Chicago White Sox Top 5 Promotional Game Themes
Christopher Boan - Apr 1, 2024
Illinois sportsbooks are legal online and in person after going live in 2020. With 9 sportsbooks available, IllinoisBet.com has the latest on all live Illinois sports betting sites.
Below are the top sports betting sites based on our expert reviews, Illinois sportsbook promos and more.
Legal Illinois sports betting went live in 2020, a year after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed sports betting bill SB 690 into law. Retail sportsbooks first opened in March 9, 2020 while online sports betting followed a few months later, going live on June 18, 2020.
✅ Is Illinois Sports Betting Legal? | Yes (Online/Mobile/Retail) |
📚 Total IL Betting Licenses: | 26 |
📲 Total Live IL Sportsbooks: | 9 |
🔞 Legal IL Gambling Age: | 21+ |
📍 Remote Registration? | Yes |
⚖️ IL Gambling Regulator: | Illinois Gaming Board |
📞 Problem Gambling Help Line: | 1-800-662-4357 |
📆 Last Verified: | February 19, 2025 |
Yes, Illinois sports betting is legal after SB 690 was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on June 28, 2019. This made retail, online and mobile sportsbooks legal in the Prairie State.
Illinois sportsbooks have been available since 2020. The first retail Illinois sportsbook at Rivers Casino Des Plaines opened on March 9, 2020. Illinois betting apps then went live on June 18, 2020.
There are currently nine legal online Illinois sportsbooks available to bet with: BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, Circa, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, and Hard Rock Bet.
You can also bet in person at 17 retail sportsbooks in IL: Club Hawthorne Crestwood, Club Hawthorne Prospect Heights, Club Hawthorne at Crazy Pour, Hawthorne Race Course, Bally's Chicago, Argosy Casino Alton, DraftKings at Casino Queen, DraftKings at Wrigley Field, FanDuel Sportsbook at Fairmount Park, Grand Victoria Casino, Harrah's Casino, Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino Joliet, Par-a-Dice Casino, River Des Plaines, The Temporary by American Place, and Walker's Bluff Casino Resort.
Retail sports betting at Harrah's Joliet is expected to launch sometime this year as well.
You can sports bet in Illinois by betting at any of the nine mobile sportsbooks in IL or any of the 17 retail betting locations. You'll find varying bet types, sports betting markets, promos, and more at each sportsbook, so remember to shop around to find what best suits you.
The legal Illinois sports betting age is 21, according to Illinois sports betting law. This is similar to most other states' age requirements. You'll be required to verify your age when placing a sports bet in-person or online in Illinois.
Anyone who is located within Illinois state lines who is 21 years or older can bet on sports in the Prairie State. This goes for both retail and online sportsbooks.
Here's the latest updates on Illinois sports betting sites, apps, and the overall online gambling industry in the Prairie State.
Illinois bettors can trust us to provide the latest news around the industry. We cover new online sports betting sites launches, the latest promos, and monthly sports betting tax Illinois revenue reports.
There are nine online sportsbooks in Illinois as of February 2025: These are some of the biggest names in the industry, which is a great thing for sports bettors. Illinois sportsbook promos provide new bettors welcome offers to entice them to try their sportsbook.
🏈 IL Sportsbook | ⭐ Best Feature |
---|---|
ESPN BET IL | Best for Ongoing Promotions |
Caesars Sportsbook IL | Best Mobile Experience |
BetMGM IL | Best for Personalized Experience |
Fanatics Sportsbook IL | Best Rewards Program |
FanDuel IL | Best Betting Variety |
DraftKings IL | Best for Live Betting |
BetRivers IL | Best Illinois-Based Sportsbook |
Circa Sports IL | Best Odds & Limits |
Hard Rock Bet IL | Best Happy Hour Boosts |
ESPN BET Illinois is one of the latest Illinois sportsbooks to launch in the state and has held up to the hype.
🏆 Top Feature | The Best Mobile Experience |
🎁 Welcome Offer | Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets AND 30 Days ESPN+ |
📌 Retail Location: | Hollywood Casino Aurora & Joliet |
📅 Last Verified: | February 2025 |
Caesars Illinois brings one of the most recognized names in the industry and uses its experience to deliver a fantastic mobile experience.
If you are new to the sportsbook, you can claim a unique offer which gets you ten 100% profit boosts (code: ILBDYW) OR a First Bet on Caesars up to $1,000 (code: ILB1000).
