Illinois Sports Betting: Best Illinois Sportsbooks in September 2026

2. BetMGM Sportsbook

🏅 Best for: Cross-promotions with land-based MGM resorts

BetMGM Sportsbook has the highest number of betting markets in the entire industry. If you’re looking for a platform to bet on the likes of teasers, odds boosts, parlays, and SGPs, BetMGM is ideal.

Another great thing about BetMGM is how the online site is tied to the brand’s retail casinos through MGM Rewards. This gives the sportsbook’s reward program a step up on the competition, especially if you’re a frequent flier who sometimes stays the weekend at one of BetMGM’s world-class resort casino properties. 

If you’re a sports fan who loves watching sports via the internet, you’ll be happy to learn that the BetMGM Sportsbook allows for live streaming within its licensed Illinois app. This provides an extra incentive for customers to place real money wagers and then stream the actual sports contest as it happens.

Sign up for a new BetMGM Sportsbook Illinois account to claim: Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets back (if your bet loses) using BetMGM bonus code WSNSPORTS.

BetMGM has a very detailed FAQ section within its app, and you can also contact customer support at any time via the 24/7 live chat feature.

» Read our full BetMGM Sportsbook review to get more info.

💰 Sign-up Offer: Get up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets
🤩 Promo Code: WSNSPORTS

BetMGM Sportsbook IL Ratings

⭐ WSN Rating: 4.5/5
⭐ Apple App Store: 4.8/5
⭐ Google Play Store: 4.0/5
⭐ Trustpilot: 1.2/5

Sign up at BetMGM Illinois Today

3. Fanatics Sportsbook

🏅 Best for: FanCash Rewards

Fanatics Sportsbook is positioned as the best option to bridge your passion for betting and your fandom for Chicago and Illinois teams. Fanatics is fully licensed in the state, largely via its acquisition of PointsBet's US operations, and is an aggressive new market player known for its unique rewards system.

The most attractive feature is the FanCash Rewards Program. This is the only loyalty system that automatically gives you a percentage of every single wager, win or lose, back as FanCash.

This currency is redeemable for bonus bets or, crucially, for official licensed merchandise on Fanatics.com (like a new Bears jersey or Bulls cap). Furthermore, Fanatics is appealing because it offers the Fair Play Policy, which is highly valued for player props: if an athlete is injured early in the game, Fanatics will often refund your prop bet, minimizing bad luck.

New users in the Prairie State can currently maximize their bankroll by applying our Fanatics Sportsbook promo code WSNFAN during registration to unlock up to $1,000 in matched FanCash over their first ten days of betting. This flagship welcome bonus awards a 100% match on your first daily wager up to $100, regardless of whether the bet wins or loses.

» Read more in our detailed Fanatics Sportsbook review.

💰 Sign-up Offer: Get up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash
🤩 Promo Code: WSNFAN

Fanatics Sportsbook IL Ratings

⭐ WSN Rating: 4.3/5
⭐ Apple App Store: 4.9/5
⭐ Google Play Store: 4.7/5
⭐ Trustpilot: 3.2/5 (covers the wider Fanatics brand)

Sign up at Fanatics Illinois

4. DraftKings Sportsbook

🏅 Best for: Minimum deposit

DraftKings is one of the most recognizable names in the DFS and online sports betting business, thanks to its broad licensing and advertising within the United States. If you’re seeking a feature-rich platform with toggles and customizable layouts, you’re in for a bona fide treat with the DraftKings app.

There’s not much you can't do on the DraftKings Sportsbook in terms of online sports betting and wagering. It even has a built-in online casino service in the handful of northeastern states that have regulated the activity.

New DraftKings Sportsbook IL customers are in for a treat if they’re looking to get their hands on a budget-friendly deal that is applicable to all bankrolls. First time sign ups can bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets (issued as an initial $50 in bonus bets, plus $150 distributed in increments over the following 21 days, with each valid for 7 days and stakes removed from winning payouts), regardless of the outcome of their first wager.

DraftKings IL has one of the most attractive bonuses and promos in the legal online sports betting market. DraftKings' welcome bonus allows new sports bettors to explore all the features this operator has to offer for an extremely low minimum deposit and first wager requirement. It’s the only sportsbook in Illinois that lets you make a $5 deposit.

» Find out more in our in-depth DraftKings Sportsbook review.

💰Sign-up Offer: Spend $5 Get $200 In Bonus Bets (Paid Within 21 days)
🤩 Promo Code: None required

DraftKings Sportsbook IL Ratings

⭐ WSN Rating: 4.6/5
⭐ Apple App Store: 4.8/5
⭐ Google Play Store: 4.8/5
⭐ Trustpilot: 1.3/5

Claim Your Bonus Bets at DraftKings IL

Full List of Legal Sportsbooks in Illinois

Below is a complete list of all ten legal online sportsbooks in Illinois.

