Latest legal IL Sports Betting Apps

Now that sports betting is live and legal in Illinois, we take a look at the best IL Sports betting apps to use on mobile, Android & iPhone.

Bet anywhere across the state on all your favorite sports straight from your smartphone! The Illinois sports betting law allows for players to wager on their favorite sports markets remotely.

Best IL mobile sports betting sites

There are 6 mobile sports betting apps available to use in Illinois. The full list of mobile sportsbooks is:

• PointsBet Sportsbook
• BetRivers Sportsbook
• Caesars Sportsbook
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• BetMGM Sportsbook

Let us get right to the point. If you are reading this, you undoubtedly want to know about the best sports betting apps in Illinois. Currently, the only legal betting apps in Illinois are BetRivers, DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook, FanDuel Par-A-Dice Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook at the Grand Victoria Casino, and PointsBet at the Hawthorne Racetrack.

All of the sportsbooks featured on the Gamble Illinois site offer a free bet for new customers joining up.

Below is a breakdown of what is the market’s best offerings, including how to choose a sportsbook, how to register with your chosen sportsbook, and how to place your first bet online. The sportsbooks listed are all regulated and legal to use in The Prairie State.

#1 PointsBet Sportsbook Illinois Mobile App

PointsBet was the fourth app to launch in Illinois, opening in September 2020. The Aussie based bookmaker launched its sportsbook through a partnership with Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero. PointsBet has a unique approach to betting, aptly titled Pointsbetting. With this, players can bet on an established mark, such as a total or point spread, but win or lose based on the distance the actual score is from the estimate.

Additionally, there is a $500 deposit match bonus available for new players on PointsBet Illinois. There is a huge choice of sports and markets to wager on, and for this alone, it makes it our #1 Illinois sports betting app. Bet safely and securely and access the best odds straight from your mobile.

PointsBet New Player Welcome Bonus

The sportsbooks offers all new customers a free bet bonus worth up to $20,00. To qualify, use the promo code GUSA when you make your initial first deposit. You can then get up to $500 back if your first fixed odds bet loses. As well as this, you can also get up to $1,500 back if you lose your first PointsBetting wager. Head to pointsbet.com to create an account today!

#2 BetRivers Sportsbook Illinois Mobile App

The BetRivers Illinois sportsbook app was the first to be launched in Illinois, officially going live on June 18, 2020. This anticipated development, given BetRivers, powered by Rush Street Interactive, had long been well-positioned to arrive first to the party. Rush Street’s Rivers Casino Des Plaines accepted the first legal retail wager on March 9, 2020.

BetRivers, which offers its new users a $250 first deposit match, has experienced massive success in other states where legal online betting is allowed. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Indiana are among the states where BetRivers has a considerable presence, facilitating its Illinois launch.

The BetRivers app features in-game wagering, live streaming, and some of the best odds on all your favorite sports. Wager on football, basketball, tennis, golf, MMA, and more! Renowned for their fast payout and customer support, the Rivers betting app is a great option for any IL sports gambler.

BetRivers is not the flashiest product, nor does it consistently feature the promos and creative betting specials offered by rivals. Still, it is a reliable product with a wide range of betting markets.

BetRivers New Player Welcome Bonus

BetRivers offers an excellent 100% deposit bonus for their new members, worth up to an impressive $250. Even better, the bonus money only has a 1x playthrough wagering requirement.

This is an excellent bonus. You can claim as little or as much as you want up to $250, depending on your bankroll and how much you wish to deposit. The upper limit is reasonable, and the relaxed turnover requirements mean the bonus cash is incredibly valuable. Sign up at betrivers.com in a matter of minutes to claim your bonus.

This is a great value option for new players betting in Illinois.

#3 Caesars IL Sportsbook at Grand Victoria Casino Mobile App

Caesars Sportsbook (previously William Hill) US entered the Illinois market in August 2020, forming a partnership with the Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin. The Caesars Sportsbook at the Grand Victoria Casino is roughly 45 miles outside of Chicago. The casino is part of the Caesars portfolio. There is no Caesars Casino online site available in the state.

The UK betting operator has a luxurious sportsbook at the Grand Victoria Casino. Caesars Illinois Sportsbook is open for business from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, and the sportsbook includes an abundance of TVs, high-top tables, and comfortable lounge chairs to watch every game.

