Online Illinois Sports Betting Sites: Top IL Bookies

With the legalization of Illinois sports betting, handicappers are flocking to the state to back their favorite teams. But which Illinois sports gambling sites are the best? We reviewed the state’s top legal bookmakers, so you know which sites are worth your time and money.

Scott Jackson
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Last Updated 19.08.2024
750+ Hours of Research
3 Bookmakers Reviewed
20+ Sports to Bet On
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  • The best Illinois sports betting sites
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We evaluated both the legal IL betting sites and put them through their paces, using criteria developed from our industry experience to determine which one is superior. Here are the results of our tests on the top Illinois online sports betting sites:

Top Illinois Betting Site

Best betting sites: Assessment: Payout: Best For: Live Streamig: Welcome Bonus: More Info
4.8/5 95.30% Live Streaming yes Up to$1500In Bonus Bets Visit Site!
4.7/5 95.11% Promo Code: IGAMING1000 no Up to$1000In Bonus Bets Visit Site!
4.9/5 95.52% Same Game Parlay no Bet $5 & Get$250In Bonus Bets Visit Site!

As any experienced gambler can tell you, some bookmakers do certain things better than others, and identifying which sportsbook is the best fit for your style is a recipe for success. Here are the best online Illinois sports betting sites by category:

The Best Illinois Bookmakers by Category

. . . . . . .
🏆 Best Betting Site 2024: BetMGM
▶️ Top for Live Betting: DraftKings
📈 Best NFL Odds: BetMGM
⚾ Top MLB Bonuses: Caesars
🏀 Best NBA Bookmaker: BetMGM
🏒 Most Popular NHL Bookie: BetMGM
🔎 Biggest Market Selection: DraftKings
🏈 Best Super Bowl Promos: BetMGM
⛹️ Top for Player Props: Caesars
✨Best for NCAAF: BetMGM
Image of several athletes – basketball, football, golf and baseball players.

The various sites listed above are the best options for different kinds of Illinois sports gambling. We suggest opening accounts with them so you set yourself up for favorable outcomes in every situation.

Ranking the Top Illinois Sports Betting Sites

We ranked our list of the best Illinois sports betting sites using a sum of scores we assigned based on how they performed against certain benchmarks. Keep in mind we only cover licensed operators here.

How We Ranked Illinois Betting Sites

The criteria we use for rating Illinois betting sites cover all the important aspects of online sportsbooks, like their payout rates, safety features, and app quality. Anything impacting the user experience is tested, graded, and ranked.

Additionally, we take a deep dive into all the operators‘ customer service departments, payment methods, and overall user experience to give you a complete picture of their gambling experiences. Our ratings aim to give you full knowledge of what it’s like at Illinois online sports betting sites before you sign up.

Illinois Bookmakers at a Glance

One of the most important things you can do as a handicapper is find the right bookie for your preferences. The following table contains information about Illinois sports gambling sites’ offerings. They all have the major sports, providing odds on NFL, NCAAF, MLB, NBA, and NHL markets.

Bookmaker Sports Football Conferences Football Markets Novelty Bets
DraftKings 22 10 20 Prop Bets
BetMGM 24 12 4 Specials
Caesars 12 2 3 Specials
Our Highest Rated Offer
5/5

Up to $1500 In Bonus Bets

  • Low Playthrough Rates
  • Live Sports Streams
  • In-Play Betting

However, you can see there are differences between them like the number of sports and football conferences offered. Some bookmakers go the extra mile to provide odds on smaller mid-major NCAAF and NCAAB basketball conferences, while others just provide the top ones.

The best betting sites Illinois has to offer also have markets for popular European sports like cricket, rugby, and soccer. While you may not be familiar with these sports, many bettors become interested in them during the summer when the only major American sport being played is baseball.

Live Betting

Live betting is a relatively new innovation in the world of sports gambling. Illinois betting sites provide in-play betting odds for games that are already in progress. This phenomenon is widely popular because it allows you to place wagers on games during the action.

For NFL bettors, you can predict if the next play is a run or pass. MLB gamblers can choose if the next batter strikes out. NHL handicappers can decide which team scores the next goal. With in-progress betting, there are boundless gambling opportunities anytime there’s a game being played.

