Illinois residents can legally access online sportsbooks throughout the state, allowing them to sign up, bet, and enjoy the best sports betting apps in the US from the convenience of their own homes.

As of now, there are seven licensed and regulated online sports betting sites in Illinois available for individuals aged 21 and above.

At Play Illinois, we provide the most up-to-date information on online sports betting in Illinois, including comparisons of various IL sportsbook apps. Read on for all the details you need to know.

Top sports betting apps in Illinois 2023

How online sports betting works in Illinois

As of March 5, 2022, customers in Illinois can now sign up for an IL sports betting app online, eliminating the need to visit a retail sportsbook.

Signing up online is quick and easy, typically taking just a few minutes. Make sure to have any necessary legal documents ready in case you need to confirm your age or location.

Let’s go through the process of signing up online for one of the seven sportsbooks in Illinois.

1. Create an account.
2. Use the promotion or bonus code when placing bets on the sportsbook.
3. Deposit funds.
4. Place a bet.

Bonuses and bonus bet offers

Online sportsbooks offer more sportsbook bonuses compared to retail sportsbooks. This is due to the competitive nature of online sports betting, where customers can easily switch between different platforms with just a few clicks. In order to attract and retain customers, online sportsbooks must constantly offer enticing bonuses to keep them interested and loyal.

Below are the most frequently seen promotions available at Illinois betting sites:

• No Deposit Bonuses are highly favorable promotional offers where you can benefit without having to make any initial payment. Typically targeted towards new players, this promotion encourages them to sign up without the need to deposit any money.
• Deposit, match, and reload bonuses work in a similar way, where the sportsbook will match a portion or all of your deposit with their own funds. Usually, you must wager the bonus money a certain number of times before being able to withdraw it.
• Cash-back or insurance rewards are designed to help cover losses from certain bets or during specific periods. They are usually only given for overall net losses, but their main purpose is to help you break even.
• Event Bonuses are given for both individual and team achievements, such as reaching specific goals or scores. A set amount is awarded for each occurrence during a game.
• Customer loyalty programs provide rewards to customers for their continued patronage. By accumulating points based on their total wagered amount, customers can unlock a range of benefits and bonuses.
• Bonus bets are coupons that allow for a specific amount to be wagered on specific bets. Typically, sportsbooks provide these bonuses after completing specific tasks.

Live Illinois sports betting odds

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What you cannot bet on in Illinois

In Illinois, sports bettors who are at least 21 years old are permitted to place bets on professional and collegiate sports, as well as international sporting events. However, there are limitations on certain types of wagers under the law. Sports operator licensees in Illinois are not allowed to accept bets on the following types of wagers.

• A minor league sporting event
• A collegiate team from Illinois competing in a sports event, available on mobile with retail permitted.
• A sporting event for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
• An event that is unrelated to professional, collegiate, or motor racing sports, or any other events sanctioned by the IGB (a non-sports event).

The restriction against betting on non-sports events includes a prohibition on accepting wagers on events like the Academy Awards, which are allowed in certain states such as New Jersey and neighboring Indiana.

Furthermore, certain restrictions exist regarding the types of bets that can be placed on college sports. Specifically, individual proposition bets and in-game betting on college events are prohibited.

Chicago sports and teams

Illinois is the proud home to eight major professional sports franchises, all located in Chicago. Throughout history, Illinois has been the birthplace of numerous exceptional sports teams. Let’s take a quick look at the major league teams that proudly represent the Prairie State.

• The Chicago Cubs, a founding team of the National League dating back to 1876, claimed victory in the 2016 World Series of Major League Baseball (MLB).
• The White Sox, originally known as the White Stockings, secured the 2005 World Series championship in Major League Baseball (MLB).
• In their first year in MLS, the Chicago Fire won the MLS Cup in 1998. The team’s name is a tribute to the historic Chicago disaster, and their colors reflect the traditional colors of fire departments.
• During the 1990s, the Chicago Bulls, an NBA team, won six NBA championships. The team’s success is largely attributed to having Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history, on their roster.
• The Chicago Bears, an NFL team, have won nine NFL championships prior to the merger and claimed one Super Bowl victory in 1985. Additionally, they boast the highest number of players inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame compared to any other team.
• The Chicago Blackhawks, an NHL team, have won six Stanley Cup championships, three of which have been since 2010. The team is named after Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, a Sauk Native American warrior.
• In 2019, the Chicago Red Stars, a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, made their debut appearance in the league finals. The team’s name was selected by fans through a voting process.
• The Chicago Sky of the WNBA secured the conference championship in 2014. They are among the minority of WNBA teams that do not have an affiliation with an NBA team.

Illinois sports betting history

In Illinois, sports betting is allowed both in brick-and-mortar establishments and online, regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. Casinos, racetracks, and sports venues with seating for 17,000 or more can apply for licenses to operate sportsbooks. Despite the initial in-person registration requirement, the state has seen significant growth since its launch in 2020, with over $8 billion in total bets placed to date. For more information on Illinois sports betting revenue, visit the provided link.

Continue reading for a quick summary of the developments in Illinois sports betting since 2019:

2022

The beginning of the NFL season in September significantly boosted sports betting activity in Illinois. Compared to the previous month, the state saw a nearly 47% increase in sports betting handle, reaching almost $267 million. As of September, Illinois ranks second in the nation for revenue and third for total betting handle in 2022.

In August, Illinois surpassed $1 billion in lifetime legal sports betting revenue solely from online bets.

In July, Illinois reached a milestone by exceeding $1 billion in total legal sports betting revenue, solidifying its position as the second-largest sports betting market in the United States.

On March 5, online sports betting registration was once again allowed in Illinois. Additionally, BetMGM Sportsbook officially launched in the state.

2021

In 2021, Illinois saw over $7 billion in sports betting handle, ranking third in the US. In April, Governor Pritzker reinstated in-person registration, a policy that remained in effect for the remainder of the year. The only new online sportsbook to debut in the state was Barstool.

2020

In March, Rivers Casino became the first to accept a legal sports bet for March Madness. Shortly after, all Illinois casinos closed due to COVID-19. When sports leagues resumed in the summer, some online sportsbooks launched. Illinois allowed online registration from late August to the end of the year. In December, Illinois set a record with $491.7 million in bets.

2019

In June, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker approved the Sports Wagering Act, which contained an 18-month provision known as the “penalty box” that prohibited online sports betting registration. The law permitted sporting venues in Illinois to seek retail sports betting licenses, however, wagering on Illinois college teams was prohibited.