Illinois Sports Betting
Sports betting is legal in Illinois. Retail sportsbooks opened on March 9, 2020, and online betting followed on June 18, 2020, under the Illinois Gaming Board. You must be 21 and physically in Illinois to place a bet. Online casinos are not legal. This guide lists every sportsbook and prediction market available in Illinois, what each sign-up offer is worth when hedged, and the order to claim them.
Illinois Sportsbooks and Prediction Markets
Every sportsbook, prediction market and sweepstakes book that accepts players here, with how each is regulated and whether it limits winning bettors.
Circa
ProphetX
Kalshi
FanDuel
Fliff
Caesars
Caesars
Hard Rock
BetRivers
DraftKings
DraftKings
BetMGM
Fanatics
The Score
bet365
NoVig
NoVig
Polymarket USStatuses come from our sportsbook records and the regulator's list. Check the regulator before depositing if anything has changed.
Illinois Sportsbook Promos
Listed in the order to claim them. The order changes with your starting bankroll.
Approximate value is what each offer converts to when you bet both sides, at the odds available when we checked. Actual returns depend on offer availability, market conditions, and individual execution.
Notes: bet105 is an offshore crypto only sportsbook.
Notes: Signup with promo code "DHO".
Notes: If your first bet on BroThrow loses they will reimburse you up to $10.
Notes: 5x Rollover requirement. Any wagers using deposited funds or bonus funds prior to bonus completion are subject to a max of 50% of deposited amount.
Notes: Verify the promo code for the 50% deposit match is applied before making your first deposit.
Sportsbetting.ag has restrictions on using Free Bets that reduces their value to ~50%. Learn more in our Sportsbetting.ag review.
- Football, Basketball, Soccer & Tennis Free Bets can only be used on spreads and totals to max odds of +150.
- Baseball and Hockey Free Bets can only be used on Moneylines and Totals to max odds of +150.
- Baseball and Hockey Free Bets are restricted to a maximum wager of $500 per event.
- MMA Free Bets can only be used on Moneylines to max odds of -200 for the favorite and +150 for the underdog.
Notes: Kalshi is a CFTC regulated prediction market, not a traditional sportsbook.
BetOnlineNotes: Verify the promo code for the 50% deposit match is applied before making your first deposit.
BetOnline has restrictions on using Free Bets that reduces their value to ~50%. Learn more in our BetOnline review.
- Football, Basketball, Soccer & Tennis Free Bets can only be used on spreads and totals to max odds of +150.
- Baseball and Hockey Free Bets can only be used on Moneylines and Totals to max odds of +150.
- Baseball and Hockey Free Bets are restricted to a maximum wager of $500 per event.
- MMA Free Bets can only be used on Moneylines to max odds of -200 for the favorite and +150 for the underdog.
FanDuelNotes: None.
BetUSNotes: 125% Sign-Up Bonus up to $2,000 on your first, second and third deposits.
- Minimum deposit: $100
- 100% Sports Bonus – up to $2,500
- 14X Rollover on Sports
- 25% Casino Bonus – up to $625
- 30X Rollover on Casino Games for Release and Cash out.
- Max cash out for Casino Bonus is $2,500
- 7-Days Expiry
Fliff
CaesarsNotes: Ten 100% profit boosts with a max bet of $25.
Notes: 10x Rollover requirement. Any wagers using deposited funds or bonus funds prior to bonus completion are subject to a max of 50% of deposited amount.
CaesarsNotes: None.
Notes: The 75% match on a $1,000 deposit is available when using crypto to deposit, and a promo code is required. The rollover is 5x on sports.
Hard RockNotes: Ten 100% Profit Boosts on $50 bets.
BetRiversNotes: A promo code is required upon signup.
Notes: 10x rollover requirement on the deposit and bonus results in a total wager requirement of $30,000.
DraftKingsNotes: DK calls Site Credit DK Dollars. They are a 1x playthrough, but the initial deposit match is released at 25x. Meaning, for every $25 bet $1 of Site Credit is added to your account and automatically applied to your next bet. Minimum odds -300 and 90 days to meet the playthrough requirement. Be sure to use the sportsbook app/webpage. It is easy to accidentally use the casino or daily fantasy app/webpage. When making your first deposit, edit the deposit amount to $5,000 before linking the deposit method. This offer can be used to hedge other signup offers.
Notes: None
BetMGMNotes: None
FanaticsNotes: None.
The ScoreNotes: Refunded as five Bonus Bets.
bet365Notes: You have to select the offer. If bet365 does not immediately accept a $1,000 bet they will ask if you want to send the bet to the trading team for review. Do not do this. If they reject the full $1,000 they will automatically accept a lower amount and only that amount will count towards the $1,000 Second Chance Bet.
NoVigNotes: Use Promo Code "DHO100" for 100% off your first purchase up to $100 off. Can only choose one of the two NoVig Offers.
NoVigNotes: Use Promo Code "DHO" for 50% off your first purchase of $25. Can only choose one of NoVig's two offers.
Notes: Polymarket.com is a prediction market, not a traditional sportsbook.
Notes: Polymarket US is a CFTC regulated prediction market, not a traditional sportsbook.

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Prediction Markets in Illinois
Status: contested. Last verified October 2, 2026.
Prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket US are regulated federally by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Illinois treats sports event contracts as unlicensed sports wagering. The Illinois Gaming Board ordered Kalshi, Robinhood and Crypto.com to stop offering them on April 1, 2025, and sent Polymarket US the same order on January 27, 2026. Gaming Board cease-and-desist letters
A state law that took effect July 1, 2026, requires prediction markets to hold an Illinois sports wagering license and taxes their sports trades. Kalshi sued to block it, and the CFTC has its own lawsuit against Illinois. Both cases are in federal court in Chicago. Elsewhere, the Sixth and Ninth Circuits have ruled for states, while the Third Circuit sided with Kalshi in New Jersey. CFTC press release, Capitol News Illinois report
Prediction markets matter for matched betting because they do not limit winning traders. Check each app for current availability in Illinois before you deposit.
This section is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice.
Online Casinos in Illinois
Online casinos are not legal in Illinois. The state's licensed casinos offer slots and table games in person only.
Sweepstakes casinos are not licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board. They operate under sweepstakes rules, so they offer fewer customer protections. Some of their sign-up offers are +EV. The Sweepstakes Casino Overview explains how they work.
Illinois Sports Betting Law and Timeline
- June 28, 2019: Governor JB Pritzker signed the gaming expansion that created the Sports Wagering Act (Public Act 101-31), legalizing sports betting in Illinois. Sports Wagering Act, Section 25-25, NPR Illinois report
- March 9, 2020: The first legal sportsbook opened at Rivers Casino Des Plaines. Churchill Downs announcement
- June 18, 2020: BetRivers launched the first online sportsbook in Illinois, regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. Current authorized sportsbooks are listed on the Board's authorized sportsbooks page. Churchill Downs announcement
- July 1, 2024: The flat sports wagering tax was replaced by a graduated tax of 20% to 40% of each operator's adjusted gross receipts. Sports Wagering Act, Section 25-90
- February 3, 2025: The Illinois Gaming Board ordered offshore sportsbook Bovada to stop offering unlicensed sports wagering in Illinois. On February 11, 2025, it sent similar letters to eight more sites, including BetOnline.ag and Bookmaker.eu. Gaming Board cease-and-desist letters
- April 1, 2025: The Illinois Gaming Board ordered Kalshi, Robinhood and Crypto.com to stop offering sports event contracts in Illinois. Letter to Kalshi
- July 1, 2025: A per-bet tax on online wagers took effect: 25 cents per wager for an operator's first 20 million online wagers each year, and 50 cents per wager after that. Several sportsbooks then added their own per-bet fee for Illinois customers. Sports Wagering Act, Section 25-90, SBC Americas report
- January 27, 2026: The Illinois Gaming Board ordered Polymarket US to stop offering sports event contracts in Illinois. Letter to Polymarket US
- April 2, 2026: The CFTC sued Illinois, Arizona and Connecticut, arguing that federal law governs event contracts on CFTC-regulated exchanges. CFTC press release
- July 1, 2026: Senate Bill 3019, signed June 16, 2026, took effect. It treats sports prediction market trades as sports wagers that need an Illinois license and taxes them at 1.75% for an operator's first 5 million wagers each year and 3.5% after that. Kalshi sued in federal court to block the law. Capitol News Illinois report, Taft law bulletin
Offshore and unlicensed betting
Illinois law does not mention offshore sites by name, but it covers them. Under the Criminal Code, it is a crime to knowingly operate an Internet site that lets people wager on a game or contest. The same section makes it a crime to knowingly make a wager on a game or contest, unless an exception applies. Sports wagering under the Sports Wagering Act is one of those exceptions, so only bets with a licensed sportsbook are covered. A first offense is a Class A misdemeanor. 720 ILCS 5/28-1
The law has no offense aimed at advertising unlicensed sportsbooks. The Illinois Gaming Board enforces the licensing rule directly: in February 2025 it sent cease-and-desist letters to Bovada, BetOnline.ag, Bookmaker.eu and six other offshore or unlicensed sites, warning of civil or criminal penalties. Gaming Board cease-and-desist letters
This section is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Availability of sportsbooks and promotions varies by state and may change. Verify current offerings before signing up.
Illinois Sports Betting FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes. Retail sports betting has been legal in Illinois since March 9, 2020, and online betting since June 18, 2020. The Illinois Gaming Board licenses and regulates every sportsbook.
How old do you have to be to bet on sports in Illinois?
You must be 21 or older to place a sports bet in Illinois, online or in person.
Can you bet in Illinois if you live in another state?
Yes. Illinois law requires you to be physically located in the state when you bet, not to be a resident. Sportsbook apps check your location before accepting a wager.
Is Kalshi legal in Illinois?
It is contested. The Illinois Gaming Board says Kalshi's sports contracts are illegal unlicensed wagering, and a state law requiring a license took effect July 1, 2026. Kalshi and the CFTC are challenging Illinois in federal court. Check the Kalshi app for current availability in Illinois.
Is online gambling legal in Illinois?
Online sports betting is legal. Online casinos are not. Sweepstakes casinos are not licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board.
Can you use a credit card at Illinois sportsbooks?
Illinois regulators have moved to stop it. In April 2025, the Illinois Gaming Board adopted rules banning credit cards for funding sports wagering accounts and sent them to the legislature's rules committee for review. Expect most sportsbooks to decline credit card deposits.
Is it legal to use offshore sportsbooks in Illinois?
No. Illinois law makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly make a wager unless an exception applies, and the only sports betting exception is wagering through a sportsbook licensed under the Sports Wagering Act. Running an unlicensed betting website is also a crime. The law does not name offshore sites specifically.
Before You Start
Nearby State Guides
Sign-up offers only work where you are physically located. If you spend time across a state line, each state's guide lists what you can claim there.
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