Illinois passed its sports-betting law in 2019 and BetRivers took the state’s first online wager in June 2020. Chicago is one of the biggest sports cities in the country, and the betting market has grown to match.
Around ten apps now compete here, led by the national heavyweights. The books below are the ones we rate highest on price and product — though Illinois bettors should know the fine print has changed.
A graduated tax now runs from 20% up to 40%, and a 2025 per-wager fee has pushed some books to add a small charge or minimum stake per bet. You must be 21+ and inside Illinois to play, with the Illinois Gaming Board in charge. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The Best Sportsbook Apps in Illinois Right Now
Ranked by our editors. Tap a button to open the operator’s official Illinois sign-up page. 21+. Terms apply.
- ★ BEST OVERALL
FanDuel SportsbookBest all-rounder★ 5.0 / 5App Store ★4.8 · Google Play ★4.6Bet $5, Get up to $350 in Bonus Bets — $50 a day for 7 days, win or lose
FanDuel is Illinois’ biggest sportsbook by handle, and its Chicago menus are the deepest in the state for Bears Sundays and Cubs–White Sox weekends.
That covers the Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox and Blackhawks — though note FanDuel adds a small per-bet charge in Illinois to offset the state’s wager fee.
Min deposit $5 Fastest payout Online banking Official site sportsbook.fanduel.comGood to know: FanDuel charges a 50¢ fee per bet in Illinois, waived on parlays of $10+, straights of $25+ and bonus-bet wagers.21+. New IL customers only. Terms apply. 1-800-GAMBLER. -
DraftKings SportsbookBest for props★ 4.8 / 5App Store ★4.8 · Google Play ★4.6Spend $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets — paid over 21 days, plus 3 months of NBA League Pass
DraftKings reaches Illinois through a partnership with Casino Queen, and its player-prop board is the most extensive in the market. That matters in a state where betting on in-state college teams is banned, so the pro props carry more weight.
The prop depth is a gift during a Chicago sports weekend, with DFS and sportsbook sharing one wallet; a small Illinois per-bet charge applies.
Min deposit $5 Fastest payout Debit card Official site sportsbook.draftkings.comGood to know: DraftKings adds a per-bet charge in Illinois to offset the state wager tax.21+. New IL customers only. Terms apply. 1-800-GAMBLER. -
BetMGM SportsbookBest rewards★ 4.6 / 5App Store ★4.8 · Google Play ★4.5Up to $1,500 First-Bet Offer — bonus bets back if it loses
BetMGM answered Illinois’ 2025 per-wager tax by setting a $2.50 minimum stake rather than adding a fee. For bettors who place a handful of decent-sized wagers a week, that makes it one of the cleaner options in the state.
BetMGM ties to Par-A-Dice casino for market access and sets a low minimum stake per wager in Illinois.
Min deposit $10 Min bet $2.50 Fastest payout Visa, PayPal, Venmo or Play+ Official site sports.il.betmgm.comGood to know: BetMGM sets a $2.50 minimum bet in Illinois.21+. New IL customers only. Terms apply. 1-800-GAMBLER. -
Caesars SportsbookBest for comps★ 4.5 / 5App Store ★4.7 · Google Play ★4.5Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Your Next 10 Bets — ten 100% profit boosts
Caesars is the Illinois book for anyone who mixes betting with travel, because sports wagers feed Caesars Rewards credits that work at its resorts nationwide. Its boosts on Bulls and Blackhawks games turn up most nights of the week.
Caesars Rewards travel well for Illinois bettors heading to Las Vegas, and the boosts keep regulars busy.
Min deposit $5 Min bet $0.05 on some markets Fastest payout Debit card Official site caesars.com/sportsbook-and-casino/il21+. New IL customers only. Terms apply. 1-800-GAMBLER. -
BetRivers SportsbookBest loyalty tiers★ 4.5 / 5App Store ★4.7 · Google Play ★4.42nd Chance Bet up to $500 — stake back as a bonus bet if your first wager loses
BetRivers took Illinois’ first online bet in June 2020 and is the online arm of Rivers Casino Des Plaines, the state’s busiest casino. It lifted its minimum stake to $5 in January 2026 after the state’s wager tax came in.