1. bet365

2. BetMGM

3. BetRivers

4. Caesars Sportsbook

5. Circa Sports

6. DraftKings

7. Fanatics Sportsbook

8. FanDuel

9. Hard Rock Bet

10. theScore Bet

Illinois Online Sports Betting Sites

Illinois Retail Sportsbooks

Is Sports Betting Legal in Illinois?

Yes. Sports betting is legal and regulated within the state of Illinois. The activity was formally authorized for both retail and online on June 28, 2019, when Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 690 into law. 

The first online sports betting site to go live in Illinois was BetRivers, which commenced operations on June 18, 2020. The first retail sports bet ever placed within the state of Illinois occurred on March 9, 2020, at Rivers Casino.

There are ten legal, regulated online sportsbooks licensed to operate in the Prairie State. A number of retail sportsbooks can also be found in land-based casinos and sports betting kiosks.

The minimum age to bet on sports while inside the physical borders of Illinois is 21. The minimum age requirement is typically verified - both live and online - through the use of an official photo ID along with other information that is requested by the sports betting service.

How to Get Started

It’s not difficult to sign up for an online sports betting account and get started placing wagers online. If you’re a first-time customer, there are a few steps that you’ll need to take in order to set up your account: 

1. Choose an IL online sportsbook to sign up for. Make sure that you are physically located within Illinois at the time of sign-up and when placing online sports bets. If you click on any of our sign-up links above, we will ensure that you are eligible for the advertised welcome bonus, as long as this is your first time signing up with the sportsbook. See the list of the safest online betting sites here to make an informed decision.

2. Fill out your account details to create an account. The information required to open an Illinois online sportsbook account includes your full name, date of birth, physical address, email, telephone number, and your U.S. Social Security Number (SSN). This information is requested by all legal IL sportsbooks when registering for a new online account.

3. Get your welcome bonus. Each online sportsbook will have a slightly different process for claiming welcome bonuses, as well as different play-through requirements. Read the promotional material and follow the steps that are stipulated – including entering any relevant bonus code – to become eligible for your new account bonus. If you sign up via our links, we can help with claiming your bonus. If you’ve already signed up for an account with the sportsbook (even if you were in another state), you will not be eligible for the welcome bonus.

4. Deposit some money. Most Illinois sportsbooks require a minimum deposit of at least $10, with the exception of DraftKings IL, which will allow a $5 minimum deposit. The sportsbooks in Illinois all offer multiple betting payment methods for deposits. The deposit process at all our recommended sites above is simple and smooth, whatever method you choose.

5. Place your very first wager on the sportsbook’s site or app. You can browse the list of betting markets and add your selection to the betslip to lock it in. Make sure that the wager amount is in line with the terms and conditions of the welcome. For example, most “Odds Boosts” wagers are normally not eligible for promotional bonus bets, and huge favorites are often restricted in terms of clearing bonuses. Bonus bets for second-chance offers generally appear in your account within 48 hours of the original wager’s conclusion.

6. Complete the bonus requirements and withdraw your winnings. If there is a time limit on claiming your bonus bets, make sure to fulfill the playthrough requirements within the stipulated time period to make those funds available for withdrawal subsequently.

To hit the ground running, be sure to check our detailed sports betting guides.

Illinois Sportsbook Promos

Check out the best Illinois promo bonuses in the table below:

Online sportsbooks in Illinois provide new customers with multiple incentives to sign up and try the service. These welcome bonuses can vary greatly for each sportsbook. Below is a list – along with explanations – of the welcome offers that are generally advertised to new account holders.

Bonus Bets

Think of Bonus Bets as betting vouchers. These are usually offered to first-time customers following an initial wager and need to be used within a specific time period in order to become eligible for cashout. 

One important note about Bonus Bets is that the customer will usually need to wager-through the promotional amount one or more times over before the winning funds can be withdrawn.

Second Chance Bets

Second Chance Bets are distinct from Bonus Bets because they are only awarded if the first wager is unsuccessful. For example, if your initial bet is graded as a winner, then the Second Chance Bet promo will not apply – and you can continue wagering online after receiving the payout for the winning bet. 

Second Chance Bets are usually awarded for the exact amount of the initial wager, like a refund. Whether these promotional bets can be used for multiple events or need to be wagered all at once will depend on the sportsbook that you signed up for.

Deposit Match Bonuses

These welcome offers match a percentage of your initial real money deposit in Bonus Bets or Credits. Some online sportsbooks will give you a 100% first deposit bonus up to a certain amount – which means the bonus will be more valuable depending on how large your initial deposit is. 

