Illinois Sports Betting
Illinois online sports betting law allows customers 21 or older to bet on sports with licensed sportsbook apps and betting websites.
Bettors can register, deposit, and bet online from anywhere in state lines. Illinois sports betting apps welcome new users with large welcome bonuses as they compete for customers in one of the nation’s most competitive markets.
In addition, retail sportsbooks in Illinois are available at casinos, race tracks, and professional sports stadiums.
Legal Illinois Betting Sites
21+ and present in IL. T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Other Illinois online betting options include horse racing betting, lottery ticket purchases, and daily fantasy sports for customers 18 or older.
Pro-gaming lawmakers have also begun pushing for legalizing online casino games and poker, but progress on that front has been slower.
Illinois Sports Betting Apps
Illinois is home to 16 casinos, two race tracks, and nine professional sporting venues, all of which are eligible for sports betting licenses.
Bettors have the following sports betting apps to choose from in Illinois today:
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- Hard Rock Bet
- BetRivers
- ESPN Bet
- Circa Sports
- Bally Bet
- Bet365 Sportsbook (Coming Soon)
Illinois Sports Betting Bonuses
The competitive nature of the Illinois online sports betting market benefits bettors who like to take advantage of bonuses and promotions.
With many sportsbooks already available in Illinois, new player welcome offers continue to play a major role in the marketing efforts of most operators.
Most Illinois sports betting bonuses for new customers fall under these categories:
- Bonus bet: This is the most common type of new player offer. Players place their first wager with cash, and if it loses they receive a full refund up to a certain specified amount. The refund is usually issued via bonus bets or site credit, with site credit being preferable.
- First deposit match: Players make an initial deposit and Illinois sportsbooks match part or all of the deposit with bonus funds. The bonus is always subject to a wagering requirement, usually ranging from as little as 1x up to 25x.
- First bet match: This works similarly to first deposit matches, except instead of receiving a bonus, the deposit is matched with a matched bet, capped at a certain amount. In most cases, the matched bet is equal in size to the initial deposit. Matched bets are only subject to a 1x turnover. However, winning wagers made with matched bets only return profits, not the upfront stake.
Illinois Sportsbook Promo Codes
The following table displays the latest Illinois sports betting promo codes for new customers:
Online Sportsbook | Promo Code | Bonus Offer |
---|---|---|
BetMGM Illinois Bonus Code | BUSABONUS | $1500 In Bonus Bets |
Caesars Sportsbook Illinois Promo Code | BUSA1000 | $1000 Bonus Bet |
FanDuel Illinois Promo Code | Not Needed | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If You Win |
Fanatics Sportsbook Illinois Promo Code | Not Needed | Bet and Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets |
BetRivers Illinois Bonus Code | Not Needed | Second Chance Bet up to $500 |
DraftKings Illinois Promo Code | Not Needed | Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets |
ESPN Bet Illinois Promo Code | Not Needed | $1,000 First Bet Reset |
Some Illinois betting bonuses require customers to input specific promo codes to claim a particular offer while others offer bonuses to all new customers by default.
In cases where bonus codes are needed, readers can use the promo codes listed above to claim the associated offer.
In many cases, a promo code is not needed to claim a bonus. Signing up and making a deposit or placing a wager is often all that’s needed.
Illinois Sports Betting Promotion Regulations
Neither the nor additional regulations adopted by the Illinois Gaming Board specifically address promotional offers.
However, licensed sportsbook operators are obligated to provide a reasonable level of transparency and fairness to customers.
Additional regulations directly related to promotional offers may be issued at some point as is the case in other states, but currently, Illinois law simply expects licensees to conduct themselves in a “transparent and fair” manner and to promote responsible gambling habits.
How to Bet Online in Illinois
There are four key steps that bettors must take before placing their first wager on an Illinois betting app:
Depositing at Illinois Online Sportsbooks
Illinois sports betting laws allow online sportsbooks to accept a wide variety of betting deposit methods.
Here are the funding options we recommend to Illinois sports bettors:
- Credit cards and debit cards: Customers can fund their accounts with a Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card. Be warned that some issuing banks automatically reject online gambling deposits, although many have softened their stance.
