Best Illinois Online Sports Betting Sites for September 2024

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When it comes to Illinois online sports betting and gambling, there are tons of options in the Prairie State. And yes, we’re talking about both regulated and offshore sites.

But if you’re looking for the complete Illinois online gambling experience, then there can be only one choice. In this guide we’ll tell you which sites have everything you need all in one place. And that includes great bonuses.

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$250 in Free Bets and 100 Free Spins

$250 in Free Bets and 100 Free Spins

  • BetOnline odds boosts available every day
  • Live betting available on all major sports
  • Excellent sportsbook 101 tutorial section
9.9
5 Stars BetOnline
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Welcome Bonus of 125% up to $1,250

Welcome Bonus of 125% up to $1,250

  • Fast online payouts with zero fees
  • Live streaming available for in-play betting
  • 24/7 live chat customer support
9.8
5 Stars BetWhale
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NO CODE REQUIRED

50% match bonus up to $250

50% match bonus up to $250

  • 25+ sports markets including niche options like chess
  • Redeem points for cash through loyalty program
  • Sportsbook and racebook covers most major events on the calendar
9.8
5 Stars Bovada
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NO CODE REQUIRED

150% Welcome Bonus Package

150% Welcome Bonus Package

  • Exclusive horse racing news, odds and tips
  • Weekly rebate on losses for all sports wagers
  • Extensive range of ongoing promotions
9.8
5 Stars BetNow
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100% Welcome Bonus up to $500

100% Welcome Bonus up to $500

  • Free bet offers and special promos every week
  • Exclusive halftime betting options for most events
  • Niche betting markets including politics and stocks
9.7
5 Stars Everygame
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Now with Brand New Sportsbook

Top Football Live Betting Action

Top Football Live Betting Action

  • Easy access in-play betting
  • Great coverage on football markets
  • Ample futures markets in several sports
9.7
5 Stars Coinpoker Sports
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NO CODE REQUIRED

200% Welcome Bonus up to 10 ETH

200% Welcome Bonus up to 10 ETH

  • Generous 10 ETH bonus and high roller NFTs
  • Trusted by Web3 influencers and powered by $TGC token
  • World’s first licensed telegram sportsbook – fully anonymous
9.6
4.5 Stars
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NO CODE REQUIRED

125% Sign-Up Bonus:100% up to $2,000 on sport and 25% on Casino

125% Sign-Up Bonus:100% up to $2,000 on sport and 25% on Casino

  • Receive your earnings quickly, often within 24 hours
  • BetUS TV offers experts tips and picks
  • Same day withdrawal service for fast payouts
9.5
4.5 Stars BetUS
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100% up to $1,000 + $10 Casino Chip

100% up to $1,000 + $10 Casino Chip

  • Reload bonuses available for all deposits
  • News section with expert views and predictions
  • Early cashout option available on most wagers
9.4
4.5 Stars MyBookie
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100% Welcome Bonus up to $500 x 2

100% Welcome Bonus up to $500 x 2

  • Weekly betting and pick'em contests
  • Excellent multi-view feature for live betting
  • Best sportsbook for sharp odds on props
9.4
4.5 Stars SportsBetting.ag
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100% Welcome Bonus up to $2,500

100% Welcome Bonus up to $2,500

  • Early cash out option available on most wagers
  • Live betting and streaming for major events
  • 24-hour withdrawals for fast payouts
9.4
4.5 Stars BUSR
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100% up to $1000 in Free Play + Risk-Free Bet up to $500

100% up to $1000 in Free Play + Risk-Free Bet up to $500

  • Live streaming available for all major events
  • Regular weekly contests with big prizes
  • 100+ betting markets for most events
9.3
4 Stars Jazz Sports
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200% welcome bonus up to $25,000 + 50 Free Spins

200% welcome bonus up to $25,000 + 50 Free Spins

  • VIP welcome bonus and loyalty points system
  • High max bets and instant withdrawals with no limits
  • Deposit with 20+ cryptos and Wallet Connect
9.2
4 Stars Lucky Block Sports
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NO CODE REQUIRED