Best Illinois Sportsbook Payout Rates

One of the best things you can do to impact your bankroll is to shop around for the best odds. We suggest that you should open accounts with multiple sportsbooks so you can always get the highest payouts. Here are the average payout rates at Illinois online sports betting sites:

The Odds at the Best IL Sportsbooks
Betting Site NFL NCAA Football MLB NBA NHL
BetMGM 95.40% 95.60% 96.20% 95.45% 95.65%
DraftKings 95.55% 95.10% 95.85% 95.65% 95.60%
Caesars 95.25% 94.90% 97.80% 95.40% 95.35%

The table above lists the bookies with the highest average odds by sport. Remember that betting sites make their money on commission built into the odds. That’s why payout rates are always less than 100%.

To do this, they build vigorish (“vig”) into the lines, which is the difference between the actual probability of an event occurring and the odds the sportsbooks offer. Over time as people wager money, bookmakers adjust these odds to balance their liabilities across various outcomes.

This means bookies just need to predict the market sentiment about a game when pricing their odds. You can find an edge by exploiting differences in market price versus the true probability of an event occurring. Here are the sportsbooks Illinois players can gamble at listed by highest average payout:

Best Illinois Sports Betting Apps

Another indicator of a top betting site is a high-quality smartphone app. Well-developed apps let you bet on sports no matter where you are – provided you remain within state lines. This is super helpful when you want to get a bet down but aren’t able to access a computer.

The best Illinois sports gambling sites also provide in-play odds so you can live bet through their app. This is great when you want to watch football with your friends. You can get together, grill out, and bet on the Bears as the game unfolds, right from your smartphone or tablet.

The Top Bonuses at Illinois Sports Betting Sites

Illinois sports gambling bonuses are how local operators acquire new customers. Many times, bookmakers make these offers exclusively for new signups, so be sure to take advantage of them anytime you sign up with a new sportsbook.

Something to keep an eye out for are the bonus terms and conditions. Each bookmaker has a set of specific conditions that must be met before you can take advantage of these promotions. Here is a list of the most common terms and conditions you will find pertaining to sportsbook deals:

IL Sports Betting Sites Bonus Offer
BetMGM Up to $1500
DraftKings Up to $150
Caesars Up to $1000
  • Playthrough Requirements
  • Time Limits
  • Minimum Deposits
  • Validity Periods
  • Minimum Odds
  • Minimum and Maximum Limits
  • Markets

There are a variety of bonus types bookmakers offer, too. At first, the different types of Illinois sports betting promotions can be overwhelming, but once you learn the difference between first deposit bonuses, free bets, money back promos, and others, it all becomes second nature.

It’s easy to get wide-eyes when you see some of the offers available, but large amounts aren’t everything when it comes to gambling promos. Here are some differences between the best Illinois online sports betting sites’ bonuses and mediocre ones:

Great Deals
  • Low playthrough requirements
  • Long validity periods
  • Available for a variety of markets
Bad Deals
  • Expires after 7 days
  • Strict wagering requirements
  • Highly restricted odds

While they can be a nice bump to your bankroll, betting bonuses are never truly free – often you must provide the sportsbook something in return, like a deposit or a wager. You should always read the terms to make sure you can afford the initial requirements to get the bonus.

The Leading Payment Options at Illinois Bookmakers

Often overlooked by many gamblers, the payment methods available at Illinois online sports betting sites make for a smooth experience. A large variety of processors is key, and access to one you feel comfortable using is vital.

We listed the various payment options for sportsbooks in Illinois in the table below. Each method has different pros and cons. For instance, some people feel more comfortable using PayPal versus debit cards. Whichever one you choose, it’s crucial you feel at ease when making deposits or withdrawals.

Betting Sites Visa MasterCard PayPal PayNearMe Discover Bank Transfer Secure Link
BetMGM Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Visit Site!
DraftKings Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Visit Site!
Caesars Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Visit Site!

There are benefits to using the different types of payment options too. Credit cards can be convenient, but extremely risky – we suggest using debit cards, eWallets, or bank transfers instead. EWallets are a modern approach, useful for protecting your sensitive financial information like card numbers.