- Online banking: Using Trustly Online Banking, bettors can log into their bank account via a secure portal, and fund their Illinois sports betting account with funds in their checking accounts.
- ACH/eCheck via VIP Preferred: Link a preferred checking account to VIP Preferred and conduct instantaneous deposits. Weekly limits vary, but will generally increase over time as customers build up their reputations.
- Play+: These are special branded prepaid cards that can be loaded via bank cards and checking accounts. Play+ boasts one of the highest acceptance rates and fastest withdrawal times of any funding method. Players also receive a physical card in the mail, that can used for ATM deposits and purchases wherever Discover Card is accepted.
- PayPal: Illinois sportsbooks accept deposit through money transfer services, with PayPal being the most popular. This provision also opens the door for transaction through other eWallets, like Venmo.
- Cash @ the cage: Most Illinois online sportsbooks are partnered with land-based casinos or race tracks in Illinois. Players are permitted to deposit funds into their online account at these retail locations.
- PayNearMe: Players can deposit cash at nearly 27,000 convenient locations, including local CVS, 7-Eleven, Family Dollar, Casey’s and Walgreens stores.
The most common withdrawal methods are online banking transfers, eChecks, PayPal, Play+, and cash at the cage.
Minimum withdrawal amounts vary by sportsbook and method but are generally in the $10 – $20 range, although paper checks by mail and wire transfers may have higher minimums.
Illinois sports betting sites typically process withdrawals in 1-2 business days, and funds often reach your account within 24 hours.
Play+ and PayPal tend to be among the fastest withdrawal methods, with online banking and eCheck payouts only lagging slightly behind. Paper checks may take up to 2-3 weeks to reach your mailbox.
Note: To request a withdrawal using a payout method like PayPal or online banking, players must have already used that method for a deposit. Illinois sportsbooks may also require additional documentation, such as a scanned copy of a photo ID or recent bank statement, before processing a player’s first withdrawal. After that, these requests are rare.
Illinois Sports Betting Locations
Casinos, race tracks, off-track betting facilities (OTBs), and qualifying sports stadiums may launch on-premises sportsbooks under IL law.
Retail Sportsbooks at Illinois Casinos
Eleven Illinois casinos have opened retail sportsbooks to date, with two more coming soon:
- (Coming Soon)
- (Coming Soon)
That leaves three Illinois casinos with unclear plans regarding sports betting:
- Bally’s Chicago: Bally’s Chicago has not yet committed to building a retail sportsbook when it finishes construction on its permanent location in late 2026. In March 2024, Bally’s Chicago’s General Manager that the company “will continue to evaluate and plan for a retail sports betting area within the casino.”
- Golden Nugget Danville: Golden Nugget LLC announced plans to open a retail sportsbook once it completed the construction of its Danville casino. However, Golden Nugget Danville opened in 2023, and it still hasn’t filed for an Illinois sports betting license.
- Harrah’s Joliet: Caesars Entertainment operates retail sportsbooks at most of its properties in legal sports betting states, but it has not announced plans to offer sports betting at Harrah’s Casino Joliet.
Sportsbooks at Illinois Racetracks and OTBs
Hawthorne Racetrack is home to Fanatics Sportsbook, while Fairmount Park Racetrack rebranded to FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing in late 2020.
Stadium Sportsbooks
Several operators have announced plans to open retail sportsbooks at stadiums, but the Illinois Gaming Board has been slow to issue the final authorizations necessary for stadium sportsbooks to begin accepting wagers.
To date, just one sportsbook has opened at a stadium:
FanDuel and BetRivers have also considered opening retail sportsbooks at stadiums:
- In February 2022, FanDuel announced a partnership with the United Center to build a retail sportsbook in the stadium. While awaiting approval, FanDuel constructed a non-betting lounge at the stadium, which is home to the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks.
- BetRivers and the Chicago Bears have been marketing partners since 2021 but haven’t yet committed to opening a retail sportsbook. However, the Chicago Bears have expressed interest in constructing a sportsbook at their .
Illinois sports betting law allows for up to seven licenses to be issued to sports venues with a seating capacity of at least 17,000. Sports arenas that obtain licenses may also offer mobile betting within a five-block radius if they don’t already have statewide online betting licenses.
