When it comes to horse racing and handicapping excitement, residents in the State of Illinois have a ton of local and regional options to chose from. The crown jewel of Illinois racing scene is the Arlington International Racecourse, which opened in 1927 and was home to the first million-dollar purse: the Arlington Million (1981). Though not all still in business today, there was a time when Chicago had more horse betting tracks (six) than any other major metropolitan.
Our Recommended Online Racebooks
If you can’t make it to the Land of Lincoln to get your horse handicapping fix, try betting at one of the top online horse wagering racebooks listed in the Sports Betting Sites table below.
| # | Horse Betting Site | 1st Deposit Bonus | Betting Site Review | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  |
50% Sign Up Bonus - Up to $250 | READ REVIEW | CLAIM BONUS |
| #2 |  |
50% Sign Up Bonus - Up to $2500 | READ REVIEW | CLAIM BONUS |
| #3 |  |
50% Sign Up Bonus - Up to $3000 | CLAIM BONUS | |
| #4 |  |
100% Sign Up Bonus - Up to $1000 | READ REVIEW | CLAIM BONUS |
| #5 |  |
75% Sign Up Bonus - Up to $1000 | READ REVIEW | CLAIM BONUS |
Off Track Betting Locations in Illinois
Whether it’s exciting thoroughbred action at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, or the famed Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero (opened in 1891), pony punters are always just a short drive away from live trackside horse betting in the Chicago and area. Throw in thrilling harness racing at Balmoral Park (first opened in 1926) or Maywood Park in Melrose Park, Illinois, and the hits keep coming.
While these great horse racing venues are in close proximity to the main centers in Illinois, Chicago and area bettors also have access to a wealth of Off Track Betting destinations located from Aurora to Waukegan. If you can’t make it to track in person, please check out one of the OTB bureaus listed below.
Trackside Waukegan
630 South Green Bay Road Waukegan, IL 60085 Phone: (847) 336-1400Stanley’s Ale House & Restaurant
335 North McLean Boulevard South Elgin, IL 60123 Phone: (847) 468-8022Time Out OTB at Fairmount Park
315 Belle Street Alton, IL 62002 Phone: (618) 465-1006Trackside at Joe’s Bar
940 West Weed Street Chicago, IL 60642 Phone: (312) 787-9600Corliss OTB
11203 South Corliss Chicago, IL 60628 773-995-8238 Phone: (773) 995-8238Jupiter’s at the Crossing
2511 Village Green Place Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: (217) 403-0922Ringside Sports Bar and OTB
554 East Devon Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 Phone: (847) 364-4122Shark City
2240 Bloomindale Road Glendale Heights, IL 60139 Phone: (630) 893-9346Trackside at Salerno-Picente Ristorante
9301 63rd Street Hodgkins, IL 60525 Phone: (708) 354-1668Crestwood OTB
13148 Rivercrest Drive Crestwood, IL 60445 Phone: (773) 995-8238Trackside at Iron Horse Saloon
1225 East 9th Street Lockport, IL 60441 Phone: (815) 838-4420Trackside at Nicolino’s
621 Ridgeview Drive McHenry, IL 60050 Phone: (815) 344-0742Bookie Magee’s
2450 Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60435 Phone: (815) 744-6500Lucky Magee’s
9215 North Greenwood Avenue Niles, IL 60714 Phone: (847) 795-8000All Seasons Entertainment Center
1304 Cross Creek Drive Normal, IL 61761 Phone: (309) 829-3300Stoney Point Grill
19031 Old LaGrange Road Mokena, IL 60448 Phone: (708) 478-1670Oakbrook Terrace OTB
17W648 22nd St Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Phone: (630) 627-8238Trackside at Sam’s Triple Crown
9201 159th Street Orland Hills, IL 60487 Phone: (708) 873-1119The Turf Room
650 Randall Crossings Lane North Aurora, IL 60542 Phone: (630) 906-9300Don Carter Lanes
4007 East State Street Rockford, IL 61108 Phone: (815) 398-2300Route 3 OTB
2400 Mississippi Avenue Sauget, IL 62201 Phone: (618) 274-6468Trackside at Tavern on North
105 East North Street Villa Park, IL 60181 Phone: (630) 758-0099Tad’s Sports Bar & Grill
1322 Gardner Street South Beloit, IL 61080 Phone: (815) 389-4921Players Pub & Grill
1250 South River Road Prospect Heights, IL 60070 Phone: (847) 693-7323Capital Teletrack
1766 Wabash Avenue Springfield, IL 62704 Phone: (217) 546-2111The Foundry
85 Executive Drive Aurora, IL 60504 Phone: (630) 978-2088
Please bet responsibly