Illinois Sports Betting 2026 | Legal Sportsbooks in IL – TheLines.com

Illinois Online Sports Betting Apps

Written By Brett Collson | Last Updated at July 10, 2026

Legal Illinois sports betting made its debut on the retail front in March 2020 with the online sports betting apps and rollout taking place a few months later. You can now download and register at Illinois sports betting apps from anywhere in the state.

Once you’ve downloaded the app and created your account, you can verify your identity on the app and place a bet online. We’ll cover everything you need to know about how to bet on sports in Illinois right here, along with any bonus and promotional offers available to new sports bettors.

Top Illinois sports betting sites for 2026

Is sports betting legal in Illinois? Here’s the full IL legality timeline

Online sports betting hasn’t always been legal in Illinois like it is today. Here’s a breakdown of how we reached the sports betting rules Illinois operates under today.

• June 2019: Illinois Sports Wagering Act was created.
• March 2020: First legal wager placed in IL
• June 2020: BetRivers is the first online sportsbook to launch in Illinois.
• August 2020: Draftkings was the second online sportsbook to open in Illinois
• March 2022: In-person registration is no longer mandatory and can now be done online.
• June 2023: Fanatics acquires Pointsbet, taking over the retail partnership with Hawthorne Race Course and launching in the state.
• July 2024: A new staggered sports wagering tax replaces the 15% flat fee on gross profits from gambling and will now be taxed starting at 20% and climbing to 40% for gross receipts over $200 million.
• July 2024: Betting on Illinois college teams online is prohibited.
• March 2025: bet365 launched, setting the total number of legal online sportsbooks in Illinois at 10.
• June 2025: Illinois passes a new sports betting tax surcharge that taxes every bet for the licensee’s first 20 million bets at 25 cents, and after the licensee has surpassed 20 million bets will tax every bet at 50 cents. This fee is taken on top of the new tax rates that passed in Illinois in 2024.

Who can bet on sports in Illinois?

If you’re 21 or older and located within state lines, you’re good to go for betting on sports in Illinois online. Illinois requires the following:

• You can’t be on any self-exclusion lists in relation to gambling.
• Sports league personnel are prohibited from betting on their own sports.

Assuming neither of the above apply to you, there shouldn’t be any trouble signing up to play. The online and mobile registration process is simple and straightforward. We’ll have some details on what you have to do in a bit.

The Illinois sports betting market has attracted a number of the top names in the industry, all of whom have had to undergo a rigorous application process. Those who have received the green light to hang out their shingles had to pony up a whopping $10 million while either having a land-based operation in the state or being partnered with an entity that does.

In the future, online-only licenses are expected to be available, all of which will carry a price tag of $20 million. Gross gambling revenue from sportsbooks in Illinois is now one of the highest in the US, where operators could be paying as much as 40% tax on gross receipts over $200 million, plus the added surcharge of 25 cents for the licensee’s first 20 million bets, and 50 cents once total number of bets surpass that figure.  The regulatory body for sports betting in the state is the Illinois Gaming Board.

Best Illinois sports betting apps for 2026

The official opening of the Illinois online sports betting market was a highly anticipated event. A number of the biggest names in the industry had their sights firmly set on gaining entry, and several have been able to make it happen. Here’s a look at the best new sports betting sites available in Illinois, all of which you can get started with quickly and easily.

1. Caesars Sportsbook

• Review: Caesars Sportsbook
• Caesars Bonus: Up to $250 Bonus Bet

Caesars Sportsbook is a big company getting bigger after its acquisition of famed sportsbook William Hill. The casino giant’s sports betting profile has expanded dramatically due to the purchase, and one of those new Caesars locations is in Illinois.

Caesars offers a solid and functional app, if a bit on the duller side. However, you can now get credit for your play onsite in the Caesars Rewards’ program, which can mean free rooms, food, and entertainment at Caesars properties. Best of all, there is a great promo that Caesars has to welcome Illinois players.

By virtue of its purchase of William Hill’s assets, Caesars land-based partner in Illinois is the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin. Although Caesars is somewhat new to this particular game, it is no rookie when it comes to sports betting. If you want a name that you can rely upon for safe and honest sports betting, Caesars is a pretty good option to select.