Separate legislation approved in 2021 provided an exception for Wintrust Arena, home of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky. With a seating capacity of just under 10,400, Wintrust Arena did not qualify under Illinois’ original sports betting law.
Nine Illinois stadiums qualify to apply for one of the state’s seven stadium licenses based on seating capacity:
- Wrigley Field
- Guaranteed Rate Field
- Soldier Field
- United Center
- SeatGeek Stadium
- Chicagoland Speedway
- World Wide Technology Raceway
- AllState Arena
- Wintrust Arena
Chicago Sportsbooks
Sports betting has been available near the Chicago area since Indiana’s first sportsbooks launched in September 2019. Two casinos with sportsbooks on the shores of Lake Michigan just over the Indiana border are an easy drive from much of Chicago.
On the Illinois side of the border, BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers Casino Des Plaines and DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field are the most centrally-located Chicago sportsbooks.
Moving outward from there are sportsbooks at Grand Victoria Casino, two Hollywood Casinos, and American Place Casino.
In addition, sportsbooks at stadiums are on their way following a vote to end Chicago’s retail sports betting ban.
Sportsbooks on the Illinois Side of the Border
- DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field
- Fanatics Sportsbook at Hawthorne Race Course
- BetRivers Sportsbook at River Casino Des Plaines
- Caesars Sportsbook Kiosks at Grand Victoria Casino
- The Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Aurora
- The Sportsbook Hollywood Casino Joliet
- Circa Sportsbook at American Place Casino in Waukegan
Sportsbooks on the Indiana Side (South of Chicago Proper)
- The Book at Horseshoe Hammond
- Sportsbook at Ameristar East Chicago
Mobile Betting in Chicago
Online sports betting came to Chicago in June 2020 with the launch of BetRivers IL, followed by DraftKings, FanDuel, and others. Each mobile sportsbook in Illinois is tied to a land-based casino for licensing purposes, but customers may place wagers online from anywhere in Chicago.
Illinois Sports Betting Law
Illinois legalized sports betting with the passage of in June 2019.
The bill established the Illinois Sports Wagering Act (230 ILCS 45), authorizing the state to issue licenses to casinos, race tracks, off-track betting facilities, and qualifying sports venues to operate retail sportsbooks.
Licensed casinos and race tracks may also offer online sports betting, and licensed stadiums may accept wagers in-person or via mobile devices within a five-block radius.
Licensing fees for casinos and race tracks are priced according to a percentage of the previous years’ revenue up to a maximum of $10 million.
Online operators may either partner with a local land-based casino operator or wait for one of the three online-only licenses that can be issued 18 months after the launch of IL sports betting.
That “penalty box” period has since passed, and BetMGM has already claimed the first online-only license.
Key Illinois Sports Betting Rules
- Are in-person sportsbooks authorized? Yes
- Are online and mobile sports betting authorized? Yes
- Where may sports betting take place? Casinos, race tracks, and sports stadiums may apply for licenses to operate in-person sportsbooks and offer online betting. Each licensed venue is permitted just one mobile skin.
- Minimum age to bet on sports in IL: 21
- Restricted Events*: Minor league events and K-12 events; no bets on in-state college teams and sportsbooks may not offer in-play betting or player props on games involving in-state teams
- Restricted Wagers: Pro sports teams may ask the Illinois Gaming Board to prohibit certain types of wagers if they are concerned such wagers will impact the integrity of their games; see “prohibited wagers” section below for details
- Data Mandate: Licensed operators must purchase official data from the leagues for settling in-play wagers
- Licensing fees: Between $3 – $20 million. Pro sports leagues will pay $10 million for a license, and online only operators must pay $20 million.
- Tax rate**: 15% on adjusted gross sports wagering receipts
- Additional local tax: An additional 2% tax to be collected from operators located in counties with a population above 3 million. Money collected from this tax is earmarked to support that county’s criminal justice system.
- Self-exclusion: The Illinois Gaming Board and Department of the Lottery maintain a voluntary self-exclusion program for people who wish to restrict themselves from wagering
*In December 2021, Governor Pritzker signed a bill to legalize betting on Illinois colleges with two caveats: bettors may only place wagers on Illinois college sports in-person at retail sportsbooks, and sportsbooks may only offer pregame wagers – no individual player props or in-play betting.
