The Best Illinois Sports Betting Apps

• Best Legal Sports Betting Apps Free
• Top Sports Betting Apps

Best Legal US Sports Betting Apps For 2021 Site Name Current Bonus U.S. Visit Site; 50% Max $250: Visit Site Review: 2: 50% Max $1,000: Visit Site Review: 3: 50% Max. Sports betting has been legal in a growing number of states, and one of the top ways to get in on the fun is via apps. A sports betting app is with you all the time. You can check out the lines on the go, manage your account, place bets and much more. Nov 16, 2020 In an increasingly competitive legal U.S. Sportsbook market, there are dozens of betting apps available to the U.S. Sports bettors in 2020. As a result, there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to choosing the best sports betting apps. By reading this article, you can find the best one, based on some of the most important considerations, including legal status, user experience.

Now that sports betting is legal and live in Illinois, we take a look at the best IL Sports betting apps to use on mobile, Android & iPhone.

There are 5 mobile sports betting apps available to use in Illinois. The full list of available mobile sportsbooks is:

Let us get right to the point. If you are reading this, you undoubtedly want to know about the best legal sports betting apps in Illinois. Currently, the only betting apps in Illinois are BetRivers, DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook, FanDuel Par-A-Dice Sportsbook, William Hill at the Grand Victoria Casino, and PointsBet at the Hawthorne Racetrack.

All of the sportsbooks featured on the Gamble Illinois site offer a free bet for new customers joining up.

Below is a breakdown of what is the market’s best offerings, including how to choose a sportsbook, how to register with your chosen sportsbook, and how to place your first bet online. The sportsbooks listed are all regulated and legal to use in The Prairie State.

#1 PointsBet Sportsbook Illinois Mobile App

PointsBet was the fourth app to launch in Illinois, opening in September 2020. The Aussie based bookmaker launched its sportsbook through a partnership with Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero. PointsBet has a unique approach to betting, aptly titled Pointsbetting. With this, players can bet on an established mark, such as a total or point spread, but win or lose based on the distance the actual score is from the estimate. Additionally, there is a $250 deposit match bonus available for new players.

PointsBet New Player Welcome Bonus

The sportsbooks offers all new customers a free bet bonus worth up to $1,500. To qualify, use the promo code GUSA when you make your initial first deposit. You can then get up to $500 back if your first fixed odds bet loses. As well as this, you can also get up to $1000 back if you lose your first PointsBetting wager.

#2 BetRivers Sportsbook Illinois Mobile App

The BetRivers Illinois sportsbook app was the first to be launched in Illinois, officially going live on June 18, 2020. This anticipated development, given BetRivers, powered by Rush Street Interactive, had long been well-positioned to arrive first to the party. Rush Street’s Rivers Casino Des Plaines accepted the first legal retail wager on March 9, 2020.

BetRivers, which offers its new users a $250 first deposit match, has experienced massive success in other states where legal online betting is allowed. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Indiana are among the states where BetRivers has a considerable presence, facilitating its Illinois launch.

BetRivers is not the flashiest product, nor does it consistently feature the promos and creative betting specials offered by rivals. Still, it is a reliable product with a wide range of betting markets.

BetRivers New Player Welcome Bonus

BetRivers offers an excellent 100% deposit bonus for their new members, worth up to an impressive $250. Even better, the bonus money only has a 1x playthrough wagering requirement.

This is an excellent bonus. You can claim as little or as much as you want up to $250, depending on your bankroll and how much you wish to deposit. The upper limit is reasonable, and the relaxed turnover requirements mean the bonus cash is incredibly valuable.

This is a great value option for new players betting in Illinois.

#3 William Hill Sportsbook at Grand Victoria Casino Mobile App Illinois

William Hill US entered the Illinois market in August 2020, forming a partnership with the Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin. The William Hill Sportsbook at the Grand Victoria Casino is roughly 45 miles outside of Chicago.

