Best Illinois Betting Sites to Play Legally in 2024
Online sports betting is now legal in IL and our Illinois betting sites guide helps you get involved in the action. We look at the best websites and apps where you can wager online. We’re confident our site has everything to getf started with online betting in Illinois.
| Best Betting Sites in The United States | Bonus Offers | Highlights | Rating | Secure Link | T&Cs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best IL Betting Sites
- 🥇 BetMGM ✪ Top Sports Betting Markets
We hope you’ll find our site to be useful for gathering information about online sports betting in Illinois. In our guide, you’ll discover the best sites to bet on, the legal situation, and details about taxes, payments, and security. Our table shows the strengths of the best Illinois betting sites.
Each sportsbook has its own standout qualities. Some bettors search for the biggest sign-up bonus, while others prioritize safety and security. The Illinois sportbook you choose depends on your gambling style. We think you’ll be able to choose one that fits your needs.
Illinois Online Sports Betting Sites List: All Legal IL Sportbooks
All sites and apps on our Illinois online sportbook list are all fully regulated and licensed – meaning they are trustworthy places for your money. Here are our recommendations for the best betting sites Illinois has to offer.
- BetMGM LLC – (BetMGM) – Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, IL
These are our selections for the title of best Illinois online sports betting site. All these sites are licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board and partnered with a land-based casino – making them legal and trustworthy places to bet.
How to Start Betting Online in Illinois
Online bettors in Illinois will need to follow a few steps to get started. State regulations dictate that you must sign up in person at a brick-and-mortar casino before you bet online.
Each online sportsbook is partnered with a casino property. To sign up to a particular betting site, you must visit their partner venue and register there. Unfortunately, this could mean a long drive for some Illinoisans.
Go in person to the sportsbook of your choice with a valid photo ID. Fill out your personal details, verify your identity and open your account.
Download the app of your selected sportsbook on your IOS or Android device or log on to their website. Then complete the registration process.
Now you can make your first deposit. The best IL sports betting sites accept a variety of payment methods. When your money hits your account, you can make your first bet.
The in-person registration requirement was temporarily suspended for several months during the global pandemic – but has now returned. Some may find it inconvenient to travel across the state to visit a casino. However, once you have completed that step, the rest of the sign-up process should be straightforward.
Rating the Best Betting Sites Illinois Gamblers Can Bet At
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing an Illinois sportsbook. Having a safe place to gamble should be a top priority for bettors. We considered all the criteria in the table below when selecting the best Illinois betting sites.
The best online Illinois betting sites should feature big payouts, competitive odds, and regular bonuses and promotions. This should be complemented by safety, security, and usability for bettors. The top sites give a great all-around user experience and combine each of these factors.
Illinois Online Sports Betting: Legal Aspects
The first legal online sports bet was placed in Illinois on June 18, 2020. Since then, a number of legal online sportsbooks have launched in the state. All legal Illinois betting sites are licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board.
When evaluating each Illinois online sportbook, we focused on some important topics. Our number one priority is safety and security for bettors. All our recommended Illinois betting sites use the highest level of encryption and are fully licensed and regulated.
It might be tempting, but using an illegal bookmaker isn’t worth the risk. Stick to using a licensed and trustworthy IL sportsbook. By doing that, you know you are gambling within the law and in a secure environment.
Law and Licenses
Online gamblers should always use legal betting sites in Illinois. Betting at offshore sportsbooks is breaking state law. It is also a very risky proposition, as you have no way of knowing if your funds are safe and if you will get paid out on your winning bets.
The Illinois Gaming Board licenses all online sportsbooks in the state. The board thoroughly examines and tests all Illinois betting sites before they can receive a license to operate.
IL betting sites must partner with a brick-and-mortar casino to receive a license. All the best Illinois sportsbooks must pass a number of regulatory checks to meet the licensing requirements of the IGB.
Online sports betting in Illinois isn’t exclusive to state residents. If you have a valid Social Security Number and are located within state lines, you can sign up and bet. Likewise, Illinoisans can also bet online in other neighboring states where online gambling is legal, such as Indiana.
Taxes
Winnings from the best Illinois betting sites are subject to federal and state income taxes. For a big win, you may have a W-2G form sent to you automatically. Illinois has a flat state income tax of 4.95% and all gambling wins must be reported on your annual tax returns.
