$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
Exclusive Live Streaming on Select NFL Games
Strong VIP Rewards Including Bonus Bets
Tier Credits Earned For Every Bet Placed
Up to $1500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses
Official Gaming Partner Of The Cubs
Free-To-Play Sweepstakes During Big Events
MGM Rewards Program
Bet And Get Up To $1,000 In Bonus Bets + A Daily Chance To Win A Jersey
Fanatics Sportsbook Simplifies Your Betting Experience
FanCash Feature Delivers Increased Value With Unique Rewards
Industry-Leading Search Functionality Available
Bet And Get Up To $300 In Bonus Bets
Daily Pool Contests for Cubs or any Team
Weekly Profit Boosts on Multiple Sports
Flawless Illinois Mobile Apps
Illinois betting apps make it quick and easy for you to bet on popular teams such as the Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox and Blackhawks from anywhere in the state. This guide highlights the top Illinois sports betting apps and helps you find the best sportsbook for your needs.
The first legal Illinois sports betting apps went live in the summer of 2020. There are now multiple licensed mobile sports betting apps for Illinois sports bettors to consider downloading. We have reviewed all seven and ranked them in descending order of their overall quality:
We rate BetMGM as the best sports betting app Illinois players can download right now. It is a very stylish and sophisticated app, replete with a wide range of features. There are lots of betting options to choose from, the odds are competitive, payouts are reliable, it offers loads of banking options and the customer support is excellent.
The BetMGM Illinois bonus code ˽ýӳTODAY will earn new customers a First-Bet Offer up to $1,500. BetMGM also offers odds, bet and get deals, bracket challenges and other promos. You will earn MGM Rewards points when you place bets via the mobile app too.
Casino giant MGM Resorts International teamed up with a European company called Entain to form BetMGM as a joint venture in 2018. Entain owns several leading online sportsbooks, casinos and poker rooms in Europe and Asia Pacific, and it used the proprietary technology from those apps to create BetMGM.
It is a world-class mobile app, with features including a bet editor, early cash out, stats, a one-game parlay builder and live streaming of NBA, MLB and NHL games, plus various other sports.
Caesars Sportsbook is the best sportsbook app in Illinois for bonus hunters. The Caesars Sportsbook Illinois promo code ˽ýӳTODAY1000 provides new players with a $1,000 first-bet offer. Should your initial wager lose, you will receive a bonus bet refund equal to that wager, up to $1000. That credit has just a 1x playthrough.
There are dozens of odds boosts on offer each day at Caesars Sportsbook IL, along with recurring Illinois sportsbook promos such as profit boosts, bonus bets and prize draws. The app is user-friendly, with high betting limits and great customer support, and payouts are quick and secure.
Caesars Entertainment, another large casino company based in Las Vegas, launched this app after purchasing William Hill for $4 billion a couple of years ago. It reskinned the William Hill Illinois app, which had been live since 2020, renaming it Caesars Sportsbook Illinois.
The app runs on the same platform – which is fast, easy-to-use and elegantly designed – but the Caesars team has added features such as live NFL streaming to enhance the user experience.
DraftKings was famous for running DFS contests on a range of sports in Illinois before the state legalized traditional sports betting. However, there was initially an in-person registration requirement in Illinois, so anyone that wanted to sign up had to visit Casino Queen in East St. Louis to create a DraftKings Sportsbook app account.
That requirement came to an end in March 2022, and DraftKings has now emerged as one of the top two Illinois betting apps, narrowly trailing FanDuel, but well ahead of BetRivers.
The DraftKings Illinois promo code offers a Bet $5, Get $150 Instantly sign-up bonus. You just need to bet $5 on any market to qualify, and you will be awarded six $25 bonus bets instantly. DraftKings runs loads of free-to-play pools, also, offering daily chances to win bonus bets.
DraftKings used a white-label sportsbook platform from Kambi – which also supplies BetRivers and Barstool – when it launched its sports betting app. However, it then migrated to a proprietary mobile wagering platform created by SBTech, a company that DraftKings merged with prior to a Nasdaq listing in 2020. The interface is very impressive – stylish, accessible and reliable – although it offers fewer features than BetMGM and FanDuel.
FanDuel is the most popular Illinois sports betting app, according to official figures from the state gaming board. It is another superb all-rounder, offering loads of great features, plenty of betting options, very fast payouts and an outstanding user experience.
The FanDuel Illinois promo code is a short-term offer of Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets. Make a successful $5 first wager and you'll get $150 in site credit to use as bonus bets that can be divided up however you like.
