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Best Illinois Sports Betting Sites: Top 10 IL Sportsbooks Reviewed 2024

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Illinois has shifted from strict gambling rules to legalizing retail and online sportsbooks statewide in just a matter of years. Now, sports bettors have a wide variety of online sports betting apps to sift through. Our experts have done the work for you, compiling reviews of the best Illinois betting apps, their bonuses, features and more. 

Latest Update

Illinois Sports Betting Apps FAQs

Yes, sports betting is legal and available online in Illinois. There are multiple state-regulated, legal sportsbook apps and sites to choose from, including BetRivers, Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM. Additionally, there is a wide range of offshore sportsbooks available to Illinois sports bettors.

Yes, betting on the NFL in Illinois has been allowed since the state made sports betting legal. That means Chicago Bears fans can place all types of sports bets throughout the 2023-24 season.

You can use Bovada in Illinois to bet on sports and for online casino gambling and your desktop computer or mobile devices. In fact, Bovada is one of our top-rated online sportsbooks.

Sports fans can register online or on their phone for any online sportsbook they choose. Illinois used to have an in-person registration requirement but online registration has been allowed since March 2022.

Bookmaker.eu is the best sportsbook for Illinois residents to use due to the number of benefits that BookMaker provides to their users.

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Best Illinois Sports Betting Apps

We evaluated dozens of offshore sportsbooks to settle on the following rankings when it comes to the best mobile betting sites in Illinois. All the providers on our list give you security, enticing bonuses and a wide variety of sports betting markets and methods for wagering, including parlays, teasers, team or individual player props, live betting, point spreads and moneylines.

  1. BetOnline – Features the fastest payouts around
  2. Bovada – Best mobile site overall and offers the best prop betting options
  3. Heritage Sports – Provides great live betting options
  4. BetAnySports – Provides the best reduced juice out there
  5. Everygame – Offers diverse sports from around the globe
  6. WagerWeb – Offers fast payouts, including same-day for Bitcoin
  7. SportsBetting.ag – Features a racebook on the mobile betting platform
  8. BetUS – Offers great bonuses for new and existing users
  9. JustBet – Provides lines earlier than competitors
  10. BookMaker – Provides great opportunities for new and experienced bettors alike

The online sportsbooks in our top ten list can each provide sports bettors in Illinois with an exceptional mobile gambling experience. You can bet on both professional sports teams and college sports teams, in addition to a wide range of niche sports all while on the go.

Illinois Sports Betting News & Developments

The landscape of sports betting in Illinois has experienced significant developments over the past few years, reflecting a dynamic shift in the state’s approach to legalized gambling. The timeline below will cover the key events in the state’s sports betting history:

  • February 2024: Governor JB Pritzker proposes to increase the Illinois sports betting tax rate to 35% as part of his budget plan, which is more than double the current tax rate of 15%.
  • January 2024: The Illinois Gaming Board reports that over 46,400 Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) are operated by more than 8400 licensed locations.
  • October 2023: Officials inform that Illinois becomes the fourth state to reach the $25 billion historical handle threshold, joining Nevada, New Jersey and New York.
  • September 2023: Illinois becomes the third state to surpass the $2 billion mark in sports betting revenue, joining New York and New Jersey, according to the Illinois Gaming Board.
  • May 2023: The Illinois Senate unanimously approved an extension to allow retail betting on in-state college teams.
  • April 2023: Representative Jonathan Carroll introduces House Bill 4041. This legislation aims to allow online betting on in-state college teams.
  • February 2023Representative Bob Rita files HB 1405, which would allow the operations of sports wagering exchanges in the Prairie State.
  • January 2023: State officials inform that, for the fourth consecutive month, Illinois surpassed a $1 billion handle, going from October 2022 to January 2023.
  • December 2022Bally’s wins the final approval for a $1.74 billion casino on the site of the old Chicago Tribune building, in River West.
  • April 2022: Illinois officials report an increase of over 400% in the handle between February and March going from $60 million to $248 thanks to the elimination of in-person signups.
  • March 2022: Governor Pritzker signs an executive order allowing mobile registration for online sports betting.
  • March 2021: Illinois surpasses $1 billion in total sports betting handle since its legalization.
  • March 2020: In-person sports betting launches at casinos and racetracks in Illinois, just days before the COVID-19 pandemic shutters many of these establishments.
  • June 2019: Governor Pritzker signs a bill legalizing sports betting in Illinois, making it the 15th state to do so.
  • 2018: The United States Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which had effectively banned sports betting in most states, allowing individual states to legalize sports betting.
  • 2018: Several attempts to legalize sports betting in Illinois fail in the state legislature.

