Sports betting is fully legal in Illinois for both retail and online wagering, regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) under the Sports Wagering Act signed into law in June 2019. The Prairie State has grown into the second-largest sports betting market in the United States, handling over $1 billion in wagers every month and collecting $429 million in operator tax revenue in 2025. This page covers the top Illinois sportsbooks, retail betting locations, the state’s evolving tax landscape, the history of legalization, and the latest updates including Chicago’s contested city-level sports betting tax.
Quick Facts: Sports Betting in Illinois
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | Legal — Retail and Online |
| Launch Date | March 9, 2020 (first retail wager); June 18, 2020 (online launch) |
| Minimum Age | 21+ |
| Regulatory Body | Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) |
| Number of Online Operators | 10 |
| Tax Rate on Operators | 20%–40% graduated (AGR); plus $0.25–$0.50 per online wager (eff. July 1, 2025) |
| Mobile Betting | Yes |
| In-Person (Retail) Betting | Yes |
Top Sportsbooks in Illinois
Illinois bettors have access to 10 licensed online sportsbooks — here are the top-rated options available in the state right now.
Online Sportsbooks Available in Illinois
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel is the market share leader in Illinois and launched online in August 2020 through its partnership with FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing at Fairmount Park in Collinsville. The platform offers an industry-leading same-game parlay builder, regular odds boosts, and live betting across all major sports. FanDuel charges a $0.50 per-wager fee in Illinois under the state’s per-wager tax pass-through framework.
- Operator type: Online + retail (Fairmount Park, Collinsville)
- Notable feature: Same Game Parlays; Super Boost promotions
- Live betting: Yes
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings launched in August 2020 and operates retail sportsbooks at both Casino Queen in East St. Louis and the landmark Wrigley Field location in Chicago. It is the only major Illinois sportsbook offering waivers on the per-wager tax for qualifying parlay bets of $10+ or straight wagers of $50+, making it attractive for higher-volume bettors.
- Operator type: Online + retail (Casino Queen & Wrigley Field)
- Notable feature: Per-wager tax waivers on qualifying bets
- Live betting: Yes
BetMGM
BetMGM launched in March 2022 as the first mobile-only licensed sportsbook in Illinois, effectively ending the state’s in-person registration requirement. The platform offers deep parlay markets, integration with MGM Rewards, and a $2.50 minimum bet that absorbs the per-wager tax for customers rather than charging a separate fee.
- Operator type: Mobile-only license
- Notable feature: MGM Rewards integration; $2.50 minimum bet structure
- Live betting: Yes
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars launched in Illinois in March 2022 through a partnership with Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin and features the industry’s most recognized loyalty program — Caesars Rewards — where bettors earn points redeemable for hotel stays, dining, and entertainment across all Caesars properties. The platform charges $0.25 per wager in Illinois.
- Operator type: Online + retail (Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin)
- Notable feature: Caesars Rewards — best loyalty program in sports betting
- Live betting: Yes
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers made history as the first sportsbook to accept a legal wager in Illinois, placing the inaugural bet at Rivers Casino Des Plaines on March 9, 2020. Operated by Rush Street Interactive, BetRivers offers competitive odds, an iRush Rewards loyalty program, and a $1 minimum bet that simplifies the per-wager tax for users.
- Operator type: Online + retail (Rivers Casino Des Plaines)
- Notable feature: First licensed sportsbook in Illinois; $1 minimum bet
- Live betting: Yes
bet365
The world’s largest online sportsbook by active users, bet365 launched in Illinois in March 2025 through a partnership with Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, becoming the tenth operator in the state. bet365 offers competitive odds, live streaming of select events, and does not currently pass the per-wager tax on to bettors.
- Operator type: Online + retail (Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort)
- Notable feature: No per-wager fee charged to users; live event streaming
- Live betting: Yes
Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics launched in April 2024 through a partnership with Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney and is distinguished by its FanCash rewards program, where every wager earns points redeemable for bonus bets or merchandise from the Fanatics retail ecosystem. Fanatics charges $0.25 per wager in Illinois.
- Operator type: Online + retail (Hawthorne Race Course, Stickney)
- Notable feature: FanCash rewards on every bet; redeemable for sports merchandise
- Live betting: Yes
Hard Rock Bet
Hard Rock Bet launched in September 2024 through its partnership with Hard Rock Casino Rockford and brings a competitive app experience with a $2 minimum bet structure that absorbs the per-wager tax without a separate consumer surcharge.
