
• In 2002, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers emerged victorious in Super Bowl XXXVII, defeating the Oakland Raiders and earning their first Super Bowl championship.
• 2x first-team All-Pro
• Honored member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ and Denver Broncos’ rings of honor.
• 26 career interceptions

Rodney Harrison, S

• Career: 1994-2008
• The New England Patriots, winners of two Super Bowls, emerged victorious against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003 and defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX in 2004.
• 3x first-team All-Pro
• Player who was part of the 50th anniversary squads for both the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots
• 34 career interceptions

Charles Tillman, CB

• Career: 2003-15
• 1x first-team All-Pro
• Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2013
• Recognized as one of the top 100 greatest Chicago Bears of all time.
• 38 career interceptions

Donovan McNabb, QB

• Career: 1999-2011
• The second overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft
• 6x Pro Bowl selection
• Philadelphia Eagles Retired Number
• 234 career passing TDs

Simeon Rice, DE

• Career: 1996-2007
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers emerged victorious over the Oakland Raiders to claim their first Super Bowl championship in XXXVII, 2002.
• 1x first-team All-Pro
• The recipient of the 1996 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award
• 122 career sacks

Tips for betting on the NFL

Placing bets on NFL games is similar to wagering on other sports events, as sportsbooks factor in their own stake, known as “juice,” when setting the odds. These odds are calculated using historical data and algorithms that have been proven effective by the operators over the years.

Nevertheless, winning is not out of reach. After all, games are played precisely for the opportunity to come out on top.

• Responsible Gambling: Bet Wisely and Stay Within Your Limits: Responsible gamblers understand their betting boundaries before placing any bets. Only wager an amount that you can comfortably afford to lose. If you notice yourself using money intended for essential expenses for gambling or relying on gambling to cover bills, it is recommended to seek assistance for possible compulsive gambling issues.
• Don’t bet on the Bears just because you’re a fan. Gambling should be for entertainment, and you should only bet money you can afford to lose. While winning is more fun than losing, it’s important to base your bets on analysis rather than emotional ties to a team. Successful bettors often avoid wagering on games involving their favorite teams to prevent bias from affecting their judgment.
• Focus your research: While there may be a plethora of statistics available, not all of them are relevant when handicapping NFL games. Consider factors such as a team’s ability to move the ball, defensive capabilities, line play, and turnover rates when predicting game outcomes.
• Know when to be selective: During the NFL regular season, there are up to 16 games in a week. While you could bet on all of them, it’s not required. By concentrating on a few games that interest you the most and ignoring the rest, you may gain a better understanding.
• Don’t get distracted by the noise: With its popularity in the US, the NFL receives a lot of attention. While there is important news to consider, there is also a lot of unnecessary chatter. Differentiate between valuable analysis and sensationalized opinions. Genuine analysis can help inform your betting strategy, while “hot takes” are usually just for entertainment.

Final thoughts on betting in Illinois

Sportsbooks do not set odds randomly; they have a strategic reason for every decision. Their main objective is to keep your money in their system. If you are trying to win against the sportsbook, it is essential to make informed decisions. Before placing a bet on a Bears game, you should be able to answer these questions for yourself at a minimum:

• What do the results of the most recent 10 matches between these two teams look like?
• What has been the recent performance of these two teams in the appropriate location?
• What will the weather be like if the venue is outdoors?
• Are there any injuries on either team?
• Are any of the teams currently on a winning or losing streak?