The progression of sports betting in Illinois, as outlined in this section, underscores the rapid evolution of the industry within the state. From the landmark legalization in June 2019 to the introduction of major players like Circa Sports and Fanatics in the market, Illinois has become a significant hub for sports wagering in the United States.

These developments not only reflect the growing acceptance and regulation of sports betting nationwide but also indicate the potential for future expansion and innovation in the Illinois sports betting landscape. As the industry continues to evolve, it is poised to play a crucial role in the state’s economic and entertainment sectors.

Reviews of the Top 10 Illinois Betting Apps & Mobile Sites

Dive into our in-depth reviews

While a list of the top mobile apps is great, you’ll probably want to know why one is listed ahead of the others to make sure it fits your needs.

This is why we offer an in-depth breakdown of our top 5 preferred sportsbook apps for bettors in Illinois. These apps are among the best across the board, including user-friendly interfaces, a variety of payment methods accepted, reliable customer service and generous bonuses.

1. BetOnline: Best for Opinionated Lines

BetOnline

Established 2001

Visit BetOnline
10
Best For
Bonus Hunter 8.5
Trust 10/10
Banking 8.6/10
Bonuses 8.8/10
Odds 9.2/10
Customer Service 9/10
Betting Limits 9.8/10
CURRENT PROMOTION
100% Free Play

Key Features:

BetOnline’s excellent mobile platform offers some variety in betting lines, but these betting lines can often be found on competitors’ sites.

However, they’re more willing to stray from what everyone else is listing as odds for a game and they often have opinionated lines. What does that mean? Normally, the odds on two sides of a spread or point total are the same, as in -110/-110. But BetOnline frequently has them differently: -113/-107, for example. This allows you to boost your payout if things go the right way.

Bettors can also quickly boost their bankrolls by taking advantage of one of BetOnline’s promo codes. BetOnline also offers some excellent poker rooms for U.S. poker players as well as an online casino.

2. Bovada: Best Mobile Platform Interface

Bovada

Established 2011

Visit Bovada
10
Best For
Mobile Bettor 9.0
Trust 10/10
Banking 8.6/10
Bonuses 8.8/10
Odds 8.9/10
Customer Service 9/10
Betting Limits 9.8/10
CURRENT PROMOTION
75% Cash Bonus

Key Features:

Bovada offers a full casino experience online by offering plenty of other options besides sports betting. There’s a racebook section so large that it’s separate from their sports section, a variety of casino games playable online and the busiest online poker room in the country.

Even if you stay in the sports area, you’ll be treated to plenty of options as the Bovada app offers more prop betting options than anyone else in the online sports betting market.

Their mobile platform is also impressive, as Bovada boasts one of the most user-friendly mobile sites out there. Bovada’s bonus codes are also some of the most generous bonuses that are available.

3. Heritage Sports: Our Top Choice for Live Betting in IL

Heritage Sports

Established 2001

Visit Heritage Sports
10
Best For
Seasoned Gambler 8.6
Trust 10/10
Banking 8.6/10
Bonuses 8.2/10
Odds 9/10
Customer Service 9/10
Betting Limits 9.7/10
CURRENT PROMOTION
25% Cash Bonus

Key Features:

A few years ago, online gambling was done sitting on a laptop or desktop computer. Now, if a bet is being placed, there’s a good chance it was done on a mobile phone.

Similarly, the online gambling industry itself is in constant flux and one of the new developments in recent years is live betting. Rather than placing a bet on a game and waiting until it’s over, you can bet throughout the game while the action is ongoing.

The Heritage Sports mobile site has one of the best live betting platforms around, which is complemented by their online casino as well as a variety of great promos. Bettors who are looking for further value can take advantage of the platform’s reduced juice betting lines.

4. BetAnySports: Best for Reduced Juice

BetAnySports

Established 2002

Visit BetAnySports
10
Best For
Seasoned Gambler 9.0
Trust 10/10
Banking 9/10
Bonuses 8.7/10
Odds 9.6/10
Customer Service 8.5/10
Betting Limits 9.8/10
CURRENT PROMOTION
30% Cash Bonus

Key Features:

The BetAnySports mobile sportsbook offers the most generous reduced juice in the market, which means that you don’t have to do quite as well with your sports bets to earn a profit.

Normally, odds on either side of a spread or point total are -110/-110, but BetAnySports regularly sets the odds at -105/-105.

That means you’re risking less money when you place the wagers. With standard odds, you need to win about 53% of the time to turn a profit. With reduced juice, the losses don’t sting quite as much and you can top break even with just a 51.5% win rate. As if that wasn’t enough, BAS also offers some great welcome bonuses and other bonus offers.