**Illinois plans to increase its sports betting tax rates. A proposal included in the FY 2025 budget introduced a progressive tax on Illinois sportsbooks based on adjusted gross revenues:
- $0 to $30 million: 20%
- $30 million to $50 million: 25%
- $50 million to $100 million: 30%
- $100 million to $200 million: 35%
- $200 million and above: 40%
Illinois Daily Fantasy Sports
Illinois law does not address daily fantasy sports, but many DFS operators are active in the market and accept customers 18 or older.
A 2020 Illinois Supreme Court decision ruled daily fantasy games are a contest of skill and not subject to state laws on gambling, which is heavily regulated.
As a result, daily fantasy sports apps are legal in Illinois despite the lack of legislation. Illinois sports fans can play fantasy sports online with many operators, including the most prominent DFS brands.
Readers can learn more about Illinois daily fantasy sports and see BettingUSA’s top-rated picks below:
Illinois Horse Racing Betting
Online horse racing betting is legal and licensed in Illinois.
Lawmakers formally authorized horse racing betting by passing the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Later, Illinois legalized advance deposit wagering and established a licensing process for ADWs.
Today, Illinois is home to a robust horse racing industry with two permanent race tracks and numerous OTBs.
Most popular online horse racing betting operators (ADWs) are licensed in Illinois, providing fans with many options to bet on horse races throughout the state.
Illinois Online Gambling
Illinois has explored legalizing online casinos and poker sites since 2013, but all efforts so far have failed.
As a result, online gambling in IL remains prohibited, aside from online sports betting, parimutuel horse racing betting sites, and sweepstakes casinos.
In early 2021, lawmakers introduced legislation to legalize Illinois online casinos and poker sites. never made it beyond the committee stage in the House, but its language provides some insight into lawmakers’ thoughts on online gambling in Illinois.
Had HB 3142 become law, it would have allowed Illinois casinos and race tracks to launch up to three online gambling sites apiece. Each gambling site would have had the authority to offer casino games and online poker, including multi-state poker.
The bill also included language to speed up implementation, with provisions calling on regulators to adopt additional rules quickly and look to other states for inspiration.
Although the bill failed to progress far in the legislative process, it showed that lawmakers have a mind for legalizing Illinois online gambling and doing it quickly.
Responsible Gambling in Illinois
Numerous resources are available in Illinois for anyone concerned they or a loved one may have a gambling problem:
- : Call 1-800-GAMBLER; text GAMB to 833234
- : Visit the Gamblers Anonymous website to find meetings throughout Illinois
- (ICPG): Visit the ICPG website for information and local problem gambling resources
Illinois Sports Betting and Gambling Self-Exclusion
Individuals may self-exclude from all licensed Illinois sports betting sites, retail sportsbooks, and casinos through the Statewide Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (SEP).
Gamblers can visit the IGB office at any Illinois casino or any of the the SEP maintains throughout the state. In addition, the IGB has several enrollment sites across the border in Iowa.
The SEP only offers lifetime self-exclusion periods, but gamblers may request removal from the self-exclusion list after five years. However, removal is very difficult.
First, the removal request requires an affidavit from a mental health professional certified in gambling addiction. Of course, anyone who has permanently self-excluded from gambling is unlikely to convince a licensed problem gambling expert to sign such an affidavit.
Additionally, individuals seeking removal from the list must provide extensive documentation detailing their past gambling problems, treatment, treatment providers, and much more.
Important Illinois self-exclusion points:
- Friends, family, and spouses may not submit self-exclusion requests on behalf of others; only the person seeking self-exclusion may enroll
- Some Illinois casinos automatically extend self-exclusion requests to all of their properties nationwide
- Self-excluded individuals who enter Illinois sportsbooks and casinos may face trespassing charges and the confiscation of any tokens, chips, and betting slips in their possession
- It is the responsibility of self-excluded individuals to stay out of all Illinois sportsbooks and casinos, inform the IGB of any change of address, and inform the IGB if they receive any letters or brochures from an Illinois sportsbook or casino
- Self-excluded individuals may still visit stadiums with sportsbooks, but they may not enter the venues’ sports wagering areas