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Barstool Sportsbook Illinois Promo Code

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21+ and present in IL. Play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or text "ILGAMB" to 53342.
Phil Naessens By: Phil Naessens
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What was the Barstool Illinois promo?

The Barstool Illinois promo was $1000 in bonus bets. Example: You registered for an account, verified your information, made your 1st deposit, and made a single wager of up to $1000 on any sporting event. If your first wager lost, you received a betting credit for the amount of the wager up to $1000.

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Barstool IL bonus

Sign-up bonus: No promo
Promo code: No code needed
Minimum deposit: N/A
Last updated: May 2025

Sportsbook overview

Sportsbook: Barstool
Legal in Illinois: No
Partner in Illinois: N/A
Payment methods:
(+6)

Initially registered as an in-person betting platform in March 2021, Barstool Sportsbook Illinois was fully operational online until November 2023. The state's requirement for in-person betting ended in March 2022, so bettors could access the betting site using the internet.

Barstool was among the first betting sites to get a license to operate in the state. Since then, the sportsbook established itself as one of the best platforms on which to bet in the Prairie State until it was replaced by ESPN Bet.

How was I able to join and claim the Barstool Sportsbook promo in Illinois?

Screenshot of Barstool Illinois homepage

Joining Barstool Sportsbook Illinois was easy. You only had to go through the following steps, and you were done.

  1. Visited the Barstool Illinois website or download their app. You easily got this site on your PC or by downloading it to your cell. If you were going for the app, remember that it was available for both iOS and Android platforms. Once you opened the site, you then tapped on the “Registration Now” tab. This opened a form that you needed to fill out.
  2. Opened an account with your personal details. On the registration form, you needed to accurately enter your personal details. These included your username, email, password, DOB, and so on. You also needed to provide some form of identification. Once you completed the form, you proceeded to submit the information.
  3. Made sure you claim the latest bonus they have. On some other sportsbooks, you are required to enter a promo code so that you can benefit from the welcome bonus on offer. This was not the case for Barstool Sportsbook Illinois. You got an automatic bonus in your account on completing the registration of a Barstool account.
  4. Inputted funds with your preferred payment method. You should have always chosen the payment method that was most convenient for you from the options available at Barstool Sportsbook Illinois. There were many payment methods on offer, so you easily identified the one you prefer. You headed to the Banking or Cashier tab and selected the payment method you prefer. You could then deposit some funds to begin playing.
  5. Started betting. You then proceeded to make your first wager. You headed to the sports section, chose your favorite sport, examined the betting markets available and placed a bet.

Terms and conditions to consider for the former Barstool Sportsbook promo in IL

Barstool Illinois’s promotion allowed customers to place their first bet with no risk involved, as they would receive a refund if their bet lost. Here were some important terms and conditions to keep in mind when using this bonus:

  • The risk-free bet bonus was only available to new customers who created an account with Barstool Illinois.
  • The bonus could only be used on the customer's first bet and had to be placed before December 31, 2023.
  • The maximum amount of the risk-free bet bonus was $1000.
  • If the customer's first bet was a winner, they would not receive a refund, as the bonus only applied to losing bets.
  • The refund for a losing bet would be credited back to the customer's account within a specified timeframe, usually immediately.
  • The refund was in the form of free bet credits.
  • Customers might not have been eligible for other bonuses or promotions if they used the risk-free bet bonus.
  • Barstool Illinois reserved the right to modify or cancel the risk-free bet bonus at any time without prior notice.
  • Customers had to be at least 21 years old and located within the state of Illinois to use the Barstool Illinois platform and claim the risk-free bet bonus.

Pros and cons of the former Barstool promo in Illinois

Barstool Illinois offered a bonus for new users. This bonus served as an incentive to encourage new users to sign up and try out their platform without worrying about losing their initial wager. However, before signing up for this promotion, it was essential to weigh both the pros and cons.

