Illinois Sports
Betting Guide
Illinois sports betting is live in the Land of Lincoln. Compare all 10 licensed sportsbooks, claim the best bonuses, and start betting responsibly.
Best Illinois Sportsbooks
All 10 licensed online sportsbooks operating in Illinois, independently reviewed and ranked. Each operator is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board and fully legal for anyone 21+ within state lines.
DraftKings
Market Leader- DraftKings at Casino Queen (East St. Louis)
- Launched IL Aug 2020
- White Sox partnership
- Deep same-game parlay builder
FanDuel
Parlay Builder- FanDuel at Fairmount Park
- Chicago Bulls partner
- Launched IL 2020
- Best mobile interface
BetMGM
Loyalty Program- ParADice East Peoria partner
- MGM Rewards integration
- Launched March 2022
- Strong NBA markets
Caesars Sportsbook
Rewards Program- Grand Victoria Elgin partner
- Caesars Rewards
- Launched March 2021
- Daily odds boosts
BetRivers
Chicago Original- Rivers Casino Des Plaines
- Chicago Bears partner
- First IL sportsbook (2020)
- iRush Rewards loyalty
Fanatics Sportsbook
Merch Rewards- Launched April 2024
- FanCash for merch
- Hawthorne Race Course partner
- Clean interface
Hard Rock Bet
Loyalty Perks- Hard Rock Rockford partner
- Launched IL 2024
- Hard Rock loyalty tier
- Music festival perks
theScore Bet
Content Integration- Ameristar East Chicago partner
- PENN Sports Interactive
- theScore app integration
- Launched Nov 2023
bet365
Live Betting- Launched IL March 2025; newest
- Wind Creek Chicago Southland partner
- Best live cash-out
- 40+ sports covered
Circa Sports
Sharp Bettors- Chicago Blackhawks jersey patch partner
- Sharp-friendly limits
- Vegas-style odds
- No winner limitations
Welcome Bonus Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of every welcome offer available to new Illinois bettors.
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Condition | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Instantly + 20% deposit match up to $1,000 secondary · valid through July 1, 2026 | $5 |
| FanDuel | Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets | If first bet wins · IL retains 40% tax; FD trimmed cash-back vs. NJ in May 2026 · valid through June 30, 2026 | $5 |
| BetMGM | Up to $1,500 First Bet Refund | Stake refunded as bonus bets if first bet loses · IL retains $1,500 legacy tier (PA/NJ pivoted to $150-win in May 2026) · valid through July 31, 2026 | $10 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | 10× 100% Profit Boost Tokens | $1 qualifying bet · $25 max stake each · valid through Aug 18, 2026 | $10 |
| BetRivers | 2nd Chance Bet up to $500 | Bonus bet refund if first bet loses · BetRivers signature IL offer (Rivers Casino Des Plaines hometown brand) · valid through July 15, 2026 | $10 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | 10× $100 Bet Matches over 10 Days | Up to $1,000 total in FanCash · auto-applied, no code · valid through July 4, 2026 | $5 |
| Hard Rock Bet | Bet $50, Get $250 in Bonus Bets | If first bet wins · Unity by Hard Rock loyalty · valid through July 15, 2026 | $10 |
| theScore Bet | Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets | If first bet wins · rebranded from ESPN BET Dec 2025 · Ameristar East Chicago retail partner · valid through July 31, 2026 | $10 |
| bet365 | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets | If first bet wins · IL-tailored offer (five $30 bonus bets across NBA Finals/MLB) · valid through June 30, 2026 | $10 |
| Circa Sports | Sharp-focused pricing | No welcome bonus | $10 |
How to Start Betting in Illinois
From choosing a sportsbook to placing your first wager, here is exactly how to get started with legal sports betting in the Land of Lincoln.
Choose a Sportsbook
Pick a licensed Illinois sportsbook from our reviewed list above. Each operator is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board.
Create Your Account
Provide your name, email, address, phone number, and last four digits of your SSN. Geolocation confirms you are in Illinois.
Claim Your Bonus
Enter any promo code during registration or on your first deposit. Each sportsbook has unique welcome offers; compare before committing.
Fund & Start Betting
Make your first deposit via bank transfer, debit card, PayPal, or other accepted methods. Most sportsbooks have $5-$10 minimums.
What Can You Bet On?
Illinois sportsbooks cover all major professional and college sports.
NFL
Chicago Bears; Super Bowl futures, player props, live in-game betting. Playoff-bound in 2025-26
MLB
Chicago Cubs (DraftKings partner) and Chicago White Sox (Caesars partner). Full season coverage
NBA
Chicago Bulls (FanDuel partner); home of the Jordan dynasty. Player props, spreads, totals
NHL
Chicago Blackhawks; six-time Stanley Cup champions. Puck lines, goalie props, futures
College Sports
Illinois Fighting Illini, Northwestern Wildcats, DePaul Blue Demons; online betting restricted (see laws)
MLS / Soccer
Chicago Fire FC, Premier League, Champions League, FIFA World Cup 2026 (Chicago is a host city)
Auto Racing
NASCAR Chicago Street Race, IndyCar, F1; outright winners and head-to-head matchups
Golf
PGA Tour, LIV Golf, Western Open history, The Masters, player props
Illinois Sports Betting Laws
📜 Sports Wagering Act (SB 690)
Illinois legalized sports betting through Sports Wagering Act (SB 690), signed by Governor JB Pritzker in 2019. Online betting launched on June 18, 2020. The Illinois Gaming Board oversees all operations.