As well as the sportsbook at the Grand Victoria Casino, Caesars Sportsbook launched a mobile betting app in Illinois back in December 2020. The mobile betting site is available on Android and apps for the iPhone as well. It’s not just mobile betting where Caesars excels, they also have one of the best sportsbook websites available for those wanting to wager on a desktop.

Caesars is well renowned for offering one of the best gambling experiences available. The app is really easy to use and will appeal to those new to sports betting, as well as experienced pros. Bet on all the major US sports including football, basketball, baseball, and loads more. The app is fast to use, secure and reliable.

Caesars Sportsbook New Player Welcome Bonus

Caesars Sportsbook Illinois offers new players their first bet on Caesars up to $1,250. Though bettors are free to deposit less money with the initial deposit, doing so means the full benefits of this offer will not be realized. And win or lose, players can also get 1,000 Reward Credits® and 1,000 Tier Credits.

To take advantage of the various bonuses offered by Caesars Sportsbook, you can sign up at caesars.com/sportsbook-and-casino. It only takes a few minutes to open an account, then you will be ready to take advantage of all the bonuses and betting action available on the app. Since it is so easy to sign-up and claim the Caesars Sportsbook welcome offer – why not get signed up and bet now.

#4 DraftKings IL Sportsbook Mobile App

On 8/5/20, DraftKings Sportsbook launched its app in Illinois. DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook is the Illinois Sportsbook’s name, and the online sportsbook and DK mobile app are both available in Illinois. DraftKings Sportsbook was the second online sports betting operator to enter the market. They partnered with Casino Queen in Alton, around a four-hour car ride from Chicago. In July 2020, DraftKings launched its legal sports betting app in partnership with the Casino Queen.

Still, what is most interesting about DraftKings Illinois is that they found a loophole to enter the Illinois online sports betting market. At the outset, an online betting site like DraftKings and FanDuel were supposed to wait for 18-months before entering the Illinois market.

DK has one of the best football gambling apps available on Android and iPhone. Bet on all the major US leagues and get access to the best-priced odds. You will find in-game betting, fast payouts, odds boosts, and more.

DraftKings New Player Welcome Bonus

DraftKings’ welcome bonus is worth up to $1,000, which is excellent. The bonus comes in the form of a deposit bonus worth 20% of your first deposit but capped at a maximum value of $500 and a risk-free bet worth up to $500. This means to get the full value; you would have to deposit $2,500 of your cash and place your first bet of $500.

The 20% deposit match comes in bonus cash, which is unlocked at $1 for every $25 you bet.

We also love that there is no DraftKings promo code required to take advantage of this offer – follow our link, and DraftKings will take care of the rest for you.

We like the total value of $1,000, but only the bigger spenders will indeed make the absolute most of this bonus. Head to sportsbook.draftkings.com to join today.

#5 FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois Mobile App

On 8/28/20, FanDuel Sportsbook launched its sportsbook app in Illinois. FanDuel entered the Illinois market while partnering with Par-A-Dice Casino in Peoria, located right in the heart of Illinois. FanDuel was also the third sportsbook to offer mobile sports betting in The Land Of Lincoln.

The FanDuel entrance was remarkably interesting for Illinois. When sports betting launched in Illinois in March 2020, there were rumors that FanDuel was going to purchase Fairmount Park Racetrack to enter the market earlier than anticipated. The mobile online betting app is one of the most popular in IL and for many good reasons. They have an awesome welcome offer and one of the biggest choices of sports to bet on.

Now, FanDuel is partnered with Par-A-Dice casino so they could get around the 18-month “penalty box” period that the state of Illinois set up.

FanDuel New Player Welcome Bonus

FanDuel’s welcome bonus is like DraftKings. It is also worth up to $1,000, but this time it all comes from a risk-free bet.

Just create and enter your FanDuel login details, deposit some funds, and then place your first bet up to a total of $1,000. If your bet loses, your bet will be returned to you in the form of bonus cash.

To unlock and withdraw the bonus cash, you will need to wager the entire value again at odds of -200 or higher. Join up at fanduel.sportsbook.com today to get your welcome bonus.

This welcome bonus is perfect for a player signing up for an online sportsbook precisely to place one large bet. FanDuel Illinois will be one of the biggest draws in the state.

