Best Sports Betting Sites in Illinois

Full List of Best IL Betting Sites

Those looking for the top legal bookies in IL can find them on our pages. We have the best American football bookies, the top NBA bookies, and the best all-rounders that offer to bet on every sport you can imagine.

Additionally, our IL bookmakers also offer plenty of great Illinois betting bonuses. Thanks to them, you will earn plenty of extra cash, leading to betting on more markets and, hopefully, bigger wins.

Of course, all the betting sites are fully safe and legal, so you don’t have to look over your shoulder, fearing the law.

Best IL Betting Bonus Deals & Offers

As mentioned, the sites on our list feature the top bonuses, promotions, and deals you can ever get. You’ll have plenty of chances to earn extra cash under fair terms and low wagering requirements.

The Illinois sports betting offers from the bookies on our list are easy to claim. It all starts with free bets. You will get one at every sportsbook, but that’s not all you’ll earn. You’ll earn plenty of other extras at the best betting websites, so make sure not to miss the promotions section.

With all those extra bucks in your pockets, you’ll have plenty of chances to choose your bets and win.

Choose Your Bet of the Day in Illinois

As a state that’s just legalized online betting, IL is a breeding ground for fun betting markets and top odds. You can bet on various sports, competitions, tournaments, teams, and players. You name it, and our recommended IL sports betting sites got it.

You’ll have plenty of options, from football and the Super Bowl to the NBA and individual bets.

Bet on Sport

Betting on sports is hugely popular in Illinois right now. As mentioned earlier, it was just legalized, so bettors are rightfully going crazy. You’ll need a funded account to bet on sports in the Prairie State online. Once you top it up, you’ll earn free bets in Illinois that can be spent on most sports in a bookmaker’s library.

There are plenty of options to choose from, attracting a wide range of bettors.

Bet on Competitions

When you bet in IL, you’ll start with betting on competitions. The most popular ones are the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, and MLS. Of course, this goes without taking a deep dive into soccer, with the Premier League, Champions League, and La Liga among the favorite competitions.

The popularity of teams such as Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, and Chicago Bulls has made the respective competitions popular.

Bet on Tournaments

What’s even more exciting to bet on than competitions? That’s right – sports tournaments. The top matches you can bet on in Illinois include the NBA and MLB playoffs and the Superbowl. The latter is the most-watched sports event in the USA and one of the most famous globally. Not surprisingly, it’s also the one people love betting on the most.

The IL betting odds on some of these tournaments are fantastic, seeing how the state has legalized sports betting. Read any IL betting site reviews online, and the odds will be highlighted in the pros section.

Bet on Teams

With so many great teams coming from Illinois, team betting is one of the favorite markets in Prairie State. The White Sox and Cubs are among the teams people bet on the most in the MLB. The legendary Chicago Bulls are also popular with the best bookmakers in Illinois.

The fact is that there are more significant numbers of teams based in IL than in other states, so it’s no wonder why team betting is the favorite market of many bettors.

The Legal Situation of Online Sports Betting in Illinois

After years of speculation, IL finally legalized sports betting in 2019. The first bet was placed in March 2020, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Online sports gambling in Illinois didn’t take long to become a hit. Millions of bettors were waiting for an update to the law to allow them to place bets on their favorite teams. As long as it was legalized, the first bookmakers popped up online.

Both DraftKings and FanDuel are now fully legal to use in IL. As the two biggest sportsbooks in the US online space, they’re well worth a visit.

IL Sports Betting Bill

Illinois pulled quite a trick when it comes to legalizing sports betting. Everything looked like it couldn’t come together until it did. The final bill passed as part of a larger casino expansion bill without casinos and the public knowing any details.

A week before the legislation, DraftKings and FanDuel put ads targeting Rivers Casino before pulling them down. Ultimately, the gaming expansion with sports betting became part of a more prominent proposal, legalizing IL bookies and bringing joy to millions.

Sports Gambling Taxes in Illinois

Online sports taxes in IL are in the middle of the pack compared to other states. Winnings are currently taxed at 15%, which is much higher than any NV bookie but lower than New York’s taxes.

The tax rate applies to the adjusted gross revenue or what’s left after winnings have been paid.

What Is the Sports Gambling Age in Illinois?

Like in Nevada and most other states, Illinois’s legal sports gambling age is 21. If you’re under that age, you cannot legally place bets at the top bookmakers.

How to Choose the Best Bookmakers in Illinois

Like in other locations across the USA, choosing a bookmaker in Illinois is not as easy as it seems. There might be several options, but you must consider numerous factors before picking the right one.

• The license is the number one factor you should check for. If the betting site isn’t licensed, it’s not worth joining;
• Make sure that the betting site you plan to join is properly safe and secured;
• A good betting site in 2023 will offer hundreds of markets and great odds;
• Live betting in Illinois is all the rage for the right reasons. Make sure your bookie has an in-play betting section;
• Check out the bonuses and promotions before you join. It’d be great if the bookie offered numerous rewards for newbies and veterans.