There are also up-and-coming payment methods becoming popular around the world like Apple Pay, GooglePay, and cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. However, these are unavailable for use at any legal sportsbook Illinois players can gamble with.

Staying Safe at Online Illinois Sports Betting Sites

Since all the Illinois sports betting sites we list here are licensed, you don’t have to worry about staying safe. Licensed operators must meet strict regulatory requirements to operate in Illinois, and the implementation of high-level security measures is part of that regulation.

Each of the secure Illinois betting sites has an IT security certificate. These are certifications saying the websites are encrypted. You can check each site’s certificate by clicking on the padlock on the left side of your browser’s address bar.

Bookmaker License Number Know Your Customer IT Security Responsible Gaming
BetMGM Temporary Operating Permit ID Verification DigiCert – 256-bit GameSense
DraftKings Temporary Operating Permit ID Verification Let’s Encrypt- 256-bit Gam-Anon (Illinois Hotline)
Caesars Temporary Operating Permit ID Verification DigiCert – 256-bit 1-800-GAMBLER

These certifications are issued by leading IT security firms like Cloudflare, Amazon, or DigiCert. They also provide other services, like transaction encryption and account protection. If you ever visit a betting website without one of these certificates, you are playing with an unsecured site.

Lastly, online bookmakers have account portals where you access your private data. Keeping your banking, identification, and tax information secure should be one of your highest priorities. Here are some examples of leading security companies at Illinois sports gambling sites:

The Leading Security Companies
  • VeriSign
  • CyberSitter
  • IBIA
  • Symantec

While IT security to protect your data is important, sites also need to abide by other Illinois legal sports betting regulations. For instance, online sportsbooks must display the Illinois Gaming Board logo in the footer of their web pages with a link to the department’s website.

Additionally, all legal Illinois sportsbooks have responsible gambling organizations prominently displayed on their web pages. Problem gambling is a serious issue, and legitimate websites will assist you with self-exclusion or deposit limits if you request them.

The Importance of Customer Service

While we hope you won’t need the help of support departments often, it’s reassuring knowing there are qualified people there to assist you should you need it. Typically, people need help with things like ID verification, account issues, or tech problems.

While there’s a wide range of ways to get in contact with support, certain contact methods are more suitable for things than others. High-quality Illinois betting sites offer all the ways to get in touch seen below, so you have a variety of options.

Contact Method Prevalence Average Wait Time Suitable For
☎️ Phone High 5-30 Minutes Simple & quick problems
📧 Email/Form High Up to 24 Hours Complex problems & screenshots
👩‍⚕️ Live chat High 2-3 Minutes Everything excluding screenshots
💬 Messenger Low 5-30 Minutes Simple & quick problems
🌐 Social network Low 24-48 Hours Feedback, advice, & suggestions

Usually, the most popular option is 24/7 live chat. It’s a fast, easy way to get in contact with someone at the company. However, it’s usually only accessible with an account, so you may need to create one before you ask for assistance.

There are a few ways to tell if you’re dealing with a good service department versus a bad one. Top Illinois online sports betting sites offer round-the-clock support, multi-lingual representatives and various contact methods. If you don’t see all of these things, it’s likely service isn’t a priority.

Service at a Good Bookmaker
  • Multi-lingual representatives
  • Round the clock access
  • Various contact methods
Service at a Bad Bookmaker
  • Long wait times
  • Unskilled representatives
  • Limited hours

Our criteria for rating customer service teams is straightforward – the top sportsbook Illinois players can get help from must have a well-rounded offering with 24/7 service. If a betting site delivers on these benchmarks, it gets full points.

Bonus Points Earned

Since the Illinois sports gambling industry is so competitive, it’s often the small details that can sway our ratings in favor of one site over another. We assign extra points to bookmakers that go above and beyond in their endeavor to provide high-level entertainment.