Pros:

  • Risk-free betting: With this bonus, new users could place their first bet without the fear of losing their money. If the bet was unsuccessful, the initial wager was refunded as site credit. This meant that new users could explore the platform and make an informed decision on whether they wanted to continue using Barstool without the risk of losing their money.
  • Higher potential winnings: Since users could take bigger risks with their first bet, they had the potential to win more money than they would with a typical first bet. However, it's important to note that the winnings were capped at $1000.
  • User-friendly: The Barstool app was designed to be easy to use, making it simple for users to take advantage of the promotion and place their bets. The app had an intuitive user interface and was available on both Android and iOS platforms.

Cons:

  • Limited time: This promotion was only available for a limited time, so new users had to sign up before the offer expired to take advantage of the bonus.
  • Site credit: While users would receive their initial wager back as site credit if their first bet lost, they would not receive cash. Site credit could only be used on the Barstool platform.
  • Wagering requirements: The site credit received as part of this promotion might have been subject to wagering requirements.

Was there a Barstool promo available for other types of gambling in Illinois?

No, there were no Barstool promos available for other types of gambling in Illinois. This was due to the fact that only sports betting is legal in the state. Online casinos are still not legal, so Barstool hadn’t been able to launch its casino or give out any promotions for it in IL at that time.

Barstool Sportsbook Illinois stood out for its attractive bonuses. Below are some of them.

  • No Deposit Bonuses: These were bonuses you received without having to make a deposit first. One of the IL no deposit bonuses you got on Barstool was the sign-up bonus discussed later below. There were also bonuses in the form of free bets that appeared in various regular promotions.
  • Bonus Bets: Many sportsbooks gave bonus bets as a promo, and Barstool went out of its way to give a solid one. It worked by first making a wager of a certain amount up to the limit set by the sportsbook. If you lost on that wager, you would receive a refund of the entire wagered amount. You could then use this to place a second wager in hopes of landing a win this time. If you won, you would receive the profits and the original stake. They were likely subject to wagering requirements before you could withdraw the winnings, so it was always wise to read the terms and conditions before accepting a bonus bet.
  • Daily & Weekly Profit Boosts: Barstool offered odds boosts on a regular basis. These were odds that were higher than the prevailing ones in the market. Such boosts occurred mainly around mega sports events like the Super Bowl or Basketball Playoffs. The aim was to get more people betting. You could take advantage of these boosts to increase the size of your possible wins.
  • Sign-up Bonuses: You would get a bonus simply for registering on the site. This bonus could take many forms depending on the sportsbook. It might have been a small cash no deposit bonus, a bonus bet, or a second chance bet. However, the most common sign-up bonus was the match deposit bonus. Here the sportsbook matched your initial deposit by a set percentage, usually 100%, up to a fixed limit such as $100.

No, Barstool Sportsbook is not legal in Illinois. Online sportsbooks in Illinois have been live since March 5th, 2022, but Barstool Sportsbook transitioned to ESPN Bet in November 2023. This followed the expiry of the requirement that betting could only be done in person. The only online alternative at that time was to open an account with the sportsbook at the physical retail site so that you could access it online.

All that changed. You could freely register and bet on the Barstool site online. Those who preferred in-person betting could bet at Barstool's land-based retail partners: the Hollywood Casino Aurora and Argosy Casino Alton.

Barstool's old betting app in Illinois

Barstool had one of the best-developed betting apps in the state of Illinois. It employed the use of the latest technology, which made it highly efficient. The sportsbook had high-level security to keep your data and money safe.

About the former Barstool betting app

The app was very easy to use. You could navigate through the various functions without problems. Also, since they were well-arranged, you could easily spot the registration, betting, banking, and sports on offer. The site was well-designed and generally pleasant to the eyes. As soon as you opened the app, you would get a feel of its modern overall outlook.

Security of the app

The app took a number of security measures to keep players and their money safe. These included a secure login process, encryption of all data, and secure payment processing.

They also partnered with a third-party company, Thawte, to provide additional layers of security and authentication. Thawte was a leading provider of online security solutions and helped to protect players by verifying identities, encrypting data, and monitoring for suspicious activity.

