Illinois Sports Betting: Best IL Sportsbook Bonuses 2023

The US Sun

05 May 2023

Illinois Sports Betting: Best IL Sportsbook Bonuses 2023

SPORTS betting in the US has never been in a more exciting moment. After a landmark decision by the Supreme Court in 2018 to remove the Professional and Amatuer Sports Protection Act, individual states were given the power to legalize sports betting within their borders. Since then, more than half of US states have passed legislation allowing legal sports betting, and Illinois is among them.

In 2019, the Illinois General Assembly passed a bill legalizing sports betting, and Governor J.B. Pritzker signed it into law in June of that year. It was something of a slow start for sports betting in the Prairie State, thanks to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the closure of casinos and the shiny new physical sportsbooks in the state. Since then however, the situation has improved dramatically with more than half a dozen online sportsbooks up and running and more expected down the line.

Top Illinois sportsbooks

BetRivers
DraftKings
BetMGM

The state of sports betting in IL at a glance

The removal of PASPA in May 2018 was the moment the possibility of legal sports betting became a reality for states like Illinois. The Prairie State wasted little time, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Rep. Bob Rita both taking active roles in bringing the project before lawmakers. In the end, the process was relatively smooth.

A bill to legalize sports betting, The Illinois Sports Wagering Act, was introduced in early 2019 and passed both the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate with bipartisan support. The Act, which was signed into law by Governor Pritzker in June 2019, set out the landscape for sports betting in Illinois:

Sports betting in Illinois is overseen by the Illinois Gaming Board. You must be at least 21 years old to bet in the state. The law also prohibits sports betting by athletes, coaches, referees, and other officials associated with a sporting event. No state residency is required to place a bet, although you do need to be physically located within state lines and to use a licensed sportsbook.

Betting is only permitted on sporting events, meaning you can’t bet on entertainment events like the Academy Awards. You can bet on college sports, but not on any events involving Illinois teams or players - with the exception of pre-game in-person wagering. A new bill was introduced in the Spring of 2023, seeking to further liberalize betting on in-state college sports.

History of Illinois sports betting

After the The Illinois Sports Wagering Act was signed, the immediate history of Illinois sports betting was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the first bets were placed in the state in March 2020, just days before the shutdown of major sports leagues around the world. The first online sportsbooks launched later in the year, but it was undoubtedly a slow start for the industry.

Part of the setback was the stipulation in the Act that bettors needed to register for online sports betting accounts in person at the appropriate casino or sportsbook. This soon became untenable given the nature of the pandemic, and Gov. Pritzker took the decision to temporarily suspend this requirement in May 2020, in advance of the launch of online betting in the state.

Illinois sports betting bounced back in 2021. By March, there were six online sportsbooks up and running in the state. October saw a record $840.4 million placed in wagers as the industry continued to grow.

The Assembly continued to pass legislation to tweak sports betting laws in the state too. In March 2022 the requirement to register in-person for online accounts was permanently removed. A responsible gambling bill was passed in early 2023, and another bill was introduced that would allow wagering on in-state college athletes and teams.

In January 2023 a new record for sports betting handle was set, with a huge $1.07 billion booked in wagers.

A closer look at the best sports betting sites in Illinois

BetRivers IL sign up

2nd chance bet up to $500

BetRivers is pretty much a hometown book. Rush Street Interactive, the company that owns BetRivers, is headquartered in Chicago and has an exclusive partnership with the Chicago Bears. You can expect plenty of special offers and promos on teams like the Cubs or the Bears, and a sense of community you don’t normally get at multi-state sportsbooks.

New players get a risk free bet worth up to $500 when they sign up with the promo code “SPORT”, which is a solid welcome offer. The betting options are very good across the board, with a good mix of sports and types of bets. There are some great promos up for grabs too.

Pros:

Stream live sports right on the platform
Good iRush Reward programme for regular bettors
Daily odds boosts

Cons:

Not the most modern software

DraftKings

DraftKings IL sign up

Bet $5 and win $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins!

DraftKings is a fantastic option for Illinois sports bettors, offering a wide range of sports and markets, competitive odds, and great promotions. The platform is user-friendly and makes placing bets easy, with a seamless mobile app and desktop site. DraftKings also provides a unique live betting experience, with a variety of in-game options for bettors to choose from.

One standout feature of DraftKings is its daily fantasy sports offering, allowing users to compete for payouts based on individual player performance in games. The platform also provides access to a range of safe and secure payment methods for deposits and withdrawals.