These small details can take the form of several things, but the most common ones are user interface, live streaming, and low-or-no-commission lines. Here are the top extra features available at Illinois sports betting sites:

Extra Betting Site
🏆 Unique User Interface BetMGM
📰 Social Media Presence BetMGM
🏈 Bet Requests DraftKings
📺 Live Streaming BetMGM
🔥 No-Juice Spreads Caesars

We also put a high value on bookmakers’ social media presence. Social media is a hugely useful tool for betting news, line-up information, and even questions about payouts or special cases. The best betting sites Illinois gamblers wager at even let you request custom betting odds on Twitter.

Conducting Our Illinois Sports Betting Site Reviews

In addition to our rating lists, we review individual betting websites to give you an in-depth explanation of the experience at each. Since Illinois online sports betting is so new, we will post these at a later date. Check this page frequently for updates about our testing methods and results.

How Average Payouts are Calculated

formula for calculating the implied probability of a team winning a game

The reason why anyone starts gambling in the first place is simple – to make money. So how do you know what bets are worth it and which ones aren’t? By comparing payouts to actual probabilities of events occurring.

To the untrained eye, Illinois sports betting sites odds can seem like a random jumble of numbers, arbitrarily assigned to different outcomes of sporting events. However, any seasoned handicapper can tell you that there is a lot of work and math that goes into them.

The first thing to be aware of is that different Illinois sports betting sites have better odds than others for certain sports. This is because some sites charge less vig on baseball versus football, or vice versa. Just a small payout increase can drastically change your long-term bottom line.

So, if you find the odds boards at Illinois sports gambling sites confusing, don’t worry. We’re here to help and explain exactly how you can calculate a bookmaker’s average payout, commission margin, and the implied probabilities of events occurring.

Luckily for us, there is a simple formula that can be used to calculate bookies’ margins or vigorish. Illinois sports betting sites build this number into their lines so that as money is wagered on either side of a game, it’s easy to adjust the lines and maintain the same vig.

formula for calculating the payout rate of the bettor

Another benefit of this formula is that it can be used for all sports. While it won’t help you calculate spreads (which is a completely different and much more advanced topic), it can be used to determine the commission a bookmaker charges.

For the formula to work, you must change odds to percentages. This conversion gives you what’s known as the implied probability, which is a fancy way of saying the probability the bookmaker believes an event will occur with the margin factored in.

The formula for this is (100 / sum of the percentages) * 100. So if the Bears are -115 favorites at a sportsbook Illinois players are using against the Packers at even money, the equation is 100 / (53.5 + 50.0) = 96.62%.

That means for every $100 you wager, the bookie pays out $96.62 if you win exactly 50% of the time. To get the margin Illinois sports betting sites are charging for this game, subtract the payout from 100%. So, 100% – 96.62% = 3.38% commission for the bookmakers.

While this all seems very complex, all you need to do to be profitable is bet when you have an edge – you would believe you have an edge anytime you believe the probability of a team winning is higher than the implied odds Illinois betting sites are offering.

It’s also crucial to remember that bookmakers aren’t trying to be 100% accurate in their assessments of implied probabilities – they want to have balanced books so that their liability is spread out across all the possible outcomes evenly.

These discrepancies between a bookmaker’s prices and the true probability of an outcome are what you want to exploit as a bettor. This strategy is known as fading the public – or waiting for lines to adjust into a more favorable position before betting the opposite side of a line movement.

The Impact of Vigorish and Bookmaker Margins

Now that you know how to calculate the margin, it’s worth knowing the effect it can have on your bottom line. Even slight increases in the payout rates impact profits over the long term dramatically.

The table below shows common payout rates at a sportsbook Illinois players can use. The first line is commonly used for baseball. Bookies commonly build a difference of $0.10 (or 2.34%) into 50/50 baseball games as their commission.

Payout Home Away
97.66% -105 -105
95.42% -110 -110
93.46% -115 -115
91.74% -120 -120
89.93% -125 -125
Payout Home Away
97.66% $9.52 $9.52
95.42% $9.09 $9.09
93.46% $8.70 $8.70
91.74% $8.33 $8.33
89.93% $8.00 $8.00

The table above shows there is almost a full $1.52 reduction in payout per $10 invested between -105 odds versus -125. When you consider that turns into $152 per $1,000 invested, it becomes more apparent how small differences in payouts make a huge impact on your account balance.

