Illinois sports betting quick facts – is it legal and when do we start?
Illinois officially legalized retail sports betting on June 28th 2019, becoming the 15th US state to do so. Legal online sports betting went live a little while later, but required bettors to verify their details in person at a retail sportsbook before they could wager online.
The requirement for physical verification ended in March 2022 meaning that sports betting fans in the Prairie State could now register directly on a sportsbook’s online platform. Hoorah, the era of full online sports betting had dawned.
Whether you’re a football fan, or a basketball bandit, Illinois has an explosive range of sporting action to bet on. After all, it’s home to the Bears, to the Blackhawks, and arguably the finest team in the country, if not the world, the Chicago Bulls (and I’ve got the stats if you’d like to have a long, intense conversation about it).
Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
As long as you’re over the age of 21, you can legally open an account and place wagers at any Illinois sportsbook. There are currently eight live online sportsbooks in Illinois, but more are being added all of the time.
Can you bet on college sports at Illinois sportsbooks?
It is legal to bet on college sports in the state, including basketball, but only on teams that are based outside of Illinois. So if you fancy a bit of Fighting action, you are sadly out of luck for the time being.
With so many online sportsbooks rushing to offer their services in the Prairie State, players can afford to be picky. One way that platforms make themselves stand out is by offering prospective new bettors a generous welcome bonus. These can take several different forms but here are the most common
sports betting bonus types explained:
Deposit match
Online sportsbooks regularly hand out a deposit match bonus to new sign ups. Simply put, the sportsbook will match the amount of your first deposit in bonus bets. For example, a sportsbook may offer a 100% deposit match up to $100. If you deposit the full $100, you’ll receive an extra $100 as bonus bet credits.
Free bets
A free bet is a straightforward bonus that’s appealing to players because there’s usually very little initial outlay. To snag this bonus, bettors have to sign up for a new account and add a minimum deposit. Once your profile is fuelled up, you’ll place your first wager, which triggers the release of bonus bets into your account.
Bonus bets can be very generous, as in the case of the DraftKings and FanDuel bonuses. You’ll just need to remember to check the T&Cs carefully before wagering to ensure that your first bet matches up in terms of bet type and minimum odds.
Second chance bet
Offering new bettors a ‘second chance bet’ aka risk free bet, is another common way for sportsbooks to reel in new members. It protects your first bet by returning your stake in bonus credits if you lose.
With eight online sportsbooks currently serving Illinois bettors, there are no shortage of sign up bonuses available in the Prairie State. I’ve tracked down four of the best which, in a jam packed bonus world, stand out for their ease of use, comprehensive terms, and generous funds.
BetMGM Illinois welcome offer
BetMGM Bonus: Pros & Cons
- Available on the iOS or Android app
- Easy to claim
- Get bonus bets whether you win your initial bet or not
- Bonus bets in your account in 24 hours
- Bonus bets have to be used in 7 days
BetMGM are one of the undisputed top cats of online sports betting. They have a presence in every state where online sports betting is allowed, so you better believe they know what they’re doing and this is obvious with their latest deal, one of the easiest Illinois betting promos ever: bet $5 and get $158 in bonus bets.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
How does the BetMGM bonus work in real life?
The current welcome bonus at BetMGM lays out an impressive amount of bonus bets, all of which you can net without a promo code. Just download the BetMGM app, sign up for a new account and make an eligible $5 bet. Regardless of whether your bet wins or loses, you’ll get $158 in bonus bets.
What do you need to know – key T&Cs
Before signing up to this bonus, there are a few important terms to be aware of:
- You’ll need to make a minimum deposit of $10 to be able to qualify for this promotion, but your first bet only has to be $5.
- Once your wager has settled, your bonus bets will be in your account within 24 hours.
- You’ll get your bonus bets as 2 x $50, and 1 x $58 bet credits. Bonus bets have to be used within 7 days.
- This bonus is only available via the app. You can search for it on your device’s App Store or head straight to the BetMGM site to download.
- You can’t withdraw your bonus bets but you can claim any winnings you make.