2. BetMGM Sportsbook

• Review: BetMGM Sportsbook
• BetMGM Bonus: Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

BetMGM has emerged as a leader in a number of legal markets to date, and it shouldn’t be too long before it turns the same trick in Illinois. The platform is slick and efficient, and there’s a regular array of ongoing promos and a rewards program for players to take advantage of.

Calling cards include a huge selection of sports and bet types. BetMGM covers all of the basics but also goes deeper down the rabbit hole with niche sports and unique bets such as the easy parlay.

BetMGM’s land-based partner is Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria. There’s ground to make up in the race to the top of the charts, but the company’s track record suggests it’ll be in the running before too long.

3. FanDuel Sportsbook

• Review: FanDuel Sportsbook
• FanDuel Bonus: Bet $5 with FanDuel and Get in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins. No promo code is needed; simply click on the FanDuel Sportsbook link on this page to get started. *T&Cs below.

• 21+ and present in IL
• A minimum $5 deposit and minimum $5 first real-money wager are required
• Welcome offer applies to first online wager only
• Wager on any FanDuel Sportsbook market (no odds limits) live on the platform
• First bet must win to get in bonus bets
• Users will receive in Bonus Bets within 72 hours of the qualifying wager settling
• Bonus Bets are non-withdrawable and expire seven (7) days after receipt
• Bonus Bet stake not returned as part of winnings
• Limit of one bonus per person

FanDuel shares a lot in common with DraftKings. The two behemoths both made their bones in the world of daily fantasy sports and were ready to pounce once legal sports betting got a green light.

Being quick to market in legal states has helped FanDuel race to the top of the charts, and the company shows no signs of slowing down. The interface is incredibly user-friendly and visually appealing while being full of features.

One of FanDuel’s biggest highlights is the single-game parlay feature. The company has arguably become the top name in the game for bets of that nature. FanDuel joined the Illinois marketplace via a deal with Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria and has comfortably settled in as a top option in Illinois.

4. Fanatics Sportsbook

• Review: Fanatics Sportsbook
• Fanatics Bonus : Bet $10, get $250 in Fancash –  no code needed

Fanatics Sportsbook is one of the newer platforms on the market, taking over PointsBet Sportsbook. Fanatics officially launched in Illinois on April 5, 2024. The sportsbook focuses on a fast interface and an innovative rewards program called FanCash, which is redeemable for bonus bets or for discounts on Fanatics apparel.

To claim this bonus, just sign up to the casino as a new customer, deposit $10 and make your first bet wagering $10 on odds of -500 or longer. When that bet settles, you’ll be awarded your bonus as $50 Fancash per day for 5 days.

Fanatics retail partner is Hawthorne Race Course.

5. bet365 Sportsbook

• Review: bet365 Sportsbook

bet365 Sportsbook is now live in Illinois and offers bettors the choice of two welcome bonuses. The first bonus is a simple “bet and get” offer of bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets whatever the outcome of your first bet is. The second offer is a “first bet safety net”, where if you place a first bet up to the value of $1000, you’ll get the same amount back in bonus bets if your bet loses.

This offer is only open to new customers and only one bonus can be used per person. So if you choose to use your preferred welcome bonus, that automatically disqualifies you from the other. Following registration, customers need to make a deposit of at least $10, and a first bet of $5 or more.

If you choose to opt for the first offer, you must sign up and deposit $10, then place a bet of $5 with minimum odds of -500 or greater.  Whether your bet wins or loses, you’ll receive the bonus bets either way.

For the second offer, all you need to do is sign up and make a deposit of at least $10 and place your first bet up to the value of $1000, and if your bet loses, you’ll receive bonus bets to the same value as your original stake.

bet365’s land-based partner is Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort in Carterville.

6. DraftKings Sportsbook

• Review: DraftKings Sportsbook
• DraftKings Bonus Code: Up to in bonuses, that include:
  • Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets!

