Illinois Online Sports Betting 🎖️ March 2023 Updates

Online sports betting is legal in Illinois!

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Governor J.B. Pritzker re-signed the executive order making betting online legal in Illinois. Illinois sports betting law required in-person registrations up until March 2022, when the requirements were finally lifted, and online registration became a viable option.
What once was slated to happen at earliest in December 2020, became a reality already in June 2020 with BetRivers launching the first online sportsbook in Illinois. The selection of operators approved by the Illinois Gaming Board has only grown ever since, and nowadays, IL sports bettors have a decent variety of sportsbooks to choose from. Check out our BonusFinder articles for everything you need to know about online sports betting in Illinois!

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⭐ Illinois Sports Betting Promo Codes

Illinois online sports betting sites are offering free bets, risk free bet offers, and deposit bonuses to new players. The daily fantasy operators DraftKings and FanDuel were the first to enter Illinois sports betting market, but others have followed since. You can get up to $7,750 of bonus money when you combine all Illinois sports betting bonuses.

Illinois Sports Betting App Illinois Sportsbook Promo Code Sports Betting Bonus
BetMGM BONUSMGM $1,000
Caesars Sportsbook FINDERFULL $1,250 + 1,000 Tier Credits & 1,000 Reward Credits®
DraftKings Sportsbook N/A $1,000
FanDuel Sportsbook N/A $1,000 No Sweat First Bet
PointsBet N/A, Use Our Link $250 Second Chance Bet
BetRivers Sportsbook FINDER $500
Barstool Sportsbook Illinois N/A $1,010
Best sportsbooks in Illinois are BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Draftkings Sportsbook, and BetRivers sportsbook

BonusFinder has reviewed the best sportsbooks in the Illinois online sports betting market.

⭐ Illinois Sportsbook Promos & Bonus Offers

Currently seven Illinois online gambling sites are legal, but given the rapid changes in the state’s sports betting laws, BonusFinder expects other sportsbook operators to follow. Currently, all online sportsbooks in the state are required to have a retail sportsbook partner.

1. BetMGM Illinois Sportsbook – $1,000 First Bet Offer

  • Partner: Par a Dice Casino
  • Address – 21 Blackjack Blvd, East Peoria, IL 61611
  • Promo Code: BONUSMGM

BetMGM Sportsbook Illinois started their operations on March 5th 2022, the day in-person registration was lifted in Illinois. BetMGM, a well-established and highly regarded sports betting provider, was a very welcome addition to the IL sports betting market.

BetMGM Illinois bonus is a $1,000 first bet offer. You can claim this bonus with the BetMGM Illinois promo code BONUSMGM. The bonus will be rewarded in bonus bets in case your first bet loses.

2. Caesars Sportsbook IL – First Bet on Caesars up to $1,250 + 1,000 Tier Credits & 1,000 Reward Credits®

  • Partner: Grand Victoria Casino
  • Adress – 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
  • Caesars Sportsbook Illinois Promo Code: FINDERFULL

Caesars Sportsbook, one of the latest online sportsbooks to arrive to Illinois betting market, partnered with the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, near Chicago. They are one of the sportsbooks that went live during the in-person registration mandate. However, since March 5th 2022, people have been able to register online for Caesars IL Sportsbook.

The online sports betting app has started aggressive marketing campaign around the US to bring people to the Caesars Rewards program offers new players a $1,250 on Caesars, topped with 1,000 Tier Credits & 1,000 Reward Credits®. They also have one of the best Illinois sports betting apps.

3. DraftKings Casino Queen Sportsbook – $1,000 Bonus

  • Partner: Casino Queen Sportsbook
  • Address – 200 S Front St, East St Louis, IL 62201
  • Promo Code: N/A

The daily fantasy sports giant DratKings has launched their iOS and Android mobile betting apps in Illinois. Known as one of the biggest American sportsbooks, they offer more lines that any of their competitors in Illinois.

DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook offers new players a HUGE welcome bonus of 20% up to $1,000. Oh, and they’ve partnered up with the Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan.

