Illinois has a regulated, competitive sports betting market. Mobile sportsbook apps went live in 2020, overseen by the Illinois Gaming Board. Mobile launch June 2020; remote registration permitted statewide. This guide walks through the operators live in Illinois today, how the welcome offers compare, and the rules every bettor should know before signing up.
Best sportsbooks in Illinois
Here are the operators we recommend in Illinois right now, ranked on a mix of welcome-offer strength, market coverage, app quality, and how cleanly they handle the basics.
FanDuel
$250 in Bonus Bets — flagship US sportsbook with deep market coverage and same-game-parlay strength.
bet365
First Bet Safety Net – Get Up To $1,000 in Bonus Bets — global heavyweight, the deepest soccer market list on the US side and the strongest US live-betting product.
Caesars
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets — long-running Vegas brand, generous welcome offer, Caesars Rewards integration.
Fanatics
Get up to $1,000 in FanCash Matched Bets (100% bet match up to $100 in FanCash for 10 days) — Fanatics is the newest at-scale entrant — strong onboarding offer, sportsbook backed by the retail giant.
Dabble
Bonus offer: Get $10 When You Sign-Up to Dabble — pick’em-style daily-fantasy product across all 50 states (no traditional sportsbook needed).
Underdog Fantasy
Best Ball: Play $5, Get $75 in Bonus Entries — pick’em-style daily fantasy and peer-to-peer markets; live in most non-regulated states.
Novig
Spend 5 get $50 in Novig Coins CODE:SQUAWKA — peer-to-peer sports exchange — bet against other users rather than the book.
Kalshi
Trade $10, Get $10 Bonus — CFTC-regulated event-contract exchange; tradeable real-money in all 50 states.
Legal status & key dates
Mobile sports betting in Illinois is overseen by the Illinois Gaming Board. Apps launched in 2020. The minimum legal age is 21. Mobile launch June 2020; remote registration permitted statewide.
How to sign up
Pick an operator above, tap through to the welcome offer, and complete the sign-up form. You will need to verify your identity (name, DOB, last four of SSN) and be physically inside Illinois lines when placing your first bet. Most operators accept standard bank funding, debit cards, and PayPal — check the operator-specific review for the full list.
Responsible gambling
21+. If gambling is becoming a problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER for confidential help. National Council on Problem Gambling: ncpgambling.org.
FAQs — sports betting in Illinois
Is online sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes. Mobile sportsbooks are licensed and regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board.
What is the minimum age to bet in Illinois?
21+.
Do I need to be a Illinois resident to bet?
No, but you must be physically inside state lines when placing the bet. Sportsbook apps geo-locate every wager.
What about prediction markets?
Kalshi is CFTC-regulated and tradeable in all 50 states alongside the licensed sportsbooks. Polymarket is live for real-money trading in most states but is not currently available in Illinois.
Problem gambling help
Call 1-800-GAMBLER for confidential support.
21+ · Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER · Odds and offers correct at time of writing.