Despite online sports betting becoming legal only a few years ago, sportsbooks in Illinois have already surged in popularity. To make your search easier, we’ve put together a list of our top five favorite platforms so you can quickly find the sportsbook that best fits your style.
Whether you’re brand new to online sports betting or simply looking for a fresh option to try, this guide has you covered. Our top five picks — Fanatics, bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel — are all well-established, highly trusted operators. Each one also offers an exciting sign-up bonus you can claim as a new player.
Can I sign up to online sportsbooks in Illinois?
When it comes to online betting, the states in which you can do this often seem to be quite limited. The state regulations change quite frequently, so it's often a cause for confusion for many. But don't worry, we're here to clear everything up so you know exactly where you stand legally. If you live in the state of Illinois, then we're pleased to tell you that online sports betting is legal for you. There are around 11 online sportsbooks that are legal to operate in Illinois, and we're going to give you an overview of five of them later on in this guide. This is a reasonable number of legal sites, although is considerably less than the number of Kentucky sportsbooks at 27.
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Pros and cons Illinois sportsbooks
- Around 11 online sportsbooks available
- Place bets across popular sports and major leagues
- Mobile betting available
- Not available in other states
Top five online sportsbooks in Illinois
Now that we've talked a little bit about sports betting in Illinois, let's move onto which sportsbook you might want to choose. We've pulled together this list of our top five choices which all feature generous welcome offers, hundreds of betting markets across all major leagues and some downloadable mobile apps for easy betting on the go. And if you're curious about betting options in other states you can check out our New York sportsbooks guide.
| Illinois online sportsbooks | Welcome offer |
| bet365 | Bet $5 get $150 in bonus bets Up to $1000 in bonus bets safety net |
| BetMGM | Bet $10, get $150 in bonus bets Up to $1,500 in bonus bets safety net |
| FanDuel | Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets |
| Caesars | Up to $1,000 safety net bet |
| Fanatics | $25 Game Day Guarantee 100% Profit Boost Token |
bet365: A globally recognized brand
- Flexible deposit and withdrawal methods
- Reliable early cash-out function
- Strict KYC adds extra account security
- Live streaming across global leagues
- Streaming is restricted for the U.S. major leagues.
bet365 likely needs no introduction since it's one of the most recognisable online sportsbooks worldwide. You'll find a huge range of betting markets to place bets on including all major leagues. bet365 also has some exciting live betting options where you can place in-play wagers as the action unfolds. There are also not one but two welcome offers available to claim.
The first is a classic 'bet and get' offer whereby you can get $150 in bonus bets when you place a qualifying $5. And for once, it doesn't matter whether your bet wins or loses, you'll unlock the bonus offer either way. You can also choose to claim a safety net offer instead which means that you can get up to $1,000 in bonus bets back if your bet settles in a loss. You can also claim these sign up offers if you sign up from other legal states, like for example, at Indiana sportsbooks online.
BetMGM: Choose between two sign up offers
- Mobile app available for Android and Apple devices
- Available in 21 states
- Comprehensive sports coverage
- Not available to all US bettors
If you've been betting on sports for a while, then it's very likely that you've heard of or even bet on BetMGM. It's a popular online sportsbook available in Illinois known for its wide market coverage and fantastic promotions. You'll have the option to choose between two sign up offers: the 'bet $10, get $150 in bonus bets' offer and the first bet safety net offer.
To claim the first offer simply place any qualifying $10 wager within seven days of signing up and if your bet loses, then you'll receive $150 in bonus bets. If you prefer to grab the safety bet offer then all you need to do is place any qualifying wager and if your bet loses, you'll receive the same amount back as bonus bets.
FanDuel: A highly rated online sportsbook
- Variety of betting markets
- DFS contests
- Downloadable mobile app
- Not available in all states
FanDuel is one of the top online sportsbooks primarily due to its fantastic sports market coverage and super competitive odds. The site is really easy to use and you can either access it through the desktop site or download the mobile app. FanDuel is also known for offering generous promotions, including a great sign up offer.
If you decide to join FanDuel, you'll have the opportunity to claim a welcome offer of $300 in bonus bets. Sounds pretty good right? All you need to do to claim it is place a qualifying $5 bet on any eligible game and if your bet wins, then you'll receive $300 in bonus bets. Your bet winning is an important caveat to take note of here, because if your bet loses, then you won't be eligible to unlock the full offer.
