Chicago sports betting

1. Get Bonus: DraftKings Illinois has one of the best welcome offers available in the state: Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Click the “Get Bonus” button to automatically apply the promo to your account at sign-up.
2. Sign-up for an account: After clicking the “Get Bonus” button, you’ll be automatically redirected to the DraftKings sign-up page where you’ll be asked to enter your desired login credentials including username, email, and password. Next, enter your personal information such as first and last name, home address, date of birth, phone number, and the last four digits of your social security number.
3. Agree to terms: With your personal information now all entered and verified, agree to the latest terms and conditions and privacy policies that DraftKings requires. Check the boxes to confirm your account and move on to the next screen.
4. Deposit funds: Your account is now fully registered and ready for action. From here, DraftKings will prompt you to choose from one of the dozens of online payment options to deposit money into your account. Choose the deposit method that works best for you and deposit at least $5, considering the terms and conditions of the welcome offer you selected.
5. Find your wager: Head to the main landing page at DraftKings and navigate to the left-hand side of the screen where you will see all of the sports available for wagering. Choose the sport and league you want to make your first bet on, and click your team. From here, you’ll be asked the amount of money you want to risk, and the potential winnings will automatically populate. Hit submit to confirm and place your very first sports bet.

DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field

Opening on June 27, 2023, DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field is one of the biggest retail sportsbooks in the Chicago land area. Located next to the historic Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, they offer a full-service bar and more than a dozen massive TVs. 

As of March 2024, the DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field has officially opened its doors for in-person betting, following the state of Illinois's approval of its gaming license. No longer limited to merely showing games and operating as a restaurant/bar, patrons can now place bets at the venue itself.

Address: 1012 W Addison St Chicago, IL 60613

Circa Sportsbook at American Place Casino

Officially opening in September 2023, Circa Sportsbook at American Place Casino marked the fourth state that Circa Sports set up shop in. Partnering with Full House Resorts, Circa opened their retail location at the American Place Casino, where customers can place bets on betting kiosks and with attendants at ticket windows.

In total, there are more than 30 TVs, and operates as a full-scale sportsbook, just as Circa Sportsbook in Las Vegas does. Also like their flagship location in Downtown Las Vegas, Circa Sportsbook at American Place Casino offers some of the most competitive odds in the entire state of Illinois, with a focus on NFL and College Football throughout the fall.

Address: 4011 Fountain Square Pl, Waukegan, IL 60085

FanDuel Sportsbook at United Center

Similar to their counterparts at DraftKings, FanDuel operates a lounge in Chicago at the FanDuel Sportsbook at United Center. Opening in October 2022, the FanDuel Sportsbook Lounge is located at the home of the city’s Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks, the United Center.

Still awaiting a gaming license from the state of Illinois, FanDuel Sportsbook at United Center offers its customers a full restaurant and bar to enjoy while watching games on massive TVs. Opening three hours before games throughout the season, FanDuel customers can still use their FanDuel Sportsbook mobile app to place wagers on games.

Address: 1901 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612

BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers Casino

As an official partner of the Chicago Bears, BetRivers has turned into one of the most popular bookmakers in all of Chicago sports betting. The BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers Casino Des Plaines is located just minutes away from Chicago’s O’Hare airport, and offers a sportsbook in addition to a massive casino with slots and more than 60 table games; open 24 hours a day.

The BetRivers VIP Suite offers their customers a dedicated section of the sportsbook, complete with five TVs, couches, and your own private kiosk to make your wagers. Reservations are on a first come first serve basis and can be made directly through the BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers Casino.

Address: 3000 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018

PointsBet Sportsbook at Hawthorne Race Course

One of the very first retail sportsbooks opened in the Chicago sports betting scene, PointsBet Sportsbook at Hawthorne Race Course opened its doors in March 2021. Located at the Hawthorne Race Course at Prospect Heights, this PointsBet retail sports betting location offers more than 100 TVs, a massive bar, a beer garden, and a restaurant.

In terms of getting in on the action, bettors can place their wagers via self-serve kiosks, or at the counter via staff. PointsBet Sportsbook at Hawthorne Race Course also offers its customers promotions and sweepstakes, such as raffles focused around specific sporting events.

Address: Hawthorne Race Course, 3501 S. Laramie, Stickney/Cicero, IL 60804

Caesars Sportsbook at Grand Victoria Casino

Despite being one of the smaller Chicago sports betting retail venues, Caesars Sportsbook at Grand Victoria Casino is still a great experience for customers at Caesars. Opening in October 2022, they offer both self-serving kiosks and betting windows, Caesars at Grand Victoria Casino offers the area’s sports bettors the full package in terms of gambling both on sporting events and at the casino.

