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MLB betting in Illinois

On this page, you will find a complete guide about MLB betting in Illinois. You can also find information about different kinds of wagers you can place on baseball and which sportsbooks you could join.

Phil Naessens By: Phil Naessens
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Table of contents

Best MLB betting sites in Illinois

Popular Promo
1 Caesars
Caesars review
Get Your First Bet Matched Up to $250
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(+7)
21+ and present in IL. Play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or text "ILGAMB" to 53342.
Top-Rated App
2 DraftKings
DraftKings review
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets
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(+7)
21+ and present in IL. Play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or text "ILGAMB" to 53342.
3 Fanatics
Fanatics review
Bet & Get Up To $2,000 in Bonus Bets
GET BONUS
(+2)
21+ and present in IL. Play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or text "ILGAMB" to 53342.
4 BetRivers
BetRivers review
Second Chance Bet Up To $500
GET BONUS
(+6)
21+ and present in IL. Play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or text "ILGAMB" to 53342.
5 FanDuel
FanDuel review
Bet $5 Get $100 in Bonus Bets
GET BONUS
(+5)
21+ and present in IL. Play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or text "ILGAMB" to 53342.
6 BetMGM
BetMGM review
Second Chance Bet Up To $1500
GET BONUS
(+7)
21+ and present in IL. Play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or text "ILGAMB" to 53342.

Sports betting is legal in Illinois and so is wagering on the MLB. The state approved sports wagering with the signing of SB 690 in June 2019. The bill made retail and online sports betting lawful within Illinois.

Different kinds of MLB betting in IL

Baseball is a popular sport that attracts bettors across Illinois. The sport is popular because of its competitiveness and the vast number of betting markets available to bettors. Below are the four most popular MLB betting markets that you can wager on in Illinois:

  • Moneyline: This is a bet on which club will win the game. The odds are typically expressed as a positive or negative number, with the positive number representing the amount of money you would win if you bet $100 and the negative number representing the amount of money you would need to bet in order to win $100. For example, if the moneyline for the Yankees is -150, that means you would need to bet $150 in order to win $100.
  • Run line: This is a bet on the difference in runs scored by the two teams. The run line is typically expressed as a plus or minus number, with the plus number representing the number of runs the underdog needs to win the bet and the minus number representing the number of runs the favorite needs to win the bet. For example, if the run line for the Yankees is -1.5, that means the Yankees need to win by two or more runs in order for your bet to win.
  • Over/Under: This is a wager on the total amount of runs scored in the game. The over/under is typically expressed as a number, with the over representing the total number of runs scored and the under-representing the total number of runs scored. For example, if the over/under for the Yankees game is 8.5, that means you are betting that the total number of runs scored in the game will be nine or more.
  • Prop Bets: These are bets on specific events that will happen during the game, such as which player will get a base hit or whether a team will score in the first inning. Prop bets can be very diverse and can be based on anything from individual player stats to team performance.

Top Illinois sportsbooks for MLB betting

Since sports betting became legal in Illinois, a good number of operators have entered the market. In this section of the page, we'll briefly look at the top IL sportsbooks for MLB betting in Illinois.

Barstool Illinois

Barstool

Barstool Sportsbook offers all the major MLB betting markets, bonuses and a solid “live” wagering opportunities. Barstool offers a desktop version along with a matching app and offers a good experience betting on the American pastime.

FanDuel illinois logo

FanDuel

FanDuel is the top destination for Illinois MLB bettors and the sportsbook is known for its wide array of sports coverage, competitive odds and a good welcome bonus.

BetMGM illinois logo

BetMGM

BetMGM is a known brand with a good website and matching app. The live action is plentiful and they offer all the major MLB betting markets as well as international leagues.

DraftKings Illinois logo

DraftKings

DraftKings is the second most popular sportsbook in Illinois for a reason–they have a robust MLB catalog with all the major offerings as well as their own version of micro-betting.

