PayPal Betting Sites Illinois: Best IL Sportsbooks Accepting PayPal

When you're choosing where to open an online sports betting account, you'll want to look over several factors, including whether you get competitive odds, what bonuses are on the table and how you'll deposit and withdraw funds. If PayPal is what you think you'll want to use, read on for our rundown of what gambling sites that honor PayPal.

Do Any Betting Sites Accept PayPal in Illinois?

While the betting landscape sometimes seems cluttered and confusing, you'll find that in Illinois, sports betting sites that accept PayPal are limited to about a half dozen. The good news is these are a lot of the big names, who also have deals with the area's major sports teams. As you know if you're using PayPal regularly, it's an easy way to move money around without having to enter banking account details. Let's get to know the sportsbooks that accept PayPal.

• BetMGM Sportsbook BetMGM Illinois is a name synonymous with gambling in the Land of Lincoln. While the operator doesn’t enjoy any partnerships with the major pro teams in Illinois, it does accept PayPal. Additionally, the bonuses and ability to live stream many games make it an excellent choice among the Illinois PayPal betting sites. And BetMGM’s loyalty program can earn you perks at their casinos across the country, including several stops on the Las Vegas Strip.
• Caesars Sportsbook Southsiders especially may recognize Caesars Illinois Sportsbook (formerly William Hill) as their preferred app. Of all the operators that accept PayPal in Illinois, only one is sportsbook partner of the White Sox. If you like Illinois PayPal betting sites with nearly every sports betting market you could ask, Caesars Sportsbook is a great option. You'll also enjoy plenty of odds boosts and other exciting promotions.
• DraftKings Sportsbook DraftKings Sportsbook has earned its standing among the best PayPal betting sites in Illinois with its fun contests and software that runs smoothly. It's no wonder that DraftKings and the Cubs entered a partnership that includes opening a sportsbook lounge in Wrigleyville. But you don't need to be in the Chicago city limits to place your bets. Across Illinois, PayPal account holders can take advantage of the generous welcome bonus and daily promotions that only DraftKings Illinois offer.
• FanDuel Sportsbook You can't talk about Illinois PayPal sports betting operators without mentioning FanDuel, and it's not just because their partnership with the United Center gives them a leg up for bettors who back the Bulls and Blackhawks. FanDuel is consistently reviewed in the top tier of all sportsbooks in the state. From their popular "No Sweat First Bet" running promotion to their live streaming of games from around the world, to their all-around excellent user experience, FanDuel Illinois is an excellent choice for any sports bettor.
• PointsBet Sportsbook Across Illinois, PayPal account holders can use PointsBet, which stands out among online sports betting sites thanks to its unique, high-stakes Pointsbetting feature, which you won't find anywhere else. Bettors also enjoy the "Name A Bet" feature on PointsBet Illinois and the wide variety of live betting and streaming options. Of the online gambling sites that accept PayPal in Illinois, PointsBet is possibly the most streamlined and slick.
• BetRivers Sportsbook BetRivers is actually based in Chicago, which gives this sportsbook an edge among the Illinois PayPal betting sites. No other operator in the sports betting industry has a better sense of what plays well statewide. BetRivers Illinois, possibly for that very reason, is the official online betting partner of the Chicago Bears. Anywhere in Illinois, PayPal account holders can sign up for BetRivers through their sports betting site and get the most out of their welcome bonus. No need to head to the retail sports betting location in Des Plains anymore.

How to Use PayPal at Illinois Betting Sites

You can start betting at any of the sportsbooks that accept PayPal in Illinois in a matter of a few minutes. There are three different processes you'll need to go through. Here's how you can get going.

1. Set up your PayPal. Head to the PayPal website, click "Sign Up" and select Personal Account.
2. Enter your information. You'll enter your phone number, name, address and other personal details. It's exactly the kind of info you share with online betting sites when you enroll there.
3. Verify your account. Follow the instructions on the confirmation email to complete the account setup.
4. Link your bank account. The process of verifying your bank information can take a little time, as PayPal deposits small amounts of money in your bank account that you'll need for a verification code. You can also link a credit card or debit card (such as a PayPal MasterCard debit card), but you'll only be able to link one card at a time.

Now your Illinois PayPal account is ready to go, and you'll need to fund it.

1. Under your PayPal account balance, click "transfer money" and "add money to your balance."
2. Enter how much you want to transfer and confirm.

From there, it's a matter of getting your money from your account into the PayPal sportsbooks in Illinois.

1. Choose from any of the aforementioned online sportsbooks. In case you haven't made up your mind, we have reviews available that go in-depth on the best PayPal betting sites.
2. Register for a sports betting account, either through their website or mobile sports betting app.
3. Claim your bonus. All of the online sportsbooks we've mentioned have some kind of welcome bonus. Before you deposit money, be sure to snag a bonus code from us to get the most out of your sports bets.
4. Fund. Every online gambling operator will have a different method for connecting to your PayPal account, but the end result will be the same - you'll be able to transfer money from one account to the other smoothly. And rest assured every sports betting site will try to make it easy for you since they want your business.

PayPal Deposits

To add money to your online betting account, first, make sure you're using one of the sites that accept Paypal in Illinois. Every one of the mobile sportsbooks does things differently, but the idea is basically the same.

Find the cashier section of the site or app and select PayPal as your payment method. At that point, you'll be asked to sign into your PayPal account if your accounts aren't already linked. You'll enter the amount you want to move and confirm the transaction. It should be added to your existing PayPal balance almost instantly.

There won't be a fee for moving the money back and forth from PayPal to your sportsbook account, regardless of who you choose for betting online. Of course, this a huge advantage of using PayPal.

