Illinois (IL) Sportsbooks: Best Sports Betting Sites & Apps – December 2024

Yes. Illinois legalized sports betting in June 2019. Sports betting officially launched in the state in March 2020, allowing fans of the Chicago Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks to bet on their hometown teams.

You can use one or more online sportsbooks in Illinois. Here’s what to look for when deciding which sportsbook websites/apps to try first.

• App functionality: How does the app work for you? Is it laggy? Does the interface make sense? If you’re going to use a sportsbook, make sure it works the way you want it to.
• Betting market variety: The sportsbook you choose should have all the betting markets you’re interested in. While every licensed sportsbook has odds on all major U.S. sports, markets and bet types vary by sportsbook.
• Betting odds: How competitive are the sportsbook’s odds? Small differences in odds can add up in the long run if you bet frequently or place large wagers.
• Customer service: Reliable customer service is important in case you have any issues with your account.
• Live betting: Live betting is becoming more popular, so you’ll want a sportsbook that allows you to submit live bets quickly. If a sportsbook takes too long to load or place a live bet, you may miss out on favorable odds.
• Payment methods: There’s a variety of payment methods you can use to fund your sportsbook account, but make sure the sportsbook offers common ones like online banking, credit/debit cards and digital wallets.
• Promotions: You’ll want a sportsbook with strong promotions, including a good welcome offer and recurring promos for existing users.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the online sportsbooks in Illinois that meet our recommended criteria. All of the following sportsbooks rate highly for the aforementioned criteria, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.

One of the top names in North American sports betting, DraftKings was a major player in daily fantasy sports prior to sports betting being legalized across the country.

DraftKings’ online sportsbook has a distinctive interface that is easy to understand and navigate, making it perfect for new users. It also has an abundance of betting markets, including prop bets and futures.

Don’t forget DraftKings’ Parlay Builder tool, which makes it easy to combine multiple wagers into a single bet with higher odds. The site also has daily odds boosts, a good rewards program and a strong welcome offer for new users.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $5+, get $150 in bonus bets if first bet wins
Promo Code	N/A
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NJ, NY, NH, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WY, WV
Offer Expires	Jan. 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.5/5
Date Verified	Nov. 26, 2024
Claim Bonus

Like DraftKings, FanDuel is the other major player in North American sports betting thanks to its cutting-edge platform that offers a wide array of betting markets with an easy-to-use interface.

FanDuel is partnered with every North American sports league and features every betting market you can think of. It also has a good selection of daily odds boosts and promotions, including a strong welcome offer for new customers.

FanDuel makes sports betting easy and is known for its reliable customer service. This is another sportsbook that’s perfect for someone looking to dip their toes into the sports betting waters.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $5+, get $150 in Bonus Bets + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Promo Code	N/A
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY
Offer Expires	Dec. 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apple Store Score	4.9/5
Google Play Store Score	4.7/5
Date Verified	Nov. 26, 2024
Claim Bonus

BetMGM has a mobile sportsbook that features a plethora of easily accessible menus, odds boosts and betting markets.

This sportsbook is the top choice for bettors who enjoy visiting casinos, as members can earn reward points with the sportsbook that can roll over into free stays and rewards at BetMGM’s retail casinos.

If you’re looking to have the glitzy Vegas experience in your pocket, then this sportsbook is for you.

Category	Description
Offer	Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses
Promo Code	FORBES
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, PR, TN, VA, WV, WY
Offer Expires	Feb. 10, 2025
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.3/5
Date Verified	Nov. 26, 2024
Claim Bonus

The sports betting arm of Caesars Entertainment, Caesars Sportsbook launched in Illinois in March 2022 and has comprehensive market coverage, allowing bettors to place bets on myriad sports.

Like BetMGM, bettors at Caesars can get Caesars Rewards points through the app that can then be used at Caesars casinos and hotels.

Caesars Sportsbook is known for its quick live betting, the ability to stream select sports events in the app and the amount of promotions available to bettors, including a staggering amount of daily odds boosts.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $1, get 10 $100% profit boosts
Promo Code	FORBES1000
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, PR, TN, VA, WV, WY
Offer Expires	11:59 a.m. local time on Jan. 27, 2025
Apple Store Score	4.7/5
Google Play Store Score	4.3/5
Date Verified	Nov. 25, 2024
Claim Bonus

The new kid on the block, Fanatics Sportsbook is the newest iteration of PointsBet Sportsbook, which was rebranded after being acquired by Fanatics Gaming in 2023.

