Yes, Illinois online sportsbooks are legal, live and available online throughout the state. Illinois sports bettors can now access the best sports betting apps in the US, sign up and bet from the comfort of their homes.

There are currently seven legal, regulated Illinois online sportsbooks sites for those who are 21 or older.

Here at Play Illinois, we have the latest on online sports betting in Illinois, and comparisons so you know what each IL sportsbook app brings to the table. Check below for all of the details.

Top sports betting apps in Illinois 2023

Rank

Sportsbooks

Bonus

Features

Play

1

Visit Betwhale Sportsbook

125% WELCOME BONUS

Up to $1250 to bet on sports

Betwhale Sportsbook Review

250% Slots + Table Bonus

150 Free Spins On Gorilla Or Buffalo Ways

50 Daily Boost For Your Massive Wins

Grab your 175% + 50 free spins

play now

2

Visit Caesars Sportsbook

Up to $1,250

On Caesars

Caesars Sportsbook Review

Stream NFL Games In App For Free

+ Get 1,000 Caesars Reward & $1,000 Tier Credits

Redeem for Bet Credits, Hotel Stays, & More!

Use Promo Code: LEGALFULL

PLAY NOW

3

Visit BETMGM Sportsbook

UP TO $1,000

In Bonus Bets

BETMGM Sportsbook Review

$1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets 

Free Live Streaming - Watch Live Games

Use Bonus Code: PLAYBONUS

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4

Visit BetRivers Sportsbook

$500 BONUS

2nd Chance Bet

BetRivers Sportsbook Review

Up To $500 in Bet Credits

ONLY 1x Play Through!

Use Exclusive Affiliate Code: PLAYRIV

PLAY NOW

5

Visit FanDuel Sportsbook

$1,000

No Sweat First Bet

FanDuel Sportsbook Review

Up to $1,000 No Sweat First Bet

Available on Desktop, Android & iOS

To Claim: Click Play Now

Play Now

6

Visit JuiceBet Sportsbook

$1,000

No Sweat First Bet

JuiceBet Sportsbook Review

Available on Desktop, Android & iOS

Up to $1,000 No Sweat First Bet

To Claim: Click Play Now

Play Now

How online sports betting works in Illinois

Illinois sports betting customers no longer have to visit a retail sportsbook in order to sign up for an IL sports betting app. Illinois online registration returned on March 5, 2022.

Registering online is a simple process that should take no more than a few minutes. Be sure to have any legal documents handy should you be asked to verify your age or location.

Let’s walk through the steps on how to sign up online for one of the seven sportsbooks in Illinois:

1. Sign up for a new account.
2. Utilize the promo/bonus code for the sportsbook.
3. Deposit funds.
4. Place a bet.

Bonuses and bonus bet offers

One of the most significant differences between online sportsbooks compared with retail is the prevalence of sportsbook bonuses. Because the competition is only a few clicks away, online sportsbooks have to work harder to keep customers interested, happy and loyal.

Here are some of the most common types of promotions you’ll encounter at Illinois betting sites:

• No Deposit Bonuses: This is one of the most favorable promotional offers. With the no deposit bonus, you don’t need to put down any money to benefit from it. Although it’s most commonly offered to new players to encourage them to create an account.
• Deposit, Match, and Reload Bonuses: These bonuses operate similarly, with the sportsbook matching a part or the entirety of your deposit with its own funds. Typically, you’ll need to wager the bonus money to a certain extent before you’re able to withdraw it.
• Cash-Back/Insurance: These are rewards intended to offset losses on particular wagers or throughout specific times. They are typically allocated for net losses exclusively; nevertheless, their maximum benefit is assisting you in breaking even.
• Event Bonuses: These rewards are designated for individual or team accomplishments, such as specific types of goals or scores. They may offer a fixed sum for each occurrence during a game.
• Loyalty Programs: These schemes offer rewards to customers for their ongoing support. Depending on the total amount you bet on the site, you can receive various benefits and bonuses.
• Bonus bets: These coupons permit a specific value of wager on particular bets. The sportsbook usually offers these bonuses upon completion of certain designated tasks.