It temporarily replaces the usual flagship offer of a “No Sweat First Bet” bonus of up to $1,000. It awarded a full rebate if your initial bet loses, and the bonus funds also had a 1x rollover requirement. FanDuel also offers more ongoing promos than rival sports betting apps that Illinois players can download, including bonus bets, profit boosts, contests, odds boosts, insurance promos and more.
FanDuel offers a very slick mobile betting interface, which is accessible for beginners and packed with advanced features for experienced bettors. Live streaming of MLB games, NHL games and other sporting events is available, and there are lots of other helpful add-ons. It is an ultra-reliable and sharp Illinois sportsbook, which could explain why it has emerged as the market leader.
BetRivers is a sports betting app owned by a Chicago-based company called Rush Street Interactive, which operates Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Illinois. It is the third-most popular app in the state, according to the Illinois Gaming Board figures. An automated payout system called RushPay ensures that most withdrawal requests are approved immediately, so this is a great option for instant payouts.
The BetRivers Illinois promo code offers new customers up to $500 back as a bonus bet if their first wager settles as a loser. You will also receive a variety of weekly profit boosts, daily odds boosts, lots of “bet and get” promos, insurance bonuses and opportunities to take part in BetRivers contests.
BetRivers uses white-label technology from Kambi, resulting in a very easy-to-use Illinois sportsbook app, which offers a huge volume of daily wagering options. The company has also invested in some exciting add-ons, including live streaming, so the user experience is great.
ESPN BET is the online sportsbook of one of the largest sports networks in the world. Partnering with PENN Entertainment, ESPN BET has launched with a terrific welcome offer for new customers. With the ESPN BET promo code TODAY, bettors in the Land of Lincoln will get a refund of up to $1,000 in bonus bets if their opening wager loses, provided it is for $10 or more.
The bonus bets are delivered as five credits, each worth 20% of the initial losing wager. In order to claim this exclusive welcome offer, you must copy the promo TODAY into the code box at the time of registration.
Bonus bet funds can be redeemed on any ESPN BET market, including straight wagers, parlays and futures. They expire in seven days and carry a 1x playthrough.
PENN Entertainment is the driving force behind ESPN BET and is the online sportsbook's gaming partner. The ESPN BET Illinois app offers a variety of odds boosts in many sports and allows users to customize their promos, all with an easy-to-use interface and simple navigation tools.
We rate BetMGM and ESPN BET as the best sports betting apps Illinois players can download. They offer more features, banking options and betting markets than rivals, and the user experience is excellent. There are lots of great promotions, too.
Caesars Sportsbook provides an interesting alternative, as it has fewer features, but it is quicker and more accessible, with larger promos and more odds boosts. DraftKings and FanDuel are also fast, dependable, user-friendly sports betting apps. Illinois residents can check out some user reviews of the state's most popular apps below:
“BetMGM is easy to use For someone who’s not a pro at sports betting, this is a great setup and walks you through everything.” – Alisha White
“I would recommend Caesars Sportsbook over all the other apps. It is easy to deposit and withdraw. The staff is always very helpful if I need help, but the system is very easy to use and I very rarely need help.” – Adam Sherrill
“Really enjoy using DraftKings. Just opened an account, and I spent $5 and got six $25 bonus bets. Interface is easy to use and clean.” – Darren Brenner
We download each licensed Illinois sports betting app and subject it to a methodical, detailed review process. Our reviewers focus on eight key areas when putting each app through its paces:
The best Illinois sports betting apps make it very easy and quick for you to wager on your favorite leagues. They offer a simple interface, with pages that load rapidly, so you can place your bets in seconds. The best sports betting apps Illinois are also very reliable, so you do not need to worry about pages crashing, and they offer value-added features like live streaming.
There are several legal Illinois betting apps to choose from, so most of them provide exciting welcome bonuses to stand out. We assess the size and appeal of each sign-up bonus, factoring in the ease of the wagering requirements. Our reviewers also grade the ongoing promotions, contests and loyalty rewards on offer, allowing them to calculate the value each sportsbook offers through its bonuses and promotions.
The best sports betting apps Illinois customers can download will cover a very wide selection of sports, including . They take bets on the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, but they also cover smaller leagues from around the world. You can often bet on around 20 additional sports, too, from tennis and golf to darts and cycling, and the best Illinois sportsbook app will offer a very broad selection of betting options on each event.
The best Illinois sports betting apps are perfect for in-game wagering, as they make it easy for you to react quickly to developments on the field, court or ice. You can grab your iPhone or Android device, tap your screen a few times and make your plays before the lines shift. They also offer live sports streaming, which allows you to watch the action and make live wagers in one place.
The quality of the betting odds is a crucial factor in determining the overall appeal of an Illinois sportsbook app. The best apps will never charge more than the industry standard juice of around 4.77% on their sides and totals, and they offer competitive moneylines, props and futures. We recommend signing up with several Illinois betting apps, which will allow you to compare their odds and quickly grab the most favorable terms on each bet you place.