The UK betting operator has a luxurious sportsbook at the Grand Victoria Casino. William Hill is open for business from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, and the sportsbook includes an abundance of TVs, high top tables, and comfortable lounge chairs to watch every game.

At Grand Victoria Casino, William Hill Sportsbook has a mobile betting app in Illinois that launched on 9/12/20.

William Hill New Player Welcome Bonus

William Hill Illinois offers new players a risk-free bet up to a total of $300. Though bettors are free to deposit less money with the initial deposit, doing so means the full benefits of this offer will not be realized.

To take advantage of the various bonuses offered by William Hill, you can sign up by clicking here.

Doing so will bring you to the sign-up page to register and automatically receive the $300 risk-free bet. From there, you will be ready to take advantage of all the bonuses and betting action available on the app.

Since it is so easy to sign-up and claim the William Hill welcome offer – why not get signed up and bet now.

#4 DraftKings Sportsbook Illinois Mobile App

On 8/5/20, DraftKings Sportsbook launched its app in Illinois. DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook is the Illinois Sportsbook’s name, and the online sportsbook and DK mobile app are both available in Illinois. DraftKings Sportsbook was the second online sports betting operator to enter the market. They partnered with Casino Queen in Alton, around a four-hour car ride from Chicago. In July 2020, DraftKings launched its legal sports betting app in partnership with the Casino Queen.

Still, what is most interesting about DraftKings is that they found a loophole to enter the Illinois sports betting market. At the outset, an online betting site like DraftKings and FanDuel were supposed to wait for 18-months before entering the Illinois market.

That all changed when DraftKings entered before the 18-months was up. This allowed competitors to follow as DraftKings set the tone for betting in Illinois.

DraftKings New Player Welcome Bonus

DraftKings’ welcome bonus is worth up to $1,000, which is excellent. The bonus comes in the form of a deposit bonus worth 20% of your first deposit but capped at a maximum value of $500 and a risk-free bet worth up to $500. This means to get the full value; you would have to deposit $2,500 of your cash and place your first bet of $500.

The 20% deposit match comes in bonus cash, which is unlocked at $1 for every $25 you bet.

We also love that there is no DraftKings promo code required to take advantage of this offer – follow our link, and DraftKings will take care of the rest for you.

We like the total value of $1,000, but only the bigger spenders will indeed make the absolute most of this bonus.

#5 FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois Mobile App

On 8/28/20, FanDuel Sportsbook launched its sportsbook app in Illinois. FanDuel entered the Illinois market while partnering with Par-A-Dice Casino in Peoria, located right in the heart of Illinois. FanDuel was also the third sportsbook to offer mobile sports betting in The Land Of Lincoln.

The FanDuel entrance was remarkably interesting for Illinois. When sports betting launched in Illinois in March 2020, there were rumors that FanDuel was going to purchase Fairmount Park Racetrack to enter the market earlier than anticipated.

Now, FanDuel is partnered with Par-A-Dice casino so they could get around the 18-month “penalty box” period that the state of Illinois set up.

FanDuel New Player Welcome Bonus

FanDuel’s welcome bonus is like DraftKings. It is also worth up to $1,000, but this time it all comes from a risk-free bet.

Just create and enter your FanDuel login details, deposit some funds, and then place your first bet up to a total of $1,000. If your bet loses, your bet will be returned to you in the form of bonus cash.

To unlock and withdraw the bonus cash, you will need to wager the entire value again at odds of -200 or higher.

This welcome bonus is perfect for a player signing up for an online sportsbook precisely to place one large bet.

Legal Sports Betting Markets in Illinois

If you are located within the borders of Illinois, you can legally bet on professional, collegiate, and international sporting events; all from your mobile. In Illinois, the betting law dictates that you must be aged over 21 and be located inside state lines to place a sports wager legally. To prove you are in the state you must allow location setting on your device. This geolocation software can occasionally cause problems, but you can read our guide to fixing geolocation problems here. Additionally, you do not have to be a permanent resident of Illinois to bet.