200% Deposit Bonus up to $25,000 + 10 Free Bets

200% Deposit Bonus up to $25,000 + 10 Free Bets

  • Large welcome bonus and monthly free airdrops
  • Deposit with Pepe, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu & Bonk meme coins
  • Get boosted betting parlays with Hot Combos
9.1
5 Stars Wall St Memes Casino
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5 of the Best Illinois Online Gambling Sites

So, let’s get straight to it – the IL online gambling sites that offer the full package. While, we’re going to focus on Illinois sportsbooks for the most part, just remember that each one of these sites also has a fully-fledged online casino.

And before we start, these are just some of the best IL online gambling sites. Every one of the sites mentioned in the list above is well worth taking a look at.

1. BetOnline – Best Online Gambling Site in Illinois

  • Payout time: Instant to 15 days
  • License: Panama Gaming Authority
  • Markets: 25+
  • Online Casino: Yes

Betonline Illinois online sports betting

  • Odds: BetOnline offers super-competitive odds and for some events you may even find that it’s a little better than other IL online sports betting sites. But its main claim to fame is that it’s one of the first to release early odds for events.
  • Markets: There are more than 20 sports covered at BetOnline covering all major leagues and a few niche sports. There are even lines offered for political events and esports too.
  • Promos: BetOnline covers all the bases with bonuses that include deposit match bonuses and special promos for select events. But the standout promo is the reduced juice on NHL bets.
  • Banking: Payments are mostly through cards and cryptocurrencies but those card payments will have fees. Crypto payments, on the other hand, offer instant deposits and withdrawals.

Pros pros

  • Lots of markets on major events
  • Early lines for certain sports
  • Includes racebook and casino
  • Instant payouts through crypto

Cons cons

  • Interface could do with an upgrade
  • Fees for some card payments

Our Verdict: 9.9/10

BetOnline is a very well-known Illinois sportsbook with lots of great promos and special bets on major sporting events. The lines are released early too and you have reduced juice on NHL bets which is always a good thing.

Aside from the dated design, BetOnline offers a near perfect experience and so it’s no wonder it makes our list of top Illinois sportsbooks.

$250 in Free Bets and 100 Free Spins

$250 in Free Bets and 100 Free Spins

  • BetOnline odds boosts available every day
  • Live betting available on all major sports
  • Excellent sportsbook 101 tutorial section
9.9
5 Stars
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2. Bovada – Best IL Online Sportsbook for Streaming

  • Payout time: Instant to 10 days
  • License: Curacao Gaming Authority
  • Markets: 25+
  • Online Casino: Yes

Bovada Illinois online sports betting

  • Odds: While the odds at Bovada aren’t the most competitive, they are pretty much average for the industry which isn’t a bad thing. One thing we did notice though is that Bovada can release odds a little later than other IL online sports betting sites.
  • Markets: This is where Bovada impresses with coverage of about 25+ categories including major sports, politics, and lots of markets on major events and tournaments. There are even markets for TV and entertainment.
  • Promos: Bovada lets itself down here a little as there are very few promos for regular customers. We’d like to see a few more offers aside from the parlay booster which is actually quite good.
  • Banking: Bovada has fully embraced cryptocurrencies and you can see that in the larger welcome deals for crypto users. You can also make card payments too, but payouts are much faster through crypto.

Pros pros

  • HD Live streams of major events
  • Lots of support for crypto payments
  • Niche betting lines for politics and entertainment

Cons cons

  • Odds are average
  • Could have more promos

Our Verdict: 9.8/10

Bovada is one of the biggest names in the business and is possibly one of the most recognizable Illinois online sportsbooks. It’s got a great reputation for sports coverage, but we’d like to see a few more promos for all events.

That said, Bovada does have a great interface and those live streams of major sports.

