Sports betting is now legal in Illinois! You can even bet online, as Governor J.B. Pritzker re-signed the executive order making betting online legal in Illinois. However, you can’t currently register for a sportsbook account without visiting a land based casino.
What once was slated to happen at earliest in December 2020, became a reality already in June with BetRivers launching the first online sportsbook in Illinois.
Pointsbet, Fanduel and Draftkings Sportsbook are also live as of September 2020.
You are welcome to register from any state in the U.S., but must be 21+ years old and physically located in Illinois to wager. Not valid for any participant of the Illinois Gaming Board Statewide Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
Use code
BONUS2000
Get 2 risk-free bets. 1 for fixed odds betting worth $500, the other for Pointsbetting worth $1500. You get your bets refunded if you miss your first bet.
Bonus funds will be awarded with a play-through requirement (for every $25 played, the user will receive $1 in bonus funds released into their account).
If your first bet misses, FanDuel refunds your first bet up to $1000 in site credit (within 72hrs). Your first bet after depositing will qualify - If you have multiple selections on one betslip, it will be the first selection you made.
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 AMOUNT
BetMGM
BONUSMGM
$1,000
Caesars Sportsbook
FINDER15
$1,500
DraftKings Sportsbook
N/A
$1,000
FanDuel Sportsbook
N/A
$1,000
BetRivers Sportsbook
FINDER
$250
PointsBet
BONUS2000
$2,000
Barstool Sportsbook Illinois
N/A
$1,010
DraftKings at Casino Queen has one of the best bonuses in Illinois online sports betting
⭐ 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 Bonus
Partner: N/A
Address – N/A
Promo Code: BONUSMGM
BetMGM is the newest Illinois Sportsbook, and according to team of BonusFInder experts, also the best.
BetMGM Sportsbook Illinois is planning to open on March 5th 2022, the day in-person registration is lifted in Illinois. They will be the first online only sportsbook in Illinois, which should give them a competitive advantage, as people can easily claim their wlecome bonus.
BetMGM Illinois bonus is a $1,000 risk free bet. You can claim this bonus with the BetMGM Illinois promo code BONUSMGM.
Caesars Sportsbook have opened their online operations in Illinois.
Caesars is the latest online sportsbook to arrive to Illinois betting market. They have 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 can now 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 $1,500 risk free bet. They also have one of the best Illinois sports betting apps.
Draftkings Daily Fantasy Sports are also available in the state.
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
Online sports betting at FanDuel is now live in seven states, including Illinois, PA online and NJ betting.
FanDuel Sportsbook, which is 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 sportsbook offer – which technically is a risk-free first bet – is perfect for new Illinois sports bettors and experienced veterans alike.
5. PointsBet Sportsbook – $2,000 in Risk Free Bets
PointsBet Illinois gives new players two risk free bets. They are also available in states of New Jersey, Indiana and Iowa.
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 $2,000 to bet with: $1,500 for pointsbetting and $500 for regular bets.
6. BetRivers Illinois – $250 Bonus
Partner: Rivers Casino Des Plaines
Address – 3000 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Promo Code: FINDER
BetRivers launched the first mobile app in the state. New bettors at BetRivers can double their money up to $250.
BetRivers Illinois sports betting site became the fist mobile betting app in Illinois through their partnership with Rivers Casino des Plaines. Good and bad here: The sportsbook is available for Android, unavailable for iOS. They’re developing their iOS app so that is only a matter of time before it hits the App Store.
However, you can easily bet on your mobile browser so a mobile app isn’t a necessity, regardless if you’re on Android or iOS. 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 of matching new players deposits up to $250.
7. Barstool Sportsbook Illinois – $1,000 Bonus
Partner: Penn National Gaming
Barstool Sportsbook in Illinois operates at the Penn National owned propreties of Hollywood Casino and Ameristar Casino. 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
FanDuel and other sportsbooks offer creative ongoing promotions that will keep you interested. These offers could be available in Illinois quite soon.
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.
Reload Deposit Bonus
Reload Deposit Bonuses – 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/Profit Boosts – 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
Parlay Insurance – 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 cash 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 online 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
Illinois sportsbooks will offer many ways to deposit on their sites.
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.
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 July 2022 and BetRivers, FanDuel, PointsBet, Caesars, and DraftKings, dubbed DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook, are already open in the Prairie State.
From Springfield to Chicago, sports betting is now legal in Illinois.
The language of Illinois’ sports betting legalization bill gave retail casinos a BIG head start. They are allowed to operate, while online-only sportsbooks must wait 18 months from June 2020 to go live.
What is the Illinois Legal Online Sports Betting Situation in July 2022?
Online sports betting is 100% legal and can be done from the safety of your own home. The in person registration requirement was lifted on March 5th 2022, and you are free to play on betting sites and mobile sports betting 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 betting licenses are only given to land based casinos in the state
Sports Betting News: Although you can’t go to the Wrigley Field, the Illinois sports teams Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears are great betting options.
⭐ Conclusion – Legalized Sports Betting in Illinois is Now Live!
It may not have been pretty, but Illinois has mobile sports betting. Several sports betting sites are now open for legal bets online and soon you can bet on other sites and 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: 06/27/2022
Illinois Sports Betting FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes. 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.
More online sportsbooks will open in the near future.
Are online casinos legal in Illinois?
Not right now, but they might be soon. The global health crisis has caused land-based casino revenue to dry up in Illinois. In response, legislators have been rumoured to be discussing the legalization of online gaming. Like online sports betting, this is a fluid situation – keep checking back for the latest info.
Is DraftKings sportsbook legal in Illinois?
Yes. Called DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook their online apps are available for iOS and Android.
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.
Are daily fantasy sports legal in Illinois?
Yes. DraftKings and FanDuel offer DFS in addition to sports betting. Yahoo! and Fantasy Draft are also available.
Riku is the Editor in Chief at BonusFinder and is a global expert in casino, sports betting and poker.
Riku was a professional online poker player for 10 years where he has played against some of the world’s best known pro-players such as Phil Ivey and Doyle Brunson. When not playing poker Riku was exercising his passion for sports betting and developing his expertise for casino games.
Riku as Editor in Chief oversees all the research and writing at BonusFinder. He also spends hours weekly speaking with the US casinos and sportsbooks to make sure everything is up to date to make sure you can "Play With More"
Riku has been recognized as an expert in the field and led the BonusFinder team to several gambling award nominations including:
EGR North America Awards 2020 - Affiliate of the Year
EGR Operator Awards 2019 - Casino Affiliate of the Year