#6 BetMGM Sportsbook Illinois Mobile App

BetMGM became the latest sportsbook to go live in IL when remote registration was scrapped in March 22. BetMGM app was already live and available in over 12 states and has become one of the most popular betting apps for US bettors. Available on Android and iPhone, the app is easy to use, fast and reliable. Packed full of features like cash out, same game parlays, live in game wagering and more, it is sure to be a hit with IL bettors.

BetMGM New Player Welcome Bonus

Like all good sportsbooks, BetMGM Illinois offers new customers a free bet. Any new player can get a risk free bet up to $1,000 at betmgm.com

The Barstool sportsbook Illinois is also live but players must register in-person at one of the Barstool retail sportsbooks first before they can wager online.

Apps Coming to Illinois

We have listed the current Illinois sports betting apps above, but as an Illinois bettor you will have more to choose from soon. These include:

• BallyBet
• TheScoreBet
• Unibet
• Circa Sports
• WynnBet

Legal Sports Betting Markets in Illinois

If you are located within the borders of Illinois, you can legally bet on professional, collegiate, and international sporting events; all from your mobile. In Illinois, the betting law dictates that you must be aged over 21 and be located inside state lines to place a sports wager legally. To prove you are in the state you must allow location setting on your device. This geolocation software can occasionally cause problems, but you can read our guide to fixing geolocation problems here. Additionally, you do not have to be a permanent resident of Illinois to bet.

Illinois gambling laws meant that to wager online in the state, you needed to register an account at a casino before being able to bet online. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this need for remote registration has been suspended. This means customers can now download a betting app, sign up and wager, without the need to visit a casino. You can read more about remote registration on our news blog.

There are some restrictions you should be aware of when betting in Illinois. First, you cannot bet on in-state collegiate teams. This means Illinois residents cannot wager on the University of Illinois or Northwestern if they are in their home state.

Any bets placed must also be on sporting events only. You cannot bet on awards or elections. Finally, if you are involved in a sports league as a player, coach, or other personnel, you can’t bet on your own sport. Other sports, however, are permitted.

There are also numerous offshore websites offering Illinois sports gambling options. The state has not regulated these, so your information is not protected. The online sportsbooks listed on this page all offer legal sports betting markets and are safe and licensed.

Major Sports to bet on in Illinois

Illinois is home to the third-largest city in the US, Chicago, so as you would expect, there are several professional sports teams to support and games to bet on. Typically in each state, there is a popular standout team, but there is more of a mixture in Illinois. Most betting types are available for the major games when they are in season. However, some sports such as basketball and hockey require slight alterations to the usual bets offered. You must be aware that not all betting types apply to every sport.

NFL Betting in Illinois

Illinois is home to the Chicago Bears, who have not had the most successful period in recent times. They have reached the NFL playoffs once in the last decade; however, they remain one of the state’s most popular teams. They last won the Super Bowl in 1985, led by legendary coach Mike Ditka, and they can count on strong support. People can bet on the amount of TD’s they think a receiver might have or how many yards a QB will throw for in any single game.

MLB Betting in Illinois

As Chicago is such a large city, it is home to two Major League Baseball franchises; the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. Both teams have claimed World Series trophies in the last 20 years, and both are aiming to repeat that success. It is a rare event for the teams to actually meet; however, that does not diminish the intense rivalry they share. Betting is not unfamiliar with Chicago residents, as DraftKings agreed to a deal with the Chicago Cubs to launch a DraftKings sportsbook at Wrigley Field.

Betting on baseball is somewhat unique. Because the game is low scoring, Illinois sportsbooks will use what is known as a run line. This will set the spread at 1.5 runs, but the payout will be changed to appear more like a moneyline than a true spread bet.

NBA Betting in Illinois

One of the teams to rival the Chicago Bears’ popularity in Illinois is undoubtedly the Chicago Bulls. Naturally, when you think of the Bulls, images of Michael spring to mind, and the six NBA titles he won with the team during the ’80s and ’90s. However, success has been hard to come by since Jordan last laced up his shoes. Betting on NBA games is a straightforward process. It is a fast-paced, high scoring game, so there are numerous opportunities to wager on props and totals.

NHL Betting in Illinois

Illinois is home to one NHL team, the Chicago Blackhawks. They are the state’s most successful sports team over recent years, winning the Stanley Cup three times in the past 11 years. Hockey is traditionally a low scoring game, so it is tricky for Illinois online sportsbooks who want to create a spread bet. If you wish to bet on the NHL, you can use a wager known as the puck line. This is the same as the run line in baseball.