BetRivers is the home-grown pick — it was first to launch in Illinois and ties to Rivers Casino Des Plaines.
Min deposit $10 Min bet $5 Fastest payout Play+ or cash at a partner casino Official site il.betrivers.comGood to know: BetRivers raised its Illinois minimum bet to $5 in January 2026, tied to Rivers Casino Des Plaines.21+. New IL customers only. Terms apply. 1-800-GAMBLER. -
bet365 SportsbookBest live betting★ 4.6 / 5App Store ★4.8 · Google Play ★4.5Bet $10, Get $200 in Bonus Bets, win or lose
bet365 only reached Illinois in March 2025, partnering with Walker’s Bluff casino, and quickly became the pick for in-play bettors. Live streaming and quick cash-outs — Apple Pay withdrawals land instantly — set it apart from the older brands.
A later arrival (2025) that quickly became the in-play favorite, with streaming during Bulls and Blackhawks games.
Min deposit $10 Min bet $0.10 Fastest payout Apple Pay (instant) Official site help.il.bet365.com (help center)21+. New IL customers only. Terms apply. 1-800-GAMBLER. -
Fanatics SportsbookBest for fans★ 4.3 / 5App Store ★4.8 · Google Play ★4.4Bet $20, Get $350 in FanCash — $50 a day for 7 days, win or lose
Fanatics passes on a smaller share of Illinois’ per-wager fee than most rivals and pays its rewards in FanCash. You can spend that on Bears or Cubs gear as easily as on your next bet.
Its welcome offer is spread across your first days rather than riding on a single bet, which softens a bad opening night.
Fastest payout PayPal or Venmo Official site sportsbook.fanatics.com21+. New IL customers only. Terms apply. 1-800-GAMBLER. -
Hard Rock BetBest bet-editing★ 4.2 / 5App Store ★4.8 · Google Play ★4.4Bet $5, Get $500 in No Sweat Bets — ten daily tokens worth up to $50 each
Hard Rock Bet is one of Illinois’ newer apps and stands out for letting you edit a bet after it is placed. Its Unity rewards tie into Hard Rock’s hotels and cafes for anyone who travels.
The edit-my-bet tool is the draw, letting you reshape a ticket after kickoff.
Official site hardrock.bet/sportsbook/illinois/21+. New IL customers only. Terms apply. 1-800-GAMBLER.
Illinois Sportsbook Promo Codes — October 23, 2026
The new-customer offers live in Illinois today. Most books apply the deal automatically through our link — no code to type.
- FanDuelBet $5, Get up to $350 in Bonus Bets — $50 a day for 7 days, win or loseNo Promo Code needed — applied automatically via our link
- DraftKingsSpend $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets, paid over 21 daysNo Promo Code needed — offer applied at sign-up
- BetMGMUp to $1,500 first-bet offer, bonus bets back if it losesPromo Code BETMGMBONUS
- CaesarsBet $1, double your winnings on your next 10 betsPromo Code CZRDYW
- BetRivers2nd Chance Bet up to $500No Promo Code needed — bonus applied at sign-up
- bet365Bet $10, Get $200 in Bonus Bets, win or loseNo Promo Code needed — applied via our link
FanDuel’s Bet $5, Get up to $350 is the pick, per-bet fee aside
It is still the lowest-risk welcome offer in Illinois: $5 a day in, $50 in bonus bets back win or lose, up to $350.
Be aware several Illinois books now add a small per-wager charge or minimum stake to offset the state fee — it does not change the bonus, but it is worth knowing before you bet big volumes.