There are some restrictions you should be aware of when betting in Illinois. First, you cannot bet on in-state collegiate teams. This means Illinois residents cannot wager on the University of Illinois or Northwestern if they are in their home state.

Any bets placed must also be on sporting events only. You cannot bet on awards or elections. Finally, if you are involved in a sports league as a player, coach, or other personnel, you can’t bet on your own sport. Other sports, however, are permitted.

There are also numerous offshore websites offering Illinois sports betting options. The state has not regulated these, so your information is not protected. The online sportsbooks listed on this page all offer legal sports betting markets and are safe and licensed.

Major Sports to bet on in Illinois

Illinois is home to the third-largest city in the US, Chicago, so as you would expect, there are several professional sports teams to support and games to bet on. Typically in each state, there is a popular standout team, but there is more of a mixture in Illinois. Most betting types are available for the major games when they are in season. However, some sports such as basketball and hockey require slight alterations to the usual bets offered. You must be aware that not all betting types apply to every sport.

NFL Betting in Illinois

Illinois is home to the Chicago Bears, who have not had the most successful period in recent times. They have reached the NFL playoffs once in the last decade; however, they remain one of the state’s most popular teams. They last won the Super Bowl in 1985, led by legendary coach Mike Ditka, and they can count on strong support. People can bet on the amount of TD’s they think a receiver might have or how many yards a QB will throw for in any single game.

MLB Betting in Illinois

As Chicago is such a large city, it is home to two Major League Baseball franchises; the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. Both teams have claimed World Series trophies in the last 20 years, and both are aiming to repeat that success. It is a rare event for the teams to actually meet; however, that does not diminish the intense rivalry they share. Betting is not unfamiliar with Chicago residents, as DraftKings agreed to a deal with the Chicago Cubs to launch a DraftKings sportsbook at Wrigley Field.

Betting on baseball is somewhat unique. Because the game is low scoring, Illinois sportsbooks will use what is known as a run line. This will set the spread at 1.5 runs, but the payout will be changed to appear more like a moneyline than a true spread bet.

NBA Betting in Illinois

One of the teams to rival the Chicago Bears’ popularity in Illinois is undoubtedly the Chicago Bulls. Naturally, when you think of the Bulls, images of Michael spring to mind, and the six NBA titles he won with the team during the ’80s and ’90s. However, success has been hard to come by since Jordan last laced up his shoes. Betting on NBA games is a straightforward process. It is a fast-paced, high scoring game, so there are numerous opportunities to wager on props and totals.

NHL Betting in Illinois

Illinois is home to one NHL team, the Chicago Blackhawks. They are the state’s most successful sports team over recent years, winning the Stanley Cup three times in the past 11 years. Hockey is traditionally a low scoring game, so it is tricky for Illinois online sportsbooks who want to create a spread bet. If you wish to bet on the NHL, you can use a wager known as the puck line. This is the same as the run line in baseball.

Betting on Horse Racing in Illinois

There are several options available to bet on horse racing in Illinois. The state has a long history with horse betting and has three race tracks; Arlington International Racecourse, Fairmount Park, and Hawthorne Race Course. Illinois is one of only a few states to offer live racing, off-track betting, and online horse betting.

The most efficient way to bet on horse races in Illinois is via your mobile device. Most of the best horse betting sites in the country are available to Illinois residents. Illinois sports betting sites include TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica. All three offer fantastic horse betting options.

Illinois Sportsbooks and Casinos

There are ten riverboat casinos in Illinois, and so far, seven have obtained licenses to operate sportsbooks. Additionally, there are three race tracks in the state. All have submitted applications to offer Illinois sports betting markets but have not yet received approval from the Illinois Gaming Board. If you can’t make it to the casino and one to have a bet, you can just pull out your cell, open your betting app, and get your wager on.

