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  5. Illinois
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  7. Licensed Sportsbooks
All topics in Illinois

Top Licensed Sportsbooks in Illinois 2026

Reviewed byBonusBell·BonusBell Editorial Team
Rankings last reviewed:February 28, 2026Illinois legal data verified:April 7, 2026
9 Platforms
Legal
Age 21+
Illinois Gaming Board

Illinois's licensed sportsbook market operates under the Illinois Gaming Board with all operators tethered to licensed Illinois casinos or racetracks. The state's 2024 progressive tax structure means larger operators face effectively higher rates than smaller ones, which creates nuanced incentives around promotional spending — larger books have less margin per bet than in lower-tax states. All operators must partner with an Illinois gaming facility. Licensed operators include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanatics. Chicago's combination of professional sports franchises and large urban population consistently drives top-5 monthly handle nationally. Must be 21 and physically in Illinois. The Illinois Gaming Board maintains public license records at igb.illinois.gov. Our list shows all 9 licensed sportsbooks currently active in Illinois.

Licensed Sportsbooks Legal Status in Illinois

Regulatory Body: Illinois Gaming Board · Legal since June 2020 · Tax rate: 15% on revenue

  • •IL has over 10 licensed mobile sportsbook operators
  • •Each operator must partner with a licensed Illinois casino or racetrack
  • •Major operators include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanatics
  • •IL generates among the highest sports betting revenue of any state

Quick Comparison

Key Feature
1BetMGM Sportsbook
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-19
$1500 First Bet Offer + $50 BetMGM Rewards Points$1090/100Industry-leading Parlay Builder, MGM hotel/dining rewards, Apple Pay withdrawals
2FanDuel Sportsbook
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-19
Get Up to $3000 in Bonus Bets (10-day offer)$590/100SGP+ multi-game parlays, Best props, Fastest payouts
3BetRivers Sportsbook
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-07
Up to $500 Second Chance Bet (state-dependent)$1078/100RushPay (80% instant payouts), Award-winning customer service
4DraftKings Sportsbook
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-19
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets$595/100ESPN Partnership, Budget Builder, Industry-leading app
5Fanatics Sportsbook
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-07
Bet $5 Get $200 in FanCash Instantly$587/100FanCash 10% back on every bet, Fanatics merchandise integration
6Hard Rock Bet
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-07
10x 100% Profit Boost Tokens$1075/100Only legal sportsbook in Florida, Tier status matching, Highest app ratings
7bet365 Sportsbook
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-17
Bet $10 Get $365 in Bonus Bets$1080/100Live streaming leader (100K+ events), Apple Pay instant withdrawals, Best in-play betting
8Caesars Sportsbook
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-19
10x 100% Profit Boost Tokens$585/100FireBets live feed, Prop search bar, 50+ casino properties, Best rewards program
9Circa Sports
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-08
—$2078/100Largest physical sportsbook in world (Stadium Swim), Contest betting pioneer

Top Licensed Sportsbooks in Illinois

1

BetMGM Sportsbook

90/100

$1500 First Bet Offer + $50 BetMGM Rewards Points

Licensed
Sportsbook
24 regions
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-19

Why #1: BetMGM Sportsbook leads licensed sportsbooks in Illinois because Odds Competitiveness is stronger than most peers and Promotional Value is a standout strength.

Visit Site
Rating: 4.5
2

FanDuel Sportsbook

90/100

Get Up to $3000 in Bonus Bets (10-day offer)

Licensed
Sportsbook
25 regions
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-19

Why #2: FanDuel Sportsbook earns the #2 spot for licensed sportsbooks in Illinois because Odds Competitiveness is stronger than most peers and Promotional Value is stronger than most peers.

Visit Site
Rating: 4.5
3

BetRivers Sportsbook

78/100

Up to $500 Second Chance Bet (state-dependent)

Licensed
Sportsbook
16 regions
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-07

Why #3: BetRivers Sportsbook earns the #3 spot for licensed sportsbooks in Illinois because Odds Competitiveness is stronger than most peers and Promotional Value is stronger than most peers.

Visit Site
Rating: 3.8
4

DraftKings Sportsbook

95/100

Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets

Licensed
Sportsbook
28 regions
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-19
Visit Site
Rating: 4.5
5

Fanatics Sportsbook

87/100

Bet $5 Get $200 in FanCash Instantly

Licensed
Sportsbook
24 US states
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-07
Visit Site
Rating: 4.0
6

Hard Rock Bet

75/100

10x 100% Profit Boost Tokens

Licensed
Sportsbook
10 US states
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-07
Visit Site
Rating: 3.7
7

bet365 Sportsbook

80/100

Bet $10 Get $365 in Bonus Bets

Licensed
Sportsbook
15 US states
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-17
Visit Site
Rating: 4.0
8

Caesars Sportsbook

85/100

10x 100% Profit Boost Tokens

Licensed
Sportsbook
23 regions
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-19
Visit Site
Rating: 4.0
9

Circa Sports

78/100

No welcome bonus (sharp-friendly, low vig instead)

Licensed
Sportsbook
6 US states
Review: Verified
Bonus: None found
Fact-checked 2026-04-08
Visit Site
Rating: 4.0

Why Licensed Sportsbooks Matter

Choosing a state-licensed sportsbook means your account balance is protected by regulatory oversight, your winnings are legally enforceable, and you have a formal dispute resolution channel through the Illinois gaming commission. Unlicensed platforms — offshore books operating outside US jurisdiction — carry real risks: frozen accounts, delayed withdrawals, and no legal recourse if something goes wrong. Licensed operators are also required to maintain responsible gambling programs, submit to regular audits, and segregate player funds from operating capital.

How State Licensing Works in Illinois

To obtain a sports betting license in Illinois, an operator must pass background checks, demonstrate financial solvency, integrate with state-approved geolocation and identity verification systems, and agree to ongoing compliance audits. License fees and tax rates vary by state and structure — some states tax sports betting revenue above 50%, which can indirectly affect operator odds and promotional budgets. The Illinois gaming commission maintains a public registry of licensed operators; any sportsbook not on that list is not legally authorized to accept wagers from Illinois residents.

Comparing Licensed Sportsbook Features

Across licensed sportsbooks in Illinois, the fundamentals are similar — legal protection, geolocation verification, and regulated payouts — but the experience varies significantly. Odds quality is the most important differentiator for serious bettors: compare lines on the same event across platforms before choosing where to place a wager. Promotional structures differ widely, from first-bet insurance to deposit matches to odds boosts. App performance matters during live betting when split-second response times affect whether your bet is accepted at the quoted odds. Check each operator's App Store rating and recent reviews as a proxy for stability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

More in Illinois

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174
Sportsbooks
11
Social Sportsbooks
2
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11
Pick'em Apps
1
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15
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96
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75
Live Casino Game Sites
40
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20
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96
Prediction Markets
2
Online Poker Sites
11
Online Bingo Sites
1
Online Lottery Platforms
2

Nearby States with Licensed Sportsbooks

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