Fanatics features a sleek, easy-to-use app with many betting markets. It also has a welcome offer for new users, daily odds boosts and perhaps the best rewards program in the industry.

With FanCash, users earn back a percentage of every bet, which can then be converted into bonus bets or site credit to use at Fanatics’ retail site.

Fanatics also boasts an impressive user experience by tailoring its display based on your bet history, making it easier to find the sports and bet types you prefer.

Category	Description
Offer	Get daily $100 no-sweat bet for 10 straight days
Promo Code	N/A
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	$1+, min. -500 odds
Availability	AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NY, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY
Offer Expires	Dec. 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.4/5
Date Verified	Nov. 26, 2024
Claim Bonus

BetRivers is the Prairie State’s hometown sportsbook, as it was the first sportsbook to launch in the state when sports betting was legalized. It also has a physical sportsbook at Rivers Casino Des Plaines.

It has a large number of markets, a secure sign-up process and an easy-to-use interface that allows bettors to easily find the markets they’re interested in.

Users who stick with BetRivers can take advantage of the sportsbooks’ loyalty rewards program, which offers points for making bets that can then be used to redeem bonus bets, gifts and special offers.

BetRivers also offers streaming options for select sporting events in the app so bettors can track their bets in real time.

Category	Description
Offer	Get $100-$500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses (depending on state)
Promo Code	SPORTS
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	Min. -200 odds
Availability	AZ, CO, DE, IA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV
Offer Expires	TBD
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.7/5
Date Verified	Nov. 26, 2024
Claim Bonus

Illinois was one of 17 states that ESPN BET launched in when it debuted in November 2023. Its app provides a smooth betting experience with its modern interface, quick load times and easy navigation.

ESPN BET has a solid welcome offer, exclusive odds boosts and rewards for existing customers like deposit matches and cash back on bets. It also has good customer service and fun tie-ins to its parent company. It features promos and tie-ins that correspond with ESPN personalities and shows.

Hard Rock Bet debuted in January 2019 and is affiliated with Hard Rock Casino. It has a clean, modern app that’s easy to use along with exclusive daily odds boosts, good market depth and solid promotions.

Hard Rock Bet launched in Illinois in late August 2024, just in time for the 2024-25 NFL season.

We’ve taken the time to sample and research numerous sportsbooks, narrowing down a list of the best in the industry. These rankings can help you decide which ones to try first.

Our rankings are based on scores in the following categories:

• App reviews 
• Availability across states
• Size of welcome offer 
• Ease of claiming welcome offer
• Rewards program
• In-app streaming capabilities
• Existing user promos
• Customer service options

Below, we’ll break down each category and why they’re important to your sports betting experience. Then we’ll rank our favorite sportsbooks and explain what makes them stand out.

Criteria

Here are the factors we considered when constructing our list. 

App Reviews

A quick and easy way to get a sense of a sportsbook’s quality is by comparing user reviews on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Since ratings are out of five stars, you’ll generally want a sportsbook that’s well-regarded with an average score of at least four stars.

You can also dive into specific user comments to get a sense of what people are saying about the app and if there are any recurring complaints or issues. This can be helpful for features that are hard to gauge until you actually use the app, like lagginess or customer service.

Many commenters are there to complain, so don’t put too much stock in specific reviews. 

That said, if you notice common themes throughout the comments, consider it a warning for issues you may encounter with the app.

State Availability

Each state handles sports betting differently. Some states allow both in-person and mobile sports betting, while others might only allow in-person sports betting or have a hard cap on the number of mobile sportsbooks permitted. 

Accordingly, sportsbooks vary by state, as each state has to approve a sportsbook before it can launch there. No sportsbook is available in every state with legal online sports betting, but a few have launched in the majority of them.

Generally speaking, the more states a sportsbook is available in, the better. That means it’s more likely to be available in your state, a bordering state or a state you’re likely to travel to, making it easier and more convenient to use. That way, you’ll be able to take your sportsbook with you rather than needing to sign up for a new one every time you leave your state.

