Sports betting in Illinois

Is online sports betting legal in Illinois?

Illinois has grown into one of the biggest sports betting markets in the country since legalizing wagering in 2020. Bettors in the state combined for more than $15.6 billion in total handle during 2025 alone, generating roughly $1.48 billion in revenue for operators and pushing state tax collections past $560 million for the year.

With 10 licensed online sportsbooks and over a dozen retail locations spread across the state, Illinois bettors have plenty of options. Below, we break down where to bet, what to expect from the state’s top operators, and everything else you need to know about legal sports betting in Illinois.

Illinois bettors must be 21+ and present to place wagers in the state. If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling www.ncpgambling.org

Illinois Sports Betting By the Numbers

Illinois’ sports betting market has grown every year since its 2020 launch, and the state’s new graduated tax structure hasn’t slowed things down.

• 2025 total handle: more than $15.65 billion, up nearly 12% from 2024
• 2025 sports betting revenue: approximately $1.48 billion, up close to 20% year over year
• 2025 state tax collections from sports betting: roughly $560 million
• Illinois taxes sports betting revenue on a graduated basis, ranging from 20% up to 40% for the largest operators

Those sportsbooks have the best bonuses right now, and they’re what we recommend for Illinois residents looking to get started with sports betting.

Legal Illinois Sportsbooks

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) currently authorizes 10 online sportsbooks to operate in the state, each tied to a licensed casino or racing partner.

• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• BetMGM
• Caesars Sportsbook
• BetRivers
• Fanatics Sportsbook
• bet365
• Circa Sports
• theScore Bet
• Hard Rock Bet

In addition to the online options above, Illinois has more than a dozen retail sportsbook locations at casinos and racetracks around the state — a nice option for residents who want the in-person experience that was once reserved for Vegas visitors only.

Top Illinois Sportsbook Promos Right Now

New Illinois bettors have some strong welcome offers to choose from at the state’s biggest sportsbooks.

• DraftKings: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
• FanDuel: Get $250 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 5 days
• BetMGM: Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets Back if your first bet loses
• Caesars Sportsbook: Up to $250 in Bet Resets over your first 5 days

Terms and conditions apply to every offer above and can change without notice, so always double-check the current promotion in the sportsbook’s app before signing up.

Illinois Sports Teams Fuel the Betting Market

Illinois boasts a rich sports culture with several professional teams that capture the enthusiasm of local bettors, and that fandom translates directly into betting volume around game day.

• Chicago Bears. As one of the oldest and most storied NFL franchises, the Bears attract immense attention from both fans and bettors, drawing significant wagering activity on game outcomes and player props alike.
• Chicago Bulls. The Bulls’ rich history, including the Michael Jordan era, still translates into strong betting interest every NBA season, especially if the team is in playoff contention.
• Chicago Cubs + Chicago White Sox. These iconic teams represent the city’s MLB presence, and their crosstown rivalry adds an extra layer of excitement to wagers on games, divisional matchups, and more.
• Chicago Blackhawks. As a member of the NHL’s Original Six, the Blackhawks draw plenty of attention from hockey bettors exploring moneylines, puck lines, and player props.

On top of those four franchises, there’s college sports, eSports, and everything else — it’s no wonder sports betting continues to grow in the Land of Lincoln.

The History of Sports Betting in Illinois

Of all the states to legalize sports betting, few did it faster than Illinois. Then-Governor J.B. Pritzker recognized the state was missing out on tax revenue and entertainment value, and legalized online sports betting in 2020 in part as a response to the economic pressures of COVID.

Illinois passed its sports wagering legislation via Senate Bill 690, with the first legal bet placed within weeks of the framework being finalized. Since then, nearly every major sportsbook app in the U.S. has launched in the state, and Illinois has become one of the largest sports betting markets by handle in the country.

We continue to update this page as new information on Illinois sportsbooks becomes available, so check back often.

Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes, sports betting has been legal in Illinois since 2020. Illinois residents 21 and older can place bets on their favorite teams both online through licensed sportsbook apps and at retail sportsbook locations across the state.

Illinois bettors can make nearly any type of legal wager, including moneylines, point spreads, totals, parlays, prop bets, and bonus bets.

Is online sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes, mobile sports betting is legal through any of the state’s 10 licensed sportsbook apps. You don’t need to live in Illinois to bet — you simply need to be physically located within the state’s borders when you place a wager.

What is the Illinois Gaming Board?

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) regulates all forms of gaming in the state, including retail and online casinos as well as sports betting. The IGB is responsible for licensing every sportsbook operator in Illinois — if an app isn’t on the IGB’s authorized list, it isn’t legal to use in the state.

What sports can Illinois bettors bet on?

You can bet on any professional or out-of-state college sport in Illinois, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, golf, tennis, NASCAR, MMA, and more. Non-sporting events like award shows and political outcomes are not eligible for wagers.

Illinois sportsbooks are also barred from taking any bet — game lines, props, futures, or live betting — on Illinois college teams. That ban has been in place statewide since July 1, 2024, so you won’t find the Fighting Illini or any other in-state program on the board at any licensed Illinois sportsbook.

What types of bets are legal in Illinois?

Illinois bettors can place spreads, moneylines, parlays, teasers, prop bets, and live/in-game bets with any of the state’s licensed sportsbooks. Most of the major apps, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars, support live betting on the biggest games.

Is DFS legal in Illinois?

Yes, daily fantasy sports remain legal in Illinois. DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo all currently operate DFS contests in the state, though Illinois has also moved to tax DFS operators as part of recent state budget legislation.

What is the legal sports betting age in Illinois?

The legal sports betting and gambling age in Illinois is 21. This applies to both online and retail wagering across every licensed sportsbook in the state.

What sportsbooks are available in Chicago?

Chicago-area bettors have plenty of options. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, and more all operate online across the Chicago metro area, and nearby retail locations like BetRivers at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines and Caesars at Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin offer the in-person experience.

What is live betting?

Live betting allows you to place wagers on a game as it’s happening rather than only before kickoff or first pitch. Odds shift in real time based on what’s unfolding on the field, giving bettors a way to react to momentum swings as they happen. Most major Illinois sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars, support live betting.

Where can I find promo codes for Illinois sportsbooks?

You can typically find promo codes and welcome offers directly on a sportsbook’s homepage or in its promotions section. We track the latest offers from Illinois-legal operators, so check our sportsbook promo pages before you sign up to make sure you’re getting the best available deal.

Always read the terms and conditions of any promotion before opting in — most welcome offers require a minimum deposit or qualifying wager before bonus funds are released.

How do I tell if I have a gambling problem and what do I do?

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. The National Council on Problem Gambling operates a 24/7 confidential helpline and offers resources on how to spot the signs of a gambling problem, including chasing losses, borrowing money, missing work, and lying about gambling activity.

Illinois-licensed sportsbooks are also required to support self-exclusion programs and deposit limits for anyone who needs them.

How to bet in Illinois

Register with a licensed operator above, verify your identity and location, and deposit — mobile wagering is available statewide the moment you're inside Illinois's borders. Retail sportsbooks are also live at select casino and racetrack locations where applicable.

Taxes & responsible gambling

Winnings are subject to state and federal tax reporting; operators issue a W-2G above IRS thresholds. Illinois's problem-gambling helpline is available 24/7, and every licensed operator supports self-exclusion and deposit limits.