Tips when betting on the MLB in Illinois

Here are a few tips to help you get started betting on baseball in Illinois:

  • Do your research. Before you place any bets, make sure you do your research and understand the teams and players involved. This includes looking at recent stats, injuries, and weather conditions.
  • Don't chase your losses. If you lose a wager, don't try to win it back by betting more money on the next bet. This is an easy way to lose even more money.
  • Avoid parlays. Parlays are bets that combine multiple outcomes. While parlays can offer high payouts, they are also very risky. If one leg of the parlay loses, then the entire bet is lost.
  • Take breaks. If you're on a losing streak, take a break from betting. This will help you clear your head and come back fresh.
  • Set a budget. It's crucial to set a budget before you start betting and stick to it. This will keep you from overspending and losing more money than you can afford.

How recent MLB rule changes affect betting angles

MLB’s modern rules have shifted how totals, steals, and pace-based markets are priced.

The pitch timer (15 seconds bases empty; 20, reduced to 18 with runners on in 2024) and fewer mound visits shorten dead time and can boost late-inning urgency; limits on pickoffs plus bigger bases have encouraged more steal attempts; and shift restrictions have modestly lifted batting averages on balls in play.

Those changes ripple into totals, stolen-base props, and derivatives like “yes run first inning.” When you handicap, remember that 2024 tweaks trimmed mound visits to four and tightened the with-runners clock, further discouraging stall tactics.

Checking park-by-park context still matters, but leaguewide pace and running game incentives aren’t going away.

Which MLB teams around Illinois can you bet on?

Illinois has the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs representing the state. There’s also a few teams near the Illinois border Illinois MLB fans also support. We'll briefly cover the most popular ones below that you can bet on at gambling sites in Illinois.

  • Chicago White Sox — the Chicago White Sox are a MLB team based in Chicago. They are members of the American League Central division. The White Sox were founded in 1901 and have won three World Series championships (1906, 1917, and 2005). Their home stadium is Guaranteed Rate Field. The best odds for the Chicago White Sox are found here on our site.
  • St. Louis Cardinals — The St. Louis Cardinals are a MLB team based in St. Louis, Missouri and are members of the National League Central division. The St. Louis Cardinals were founded in 1882 and have won 11 World Series championships (1926, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1967, 1968, 2006, 2011, and 2013). Their home stadium is Busch Stadium.
  • Chicago Cubs — the Chicago Cubs are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago. They are members of the National League Central division. The Cubs were founded in 1870 and have won two World Series championships (1907 and 2016). Their home stadium is Wrigley Field, which is the second-oldest ballpark in the major leagues. You can find the latest odds for the Chicago Cubs on our website.
  • Milwaukee Brewers — the Milwaukee Brewers are a MLB team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and compete in the National League Central division. The Brewers were founded in 1969 and have won one World Series championship (1982). Their home stadium is American Family Field.
  • Cincinnati Reds — the Cincinnati Reds are a MLB team based in Cincinnati, Ohio and play their games in the National League Central division. The Reds were founded in 1881 and have won five World Series championships (1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, and 1990). Their home stadium is Great American Ball Park.

FAQ

Which MLB team is the most popular team in Illinois to bet on?

The most popular MLB team to wager on in Illinois is the Chicago Cubs. They play day games and Wrigley Field is one of the most famous MLB parks.

How old do you have to be to bet on the MLB in IL?

You must be 21 years or above before you can wager on the MLB games in Illinois. The legal minimum gambling age in Illinois is 21 years, meaning underage betting within the state is a punishable offense.

What taxes do you have to pay on MLB betting winnings in IL?

All Illinois bettors are required to pay both federal and state taxes for their MLB betting winnings. This is because all income is taxable in the state. And Illinois considers gambling winnings as an income.

Author Details

Phil Naessens

Phil Naessens

Phil Naessens serves as an editor and sports betting expert at IL Betting. He spent more than 30 years as a professional tennis coach and has published four books about sports betting. Phil also hosts podcasts like This Week in Tennis and The Phil Naessens Show. His betting predictions has been featured at websites like Covers and Winners & Whiners.