How We Test Customer Service

While there are several things worth looking out for when it comes to customer services, the operating hours are weighted most heavily. Since Illinois betting sites let you wager at all hours of the day, it would be a shame if something went wrong and there was nobody around to help.

After we check the opening hours, we test each site’s response times. You can usually expect a response within a few minutes using the live chat feature at most online sportsbooks. Anything over that and we deduct points from our ratings.

Rating Available Payment Options

Another frequently overlooked feature at Illinois online betting sites are the payment options available. A bookmaker having your preferred method is important because it helps you be comfortable making financial transactions.

We give preference to sites with extensive deposit and withdrawal options. We also look for bookmakers without transaction fees. However, we recognize that payment providers may occasionally charge fees on their side, so we advise checking processor terms before signing up.

Judging the Overall Platform

We also judge Illinois online sports betting sites on their overall platforms. Bookmaker interfaces should load quickly, provide enough data for you to make an informed betting decision, and have a streamlined, pleasant aesthetic.

The Layouts of Top Illinois Bookmakers
The betMGM user interface.The betMGM user interface.
The betMGM live interface.The betMGM live interface.
The betMGM mobile interface.The betMGM mobile interface.
The Caesars mobile interface.The Caesars mobile interface.

We weigh fast loading times heavily in our tests, because the odds can change frequently. A benefit of the best betting sites Illinois has to offer is that they help you get your bets locked in before odds change, which provides additional value over one with slower loading times.

Awarding Extra Bonus Points

After we examine the key aspects of Illinois betting sites, we have 10 additional points to distribute to sites that stand out. We look for active social media presences, high-value VIP programs, and other odds and ends that improve your gambling experience.

To award these points, we count how many live streaming options there are, and we award each bookmaker zero to three points. We repeat this process for social media activity, award two points for EGR Award wins and two points if a sportsbook Illinois players can use has virtual betting options.

Online Vs. In-Person Betting

Due to a recently changed law, gamblers must visit affiliated in-person locations to finalize the registration process before wagering with Illinois online sports betting sites. Therefore, it helps to understand the differences between betting in person and doing it online.

Since you have to visit a bookmaker’s in-store location, you might be tempted to place some wagers while you’re there. This has some advantages and disadvantages compared to online betting. For instance, you can cancel bets but at the cost of lower odds.

Additionally, Illinois sports betting sites offer a larger selection of markets and events online. This is because everything is done automatically through the website, and wagers don’t need to be processed by a cashier.

In-store locations are also bound by opening hours. Employees need time off, so in-person betting shops can’t offer 24/7 availability as websites can. Plus, you eliminate the need to leave your couch when you can bet online through a bookmaker’s app.

One of the biggest advantages of betting in person is it gives you the ability to exchange thoughts with other bettors. You might hear people talking about recent injury news you otherwise might not hear about or get some insight from a fan of a team you don’t know much about.

While it may seem small, many people crave this social aspect of betting – which is why we place such an emphasis on the social media presence of Illinois sports gambling sites. It provides engagement to an otherwise solitary activity.

people betting at a land-based bookmaker, a computer with a betting site, and a list of pros and cons

On the flip side, online bookmakers also have significant advantages. An online sportsbook Illinois bettors can use might offer great promotions not available in-store, higher payouts, and a massive selection of markets that you won’t see at a betting shop.

Unfortunately, though, online bets typically can’t be cancelled. However, we feel this is made up for by an extensive list of advantages online sports betting provides, like mobile apps and instant-play live betting platforms.

The biggest advantage of Illinois betting sites though is the quality of their live betting platforms versus the ones you find in-store. All the superior in-play wagering opportunities are online because you need automated platforms that adjust odds automatically to keep up with the high-paced action.

Ultimately, though, what you prefer comes down to your taste. Some people just prefer to do things in person versus online, and vice versa. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and we encourage you to explore both to find the option you like.

Betting Exchanges & Early Cashout Availability

Gambling’s move from the casino to the internet gave rise to many innovations like betting exchanges and early cashouts. While these aren’t available at Illinois betting sites yet, their popularity worldwide means it may just be a matter of time before you see them.

