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.
- All
- Crypto Betting
- Telegram Betting
BetOnline |
$250 in Free Bets and 100 Free Spins |
$250 in Free Bets and 100 Free Spins
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BetOnline |
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FREE250
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BetWhale |
Welcome Bonus of 125% up to $1,250 |
Welcome Bonus of 125% up to $1,250
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BetWhale |
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NO CODE REQUIRED
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Bovada |
50% match bonus up to $250 |
50% match bonus up to $250
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Bovada |
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NO CODE REQUIRED
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BetNow |
150% Welcome Bonus Package |
150% Welcome Bonus Package
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BetNow |
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BN150
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Everygame |
100% Welcome Bonus up to $500 |
100% Welcome Bonus up to $500
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Everygame |
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WELCOME500
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Coinpoker Sports |
Top Football Live Betting Action |
Top Football Live Betting Action
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Coinpoker Sports |
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NO CODE REQUIRED
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AC Milan
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200% Welcome Bonus up to 10 ETH |
200% Welcome Bonus up to 10 ETH
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NO CODE REQUIRED
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BetUS |
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
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BetUS |
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MyBookie |
100% up to $1,000 + $10 Casino Chip |
100% up to $1,000 + $10 Casino Chip
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MyBookie |
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MB100
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SportsBetting.ag |
100% Welcome Bonus up to $500 x 2 |
100% Welcome Bonus up to $500 x 2
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SportsBetting.ag |
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BUSR |
100% Welcome Bonus up to $2,500 |
100% Welcome Bonus up to $2,500
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BUSR |
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SPORTS100FP
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Jazz Sports |
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
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Jazz Sports |
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Lucky Block Sports |
200% welcome bonus up to $25,000 + 50 Free Spins |
200% welcome bonus up to $25,000 + 50 Free Spins
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Lucky Block Sports |
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Wall St Memes Casino |
200% Deposit Bonus up to $25,000 + 10 Free Bets |
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- Show Full Guide
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
- 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
- Lots of markets on major events
- Early lines for certain sports
- Includes racebook and casino
- Instant payouts through crypto
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.
2. Bovada – Best IL Online Sportsbook for Streaming
- Payout time: Instant to 10 days
- License: Curacao Gaming Authority
- Markets: 25+
- Online Casino: Yes
- 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
- HD Live streams of major events
- Lots of support for crypto payments
- Niche betting lines for politics and entertainment
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.
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
- 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
- Super fast payouts via crypto
- Massive range of markets
- Also available through Telegram
- Some of the best odds online
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.
4. BetNow – IL Sportsbook with Fast Withdrawals
- Payout time: Instant to 24 hours
- License: Curacao Gaming Authority
- Markets: 15+
- Online Casino: Yes
- 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
- Great coverage of major leagues and sports
- Lots of ongoing promotions
- Excellent payout speeds through crypto
- Odds on a par with competitors
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.
5. SportsBetting.ag – Best IL Sportsbook for Promos
- Payout time: Instant to 7 days
- License: Panama Gaming Authority
- Markets: 30+
- Online Casino: Yes
- 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
- Great odds and the earliest lines
- Regular big money contests
- Top range of markets
- Instant payouts with crypto
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.
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 |
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🎰 Online Gambling Available |
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Illinois Online Gambling Legislation Timeline
The latest updates on online gambling in Illinois.
- May 25th, 2023 – SB 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
College Teams to Bet on at Illinois Sportsbooks
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
- Illinois Council on Problem Gambling – 1-800-522-4700
- Illinois Alliance on Problem Gambling – 217-717-4398
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.
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
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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.