Since state-regulated online sportsbooks officially launched in Illinois on June 18, 2020, sports bettors in the state have been presented with a range of top-tier Illinois sportsbooks to choose from. As a new bettor, choosing the right sportsbook can be an intimidating step; however, it’s also one of the most important decisions you’ll make. To help you choose the best Illinois betting apps, we’ve put together this article reviewing the best online sports betting apps in Illinois.
Below is a table that summarizes the most important information about the top online sports betting apps in Illinois. You’ll find the top Illinois sportsbooks, their latest welcome promotions and an overall rating (we’ll explain the methodology behind our rating system later in the article).
| Rank 🏅 | Sportsbook 🏦 | Welcome Offer + Code 💲 | Pickswise Rating 🌟 |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | bet365 | Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose 🏆🏆🏆 | 5/5 |
| #2 | DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly 👑👑👑 | 4.9/5 |
| #3 | FanDuel | Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed over 7 Days 🏈🏈🏈 | 4.8/5 |
| #4 | Caesars | Bet $1, Double Your Winnings for Your Next 10 Wagers 🔥🔥🔥 | 4.7/5 |
| #5 | BetMGM | Get a $50 BetMGM Reward Points Bonus + up to $1500 Back if You Don't Win 🦁🦁🦁 | 4.6/5 |
| #6 | Fanatics | Get a 10 x $100 FanCash Bet Match ⭐⭐⭐ | 4.5/5 |
In this section, we provide a more in-depth review of each of our top four best sports betting apps in Illinois to help inform your Illinois sportsbook decision.
Having recently launched in Illinois, bet365 is now one of the best sportsbooks in the state. Whilst not being one of the most known in the US, bet365 has operated in the UK and elsewhere long before the legalization of sports betting in America. All this experience means bet365 brings one of the best online sportsbooks to Illinois
bet365 stands out as a leading sportsbook due to its extensive range of markets and competitive odds, making it a top choice for bettors. The platform boasts a user-friendly interface, high-quality live streaming, and in-play betting options that enhance the live betting experience. Furthermore, Bet365 offers enticing promotions, secure payment methods, and outstanding customer support, ensuring a superior betting experience. Whether you’re looking for reliability, excitement, or rewards, 🔥 Join bet365 🔥 for an engaging sports betting journey.
| Welcome Bonus: | 💲Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets WIn Or Lose💲 |
|---|---|
| Legal in Illinois from: | March 16, 2025 |
| Available Platforms: | Desktop / iOS / Android |
| Payout Speed: | 0-5 Days |
| Best Feature: | Exceptional live betting that gives you an extensive range of in-game betting options |
| Pickswise Rating: | 5/5 |
DraftKings is one of the largest online sportsbook operators in the United States, and it’s our top-rated Illinois betting app for a reason. DraftKings started as a Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operator before online sports betting in Illinois was even made possible through the Supreme Court’s overturning of PASPA. This early entry into the sports betting industry has allowed DraftKings to refine its sports betting offering. DraftKings’ user interface is second to none, and you’ll find more bettor-friendly odds in a higher number of markets with DraftKings than any other sportsbook.
There are a number of reasons to choose DraftKings as your sportsbook for online sports betting in Illinois. DraftKings is the largest and most popular online sportsbook operator, offering high-value betting lines in an industry-leading number of markets. Its user experience is immaculate and they offer incredibly valuable welcome bonuses. ✍🏼 SIGN UP HERE✍🏼 for a new account with DraftKings to enjoy the most popular Illinois sportsbook.
| Welcome Bonus: | 💲Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly💲 |
|---|---|
| Legal in Illinois from: | June 18, 2020 |
| Available Platforms: | Desktop / iOS / Android |
| Payout Speed: | 2 days (PayPal) – 10 days (Check by Mail) |
| Best Feature: | Daily Odds Boosts for existing customers to be used on any sport/market including Parlays |
| Pickswise Rating: | 4.9/5 |
Among online sportsbook operators in the United States, there are two sportsbooks that stand out among the rest, both in terms of popularity and quality: DraftKings and FanDuel. Both sportsbooks got their start in the DFS industry and have leveraged their experience and connections into a top-of-the-line online sportsbook offering. You’ll find a top-end user interface, valuable betting lines (including favorable odds boosts every day) and an enormous number of betting markets to choose from at FanDuel.
FanDuel has one of the best reputations among sportsbook operators in the industry, largely due to its bettor-friendly odds in a number of markets. Their Same Game Parlays and odds boosts offer bettors advantages not found at other Illinois sportsbooks, and their user interface is both simple and refined. On top of these factors, you’ll also be treated to incredibly valuable welcome bonus promotions when you ⚡️ activate a FanDuel account here. ⚡️
| Welcome Bonus: | 💲Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed over 7 Days💲 |
|---|---|
| Legal in Illinois from: | August 29, 2020 |
| Available Platforms: | Desktop / iOS / Android |
| Payout Speed: | 0-3 days |
| Best Feature: | Same-day payouts |
| Pickswise Rating: | 4.8/5 |
Coming in third in our rankings is Caesars Sportsbook, which forms the beginning of the second tier of the best sports betting apps in Illinois. Like DraftKings and FanDuel, Caesars has extensive experience in the sports betting space, though not through a DFS offering; instead, Caesars has utilized its experience running their in-person retail sportsbooks to offer an incredible Illinois sports betting site. You’ll find competitive odds, a huge number of betting markets and generous promotions with Caesars in Illinois.