- Operator type: Online + retail (Hard Rock Casino Rockford)
- Notable feature: $2 minimum bet — no separate per-wager fee for customers
- Live betting: Yes
Retail Sportsbooks in Illinois
| Facility Name | City | Operator/Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Rivers Casino Des Plaines | Des Plaines | BetRivers |
| DraftKings at Casino Queen | East St. Louis | DraftKings |
| DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field | Chicago | DraftKings |
| Grand Victoria Casino | Elgin | Caesars Sportsbook |
| The Temporary by American Place Casino | Waukegan | Circa Sports |
| Par-A-Dice Casino Hotel | East Peoria | FanDuel |
| FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing (Fairmount Park) | Collinsville | FanDuel |
| Hawthorne Race Course | Stickney | Fanatics Sportsbook |
| Hard Rock Casino Rockford | Rockford | Hard Rock Bet |
| Hollywood Casino Aurora | Aurora | theScore Bet |
| Hollywood Casino Joliet | Joliet | theScore Bet |
| Argosy Casino Alton | Alton | theScore Bet |
| Wind Creek Casino Southland | East Hazel Crest | Wind Creek |
| Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel | Rock Island | Bally Bet |
History of Sports Betting in Illinois
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 14, 2018 | U.S. Supreme Court overturns PASPA in Murphy v. NCAA, freeing states to legalize sports betting. |
| June 28, 2019 | Governor J.B. Pritzker signs SB 690 — the Illinois Sports Wagering Act — authorizing retail and online sports betting at casinos, racetracks, and qualifying sports venues. |
| March 9, 2020 | First legal sports wager accepted in Illinois at Rivers Casino Des Plaines (BetRivers), days before COVID-19 shutdowns halt professional sports nationwide. |
| June 18, 2020 | Online and mobile sports betting launches in Illinois; FanDuel and DraftKings among first apps to go live. |
| March 5, 2022 | BetMGM launches as first mobile-only licensed sportsbook, ending the in-person registration requirement. Remote sign-up becomes available statewide. |
| July 2024 | Governor Pritzker signs a graduated operator tax structure into law — 20% to 40% of adjusted gross revenue — making Illinois one of the highest-taxed sports betting states in the country. |
| March 2025 | bet365 launches as the tenth online sportsbook in Illinois. The state confirms it surpassed New Jersey as the second-largest legal sports betting market in the U.S. |
| July 1, 2025 | New per-wager tax takes effect for online bets: $0.25 per wager (first 20M bets) rising to $0.50 per wager above that. Operators begin passing costs to consumers. Illinois generates $429 million in sports wagering tax revenue for full-year 2025. |
| December 2025 | Chicago City Council approves a 2026 budget imposing a 10.25% city-level tax on online sports betting AGR. The Sports Betting Alliance files suit challenging the city’s authority to impose the tax; litigation is ongoing in 2026. |
| January 2026 | Illinois sportsbooks set an all-time handle record of $1.66 billion in a single month. HB 4171, a bill to block local governments from taxing sports betting, advances out of the House Gaming Committee 15–0. |
Sports Betting Laws and Regulations in Illinois
Illinois sports betting is governed by the Sports Wagering Act (SB 690), signed June 28, 2019. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) licenses and regulates all sports wagering activity in the state. Master Sports Wagering Licenses are issued to land-based casinos, horse racetracks, and sports venues with a minimum seating capacity of 17,000. Each licensed facility may operate one online platform in addition to its retail sportsbook. Three standalone mobile-only licenses are also available, though they carry significantly higher license fees — $20 million compared to $3 million for standard licenses — which is how BetMGM and Fanatics operate in the state.
Online registration has been permitted statewide since March 2022. Bettors must be at least 21 years old and physically located within Illinois state lines when placing wagers; all licensed sportsbooks use geolocation verification. Illinois allows wagering on professional sports and most college sports, with one notable restriction: since July 2024, online bets on Illinois-based college teams are prohibited — those wagers may only be placed in person at a licensed retail sportsbook. Individual player prop bets on any college athlete are banned on all platforms. Live in-play betting is fully permitted. The IGB publishes detailed monthly revenue reports and actively monitors operator compliance, including the new per-wager tax collection from July 2025.