Which Illinois Bookmaker Has the Best Odds?

It’s tough to say which IL bookie has the best odds. It depends on what you want to bet on. DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers are often counted among the bookies with top IL betting odds. It all comes down to your preferences, so shop for odds before deciding which site you join.

Best Sports Betting Apps in Illinois

Nearly all Illinois sports betting sites have dedicated mobile apps. These apps are available in both the Google Play and iOS App stores, so you can easily download and use them.

Why are mobile betting apps so popular? Well, they give bettors a chance to bet on the go. Betting from your PC is great, but placing bets on the go is better. You can do it anytime and anywhere and get many special mobile promotions and features.

Try the best sports betting apps in Illinois, and we’re sure you’ll never bet from your PC again.

Deposit Methods at IL Sportsbooks

Real money IL betting sites accept a variety of currencies, including USD and numerous payment methods. All IL betting sites will allow you to deposit via credit and debit cards, and most will also accept e-wallets and possibly even cryptocurrencies.

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The limits are different for each method, while the processing times are usually instant. The most popular options are:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• Neteller
• Skrill
• PayPal
• Bitcoin

Withdrawal Methods at IL Sportsbooks

Online sports betting Illinois sites will issue your winnings on the deposit method you’ve used previously. It means that if you’ve deposited with American Express, you will get your money back on it as well.

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It means you can also use PayPal and Bitcoin, depending on what the bookie accepts. Remember that withdrawal times are slower, so choose the one with the fastest withdrawals.

Illinoisan Live Betting & Streaming

A bookie in 2023 can’t live without live betting. It’s the future of betting, but it’s already here. Live betting allows you to place bets on live matches, which is inexplicably more exciting than betting on pre-match odds.

All Illinois sports gambling sites provide live betting, with many offering live streaming. These sites will allow you to watch the matches you bet on, which is much more convenient than looking for a TV match.

Local IL Bookmakers vs Online Betting Sites

Are online betting sites better than local bookies? Yes, they are, and by a mile. Online bookies have a much wider choice of markets and usually have better odds too.

That’s before we delve into the depths of bonuses and promotions. They’re better than what local bookies offer, and it’s not even a competition.

How to Win at Betting in Illinois

Winning at betting in any state, not just in IL, is not as easy as it looks. You’ll have to pay attention to various factors and do your homework too.

• When betting online, you must check the results of previous rounds and look for a pattern. While a model can be broken at any time, it will give you clues about the form of a team or player;
• Make sure to shop for odds. Every online sportsbook in Illinois has different odds, so pick the one with the best value;
• Never chase your losses. It is a basic gambling rule that also applies to online sports betting;
• Keep in mind that the favorites don’t always win. Just because you love your team doesn’t mean it’s going to win the next match.

The Most Active Betting Cities in Illinois

Illinois is a big state, with dozens of cities where players can enjoy sports betting. The most active betting cities so far include Chicago and Rockford.

IL Casinos with Sportsbooks

The most popular casino with a sportsbook in IL so far is BetRivers. DraftKings is big as well, as is the Grand Victoria casino where William Hill is located. These casinos offer both sides of gambling activities, including slot gaming, table games, and sports betting.

Illinois Betting Tips & Predictions

The best Illinois sports betting sites have blogs to share tips and predictions about upcoming sports matches. More often than not, these are written by experts and former athletes.

Their knowledge of the subject is invaluable, so don’t hesitate to use it. Reading tips and predictions about the matches you want to bet on can raise your chances of winning your next bet slip.

Illinois Overview

As one of the latest states to legalize sports betting, bookmakers in IL are hot. Legal sports betting in Illinois is the favorite pastime for thousands of bettors week in and week out. Below you can see a list of interesting facts about the state and sports betting at the moment.

• IL is a US state that lies Midwest and borders Indiana;
• The most popular cities in Illinois are Chicago, Rockford, Aurora, and Springfield;
• English is the official language of the state;
• The most popular legal sportsbooks in Illinois are William Hill, BetRivers, DraftKings, and FanDuel;
• If you’re looking for the top casinos with sportsbooks, you should visit the Grand Victoria, Argosy Casino, Rivers Casino, and Casino Queen;
• IL bettors love to use American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal for deposits;
• The most popular sports in Illinois are basketball, baseball, and American football;
• The top competitions and sports events in Illinois are the NBA, NFL, MLB, and the Superbowl;
• NBA superstars Isaiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, and Tim Hardaway were born in Illinois. Other famous athletes from the state include George Mikan, Ray Meyer, and Red Grange;
• The most popular teams from Illinois are the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Bears;
• Illinois is the 15th US state to legalize sports betting.