While smaller “local” sportsbooks usually offer profit boosts and other bonuses based on hometown teams, they’re usually only available in a handful of states at most, offering limited availability.

Size of Welcome Offer

This is an important one. How much free money will a sportsbook give you for signing up?

Most sportsbooks have welcome offers to entice new customers, but it’s important to know how these offers work. Just because an offer has a higher dollar amount attached to it doesn’t necessarily make it better.

Some sportsbooks have “bet and get” promotions where you receive bonus bets (site credit) just for wagering a small amount of money. For example, you might get $200 in bonus bets just for placing a $5 wager. You’re essentially getting free money to bet with.

Other sportsbooks have “no-sweat” offers that give a bonus bet only if your first bet loses. 

For example, if you place a $20 bet after signing up and it loses, you’ll receive a $20 bonus bet, similar to a refund.

These offers tend to wow bettors with larger amounts than “bet and get” promos, often going up to $1,000 or $1,500. However, you’ll only receive a bonus bet if your first wager loses, in which case you’ll need to use the bonus bet to try to win your money back. If your wager wins, you’ll receive your cash winnings like a normal wager but won’t receive any bonus.

Accordingly, “no sweat” offers generally aren’t as good as “bet and get” promos. 

When comparing sportsbooks, it’s better to focus on welcome offers with guaranteed bonuses that give you site credit no matter what.

Ease of Claiming Welcome Offer

The size of the bonus offer won’t matter if it’s difficult to claim. 

The best sportsbook bonus offers are as easy to claim as they are generous, being simple and straightforward without requiring you to jump through hoops.

The best bonuses are guaranteed and hit your account instantly as soon as you place your first bet. They’ll also be easy to follow and won’t require you to check a bunch of boxes to get your bonus.

Some sportsbook bonus offers require you to make multiple wagers or wait days or weeks to unlock your full bonus. This can be inconvenient, especially if you’re trying to get your full bonus ahead of a major sporting event like the Super Bowl or March Madness.

More complex offers can be a pain, so we prefer simplified offers with fewer requirements.

Rewards Program

If you bet often and are planning to use a sportsbook frequently, a strong rewards program is essential.

Loyalty programs differ by sportsbook. Some give you rewards points for each bet, which can then be converted into bonus bets or other rewards. Others offer big rewards like free trips, hotel stays, tickets to sporting events and more.

On the other hand, some sportsbooks don’t have any rewards. That might not be a big deal for casual bettors, but it can make a difference for frequent sports bettors.

It’s like paying for something with cash versus a credit card. If you place a bet at a site without a loyalty program, you’re missing out on points elsewhere.

In-App Streaming Capabilities 

While bigger sports like football or basketball are usually only available to watch via traditional cable or streaming services, some sportsbooks offer the ability to stream smaller sports in the app, which is a benefit for bettors.

For example, FanDuel‘s app often streams tennis matches, which makes it easier to follow the action and place live wagers. 

Beyond just offering live streaming, we also considered how laggy the stream was, how much battery it used and the amount of events available to stream in the app. 

Existing User Promos

Most sportsbooks have some type of welcome offer to get new customers in the door, but where they really differ is with their promotions for existing customers.

Some sportsbooks offer a slew of daily promotions like odds boosts, no-sweat bets, bonus bets and more to keep customer coming back every day. Others only offer these sparingly, however, if at all.

One key existing user promo to consider is the referral bonus. Many sportsbooks have some type of referral bonus for getting someone else to sign up, but the amount can differ ($50 per person, $100, $200, etc.). If you’re planning to bet with friends or family, this can be a great way to score bonus bets for you and them.

Similar to a rewards program, you’ll want a sportsbook with frequent offers for existing customers if you plan to bet frequently.

Customer Service Options 

Strong customer service options are a must for any sportsbook considering most disputes or calls involve someone’s money. 

High marks were given to any sportsbook that offered 24/7 customer service (sporting events often end at night, after all), while points were deducted if a sportsbook relied on a FAQ page as a key part of its customer service profile. The more options for contacting customer service (email, chat, phone, etc.), the better.

Customer support is essential to guaranteeing a smooth sports betting experience. If a problem arises, it’s important to have it handled quickly and effectively.

Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.