5. Everygame: Best Mobile Casino Gaming

Everygame

Established 1996

Visit Everygame
10
Best For
Niche Sports Fan 8.3
Trust 10/10
Banking 8.6/10
Bonuses 8.8/10
Odds 8.5/10
Customer Service 8.6/10
Betting Limits 9.8/10
CURRENT PROMOTION
100% Cash Bonus

Key Features:

We’re focusing on the top mobile sites and apps for sports gambling in Illinois in this guide. However, Everygame is worthy of our top five for multiple reasons. They have the best mobile casino games in the state, which is not common in many sportsbooks.

They also offer a wide range of sports betting lines along with some of the most popular poker offerings. The interface is slick and easy to use. Plus, there is a variety of Everygame promo code offers available for new players.

Everygame also has a global view, so sports outside the U.S. that other sites might skip are available with this top-notch mobile sportsbook.

Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes, Illinois made sports betting legal in 2019 and kicked off their industry a few months later in 2020. Originally, only retail sports betting was allowed; however, online sportsbook operators were authorized in June 2020.

While the local sports betting market is still working out all the kinks, offshore platforms have a long history of dependable wagering, which is why they populate our top 10 list. Legal sports betting sites and sportsbook apps allow you to easily place wagers on your favorite professional sports team, keep up with pre- and in-game betting odds and play a wide range of games right off the casino floor.

Signing up for an Illinois Betting App and Mobile Site

Joining a mobile site or sports betting app in Illinois is easy. The entire process takes just a few minutes, from start to finish. Most legal sports betting sites have a similar registration process. Here is a quick guide to walk you through the process:

  1. Open a Sports Betting Account: The first step is to select your preferred mobile site or sports betting app in Illinois. In this case, we’re going with Bookmaker.eu, our top-ranked sports betting app in Illinois. On the site’s homepage, you’ll see a “Join” button. Clicking this button takes you to an online registration page that you must complete.
  2. Choose a Payment Method: After the account information is entered and the account is created, the next step is to fund it. Go to the “Cashier” section and pick the deposit method that you want to use from the list of accepted payment methods. Then enter the amount you want to deposit.
  3. Select a Mobile Betting App Welcome Bonus: New customers qualify to claim a welcome bonus and will be provided with a promo code. Several may be available to new users, differing in amount, type and requirements. Review the range of traditional and crypto bonuses, pick the offer that appeals most to you and then enter the promo code required.
  4. Choose a Sport to Wager on: Now that you’ve got an account funded with your own money as well as some bonus cash, it’s time to make your bets. Browse the available range of sports and pick one that stands out to you, review the schedule and bet types and decide which game or match you want to bet on and how.
  5. Place your Bet: The final step is to place your bets by adding your selections to the bet slip. 

Mobile Site vs. App for Betting in Illinois

Throughout this guide, we’ve discussed mobile websites and betting apps as the two mobile betting options. Both allow you to place bets while on the train, golf course or in the office. But each of these legal sports betting sites comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. We will cover these differences below so you can know what to expect from your mobile experience:

Mobile Site Features

Using a mobile site eliminates the downloading process. Bettors can go to a sportsbook’s mobile site directly from their phone’s browser by just entering the website address.

Pros:

  • Instant access to all aspects of the sportsbook site
  • Don’t need to have space to save an app
  • Doesn’t need to be updated regularly
  • Can be accessed on most devices, including phones and tablets

Cons:

  • Site may be down at times for maintenance
  • Less secure than using an app

Mobile Gambling App Features

To use an app, you must download and install it on your phone or tablet.

Pros:

  • Quick startup by clicking the app icon
  • Sign-up process is more secure than mobile sites
  • Geolocation can be used for Illinois betting
  • Guaranteed to work on your operating platform

Cons:

  • May not be available on all devices
  • Takes up storage space on your device

Illinois Mobile Betting Bonuses & Sportsbook Promos

Competition in the Illinois sports betting market is heated. Each of the sportsbook apps wants you to join them and place all of your bets on their platform. To lure you, they offer bonuses and promotional offers to one-up each other. Bonuses in mobile betting can be confusing. To help you sort through it all, below are some of the most common types of mobile betting bonuses that you might encounter:

Welcome Bonuses

New customers are crucial to a sports betting app. Mobile sites and betting apps offer sign-up bonuses to entice new customers to join them. As a result, welcome bonuses are one of the most popular bonus offers out there.