For example, a 100% Deposit Match Bonus up to $1,000 will only award $20 in Bonus Credits if your first deposit was $20. However, if you deposit $1,000, you’ll receive an extra $1,000 in Bonus Credits.

No Deposit Bonuses

You can receive this type of welcome offer without making a real money deposit. It’s basically a one-off free bet in exchange for signing up. Bonus Credits will be awarded to your new account for free, but you will still need to play through the bonus amount (sometimes multiple times, depending on the sportsbook) before you can withdraw your winnings.

What Mobile Sports Betting Apps Are Available in Illinois?

All licensed Illinois sportsbooks have sports betting apps in addition to their desktop sites. If you’re an individual who is constantly on the go and wishes to place sports bets online, you’ll want to choose a sportsbook that offers a state-of-the-art mobile app to its customers.

Below is a list of the best online sportsbook mobile apps that are available in the Illinois market – along with individual ratings for each app for iOS and Android users.

1. FanDuel - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.5/5 (Android)

2. BetMGM - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.0/5 (Android)

3. Fanatics - 4.9/5 (iOS); 4.7/5 (Android)

4. DraftKings - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.8/5 (Android) 

Is Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Illinois?

In a de-facto sense, yes it is. Despite there being no official law authorizing Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) activities in Illinois, plenty of online sports bettors use the existing portals from DFS behemoths FanDuel and DraftKings to place real-money DFS wagers within the state.

If you’d like to participate in Daily Fantasy Sports contests in Illinois, then take a look at the best DFS apps on the market. We recommend Underdog, you can take a look at how to use the Underdog Fantasy promo code.

Sports Teams in Illinois

Depending on which sports you count, there are a total of nine professional, “major league” sports teams located in Illinois. There is at least one professional football, basketball, baseball, hockey, rugby, and soccer team that has a hosting venue in the Prairie State.

• Chicago Bears - One of the “oldest” NFL professional football teams, the Chicago Bears, was founded in the 1920 calendar year. Since then, it has won a combined total of nine NFL Championships, including a blowout win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

• Chicago White Sox - Established in the year 1900, the White Sox have won three World Series titles. Their most recent Major League Baseball championship season came in 2005, when they swept the Houston Astros 4 games to 0.

• Chicago Cubs - The Cubs’ origins go all the way back to 1870. They similarly hold three World Series titles, with their most recent championship season being 2016. The Cubs overcame a 3-to-1 deficit to win the series over the Cleveland Guardians on November 2nd, 2016.

• Chicago Bulls - The Bulls earned global headlines throughout the 1990s as a “super team” led by NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan that won six titles during that decade. Those six championship seasons featuring Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Head Coach Phil Jackson represent the team’s only league titles since their 1966 inception.

• Chicago Blackhawks - This team has been around the game of hockey for roughly a century. The Blackhawks have won the National Hockey League Stanley Cup six times, dating all the way back to 1934.

• Chicago Sky - The Chicago Sky began playing games in the WNBA in 2006. The team’s lone championship was achieved in 2021 with a 3 games to 1 victory over the Phoenix Mercury.

• Chicago Fire F.C. - This football club (soccer) began competing professionally in 1997. The Fire won the Major League Soccer Cup in 1998.

• Chicago Stars - Founded in 2007, the Red Stars are one of the eight “charter” organizations to enter the National Women’s Soccer League in 2013. The Red Stars call the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview their home.

• Chicago Hounds - This rugby union team operates out of Chicagoland and was founded in 2022. They compete in Major League Rugby games and hail from Bridgeview.

Illinois Sportsbook Partnerships

Official partnerships between professional teams and sportsbooks have become the norm throughout the country, and Illinois is no different.

The United Center (where both the Bulls and Blackhawks play their home games) features one of the most prominent IL sportsbook partnerships. The massive retail sportsbook lounge at the arena is managed by FanDuel, providing fans with an immersive on-site experience equipped with state-of-the-art viewing and sports wagering technology.

Similarly, the Chicago Cubs have a major partnership with DraftKings IL. As a result of this collaboration, the DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field officially opened its doors to the public in June 2023, becoming a premier sports and entertainment destination directly on-site at the iconic ballpark. Additionally, in May 2022, the Chicago White Sox announced an official multi-year casino and sports betting partnership with Caesars Sportsbook.

On the gridiron, the partnership between the Chicago Bears and BetRivers Sportsbook (along with Rivers Casino) became official in June 2021, making BetRivers the first multi-year exclusive sportsbook and casino partner of the historic NFL franchise.

Safe and Responsible Gambling in Illinois

Resources to combat problem gambling and promote responsible gaming in Illinois have increased with the launch of legal sports betting within the state. Whether you’re seeking personal help for a gambling problem, concerned about a loved one’s gambling activity, or just want to learn more about RG initiatives, there are a number of websites and services that you can consult. 

