Legal sports betting in Illinois began in June of 2020. The initial law required customers to sign up for Illinois betting apps in-person at a retail sportsbook. Luckily, that is about to change.
Starting on March 5, 2022, you will be able to sign up for IL betting apps from anywhere within the state lines. Everything can be done right from your mobile phone!
Best Illinois Sportsbooks in 2023
The best Illinois betting apps, upon the re-launch of mobile registrations in 2023, are:
First Bet Offer get up to $1500 paid back in Bonus Bets if you don’t win
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Disclaimer
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
Illinois has been one of the largest sports betting markets in the US, and it’s only going to get better. We are going to touch on everything you need to know about Illinois sports betting apps. Most importantly – sign up bonuses and promo codes!
Registering for Illinois Betting Apps
When Illinois sports betting was legalized, there was an in-person registration requirement. Meaning, you had to visit a land-based sportsbook to create an account. This process was different than many other states in the US and ultimately caused a lower handle.
Because of COVID, Governor JB Pritzker eliminated the requirement for a period of time while casinos were closed as a result of the pandemic. But the in-person requirement returned in April of 2021.
In March of 2022, it is going to change back for good. You will be able to sign up for Illinois betting apps directly from our site, claim a welcome bonus, and place bets from anywhere within the state lines.
You simply need to be 21 years old and be within the IL state lines. Illinois online sportsbooks will ask for basic info, such as name, address, phone number, and the last four digits of your SSN to confirm your identity.
The rest of this page will go over what you need to know when signing up, such as welcome bonuses, how to fund your account, and what teams you can bet on.
Illinois Betting Apps Sign Up Bonuses
Before you register for an Illinois sportsbook app, take a look at our sign up bonuses and reviews. Some include specific promos codes that need to be used during the registration process, and they all have rules you must follow.
Most Illinois betting sign up bonuses are bet credits back and deposit match bonuses.
Bet credits give you a second chance if your first bet loses. So, if you lose your first wager, the sportsbook will refund your account with bonus money.
With a deposit match bonus, a sportsbook will match a certain percentage of your deposit with bonus money. For example, with a 100% deposit match, a $100 deposit will result in an additional $100 in bonus money.
To attract new customers, there are sign-up bonuses. The catch to these offers is the terms and conditions, which we explain in our reviews. Know the rules of the welcome bonus you are using before starting to wager. It’ll give you the best chance of making a profit.
Finding Illinois Betting Bonuses & Promos
After using a sign up bonus, there are still other promos to take advantage of. Go to the promotions page of the Illinois betting app you are using to see the active bonuses.
Common Illinois betting bonuses:
- Parlay insurance
- Odds boosts
- Refer a friend
- Bonus live bet
- Reload bonus
The best Illinois betting apps have multiple offers going on at once. We love to see boosts and promos for popular teams that are located in the state.
Loyalty Programs
We encourage signing up for multiple Illinois betting apps. This allows you to shop around for the best odds and bonuses.
But if you bet consistently, it could be worth sticking with a sportsbook if there is a good rewards program.
Loyalty schemes and VIP programs will give you bonuses based on the amount that you bet. For example, Caesars Rewards and iRush Rewards are two of the top sports betting loyalty programs that offer a wide range of perks.
By using loyalty programs, you can earn bonuses for betting, or even discounts for hotel stays and luxury dinners.
The Best Sports Betting Apps in Illinois
To determine the best Illinois betting apps, we look at a variety of features and capabilities. First off, all of the following sites are safe and secure to use.
The IL betting apps we prefer will offer great sportsbook promos, plenty of ongoing rewards, a user-friendly interface, and quick options for deposits and withdrawals.
Here are the top apps for sports betting in Chiacgo and other parts of Illinois. Each is partnered with a physical casino in the state.
Caesars
After acquiring William Hill US, Caesars revamped its mobile app and created an advertising campaign around JB Smoove. If you watched the Super Bowl, you saw the Caesars commercial with the Manning brothers.
Caesars Illinois partnered with Grand Victoria Casino. New customers can sign up for an account with our promo code – JULIUSFULL – for up to $1,250 back in bet credit if they don't win!
DraftKings
DraftKings is not just an option for daily fantasy sports. It has one of the top sportsbooks, especially for live betting. DraftKings Illinois has a retail location at Casino Queen.
Sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook and get $150 in bonus bets when you place your first real money wager of just $5. No DraftKings promo code is required.
BetRivers
The first Illinois betting app was BetRivers. Having a Rivers Casino location in the state, it was easy to find a partner for a license. It has a great rewards program called iRush Rewards.
BetRivers Illinois has a deposit match bonus offer you can claim by using our promo code – AMGAMBLER. The maximum bonus is $250, but it’s super easy to meet the playthrough requirements.
FanDuel
FanDuel has tons of online betting options, including a feature-packed sportsbook. It has a retail sportsbook located at Par-A-Dice Casino.
Sign up for FanDuel Illinois to get a no-sweat bet of up to $1,000!
Illinois Live Betting Apps
All of the Illinois betting apps mentioned offer live betting, but some have better in-game options than others. The details of what is available for live betting can be seen in our sportsbook reviews.
With Illinois live betting apps, you can place bets during the entirety of the game. The odds and lines will change based on what is happening.
If the Chicago Bulls go on a run, their odds will improve, and their total could even go up. The best Illinois live betting apps will include live streaming for games so you can watch them from your mobile phone.
Live betting isn’t only for the most popular sports. Of course, leagues like the NFL and NBA will be covered. But you will also find in-game options for sports like tennis, golf, hockey, table tennis, and soccer.
All of the best betting apps these days offer live betting.
Popular Bets for Sports Fans in Illinois
All kinds of bets can be made from your mobile phone. Wagers include moneylines, spreads, totals, parlays, props, round-robins, and futures.
In our Illinois sportsbook reviews, we also look at the features that you can use. These include parlay builders, streaming services, betting games, and news platforms.
Chicago Sports Teams
In addition to mobile sportsbooks and retail locations at casinos, Illinois has approved for Chicago professional teams to have betting locations inside their stadiums and arenas. Soon, you can place bets from inside Wrigley Field!
Chicago is the only city in Illinois with major professional teams, but they have them all covered. Sports fans will enjoy betting on the Bulls (NBA), Blackhawks (NHL), Bears (NFL), Cubs (MLB), and White Sox (MLB).
The Cubs ended their 108-year drought without a World Series win in 2016. Going to Wrigley Field and spending time in Wrigleyville needs to be on every sports fans’ bucket list.
College Betting in Illinois
When sports betting was initially legalized in Illinois, you could not bet on in-state college teams. However, laws have been passed that have changed that, but you can only place pre-game wagers in-person at retail sportsbooks.
Unfortunately, bets on in-state colleges cannot be made from Illinois betting apps. Two of the most popular D1 programs in the state include the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats.
Illinois Betting Apps Banking Methods
To claim any of the welcome bonuses we discussed, you will have to make a deposit into your account. Chicago sports betting apps have several different methods you can choose from. The most common include:
- Credit/Debit Cards
- Online Banking
- PayPal
- Skrill
- PayNearMe
- Wire Transfer
- Play+ Cards
Even with remote registration being eliminated, you can still make deposits or withdrawals at the retail location.
Withdrawals will take several days to process, and usually include PayPal, online banking, and Play+ Cards.
Legalities of Illinois Betting Apps
Governor Pritzker included sports betting revenue in his budget for 2019, urging legislators in the state to get a bill passed. Luckily, it did, and he signed the bill into law in June of 2019. The Illinois Gaming Board oversees sports betting in the state.
Unlike many other states, Illinois had an in-person registration mandate, making customers visit a retail sportsbook in order to sign up for a betting app. It was short-lived due to COVID-19, but the law ended up returning once the dust settled.
HB 3136 was signed by Governor Pritzker in December of 2021. This bill introduces betting on in-state college teams at retail locations and puts a permanent end to in-person registration. After March 5th of 2022, remote registration can be done from anywhere within the state lines.
Revenue from sports betting is taxed at 15%.
Responsible Gaming with Legal IL Betting Apps
The Illinois betting apps on our page have been approved by the state. Meaning, each one is safe to use. Your money and information are secure, so there’s no need to worry about being scammed or not getting paid.
Another benefit of legal betting sites is the responsible gaming tools. You can set limits on your account, such as deposit limits, so you can manage your bankroll. Never bet what you can’t afford to lose.
Illinois betting apps will have contact information for resources that you can contact if you or someone you know needs help with a gambling addiction.