- You can use your bonus bets to make wagers on top games from the NFL, NHL, soccer leagues and, most importantly, the NBA.
DraftKings Illinois welcome offer
DraftKings Bonus: Pros & Cons
- Claim via the app
- Bonus bets worth $158
- Simple bonus with no promo code required
- Live chat feature if you have any problems while claiming
- Bonus bets expire after 7 days
DraftKings is one of the newest online sportsbooks to join Illinois, making it the 17th state for the DK franchise. However, DraftKings are very experienced in delivering exactly what bettors want and this is obvious in one of the
best sportsbook promotions
I’ve seen: bet $5 to get $200 in bonus bets.
Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets and 1 month of NFL+ Premium on us!
How does the DraftKings bonus work in real life?
TheDraftKings welcome deal has simple terms. As with a lot of my other Illinois online sportsbook bonuses, there’s no Illinois sportsbook promo codes required. Sign up for a new account and, once you’ve verified your details, make a deposit of at least $10. You can download the DraftKings app and use this to claim the bonus too if you’d prefer.
Then, place a wager of $5 and, once the bet has ended, you’ll receive $200 of bonus bets. These can be used on any of the 20 or so sports that DraftKings is home to. This makes this promo an ideal option if you want to test out betting on a few different sports, or there are a lot of events coming up. There’s even the possibility of making live bets on your favorite events.
What do you need to know – key T&Cs
DraftKings include a thorough list of relevant terms and conditions on their site, but these are some of the most important:
- Your $200 will come in the form of 8 x $25 bonus bets. You can only use one of these at a time.
- Your bonus bets must be used within 7 days.
- There are very few limitations on the markets you can use the bonus bets on.
FanDuel Illinois welcome offer
FanDuel Bonus: Pros & Cons
- $200 in bonus bets for new players
- Easy to claim with no promo code
- Bonus bets are flexible to use
- Clear terms and conditions
- Can take 72 hours for bonus bets to arrive
The FanDuel online sportsbook is currently active in 21 states (and counting, because the brand is expanding all the time). Their new welcome bonus is very similar to the DraftKings deal and delivers the same $200 of bonus bets when you join the site, make a deposit, and place a winning wager of at least $5.
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
How does the FanDuel bonus work in real life?
All you have to do to claim this bonus is download the FanDuel app and make a new account. With full apps for Apple and Android, I found that this was no problem. Then, deposit a minimum of $10 to your new account, and then make a qualifying bet of at least $5. As soon as the bet has settled as a win you’ll get $200 in bonus bets to keep the lucky streak going (hopefully).
FanDuel has made this bonus very straightforward, and you won’t need any Illinois sportsbook bonus codes to claim it.
What do you need to know – key T&Cs
FanDuel have made this bonus straightforward, but there are always terms and conditions to be aware of. Here’s a look at the most important points:
- You can make a wager on any sports market to be eligible for this bet.
- This bonus is only available for new players registering via the FanDuel app.
- You must make a minimum deposit of $10 to your account, and make a $5 qualifying wager.
- After your qualifying bet has ended (as long as it’s a winner), your $200 in bonus bets will go into your account within 72 hours.
- Your bonus bets can be broken up into smaller portions. Anything left after seven days will disappear from your account.
- You can withdraw any winnings from your account once a wager made with bonus bets has settled.
Caesars Illinois welcome offer
Caesars Bonus: Pros & Cons
- Get a $1000 safety net on your first wager
- Claim on the desktop, mobile, or apps
- No odds restrictions
- Simple to get
- Bonus bet comes as one token
The Caesars sign up bonus is like the sixth player in your back pocket, protecting your bankroll from taking a hit. Sign up for a new account using the promo code CRZ1000 on the Caesars site and, if your first bet is a loser, you’ll get it back, up to a limit of $,1000.
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
How does the Caesars bonus work in real life?
The maximum bonus bet you can receive from this deal is $1,000. You can place a larger wager than this if you want to but that’s the most Caesars will give you back.