50% match bonus up to $250

50% match bonus up to $250

  • 25+ sports markets including niche options like chess
  • Redeem points for cash through loyalty program
  • Sportsbook and racebook covers most major events on the calendar
9.8
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
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3. TG.Casino – Best Illinois Online Gambling Site for Crypto

  • Payout time: Instant to 12 hours
  • License: Curacao Gaming Authority
  • Markets: 40+
  • Online Casino: Yes

TG.Casino Illinois online gambling

  • Odds: The odds at TG.Casino are on a par with its competitors. But we found that when it comes to NFL, NBA, and soccer, the odds are particularly competitive.
  • Markets: TG.Casino leads the way when it comes to markets. It has 40+ categories to choose from including lots of niche sports like alpine skiing and even stock car racing.
  • Promos: This is the one and only area that TG.Casino needs to work on. It’s a good thing the odds are great here because there are no promos aside from the welcome package which is, admittedly, very good.
  • Banking: TG.Casino is a crypto only gambling site and so the only options are for cryptocurrencies. That said, you can buy crypto using a card through the site. The upside here is that payouts are incredibly fast.

Pros pros

  • Super fast payouts via crypto
  • Massive range of markets
  • Also available through Telegram
  • Some of the best odds online

Cons cons

  • No promos for sports betting
  • Payouts only through crypto

Our Verdict: 9.7/10

TG.Casino is by far the best Illinois online sports betting site for coverage with an impressive 40+ options. And with near instant payouts via crypto, this site has everything going for it. But where it loses marks is in the promo section where there’s nothing for regular bettors.

Overall though, TG.Casino is a superb IL sportsbook that is perfect for crypto users.

200% Welcome Bonus up to 10 ETH

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200% Welcome Bonus up to 10 ETH

  • Generous 10 ETH bonus and high roller NFTs
  • Trusted by Web3 influencers and powered by $TGC token
  • World’s first licensed telegram sportsbook – fully anonymous
9.6
4.5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
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4. BetNow – IL Sportsbook with Fast Withdrawals

  • Payout time: Instant to 24 hours
  • License: Curacao Gaming Authority
  • Markets: 15+
  • Online Casino: Yes

BetNow Illinois online sports betting

  • Odds: The odds at BetNow are usually quite fair and in some cases, such as for the MLB, they can be the best in the business.
  • Markets: BetNow has some good coverage of major sports and leagues both in the US and abroad. But it does lack a few more niche betting lines. You won’t be betting on politics or Aussie Rules football here.
  • Promos: There’s what is described as an industry-leading rebate program which is a big claim. It’s good but we wouldn’t quite say industry-leading for sports betting alone. Aside from that there are quite a few contests and promos including reup bonuses.
  • Banking: BetNow, like Bovada, is trying to encourage customers to use crypto so you’ll see lots of support for these payments and yes, that’s why the payout speed is so very fast at this Illinois online sports betting site.

Pros pros

  • Great coverage of major leagues and sports
  • Lots of ongoing promotions
  • Excellent payout speeds through crypto
  • Odds on a par with competitors

Cons cons

  • Needs more markets
  • Design a little dated

Our Verdict: 9.6/10

BetNow may look a little dated and light on sports categories, but there are actually lots of markets on every event listed. But yes, it would be good to see a few more niche betting lines. The promos are the real deal though with lots of contests throughout the year.

Overall, BetNow offers an excellent betting experience particularly for bettors who follow major league sports.

150% Welcome Bonus Package

150% Welcome Bonus Package

  • Exclusive horse racing news, odds and tips
  • Weekly rebate on losses for all sports wagers
  • Extensive range of ongoing promotions
9.8
5 Stars
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5. SportsBetting.ag – Best IL Sportsbook for Promos

  • Payout time: Instant to 7 days
  • License: Panama Gaming Authority
  • Markets: 30+
  • Online Casino: Yes

SportsBetting.ag online gambling Illinois

  • Odds: Out of all the Illinois online sportsbooks we reviewed, SportsBetting.ag has the earliest lines for major events. Better yet, the odd are also among the best in Illinois.
  • Markets: Only TG.Casino has more markets and sports coverage than SportsBetting.ag and that’s saying something. There are markets for everything from major leagues through to entertainment and esports.
  • Promos: SportsBetting.ag has some of the best promos in the industry with lots of regular contests. These feature big money prize pools and lots of great rewards.
  • Banking: SportsBetting.ag has the standard deposit options of cards and cryptocurrencies. And like BetNow and TG.Casino, you can grab near instant payouts when using crypto.