There have been a number of success stories since sports betting in IL began to gain legalization, but DraftKings is among those leading the pack. The platform is highly regarded across the industry, and the company has a history of innovation.

Included on the list of accomplishments is a top-notch live betting feature. This has become a go-to spot for scores of bettors who are interested in this facet of wagering.

DraftKings isn’t shy on the promotional front, either. There’s always lots going on like odds boosts and special parlay offers.

To claim this welcome bonus you need to be a new customer (aged 21+), sign up to the casino and make a minimum bet of $5 with odds of -500 or longer. Once that bet settles, if you win, you’ll receive $200 in bonus bets delivered as eight $25 bets.

DraftKings has become a market leader in all states it has entered to date, including Illinois since gaining market access via a deal with Casino Queen in East St. Louis.

All online sports betting in Illinois

We’ve mentioned a few of our favorite Illinois sports betting sites above, but there are actually ten licensed online sportsbooks in IL. Below is a list of every legal Illinois sports betting apps and sites, who their retail partner is and when they launched in the state.

How to sign up to an Illinois sports betting app

Providing you meet the requirements to sign up to sports betting in Illinois (such as being at least 21 years old, within state lines and not on a self-exclusion list), you can join one of the many IL sports betting apps.

1. Click ones of the banners on our site to take you to one of the top legal IL online sportsbooks or download the app from your app store

2. Click “sign up” and begin the registration process, where you will need to input details about yourself such as name, address, email, date of birth etc.

3. Agree to the terms of the app or site and confirm.

4. Some sportsbooks require you to verify your account with an OTP either via email or SMS. Complete this step if prompted to get your account up and running.

5. Check which welcome bonus you are hoping to use and make your first deposit in line with the terms of that bonus.

6. To place a bet, you simply find what you’re interested in and click on the odds for that choice. It’ll go right onto the bet slip. From there, you just have to plug in the amount, verify and click submit. Websites and apps from the top shops are very user-friendly, so you can find what you’re looking for and get down to business quickly.

The top sports betting apps in IL are available on mobile for iOS and Android users. Once you download the app directly from the sportsbook website, log in on mobile for the first time. You’ll then have access to your book of choice both online and via app.

As expected, the Illinois online sports betting marketplace has become incredibly competitive. That’s awesome news for consumers. As industry heavyweights battle it out for supremacy, they all have their eyes set on attracting as many users as they can.

To do that, they’re not shy about dishing out sign-up offers for new players. Offerings will vary by sportsbook, but here are some of the top options that you’ll see.

• Bonus bets: Once you create an account, some shops will give you bonus bets to play with in the form of site credits.
• Deposit bonuses: Certain sportsbooks will match your first deposit, with the amount of the match varying.
• Odds boosts: After setting up an account with a book, sportsbooks will often give you “odds boosts.” These boosts typically increase the payout if you were to win a particular bet.

The above offers are just for signing up, but that’s not where it ends on the promotional front. Online sportsbooks are always looking for ways to attract attention, and many of them lean on solid offerings to do so. Here are some examples on that front.

• Odds boost: This is an offer that enhances the returns on a specific wager, such as a player prop or team moneyline bet.
• Parlay insurance: For multi-leg parlays, you can get back your wager amount if you’re incorrect on one of the legs.
• Performance bonus: You can earn extra when a team or player does something significant, such as scoring TDs or making 3-pointers.

The best bonus offers are generally featured prominently in the main lobby at online sportsbooks. Several books also have dedicated sections that list all of the current promos.

Below is a list of all the Illinois sports betting promos on offer at the 10 sportsbooks that legally operate online.

How to deposit and cashout for Illinois sportsbooks

When looking to move money in and out of your sports betting account, you shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to do so. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about that with the top betting sites in Illinois. Each has a solid list of options, including:

• Credit and debit cards
• Online banking transfers
• ACH/e-check
• PayPal/other e-wallet options
• Prepaid cards
• PayNearMe
• Cash at casino cage

It’s important to note that the exact options will vary by sportsbook, but there’s a good chance that you’ll find something that works best for your situation regardless of where you play. Also, keep in mind that not all options will be available for deposits and withdrawals.

