How To Bet on Sports in Illinois

Sports betting has been legal in Illinois since March 2020 - yay!

Here, you can bet both online and at retail sportsbooks (all under the regulation of the Illinois Gaming Board). To bet, you must be at least 21 years old and physically present in the state.

Best sites for online betting

The sportsbooks here have partnered with physical casinos and racetracks. 

As of 2025, some of the most popular sportsbooks in Illinois include DraftKings Sportsbook, partnered with Casino Queen, and FanDuel Sportsbook, operating in partnership with Fairmount Park; BetMGM works with Par-A-Dice Casino, while Caesars Sportsbook is available through Grand Victoria Casino. 

Two major rebrands have also taken place: ESPN BET Sportsbook has replaced Barstool Sportsbook, operating through Hollywood Casino Aurora, and Fanatics Sportsbook has taken over PointsBet, which remains partnered with Hawthorne Race Course. Additionally, Hard Rock Bet launched in Illinois in August 2024, and Bet365 received approval from the Illinois Gaming Board in December 2024 and is expected to launch soon.

In-person registration is no longer needed!

Initially, Illinois required bettors to register in person at a retail sportsbook before they could place wagers online. However, this rule changed in March 2022, permanently eliminating the in-person requirement. 

This means that you can sign up and bet online without needing to visit a physical sportsbook. 

Isn't that great?

Bet on all major sports

As with most sports betting states you can bet on a wide range of events, including professional and college sports. 

That said, as of July 1, 2024, sportsbooks are no longer allowed to accept bets on in-state college teams, such as the University of Illinois or Northwestern University. Previously, in-state college betting was allowed only at retail locations, but that's unfortunately not an option anymore :(

But the good news is that usual sports - NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, etc  - are all available. International sports like soccer, tennis, and golf are also available.

Payment and withdrawal options

Most sportsbooks in Illinois offer several banking methods for deposits and withdrawals. You might choose to use credit or debit cards such as Visa and Mastercard - this is pretty much the same for all sites. 

There are also online banking and e-wallets options, like PayPal and Skrill. If you prefer cash transactions, you can make deposits at retail sportsbook locations (in person), and Play+ prepaid cards offer an alternative way to manage funds.

Here are some options, with their addresses:

• DraftKings at Casino Queen: 200 Front Street, East St. Louis, IL 62201.
• FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing: 9301 Collinsville Road, Collinsville, IL 62234.
• Rivers Casino Des Plaines: 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018.
• Grand Victoria Casino Elgin: 250 S. Grove Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120.
• Argosy Casino Alton: 1 Piasa Street, Alton, IL 62002.
• Hollywood Casino Aurora: 1 W. New York Street Bridge, Aurora, IL 60506.
• Hollywood Casino Joliet: 777 Hollywood Boulevard, Joliet, IL 60436.
• Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino: 21 Blackjack Boulevard, East Peoria, IL 61611.
• Hawthorne Race Course: 3501 S. Laramie Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804.
• Club Hawthorne Crestwood: 13148 Rivercrest Drive, Crestwood, IL 60418.

Don't forget to pay taxes on your winnings

All gambling winnings in Illinois are subject to both state and federal taxes. I know it sucks but it's better you know it before you start, right? 

The state applies a 4.95% tax on all winnings, and if you winn over $5,000 you are automatically subject to a 24% federal withholding tax. You should be aware of these tax obligations and consider them when managing your bankroll.