🏆 Top Feature | Daily Odds Boosts |
🎁 Welcome Offer 1 | Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets if First Wager Loses |
🎁 Welcome Offer 2 | Bet $1, Get Ten 100% Profit Boosts |
📌 Retail Location: | Grand Victoria |
📅 Last Verified: | February 2025 |
Fanatics Sportsbook Illinois has one of the best rewards programs in the industry as every single bet you place earns you FanCash which you can use to redeem additional bonus bets or discounted merch for your favorite teams. New users can claim $50 in bonus bets when signing up.
🏆 Top Feature | Rewards Program |
🎁 Welcome Offer | Bet $10, Get $50 in Bonus Bets |
📌 Retail Location: | Online Only |
📅 Last Verified: | February 2025 |
A product of MGM Resorts, BetMGM Illinois Sportsbook's top feature is the personalized betting experience. Not only can you choose your favorite teams and get specific offers for them, but you'll see your teams at the top of the app every time you sign in.
If you're generally betting on the same handful of teams, this makes wagering a breeze.
🏆 Top Feature | Best for Personalization |
🎁 Welcome Offer | $1,500 in Bonus Bets |
📌 Retail Location: | 4.8/5.0 |
📅 Last Verified: | February 2025 |
DraftKings Illinois shines with a variety of ongoing promotions that cater to both new and existing users. On any given day, there are no sweat same game parlays, odds boosts, or bet tokens to take advantage of.
If you are a new user, you are eligible for a bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets welcome offer.
🏆 Top Feature | Betting Market Variety |
🎁 Welcome Offer | Bet $5, Get $150 Instantly |
📌 Retail Location: | Casino Queen & Wrigley Field |
📅 Last Verified: | February 2025 |
FanDuel Illinois is the leader in market share amongst sportsbooks legal in Illinois. A big reason for this is the wide variety of bets you can make. This sportsbook has the most options on the market from player props, same game parlays, team props, and more.
🏆 Top Feature | Sports Betting Variety |
🎁 Welcome Offer | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins |
📌 Retail Location: | Par-A-Dice, FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing, & United Center |
📅 Last Verified: | February 2025 |
BetRivers Illinois is unique because it is the only sportsbook to originate from the state. Bettors who have a particular pride in the Prairie State may find a particular liking to this sportsbook.
The current welcome offer is a 2nd Chance Bet Up To $500.
🏆 Top Feature | Based in Illinois |
🎁 Welcome Offer | 2nd Chance Bet Up To $500 |
📌 Retail Location: | Rivers Casino Des Plaines |
📅 Last Verified: | February 2025 |
Circa Sportsbook Illinois made its way to the state earlier in 2023 after originating in Nevada. Circa Sports prides themselves on having the best odds and highest limits. If you like to make big bets, or bet the opening market this is the sportsbook for you.
🏆 Top Feature | Best Odds & Limits |
🎁 Welcome Offer | N/A |
📌 Retail Location: | New American Place |
📅 Last Verified: | February 2025 |
Illinois sports betting legislation states there can be a total of 26 online sportsbooks in the state at full maturity, meaning there is still plenty of room for additions. The latest operator to be approved by the IGB is bet365 Illinois. The global leader in the industry was awarded its license in December 2024 and is expected to launch early in 2025. This will be a fantastic addition to the market and will quickly become a popular Illinois sportsbook.
2024 saw the addition of two sportsbooks for the Illinois online sports betting scene:
Interestingly, Bally Bet IL was one of the first operators to apply for a license back in 2022 but has yet to launch. The company seems focused on expanding in states with iGaming and is currently building out a brand-new casino and resort in Chicago.
Signing up for an online sportsbook is easier than ever. Just follow the simple steps below to sign up today:
If all Illinois sports betting licenses are granted, there could be 26 sportsbooks in IL. There are currently 27 total retail and online sportsbooks in Illinois that are in operation.
Here are those IL sports betting operators:
* bet365 has received a license from the Illinois Gaming Board but has not yet launched.
While you have plenty of options to choose from among regulated Illinois sportsbooks, there are still plenty of illegal sports betting operators that bettors may choose to use. However, we at IllinoisBet.com strongly recommend against using these unregulated offshore sportsbooks as they don't provide the safety, trust and precautions built into the regulated sports betting options.
These unregulated sportsbooks include:
The Illinois betting industry is one of the largest in the U.S. There are plenty of legal sports betting options available, and some of the top operators in the industry have claimed sports gambling licenses. The fact that Illinois has so many professional sports teams is another factor that has driven this industry.