Betting Exchanges vs. Illinois Online Sports Betting Sites

Even though betting exchanges aren’t available at any sportsbook Illinois players can use, it helps to understand what they are and how they work. Betting exchanges provide a platform where bettors wager against each other, instead of against the house.

Laptop on a betting site, wallet and coins, and a list comparing online betting and betting exchanges.

Since betting exchanges simply act as an intermediary, the odds are set by market fundamentals and not by the operator. Therefore, betting with an exchange is akin to day trading – hedging is popular, and laying a bet is the gambling equivalent of short selling a stock.

Though they don’t exist yet, we remain hopeful that betting exchanges will be available at Illinois online sports betting websites soon, as they provide unique gambling opportunities not seen at normal bookmakers.

Early Cashouts

While betting exchanges aren’t allowed, some Illinois betting sites feature early cashout options. Early cashouts provide you with the ability to close your bet as a winner before the game ends, essentially giving you a hedging opportunity against bad beats.

Sites with Early Cashout Eligible Sports Bonus Link
Most Sports Up to $1500 Visit Site!
Most Sports Bet $5 & Get $150 Visit Site!
Most Sports Up to $1000 Visit Site!

There’s nothing more frustrating than a huge college football underdog backdoor covering a spread, handing you a loss and the bookmaker your money. Illinois sports gambling operators with early cashout options let you claim winnings early, at reduced payouts.

The History of Illinois Sports Gambling

The history of gambling in Illinois isn’t as complex as it is in other states. Gambling was wide open throughout the 1800s, before public sentiment led to its banning later in the century. After Chicago crime bosses like Al Capone exploited its illegality, the state legalized horse racing betting.

Currently, Illinois sports betting sites are overseen by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). You can visit the IGB website to learn more about issues like operator licensing, betting regulations, and local laws.

History of Sports Betting in Illinois
  • Legalization of Horse Racing Betting After complete prohibition was deemed a failure, horse racing betting became legal in Illinois. Social perception began to change, and the races became one of the premier places for prominent people to go and “be seen”.
  • Implementation of the State Lottery After years of status quo, Illinois lawmakers saw the potential for a lucrative endeavor to line the state’s coffers. Illinois sold its first lottery ticket in 1974 and turned over $2.85 billion in lottery sales in 2015.
  • Riverboat Gambling Act Illinois became the second state to legalize riverboat gambling when it passed the Riverboat Gambling Act in the state legislature. The first casino opened in Alton, IL, near St. Louis and there are now 10 casinos in the state.
  • Video Gaming Act (VGA) This law, passed in 2009, expanded gambling in the state of Illinois even further. The VGA permitted the installation of video gambling machines in places like truck stops, bars, fraternity houses, and veterans clubs. Over 169 locations are currently operating.
  • Illinois Gambling Act In 2019, the state legislature legalized online sports betting. Brick-and-mortar operators who had operated in the state for years, fought tooth and nail to keep strictly online sportsbooks out of the state, but eventually, the law passed.

One of the primary reasons sports betting was legalized in Illinois was for tax revenue. The best betting sites Illinois bettors can gamble with pay hefty fees for operating in the state. Additionally, players are subject to a 15% state gambling tax, plus anything owed on federal W2-G forms.

In general, gambling is illegal in Illinois with a few exceptions (like online sports betting). If you are caught in violation of the Illinois Gambling Act, you could be subject to a fine or jail time depending on the severity of your crime.

Legal Illinois Betting Sites Licensing Requirements

To operate legal Illinois bookmakers, ownership groups must pay a $250,000 licensing fee. Brick-and-mortar casinos must pay a $15 million reconciliation fee upon the issuance of a first license. This is one of the highest fees in the country and has sent more than a few potential ownership groups elsewhere.

All legal Illinois gambling sites are regulated by the IGB. It’s responsible for licensing, oversight, and regulation of all betting activity in the state. It enforces any laws on gambling in the state of Illinois and makes sure the state gets its revenue.

It also provides customers recourse should disputes arise with legal Illinois sports betting sites. Offshore bookmakers operate in the state but do so in a black market – they are not licensed and are therefore illegal under the UIGEA. We strongly suggest only betting with bookmakers displaying the IGB logo.

