Illinois
Is Betting Legal in Illinois?
As of 2024, sports betting in Illinois has seen significant growth and development since its initial legalization. The state initially legalized in-person sports betting in 2019, but the market expanded with the introduction of online sports betting in Illinois.
This expansion allowed residents to place bets online via licensed mobile operators, dramatically increasing the accessibility and popularity of sports betting in the state.
What Is the Illinois Sports Betting Market Like?
Illinois has a robust and competitive mobile sports betting market, with several major operators such as:
Illinois imposes a tax rate of 15% on sports betting revenue, which further contributes to substantial state revenue streams.
The Illinois Gaming Board regulates and oversees online sports betting in Illinois. The Board ensures that all operators adhere to strict regulatory standards for fair play and consumer protection.
The expansion of sports betting has also prompted discussions on responsible gambling measures, with the state emphasizing the importance of resources and support for problem gambling.
How Is Online Sports Betting in Illinois?
Overall, sports betting in Illinois is thriving, with a well-regulated environment that balances revenue generation with consumer protection and responsible gaming practices. The successful integration of mobile sports betting has positioned Illinois as one of the leading states in the U.S. sports betting market.
What Types of Legal Gambling are Available in Illinois?
Casinos
There are plenty of casino options in Illinois. Many incorporate sports betting and horse racing into their offerings. There are currently 15 different casino venues available in the state.
| *Last Updated: 07/10/24 | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| American Place Casino | Waukegan | This casino features hundreds of slot machines, dozens of table games, and a Circa sportsbook location on site. |
| Argosy Casino Alton | Alton | This riverboat casino features over 500 slot machines and video poker games, nine live table games, and an on-site sportsbook. |
| Bally’s Chicago Casino | Chicago | The only casino in the Windy City, with a 34,000-square-foot gaming floor featuring nearly 800 slots and 56 live-action table games. |
| Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel | Rock Island | This casino resort features almost 800 slot machines, a selection of table games, a poker room, and a Bally Bet sportsbook. |
| DraftKings at Casino Queen | East St. Louis | This casino has a 38,000-square-foot gaming floor with over 930 slots and video poker games, 29 tables games, and a DraftKings sportsbook. |
| Golden Nugget Danville | Danville | This casino offers over 500 slot machines, video poker games, and many table games. |
| Grand Victoria Casino Elgin | Elgin | This riverboat casino offers 700 slots, Vegas-style table games, and a Caesars sportsbook location. |
| Harrah’s Joliet Hotel & Casino | Joliet | This casino resort features 39,000 square feet of gaming floor, with over 800 slot machines and over 20 table games. |
| Harrah’s Metropolis Hotel & Casino | Metropolis | This 24,000-square-foot casino offers 17 table games, over 600 slots, video poker, and a Caesars sportsbook on-site. |
| Hollywood Casino Aurora | Aurora | This casino has a 53,000-square-foot gaming floor, with over 1,000 slot machines, over 20 table games, and an on-site sportsbook. |
| Hollywood Casino Joliet | Joliet | This casino offers over 1,100 slots, over 18 tables of table games, and an on-site sportsbook. |
| Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino | East Peoria | This casino resort features more than 550 slots, 18 table games, and a FanDuel sportsbook. |
| Rivers Casino Des Plaines | Des Plaines | This casino features over 1,500 slots, a wide selection of live table games, and a BetRivers sportsbook on-site. |
| Rockford Casino | Rockford | This temporary casino offers 37,000 square feet of gaming floor, with over 600 slot machines and live table games. The permanent home for the casino resort is set to open on Aug. 29, 2024, with even more slots and games and a Hard Rock sportsbook on-site. |
| Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort | Carterville | This resort casino offers ample varieties of slots, video poker, Keno games, and a solid table game selection. |
Where Are the Illinois Online Sportsbooks?
| Sportsbook | Description |
|---|---|
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Illinois is one of 19 states where BetMGM is legal, and it is a solid online sportsbook, offering plenty of promotions on bets across the sports world. |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | The first online sportsbook in Illinois, BetRivers offers a full selection of bets and sports, including a solid live-betting program that includes live streaming of some contests. |
| Caesars Sportsbook | One of the more recognizable sportsbooks around, Caesars is live in 21 states in the US, offering bonuses and promotions for most sporting events. |
| Circa Sportsbook | One of the newer sportsbooks around, Circa Sportsbook is available in four states, including Illinois, where it also has a brick-and-mortar location. |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | DraftKings is one of the more well-known sportsbooks in the nation, bringing its customers all the sports and betting options they look for, as well as plenty of promotions and odds boosts. |
| ESPN BET | Previously Barstool Sportsbook, ESPN BET is available in 17 states and has many special promotions and offers associated with the sports network’s many personalities. |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Another sportsbook that has rebranded, Fanatics (formerly PointsBet) is available in 21 states, including Illinois, and has an easy-to-use format on its app, offering plenty of betting options and promotions to its customers. |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | FanDuel is one of the more well-known sportsbooks in the country and offers betting on both a mobile app and its website, with plenty of boosts and promotions for customers on a wide range of sports. |
Is Online Gambling Legal in Illinois?
Illinois legalized sports betting at its commercial casinos in 2013. However, it was slow to get into online sports betting in Illinois after the US Supreme Court overturned the ban on sports betting.