If you’re the sort of player that likes to take your gaming on the go then you can download the Caesars app for Apple or Android devices to make keeping up with the action easier.
What do you need to know – key T&Cs
These are the key terms and conditions to be aware of when claiming the Caesars bonus:
- Don’t forget to use the Caesars Illinois sportsbook promo code when you sign up to have this deal added to your account.
- Your bonus bets will be added to your account within two days. Your bonus bet comes as one token, and can’t be split up into smaller denominations.
- Your qualifying bet must be placed within 30 days of opening your Caesars account. You can’t wager on Round Robins, or use the early cash out.
- Bonus bets must be used within 14 days.
- You can withdraw your winnings from this bonus.
Choices choices choices. To help you pick between these slam dunking deals, I’ve given you a quick snapshot of all of them:
| Site | Illinois bonus deal | Promo code |
| BetMGM | Bet $5 and get $158 in bonus bets. | No promo code needed |
| DraftKings | Make a wager of $5, and get $200 in bonus bets. | No promo code needed |
| FanDuel | Place a winning $5 wager and receive $200 in free bets. | No promo code needed |
| Caesars | Up to $1,000 risk free first bet | Sign up using promo code CZR1000 |
Want more details? – Frequently asked questions about Illinois betting bonuses
If it’s your first time claiming an online sportsbook bonus, you should find the following frequently asked questions helpful.
Do I need to use a promo code to claim a sportsbook promo in Illinois?
Not necessarily. I’ve outlined which of the sportsbook bonuses need promo codes on my list and I’ll keep you updated on this page as new bonuses emerge, for example the latest
Betrivers promo code.
Can anyone claim Illinois sportsbook bonuses?
These deals are only open to people currently in the state. You don’t have to be an Illinois resident but you do have to be physically located inside state lines when you make your account. This will be checked by the sportsbook using geolocation software.
It’s worth bearing in mind that some sportsbooks may not let you claim a welcome deal if someone else in your household is already signed up to the site.
What do I do if I have any problems while claiming Illinois betting promos?
I hope you don’t have any problems but, if you face any issues while you’re claiming your welcome deal at any of these sites, then the best thing to do is to contact the help team straightaway. The best Illinois sportsbooks have lots of ways for customers to get in touch, including email and live chat. You can also drop them a line on their socials.
Do I have to pay taxes on my winnings?
Shakespeare says there are only three things that are certain in life, death, taxes, and that b-ball is the greatest sport in history *(Much Ado about Netting, act 2, scene 5).
Any winnings you make from
Illinois sports betting
have to be declared on your annual return and you’ll have to pay tax at a flat rate of 4.95%.
Summing up – twine tickling Illinois sportsbook bonuses for all bettors
It doesn’t matter if you’re a Chicago Bulls fan or not (it really does though), you’ll be able to find a whole range of Illinois sportsbook bonuses. From bonus bets worth $150+ to risk free first bets, these bonuses represent the crème de la crème of the sportsbook world.
Always make sure to read the fine print before claiming any deal and remember that, although these bonuses have an expiration date, they’ll be replaced with another promo that dunkorthree.com can illuminate.
In case you missed them…
1.
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
3.
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
+ Boost or Bonus every day in the Summer
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
4.
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit
5.
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
📲 How many online sportsbooks are there in Illinois?
There are currently 8 online sportsbooks for bettors in Illinois. However, I’d expect this number to increase in the months to come. Dunkorthree.com will keep you in the loop as things develop so stick with us if you want to know the latest Illinois betting offers at all of the freshest platforms.
There’s no need to use a promo code to get your hands on the newest Illinois sportsbook promos at DraftKings. Simply sign up for a new account and make your first deposit. Whether your bet is a winner or a loser, you’ll get $158 in bonus bets direct to your profile.
💰Can I claim more two Illinois betting bonuses?
Yes, you can sign up to more than one sportsbook in Illinois and claim their welcome bonuses. However, this can make it hard to keep track of how much you’re betting so make sure to follow responsible gaming tools whenever you play.