Illinois sports betting makes a difference: In 2021 alone, the state recorded that Illinois sports betting revenue of more than $525 million. That amounted to more than $85 million in tax revenue for the entire state, and that funds different projects around the state. The total sports betting handle for Illinois was a bit over $7 billion in 2021.
Online sports betting revenue is taxed at a rate of 15%. This is right around the national average, as there are some states with much higher or lower tax rates set. You can use our Illinois gambling tax calculator to see how much of a winning bet you can keep.
The Illinois Gaming Board regulates sports betting sites and the entire sports gambling industry. The IGB also has control over the casino gaming industry.
All sports betting license applications go through the IGB, which can be a lengthy process. All forms of online or retail gaming must go through the IGB, as they govern Illinois sports betting law. This includes video poker machines that can be found inside of bars and restaurants.
Yes, sports betting is legal in Chicago as of December 2021. Chicago sports betting was legalized via a city council ordinance, which lifted a previous ban on sports betting in the city. This move allows Chicago sports venues to apply for sports betting licenses. Retail sportsbooks at Illinois' sports stadiums, including Wrigley Field and the United Center, are currently awaiting approval from the Illinois Gaming Board.
Illinois sports betting in Chicago and all of Illinois has taken off because of the worry-free sports betting apps in Illinois. These apps make your betting experience more personalized because some features provided can't be found on a basic Illinois sports betting site.
Below you are going to find some of the top features on an Illinois sportsbook, and how these features can set an operator apart. Some features will mean more to you than they will mean to others.
It is always a good idea to check out online sportsbook reviews. This allows you to get a sense of other users' experiences and some things to keep in mind if you decide to sign up for the sportsbook. Online sportsbook reviews can encompass a wide range of important information, from customer service options to promotions and bonuses. These apply to both desktop and mobile app platforms. A great review will maintain a positive tone throughout and clearly indicate a liking for the sportsbook. These are the sportsbooks you'll want to use.
When looking for a top sportsbook, it is important to find one that offers a wide variety of betting options. This includes both bet types, as well as sports that are offered. There won't be much difference when it comes to professional U.S. sports, but there will be some in other areas.
The standard for most betting lines is -110 for over/under and spread bets. Moneyline odds are going to be extremely different, and following those lines can be to your benefit.
It will be to your benefit to sign up for an Illinois sports betting account at several different sites. This will give you the opportunity to "shop" around and find the best Illinois sports betting odds and lines available.
Because you could be looking to place a bet against the clock, it's important to find one with a good user interface, and one you like to use. The look and feel is extremely important, but you also want one that is fast and responsive.
Online betting apps in Illinois make this feature even more important, and you can notice a major difference with the best Illinois sportsbooks.
This isn't always true, but the more deposit options, the better the site is going to be for you. Illinois sports betting sites continue to come up with new options, and we rank sites based on what will be available.
When we are ranking our best Illinois sports betting sites, we take a close look at the time it takes each site to make a withdrawal payment.
Hopefully you won't have any issues at any of the sites in Illinois, but on the chance you do encounter an issue then you'll have to reach out to customer service.
All of the betting sites on this list have some sort of customer support. Typically live chat is the best to use, because you can get an answer right away.
Since there are so many great options in Illinois, choosing just one Illinois sportsbook can be hard. In fact, you don't have to register at just one, but instead can set up multiple sports betting accounts to try things out and see what you like. Here are some things to consider when you are looking for the best Illinois sports betting site.
Mobile sports betting provides many distinct advantages over retail sports betting. Betting on your phone can be done from anywhere in the state, and it can be done much quicker.
Betting at a retail sportsbook is going to require some travel, and there could be some limited betting options. Most would agree that online sportsbooks are the best way to go when placing a bet in IL.
Sportsbooks need betting markets to attract wagers, and there are some great options in this state. Not only are the professional sports popular, but Illinois has a professional team in each of the major sports.
Football, especially the NFL, is the largest betting market in Illinois. From August-February each year, NFL betting sites in Illinois see most of the betting action coming from this sport. The Super Bowl is clearly the biggest football event offered, but the entire NFL regular season is popular. Sportsbooks will feature more betting options for football than any other sport.
Illinois residents love basketball, especially at the NBA level. It helps to have a popular NBA team like the Chicago Bulls, but there's action being taken on all NBA matchups. This action really heats up when the NBA Playoffs begin, and the All-Star Weekend is another major event for Illinois sports bettors and most Illinois NBA betting sites.