However, a downside to DraftKings is that its welcome bonus is not as generous as some other sportsbooks in the Illinois market.

Pros:

Wide range of sports and markets
Competitive odds
Unique live betting experience

Cons:

Welcome bonus not as generous as some competitors

BetMGM IL sign up

Get up to $1,000 paid back in bonus bets

BetMGM is quickly becoming one of the top sports betting platforms in Illinois. With a wide range of sports markets available, including football, basketball, baseball, and hockey, users are sure to find something that interests them. The app is user-friendly and easy to navigate, and the customer service is top-notch.

One of the major advantages of BetMGM is its welcome bonus. Additionally, the app offers competitive odds and a variety of betting options, including live betting and parlays. Another perk of the platform is the seamless integration with the BetMGM casino, allowing users to easily switch between sports betting and casino games.

However, one downside to BetMGM is the limited promotions for existing customers. While the welcome bonus is generous, there are fewer ongoing promotions for users to take advantage of. Overall, BetMGM is a strong choice for sports betting enthusiasts in Illinois, with its easy-to-use interface, competitive odds, and solid bonus offering.

Pros:

Generous free bet bonus
Competitive odds and variety of betting options
Seamless integration with BetMGM casino

Cons:

Limited promotions for existing customers

How to choose the best online sportsbook in Illinois

There are multiple factors that go into choosing an online sportsbook. There’s not really any one-size-fits-all site, since different books have their own strengths and weaknesses. Plus, what I want out of my sports betting experience might be very different from you.

Here are some things you should consider:

Security and licenses - First and foremost, you need to be playing on a licensed and regulated sportsbook where you know your personal data will be safe. In Illinois, that means only betting with books that have a license from the Illinois Gaming Board.
Promotions and bonuses - Every sportsbook has a welcome bonus for new players, which is their first big play to capture your attention. Whether you prefer a risk free bet or a deposit bonus, choose a book that offers promotions that fit with your personal betting habits.
Variety of available sports - If you want to bet on specific sports you need to make sure they are available, especially if they are on the more exotic or unpopular side of things.
Best odds - Obviously, you want a site that is giving you good value for your bets. In fact, signing up to multiple sportsbooks - so you can shop around for the best lines - is another solid method.
Payment methods - The best sportsbooks let you deposit and withdraw money in a variety of ways: bank cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, prepaid cards, and more. Choose a method that works for you.
Fast withdrawal options - Withdrawal times vary depending on both the method used and company policy. Do your research in advance so you know what you’re getting into.
Customer service - We always like to see multiple open channels of communication: phone, email, and live chart. A detailed FAQs or help section is also important.
Mobile Apps - Just about all the top sportsbooks have mobile apps. If you’re going to be doing the majority of your betting with your phone, choose a highly rated app that works with your operating system

Signing up to an Illinois sportsbook is very easy, especially since the requirement to register in-person was eliminated. It requires some pretty standard personal information to create your account, including the following:

Name
Date of birth
Address
Unique password
Phone number

Once your account is created, you’ll also need to verify your identity by submitting some personal documentation that matches the details you’ve provided, like a passport or driver’s license.

BetRivers IL sign up

2nd chance bet up to $500

How to place a sports bet in IL

Once you’ve registered with a book, you’ll need to deposit some money. This process is very simple: if you’ve ever paid for anything online before, you’ll have no trouble. Bank cards, bank transfers and e-wallets like PayPal are all popular options at Illinois sportsbooks.

To actually place a bet, you just need to add your selection to the digital betslip. You can type in your stake to see how much you would win, and see the different betting options and combination bets if you add more selections.

When you’re happy with your bet, click the confirm button on the betslip to lock your bet in place.

You can typically bet on the following sports:

Football
Baseball
Basketball
Soccer
Hockey
Lacrosse
Rugby
Cricket
Volleyball
Swimming
Track
cross country
Golf
Tennis
Bowling
Skiing
Snowboarding
Surfing
Bmx
Skateboarding
Motorsports

BetMGM IL sign up

Get up to $1,000 paid back in bonus bets

Where to bet on horse racing in Illinois?

If you're an Illinois betting fan, you might be looking to mix things up and bet on horse racing, as well as regular sports, especially with the Kentucky Derby coming up.

Luckily, IL horse racing fans can sip their mint juleps at home and place their bets with TwinSpires.