Before everything came to a standstill in March 2020 due to the pandemic, only two sportsbooks could open, with the rest facing delays. A maximum of seven sports facilities is permitted to open sportsbooks at or within five blocks of their arenas and stadiums. Below is an overview of where you can go to bet on sports in Illinois.

• Sportsbook at Argosy Alton, Alton
• BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers Des Plaines, Des Plaines
• DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook, East St. Louis
• William Hill Sportsbook at Grand Casino Victoria, Elgin
• PointsBet sportsbook and Penn National sportsbook

Illinois Sports Betting Banking Options

If you are new to online and mobile sports betting, moving money around may feel like a complicated process. You may be looking for IL Sportsbook app that accept PayPal or be wondering how to make a deposit. There is no need to worry; online sportsbooks mostly have the same payment methods. Moreover, they want to keep your custom, so they will have several options to ensure depositing and withdrawing your funds is a straightforward process. All legal sports betting sites in Illinois are licensed and regulated, so your funds are guaranteed.

You may be considering using e-wallets such as PayPal as they are fast and efficient. The good news is that all the mobile sportsbooks in IL accept PayPal as a cashier option. The most common payment methods you will discover on Illinois sports betting sites are:

• Credit/Debit Cards
• E-Checks
• Online Banking
• E-wallets
• PayNearMe

Withdrawal times may vary depending on which method you choose. The fastest way to transfer funds is by using an e-wallet such as Skrill or PayPal. If you need assistance with banking at an online sports betting site, sportsbooks will have a customer support section. Alternatively, if using a service such as PayPal, you could contact PayPal support if the problem is around your PayPal sign in or something specific to the wallet.

So there you go, the 5 best sports betting apps for bettors in Illinois. Now you know which legal sports betting apps are available, you can download and bet safely and securely.

FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes, the Illinois sports betting industry swung into action in March 2020 as the first legal bets were taken.

Are sportsbooks legal in Illinois?

Yes. Sportsbooks can now offer online sports betting to residents and visitors to Illinois as long as they partner with a land-based property first.

Can I use FanDuel sportsbook in Illinois?

Yes, FanDuel launched its Illinois sports betting app in summer 2020 through a partnership with Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria. It is one of the most successful sportsbooks in the state.

Can you bet on sports in Chicago?

Yes, there are online sports betting options for Chicago residents to bet on their favorite sports. All of the sportsbooks listed on this page are legal and regulated so players can wager in a safe environment.

Who regulates the Illinois sports betting industry?

The Illinois Gaming Board oversees sports betting in Illinois. All sportsbooks in the state must adhere to their rules and guidelines.

You never know when you’re going to get that golden sports betting tip or where you’ll be when you realize you only have a few minutes to get your bets in for today’s games. In the old days, this was a big problem. But thanks to the development of sports betting apps, you no longer have to worry.

Sportsbook apps allow you to place real money wagers from anywhere as long as you have a phone or Wi-Fi connection and a smart device. Turn your iPhone, Android, or iOS device into a mobile sportsbook in minutes!

Real Money Betting Apps by Sport

While most bettors look for an app that covers every major game of a sport (or even esport), the quality is not always the same across the board. It’s not that some companies are dropping the ball, it’s that some betting apps give a little extra TLC to specific sports. If you’re interested in betting on a particular game, it makes sense to go to the best sports betting apps focused on that specific sport.

Best Real Money Betting Apps

The best mobile betting apps offer comprehensive coverage across several different sports, and they also offer many other real money gambling options. However, not all apps are created equal when it comes to their offerings. Some may focus more on popular sports like football or soccer, while others may offer more competitive odds on sports like rugby, golf, or even esports. As a result, you should be looking for an app that best suits your gambling needs.

