In June 2020, Illinois witnessed its first sports betting app when BetRivers began accepting online customers. Right now, 8 operators have launched their own mobile applications in the state. On this page, we will discuss the best betting apps Illinois residents can enjoy.
In the fast-growing market of online sports betting in Illinois, we examined all the apps that are available in the state to create a list with the best of them.
We expect that other sport betting apps will be launched soon, but for now, these are the best legal sports betting apps in Illinois:
While we consider the Illinois sports betting apps mentioned above to be the best, there are a few other options available:
Announced in August 2023, ESPN Bet is the new brand face of PENN Entertainment’s IL sports betting app, replacing the previous Barstool Sportsbook branding. PENN worked quickly to get the new platform up and running, with the new site and mobile betting app going live to the public on November 14 of the same year, just three months after announcing the partnership.
Live in 17 states and counting, ESPN Bet should impress users with the sleek design of its betting interface, as well as with the frequency and generosity of promotions on the platform.
Top feature: ESPN Bet users are eligible to participate in the PENN Play Program, earning loyalty points for every wager placed on the betting platform. Rewards can include sportsbook bonuses, hotel discounts, luxury cruises and resort stays, and many other high-end perks.
Circa Sports is a Nevada-based sportsbook that is still relatively new to the sports betting app space. After a September 29, 2023 launch in Illinois, Circa's live state total count is up to four, joining Nevada, Colorado, and Iowa.
Given how new Circa’s app is, there are a few key things missing that could leave users wanting more. First and foremost, Circa does not offer a welcome bonus for new users; something that’s become a staple in the sports betting world.
They do, however, offer competitive odds and their mobile application is very easy to sift through. Circa doesn’t shy away from big winners either. They do not place limits on how much a bettor can potentially win through their app, allowing users to wager almost any amount of money on whatever type of bet they choose.
Top feature: Circa Sportsbook allows players to include features bets in their parlay wagers, leading to potentially massive payouts for winning slips.
Bally Bet paused all app services in June 2023 while converting its bookmaking service to Kambi, a betting platform that will reduce costs and deliver a superior wagering experience for Bally Bet users. The software will be integrated with Bally’s existing programs, but a relaunch of the sports betting app is in the works.
To date, Bally’s has not announced when it plans to begin accepting bets again or when the new sports betting app will be available for download.
The Hard Rock Bet sports betting app is nearing its Illinois debut, bringing an excellent mobile betting platform that is sure to be a hit. The app’s layout is easy to navigate, making it a smooth pickup for new and experienced players alike.
With a generous sign-up bonus and a high-quality user interface, the IL Hard Rock Bet app will be an excellent addition to your sports betting app arsenal.
Here is the complete list of all Illinois sports betting apps.
Betting app | Legal since |
---|---|
FanDuel | 8/28/2020 |
DraftKings | 7/17/2020 |
BetRivers | 2/21/2020 |
Fanatics | 5/4/2024 |
BetMGM | 1/27/2022 |
Caesars | 5/4/2020 |
Circa Sports | 6/15/2023 |
ESPN Bet | 11/14/2023 |
With 8 different Illinois sports betting apps to choose from, it is crucial to know what other users have to say about them before downloading on of these apps. Below is a table showing the ratings of all apps on both the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) in Illinois.
Betting app | iOS rating | Android rating |
---|---|---|
FanDuel | 4.8 ⭐ | 4.7 ⭐ |
DraftKings | 4.8 ⭐ | 4.5 ⭐ |
BetRivers | 4.6 ⭐ | 3.8 ⭐ |
Fanatics | 4.7 ⭐ | 4.6 ⭐ |
BetMGM | 4.8 ⭐ | 4.4 ⭐ |
Caesars | 4.6 ⭐ | 4.3 ⭐ |
Circa Sports | 3.6⭐ | 1.6 ⭐ |
ESPN Bet | 4.9⭐ | 4.8 ⭐ |
Most apps offer betting promos for Illinois players if you download and sign up for a new account. These welcome bonuses sometimes differ from the sign-up promotions offered on the web-based sportsbook in Illinois.
There are different types of Illinois sports betting promo codes offered, but the most common ones on sports betting apps in the Land of Lincoln are:
A sports betting app lets you wager on your favorite sports using your smartphone or tablet instead of having to access the sportsbook from a web browser. Many online gambling operators have launched their own sports betting app on iOS and Android, and many others are expected to launch over the coming years in Illinois.
An Illinois sports betting app is the most convenient way to reach bettors for betting operators. The app can be used on the go in Illinois and is perfect for live betting or live streaming. Mobile sports betting apps are not hard to use either – all that’s required is to go to your App Store or Play Store and download the application.
Then, create an account, deposit your money, and select the odds you want to bet on. The mechanics of sports betting on your mobile are just as easy as that.
Through sports betting apps in Illinois, you can make bets of all types, such as moneyline, spreads, totals, parlays, props, and many more. Sports betting apps in Illinois also allow you live game betting and live streaming.
This means that you can bet on every game, down, play, pitch, and shot while the match is happening. In-game betting constantly updates the odds and allows you to bet as the action unfolds in front of your eyes.
With mobile betting apps in Illinois becoming more and more embedded in the market, you may be wondering what the benefits and drawbacks of using mobile apps to bet are, as opposed to using your computer or going to a physical sports betting location in Illinois. Below is a list of some pros and cons:
When choosing which betting apps to use in Illinois, there are many factors that could go into your decision. Below is a list of some of the most important ones:
The differences between a sports betting app and a web-based sportsbook are pretty clear and simple to notice. Most online sportsbooks in Illinois can be accessed through a browser and are mostly used on PCs, while sports betting apps are downloaded on smartphones or tablets.
Sports betting apps let you access everything you normally would on a web-based desktop version, but this time, you can enjoy every feature in the palm of your hand.
When you use the desktop version of the site, you will have more information available. Meanwhile, the mobile version has to fit every feature information on a tiny screen. This makes web-based operators in Illinois easier to use.
Another difference is that when you are on your PC, you can open different tabs on your computer. This won't happen with the app version, and you have to hop in and out of it to do your research. You can also use a research-based app.
Downloading an Illinois sports betting app is a quick procedure that doesn't take much time. Follow the steps below:
Mobile sports betting apps are totally legal in Illinois. The first discussion to make them legal was made in 2019 and were officially authorized on June 2020. BetRivers was the first operator to go live with their betting app, followed by others.
You have to be at least 21 years old to be allowed to gamble in the United States, including Illinois. So only if you are 21 or above, you can download a betting app and place wagers on it.
Betting apps in Illinois that are regulated and licensed are safe to play on and your personal and financial information will be secured. Some trusted apps where you can play on if you live in Illinois are FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics and BetRivers.
You can bet on different sports and leagues in IL like NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and even daily fantasy sports. You can bet on local state-based teams like the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, etc.
The full list of legal sports betting apps in Illinois is: BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, FanDuel, BetRivers, and Circa Sports. After the landmark passing of sports betting in Illinois in 2019, plenty of betting apps have made their way into the market, with competition increasing every year.