4. FanDuel Sportsbook – $1,000 No Sweat First Bet

  • Partner: Par a Dice Casino
  • Address – 21 Blackjack Blvd, East Peoria, IL 61611
  • Promo Code: N/A

FanDuel Sportsbook, known as FanDuel – Par-A-Dice in the Prairie State, is now available through their partnership with Par-A-Dice Casino. They also offer daily fantasy sports in Illinois in addition to sports betting.

Their $1,000 No Sweat First Bet is perfect for new Illinois sports bettors and experienced veterans alike.

5. PointsBet Sportsbook – $250 in Second Chance Bets

  • Partner: Hawthorne Race Course
  • Address – 3501 S Laramie Ave, Stickney, IL 60402
  • PointsBet Illinois Promo Code: Use Our Link

PointsBet mobile sports betting app launched in Illinois in September 2020. Their brand own online betting, called PointsBetting, sets them apart from other sports betting sites. They also have ‘no juice for NFL betting’ promotion, which makes them the best NFL betting site in the US.

In Illinois, PointsBet has partnered up with Hawthorne Race Course in in Stickney. The sportsbook offers new players up to $250 in second chance bets.

6. BetRivers Illinois – $500 Bonus

BetRivers Illinois sports betting site became the fist mobile betting app in Illinois through their partnership with Rivers Casino des Plaines. Their mobile app was initially only available for Android, but has since been added to App Store for iOS devices.
Betting on their mobile app isn’t a necessity, since their mobile browser also offers a comfortable betting platform. You can place your bets, deposit, withdraw, and change your details easily whether you use an app or not.

BetRivers offers a sweet welcome bonus in the form of free bets up to $500.

7. Barstool Sportsbook Illinois – $1,000 Bonus

  • Partner: Penn National Gaming

Barstool Sportsbook in Illinois operates at the Penn National owned propreties of Illinois. The social media giant entered the Illinois betting market just in time for 2021 March Madness.
They offer new players a $10 no deposit bonus, as well as a $1,000 free bet. Furthermore, what makes Barstool so special, are their exciting promos and social media campaings.

⭐ Betting Promotions

Welcome offers are just the beginning – the best sports betting apps in Illinois also offer compelling ongoing promotions. While we don’t know the exact promos that will be offered in Illinois, they will most likely follow along the lines of other sports betting states.

Top promotions for Illinois sports bettors

FanDuel and other sportsbooks offer creative ongoing promotions that will keep you interested. These offers could be available in Illinois quite soon.

Reload Deposit Bonus

Similar to deposit match welcome bonuses, reload bonuses match a reload deposit up to a certain percentage and amount. They may also match your deposit with free bets.

Wagering requirements vary widely for these offers – check sportsbook terms and conditions for bonus details.

Odds Boost / Profit Boost

Odds boosts gives your sports wager better odds. Profit boosts toss a percentage-based bonus on top of your winnings. Opt-in on the promo page, or check your bet slip for a drop-down menu.

Parlay Insurances

Protects you against a parlay loss when the difference between sports bets victory and defeat is one leg. If you fall short by this measure or others (check promos for details), your sportsbook will refund your stake. Funds may be in real or bonus cash.

Other online sportsbook promos

To be clear, though, there are many other types of promos out there. For instance, FanDuel Sportsbook is offering $10 bonus bets for futures bet of $50 or more on the NBA/NHL playoffs in other legal betting states like New Jersey betting and Indiana betting.

⭐ Registering for a Sportsbook Account

Before you can bet online, you need to register at a state-licensed sportsbook. The most commonly required fields for a sports betting account are listed below:

  • First name
  • Last name
  • Gender
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security Number
  • Email address
  • Home address
  • Zip code
  • Mobile phone number
  • Age verification

⭐ Fastest Banking Options

There are several ways to make deposits and withdrawals on Illinois sports betting sites. The withdrawal and deposit options vary from online sportsbook to another, and unlike deposits, withdrawals are not instant. Below, we’ve listed the various banking methods with their respective withdrawal times.

