Illinois Sports Betting
Illinois online sports betting law allows customers 21 or older to bet on sports with licensed sportsbook apps and betting websites. An in-person registration requirement phased out permanently in 2022, so bettors may now register, deposit, and bet online from anywhere in state lines.
The best 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. See below for a roundup of the best Illinois sports betting bonuses and the latest promo codes.
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. 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.
Best Illinois Sports Betting Apps
Illinois is home to 10 casinos, two race tracks, and nine professional sporting venues, all of which are eligible for sports betting licenses. To date, there are just seven active online sportsbooks in the state, but that number is likely to increase now that the cumbersome in-person registration requirement is gone.
Below is a look at the state’s current mobile sports betting offerings, along with previews of sportsbooks that BettingUSA projects will launch shortly.
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 | Bet $5, Get $150 |
DraftKings Illinois Promo Code | Not Needed | No Sweat Bet up to $1,000 |
BetRivers Illinois Bonus Code | BUSA | Second Chance Bet up to $500 |
FanDuel Illinois Promo Code | Not Needed | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets |
Caesars Sportsbook Illinois Promo Code | BUSA1000 | $1000 Bonus Bet |
Some Illinois betting bonuses require customers to input specific promo codes in order 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, however, no promo code is needed at all to claim a bonus. Signing up and making a deposit or placing a wager is often all that’s needed.
For betting sites that do require bonus codes, players are usually asked to enter the code either when signing up for an account or when making a deposit.
For example, BetRivers Sportsbook asks for a promotional code upon registration as depicted below:
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 or set to launch in Illinois, new player welcome offers will 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.
Does Illinois Gambling Law Address Bonus Offers?
Neither the Sports Wagering Act of 2019 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
The Illinois sports betting industry is still growing and the number of funding options is growing on most sports betting sites. However, Illinois state law allows sportsbooks to accept a wide variety of betting deposit methods, and in time, the options will expand across the board.
Here are the funding options we currently 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, Famil Dollar, Casey’s and Walgreens stores.
The most common withdrawal methods are online banking transfers, eChecks, PayPal, Play+, and cash at the cage. The minimum withdrawal amounts vary slightly from book to book but are generally in the $10 – $20 range. They may be higher for paper check transactions.
Illinois sports betting sites typically process withdrawals in 1-2 business days, and funds may 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 Online Sports Betting Details
Online sports betting is legal and widely available in Illinois.
Casinos, race tracks, and stadiums that hold sports betting licenses may operate mobile apps once approved. Casino and racetrack licensees may serve customers statewide, while stadiums have a five-block radius in which they may accept wagers in-person or through mobile apps.
In-person registration phased out permanently on March 5th, 2022. Illinois bettors may sign up, deposit, and withdraw from anywhere, but state law requires all customers to be physically located within state lines to place real-money wagers.
iOS Betting Apps in Illinois
iPhone and iPad users can download betting apps directly from the App Store by searching for their preferred sportsbook by name. Alternatively, bettors can head to the sportsbook’s website for a link to the appropriate page in the App Store.
One benefit of having an Apple device is the App Store effectively serves as a secondary security check because Apple verifies all gambling apps prior to listing them. App Store policy is to only list betting apps that are legal and licensed in each US state.
Android Betting Apps in Illinois
The Google Play Store permits real money sports betting apps if they are licensed, prevent underage users from participating, and clearly display information about responsible gambling. Additionally, Play Store guidelines require operators to successfully complete an application process to distribute their apps on the Play Store.
Bettors can search for licensed apps in the Play Store by name, but it is better to visit the sportsbook’s website for the latest download link. Google does not maintain as tight of control over its app listings as Apple, and customers will find it easier to find any sportsbook’s official app by visiting its website.
Illinois Sportsbook 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
Eight Illinois casinos have opened retail sportsbooks to date. Harrah’s Joliet, Harrah’s Metropolis, and Bally’s Quad Cities have not yet detailed what plans they may have for sports betting.
In November 2020, Golden Nugget LLC announced a partnership with Danville Development LLC to construct a land-based casino in Danville that will operate under the Golden Nugget brand. Additionally, the agreement permits Golden Nugget to offer online gambling (if legalized) and online sports betting in Illinois.
- BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers Casino Des Plaines
- Sportsbook at Argosy Casino Alton
- DraftKings Sportsbook at Casino Queen
- FanDuel Sportsbook at Par-A-Dice Casino
- Caesars Sportsbook at Grand Victoria Casino
- The Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Joliet
- Penalty Box Sportsbook & Bar at Hollywood Casino Aurora
- Circa Sports at The Temporary by American Place Casino
Sportsbooks at Illinois Racetracks and OTBs
Hawthorne Racetrack is home to PointsBet Sportsbook, while Fairmount Park Racetrack rebranded to FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing in late 2020 after reaching an agreement with the FanDuel Group.
- PointsBet Sportsbook at Hawthorne Race Course
- PointsBet Sportsbook at Club Hawthorne Crestwood OTB
- PointsBet Sportsbook at Club Hawthorne Prospect Heights OTB
- PointsBet Sportsbook at Crazy Pour Sports Bar Villa Park
- FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing at Fairmount Park
Stadium Sportsbooks
The IL 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.
Additional 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
A couple of stadiums have already confirmed plans to build on-premises sportsbooks:
- In September 2020, the Chicago Cubs announced a partnership with DraftKings to bring a retail sportsbook to Wrigley Field. The construction efforts to build the two-story, 22,350 square foot sportsbook are well underway, and is projected to open prior to the 2023 baseball season.
- In February 2022, FanDuel announced a partnership with the United Center to built a retail sportsbook in the stadium. While awaiting approval, FanDuel is constructing a non-betting space at the stadium, which is home to the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks.
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, River Casino Des Plaines serves as the most centrally-located Chicago-area sportsbook. 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
- PointsBet 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 SB 690 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 statewide mobile 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 scooped up 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.
- Sports betting kiosks: Illinois Lottery may operate up to 5,000 kiosks that will accept parlay-style wagers only
- 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
- 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 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 are legal in Illinois despite the lack of legislation addressing the subject. Illinois sports fans can play fantasy sports online with many operators, including all the nation’s 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 three permanent race tracks and numerous OTBs. Most of the country’s major online horse racing betting operators (ADWs) are licensed in Illinois as well, providing fans with many options to bet on horse races throughout the state.
Illinois Online Gambling
Illinois has flirted with legalizing online casinos and poker sites since 2013, but all efforts to date have failed. As a result, online gambling in IL remains prohibited, aside from online sports betting and parimutuel horse racing betting sites.
In early 2021, lawmakers introduced legislation to legalize Illinois online casinos and poker sites. HB 3142 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:
- Illinois Problem Gambling Helpline: Call 1-800-GAMBLER; text GAMB to 833234
- Gamblers Anonymous Illinois: Visit the Gamblers Anonymous website to find meetings throughout Illinois
- Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG): Visit the ICPG website for information and local problem gambling resources
- Free Problem Gambling Screener
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 enrollment sites 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