Caesars: An online betting icon
- First bet safety net offer
- Dedicated mobile app
- User-friendly platform
- Live chat and phone support
- Not available in all states
When it comes to US based online betting, this is likely one of the most iconic names. Caesars has been around for years which makes it a super trustworthy option for any Illinois bettor. The site itself is really easy to use, the odds are competitive and for those that prefer mobile betting, there's a downloadable app too.
If you would like to sign up to Caesars, you'll have the opportunity to claim a safety net bet welcome offer. With this you'll get your first bet back in the form of bonus bets up to the value of $300 if it doesn't win. Just to be clear here - if your bet wins, then you'll collect your winnings as usual, and if your bet loses, you'll receive your bet amount back as bonus bets. You won't be able to withdraw these directly, but you'll be able to place any wager you like with them.
Fanatics: Collect FanCash with the welcome offer
- NFL live game streaming
- Quick deposit and withdrawals
- Personalized promotions tab
- Strong brand credibility
- Mobile-only, no desktop version
Another great option for Illinois bettors is Fanatics, with a variety of betting markets available across all major leagues. It's also one of the most generous online sportsbooks with two Illinois-specific promotions available to claim. You can only choose one so here's an overview of each to help you decide. The first offer is 'bet $50, get $250 in FanCash' split over five consecutive days. To claim this offer simply opt-in to the promotion in your bet slip and place a wager of at least $10 each day for your first five days.
Your second option is to claim the No Sweat Bets FanCash offer where you could grab a safety net of up to $2,000. So how does it work? Well, all you need to do is opt-in to your chosen promotion and place a wager of at least $1. If your bet loses, then you'll receive your bet amount back as FanCash.
How sign up to sportsbooks in Illinois
Now that we've talked through some of the available online sportsbooks in Illinois, you're likely wondering how you can sign up. The process is pretty straight forward and probably familiar to you if you've signed up to similar sites before. Signing up is the first step to claiming any of the sportsbook welcome offers. To sign up simply:
- Click on our page banners for your chosen Illinois sportsbook to head straight over to the home page.
- Find either the Join or Sign Up button in the top right hand corner which will open up the registration form.
- You could choose to complete the registration manually or sometimes sites will allow you to login using your Google or Apple account to save time.
- If signing up manually, enter your personal details including full name, birth date, address and so on.
- Read through the T&CS, accept them and submit your registration form.
Once you've verified your account, you'll then be able to claim your welcome offer. You'll need to follow the individual steps outlined above for each available sign up offer, but you will usually have to opt-in to your chosen promotion. You of course need to be located in a legal state, like Illinois to sign up and not somewhere that online betting isn't permitted like Missouri sportsbooks. You'll also need to be at least 21 years old too, although some states may have even higher age restrictions so be sure to double check this before signing up.
Final thoughts on sports betting in Illinois
So there you have it, our top five online sportsbooks for Illinois bettors. Whether you're just starting out in the world of sports betting or perhaps you want to expand your horizons into different platforms, you can't go wrong with bet365, Fanatics, Caesars, FanDuel or BetMGM. Each of these online sportsbooks offers some generous sign up offers - some even have more than one to choose from - hundreds of betting markets, super user friendly platforms and mobile betting features.
The most important thing is that you choose the online sportsbook in Illinois that's right for you. No matter what your favorite sport is or how you like to usually bet, you'll have plenty of ways to get involved in all the action across all recommended sites. To sign up simply click on our page banners, complete the registration, verify your account and claim your welcome offer. For more detailed information on each operator, visit our comprehensive sportsbook reviews section.
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Illinois sportsbooks FAQs
Are online sportsbooks legal in Illinois?
Yes, online sports betting has been legal in Illinois since 2019. There are 11 online sportsbooks currently available for Illinois bettors including FanDuel, bet365, Fanatics, Caesars and BetMGM. All of these sportsbooks are regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board so that you can place your wagers with complete peace of mind.
How old do I need to be to sign up to Illinois sportsbooks?
You'll need to be at least 21 years old to sign up to any of the licensed online sportsbooks and place your desired wagers in Illinois. When you sign up you'll also be required to verify your identity and account by completing a verification process. This will involve uploading a copy of your government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport.
Which sportsbooks in Illinois have the biggest welcome offers?
Well, this kind of depends on the type of offer that you've looking for. All of the online sportsbooks with the exception of Caesars provide some sort of 'bet and get' bonus, while Caesars, bet365, and BetMGM all offer some kind of safety net bonus.