💰 Tax Structure
Operators pay 20-40% Tiered + Per-Bet Fee. Revenue supports state programs including responsible gambling initiatives and education.
📋 Licensing
Illinois allows 10 of 26 licenses active. Currently 10 operators are live and accepting wagers.
🎓 College Betting
Illinois has a unique college carve-out: you CANNOT bet on in-state college teams (Illinois, Northwestern, DePaul, Illinois State) through online sportsbooks. You CAN bet on in-state college teams, but only at retail sportsbooks; and only on game outcomes, not player props.
📍 Retail Sportsbooks
Illinois has retail sportsbooks at DraftKings at Wrigley Field, Rivers Casino Des Plaines (BetRivers), Grand Victoria Elgin (Caesars), Hard Rock Rockford, Fanatics at Hawthorne Race Course, Casino Queen East St. Louis (DraftKings), and several Hollywood/Argosy/Bally casinos across the state.
🔒 Age & Location
You must be at least 21 years old and physically located within Illinois to place legal sports bets. Residency is not required. Geolocation technology verifies your location.
Key Timeline
- May 2018 Supreme Court strikes down PASPA, opening the door for state legalization
- Jun 2019 Governor JB Pritzker signs SB 690 (Sports Wagering Act) as part of massive gaming expansion
- Mar 9, 2020 Retail sports betting launches at Rivers Casino Des Plaines
- Jun 18, 2020 BetRivers becomes the first online sportsbook to launch in Illinois
- Aug 2020 DraftKings and FanDuel launch online after 18-month penalty box period ends
- 2024 Illinois replaces flat 15% tax with tiered 20-40% system based on revenue; DraftKings and FanDuel hit top bracket
- Jul 1, 2025 Illinois introduces per-wager fee: $0.25 per bet on first 20 million wagers, $0.50 beyond; operators pass fees to customers
- Jan 1, 2026 Chicago adds 10.25% city tax on sportsbook revenue on top of state taxes; Sports Betting Alliance sues
- Feb 2026 HB 4171 passes House Gaming Committee 15-0 to block local/city sports betting taxes
- Feb 2026 Illinois reports $1.4B in December handle with $70M in tax revenue, maintaining #3 US ranking
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes. Governor JB Pritzker signed the Sports Wagering Act in June 2019. Retail betting launched March 9, 2020, and online betting followed on June 18, 2020. The Illinois Gaming Board regulates the industry.
How old do I have to be to bet in Illinois?
You must be at least 21 years old to place sports bets in Illinois, whether online or at a retail sportsbook.
How many sportsbooks are in Illinois?
There are currently 10 licensed online sportsbooks in Illinois: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, theScore Bet, and Circa Sports. The state allows up to 26 total licenses.
Can I bet on the Illinois Fighting Illini or Northwestern?
Yes, but only in person at a retail sportsbook. Illinois has a college carve-out law that prohibits online/mobile betting on in-state college teams. You can only bet on game outcomes (no player props) when wagering on Illinois colleges, and you must place those bets at a physical sportsbook location.
Why are there per-bet fees on Illinois sportsbooks?
In July 2025, Illinois introduced a per-wager tax of $0.25 per bet on the first 20 million wagers per operator, rising to $0.50 beyond that threshold. Most sportsbooks pass this cost directly to bettors. DraftKings and FanDuel charge $0.50 per bet; bet365, Caesars, and Fanatics charge $0.25. Others like BetMGM ($2.50 min) and Circa ($10 min) raised minimum bet sizes instead.
What is the Chicago sports betting tax?
Chicago added a 10.25% city tax on sportsbook gross revenue effective January 1, 2026, on top of the state's 20-40% tiered tax. This gives Chicago bettors one of the highest effective tax structures in the country. The Sports Betting Alliance filed a lawsuit against the city, and HB 4171 in the Illinois legislature would block cities from adding their own sports betting taxes.
Do I need to be an Illinois resident?
No. Anyone 21 or older who is physically located within Illinois can place legal sports bets. Geolocation technology verifies your location within state lines.
What is the state tax rate on Illinois sports betting?
Illinois uses a tiered tax system ranging from 20% to 40% based on annual operator revenue. Only DraftKings and FanDuel currently hit the top 40% bracket. On top of state taxes, there is also a $0.25-$0.50 per-wager fee and a 10.25% Chicago city tax (for wagers made in the city).
Are retail sportsbooks available?
Yes. Illinois has retail sportsbooks at DraftKings at Wrigley Field, Rivers Casino Des Plaines, Grand Victoria Elgin, Hard Rock Casino Rockford, Hawthorne Race Course, and several Hollywood and Argosy casinos across the state.