The first in-person sportsbooks opened in July 2019, but online sports betting in Illinois didn’t launch until January 2022.
Despite multiple bills introduced in the state legislature to make online sports betting legal, Governor J.B. Pritzker approved the state budget that included online sports betting to get Illinois on board with the lucrative venture.
Unfortunately, online casino gambling has yet to become legal in Illinois. Going to a casino in the state is the only way to play tabletop games or slot machines at this point, though there is hope that that will change soon.
What Are Some Betting Restrictions in Illinois?
There are few restrictions on the types of bets people can make in Illinois, except with college sports.
- Illinois is one of the states that prohibits bets made in-state involving Illinois-based college teams, no matter where that competition takes place.
- If a game is played in Illinois but doesn’t involve an Illinois college team or college athletes from the state, wagers are permitted on the game.
- Illinois also prohibits player prop bets for college competitions, no matter where the competing colleges are from.
What Are the Best Betting Sites in Illinois?
Great betting options and promotions are a must to become a Best Betting Site; check them out in the table below:
| Sportsbook | Description |
|---|---|
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Illinois is one of 19 states where BetMGM is legal, and it is a solid online sportsbook, offering plenty of promotions on bets across the sports world. |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | The first online sportsbook in Illinois, BetRivers offers a full selection of bets and sports, including a solid live-betting program that includes live streaming of some contests. |
| Caesars Sportsbook | One of the more recognizable sportsbooks around, Caesars is live in 21 states in the US, offering bonuses and promotions for most sporting events. |
| Circa Sportsbook | One of the newer sportsbooks around, Circa Sportsbook is available in four states, including Illinois, where it also has a brick-and-mortar location. |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | DraftKings is one of the more well-known sportsbooks in the nation, bringing its customers all the sports and betting options they look for, as well as plenty of promotions and odds boosts. |
| ESPN BET | Previously Barstool Sportsbook, ESPN BET is available in 17 states and has many special promotions and offers associated with the sports network’s many personalities. |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Another sportsbook that has rebranded, Fanatics (formerly PointsBet) is available in 21 states, including Illinois, and has an easy-to-use format on its app, offering plenty of betting options and promotions to its customers. |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | FanDuel is one of the more well-known sportsbooks in the country and offers betting on both a mobile app and its website, with plenty of boosts and promotions for customers on a wide range of sports. |
Is There a Lottery Option in Illinois?
Like most states, Illinois offers a state lottery that includes several games, such as draw games, scratch-offs, and more. Illinois also participates in multi-state lottery games like Powerball and Mega Millions, allowing residents to participate in these more giant jackpot games.
Established by State Lottery Law (N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 4622.11)
Illinois Lottery: https://www.illinoislottery.com
Is Horse Racing Popular in Illinois?
Horse racing is very popular in Illinois, which features several horse racing tracks.
Many of these tracks have both on-site and online betting on the races, while there are also many off-track betting facilities for Illinois bettors to use for in-state or out-of-state races.
Race tracks in Illinois:
- Hawthorne Race Course (Cicero, IL)
- FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing (Collinsville, IL)
- DuQuoin State Fairgrounds (Du Quoin, IL)
- Brown County Fairgrounds (Mount Sterling, IL)
- Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, IL)
Is Gambling Legal in Illinois?
Charitable Gambling
Certain gambling activities are permitted to help charitable organizations raise money, such as:
- Bingo
- Raffles
- Las Vegas nights,
The proceeds typically go to charitable causes, with certain limitations placed on each game and how it is run. The Illinois State Gaming Commission has regulations for each type of charitable activity.
What Are the Age Requirements for Gambling in Illinois?
The legal age for casino or sports gambling is currently 21. Betting on horse racing or fantasy sports and purchasing lottery tickets can be done by 18-year-olds.
You must be 21 years or older to purchase Quick Draw tickets where alcoholic beverages are served.
Is There a Regulatory Body?
Each state has one or more regulatory bodies responsible for overseeing gambling operations, ensuring they comply with state laws and regulations.
The Illinois State Gaming Commission oversees all gambling activity and regulations in Illinois.
What Is the Gambling Tax Policy in Illinois?
Illinois has a tax rate of 15% on gambling operators’ revenues.
- Illinois Gaming Board: https://www.igb.illinois.gov/
- Illinois Department of Revenue: https://tax.illinois.gov/
- Illinois General Assembly: https://www.ilga.gov/
Are There Responsible Gambling Resources in Illinois?
Illinois takes responsible gambling seriously, with the Illinois Problem Gambling Resource Centers (PGRCs) set up to help people dealing with problem gambling.
There are regional centers throughout the state, a 24-hour helpline, and a website for the Illinois Department of Human Services for information and advice on how to deal with problems.
- Illinois Department of Human Services Problem Gambling Services: Call 1-800-GAMBLER (800-426-2537), text ILGAMB to 53342, or visit www.AreYouReallyWinning.com.
- Illinois Council On Problem Gambling: https://www.ilproblemgambling.org.
What Is the Future Outlook for Gambling in Illinois?
The future of Illinois’ gambling scene is exciting, with the state’s sports betting handle rising monthly. More online sportsbooks are likely to be available soon, with ESPN Bet possibly launching before the start of the 2024 NFL season.
The hope among people in the state is that the success of Illinois Sports Betting will help push legislators to make online casinos legal in Illinois soon.