— The Horse.bet Team
Which Illinois Betting App Is Best for What
No single book wins everything. Here’s where each one earns its spot on your phone.
| App | Best at | Standout feature | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | All-round betting | Fastest app, best SGP builder | Anyone who wants one app that does it all |
| DraftKings | Player props | Deepest prop and micro-markets | Prop bettors and DFS crossover players |
| BetMGM | Loyalty value | MGM Rewards across resorts | Rewards-focused and bigger stakes |
| Caesars | Comps & boosts | Caesars Rewards + odds boosts | Travelers who cash in hotel perks |
| BetRivers | Everyday rewards | iRush points on every bet | Frequent, lower-stakes bettors |
| bet365 | Live & in-play | Live streaming + deep in-play | In-game traders and soccer fans |
| Fanatics | Fan rewards | FanCash on merch and bets | Fans who buy team gear |
| Hard Rock Bet | Bet flexibility | Edit a bet after placing it | Bettors who like to adjust tickets |
Illinois Sportsbook Payouts, Deposits and Minimums Compared
What it takes to fund an account and how quickly your winnings land at each Illinois sportsbook.
| Sportsbook | Min deposit | Min bet | Fastest withdrawal | Typical payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | $5 | — | Online banking | typically within 24–48 hours |
| DraftKings | $5 | — | Debit card | typically 1–2 days |
| BetMGM | $10 | $2.50 | Visa, PayPal, Venmo or Play+ | review of up to 3–5 days, then within 24 hours |
| Caesars | $5 | $0.05 on some markets | Debit card | often within an hour of approval by debit card; PayPal usually same day |
| BetRivers | $10 | $5 | Play+ or cash at a partner casino | typically within hours by Play+, PayPal or Venmo; 2–5 business days by bank |
| bet365 | $10 | $0.10 | Apple Pay (instant) | 1–4 hours for most methods |
| Fanatics | — | — | PayPal or Venmo | typically under 24 hours by PayPal or Venmo |
| Hard Rock Bet | — | — | — | — |
Figures come from each operator’s own banking and help pages where published; “typically” marks times reported by independent testers. Checked October 2026. A dash means the operator does not publish the figure.
Fastest-Paying Sportsbooks in Illinois
If getting paid quickly matters most, these are the Illinois sportsbooks that move money fastest on the operators’ own figures:
- bet365 — 1–4 hours for most methods (Apple Pay (instant)).
- Caesars — often within an hour of approval by debit card; PayPal usually same day (Debit card).
- BetRivers — typically within hours by Play+, PayPal or Venmo; 2–5 business days by bank (Play+ or cash at a partner casino).
The method matters as much as the book. E-wallets and Play+ cards usually beat bank transfers by a day or more, and withdrawals have to go back to a method you have already deposited with.
Expect your first cash-out to take longer while the sportsbook verifies your identity — upload your ID when you sign up and later withdrawals move far quicker.
Illinois Sportsbook Customer Service and Official Sites
Always bet through the official Illinois site or app, and use in-app chat for account questions — it is the quickest route at every book.
| Sportsbook | Official site | Customer support | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | sportsbook.fanduel.com | Contact form and help center (support.fanduel.com) | FanDuel Group (Flutter Entertainment), New York |
| DraftKings | sportsbook.draftkings.com | Email sportsbook@draftkings.com and the help center (support.draftkings.com) | DraftKings Inc., 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116 |
| BetMGM | sports.il.betmgm.com | 24/7 customer care via the in-app contact page and help center | BetMGM, LLC (MGM Resorts & Entain), Jersey City, NJ |
| Caesars | caesars.com/sportsbook-and-casino/il | 24/7 live chat and help center · Phone 855-474-0606 | American Wagering Inc. (Caesars Sportsbook), Las Vegas, NV — parent Caesars Entertainment agreed in May 2026 to be acquired by Fertitta Entertainment, pending approvals |
| BetRivers | il.betrivers.com | 24/7 help center (helpcenter.betrivers.com) and in-app live chat | Rush Street Interactive (NYSE: RSI), 900 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL |
| bet365 | help.il.bet365.com (help center) | 24/7 live chat and help center | bet365 operates through state-licensed US entities (e.g. Hillside (New Jersey) LLC) |
| Fanatics | sportsbook.fanatics.com | Email support@betfanatics.com, in-app live chat and help center | FBG Enterprises Opco, LLC (Fanatics Betting & Gaming), New York, NY |
| Hard Rock Bet | hardrock.bet/sportsbook/illinois/ | 24/7 customer support via the help center (hardrock.bet/help-center) | Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC, Hollywood, FL |
How We Rate Illinois’s Online Sportsbooks
Every app on this page holds a live Illinois license through the Illinois Gaming Board, so each one is legal, regulated and keeps your money safe. From there we score what actually changes your returns and your weekend.