Best and fastest banking methods for Illinois sportsbooks

Illinois sportsbooks offer many ways to deposit on their sites.

Banking Method Deposits Withdrawals Withdrawal Time
Credit Cards Yes No N/A
Debit Cards Yes Depends 2 hours - 2 days
Cash at the Casino Cage Yes Yes 1 - 4 hours
Play+/Prepaid Cards Yes Yes 2 - 6 hours
PayPal Yes Yes 2 - 3 days
ACH/E-checks Yes Yes 2 - 5 days
Bank Transfer Yes Yes 3 - 5 days
Paper Checks No Yes 7 - 10 days
PayNearMe Yes No N/A

⭐ Illinois Online Betting Recap

In 2019, the government of Illinois passed a sports betting bill that legalized retail sports betting and online sports betting. However, it seemed like it’d take until December 2020 for online sportsbooks to open because of a Penalty Box rule, which allowed retail sportsbooks to open in March. Fast forward to March 2023 and BetRivers, FanDuel, PointsBet, Caesars, and DraftKings, dubbed DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook, are already open in the Prairie State.

The language of Illinois’ betting legalization bill gave retail casinos a BIG head start. They were allowed to operate, while online-only sportsbooks were forced to wait 18 months from June 2020 to go live.

However, recent global events have decimated state revenues across the country. As such, rumours started to swirl that Illinois is overhauling their approach to gaming and betting. With BetRivers and DraftKings Sportsbook launching well ahead of schedule and 7 new gambling licenses issued.

What is the Illinois Legal Online Sports Betting Situation in March 2023?

Online sports betting is 100% legal and can be done from the safety of your own home. The in person registration requirement was lifted in March 2022, and online registration has become available to Illinois bettors. IL bettors are free to play on betting sites and mobile sportsbook apps. Betting on the Chicago Bulls, Black Hawks, and the Chicago Cubs is totally legal.

Sports Wagering Regulations in Illinois

Illinois sports betting law imposes some regulations on online sports betting apps.

  • Like NJ sports betting, you can’t bet on instate college sports. Luckily Notre Dames Fighting Irish are not instate.
  • Illinois Sports bettors can only bet on sports events, not things like the Oscars.
  • Persons involved in pro sports can’t place sports bets on their own sport
  • Sportsbooks are required to use official league data
  • Master sports wagering licenses are only given to land based casinos in the state
Online betting in Illinois

Despite the initial hurdles, Illinois sports betting market has secured some of the best sportsbook operators in the country.

⭐ Conclusion

Although there were some hiccups on the way, Illinois mobile sports betting is live and well. Several sports betting sites are now open for legal bets online, new sportsbooks are looking towards launching in the state, and you can also visit IL brick & mortar casinos. As licenses have been issued, it’s only a matter of time before multiple sportsbook open in the Prairie State.

Last updated: 03/07/2023

⭐ Illinois Sports Betting FAQ

1️⃣ Is online sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes, Illinois has legalized sports betting, and the market is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. You can bet at BetRivers, FanDuel, PointsBet, Caesars, BetMGM, Barstool, and Draftkings as long as you're within the state lines and over 21 years old. You can also bet on college sports, but with some limitations.

More online sportsbooks will open in the near future.

2️⃣ Are online casinos legal in Illinois?

Not right now, but they might be soon. The global health crisis caused land-based casino revenue to dry up in Illinois. In response, legislators have been rumored to be discussing the legalization of online gaming. Like online sports betting, this is a fluid situation – keep checking back for the latest info.

3️⃣ Is DraftKings sportsbook legal in Illinois?

Yes. Called DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook their online apps are available for iOS and Android.

4️⃣ How old do I have to be to bet on sports in Illinois?

You need to be 21 years old to legally bet on sports in Illinois.

5️⃣ Are daily fantasy sports legal in Illinois?

Yes. DraftKings and FanDuel offer DFS in addition to legal sports betting. Yahoo! and Fantasy Draft are also available.