While there have been unregulated sports betting, the United States legalized it with a ruling by the United States Supreme Court in 2018. Regulated sportsbooks are amazing for several reasons, adding greater security measures and guaranteed payouts if you win money.
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the bookmakers in Prairie State.
Yes. Illinois legalized sports betting in June 2019. Sports betting was officially introduced to the state in March 2020, allowing Chicago Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks enthusiasts to bet on their hometown teams.
You can use one or more online sportsbooks in Illinois. Here’s what to look for when deciding which sports sites or apps to visit first.
With that in mind, let’s dive into Illinois online sportsbooks that meet our recommended criteria. All of the following bookmakers get the best marks for the aforementioned criteria, so you can’t pass any of them.
One of the biggest names in sports betting in North America, DraftKings was a major player in fantasy sports before sports betting was legalized nationwide.
DraftKings online sports has a unique interface that is easy to perceive and navigate, making it ideal for new users. There are also a large number of marketplaces, which add futures and accessories.
Don’t use DraftKings’ Parlay Builder tool, which makes it easy to combine multiple bets into one with higher odds. The site also offers daily odds boosts, a smart rewards program, and a wonderful welcome for new users.
Like DraftKings, FanDuel is the other major player in North American sports betting thanks to its platform that offers a wide diversity of betting markets with a user-friendly interface.
FanDuel partners with every sports league in North America and features any and all betting markets you can think of. It also has a clever array of odds boosts and daily promotions, adding a wonderful welcome offer for new customers.
FanDuel simplifies sports betting and is known for its reliable customer service. This is another bookmaker that is ideal for someone to get into the sports betting business.
BetMGM offers a mobile sportsbook that offers a large number of menus, odds boosts, and markets readily available.
This sportsbook is the most sensible choice for punters who like casinos, as members can earn commendation points with the bookmaker that can turn into loose remains and accolades at BetMGM retail casinos.
If you need the dazzling Las Vegas experience in your pocket, then this sportsbook is for you.
Caesars Entertainment’s sports division, Caesars Sportsbook, was introduced in Illinois in March 2022 and provides comprehensive coverage of the market, allowing bettors to bet on a wide variety of sports.
Like BetMGM, Caesars punters can earn Caesars Rewards broadcasts with the app, which can then be used at Caesars casinos and hotels.
Caesars Sportsbook is known for its fast live betting, the ability to stream select sporting events in the app, and the number of promotions available to bettors, adding an impressive number of daily odds boosts.
The newcomer, Fanatics Sportsbook, is the most recent version of PointsBet Sportsbook, which changed its name after being acquired through Fanatics Gaming in 2023.
Fanatics offers a sleek and easy-to-use app with many betting markets. It also has a welcome offer for new users, odds boosts, and perhaps the most productive rewards program in the industry.
With FanCash, users get a percentage of the stake, which can then be redeemed for bonus bets or site credits to use on the Fanatics retail site.
Fanatics also offers an impressive user experience by tailoring its program based on your history, making it easy to find the sports and bet types you prefer.
BetRivers is Prairie State’s sports betting site because it was the first sports betting site to launch in the state when sports betting was legalized. It also has a physical sportsbook at Rivers Casino Des Plaines.
It offers a large number of markets, a secure registration procedure, and a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for bettors to locate the markets they are interested in.
BetRivers users can take advantage of the bookmaker’s loyalty rewards program, which offers betting themes that can then be used to redeem bonus bets, gifts and special gifts.
BetRivers also offers streaming features for certain occasions in the app so that bettors can track their bets in real-time.
Photo via Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire Getty Images
We took the time to analyze and study sportsbooks, narrowing down a list of the most productive in the industry. These ratings can help you decide which ones to review first.
Our ratings are based on scores in the following categories:
Below, we’ll detail each category and why they are vital to your sports betting experience. Below, we’ll rank our favorite bookmakers and what makes them stand out.
These are the points we used when building our list.
A quick and easy way to get an idea of how smart a bookmaker is is to compare user reviews on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Since the scores exceed five stars, a reputable bookmaker with an average rating of at least 4 stars is regularly needed.
You can also check out users’ quick reviews to get an idea of what other people are saying about the app and if there are any recurring cases or court issues. This can be useful for functions that are difficult to compare until you use the app, such as heist or visitor service.
Many critics are there to complain, so don’t put too much emphasis on express criticism.
That said, if you notice any common themes in the comments, take them as a warning about any issues you have with the app.
Each state handles sports differently. Some states allow in-person and mobile sportsArray, while others would only allow in-person sports or impose a strict limit on the amount of mobile sports betting allowed.
As a result, sports betting varies by state, as both states will have to approve a sportsbook before it can be introduced there. There are no bookmakers available in one or both states that offer legal online sports betting, however, some have been introduced in most of them.