We weigh how competitive the odds are across the NFL, NBA, MLB and college games Illinois bettors follow most, then the depth of props, same-game parlays and live markets. We test each app on game day for speed and crashes, and we cross-check the App Store and Google Play ratings — the books here sit between 4.3 and 4.8 stars store-wide, which is the floor we expect.
The welcome offer counts too, but only for how easy it is to actually claim. A small-stake bonus with no rollover beats a headline number buried under a big playthrough every time. We re-check every offer and star rating monthly.
How to Sign Up With a Illinois Sportsbook
Five minutes, start to first bet. You’ll need to be 21+ and inside Illinois.
- Pick your app and tap the link.
Use a “Visit” button above to reach the operator’s official Illinois page, then choose “Sign up.”
- Enter your details.
Add your name, address, date of birth and the last four of your Social Security number so the book can verify your age.
- Turn on location.
The app confirms you’re physically in Illinois by GPS. You can’t bet from out of state, even with a IL account.
- Make your first deposit.
Use a debit card, online bank transfer, PayPal or Play+. Claim the welcome offer before you place the qualifying bet.
- Place your bet.
Back a game pre-match or in-play, build a parlay, or cash out early. Winnings return to your chosen method.
How to Pick the Right Sportsbook in Illinois
The welcome bonus gets all the attention, but it’s the smallest part of the decision. You claim it once; you live with the odds and the app every week after.
Start with price. Line shopping across two or three books will do more for your bottom line over a season than any sign-up offer, so we’d rather you kept FanDuel and BetRivers on your phone than chased a fourth bonus.
Then weigh what you’ll use daily: how fast the app loads, whether it offers the props and parlays you like, how quickly withdrawals land, and whether the rewards program gives anything back. Most Illinois bettors end up running two apps — a main book, and a second for shopping lines and grabbing boosts.
Illinois Sports Betting FAQs
Is online sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois authorized sports betting under SB 690 and online wagering launched in June 2020. Around 10 licensed apps now operate legally in the state.
How old do you have to be to bet in Illinois?
21. You must be 21 and physically inside Illinois to place a bet; the apps confirm your location by GPS.
Which betting apps are live in Illinois?
FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, bet365, Fanatics and Hard Rock Bet are all live, among roughly ten apps.
Can I bet on the Bears, Bulls and Cubs?
Yes — you can bet on every Illinois pro and college team. Some player-specific markets on in-state college sports may be restricted, so check each app’s available bets.
What’s the best Illinois promo right now?
For most bettors FanDuel’s Bet $5, Get up to $350 is easiest. Note some Illinois apps add a small per-bet charge to offset the state wager fee. Confirm terms in the app.
Which Illinois sportsbook pays out fastest?
On the operators’ own figures, bet365 is the quickest in Illinois: 1–4 hours for most methods, fastest by Apple Pay (instant). Caesars is next, often within an hour of approval by debit card; PayPal usually same day.
What is the minimum deposit at Illinois betting sites?
Minimum deposits start at $5 at FanDuel, $5 at DraftKings, $10 at BetMGM, $5 at Caesars, $10 at BetRivers, $10 at bet365. Some methods carry higher minimums — check the cashier before you deposit.
Can I use PayPal at Illinois sportsbooks?
Yes. FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, bet365, Fanatics and Hard Rock Bet accept PayPal for deposits in Illinois, and PayPal is one of the faster withdrawal routes.
How do I contact sportsbook customer service in Illinois?
Every Illinois sportsbook offers in-app help, and live chat is the fastest route. Published phone lines: Caesars 855-474-0606. Email: DraftKings sportsbook@draftkings.com; Fanatics support@betfanatics.com.