Additional info

The Barstool betting app was available for both iOS and Android. The iOS version of the app was 115.9 MB, while the Android version was 24 MB. The app was optimized for smartphones, but it should also have worked on most tablets. Barstool provided support via email and their website.

This support included help with setup, account management, deposits, and withdrawals. The app also tracked your gaming data, such as wins and losses. This data was used to help improve the user experience and customize your gaming experience.

How you could download the Barstool app on iOS

You could easily find the Barstool app on the App store when you searched for it. Once you clicked on it, you would see the download tab. You could then start the download process by tapping on this tab. The download was quick and easy. You could then find the app on your smartphone and open it. It took a matter of minutes, and you were done.

How you could download the Barstool app on Android

You could also get the app for your Android cell by searching on Google Play Store. When you found it, just click “Download” and then accept and trust the apk file for the download to proceed. Once it completed, you would find the app on your cellphone, and you could begin using it.

Old Barstool app reviews from the App Store and Google Play Store

The Barstool app had many positive reviews on both the App Store and Google Play Store. Among the issues that received praise was the ease of use on the mobile platform. The other was the great customer support you could access in real-time through the chat feature. The app was also renowned for swift payouts of wins and the wide variety of sports and bonuses on offer.

Overall, the app scored an average of 4.3, which was quite high from 1000 reviews on the Play Store. Nevertheless, some reviewers took issue with the fact that you could hardly use the same method to make payments and withdrawals. You would find that you must use one method to make deposits and another to withdraw. This was inconvenient for some people.

Common complaints and positive reviews

The negative comments about the Barstool app were that “I had one of my parlay wagers cashed out for way less than it should’ve been” and “you have to log into the app via two factors each time you open the app so it will log you out automatically each session”.

The positive comments were that “this app is the best Sportsbook app, it is very easy to navigate”, and that “this sportsbook app is very fun to use and provides a unique experience in comparison to other sportsbook apps”.

Biggest Illinois teams you could bet on with Barstool

Screenshot of Barstool Illinois Sport section

Illinois was a leading state in sports in the US. It had some notable teams in various competitions. These teams had done well on the national stage, with some of them having big titles to their names. You could bet on any of them on Barstool Sportsbook Illinois. Here were the leading ones:

  • Chicago Cubs: The Chicago Cubs are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They were founded in 1876 and have won three World Series championships in their history, the most recent being in 2016. The team plays their home games at Wrigley Field.
  • Chicago White Sox: The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They were founded in 1894 and have won three World Series championships in their history, the most recent being in 2005. The team plays their home games at Guaranteed Rate Field.
  • Chicago Bulls: The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They were founded in 1966 and have won six NBA championships in their history, all of them in the 1990s, led by Michael Jordan. The team plays their home games at the United Center.
  • Chicago Sky: The Chicago Sky are a professional women's basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They were founded in 2006 and have made it to the WNBA playoffs several times in their history. The team plays their home games at Wintrust Arena and has several talented players on their roster.
  • Chicago Bears: The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They were founded in 1919 and have won nine NFL championships in their history, including one Super Bowl championship in 1985. The team plays their home games at Soldier Field and has a passionate fanbase.
  • Chicago Blackhawks: The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They were founded in 1926 and have won six Stanley Cup championships in their history, the most recent being in 2015. The team plays their home games at the United Center and has a loyal following of fans.

Former deposit & withdrawal methods at Barstool

You found the following banking methods on Barstool:

Deposit

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover Card
  • ACH/e-Check
  • Paypal
  • PayNearMe
  • Online banking
  • Play+
  • Apple Pay

Withdrawal

  • ACH/e-Check
  • Paypal
  • Online banking
  • Play+

Customer support of Barstool Sportsbook Illinois

One of the notable things about Barstool Sportsbook Illinois was its reliable customer care. You could easily resolve most issues on the site through live chat. Moreover, you could also send an email to help@barstoolsports.com. The sportsbook did not list a phone number on its website.

Did Barstool have any retail locations in Illinois?