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) hosts a 24/7, toll-free hotline, 1-800-GAMBLER, that can be called and accessed from anywhere within the United States. The NCPG also has a 24/7 live chat module and a list of resources that one can consult for professional assistance.

Locally, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) sponsors an anonymous Problem Gambling Registry that is relevant to both real money betting activity and video gaming. 

Regulated online sportsbooks that operate within the legal Illinois market are likewise expected to prioritize responsible gaming tools and initiatives for customers. These tools range from automated “toggle” controls to human communication and outreach.

• Set Your Deposit Limits - Illinois sportsbooks allow customers to set a maximum deposit limit for a specific period of time. Customers can establish these limits ahead of time to ensure that they do not exceed their own budget.

• Self-Exclusion - A temporary self-exclusion can be initiated directly by any online sportsbook customer in Illinois. Note that the precise time period of the exclusion may vary, and that the self-prompt “cooling off period” will apply to other sportsbooks and gaming facilities that are linked to the brand or operate within the state.

• Reality Check - From time to time, a human professional who works on behalf of a legal Illinois sportsbook may “check-in” via telephone and/or email to consult you personally. These reality checks tend to occur when an individual customer exceeds their usual deposit limits or spends a significantly increased amount of time on the company’s sports betting app/website.

Find more resources at our Responsible Gambling Center.

How We Rated the Top Illinois Sportsbook Sites

Our team of dedicated experts spends hours upon hours using the sports betting platforms themselves. This means we are able to provide detailed information to Illinois online sports bettors that has been personally tested, vetted, and verified. We know that new online sportsbook customers want to enjoy the best user experience and sign-up deals when deciding where to place wagers online, and that’s what we want to facilitate.

Below are the six most important factors that go into our process of evaluating sports betting sites. Our experts are each tasked with spending two hours on each factor before submitting a final review for any online sportsbook.

1. Overall Customer Experience:  How enjoyable is the service as a whole? Do customers look forward to using the online sportsbook to place wagers? What is the design like from an aesthetic perspective? This category includes everything from our in-house testing on different devices (desktop PCs, smartphones, and tablets) to how many steps it takes to actually place a bet. 

2. Features: Our team methodically explores every feature a site has to offer, including providing customers with versatile virtual bet slips, unique betting markets, and any interesting extras like picking services or betting tips. This category also includes how many “bells and whistles” each online sportsbook has and how consistently they function overall.

3. Promotions:  We personally opt into every bonus available at every sportsbook we review. We complete the wagering requirements and figure out how easy it is to withdraw our winnings from a bonus bet. This allows us to provide information that is precise, relevant, and verified. As a result, new customers know exactly what to expect when signing up for a welcome bonus, as the process has already been experienced by our reviewers. Playthrough requirements, time limits to clear a bonus, and overall bonus value are all considered within this category.

4. Deposits & Withdrawals:  A member of our team tests out every single deposit method. We see how long both deposits and cashouts take if there are any fees for withdrawals, and if the sportsbook offers multiple online banking options for transactions. We consider how convenient the sportsbook makes it for customers to make a deposit and how long it takes to receive funds upon making a withdrawal request. The variety of payment methods for deposits and withdrawals is also reviewed in this category.

5. Customer Support:  Can you reach a human customer service agent through various methods? Does the online sportsbook provide customer support telephone numbers, emails, and live chat modules? How extensive is the online sportsbook’s FAQ section, and how long does it take for customers to receive a reply once a customer service request has been submitted? Our team answers these questions so you know ahead of time. 

6. Responsible Gaming:  Does the sportsbook give customers numerous options to set deposit limits, time-on-site limits, and an opportunity to take a temporary “cooling off” period (self-exclusion) to avoid chasing losses during a bad run? The more options customers have to customize their activity in terms of responsible gaming, the higher an online sportsbook will be graded within this category. We also want to see links to external support organizations.

To summarize, the online sportsbook ratings that we provide are the result of comprehensive reviews that are continuously revised and updated post-publication. Our team dedicates at least 5 hours per month to keeping our reviews up to date. 

Read more on our BetEdge rating methodology here.

Why Trust Us?

Our reviewers are all fans of sports betting, first and foremost. Whether it’s testing and verifying an online sportsbook’s features or double-checking bonus terms and conditions, our team does the hard work so you don’t have to. Our love for sports betting means we have been betting online since the early days of the internet, and we know what it takes to make a great online betting site. 

Our reviewers have spent hundreds of hours on online sportsbooks in Illinois and around the US. All of that experience and everything we find, both positive and negative, goes into our reviews.