Taxes on Sports Betting Winnings in Illinois
Illinois imposes a flat state income tax of 4.95% on all taxable income, including gambling winnings from sports betting. All winnings — whether from online or retail sportsbooks — must be reported on your Illinois state return. Unlike the federal system, Illinois does not permit deductions for gambling losses on state tax returns. At the federal level, all gambling winnings are taxable income. Sportsbooks must issue W-2G forms for winnings of $600 or more at qualifying odds, and federal withholding of 24% may apply to net winnings of $5,000 or more from a single wager. Bettors are responsible for reporting all gambling income whether or not a form is issued, and should maintain accurate records of wagers, winnings, and losses throughout the year.
Latest News on Sports Betting in Illinois
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| February 18, 2026 | HB 4171 — blocking cities from imposing additional sports betting taxes or licensing requirements — advances through the Illinois House Gaming Committee 15–0. |
| February 6, 2026 | A state legislator files a bill to repeal the per-wager online betting tax, citing a 15% decline in monthly handle after the fee was introduced in July 2025. |
| January 16, 2026 | Illinois sets all-time monthly sports betting handle record: $1.66 billion — the second consecutive record month — driven by NFL playoffs. |
| January 2026 | All five Sports Betting Alliance sportsbooks receive Chicago city licenses, allowing continued operation in the city while the legal challenge to the 10.25% Chicago tax continues. |
| December 31, 2025 | The Sports Betting Alliance drops its emergency injunction request against Chicago’s sports betting tax but continues its underlying constitutional challenge. |
| December 1, 2025 | ESPN Bet officially shuts down after PENN Entertainment and ESPN mutually terminate their partnership. PENN relaunches as theScore Bet in Illinois and other states. |
| July 1, 2025 | Illinois’s new per-wager tax on online bets takes effect. Major sportsbooks immediately implement consumer-facing charges ranging from $0.25–$0.50 per bet or minimum bet requirements. |
| February 2025 | Illinois confirmed as the second-largest legal sports betting market in the U.S., surpassing New Jersey in total annual handle for 2024. |
FAQs About Sports Betting in Illinois
Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes. Sports betting has been legal in Illinois since Governor J.B. Pritzker signed SB 690 on June 28, 2019. Both retail and online wagering are available, and the state has grown into the second-largest sports betting market in the United States.
What sportsbooks are available in Illinois?
There are 10 licensed online sportsbooks in Illinois: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, BetRivers, bet365, theScore Bet (formerly ESPN Bet), Fanatics Sportsbook, Hard Rock Bet, and Circa Sports. All offer iOS and Android apps.
What is the minimum age for sports betting in Illinois?
You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in Illinois, whether online or at a retail sportsbook.
Can I bet on sports from my phone in Illinois?
Yes. All 10 licensed online sportsbooks offer mobile apps and allow remote registration from anywhere in the state. You must be physically located within Illinois borders when placing a wager, verified automatically by geolocation technology in the app.
Are sports betting winnings taxable in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois taxes gambling winnings at the flat state income tax rate of 4.95%. Federal income taxes also apply; W-2G forms are issued for qualifying winnings and 24% federal withholding may apply on larger payouts. Illinois does not allow gambling loss deductions on state returns.
Can I bet on college sports in Illinois?
Yes, with restrictions. You may bet online on out-of-state college teams freely. Betting on Illinois-based college programs (e.g., Illinois Fighting Illini, Northwestern) is only permitted at physical retail sportsbooks since July 2024 — not through online or mobile apps. No individual college athlete prop bets are permitted on any platform.
Do I have to be an Illinois resident to bet?
No. You must be 21+ and physically present in Illinois to place legal wagers, but residency is not required. Geolocation technology automatically verifies your location when you open the app.
Responsible Gambling in Illinois
All licensed Illinois sportsbooks are required to offer responsible gambling tools including deposit limits, session time limits, cooling-off periods, and voluntary self-exclusion. The Illinois Gaming Board maintains a statewide self-exclusion program covering both retail and online platforms. If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 (24/7, confidential) or the Illinois-specific line at 1-800-GAMBLER. Help is always free and available.