Sports Betting in Illinois

Find your Illinois Betting Site Here

US Betting Sites

On this page, you will find the info you need to understand and master sports betting in Illinois. You will learn about sports betting laws, the legal gambling age, and the best ways to bet online and offline in the state.

Contents

  • Reviews of Top Illinois Betting Sites
  • Key Illinois Gambling Information
  • Illinois Betting FAQ

How to Spot a Great Illinois Betting Site?

  • Available to legally bet in Illinois.
  • Great bonuses, odds, and promotions
  • Lots of deposit options and fast payouts
  • Reliable and fun

Best Illinois Betting Sites

Betting at Bovada in Illinois

Bovada offers one of the best sportsbooks, with an extensive list of markets for bettors in Illinois.

With a great interface and how-to-videos, using Bovada is a breeze.

Even with average bonuses, everything else Bovada offers makes it one of the best online sportsbooks legally available in Illinois.

Read Bovada Review
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BetOnline Rewards Cryptocurrency Users

Members at BetOnline get extra juice when they make their first deposit using Bitcoin. BetOnline users can also get extra boosts on subsequent deposits.

BetOnline is often the first sportsbook to post odds on upcoming games and events.

With plenty of odds, great bonuses and even an odds archive, BetOnline gives bettors a great online betting experience.

Read BetOnline Review
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Bet on the go at Sportsbetting.ag

Sportsbetting.ag offers reduced juice and welcome bonuses, meaning your first deposit goes extra far. They also have some extra bonuses available for members betting on a mobile device

The name says it all, with a huge collection of sports betting odds on every market imaginable.

Once you master the website, you will find sports betting at Sportsbetting.ag is a rewarding experience.

Read Sportsbetting Review
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Bookmaker has great Live Betting

You will have lots of professional odds here. They’re sharp, but they`re plentiful.

Use Bitcoin to get their great bonuses.

With top-notch software, years of experience, and great bonuses, Bookmaker is a great option for bettors in Illinois.

Read Bookmaker Review
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Gambling in Illinois

Illinois Betting Sites

Legal Sports Betting in Illinois

The state of Illinois legalized sports betting in June 2019. The law prohibits wagering on any Illinois collegiate team.

Betting Kiosks

The sports betting bill allows sports venues, such as Wrigley Field and Soldier Field to apply to have betting kiosks

On the Mississippi

Multiple riverboat casinos operate legally in the state of Illinois, many on the Mississippi River.

Illinois Sports Betting Facts

Illinois is one of the most progressive states when it comes to sports betting. The state legalized sports betting in June 2019 and planned to launch sports betting statewide in March 2020. The launch was delayed due to the Coronavirus. Illinois requires you to complete in-person registration to use their mobile sports betting service.

Allowing betting in arenas and stadiums is the most notable part of Illinois’ sports betting bill. Places with professional sports may apply for betting kiosks to operate within their confines. Betting on collegiate teams based in the state is explicitly prohibited.

While bettors wait for Illinois to roll out sports betting, they may freely access online sports betting websites. Online sportsbooks offer odds on all your favorite sports teams and allow for betting on collegiate teams based in Illinois. The legal minimum age to bet on sports in Illinois is 21 years old.

Riverboats Head to Port in Illinois

For years, the only way to gamble in the state of Illinois was on a riverboat casino. While the option still exists in the state, the options available in Illinois have expanded. Bettors in Illinois may now gamble on land, whether it is at a casino based in the state or using an online betting site.

The legal age to play at a casino in Illinois is 21 (also the legal age to bet using an online casino).

Horse Racing in Illinois

Illinois offers world-class horse racing at a few facilities in the state. The top track in the state is Arlington Park. Located northwest of downtown Chicago, the world-class turf course draws in top thoroughbreds.

For those not feeling like getting fancy for a day at Arlington Park or heading to another horse racing track, offtrack betting is available in Illinois. Throughout the state, especially in the Chicago metropolitan area, offtrack sites are available.

You can also sign up for online racebooks. The best online racebooks legally available in the state are safe, reliable and offer odds on races from all over the world. The state legal age to bet on horse races is 18. However, as online racebooks come with casinos and sports betting, you must be at least 21 to sign up.

The Review Process we Follow for Illinois Betting Sites

Our rigorous process when we review legal betting sites in Illinois is next to none. We test out bonuses and time payouts. We look for hidden fees and find fun promotions. We make sure they offer odds on the most popular sports in Illinois.  

Our Commitment to Consistency

To provide consistent and quality reviews, we score the most important aspects of a betting site. Doing this helps us remain unbiased, so Illinois bettors can rely on our reviews.

Enjoy the Best Betting Sites in the Lincoln State

Not all betting sites are created equal. Through our research, we have trimmed the fat and only recommend the best betting sites legally available in Illinois.

Gambling in Illinois FAQ

Is Gambling Legal in Illinois?

Yes, gambling is legal in Illinois. Illinois is one of the best states to be a gambler. Casinos, sports betting, horse racing, the lottery and online betting sites are legal in Illinois.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Illinois?

Yes, Illinois passed a law in June 2019, to legalize sports betting in the state. Illinois allows sports betting at physical sportsbooks and online.

What’s the Legal Gambling Age in Illinois?

The legal gambling age in Illinois is 18 for the lottery and horse racing and 21 for casino games, poker, and sports betting. To access an online betting site, even if it is to bet on horse races, you must be at least 21 years old.

How to Bet on Sports in Illinois?

Until the state launches its own online sports betting service, there are only two ways to bet on sports in Illinois. You can visit one of the three casinos in Illinois with a sports betting permit or sign up for an online sports betting site.

Going online has advantages over the casino sportsbooks operating in the state. They are accessible from your home, allow you to bet on every sport, and have more experience offering sports betting odds.

How Many Casinos Operate in Illinois?

There are currently ten casinos operating within the state of Illinois. You can also check out online casinos legally in the state of Illinois.

What is the Biggest Casino in Illinois?

The biggest casino in Illinois is the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines (a suburb just north of Chicago). The casino features the highest betting limits in the state, with the top bet maxing out at $100,000 on baccarat. It was the first casino in the state to accept a sports bet.

What’s the address of Rivers Casino Des Plaines?

River Casino Des Plaines is located at 3000 S River Rd, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. North of downtown Chicago and minutes from O’Hare International Airport, Rivers Casino offers fun entertainment such as concerts and DJs along with slots, poker and tabletop games.

What’s the Best Horse Racing Track in Illinois?

The best horse racing track in Illinois is Arlington Race Park. Located 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, Arlington Race Park was the site of the world’s first million-dollar thoroughbred race – the Arlington Mile in 1981.

What’s the Address of Arlington Race Park?

Arlington Race Park is located at 2200 Euclid Ave, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005. The venue is capable of housing up to 47,000 (35,000 in the seats and 12,000 more in the club seats).

What are the Best Sports Betting Sites in Illinois?

The best sports betting websites legally available in Illinois are the ones that offer the perfect blend of accessibility, reliability, bonuses, and betting odds. Through our wealth of experience researching, using, and reviewing sports betting sites, we can be sure the sites we list on this page are the top options available in Illinois.  

About the Author

Chris Boline
Chris Boline

As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.

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