Operators also must pay their share of taxes to the state. In Illinois, sportsbooks are taxed at a flat rate of 15% of gross profits. Sports betting revenue is directed into the ‘Rebuild Illinois’ fund, which goes towards road improvements and funding education in the Prairie State.
Data Security and Encryption
All licensed Illinois betting sites should use a secure socket layer connection. This ensures all information sent between you and the gambling site is encrypted. Look for a padlock symbol to the left of the website address. Each Illinois sports betting app should also use encryption to protect your information.
It is up to you as an individual to protect yourself when you gamble online. When you wager at Illinois betting sites, online security steps should be followed. Use strong passwords on your computer and mobile devices and install the latest anti-virus software. Only download gambling apps from official sources.
Legal Gambling Age in Illinois
To gamble with an online sportbook, Illinois law dictates that you must be over the age of 21. This age limit is strictly enforced, and minors should not seek to circumvent this rule.
If you search online, you might find sportbooks that claim you can conduct legal IL sports betting from the age of 18. But be wary, as these offshore sportsbooks are illegal and should not be trusted with your hard-earned money.
Responsible Gambling in Illinois
Problem gambling is taken seriously in Illinois. If you have difficulties arising from using any of the best Illinois betting sites, then the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling can assist you.
If you want to be forced to permanently stop betting, then you can voluntarily self-exclude from all forms of gambling in Illinois. Be aware, that self-exclusion in Illinois is for life. It is tough to get a self-exclusion removed, so you should be sure before you go ahead with it.
The National Council on Problem Gambling and Gamblers Anonymous are two national organizations that can also help. The NCPG provides a 24-hour confidential helpline (1-800-522-4700) for anyone affected by the issue.
Certificates
For an Illinois sportsbook, online security and player safety are crucial topics. An Illinois betting site can prove it is trustworthy with a certificate. Our list below shows the most important certificates that should be displayed by an Illinois sportsbook.
- Cloudflare – Security
- Illinois Gaming Board Statewide Voluntary Self Exclusion Program – Responsible Gaming
- Gamblers Anonymous – Responsible Gambling
- National Council on Problem Gambling – Responsible Gambling
Look out for these certificates before you deposit your money. If an Illinois sports betting app or website displays the logos of these certificates, then you know they value your safety and security.
Bonus & Offers at Illinois Betting Sites
When considering the best betting sites Illinois has to offer, one of the most important criteria is the welcome bonus. All our selected sportsbooks have great introductory offers to get bettors from Illinois started.
Make sure you check the bonus terms and conditions before depositing. Each offer has individual requirements to satisfy before it can be completed. There might be playthrough stipulations or minimum odds levels to adhere to. Here are the welcome offers from our top Illinois betting sites.
| IL Betting Site | Welcome Bonus | Deposit Features | Rating | Secure Link | T&C’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | Up to $1,000 First Bet Offer | 1x, 7 days, -200 or more | 4.9/5 Score | Visit Site! | T&Cs Apply. New customer offer. Always gamble responsibly. 21+ |
Don’t focus solely on the bonus at the expense of everything else. There are plenty of other factors to consider when signing up to a new Illinois online sports betting site. Read on as we take a look at other topics – such as payouts, odds, payment methods, and apps.
Average Payout, Odds and Lines at Illinois Sportbooks
When gambling at the best online Illinois betting sites – you should always strongly contemplate their payout rates. Looking for fair payout rates should be a priority for any bettor who is signing up to an online Illinois sportsbook.
IL sportbooks charge a commission on every bet. This is called the vigorish, or vig, and acts as the profit that a sportbook takes from a betting market. A sharp gambler should always try to maximize their potential payouts and minimize the vig that they pay to a sportsbook.
- BetMGM – 96.09% Payout Rate
These are the average payout rates from our recommended Illinois betting sites. Larger payout rates mean you get more value on your bets. Remember that rates vary from sport to sport, so just use these figures as a guide.
Live Betting Sites
At the best sportsbooks, Illinois gamblers can place bets on live games as they happen. IL law allows wagering on sports events after they have begun. It is an exciting and dynamic method of gambling and a great way to add to your enjoyment of watching live sports.
Bear in mind that odds can change quickly in live betting, especially in a close contest. Make sure you have up-to-date scores and information before you bet on a live game. Then you won’t get caught out if odds alter. Here is our best Illinois live betting bonus.