Pros pros

  • Great odds and the earliest lines
  • Regular big money contests
  • Top range of markets
  • Instant payouts with crypto

Cons cons

  • Card deposits have fees
  • Very few responsible gambling tools

Our Verdict: 9.4/10

SportsBetting.ag covers it all and then some. The markets are hard to beat and with great odds and early betting lines, it’s a near perfect sportsbook. The only drawback that we dock it marks for is the fact that there are very few responsible gambling tools, but you can request to take a break.

If you’re looking for early lines and some of the best contests out there, then SportsBetting.ag is your go-to Illinois online sports betting site.

100% Welcome Bonus up to $500 x 2

100% Welcome Bonus up to $500 x 2

  • Weekly betting and pick'em contests
  • Excellent multi-view feature for live betting
  • Best sportsbook for sharp odds on props
9.4
4.5 Stars
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The Best Illinois Gambling Sites Compared

Now you have an idea of what the best Illinois sports betting sites are, let’s take a look at how the top ten compare when it comes to Illinois online gambling in general.

Site Sports Betting Horse Racing Esports Online Casino Live Casino
BetOnline
BetWhale
Bovada
Everygame
TG.Casino
BetUS
MyBookie
BetNow
Jazz Sports
SportsBetting.ag
BUSR
XBet

Is Online Gambling Legal in Illinois?

In a word, yes. Online gambling in Illinois is legal, but the only state-regulated online gambling options are sportsbooks. These first launched in June of 2020 after Governor J.B. Pritzker signed SB 690 into law in June 2019.

Online casinos can only be accessed via offshore sites which, as you can see from the table above, are available at our recommended Illinois online sportsbooks.

Illinois Online Gambling Snapshot

🚀 Regulated Market Launch Date June 18th, 2020
👤 Minimum Age Requirement 
  • Regulated IL sportsbooks – 21+
  • Offshore IL sportsbooks – 18+
  • Offshore IL casinos – 18+
🎰 Online Gambling Available
  • State-licensed sportsbooks
  • Offshore sports betting and casino sites
  • Sweepstakes & social casinos
  • DFS
  • Lottery

Illinois Online Gambling Legislation Timeline

The latest updates on online gambling in Illinois.

  • May 25th, 2023SB 1656 is given a deadline of May 26th for reading, but fails to meet deadline as legislative session ends.
  • April 2023: SB 1508 which addresses problem gambling was passed in the Senate. The bill states that the sportsbooks must provide an hourly pop-up that will provide bettors with how much they have wagered.
  • March 17, 2023 – Bills HB2239 and SB1656 both moved to the Senate Assignments Committee. Inaction from the Senate Executive Committee means probable delays and even a complete halt on any resolution of Illinois’ online casino gaming laws.
  • February 8, 2023 – State Senator Cristina Castro files a new bill, SB 1656, that would legalize online casinos in Illinois. The bill has a small license fee for operators, a low tax rate of 15%, and allows for up to three skins for each license.
  • January 10, 2023 – The Illinois Senate bill to legalize online casinos, HB 3142, also known as the Internet Gaming Act, receives some updates to make it ready for the vote later in 2023.
  • March 5, 2022: The in-person registration requirement for Illinois ends.
  • December 17, 2021: After the success of online registrations during Covid-19, Gov. Pritzker signs HB 3136 to allow online sign-ups. This bill also legalizes betting on in-state college teams.
  • June 18, 2020: BetRivers Sportsbook becomes the first online sportsbook to accept players in IL.
  • June 28, 2019: Governor J.B. Pritzker signed SB 690 into law

Illinois Online Gambling Bonuses

Illinois online sports betting sites offer various bonuses to pull in new customers and keep existing ones happy. We’ve put together a list of typical Illinois sportsbook promos you can find in the Prairie state.

