Illinois Daily Fantasy Sports
Illinois daily fantasy sports sites are legal, regulated, and open to fans 21 or older.
A 2020 Illinois Supreme Court decision found fantasy sports contests to be games of skill, and legislation passed in 2026 established a formal regulatory regime. The Illinois Gaming Board now licenses and oversees fantasy sports operators.
Read on for BettingUSA’s recommended Illinois fantasy sports apps and more information about the state’s DFS laws.
Illinois Daily Fantasy Sports Sites
Play $5, Get $50 in Bonus EntriesUnderdog Sports Promo Code: BETUSA
Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-MY-RESET or 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org. NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369).
Free Entry + $100 Deposit BonusParlayPlay Promo Code: BUSA
18/21+, T&Cs Apply. Welcome offer is for players who make their first successful deposit to ParlayPlay. Following the deposit, you receive promo entry(s) that matches the deposit amount up to $100. The promo entry can only be used to enter up to 4-pick More/Less contests. If you lose the promo entry, your account balance is not impacted. The deposit promo entry(s) must be used within 7 days of deposit. After 7 days the free entry will expire. If you have concerns about managing your play on ParlayPlay or anywhere else, or if you’re concerned about a family member or friend, the National Council on Problem Gambling offers support through telephone or text. They can be reached confidentially (24-hours a day) at 1-800-522-4700. Or contacted on their website at https://www.ncpgambling.org/ or through chat at ncpgambling.org/chat.
Play $5, Get $50 in LineupsPrizePicks Promo Code: BUSA
$50 provided as promo funds, only for use on PrizePicks. Promo funds provided under this promotion must be played within 90 days of receipt or shall become null and void at PrizePicks’ discretion. Promo ends 12/31/25. Void where prohibited. If you or someone you know has a gaming problem, get help. Crisis services and responsible gaming counseling can be accessed by calling 1-800-426-2537 or online at www.ncpgambling.org. 18+ in most eligible jurisdictions, but other age and eligibility restrictions may apply. Valid only in jurisdictions where PrizePicks operates. See prizepicks.com/terms for full PrizePicks terms of service.
$200 in No Sweat Tokens + A Free PicksBetr Picks Promo Code: USGAMLING
Must be 21+ and located in a jurisdiction where Betr Picks operates. Product offering may vary by jurisdiction. T&Cs apply. For more details, please visit betr.app. Concerned about your play? Call the NCPG at 1-800-522-4700.
Play $5, Get $55 in Free LineupsBoom Sports Promo Code: BUSA
Users must be 18+ years of age to play and deposit (19+ in Nebraska). T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. All users must have only 1 account. If a user is found to be less than 18 years old, their account will be banned and all their entries will be canceled and refunded. If a user is found to have more than 1 account, they will be subject to a ban at Boom’s discretion.
21+ to Play, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Sports fans have a wide selection of fantasy sports apps to choose from because all of the nation’s mainstream DFS and fantasy pick ‘em operators are active in Illinois.
Below are BettingUSA’s top Illinois fantasy sports sites, spanning a range of game types such as daily fantasy, proposition picks, and parlay-style contests. Each fantasy sports app and website listed below takes a unique approach to DFS contests, so see our reviews for more on each operator’s offerings.
Illinois DFS Apps
- PrizePicks
- Boom Fantasy
- Underdog Fantasy
- ParlayPlay
- Betr Picks
- Dabble Fantasy
- FanDuel DFS
- DraftKings DFS
- Sleeper DFS
Illinois Fantasy Pick’em Apps
Fantasy pick’em apps in Illinois allow fans to make higher/lower predictions on athlete stats for fixed prizes.
Compliance with state and federal DFS laws require players to include at least two predictions in every lineup, similar to sports betting parlays. The difference is that pick’em fantasy apps focus exclusively on single-stat predictions for individual athletes.
So, while fantasy pick’em apps in Illinois may offer over/under predictions on a quarterback’s passing yards or a pitcher’s strikeouts, they do not offer full-game scoring totals or yes/no props.
In early 2025, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a press release advising fans to bet on the Super Bowl with licensed operators only and accused PrizePicks of offering “unlicensed sports betting in Illinois.”
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) also issued a cease-and-desist letter to PrizePicks (a fantasy pick’em app) and Bovada (an offshore sportsbook), essentially lumping them into a singular category of illegal wagering.
However, PrizePicks later explained it would continue operating in Illinois but cease offering its player-vs-house contests to residents. In their place, PrizePicks offers peer-to-peer pick’em contests in Illinois. All fantasy pick’em apps have since switched from player-vs-house to peer-to-peer contests in Illinois.
Fortunately for fans of the format, peer-to-peer fantasy pick’em contests still involve making higher/lower predictions and offer significant payouts.
Illinois Fantasy Sports Law
Daily fantasy sports sites are legal and regulated in Illinois. Their legality was the subject of ongoing debate until the Illinois Supreme Court settled the matter with a 2020 ruling that found DFS contests to be games of skill.
The decision exempted fantasy sports contests from Illinois gambling laws and cleared the way for numerous operators to enter the market.
In 2026, Illinois lawmakers passed legislation (SB 3019) that ended the state’s hands-off approach to fantasy sports. The law established a standalone regulatory framework (separate from sports betting) under the oversight of the Illinois Gaming Board.
Some of the law’s key provisions include:
- Licenses Required: Illinois fantasy sports apps must acquire licenses from the IGB before offering paid contests.
- Minimum Age: Fans must be 21+ to participate in daily fantasy sports contests in Illinois.
- Taxes: Licensed Illinois DFS operators pay a 15% tax on adjusted gross receipts.
- Customer Protections: Fantasy sports apps licensed in Illinois must implement age verification, identity verification, and anti-money laundering controls.
Illinois Daily Fantasy Sports FAQ
Mike Murphy is the founder of BettingUSA.com and has over 10 years of experience in the legal gambling industry. A regular attendee of industry trade shows and conferences, Mike is a strong proponent in the idea of a well regulated online betting industry.