In most cases, a sports betting app will offer a welcome bonus on the customer’s initial deposit. These are often called deposit match bonuses. Sports betting apps often award this bonus as a percentage of the amount that is deposited, ranging from 50% to 200%. 

They’re usually capped at a specific amount. So a 50% bonus of up to $2,000 means they’ll match half of what you put in from your own money. If you deposit $100, they’ll give you another $50. In this example, to get the $2,000 that’s advertised, you’d need to deposit $4,000 of your own cash.

Existing Customer Promotions

Once the welcome bonus has been spent, a site needs to do something to keep you from shopping for a welcome bonus at a competitor. That’s where existing customer bonuses come into play. The best mobile sportsbooks value customer loyalty and so they offer a wide range of promotions in order to keep you engaged.

Reload bonuses, enhanced odds and even insured bets are examples of promotions that are offered to valued existing customers to keep them betting with one particular site.

No Deposit Bonuses

No deposit bonuses are rarer, but they’re gold to gamblers. Basically, bettors get to join a mobile site or sports betting app in Illinois and place bets for free.

You don’t have to deposit money into your account to claim a no-deposit bonus. Depending on the mobile site or sports betting app in question, these offers can be in the form of additional bonus money or free bets.

Free Bets

Free bets (or bonus bets) are also a popular option. These bonus bets give you the chance to wager without risking your money. If you win, you get to keep whatever you earn. On the flip side, if your free bet loses, you get your money back in the form of a bonus bet credit.

Types of Betting Markets for Illinois Sports Betting

In addition to a wide range of sports, it’s important for an online sportsbook to offer plenty of different types of sports bets. Classically, people have bet on point spreads, money lines and point totals. But there are far more options available. The best sportsbook operators should offer:

  • Game props
  • Player props
  • Alternate lines
  • Same game parlays
  • Live betting/In-game betting
  • Futures bets
  • Parlays
  • Teasers
  • Pleasers
  • Progressive parlays
  • Reverse bets
  • If bets
  • Round robins

Choosing a sportsbook with a broad selection of betting markets enhances your betting experience, offering more opportunities to find value and enjoy the excitement of sports betting.

How We Rank the Best Mobile Sports Betting Apps

We used a methodical process to produce our rankings of the top Illinois betting apps and online sportsbooks. We evaluated each sports betting app in Illinois against the others on several different metrics in order to determine its spot on the list.

The scores are adjusted based on which aspects are most important to the overall betting experience.

Some of the features we considered when ranking the best offshore sportsbooks for sports bettors in Illinois are the following:

Mobile Betting Experience

Sportsbook apps that are easy to navigate provide the best user experience. We look for Illinois sports betting apps and online betting sites that are easy to navigate, user-friendly and reliable. There should be clearly labeled sections and filters to allow you to find the sport or market that you’re looking for without too many clicks.

Online Sports Betting Apps

A top-ranked app should combine performance and quality. It should be easy to use and it should be a similar experience to the full (laptop or desktop) website. We will always recommend the legal sports betting apps in Illinois that offer a wide range of betting markets and betting types, withdrawal and deposit options and attractive bonuses.

Mobile Betting Bonuses

Almost every sports betting app in Illinois offers a welcome bonus of some sort to attract new customers. Which site is the most generous? Which site’s bonus is the stingiest and why? Are the offers fair? Are there strings attached or is what the bonus code advertised what you’ll actually see in your account?

We also consider complicating factors like minimum deposits, bonus percentages, maximum amounts, wagering requirements, rollover requirements and expiration dates.

Live Mobile Betting & Streaming

At this point, mobile sites that don’t offer live betting options are seriously lagging. The top Illinois sports betting apps and online sportsbooks keep abreast with new technology and industry trends, including allowing bettors to bet on games in progress. 

Live betting should be available for a variety of sports and types of bets. In-game betting odds should be fair. Sportsbooks that feature live streaming earn extra points from us.

Banking Options

It doesn’t take long for money to go from your bank account into the site’s coffers, but when it’s time to reverse direction, how easy is that process? 

Are there delays or requirements associated with withdrawing money from your sportsbook account? How do the rollover requirements on winnings and bonuses compare to the rest of the industry? How secure is your money and account information? What payment options are available to fund your account? It’s important to us that sports betting sites featured here offer a wide range of online banking options, such as bank wire transfers, debit cards, credit cards and even crypto options, for users to choose from.

Customer Service

The best sportsbook apps in Illinois make sure that their customers have reliable access to responsive and professional customer support. Customer service should be available 24/7 and be reachable in a number of different ways, including live chat, email and by phone.