Welcome Bonuses

An Illinois online sports betting welcome bonus is only available when you sign up for a new account. It can consist of a deposit match bonus, bonus bets, or second chance bets. This is usually the highest value bonus, but you can only claim it once.

Deposit Match Bonuses

A deposit match bonus is when IL online gambling sites will match your deposit up to a certain amount. For example, if you deposit $100 and claims a 100% bonus match, up to $100, you’ll get an extra $100 in bonus money leaving $200 to bet with.

No Deposit Bonus

A no-deposit bonus gives you a small amount of bonus funds or bets with no need to deposit your own cash. This lets you try out the platform risk-free and potentially win some money. You can keep profits from this bonus but will need to meet wagering requirements and deposit rules before cashing out.

Bet Back Deals

Illinois sports betting sites might offer second chance bets or bet back deals. These will refund your first bet up to a certain amount if it loses. Like no deposit offers, this gives you a risk-free chance to place a bet and see how the site works.

Bonus Bets

Bonus bets are a type of promotion offered by Illinois online sports betting sites where you can place a bet without using your own funds. If the bet wins, you keep the winnings. These offers are often tied to specific events.

Bonus Codes

IL online gambling sites and sportsbooks use bonus codes for many of the offers listed above. These are simply sequences of letters and numbers that you enter to claim the bonus.

Sportsbook Odds Boosts

The best offshore sportsbooks offer odds boosts that increase the payout for odds on a specific bet. The boost may apply to a specific event or market, and the odds increase is usually expressed as a percentage.

This promotion gives you a chance of a higher payout for a winning bet.

Parlay Insurance

Parlay insurance is a promotion offered by some IL sportsbooks that refunds your bet if one of the legs of a parlay wager loses. This promotion typically applies to parlays with four or more legs.

Cashback

When you claim a cashback bonus, an Illinois online sports betting or gambling site will pay back a percentage of your losses as cash. You can earn cashback through loyalty programs or claim these offers for special events.

Loyalty Programs

Many Illinois online sports betting and gambling sites run loyalty programs to reward you for staying, loyal – no surprise there. You can earn loyalty points for placing bets, which you can use to redeem prizes like bonuses, cash, or even restaurant meals and hotel stays.

Bonus Terms and Conditions

Understanding bonus terms and conditions is crucial if you want to make the most of Il online gambling bonuses. These terms and conditions can include wagering requirements, restrictions on bet types, expiration dates, and minimum odds.

Types of Bets at Illinois Sportsbooks

Looking to place a bet at an IL sports betting site? Then, let’s just say you have a LOT of options to choose from. Here are some of the most popular, but before you jump in, just make sure that you understand how betting odds work.

Moneyline

The simplest type of bet, where you pick the team or player you think will win the game. Odds are expressed as a plus or minus number indicating the underdog (+) or the favorite (-).

Points Spread

A type of bet where the underdog is given a point advantage to level the playing field. You can bet on the favorite to win by more than the spread or the underdog to win outright or to lose by less than the spread.

Totals

Also known as over/under bets, these bets allow you to wager on the total number of points scored in a game, regardless of which team wins.

Props

Short for proposition bets, these are bets on specific events within a game, such as the first team to score or the number of touchdowns a player will score.

Parlays

A bet that combines multiple individual bets, called legs, into one big wager. All bets must be correct for the parlay to pay out, but the potential payout is higher than with individual bets.

Futures

Bets on events that will happen in the future, such as which team will win the championship. Futures bets can be placed well in advance of the event and can offer higher payouts.

Sports to Bet on at Illinois Online Sports Betting Sites

You can bet on a huge range of sports at sportsbooks in Illinois allowing you to support your local team – more on that later. Here are some of the most popular betting markets.