What types of sports bets can you place in Illinois?

You’ll have access to all of the bet types and markets you could ask for in Illinois. Here’s a quick runthrough of the most popular bets and a refresher on how they work.

• Moneyline: You pick the straight-up winner between the favorite and underdog.
• Point spread: The side you choose has to cover the spread set by oddsmakers.
• Totals: You decide if the total points scored will be over or under a benchmark number.
• Props: Basically, side wagers on things that may happen, many of which depend on player performance.
• Live betting: Wagers you can place in real time as the action plays out on the field.
• Futures: A lookahead bet on a future outcome, such as the winner of a league championship.
• Parlays: A wager where you include multiple selections on the same slip in hopes of greater returns.
• Pleasers and teasers: Bets that place more control over the spread in the hands of bettors, with returns adjusted accordingly.

Which sports are available for betting in Illinois?

When it comes to sports, you won’t be lacking for options. From the top attractions down to those that are on the obscure side, they’re all here. First up, here are the biggest needle movers at sportsbooks.

• NFL Betting Sites
• NBA Betting Sites
• MLB Betting Sites
• NHL
• College Football Betting Sites
• NCAA basketball
• Soccer Betting Sites
• Golf Betting Sites
• Tennis
• NASCAR
• UFC Betting Sites
• Boxing

The NFL attracts the most betting interest, followed by the NBA. You can bet on college sports in Illinois, but state law prohibits wagering on the in-state teams. For individual sports, the most action comes around when a big event is on tap, such as a huge fight or a golf major.

• Australian rules football
• Cricket
• Cycling
• Darts
• Formula One
• Handball
• International sports
• MMA
• Rugby
• Snooker
• Table tennis
• Volleyball

The above sports fall into the niche category. Interest isn’t as strong in these sports, but some of them have their moments here and there. The exact list of markets will vary by sportsbook, but all of the top books in Illinois have a solid selection to choose from.

Local Illinois teams you can bet on at legal sportsbooks

Illinois is a hotbed for sporting action. That translates into plenty of local favorites to root for, and we can now legally and safely bet on each of them. Here’s a look at the top attractions.

• NFL: Chicago Bears
• NBA: Chicago Bulls
• MLB: Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox
• NHL: Chicago Blackhawks
• MLS: Chicago Fire FC
• WNBA: Chicago Sky

As a reminder, you can’t bet on in-state college programs here at home. That means no betting on Illinois, Northwestern or any other Illinois-based school. However, the rest of the college football and basketball landscape is fair game and available for wagering.

Illinois sports betting partnerships

As sports betting continues to go mainstream, several interesting promotional partnerships have emerged. On the national level, a number of top sportsbooks have linked up with top networks.

Down at the local level, the once unheard-of thought of sports betting partnerships with teams is quickly becoming a reality. Here’s what we’ve seen on that front to date in Illinois.

• Chicago Bears — BetRivers
• Chicago Cubs — DraftKings

The deals cover the usual suspects like signage and broadcast placement. In the case of the Cubs, a DraftKings-branded sportsbook is in the works for Wrigley Field. It’s a copycat world when it comes to betting and partnerships, so it’s safe to say these won’t be the last deals we see in Illinois.

How do Illinois sportsbook odds compare to Vegas?

Quite simply, the odds and lines you’ll find here in Illinois stack up quite well with the numbers that come out of the desert. That doesn’t mean they’ll be exactly the same. Due to market action, that’s just not possible.

However, it does mean that the books here in Illinois are on point. You can still see what the oddsmakers out west have to say for research purposes if you wish, but know that the numbers you have direct access to are likely just as good.

While there are plenty of online and mobile options to consider in Illinois, the experience of betting in person can be lots of fun. Several retail locations have already opened their doors.

PointsBet has also opened up a trio of off-track betting facilities in association with Hawthorne. Here’s where you can find those shops.

• 13148 Rivercrest Drive, Crestwood
• 17W648 22nd St., Oakbrook Terrace
• 1250 River Road, Prospect Heights

ILLINOIS SPORTS BETTING FAQ