Baseball is a popular sport in Illinois with two professional teams, the Cubs and the White Sox. While MLB doesn't see a ton of betting action nationally, Illinois MLB Betting is huge, especially when the crosstown rivals play each other. Baseball also carries the total handle during the summer when the other professional sports aren't in action. The MLB Playoffs, especially the World Series, and the All-Star Game generate plenty of attention.
Hockey is the fourth-most popular professional sport in the U.S., and that applies to betting as well. The NHL is the leading league for hockey bets, especially during the playoffs each year. NHL Illinois betting sites always see a boost when the Chicago Blackhawks make the postseason.
Betting on Illinois college sports teams isn't allowed as of now, but that could change in the future. Illinois college teams like Northwestern and DePaul are not under the legalized sports betting umbrella.
Illinois has some terrific professional sports teams, and all of them are extremely popular. It is these teams that drive the Illinois sports gambling industry, but betting can also be done on teams from outside of the state.
All gambling winnings in Illinois are considered taxable income, and that includes sports betting. It's your responsibility to report gambling income on your tax return. Fortunately, we have an IL gambling tax calculator to help determine how much you owe come tax time.
Gambling winnings, including those from IL sports betting, are taxed at a flat rate of 4.95%. And that's across all forms of gambling - be it sports wagering, lottery, casino gaming or poker.
There are still some other gambling options available in Illinois aside from sports betting.
Horse racing enthusiasts in Illinois have the exciting opportunity to engage in legal horse race betting. This adds a thrilling dimension to the state's sports betting landscape. The horse racing scene is anchored by venues like the esteemed Hawthorne Race Course, renowned for its history, tradition, and the adrenaline-pumping races it hosts. But whether you are at the track, or online horse race betting remains a captivation pursuit that bridges tradition with innovation for Illinois sports betting.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) sites are legal in Illinois, but it took a long legal battle to get to that point. Illinois betting apps can come with DFS options if that operator specializes in both options. DraftKings sportsbook and FanDuel are two of the best DFS sites on the Illinois sports betting scene.
While Illinois online casinos have not been legalized yet, there are several brick-and-mortar casinos available for Illinois gamblers. These casinos offer a range of games, including poker, table games, and roulette.
The in-person lottery in Illinois started in 1974. The Illinois online lottery has been around since March 25, 2012.
It is now easier than ever to get money into your sports wagering accounts, and you'll find plenty of depositing options. Illinois sportsbooks apps will have up to 10 different payment methods, and you can simply choose the one that works the best for you.
Using a credit card is one way to fund an account, but you can also use options such as, Neteller, Prepaid Cards, an online bank transfer, or Illinois sportsbooks that accept PayPal. All of the banking processes are safe and secure, and you won't have to worry about your money being stolen.
Requesting a payment from a site is easy as well, and you could receive your winnings in 24 hours or less. Using PayPal or requesting an online bank transfer are two of the best ways to get your winnings from the site.
You can also visit one of the retail sportsbooks and request your winnings be paid out in cash.
The legal sports betting industry has really taken off since 2020, and there are no signs of slowing down. Ever since the first legal sports bet was placed, there has been growth at a rapid pace.
Betting on mobile sports betting apps is the way to go, and Illinois has some of the best options in the industry. Betting apps in Illinois will continue to evolve and improve as well, making it even easier to get in on the action.
Even though sportsbooks in Illinois are trying to make money, they aren't looking to take advantage of anyone with a gambling problem. Each site will have a statement that promotes responsible gambling. Most IL sites will also have links to resources, and they'll have a way for Illinois bettors to take a timeout from betting on sports. The Illinois Gaming Board also provides tips and resources to help promote responsible gaming
Yes, you can bet on sports online or in person in Illinois. The legal age for sports betting is 21 years old. To participate in the thrilling world of sports wagering in the Prairie State, you must make sure you meet the age requirement and get ready to enjoy the action responsibly.
You can bet on sports in Illinois at licensed sports wagering facilities or at legal online sportsbooks. You'll find a ton of options across retail and mobile, so search around test each brand to see what fits you best.
Yes, Illinois sports betting is legal. The Illinois sports betting law went into effect in 2019, but sports betting wasn't offered until March 2020. Illinois bettors were finally able to open an online sports betting account on March 5, 2022 when in person registration was eliminated by the Illinois Gaming Board.
Author
Chet Fussman is a writer for IllinoisBet.com. Fussman is a former horse racing writer and longtime sports editor of the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. He's a poker and blackjack player and frequent sports bettor, who plans to send the U.S. Supreme Court a thank-you card for clearing the way for states to adopt sports wagering. Fussman's philosophy: Don't let the bad beats overshadow your winning ones.
Cited by leading media organizations, such as: