Illinois Sports
Betting Guide
Your complete, independent guide to legal sports betting in the Land of Lincoln. Compare all 10 licensed sportsbooks, understand the unique Illinois tax structure, and start betting responsibly.
Best Illinois Sportsbooks
All 10 licensed online sportsbooks operating in Illinois, independently reviewed and ranked. Each operator is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board and fully legal for anyone 21+ within state lines. Note that most operators pass the state per-wager fee to customers.
DraftKings
Overall Experience- Retail sportsbook at Wrigley Field
- Official Cubs betting partner
- Launched Aug 2020 via Casino Queen
- Passes $0.50 per-wager IL fee
FanDuel
Mobile Experience- Official Chicago Bulls partner
- Launched Aug 2020 via Par-A-Dice
- Most popular IL sportsbook
- Passes $0.50 per-wager IL fee
BetMGM
Highest Bonus- Launched March 2022
- Par-A-Dice Casino partner
- $2.50 minimum bet (IL tax workaround)
- MGM Rewards integration
Caesars Sportsbook
Loyalty Rewards- Grand Victoria Elgin retail
- Official White Sox partner
- Caesars Rewards program
- $0.25 per-bet fee passthrough
bet365
Best Bonus Value- Launched in IL March 2025
- Best daily boosts in market
- 40+ sports covered
- $0.25 per-bet fee passthrough
Fanatics Sportsbook
Merch Rewards- Retail at Hawthorne Race Course
- FanCash for Fanatics merch
- Launched Jan 2024
- $0.25 per-bet fee passthrough
BetRivers
Rewards Program- First online sportsbook in IL (Jun 2020)
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines partner
- $1 minimum bet (IL workaround)
- Local Illinois brand
Hard Rock Bet
Parlay Betting- Hard Rock Casino Rockford retail
- Hard Rock Loyalty Rewards
- $2 minimum bet (IL workaround)
- Strong parlay options
theScore Bet
News Integration- PENN Entertainment backed
- Formerly ESPN BET in IL
- $1 minimum bet (IL workaround)
- News integration
Circa Sports
Sharp Bettors- American Place Waukegan retail
- Known for high limits and sharp lines
- $10 minimum bet (IL workaround)
- No-frills interface
Welcome Bonus Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of every welcome offer available to new Illinois bettors.
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Condition | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Instantly + NCAA Tournament profit boost | $5 |
| FanDuel | Get $300 Back in Bonus Bets | Over 10 days — daily no-sweat bets | $5 |
| BetMGM | Up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets | If your first bet loses + $50 Rewards | $10 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Bet $1, Double Winnings Next 10 Bets | 100% profit boosts on next wagers | $10 |
| bet365 | Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets | Win or lose — guaranteed | $10 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Bet $5, Get $200 FanCash Instantly | Or up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash | $5 |
| BetRivers | Check site for latest offer | iRush Rewards loyalty program | $10 |
| Hard Rock Bet | Double Your Winnings on First 10 Bets | $50 max per bet | $10 |
| theScore Bet | Up to $1,000 Back | Rebranded from ESPN BET in Dec 2025 | $10 |
| Circa Sports | Check site for latest offer | Sharp bettor focused | $10 |
How to Start Betting in Illinois
From choosing a sportsbook to placing your first wager, here is exactly how to get started with legal sports betting in the Land of Lincoln.
Choose a Sportsbook
Pick a licensed Illinois sportsbook from our reviewed list above. Each operator is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board.
Create Your Account
Provide your name, email, address, phone number, and last four digits of your SSN. Geolocation confirms you are in Illinois.
Claim Your Bonus
Enter any promo code during registration or on your first deposit. Each sportsbook has unique welcome offers — compare before committing.
Fund & Start Betting
Make your first deposit via bank transfer, debit card, PayPal, or other accepted methods. Most sportsbooks have $5-$10 minimums.
What Can You Bet On?
Illinois sportsbooks cover all major professional sports. College betting is restricted for in-state teams.
NFL
Chicago Bears — Super Bowl futures, player props, live in-game betting. Playoff-bound in 2025-26
MLB
Chicago Cubs (DraftKings partner) and Chicago White Sox (Caesars partner). Full season coverage
NBA
Chicago Bulls (FanDuel partner) — home of the Jordan dynasty. Player props, spreads, totals
NHL
Chicago Blackhawks — six-time Stanley Cup champions. Puck lines, goalie props, futures
College Sports
Illinois Fighting Illini, Northwestern Wildcats, DePaul Blue Demons — online betting restricted (see laws)
MLS / Soccer
Chicago Fire FC, Premier League, Champions League, FIFA World Cup 2026 (Chicago is a host city)
Auto Racing
NASCAR Chicago Street Race, IndyCar, F1 — outright winners and head-to-head matchups
Golf
PGA Tour, LIV Golf, Western Open history, The Masters, player props
Illinois Sports Betting Laws
📜 Sports Wagering Act (SB 690)
Illinois legalized sports betting through the Sports Wagering Act (SB 690), signed by Governor JB Pritzker in June 2019 as part of a massive gaming expansion. Retail betting launched March 2020 and online betting followed in June 2020 after an 18-month "penalty box" period.
💰 Complex Tax Structure
Illinois has one of the most complicated tax structures in the country: a tiered 20-40% state tax on operator revenue, a $0.25-$0.50 per-wager fee (in effect since July 2025), and a new 10.25% Chicago city tax added January 2026. Most operators pass these fees directly to bettors.
📋 Licensing
Illinois allows up to 23 Master Licenses tied to casinos plus 3 online-only licenses (26 total). Currently only 10 of the available slots are filled, leaving significant room for market expansion.
🎓 College Carve-Out
Illinois has a unique college carve-out: you CANNOT bet on in-state college teams (Illinois, Northwestern, DePaul, Illinois State) through online sportsbooks. You CAN bet on in-state college teams, but only at retail sportsbooks — and only on game outcomes, not player props.
📍 Retail Sportsbooks
Illinois has retail sportsbooks at DraftKings at Wrigley Field, Rivers Casino Des Plaines (BetRivers), Grand Victoria Elgin (Caesars), Hard Rock Rockford, Fanatics at Hawthorne Race Course, Casino Queen East St. Louis (DraftKings), and several Hollywood/Argosy/Bally casinos across the state.
🔒 Age & Location
You must be at least 21 years old and physically located within Illinois to place legal sports bets. Residency is not required. Geolocation technology verifies your location.
Key Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes. Governor JB Pritzker signed the Sports Wagering Act in June 2019. Retail betting launched March 9, 2020, and online betting followed on June 18, 2020. The Illinois Gaming Board regulates the industry.
How old do I have to be to bet in Illinois?
You must be at least 21 years old to place sports bets in Illinois, whether online or at a retail sportsbook.
How many sportsbooks are in Illinois?
There are currently 10 licensed online sportsbooks in Illinois: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, theScore Bet, and Circa Sports. The state allows up to 26 total licenses.
Can I bet on the Illinois Fighting Illini or Northwestern?
Yes, but only in person at a retail sportsbook. Illinois has a college carve-out law that prohibits online/mobile betting on in-state college teams. You can only bet on game outcomes (no player props) when wagering on Illinois colleges, and you must place those bets at a physical sportsbook location.
Why are there per-bet fees on Illinois sportsbooks?
In July 2025, Illinois introduced a per-wager tax of $0.25 per bet on the first 20 million wagers per operator, rising to $0.50 beyond that threshold. Most sportsbooks pass this cost directly to bettors. DraftKings and FanDuel charge $0.50 per bet; bet365, Caesars, and Fanatics charge $0.25. Others like BetMGM ($2.50 min) and Circa ($10 min) raised minimum bet sizes instead.
What is the Chicago sports betting tax?
Chicago added a 10.25% city tax on sportsbook gross revenue effective January 1, 2026, on top of the state's 20-40% tiered tax. This gives Chicago bettors one of the highest effective tax structures in the country. The Sports Betting Alliance filed a lawsuit against the city, and HB 4171 in the Illinois legislature would block cities from adding their own sports betting taxes.
Do I need to be an Illinois resident?
No. Anyone 21 or older who is physically located within Illinois can place legal sports bets. Geolocation technology verifies your location within state lines.
What is the state tax rate on Illinois sports betting?
Illinois uses a tiered tax system ranging from 20% to 40% based on annual operator revenue. Only DraftKings and FanDuel currently hit the top 40% bracket. On top of state taxes, there is also a $0.25-$0.50 per-wager fee and a 10.25% Chicago city tax (for wagers made in the city).
Are retail sportsbooks available?
Yes. Illinois has retail sportsbooks at DraftKings at Wrigley Field, Rivers Casino Des Plaines, Grand Victoria Elgin, Hard Rock Casino Rockford, Hawthorne Race Course, and several Hollywood and Argosy casinos across the state.