  • NFL: Online and retail sportsbooks in Illinois offer a variety of markets for the Chicago Bears and all other NFL teams, including moneylines, points spread, and totals.
  • NBA: Bettors can find a range of markets for the Chicago Bulls and other NBA teams, including moneylines, points spread, and player props.
  • MLB: Online and retail sportsbooks in Illinois offer a variety of markets for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, as well as all other MLB teams, including futures on teams to win the World Series.
  • NHL: Bettors can find a range of markets for the Chicago Blackhawks and other NHL teams, with betting lines available pre-game and in-play for every matchup.
  • NCAA: You can place college sports bets in Illinois, including on in-state teams like the Illinois Fighting Illini, across sports like football, hockey, and basketball.
  • International Sports: Along with US sports, you can find betting lines for plenty of international sports like European soccer, rugby, and motorsports.
  • Minor Leagues: Some sites for sports gambling in Illinois offer markets for minor league baseball, basketball, and hockey.
  • Other Sports: Aside from major league teams, you can bet on US favorites like tennis, MMA, and golf.

Pro Teams to Bet on in Illinois

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears is an NFL team that plays its home games at Soldier Field, on the Near South Side, Chicago. It is one of the oldest franchises and has been ever-present in pro football. The team plays in the National Football Conference (NFC) North and has a fierce rivalry with their divisional opponent, the Green Bay Packers.

Overall, it has won nine NFL Championships and one Super Bowl.

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls is an NBA team located in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the most popular teams in the league and plays its home games at the United Center.

The Bulls won six NBA championships in the 1990s, with the legendary Michael Jordan leading the way.

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs is a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The team is one of the league’s oldest and most followed franchises, with fans worldwide.

The Cubs won three World Series championships, including its first in 107 years in 2016.

Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks is a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the “Original Six” teams of the NHL and has a fierce rivalry with the Detroit Red Wings.

The Blackhawks won six Stanley Cup championships, including three in the last decade.

Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox is a professional baseball team, inaugurated in 1900. The team has reached three World Series since its founding, with an 87-year wait between the 1917 and 2005 wins, the second-longest championship drought in MLB history after its crosstown rivals, the Cubs.

College Teams to Bet on at Illinois Sportsbooks

University of Illinois Fighting Illini

The University of Illinois Fighting Illini athletics program is part of the Big Ten Conference, with its most prominent team, its football program, having a long history dating back to 1890. The team has won five national and 15 conference championships.

Its basketball team earned berths in 30 NCAA tournaments and reached the Final Four five times, and its ice hockey team has won two national championships.

Northwestern University Wildcats

Athletics teams representing Northwestern University, known as the Wildcats, compete in the Big Ten Conference and has a history dating back to 1896.

One of its most prominent programs, its baseball team, has produced several major league players and has won one conference championship.

Loyola University Chicago Ramblers

Loyola University Chicago Ramblers is known for its men’s basketball program, which competes in the Missouri Valley Conference. The team has made two NCAA tournament appearances and reached the Final Four in 2018, earning national attention and acclaim for its Cinderella run.

University of Illinois-Chicago Flames

The University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) Flames compete in NCAA Division I sports as part of the Horizon League. The men’s basketball team has made three NCAA tournament appearances, and the women’s basketball team has won two conference championships.

The Flames also have competitive baseball, soccer, and volleyball teams.

Bradley University Braves

Bradley University’s athletics program, known as the Braves, is a Missouri Valley Conference member in NCAA Division I. The school is most famous for its basketball program, which earned nine berths in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, reaching the national championship game twice.

The Braves men’s basketball team is often considered a top pick for March Madness betting.

DePaul University Blue Demons

DePaul University Blue Demons are a member of the Big East Conference in NCAA Division I. The school’s men’s basketball team has reached the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament twenty-two times, most recently in 2004.

The team plays its home games at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago’s Near South Side.

Eastern Illinois University Panthers

A member of NCAA Division I’s Ohio Valley Conference, Eastern Illinois Panthers is located in Charleston. Its football team is a member of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), making sixteen trips to the FCS playoffs.

The school has also won nineteen conference titles, including back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.