Licensing & Security

Security is a given when evaluating which sports betting apps are the best for Illinois bettors. If there’s any reason to worry about the safety of your funds or personal information, then the site didn’t make our list. 

Our top-rated apps and mobile sites are all safe and reliable. We look at the online sports betting site’s licensing status and security features to make sure that you’re dealing with a site that has integrity. If they do not make your safety their top priority, then we don’t see why you should do business with them.

Popular Sports Teams With Illinois Bettors

In Illinois, the sports betting landscape is as diverse and vibrant as the state’s rich sports history. Bettors in Illinois have a wide array of teams to choose from, spanning various leagues and levels of play.

Each of the most popular teams among Illinois bettors, ranging from professional franchises in major leagues to prominent NCAA Division I teams, draw considerable attention from the betting community:

  • Chicago Bears (NFL): The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. Competing in the National Football League (NFL), they are a member of the league’s National Football Conference (NFC) North division. Established in 1919, the Bears are known for their rich history and influential role in shaping the NFL.
  • Chicago Bulls (NBA): A professional basketball team located in Chicago, the Chicago Bulls participate in the National Basketball Association (NBA). They were established in 1966 and gained immense popularity in the 1990s, led by iconic players like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, winning six NBA championships during that decade.
  • Chicago Cubs (MLB): The Chicago Cubs are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team playing in the National League (NL) Central division. Founded in 1876, they are one of the oldest active teams in major North American sports. The Cubs are known for their storied history and passionate fan base.
  • Chicago White Sox (MLB): Another Major League Baseball team from Chicago, the White Sox compete in the American League (AL) Central Division. Established in 1901, the White Sox have won three World Series titles, with their most recent victory in 2005.
  • Chicago Blackhawks (NHL): A professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, the Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference. Founded in 1926, they are one of the “Original Six” NHL teams and have won multiple Stanley Cup championships.
  • Chicago Fire FC (MLS): Chicago Fire Football Club is a professional soccer team based in Chicago, competing in Major League Soccer (MLS). Established in 1997, they have won multiple domestic titles, including the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup.
  • Northwestern Wildcats (NCAA): Representing Northwestern University in Evanston, this IL-based college sports team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Wildcats’ college teams participate in a variety of sports, including football, basketball and baseball, with a strong emphasis on academic and athletic excellence. The Wildcats are popular among college sports betting enthusiasts in the state.
  • Illinois Fighting Illini (NCAA): The sports teams of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Fighting Illini, are members of the Big Ten Conference. They have a storied history in several sports, notably in football and basketball and are known for their competitive spirit.
  • Loyola Ramblers (NCAA): Based in Chicago, the Loyola Ramblers represent Loyola University Chicago. Competing in the Missouri Valley Conference, they are particularly noted for their men’s basketball team, which has made several appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
  • DePaul Blue Demons (NCAA): Representing DePaul University in Chicago, the Blue Demons compete in the Big East Conference. They are particularly known for their basketball programs, with the men’s college team having a history of success in the NCAA Tournament.
  • Southern Illinois Salukis (NCAA): Hailing from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, the Salukis compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. They offer a variety of sports, with their men’s basketball team being particularly notable for regular appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
  • Illinois State Redbirds (NCAA): Representing Illinois State University in Normal, the Redbirds are members of the Missouri Valley Conference. They participate in a variety of sports and are known for their competitive teams, especially in basketball and volleyball.

From the historical might of teams like the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Bulls to the collegiate spirit of the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Loyola Ramblers, each team presents unique opportunities and challenges for bettors. Their varied successes, storied histories and passionate fan bases make these teams not just pillars of Illinois’ sports culture, but also key players in the state’s sports betting scene.

Betting Apps & Mobile Sites in Illinois for iOS & Android Users

Everyone has a different phone and the top-ranked sports betting apps in Illinois need to be compatible with all of them. Android and iOS are the two major mobile operating systems and, regardless of what type of phone they have, most mobile bettors are on one of the two platforms, if not both.

iPhone

Downloading a native sports betting app in Illinois onto your iPhone is easy. iPhone apps are readily accessible on the Apple Store and can be downloaded with just a click.

Even if the online wagering site that you choose doesn’t have an iPhone app, creating a shortcut to the web app on your device is quick and easy. Plus, it’s free.

Android

To download sports betting apps on your Android device, visit the Google Play Store where you can directly download the app. Like the iPhone, if there’s no app available, you can create a mobile shortcut on your home screen for direct access.

Illinois Betting Guides

For those in Illinois interested in a wider range of gambling activities, we encourage checking out our other guides for Illinois sports fans:

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