Illinois online sports betting

ESPN Bet Illinois

ESPN Bet is the newest sportsbook to enter the Illinois market, launching on November 14, 2023. Converting from the Barstool Sportsbook platform, ESPN Bet is very easy to navigate around, with clear menus and an uncluttered design. Users will find it straightforward to access any of the 17 sports, check out the different odds, and create a betting slip in just a few clicks.

In accordance with the Illinois Gaming Board’s rules and requirements, the betting site has gotten a license from the state to operate. Given ESPN’s standing as the “Worldwide Leader in Sports,” you can expect ESPN Bet Illinois to prominently feature content from the channel’s on-air personalities.

Best feature: The Penn Play Program will reward players with loyalty points for every wager made on the site. Rewards can include perks ranging from betting bonuses, luxury items, hotel stays and travel accommodations, annual cruises, and more.

PointsBet Illinois

PointsBet opened its business in Illinois in September 2020 and was the fourth sports betting site in Illinois to launch. It is an Australian operator that entered the market through a partnership with Hawthorne Race Course, one of the three racetracks in Illinois.

The main selling point of PointsBet Illinois is its unique high-risk and high-reward wagering option known as Points Betting. It offers new players a lucrative welcome bonus once they sign up, and this betting site offers players a wide range of sports on which they can place their bets.

Best feature: The live betting function is well-designed and has many cool features, such as their “lightning bets” that provide instant action.

FanDuel Illinois

FanDuel first launched its daily fantasy site in the summer of 2009. The company made its way into the legal Illinois sports betting scene in July 2019 and is available in many other states.

FanDuel built on its popularity as a daily fantasy sports provider to attract an immediate player base. It has grown continually, and this operator is in a truly elite category.

Best feature: Their desktop site has a modern look and is very easy to use, even for beginners.

BetMGM Illinois

Launched on March 7, 2022, BetMGM Illinois offers an array of betting options to players within the state. Importantly, it holds a license with the Illinois Gaming Commission, ensuring it is legal within the state. Additionally, it also partners with Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino. Players can access the betting site in person and via a laptop.

BetMGM has over 20 sports on its betting menu, covering various events and tournaments. Odds are regularly updated, and there are live betting opportunities as well.

Best feature: BetMGM is an official partner of the MLB, making baseball betting extra interesting through constant promotions such as boosted odds.

Circa Sports Illinois

Circa Sports has entered the Illinois sports betting market through a partnership with Full House Resorts, operators of the American Place Casino, with the first wagers accepted in late September 2023. The operator saw a lengthy license application process, as Circa first tried to obtain clearance to operate in Illinois in May 2022.

Despite the delayed launch, Circa Sports should be worth the wait. With higher betting limits at both the mobile and brick-and-mortar locations, Circa can carve out a niche in a crowded Illinois market as an excellent option for high-rollers.

Best feature: Depending on the sport, Circa accepts wagers as high as $50K on game day for most markets.

Fanatics Illinois (Coming Soon)

From its humble beginnings as an e-commerce company, Fanatics has officially launched itself into the U.S. sports betting space under Fanatics Sportsbook. After the upstart betting site acquired PointsBet’s US operations for $150 million in May 2023, they gained access to every state where PointsBet was operating – which includes Illinois.

Fanatics Sportsbook offers a wide range of betting types, including live in-game wagering, as well as early cashout features on select bets.

Even though a retail location for Fanatics in IL has not been specified just yet, their sports betting website should still see a lot of attention from avid sports bettors in the state.

Bally Bet Illinois (Coming soon)

Bally Bet is one of the most trusted sports betting brands in the United States, offering users a top-notch online interface on their betting site and a dedicated loyalty program. Unfortunately, their promotional offering is a bit slim, but that may change by the time Bally reaches Illinois.

Bally Bet is expected to launch in IL by the end of 2023. As we approach launch day, this section will continue to be updated with any relevant information regarding the sports betting website.

Betway Illinois (coming soon)

Betway is a European company that has been expanding throughout the world since 2006, and they are now making a mark in the United States.

The Illinois Gaming Board approved their application for an untethered online sports betting operator license on July 27, 2023, so they will be in the mix in the near future.

Drawing from its European roots, Betway is a great place to bet on soccer. They have a very strong soccer menu covering several different leagues throughout Europe, and American MLS games lead the way.

Unibet Illinois (coming soon)

While Unibet has a very strong European presence, it’s currently still working to enter the US market on a wider scale. Currently, Unibet Illinois is not yet up and running though there is a partnership deal in place.

When it does launch, Unibet is ready to unleash a wealth of exciting features that have been well-received in other states.

Hard Rock Bet Illinois (coming soon)

Hard Rock is a long-standing brand with a lot of positive name recognition in the United States.

In Illinois, they operate the Hard Rock Casino Rockford, and they have been awarded a sports wagering operator license. As a result, they will install a retail sportsbook at the facility, and Hard Rock Bet has received a license to operate online.