 

PayPal Withdrawals

The PayPal withdrawal process is just as easy as the deposit process. It just takes longer. Regardless of the minor differences between each PayPal betting site, Illinois gamblers can withdraw funds using PayPal. All you need is to have funded your account with the PayPal, and it will be available for you as a withdrawal method.

There are no fees associated with using PayPal for withdrawals, and it's usually quicker than other methods. You may get a hiccup if their security team detects something out of the ordinary, but it's reassuring to know they take their commitment to client safety seriously. You should have your money in your PayPal account in a day, or two at worst, in most cases.

Illinois PayPal Sportsbooks and Welcome Offers

As legal sports betting sites pop up across Illinois, sportsbook promos come right behind them, promising deposit matches or risk-free bets to new users simply for signing up.

As you've probably guessed, the betting sites that accept PayPal in Illinois are no exception. But keep in mind the most important part of the welcome offers: You do yourself no favors if you don't read the terms and conditions.

Not every welcome bonus will necessarily allow you to claim it if your first deposit is made using PayPal. So read the fine print carefully to see if your offer accepts PayPal, and if it doesn't, try a different payment method for that first deposit.

PayPal and Mobile Sportsbook Apps

Getting money from your bank account to your favorite Illinois betting apps can take a couple of steps, but the PayPal app can make it easier. As long as your sportsbook account is connected to your PayPal account, you'll be able to deposit and withdraw funds anywhere in Illinois without having to wave a credit card around in public.

Simply set up a PayPal account link to your bank, credit or debit card, and then you can use the PayPal app to fund any of the above-listed online betting sites, whether you choose to use them on web or through their own mobile apps.

PayPal vs. Other Payment Methods

What's the best payment option in the world of online gambling? The one that works best for you. But whether you're looking for start betting with sites that accept PayPal in Illinois or not, it's worth knowing how it stacks up against some other ways to fund your account.

• PayPal vs. ACH/e-check An e-check will allow you to move money at any time, and do it securely. You may have heard of VIP Preferred, a popular brand of e-check. While not every sportsbook in the industry accepts PayPal, you'll find nearly online gambling outfit handles e-checks. The challenge may be in finding one that doesn't. But the best PayPal betting sites Illinois gamblers use also take e-checks, so it may be a matter of personal preference.
• PayPal vs. Bank/Wire Transfer Wire transfers are also a widely accepted method for funding gambling accounts. They're quick and easy. You may find that their minimums for deposit or withdrawal are a lot higher than PayPal's. Their edge is that the limits are going to be higher as well. Not every bank will do business with gambling companies, so make sure yours will if this is the route you plan on taking. Your PayPal account will be accepted by the operators we've already discussed.
• PayPal vs. Credit Cards Credit cards are popular methods of funding for a reason: They're secure, they're instantaneous and you may qualify for rewards points through your card. But throughout Illinois, PayPal betting sites are generally easier to manage since you won't be able to withdraw from your betting account to your credit card. What's more, most credit cards would consider deposits a "cash advance" and hit you with a 3% fee for their trouble. And because you're dealing with a bank, you may find that they won't do business with a sportsbook or an online casino.
• PayPal vs. Debit Cards Many of the strengths of credit cards apply to debit cards as well: Security, speed and rewards to name a few. And a debit card also has the advantage of being able to accept withdrawals from your sportsbook accounts. But PayPal betting may be easier if you're dealing with the bigger books because your bank may take issue with doing business with a gambling outfit. All the top books in Illinois accept PayPal, so that's a significant advantage to using the payment system.
• PayPal vs. Play+ Pre Paid Card The Play+ Pre Paid Card can be an excellent alternative to PayPal. You can use your debit or credit card to fund your Pre Paid card and transfer the money to your betting accounts easily and securely. And when you've cashed out your winnings to your Play+ account, you'll be able to withdraw your funds as cash at any ATM.

Pros of Using PayPal on Illinois Sports Betting Sites

👍 Free and fast transactions - With PayPal, fund your favorite gambling accounts instantly. No transaction fees also mean that you can move your money around as much as you'd like without worrying about anyone taking a cut.

👍 Security - Using PayPal to fund your sports betting account is one of the most secure methods available. You won't even be sharing your personal banking information directly with your sportsbook. PayPal also has a large fraud prevention team and strongly encrypted software. When you choose PayPal, you can be sure that your money is being handled with the utmost care.

👍 Widely accepted in Illinois - PayPal betting sites throughout the state are some of the most popular and trusted in the industry. Not every bank is doing business with gambling companies. So it's a plus that sportsbooks that accept PayPal are easily found and among some of the best-rated in the game. If your bank refuses to make a deposit to your preferred sportsbook, PayPal can help you get around that.

Cons of Using PayPal on Illinois Sports Betting Sites

👎 Fee when funding - PayPal takes a fee for every deposit that comes from a debit or credit card. That's across the board; not just applicable to online sportsbooks. If you're funding your PayPal through online banking that won't make a difference, but those fees can really add up if you take that route.

👎 Not available in every state - Most PayPal betting sites in Illinois are well-represented across the US, operating in a dozen states or more. But because each state has its own laws and regulations around sports betting sites and how they're run, you won't necessarily be able to use PayPal with your favorite book out of state, even if it's your go-to in Illinois.

👎 Fraud team can slow things down - The drawback to having a top-tier security operation is they can get a little overzealous. The fraud prevention team will occasionally flag something that's perfectly aboveboard but still seems suspicious. This can slow down your ability to withdraw your winnings, but as long as you're clean, things should resolve without any trouble.

Author

Brian Dermody

@BrianDermody

Brian Dermody cut his teeth professionally in the world of UFC marketing but has since turned his attention to the booming sports betting industry in the US. He now spends his days relentlessly testing and reviewing the top betting apps available to ensure bettors know exactly what they are getting into when they sign up with a bookie or casino.