Illinois State University Redbirds

Still awaiting its first title in NCAA Division I sports, Illinois State Redbirds are a member of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) for all sports except football, where they compete in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

The school’s only championship was the NCAA Division II title in Baseball in 1969.

Northern Illinois University Huskies

Northern Illinois University’s athletics teams, known as the Huskies, are a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in NCAA Division I. Its football team is a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and has a 4-10 record in bowl games.

The Huskies won the California Bowl in 1983, the Silicon Valley Classic in 2004, the Humanitarian Bowl in 2010, and the GoDaddy.com Bowl in 2011.

Southern Illinois University Salukis

The Southern Illinois Salukis have won five NCAA Division I championships. Four of them were in gymnastics; one was in the NCAA Division 1-AA, where its football team defeated Western Carolina University 43-7 in the championship game.

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Cougars

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Cougars has only one championship to its name, in NCAA Division I soccer in 1979. Since joining the Ohio Valley Conference in NCAA Division I, its men’s basketball has yet to have a winning season.

Western Illinois University Leathernecks

Competing in the Summit League, Western Illinois University Leathernecks is a member of NCAA Division I. Its men’s basketball team won the Summit League tournament in 1984 and was the regular-season champion in 1983 and 2013.

Its football team is a member of the Football Championship Subdivision and has reached the FCS playoffs on eleven occasions, including a Semifinals run in 1998.

Illinois Online Gambling Payment Methods

When you deposit and withdraw from Illinois online sports betting and gambling sites, you can use a variety of trusted payment methods you’ll recognize from day-to-day life.

But, of course, every payment option has its benefits and drawbacks, and we’ve highlighted these for you below.

Credit and Debit Cards

Bank cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted by Illinois online gambling sites. But other bank cards may block online gambling transactions. Bank cards also may not be available for withdrawals.

Cryptocurrencies

All of the top Illinois gambling sites we recommend accept deposits and withdrawals made with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin.

Because crypto is decentralized and runs independently of traditional financial institutions, transactions have zero fees, payout almost instantly, and are far more secure.

eWallets

Popular eWallet options like PayPal are used all the time to shop online. They were once the go-to option at many IL online sportsbooks, but that’s no longer the case with many moving towards crypto as an alternative.

Prepaid Cards

With prepaid cards like PayNearMe, you can top up your balance at retail locations like 7-Eleven. You can also use Play+ cards, which allow you to make fast deposits and, in some cases, withdrawals too.

Wire and Bank Transfer

You can make transactions directly from your trusty old bank account. This which allows you to make larger deposits and withdrawals. But, bank transfer withdrawals tend to be slower than other options and have higher fees.

Mobile Payment

When you play at Illinois online sports betting and gambling sites, you can sometimes make payments using services like Apple Pay or Google Pay. This option is super convenient and fast for deposits, but for the time being is not available for withdrawals.

      Illinois Sports Betting Locations

      As you may know already, retail sports betting in Illinois launched in 2020 and there are quite a few in-person sportsbooks in the Prairie State. We’ve listed all locations currently available below.

      Venue Address
      Casino Queen 200 S Front St, East St Louis, IL 62201
      Rivers Casino Des Plaines 3000 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018
      Crestwood 13148 Rivercrest Dr, Crestwood, IL 60445
      Oakbrook Terrace 22nd St, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
      Prospect Heights 1250 River Rd, Prospect Heights, IL 60070
      Par-a-Dice Riverboat, East Peoria
      Grand Victoria 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
      Argosy Casino 1 Piasa St, Alton, IL 62002
      Hollywood Joilet 777 Hollywood Blvd, Joliet, IL 60436
      Holllywood Aurora 1 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506
      Harrah’s Joliet and Metropolis 151 N Joliet St, Joliet, IL 60432
      Hawthorne Racecourse 3501 S. Laramie, Stickney/Cicero, IL 60804

      Illinois Land-Based Casinos

      The Riverboat Gambling Act of 1991 legalized land-based casinos in Illinois, and currently, there is a mixture of commercial, Native American, and riverboat casinos you can visit.