What We Look for in Sports Betting Apps

Determining the best real money betting apps is not easy. There are hundreds of providers to choose from, offering vastly different levels of quality, safety, and service. While the entire ranking would take a long time to breakdown for you, we want to give you a quick look at what we deem to be the most important. Below, you’ll see the four factors we include in our process to find the best sports betting apps for real money wagering.

Safety and Security

Making sure you’re using a safe sports betting app is paramount to the quality of your experience. You need the peace of mind that your money is safe, your bets will be honored, and you’re not putting yourself at risk. We’re not trying to pump doom and gloom into your day, but we want you to understand how seriously we take this. Safety and security are the top two criteria we always look for when creating and updating our list of recommended online betting apps.

Bonuses

If you have two sports betting apps side by side and they’re identical in every sense, except one gives you free money for betting, where are you going to take your action? You better be grabbing that free money! While we will never select sportsbook apps based solely on the bonuses they offer, we do use them in our rankings calculation. We look for big bonuses that are easy to clear, available to bettors of all levels, and cover many (if not all) sports.

Banking Options

Apps for betting on sports are worthless if they make moving your money around a challenge. You should be able to deposit instantly and get cash withdrawals within a few hours or a few days, at the very least. The sports betting apps for iPhones and Androids that we recommend offer multiple high-quality, safe, and secure banking options.

Sports Betting Apps vs. Online Betting Sites

Using only the best sports betting apps to house your real money action offers a lot of added benefits. While online betting sites provide some of the same perks, they can’t match everything mobile betting apps bring to the table. Here are just a few of the most important advantages of choosing to use this newer technology.

You Can Use Sportsbook Apps to Bet 24/7 From Anywhere

As long as you have access to a smart device and the internet, you can place real money wagers. This gives you the ability to place wagers from home, at work, at the doctor, on the bus, in your car, at the game, at the bar, or anywhere else you might want to get action. As long as sportsbooks are taking action, you’ll be able to get in the action. Here are a few everyday situations where this comes in handy.

• When you get a hot tip texted to you minutes before the game, and you’re not at home or in a sportsbook
• When you were supposed to have time to get to the casino before the game, but something came up
• When you completely forgot the game was today, but you still want to get action

Online sports betting apps are there to help you in all of these situations and a whole lot more.

Apps for Betting on Sports Allow You to Shop Lines Much More Efficiently

The aforementioned benefits of top sports betting apps are essential for convenience. But the most important advantage over desktop betting websites is much more critical to your success. When you’ve got access to betting lines 24/7, you have the ability to shop your lines much more effectively. Within seconds, you can check to see if a line has shifted for you, against you, or is holding true.

• Allows you to study trends and predict the best time to place your sports bets
• Lets you time your betting predictions perfectly to get the best odds and biggest potential wins
• Take advantage of news before the rest of the betting public

Betting Apps: Android vs iPhone (iOS)

While most of the best betting apps are compatible with all devices, the only way to be sure your device is covered is by choosing an option specifically designed for your equipment. Below, we’ve got links to the top apps for betting on sports using real money for iPhones and Androids.

Best Legal Sports Betting Apps Free

Best iPhone Betting Apps

If you’re an iPhone owner, we already know you love the latest and greatest technology. Whether you’ve got the brand new iPhone with the liquid retina screen or you’re rocking a classic like the iPhone 6, you want to be able to bet on sports from your phone. The link below will take you to a list of the top iPhone sports betting apps. These apps are compatible with every iPhone and will work even if you’ve been putting off that iOS update.

Additionally, all of these sportsbooks also double as iOS betting apps, compatible with other Apple iOS devices like your iPad or iMac.

Best Android Betting Apps

A comparable or arguably better phone than the iPhone is an Android. Android owners are known for caring less about the hype or how great someone says something is and more about the actual quality. Because of this, we put a lot of extra quality checks in place when determining the best Android sports betting apps. Click the link below on sports betting apps for Android, and we’ll get you set up regardless of which device you’re using.

Frequent Questions About Online Sports Betting Apps

Top Sports Betting Apps

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