Best Live Betting Bonus
- Bonus Code: Not Required
- Minimum Odds: -200 or more
- Wagering requirement: 1x
- Validity: 7 days
Welcome Bonus
Ongoing Offers MLB Profit Boost
Live Promotions 20% Profit Boost
-
T&Cs Apply. New customer offer. Always gamble responsibly. 21+
All bonuses have their own individual wagering requirements at different betting sites. The best IL sportbooks can have generous bonuses, but you should make sure the terms and conditions are realistically achievable before you sign up.
Whether you follow the Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, or Blackhawks- live betting can be a fun way to root for your team.
Payments at Illinois Betting Sites
There are a wide variety of payment options available at top Illinois betting sites. Online deposits via Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. Bank transfer is another convenient option. EWallets such as PayPal are also popular methods for Illinoisans to deposit and withdraw from legal online sportsbooks.
Our table shows all deposit and withdrawal options at IL betting sites. Our recommended sportsbooks don’t charge fees, but your payment provider might – so double-check. And remember, many sites only let you withdraw to a payment method if you have used it to deposit within the past 180 days.
| Payment Method | Type | Deposit Limits | Deposit/Withdrawal | Payment Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACH | Bank Transfer | $10 – $500 | Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| PayPal | eWallet | $10 – Unlimited | Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| Play+ | eWallet | $10 – Unlimited | Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| Visa | Debit Card | $10 – Unlimited | Available for Deposits / Not Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| Mastercard | Debit Card | $10 – Unlimited | Available for Deposits / Not Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| Discover | Debit Card | $10 – Unlimited | Available for Deposits / Not Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| Bank Transfer | Bank Transfer | $10 – Unlimited | Available for Deposits / Not Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
As online gambling is now fully legal in Illinois, betting sites that use unfamiliar or risky payment methods should be avoided at all costs. You should always gamble with sites that use legitimate and trustworthy payment options like bank transfer, PayPal, and debit card deposits.
Fully legal sportsbooks, like the ones we recommend, have government regulations ensuring customers are treated fairly. Our chosen sportbooks pay out promptly through your selected withdrawal method – so you should have no stress or worry if your bet wins.
Best Payment Methods
At the best online betting sites, Illinois gamblers have multiple deposit and withdrawal options. The ideal payment method varies from person to person, so you should choose the one that is most convenient for your needs.
You can use several major debit cards and other reliable payment options at all legal Illinois betting sites. If a gambling site asks you to use a payment method that you aren’t comfortable with, it should probably be avoided. Such gambling sites may also be illegal.
Apps for Betting in Illinois
Illinois sports betting apps make it even easier to place a bet. Each of our featured sportsbooks has a betting app for both iOS and Android users. This makes it straightforward to place a wager with a smartphone or tablet. Here’s our best Illinois sports betting app bonus.
All the best online Illinois betting sites have high-quality betting apps. Apps are a convenient method of betting for many gamblers in Illinois.
A big advantage of mobile betting is that you don’t need to be on your computer to gamble. With mobile betting, you can place a bet with your smartphone. The apps of our legal and recommended Illinois sportsbooks should be as safe and secure as their websites.
Customer Service at Illinois Betting Sites
Delivering good customer service is vital to the state’s top betting sites. Illinois sportbooks listed on this page all have live chat support to help customers. Plus, there is email support if that is what you prefer.
If you have a problem that can’t be resolved, then you can lodge a complaint with the Illinois Gaming Board. The benefit of legal online gambling in IL is that bettors have an organization to complain to in case of a dispute.
There is already fierce competition for business from Illinois bettors, so there is no reason to accept substandard customer service. The best betting sites in Illinois all have excellent support for their players.
The Best New Betting Sites in IL
Legal online gambling is still relatively new in the Prairie State. We believe there are already some fantastic places for online bettors in Illinois to get involved in fully legal sports betting. Here are our favorite new betting sites in Illinois:
| New IL Betting Site | Bonus Offer | Active from | Rating | Secure Link | T&C’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | Up to $1,000 First Bet Offer | 2022 | Visit Site! | T&Cs Apply. New customer offer. Always gamble responsibly. 21+ |
Each of our recommended sites is a well-established gaming business – operating legal sports betting in several states. All our selected new Illinois betting sites offer great bonuses to get you started.