      Venue Address
      Argosy Casino Alton 1 Piasa Street, Alton, IL 62002
      Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel 777 Bally Boulevard, Rock Island, IL 61201
      DraftKings at Casino Queen 200 S. Front Street, East St Louis, IL 62201
      Grand Victoria Casino 250 S. Grove Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120
      Hard Rock Rockford Casino 610 N Bell School Road, Rockford, IL 61107
      Harrah’s Casino Joliet 151 N Joliet Street, Joliet, IL 60432
      Harrah’s Metropolis Casino 100 E Front Street, Metropolis, IL 62960
      Hollywood Casino Aurora 1 W. New York Street, Aurora, IL 60506
      Hollywood Casino Joliet 777 Hollywood Boulevard, Joliet, IL 60436
      Par-A-Dice Casino 21 Blackjack Boulevard, East Peoria, IL 61611
      Rivers Des Plaines 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018

      Other Illinois Online Gambling Options

      Illinois Online Poker

      Online poker is not yet legal in Illinois. However, many land-based casinos throughout the state offer poker tables where you can play cash games and tournaments.

      But, if you want to play from home, many of the offshore casinos on our list offer excellent online poker rooms.

      Illinois Lottery

      The Illinois State Lottery launched in 1974 and offers a variety of games, including scratch cards and draws like Powerball and Mega Millions. You can buy tickets at thousands of retailers across Illinois or play instant games online.

      Illinois DFS

      Illinois legalized Daily Fantasy Sports games in 2019 in the same bill that allowed retail and online sports betting. There are several major DFS platforms currently operating in the state.

      Responsible Gambling in Illinois

      Illinois online gambling sites must have a responsible gambling section that includes self-help tools such as time limits and deposit limits. Illinois gambling sites also provide resources for problem gamblers and links to problem gambling organizations.

      While IL offshore gambling sites are not bound by responsible gambling regulations, many offer similar tools and resources to their regulated counterparts.

      Illinois Problem Gambling Resources

      Best Illinois Online Sports Betting Sites – Key Takeaways

      Before you make a final decision on which Illinois online gambling site to opt for, here are the main takeaways from our research for this guide.

      • Regulated and offshore Illinois online sports betting available The Prairie State is stacked with online sports betting options covering all major league sports and international markets. This includes both state-licensed and offshore sites.
      • Offshore Illinois sportsbooks also feature casinos – While the state has attempted to legislate for online casino gaming, those efforts have failed. This means that the only options available are through Illinois sportsbooks based offshore and dedicated offshore casinos.

       

      Methodology

      How We Test and Review Sportsbooks

      100+ Sports Betting Sites Reviewed

      200+ Hours of Research Every Month

      150+ Sportsbook Promotions Verified

      1,000s Betting Markets & Odds Analyzed

      We follow a proven methodology when reviewing sports betting sites that highlights the pros and cons of each platform.

      Our process enables us to rate sportsbooks on key features so you can compare sites with ease.

      We cover:

      • Sports and betting markets
      • Competitiveness of odds
      • Reputation and licensing
      • Bonuses and promotions
      • Payment methods
      • Customer support

      …and more.

      Check out our complete guide to learn how to rate sportsbooks featured on Techopedia.

      FAQs

      What types of gambling are legal in Illinois

      Do you have to be an Illinois resident to gamble?

      What is the minimum gambling age in Illinois?

      Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

      Are you allowed to bet on college sports in Illinois?

      Can you gamble online in Illinois?

      Is online gambling safe in Illinois?

      Affiliate Disclosure: Techopedia may receive advertising commissions for visits to a suggested operator through our affiliate links, at no added cost to you. However, all our recommendations are unbiased and follow a thorough review process. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly and you must be a legal gambling age.

      Ciaran McEneaney
      Sports Betting and iGaming Editor
      Ciaran McEneaney
      Sports Betting and iGaming Editor

      Ciaran is a seasoned writer with over a decade of experience working with leading brands in the sports betting and iGaming industries. His work has appeared on Bookies.com, Rotowire.com, and OntarioBets.com among many others.

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