Interesting IL sports betting facts

Sports betting was legalized in Illinois in June 2019
The first in person bet was placed in March 2020
Online betting launched in June 2020
Around $1.9 billion was wagered in the first year
January 2023 was the record individual month, when $1.07 billion was wagered
Sports betting is taxed at 15% of gross gaming revenue
By 2023 more than $250 million had been generated in tax dollars for the state

Sports betting bonuses and promotions in Illinois

All online sportsbooks offer bonuses and promotions to encourage prospective new bettors to sign up and to keep existing members engaged and active. These offers can be very lucrative - provided you select well and understand the various terms and conditions attached.

Below is a rundown of the main offers you can find at Illinois sportsbooks:

Deposit match bonus - This is a popular welcome bonus where the sportsbook matches some or all of your first deposit with bonus money. There is always a limit to how much you can claim, and the bonus money can’t be withdrawn until you have used it to bet - normally at specified minimum odds.
Risk-free bet - This is another popular welcome offer. If your first bet loses the sportsbook will refund you with a free bet or free bets worth the same amount, up to a certain limit.
Free bet - This is basically a voucher to place a bet. If you win, you receive only the profits and not the value of the free bet. Sportsbooks might hand out free bets as part of all kinds of promotions, often to promote specific upcoming events in the sporting calendar.
Odds boosts - This is a common on-running promotion where the sportsbook chooses certain betting markets to receive improved odds.
Reload bonuses - The same as deposit match bonus, but for later deposits.

DraftKings IL sign up

Bet $5 and win $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins!

Our top 5 sports tips and strategies for sports betting in Illinois

Bet on what you know. With so many betting options out there it can be tempting to start spreading your bets around, but the most successful bettors specialize in sports they know the most about. Plus, if you’re betting on local teams you support you’re more likely to get special offers and promos from Illinois books. Speaking of which…
Use bonuses to your advantage. The reason sportsbooks limit their bonus offers is because they know it increases our chances of winning. If you’re choosing between a couple of books to sign up, always consider which one is giving you the best welcome offer that actually makes sense for how you intend to bet.
Don’t bet on the spur of the moment. If you are tempted to do this, resist the urge and do some research before you click that bet button. You might find some extra information that either supports or undermines your initial instinct. Plus, you might find better odds elsewhere.
Good bankroll management is essential for a healthy and enjoyable relationship with sports betting.
Be prepared to lose, at least sometimes. Gambling is a swingy business and you are guaranteed to lose a good portion of the time. If you can’t handle that fact, either emotionally or financially, you should reappraise your relationship with gambling.

Responsible Gambling Practices in Illinois

In 2023 a responsible gambling bill passed through the state Senate, which requires all sportsbooks to include a pop-up to promote responsible gambling after every ten bets placed.

Below are some more practical steps to promote healthy gambling:

Sports betting is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Never turn to betting as a source of income. The house always wins in the long run.
Set aside a budget for your sports betting, like $50 a month for instance. Don’t chase your losses and don’t bet any money you can’t afford to lose.
There are lots of resources out there if you think you have a gambling problem, including on The Illinois Gaming Board’s website. You can also find help by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

Illinois sports betting FAQ

All the main things you need to know before you start betting in Illinois are below:

Is sports betting legal in IL?

Yes. Sports betting is legal in Illinois for anyone over the age of 21. You need to be inside state lines to place a bet. You can’t bet on non-sports events, like elections or the Academy Awards.

What is the legal betting age in Illinois?

The legal betting age is 21 or older.

Can you bet on esports in IL?

No. In fact, unlike in some states, betting on esports isn’t explicitly illegal but since it was not included in The Illinois Sports Wagering Act the activity is not considered legal in the state.

Is in-person verification for mobile sports betting still required?

No. Although this was originally part of Illinois sports betting laws, the requirement was removed permanently in March 2022.

What online sports betting sites are legal in Illinois?

The following sports betting sites are available in Illinois: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, PointsBet, and Chicago's own BetRivers.

BetRivers IL sign up

2nd chance bet up to $500

Are daily fantasy sports legal in Illinois?

Yes, you can bet on DFS in Illinois.

Where can I place a bet in Illinois?

Illinois allows for both in person and online betting, and every legal betting site must have a physical book.

What sports betting apps work in Illinois?

There are sports betting apps available in Illinois for DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, PointsBet, and BetRivers.

What is the best betting app in Illinois?

All the sportsbooks in Illinois have their own strengths and weaknesses, but BetRivers has one of the strongest mobile platforms across the board.