Generally speaking, the more states a bookmaker can have, the better. This means you’re more likely to have it in your state, in a neighboring state, or in a state you’re likely to go to, so it’s less difficult and more convenient to use. This way, you’ll be able to take your bookmaker with you instead of having to sign up for a new one every time you leave your state.
While small “local” bookmakers provide profit boosts and other bonuses based on local teams, they can typically only be had in a handful of states at most, and they offer limited availability.
How much cash will a bookmaker give you for signing up?
Most bookmakers offer welcome offers to attract new customers, but it’s vital to know how they work. Just because an offer is related to a higher amount doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better.
Some sports sites offer “bet and get” promotions where you get bonus bets (site credit) just for wagering a small amount of cash. For example, you can get $200 in bonus bets just by placing a $5 bet. Get loose money to bet on.
Other bookmakers offer “no-hassle” offers that offer a bonus bet if you lose your first bet.
For example, if you place a $20 bet after registering and lose, you will get a $20 bonus bet that will be refunded.
These offers tend to impress bettors with larger amounts than “bet and get” promotions, going up to $1,000 or $1,500. However, you will only get a bonus bet if you lose your first bet, in which case you will want to use the bonus bet you must place to get your coins back. If your bet wins, you will get your winnings in coins as an overall bet, but you will not get any bonus.
As a result, “no-sweat” offers aren’t as smart as “bet and get” promotions.
When comparing sports betting, it is most productive to opt for welcome offers with guaranteed bonuses that give you credits on your site no matter what.
The duration of the bonus on offer may not matter if it is difficult to claim.
The most productive sports bonus offers are as undeniable to claim as they are generous, being undeniable and simple without the need to overcome any obstacles.
The most productive bonuses are guaranteed and arrive immediately in your account as soon as you place your first bet. They will also be easy to meet and possibly won’t require you to tick boxes to get your bonus.
Some sports betting bonus offers require you to place bets or wait days or weeks to unlock your full bonus. This can be annoying, especially if you’re looking to get your full bonus before a major sporting occasion like the Super Bowl or March Madness.
More complex donations can be complicated, so we prefer simplified donations with fewer requirements.
If you bet and plan to use a sports betting site frequently, a counterfeit rewards program is essential.
Loyalty systems differ depending on sports betting. Some offer you praise for the bet, which can then be turned into bonus bets or other praise. Others offer high praise, such as free rides, hotel stays, tickets to sporting events, and more. .
On the other hand, some betting houses do not offer any rewards. This may not be a big deal for casual bettors, but it can make a difference for regular sports bettors.
It’s like paying for anything with money from a credit card. If you place a bet on one site without a loyalty program, you’ll lose problems elsewhere.
While major sports such as football or basketball can only be enjoyed through classic cable or streaming services, some bookmakers offer the possibility of streaming smaller sports within the app, which is a wonderful option. Merit for bettors.
For example, the FanDuel app streams tennis matches, making it less difficult to follow the action and place live bets.
Beyond live streaming, we also considered the length of the stream, the amount of battery used, and the number of occasions available to stream on the app.
Most bookmakers offer some form of welcome and offer to attract new customers, but what they differ from is their promotions for existing customers.
Some bookmakers offer a number of daily promotions, such as odds boosts, hassle-free bets, bonus bets, and much more to keep consumers coming back every day. Others offer them only in moderation or none at all.
A key promotion for existing users is the referral bonus. Many sportsbooks offer some type of referral bonus to entice someone else to sign up, but the amount can vary ($50 per child, $100, $200, etc. ). If you plan to bet with friends or family, this can be a wonderful way to get extra bets for you and them.
Similar to a rewards program, if you plan to gamble regularly, look for a sportsbook with common offers for existing customers.
Strong visitor service features are a must for any bookmaker, as most disputes or appeals involve someone’s money.
All bookmakers that provide 24/7 visitor service were given high marks (sporting events end at night, after all), while problems were deduced if a bookmaker relied on an FAQ page as a key component of its visitor service profile. The more features there are to contact visitor support (email, chat, phone, etc. ), the better.
Customer support is a must to ensure an elegant experience in sports betting. If a challenge arises, it’s vital to solve it temporarily and efficiently.
You will have to be 21 years old to bet on sports in Illinois. If anyone under the age of 21 tries to register with a sports betting site in the state, they will not be able to create an account.
There are 8 betting apps available in Illinois:
To place a sports bet in Illinois, you will need to download a regulated sports mobile app or place a bet at a land-based sportsbook.
Once you’ve downloaded a sports betting app, create an account with your private details and deposit cash into your account. After that, you will be able to place bets.
Yes. Mobile sports betting has been legal in Illinois since June 2020. Sports betting was legalized in the state in March 2020, and mobile sports betting was introduced a few months later.
To download a sports app in Illinois, go to the app store on your mobile device and download it from there. Once downloaded, provide the bookmaker with the non-public data necessary to create an account.
Once your account is verified, you can start betting.
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