Live Illinois sports betting odds

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What you cannot bet on in Illinois

Sports bettors 21 years or older can bet on professional and collegiate sports in Illinois, as well as on international sporting events. But the law does impose some restrictions on certain types of wagers. Some states allow the following types of bets. However, in Illinois, sports operator licensees cannot accept wagers on:

• A sporting event in the minor league
• A sports event featuring a collegiate team from Illinois (only available on mobile, retail permitted)
• A sports event for grades K-12
• An event that is not related to professional, collegiate, or motor racing sports, or any other events approved by the IGB (a non-sports event).

That latter restriction against betting on non-sports events prohibits accepting wagers on events such as the Academy Awards (permitted in some states, like New Jersey and neighboring Indiana).

Additionally, there are some limits on the types of betting on college sports. Individual props are not allowed, nor is in-game betting on college events.

Chicago sports and teams

Illinois is home to eight major professional sports franchises, all of which are in Chicago. Illinois has been the home of several great sports teams in history. Here is a brief rundown of the major league teams that call the Prairie State home:

• The Chicago Cubs, one of the original teams in the National League since 1876, won the 2016 World Series in the Major League Baseball (MLB).
• The Chicago White Sox, originally named the White Stockings, clinched the 2005 World Series in Major League Baseball (MLB).
• The Chicago Fire, an MLS team, secured the MLS Cup victory in 1998, which was their inaugural year. The team’s name pays homage to the infamous Chicago disaster, while their colors are a nod to those associated with fire departments.
• The Chicago Bulls, an NBA team, triumphed in six NBA championships in the 1990s. This team is primarily known for having Michael Jordan, often considered the greatest basketball player of all time, as a part of their roster.
• The Chicago Bears, a team in the NFL, have won nine NFL championships before the merger and one Super Bowl in 1985. They also have more players in the NFL Hall of Fame than any other team.
• The Chicago Blackhawks, a team in the National Hockey League (NHL), have claimed victory in six Stanley Cup championships, with three of these wins occurring since 2010. The team is named after Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, a warrior from the Sauk Native American tribe.
• The Chicago Red Stars, a team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), made their first appearance in the league finals in 2019. The team’s name was chosen through a fan vote.
• The Chicago Sky (WNBA) clinified the conference championship in 2014. It’s one of the few WNBA teams that isn’t affiliated with an NBA team.

Illinois sports betting history

Sports betting is legal in Illinois, both in retail locations and online. The Illinois Gaming Board regulates sports betting in the state. Casinos and racetracks can apply for a license to operate sportsbooks, but so can sports venues with a seating capacity of 17,000 or more. Since the launch in 2020, the state has grown by leaps and bounds, and that’s despite an in-person registration requirement. All-time, the state has seen more than $8 billion total bets. You can find more information about Illinois sports betting revenue here.

Read on for a brief rundown of all that has happened in Illinois sports betting since 2019:

2022

The start of the NFL season in September had a huge impact on sports betting in the state. Month-over-month, Illinois sports betting handle rose nearly $267 million or 47%. Illinois is second in the nation in 2022 revenue through September and third in handle.

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

In July, Illinois surpassed $1 billion in lifetime, legal sports betting revenue and became the second-largest sports betting market in the United States.

On March 5, online sports betting registration became possible again in the Land of Lincoln. Also, BetMGM Sportsbook went live in Illinois.

2021

Illinois recorded more than $7 billion in sports betting handle in 2021, which was the third-highest mark in the US. But Pritzker brought back in-person registration in April, and that policy lasted throughout the rest of the year. Barstool was the only new online sportsbook to launch.

2020

In March, Rivers Casino accepted the first legal sports bet ahead of March Madness. Shortly thereafter, all Illinois casinos closed for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But once sports leagues started up again in the summer, a few online sportsbooks launched. Illinois would have online registration from late August through the end of the year. In December, Illinois set a then-handle record of $491.7 million in bets.

2019

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Sports Wagering Act into law in June. The law included an 18-month “penalty box” provision, which would not allow online sports betting registration. Illinois sporting venues could apply for retail sports betting licenses, but betting on Illinois college teams would not be allowed.