Illinois residents are fortunate to have sports betting legal in their state. The question is which sportsbook you should choose. While you will find many of the same betting options at each of the major sportsbooks, When it comes to sports betting, the little things matter.
Below you will find our overview of the best sportsbooks in Illinois and what features set them apart from the competition.
| The best sports betting providers in Illinois | Main features | Our rating |
|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | ● Most popular sports betting office in the USA ● Excellent app and user experience ● Great casino and DFS |
9.2/10 |
| DraftKings | ● Excellent app and user experience ● Ideal for NBA, NFL and NHL betting ● All-round solid sports betting offer |
9/10 |
| BetMGM | ● Best welcome bonus ● Ideal for NBA and NFL betting ● Great customer service |
8.8/10 |
| Bet365 | ● Choice between two welcome bonuses ● Best odds for single bets ● Largest selection of sports markets |
8.8/10 |
| Caesar | ● Best loyalty program ● NFL live stream ● Competitive quotas |
8.6/10 |
What you should consider when choosing a sports betting provider
First, It is best to have more than one sports betting app on your deviceThis way you can choose the bookmaker that offers the best odds for the bet you want to place.
You may also want to take advantage of the welcome bonuses offered by several sportsbooks. This will allow you to really boost your balance with bonus funds at the beginning.
Finally, look for the best sportsbook in Illinois that meets your specific needs. If you bet on futures, look for a site that offers a wide range of futures, if you’re a big NFL fan, choose a site that offers NFL live streaming, and so on.
What are the best sports betting sites in Illinois?
Which sportsbook is the best can be subjective, but we’ve tested all of the top competitors, compared features, and created a list of options that we’ve rated according to our scoring system.
Here are the top options and an overview of their advantages and disadvantages.
FanDuel
There is a reason why FanDuel is nicknamed the “King of Sports Betting”. FanDuel has created an excellent sports betting platform that does everything right. It is immaculately designed and although it still has a normal lag for a sports betting app, it has the best all-round user experience.
In terms of odds, they are very competitive in most markets. While there isn’t as much variety as, say, bet365, all the major sports are represented – certainly more than enough for the average bettor.
FanDuel’s welcome bonus is not the best because it is dependent on your first bet winning. You can lose your welcome bonus entirely if you are not careful with your first bet. The sign up bonus is Bet $5 and get $150 if your bet wins.
Advantages:
- The largest sports betting office in the USA
- Best user experience
- Very competitive odds for most markets
Disadvantages:
- Welcome bonus depends on winning
- Doesn’t have the largest selection of sports markets
DraftKings
DraftKings has the second-largest user base in the U.S. Like FanDuel, DraftKings was able to rely on the brand recognition it gained as a DFS app long before sports betting was legalized in the U.S.
Like FanDuel, DraftKings’ sportsbook is expertly designed. It’s easy to navigate, runs smoothly, and is simple enough for beginners.
DraftKings offers good promos for NBA and NFL parlays and competitive odds all around. The DraftKings welcome bonus is Bet $5 and get $150regardless of whether your bet wins or not.
Advantages:
- Excellent app and user experience
- Ideal for NBA, NFL, NHL
- Attractive welcome bonus
Disadvantages:
- Geolocation sometimes doesn’t work
BetMGM
The most remarkable thing about BetMGM is the huge welcome bonus: up to $1500 safety net for the first bet. And if you like betting on props, you will love BetMGM. It has the best prop odds from any US sportsbook.
The app and interface are simple but serve their purpose well. BetMGM offers customization options that allow you to tweak some app features to your liking. As for the betting menu, BetMGM has an absolutely huge selection to choose from.
With its generous welcome bonus and unbeatable prop odds, BetMGM is a great choice for sports bettors in Illinois.
Advantages:
- Best Welcome Bonus
- Best odds for props
- Huge betting menu
Disadvantages:
- Simple app design
- Customer support can sometimes be slow
Bet365
Bet365 offers a huge range of sports markets for US and European sports fans. It has over 35 sports markets to choose from and an extensive betting menu that will appeal to even the most experienced bettors. At the same time, bet365’s intuitive layout and design makes it easy for beginners to use.
Where bet365 really stands out is its odds for single bets. However, if you dig a little deeper into the betting menu, the odds are not quite as good. Bet365 has the most boosts of any sportsbook in Illinois However, this can be really useful throughout the use of the app.
Bet365 offers two different sign-up bonuses: Bet $5 and get $150 bonus money – OR – up to $1000 safety net on your first bet. This is the only US sportsbook that offers the choice between two competitive welcome bonuses. The downside is that it no loyalty program So keep this in mind, for example at the bet365 sports betting provider or casino.
Advantages:
- Welcome bonus has two options
- Largest number of sports markets
- Great odds on single bets
- Most boosts of all IL sportsbooks
Disadvantages:
- No loyalty program
- Deep in the betting menu the odds are not so good
Caesar
Caesars is a ideal choice if you are an NFL fanas it includes NFL streaming via the website or app. There are also many NFL-focused boosts you can take advantage of. The same goes for the NBA as it is an official betting partner.
Caesars has the best loyalty program with generous rewards for enthusiastic users of the sportsbook and casino offering. The app itself is nicely designed but can suffer from slight lag, especially during peak usage times.
Caesars has a solid sign-up bonus: up to $1000 second chance for the first betThis amount is only surpassed by BetMGM and matches Bet365’s first bet safety net offer.
How to claim a sports betting welcome offer
Most sportsbooks offer a promo code for their welcome bonus, but some don’t require a code at all. FanDuel and DraftKings, for example, don’t require a code for their welcome offer. It’s automatic.
To get Illinois sports betting bonuses, you need to follow these steps:
- Download the sports betting app or visit their website
- Open a new account with your email address and personal details
- If there is a bonus code field, enter a promo code if you have one (you may be able to add a code later).
- Verify and confirm your account
- Make a deposit
- Place your first bet according to the terms and conditions of the Welcome Bonus (see the Promotions section for more information about the bonus).
Best Illinois Sports Betting Promos for New Users
| Sports betting | Bonus details | Promotion code |
|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | Second chance for the first bet up to $1500 | FWSPIEL |
| Bet365 | Bet $5, get $150 – or – Up to $1,000 safety net on first bet | USBET |
| DraftKings | Bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets | None |
| Caesar | Second chance for the first bet up to $1,000 | USBETFULL |
| FanDuel | Bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins | None |
How to make a deposit on a sports betting app
A deposit at a sportsbook can be made via the app or the website. Just follow these steps:
- Log in to your sports betting account or register
- Navigate to the “My Account” section or the “Deposit” tab
- Select the payment option you wish to use
- Enter your payment method financial information
- Specify the amount you wish to deposit
- Go ahead and confirm the transaction
The Best Sports Betting Sites in Illinois – FAQs
Q: Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
A: Yes, sports betting is completely legal in Illinois
Q: What is the best sports betting welcome bonus in Illinois?
A: The best sign up bonus for sports betting in Illinois is offered by BetMGM – risk-free first bet up to $1,500.
Q: What is the most popular sportsbook in Illinois?
A: FanDuel is the current market leader in sports betting
Q: What are the best sportsbooks in Illinois that accept PayPal?
A: The best sportsbooks that allow Illinois residents to use PayPal are Bet365, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and Caesars.
This article is a paid advertisement