List of the Safest Online Betting Sites with a Valid Illinois License
  • BetMGM, LLC (BetMGM) – License No. – Temporary License Approved
  • Crown IL Gaming LLC (DraftKings) – License No. – Temporary License Approved
  • American Wagering, Inc. (Caesars) – License No. – Temporary License Approved
Sportsbook License

The list above shows the safest legal Illinois online sportsbooks. All the sites listed here go through stringent security checks by multiple third parties. Top bookmakers also have a reputation to uphold, and therefore don’t mind adhering to strict regulation.

Black Market Bookmakers Operating in Illinois

Offshore bookmakers frequently look legitimate, but they aren’t. Since they don’t have a license, these illegal online betting sites in Illinois do not operate with permission from the IGB. Since there is no legal recourse against them, many of them are set up to steal your data.

These dangerous betting sites also have the potential to be scams. A common scenario is that many of these sites take deposits and let you gamble with your balance, but the funds suddenly become unavailable when you want to cash out your winnings, and your account gets closed.

Unfortunately, if this happens to you, there’s nothing local authorities can do. These organizations aren’t subject to state or US law enforcement procedures as they are located offshore. If you want to be safe, only play with legitimate websites displaying the IGB logo in the footer of their sportsbook.

  • ⛔️ 1XBet
  • ⛔️ Bovada
  • ⛔️ BetOnline
  • ⛔️ BetDSI
  • ⛔️ SportsBetting.ag
  • ⛔️ CarbonGaming.ag
  • ⛔️ MyBookie
  • ⛔️ BetUS
  • ⛔️ Xbet
  • ⛔️ 22bet
  • ⛔️ 5Dimes

Here is a list of illegal online bookmakers in Illinois. Be sure to check the list periodically as we update them as new black-market operators enter the scene. Avoid these sites at all costs and protect your financial security.

Conclusion

We hope this page helped clear up any questions you may have about Illinois betting sites. There are several things to watch out for, but by isolating the key aspects of quality bookmakers, you can figure out which ones are the best.

Here is the top bonus we found while we evaluated the best betting sites Illinois players can wager at. It has the most generous terms and features reasonable conditions. While bonuses can be attractive, we urge you not to chase bonuses and stick with the bookies you feel comfortable betting with.

Best site

Up to $1500 In Bonus Bets

  • Top NFL Markets
  • Best MLB Props
  • Popular NHL Futures

We were thoroughly impressed by the number of sports offered by the top Illinois sports betting sites. You can find odds for almost any sport in the world, meaning there’s always something to bet on no matter what time of day you play.

Unfortunately, the top Illinois sports betting sites aren’t able to offer any other forms of gambling at this time. However, you can make your way to a riverboat casino if you need to get your fix.

We hope you enjoyed our complete guide to Illinois sports betting. We update our rankings monthly using the criteria we listed on this page. We suggest bookmarking this page so you can see the top Illinois online sports betting sites, bonuses, and news each month.

FAQs About Sports Betting in Illinois

While we try to make our Illinois sports betting sites guide as comprehensive as possible, our readers occasionally have more specific questions, which we answer below. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out anytime.

👮 Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Illinois, but only at sites licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board. You can see a full rundown of legal Illinois sports betting sites in our write-up on the state's licensing process.

🏆 What are the best Illinois sports betting sites?

The best Illinois betting sites are ones with a license from the Illinois Gaming Board. Licensed operators are held to high standards and subject to intense regulations, so you know you're protected when you gamble with them.

🔒 Which Illinois online bookmakers are the safest?

The safest Illinois online bookmakers are ones licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board. The IGB requires sites to meet stringent safety and security standards, like providing SSL encryption, IT security, and ID verification protocols. Here is more about safety measures at Illinois betting sites.

📈 What are the odds at Illinois sports betting sites?

The odds at Illinois sports betting sites constantly fluctuate as bookies try to balance their liabilities. You can read more about payouts at Illinois online sportsbooks in our detailed odds write up, including how to see the commissions bookmakers charge.

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