You should find a wide range of secure, trustworthy deposit and withdrawal options at the best online sportsbooks in Illinois. They include major credit cards and debit cards, branded Play+ cards, e-wallets such as PayPal, Venmo and Skrill, ACH transfers, online banking, wire transfers, cash at a retail sportsbook or PayNearMe.
The best sportsbook app Illinois operators also process payout requests very quickly, and they provide secure transfers, with broad limits available.
The top Illinois sports betting apps also offer 24/7 customer service. Most will provide live chat and email support, but some offer phone support too. We always test the customer service department out during our reviews, grading the speed of the replies, the knowledge and friendliness of the representatives and the quality of the overall experience.
We only recommend licensed Illinois sports betting apps that work with the Illinois Gaming Board. The apps featured on this page must follow strict regulatory conditions, which require them to invest in robust security measures, ensuring all data is heavily encrypted. Avoid unlicensed, offshore mobile sportsbooks, which do not offer native mobile apps and which may not pay out if you win.
The best Illinois betting apps have a dedicated section for live betting, which you can quickly access via the main menu. It will list a wide range of games and sporting events that are currently underway, split into specific sports and leagues, and you will normally see a list of upcoming events too. You can tap on any event to browse a range of live, in-game betting options.
The odds change throughout the event, reflecting the score and how well each team has performed up to that point. You will normally see live stats and updates on the action, and many Illinois betting apps offer live streaming, too.
They make it very quick and simple for you to place in-game wagers, and they offer competitive odds on a wide array of markets, from spreads, totals and moneylines to props, fast markets and same game parlay combos.
It is easy to sign up for an Illinois sports betting app. The simplicity allows you to create multiple sportsbook accounts in a matter of minutes. After you receive the various welcome bonuses and sportsbook promo codes, you can compare the odds available on each bet you would like to place in the future to ensure you always get the best terms.
Click the link displayed next to any of the Illinois online sportsbooks featured on this page. It will open the sports betting site and ensure you receive the best sign-up promo.
Tap to open the registration form and fill in your name, date of birth, home address, phone number, email address and the last four digits of your SSN. Create a password, agree to the terms of use, submit the form and – if it cannot automatically verify your details – upload scanned copies of the documents the sportsbook requests to complete KYC checks.
Clicking the link we have provided will entitle you to the best welcome bonus at an online sportsbook. If you do not click the link, you can still manually upload the promo code, such as ˽ýӳTODAY at BetMGM.
When you have cleared KYC checks and your account has been approved, you can open the cashier and make a minimum deposit using one of the methods displayed. All licensed Illinois betting apps offer instant deposits.
It is now time to place your first wager, so open the App Store or Google Play, search for your app, tap “GET” or “Install” and confirm the free download. Tap on the app to open it, sign in, select a sport, choose a league, find a game, tap on a betting option to add it to the betslip, enter a bet amount and tap the screen to confirm your first wager.
You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in Illinois, and you also need to be located within state lines. When using a desktop sports betting site, you need to install a GeoComply plugin, but the software is already built into mobile devices, so simply turn on location services when using the app.
Players can then bet on professional and college sports via an app, although you can only bet on in-state college teams by visiting a retail sportsbook. Mobile casino gaming and poker are not yet legal in Illinois.
You will enjoy a secure, fair and reliable mobile wagering experience if you download a high-quality, licensed Illinois betting app such as BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook or DraftKings. We recommend signing up with multiple Illinois betting apps to benefit from all the best promos and to ensure you always get the best odds. Just follow the link next to any sportsbook we have highlighted to redeem the strongest sign-up bonus today.
$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
Exclusive Live Streaming on Select NFL Games
Strong VIP Rewards Including Bonus Bets
Tier Credits Earned For Every Bet Placed
Up to $1500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses
Official Gaming Partner Of The Cubs
Free-To-Play Sweepstakes During Big Events
MGM Rewards Program
Bet And Get Up To $1,000 In Bonus Bets + A Daily Chance To Win A Jersey
Fanatics Sportsbook Simplifies Your Betting Experience
FanCash Feature Delivers Increased Value With Unique Rewards
Industry-Leading Search Functionality Available
Bet And Get Up To $300 In Bonus Bets
Daily Pool Contests for Cubs or any Team
Weekly Profit Boosts on Multiple Sports
Flawless Illinois Mobile Apps
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators and sports betting partners for audience referrals. The ˽ýӳ Network newsroom and editorial staff maintains direction on this content, which is created by partner staff. Sports betting operators have no influence over our news coverage. See applicable operator site for its terms and conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.