Illinois legalized sports betting in 2019, and sports betting officially began the following year. Fans of the Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks will be able to bet on local teams.
While unregulated or underground sports have been around for decades, the United States opened the door to sports with a US Supreme Court ruling in 2018. Regulated sports are amazing for a variety of reasons, as they add greater security measures and guaranteed payouts if you win.
You have to be 21 years of age to legally bet on sports in Illinois.
Let’s take a look at the most productive sports sites in Illinois, all of which offer “welcome” promotions for new users.
There are nine sports apps in the Prairie State, adding BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers, ESPN BET and Hard Rock Bet.
In Illinois, sports enthusiasts can use one or more online sportsbooks. It is limited to just one.
Here’s what you should look for when deciding on a sports platform.
With that in mind, let’s dive into the Illinois online sportsbooks that meet our criteria. All of the following bookmakers score the best in the aforementioned criteria, so you can’t go wrong.
FanDuel is a major player in North American sports betting thanks to its cutting-edge platform that offers a wide array of betting markets with an easy-to-use interface.
FanDuel has partnered with every major American sports league and offers almost any and every betting market you could want. It also has a wide variety of odds boosts and daily promotions, adding a wonderful welcome offer.
FanDuel, known for its reliable customer service, makes sports betting easy. This is a sportsbook perfect for someone looking to dip their toes into the betting waters.
DraftKings, one of the biggest names in sports betting in North America, was a leader in daily fantasy sports before sports betting was legalized nationwide.
DraftKings online sports has a unique interface that is easy to navigate. There are also a large number of marketplaces, which add futures and accessories.
Don’t use DraftKings’ Parlay Builder tool, which makes it easy to combine multiple bets into a single bet with higher odds. The site also offers daily odds boosts, a top-notch rewards program, and an exciting welcome for new users.
BetMGM is a mobile sportsbook that offers easily accessible menus, odds boosts and betting markets.
This sportsbook is the top choice for bettors who enjoy visiting casinos, as members can earn reward points with the sportsbook that can roll over into free stays and rewards at BetMGM’s retail casinos.
If you’re looking to have the glitzy Vegas experience in your pocket, then this sportsbook is for you.
The sports betting arm of Caesars Entertainment, Caesars Sportsbook launched in Illinois in 2022 with comprehensive market coverage.
Caesars gamblers can earn Caesars Rewards issues with the app for use at Caesars hotel-casinos.
Caesars Sportsbook is known for its quick live betting, the ability to stream select sports events in the app and the amount of promotions available, including a staggering amount of daily odds boosts.
Fanatics Sportsbook is the newest version of PointsBet Sportsbook, rebranded after being acquired through Fanatics Gaming.
Fanatics Sportsbook features a sleek, easy-to-use app with tons of betting options. It also has a generous welcome offer, daily odds boosts and arguably the industry’s best rewards program.
With FanCash, users earn back a percentage of every bet, which can then be converted into bonus bets or site credit to use at Fanatics’ sports merchandise site.
Fanatics also tailors its program based on your history, making it easy to locate sports and bet types.
BetRivers is the local sports betting site in the Prairie State, as it is the first sports betting site introduced after the legalization of sports betting. It has a physical sportsbook at Rivers Casino Des Plaines.
It has robust market options, a secure sign-up process and an easy-to-use interface, allowing customers to easily find what they’re seeking.
Users can take advantage of the loyalty rewards program, which offers issuances to redeem bonus bets, gifts and special gifts.
The BetRivers app also streams sporting events, so you can place your bets in real time.
Illinois is one of 17 states where ESPN BET will launch in late 2023. Their app offers a sleek experience with a sleek interface, fast loading times, and undeniable navigation.
ESPN BET has a strong welcome offer, odds boosts and rewards for existing users, such as deposit matches and cash back. The platform also has excellent customer service and tie-ins to ESPN personalities and shows.
Hard Rock Bet, affiliated with Hard Rock Casino, debuted in 2019. It features a sleek, blank app, along with exclusive odds boosts, physically powerful market intensity, and counterfeit promotions.
Hard Rock Bet was introduced in Illinois at the end of August 2024.
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