Barstool had three different retail sportsbooks in Illinois: Argosy Casino Alton, Hollywood Casino Aurora, and Hollywood Casino Joliet. These locations made it possible for anyone who is older than 21 to visit and place bets in person.

Our expert opinion on Barstool Illinois

Barstool is a known brand thanks to its popular Barstool sports commentary websites and its controversial founder Dave Portnoy. The app and website were marketed to college aged males featuring some of their celebrities offering betting advice and cultural commentary.

Barstool had a good product with a decent welcome bonus and offered mostly competitive odds and a large betting catalog to choose from. The app and website were easy to navigate but if you were interested in streaming a game from the app or website, you were out of luck as Barstool didn't offer its customers this amenity.

The biggest concern for Barstool Sportsbook was that their odds weren't always the best Illinois had to offer. The other problem was the company allowed its celebrities to offer betting advice and market special odds boosts and pre-made parlays made by their employees who may or may not understand how to handicap or wager on sports.

Our rating of Barstool sportsbook Illinois

(4)

Welcome bonus
(4)
Payment options
(4)
Sportsbook app
(4)
Variety & features
(4)
Customer support
(5)

IL Betting gave Barstool Sportsbook Illinois an overall rating of 4 out of 5. The overall rating was based on these factors:

  • Welcome bonus: Rating 4/5. The Barstool welcome bonus was solid but there wasn't any reward or bonus unless an Illinois sports bettor lost their first wager. A losing wager was the only way to get this bonus and there was a play-through requirement before any winnings attached to the bonus could be withdrawn.
  • Payment options: Rating 4/5. Barstool provided convenient options for funding your account and accepted a wide range of payment methods, including major credit cards, debit cards, and popular e-wallet services like PayPal and Trustly. The platform didn't doesn’t have as many options for withdrawing your money.
  • Sportsbook App: Rating 4/5. The Barstool app was identical to the website and was user-friendly with easy to find betting markets available on the app homepage. Barstool offered a robust live or in-game sports betting platform and whatever you could do on the website, you could also do on the app.
  • Variety and Features: Rating 4/5. Barstool offered all the traditional betting markets as well as parlay and SGP (Same Game Parlay) Cards. Barstool offered solid futures markets but the sportsbook didn't offer any live streaming unless it was a special Barstool sponsored event.
  • Customer Support: Rating 5/5. The Barstool customer support staff was relatively knowledgeable and many issues could be resolved through the live chat available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. If live chat couldn't help their customer service people usually resolved the issue in less than 24 hours.

FAQ

How old did I have to be to use Barstool Sportsbook in Illinois?

You should have been at least 21 years old to bet on Barstool Sportsbook Illinois. Therefore, you must have attained that age before you attempt to register with any sportsbook. If you are too young, the sportsbook did not accept you. Remember, the identification document you presented during registration confirmed your age.

Was it safe to use Barstool Sportsbook in IL?

Yes, it was completely safe to use Barstool in Illinois. The sportsbook was registered and licensed to operate in the state. That means its operations were regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. Moreover, the site had high-tech encryption that stops hackers from accessing your account online.

Where could I find the latest Barstool Illinois bonuses?

You could easily find the latest information on Barstool bonuses in Illinois right here in this review. Moreover, you found similar information on the Barstool sportsbook itself.

How did you get promo codes at Barstool?

You got promo codes at Barstool by checking out our page. We updated Barstool’s promo code every month, as Barstool often changed their promo for new and existing players.

What was the best promotion for Barstool Sportsbook?

The best promotion for Barstool Sportsbook was the $1000 in Bonus Bets for new players. This was one of the most generous risk-free bets around on Illinois sportsbooks.

Why did Barstool give promo codes?

Barstool gave promo codes in order to get new players to sign up for their site, along with rewarding existing players for their loyalty to Barstool. This was all designed to encourage people to bet more with them.

Was Barstool’s promo code legit?

Yes, Barstool’s promo code was legit. Barstool followed the laws and regulations of Illinois sports betting, and therefore their promo codes were safe and secure. If you had a problem with the promo code, you could get in touch with Barstool and they helped you out.

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.