Caesars, like the other best sports betting apps in Illinois, offers bettor-friendly odds on a variety of markets. Its game lines are particularly well-known for fairness and accuracy, so those who primarily play these markets may be best served by Caesars. They also offer the extensive range of betting markets you’d expect with a big-name online sportsbook, along with competitive promotions, odds boosts, a solid sportsbook interface and an excellent rewards system. ➡️ CLICK HERE ⬅️ to sign up for a new account with Caesars promo code today!
| Welcome Bonus: | 💲Bet $1, Double Your Winnings for Your Next 10 Wagers💲 |
|---|---|
| Legal in Illinois from: | August, 2021 |
| Available Platforms: | Desktop / iOS / Android |
| Payout Speed: | 2-5 days |
| Best Feature: | Generous Promotions |
| Pickswise Rating: | 4.7/5 |
Another major player in the Illinois betting app industry is BetMGM. Like the sportsbooks listed above, BetMGM has a ton of experience in the sports betting industry. Like Caesars, BetMGM’s parent company also runs retail sportsbooks, which has given them a leg up on the competition from a logistical standpoint. This allows BetMGM to offer sharp betting lines, and you’ll often find extremely valuable betting lines on this Illinois sports betting app. You’ll also get early access to certain betting lines with BetMGM; this can provide an excellent profit opportunity, as you can often get lines of considerable value before they have the chance to be moved by sharp money.
BetMGM is an excellent choice for a wide range of bettors, particularly those who already have some experience with sports betting. Knowledgeable bettors will be able to take advantage of BetMGM’s user-friendly odds and odds boosts to swing the expected value of the bet in their favor; similarly, sharper players will be able to take advantage of early-release lines. Like our other recommended Illinois sports betting apps, BetMGM’s user experience is high-quality, with a top-notch sportsbook interface. BetMGM is also an industry leader in promotions, such as the welcome bonus discussed above, which is why you should join BetMGM today!
| Welcome Bonus: | 💲Get a $50 BetMGM Reward Points Bonus + up to $1500 Back if You Don't Win💲 |
|---|---|
| Legal in Illinois from: | March, 2022 |
| Available Platforms: | Desktop / iOS / Android |
| Payout Speed: | 3-5 days |
| Best Feature: | Its user-friendly app is perfect for new bettors and it offers extensive options for more experienced bettors. |
| Pickswise Rating: | 4.6/5 |
Fanatics Sportsbook is making a splash in Illinois, even though it’s relatively new on the scene. One of the coolest things about Fanatics SBK is that you can earn rewards to use at Fanatics.com, where you can shop for sports memorabilia and gear for all your favorite teams.
New customers who sign up for an account at Fanatics Sportsbook can earn a $1,000 FanCash bonus.
If you’re in Illinois and ready to get started with sports betting, Fanatics Sportsbook is a fantastic choice. They’re offering new users a welcome bonus worth up to $1,000. The platform is super easy to navigate, and it’s not every day you find an Illinois sportsbook with a welcome bonus that extends over several days. Don’t miss out and ☀️ sign up today ☀️ to start your betting journey with Fanatics Sportsbook!
| Welcome Bonus: | Get a 10 x $100 FanCash Bet Match |
|---|---|
| Legal in Illinois from: | April 2024 |
| Available Platforms: | Desktop / iOS / Android |
| Payout Speed: | 0-2 days |
| Best Feature: | Using Fanatics SBK Rewards on Fanatics.com |
| Pickswise Rating: | 4.5/5 |
Choosing from the available Illinois betting sites is a difficult process, and the best choice will ultimately be dictated by your own priorities and preferences. However, in an effort to provide an objective ranking of the best sports betting apps in Illinois, we’ve created a ranking system that attempts to weigh the most important factors into a single score.
Under this rating system, the most important factor is the value of the odds provided. While this will vary based on the market, some Illinois sports betting apps are known to provide bettor-friendly odds, while others have a higher vig or consistently post more expensive lines. Since this factor will have the most immediate and obvious impact on your betting experience, it’s weighed the most heavily. The second most important factor is the number of available betting markets: this includes the number of sports offered, the number of events listed per sport, the number of betting markets per event, and the number of available bonus markets (such as Same Game Parlays, player props and live betting markets).
Beyond these two top priorities are a number of smaller factors that play a more limited, yet still important role. The first of these is the value of the promotions offered by the Illinois sportsbook, including their welcome bonuses and odds boosts (if offered). We also take the sportsbook’s user interface, the strength of its customer service, the number and speed of available deposit and withdrawal methods and the sportsbook’s overall reputation into account.
Yes, each of the Illinois betting sites listed on this page is completely legal and safe to use. Online sports betting in Illinois was officially regulated in 2020, and all operational sportsbooks in the state must be approved and monitored by state agencies. As a result, you can rest assured that – so long as you use one of our recommended best sports betting apps in Illinois – you are safely and legally betting on sports.
In addition to Illinois the following states have also legalized online sports betting:
