Online Sports Betting in Illinois
Published: | Updated:Welcome to safe and legal gambling in Illinois! The land of Lincoln is a midwestern state that has produced some of the most influential figures in American history. Barack Obama’s had his early political career starting in Illinois. However, the most significant person from IL is still the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, whom you can visit in Springfield.
Chicago is also part of Illinois. Known for its music scene and beautiful skyline, the Windy City is called “The heart of America.” Celebrities like Kanye West, Harrison Ford, and R. Kelly come from Chi-town. Vince Vaughn is a big supporter of the Cubs and Blackhawks and is the first Chicago celebrity to embrace gambling with his Caesars partnership.
How to bet on sports in Illinois? First, Illinoisans must be at least 21 years old to place a bet. This requirement is set by the Illinois Gaming Board, which regulates all sports betting activities in the state. We recommend everyone also set a betting budget before placing any bet. After creating any betting account, explore the options available under “Responsible Gambling.”
Popular sports in Illinois
Many famous athletes from IL have changed the world of sports. Michael Jordan, who played for the Chicago Bulls and led them to six NBA championships during the 1990s, is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. With Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, MJ formed the famous Big Three.
With Chicago being the third largest city in the US, the state consists of many fans of the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Cubs. For players in Baseball or Soccer, Chicago offers excellent options of the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Fire FC. Luckily for Illinoisans, you can now legally place bets on your favorite teams and players in the state!
Choose a site below and register now:
Legal sports betting in Illinois
A new world opened up for Illinoisians in 2019 when the state legalized retail sports betting. This bill was signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker, who quickly followed with the legalization of online sports betting in 2020. Luckily, online sports betting was launched just days before the pandemic hit.
During the pandemic, players must register in person to place bets online. Thankfully, in-person registration was removed in 2022, and players can now complete their registrations online.
What are the most popular sports in Illinois?
The Prairie State is known to be passionate about sports, and we at Online Gamblers know where and how to bet responsibly. We’ll guide you in the right direction for the best betting options in Illinois.
Patrons can place bets on various sports, including basketball, football, baseball, hockey, soccer, and more, with BetMGM and other legal operators. The state regulation in Illinois also approves betting on Fantasy Sports and Horse Racing.
Where does the tax money from IL sports betting go?
Gambling operators in Illinois pay a 15% tax rate that goes towards infrastructure and funding public schools.
10 interesting facts about betting in Illinois
- Sports betting in Illinois was legalized in 2019 for retail and 2020 for online.
- The new betting bill was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
- The Illinois Gaming Board oversees all sports betting activities in the state.
- Illinois used to require in-person online sign-up registration, but this was removed in March 2022.
- The land of Lincoln has been home to famous athletes like Michael Jordan and Walter Payton.
- Illinois reported a betting handle of over $1 billion in November 2022.
- IN has a 15% tax rate on betting revenue that goes to infrastructure and schools.
- The Prairie State allows betting on some daily fantasy sports (DFS).
- Betting on Illinois college teams is only allowed in person through retail betting lounges.
- Illinois is home to several professional sports teams, including the Chicago Bears (NFL), Chicago Bulls (NBA), and the Chicago White Sox (MLB).
Responsible Gambling in IL
For information on legal and safe sports betting in Illinois, visit the Illinois Gaming Board’s website. If you feel you can’t control your gambling, don’t hesitate to contact the National Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-522-4700. The call is anonymous, and the phone hotline is available 24/7/365. You can also text the number 1-800-522-4700 or enter the website chat here.
Yes, in-person sports betting has been available in Illinois since 2019. Online betting has been legal in IL since 2020.
To legally place a bet, you have to be 21 years or older, have a social security number and be located in the state of Illinois. The operator will require you to verify your location with a geolocation program, and you will have to supply documents to verify your identification. Bets can be placed through mobile and desktops. Retail betting is not allowed.
Yes, it’s legal to bet in the state of Illinois. In addition to sports, you can also bet on e-sports in the Land of Lincoln. Betting is legal with licensed retail operators and online operators.