Sports betting in Chicago is extremely popular, especially when it comes to betting on pro teams in the state.

Betting on Horse Racing in Illinois

There are several options available to bet on horse racing in Illinois. The state has a long history with horse betting and has three race tracks; Arlington International Racecourse, Fairmount Park, and Hawthorne Race Course. Illinois is one of only a few states to offer live racing, off-track betting, and online horse betting.

The most efficient way to bet on horse races in Illinois is via your mobile device. Most of the best horse betting sites in the country are available to Illinois residents. Illinois sports betting sites include TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica. All three offer fantastic horse betting options.

Illinois Sportsbooks and Casinos

There are ten riverboat casinos in Illinois, and so far, seven have obtained licenses to operate sportsbooks. Additionally, there are three race tracks in the state. All have submitted applications to offer Illinois sports betting markets but have not yet received approval from the Illinois Gaming Board. If you can’t make it to the casino and one to have a bet, you can just pull out your cell, open your betting app, and get your wager on.

Before everything came to a standstill in March 2020 due to the pandemic, only two sportsbooks could open, with the rest facing delays. A maximum of seven sports facilities is permitted to open sportsbooks at or within five blocks of their arenas and stadiums. Below is an overview of where you can go to bet on sports in Illinois.

• Sportsbook at Argosy Alton, Alton
• BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers Des Plaines, Des Plaines
• DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook, East St. Louis
• Caesars Sportsbook Sportsbook at Grand Casino Victoria, Elgin
• PointsBet sportsbook and Penn National sportsbook
• Barstool Sportsbook Hollywood Casino Aurora riverboat casino

The Argosy sportsbook is one of the most popular retail sportsbooks in the state and is a great venue to visit on game day if you don’t want to wager online using one of the Illinois online gambling apps. It is well worth going to as one of the biggest casinos in Illinois, there is so much to see and do there.

Illinois Sports Betting Banking Options

If you are new to online and mobile sports betting, moving money around may feel like a complicated process. You may be looking for IL Sportsbook app that accept PayPal or be wondering how to make a deposit. There is no need to worry; online sportsbooks mostly have the same payment methods. Moreover, they want to keep your custom, so they will have several options to ensure depositing and withdrawing your funds is a straightforward process. All legal sports betting sites in Illinois are licensed and regulated, so your funds are guaranteed.

You may be considering using e-wallets such as PayPal as they are fast and efficient. The good news is that all the mobile sportsbooks in IL accept PayPal as a cashier option. The most common payment methods you will discover on Illinois gambling sites are:

• Credit/Debit Cards
• E-Checks
• Online Banking
• E-wallets
• PayNearMe

Withdrawal times may vary depending on which method you choose. The fastest way to transfer funds is by using an e-wallet such as Skrill or PayPal. If you need assistance with banking at an online sports betting site, sportsbooks will have a customer support section. Alternatively, if using a service such as PayPal, you could contact PayPal support if the problem is around your PayPal sign in or something specific to the wallet.

So there you go, the 5 best sports betting apps for bettors in Illinois. Now you know which legal sports betting apps are available, you can download and bet safely and securely.

Gambling in Illinois has always been popular and now even more so now that online and mobile wagering is available in the state.

FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes, the Illinois sports betting industry swung into action in March 2020 as the first legal bets were taken.

Are sportsbooks legal in Illinois?

Yes. Sportsbooks can now offer online sports betting to residents and visitors to Illinois as long as they partner with a land-based property first. The Illinois sports betting market is booming and more online sportsbooks legal will launch in due course.

Can I use FanDuel sportsbook in Illinois?

Yes, FanDuel launched its Illinois sports betting app in summer 2020 through a partnership with Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria. It is one of the most successful sportsbooks in the state and Illinois sports bettors can play on the go.

Can you bet on sports in Chicago?

Yes, there are online sports betting options for Chicago residents to bet on their favorite sports. All of the sportsbooks listed on this page are legal and regulated so players can wager in a safe environment.

Is bovada legal in Illinois?

Bovada is not a legal IL sports betting site and as such we do not recommend you bet there. You are far safer playing at a regulated IL sportsbook.

Who regulates the Illinois sports betting industry?

The Illinois Gaming Board oversees sports betting in Illinois. All sportsbooks in the state must adhere to their rules and guidelines.