Illegal Betting Sites in Illinois
There are plenty of excellent legal betting sites in Illinois, so there is no reason to gamble with illegal offshore bookmakers. Unlicensed sites are risky places to place a wager and should be avoided. Here is our blacklist of the betting sites that we urge you to steer clear of.
- ⛔ Riverbet
- ⛔ Premiumbull
- ⛔ digiBet
- ⛔ Bigbetworld
- ⛔ All Horse Racing
- ⛔ Gamebet
- ⛔ 21Bet
- ⛔ 1xBet
- ⛔ 12Bet
These sites are not licensed by the state of Illinois and can’t be trusted with your funds. If your bets are successful, there is no guarantee of a payout from these sportbooks. Illinois gamblers should stick to the trustworthy sportsbooks in IL which we recommend.
History of the Gambling Industry in Illinois
Illinois has a long history of gambling, and not all of it has been legal. In the 19th century, illegal gambling was commonplace – including on several unlicensed riverboat casinos. Illinois has a strong tradition of horse racing and in 1927 betting on the sport was legalized.
Things stayed stable on the legal gambling front for a number of decades, until the Illinois State Lottery began in 1974. The success of the lottery ushered in a new era of acceptance of gambling in Illinois, culminating in the Riverboat Act of 1990.
In 1990, the Riverboat Gambling Act legalized casinos in Illinois. However, casinos were only allowed to accept bets when they were navigating on waterways. This peculiar legal quirk was removed in 1999 when casinos were allowed to be permanently docked.
In 2019, Bill SB 690 legalized sports betting in Illinois. The long-awaited and much-debated legislation finally allowed gamblers in Illinois to bet legally. The first legal wager was placed on March 9, 2020. The first legal online bets at IL sports betting sites followed from June 18.
There are now a wide variety of legitimate gambling websites in Illinois. As the industry continues to grow, Illinois bettors should have an increasing choice of where to gamble online
FAQ
We hope that that you found our IL online sports betting guide as informative as possible. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions from our readers about gambling online in Illinois. This should cover some of the most common topics that our readers ask about Illinois betting sites.
🥇 What is the best betting site in Illinois?
There are several fully legal sites we recommend for online sports betting in Illinois. Our section above gives details of the best IL betting sites where you can place a wager.
🔎 Are there any new betting sites in Illinois?
Yes, there are lots of great new betting sites in Illinois. Online sports betting has been legal in Illinois since 2020 and Illinoisans have plenty of choice of where to bet online. The amount of regulated and licensed sportsbooks will likely increase further as Illinois online sports betting continues to grow.
📜 Is there a list of the Illinois betting sites?
We have several recommended sportsbooks for bettors. We reviewed all the online sportsbooks in the state and selected the best betting sites for Illinois gamblers. Follow our links to sign up to the site of your choice.
🛡️ Are Illinois betting sites safe?
Yes. Each of our featured Illinois betting sites is a safe place to gamble. All our recommended sites are fully licensed and regulated by state authorities. Bettors should not risk their funds by using illegal offshore betting sites. Read more about gambling safety in Illinois.
💵 How does Illinois make money from betting sites?
Illinois residents must pay taxes on their gambling winnings. Legal betting sites are also taxed a percentage of their profits by the state of Illinois. To find out more, take a look at our taxation summary for online sports betting in IL.
⚖️ Is online betting in Illinois also legal?
Yes, online betting is now fully legal in Illinois. You can bet legally and safely with state licensed sportsbooks. We summarise the legal situation for Illinois online sports betting in our section above.
👮 How can I solve a dispute with an Illinois online sportbook?
If you have a problem with IL betting sites, there are several steps you can take. First you must follow the official complaint procedure of the sportsbook in question. If you still aren't satisfied with the outcome, you can submit a complaint to the Illinois Gaming Board. Read more information in our support section above.
Conclusion: Exciting Times for Illinois Bettors
It is a great time to be an online bettor in IL. All of the best Illinois betting sites are now legal and safe. This gives a fantastic opportunity for online gamblers throughout the state of Illinois.
Online sports betting is now legalized in an increasing number of US states. Illinois is an early adopter of online sports betting, and more states are getting on board. Visit our guide to US betting sites to see in which other states you can bet online.