With the sportsbook just off the casino floor, customers can bounce between betting on sports, more than 700 slot machines, and 25 different table games. Grand Victoria Casino also offers a WSOP poker room directly beside the sportsbook.

Address: 250 S. Grove Avenue Elgin, IL 60120

ESPN Bet Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Aurora

In early November 2023, Penn Entertainment swapped their Barstool Sportsbook partnership for a new one with ESPN Bet, in the process swapping out their retail sportsbook branding as well. The ESPN Bet Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Aurora will now operate out of their Penalty Box Sportsbook & Bar, located just off the casino floor. 

Featuring a full restaurant and bar, the Hollywood Casino Aurora sportsbook also features recliners for patrons to watch their bets play out on dozens of big-screen TVs.

Address: 1 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506

ESPN Bet Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Joliet

Located at the 99 Hops House restaurant at the Hollywood Casino Joliet, the ESPN Bet Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Joliet is one of the best retail Chicago sports betting establishments there is. All of the major sports are offered, as well as niche markets such as Rugby and Darts.

In 99 Hops House, customers can also enjoy entertainment, as local bands play directly next to the sportsbook. There is also a riverboat casino to enjoy, offering over 1,000 slot machines in addition to table games. For poker players, Hollywood Casino Joilet also offers a full-scale poker room.

Address: 777 Hollywood Blvd, Joliet, IL 60436

The Sportsbook at Ameristar Casino East Chicago

Opening on September 1, 2023, the Sportsbook at Ameristar Casino East Chicago was initially opened as a Barstool Sportsbook at the Ameristar Casino in East Chicago. The self-proclaimed #1 sportsbook in Northwest Indiana, is located just over the border not far from the Chicago land area.

Offering customers more than 20 self-serving betting kiosks, they also offer a full restaurant and bar where gamblers can enjoy food and drinks while watching their wagers in action. Bettors also enjoy a massive TV wall for game viewing, where they show everything from nightly college basketball to all the UFC events week to week.

Address: 777 Aldis Ave, East Chicago, IN 46312

Caesars Sportsbook at Horseshoe Hammond Casino

Also located in northwest Indiana, Caesars Sportsbook at Horseshoe Hammond Casino opened its doors in September 2019 and has been a roaring success ever since. With more than 30 TVs spread throughout the massive sportsbook, customers also enjoy more than 50 leather chairs for their viewing pleasure.

The Caesars Sportsbook is located just off the gaming floor at the Horseshoe Hammond Casino, where gamblers can enjoy everything from slot machines to table games. As one of nearly a dozen Caesars properties throughout Indiana and Illinois, customers also enjoy the Caesars rewards they receive for remaining loyal customers.

Address: 777 Casino Center Dr, Hammond, IN 46320

• Chicago Bears: As an exclusive gambling partner of the Chicago-based BetRivers Illinois, which has its headquarters on North Michigan Avenue, “Da Bears” has your sports betting needs covered. Residents of Windy City should be sure to sign up for an account and take advantage of their lucrative iRush Rewards program which rewards bettors for every bet placed.
• Chicago Cubs: The Cubs have in place a multi-year partnership with DraftKings, who even recently opened up a retail betting location at their home stadium of Wrigley Field. As arguably the most popular team in Chicago, DraftKings has struck gold with their Cubs partnership.
• Chicago White Sox: Forming a partnership right when sports betting went legal in Illinois in 2020, the White Sox and PointsBet have one of the longest-running team partnerships in the country. Soon to convert to Fanatics Sportsbook, the White Sox partnership with the company is unknown moving forward.
• Chicago Blackhawks: PointsBet also has an official partnership with the city’s NHL franchise, the Chicago Blackhawks.
• Chicago Bulls: In January 2022, FanDuel Sportsbook announced a deal with the United Center (home of the Bulls) to open a sportsbook and lounge at the arena. The Bulls also signed a FanDuel (DFS) partnership in 2015, and the two iconic brands are connected to this day.

• August 2018: Sports betting legislation hearings officially began, as lawmakers in Illinois began to work on sports betting-related bills.
• February 2019: Governor J.B. Pritzker deemed sports betting legislation to be a priority for the state, as the Illinois General Assembly began drafting early states of bills.
• June 2019: Senate Bill 690 officially passes the Senate, as Gov. Pritzker signs the Illinois Sports Wagering Act into law
• March 2020: Gaming operator RushStreet Interactive opens their Rivers Casino Sportsbook, allowing for the first retail betting sportsbook in Chicago
• June 2020: BetRivers (Rush Street) begins accepting online wagers, opening the first online sportsbook in the state.
• October 2021: House Bill 3136 passes in Illinois, removing the requirement for in-person registration for sports betting in the state. The law then went into effect in March 2021
• December 2021: House Bill 3136 amends the prohibition on in-state college program wagering, making it now legal for Illinois players to bet on college sports with campuses inside of state lines.