Sports Betting In Illinois
For sports betting in Illinois, you will definitely have to use an online option. Even though lawmakers have tried to regulate sports betting in the state, they have been unsuccessful to do so. At first, it may seem to be a negative that there are no land-based sportsbooks in the state just yet, but once you start betting online you will see that there are many benefits. Illinois is home to several different college and professional sports teams that earn various titles each year. With online sports betting sites, you can bet on the Chicago Cubs and any other sports team that you believe you could make a profit from. You only need to join an offshore online sportsbook that operates overseas but is able to accept IL residents. Luckily, there are plenty of legitimate online sports betting sites that do just that.
Illinois sports betting is an activity that every sports fan should be able to enjoy. If you are looking to add another sportsbook to your arsenal or are interested in online sports betting for the first time, we can give you valuable information on how to bet. You can use this page as a resource on all aspects of online sports betting, including the teams you can bet on and how to read odds. Our goal is for you to have a solid understanding of online sports betting in IL and get insight into the best online sportsbook to join.
Does Illinois Have Legal Land-Based Sports Gambling?
Yes, Illinois does now have legal land-based sports gambling. It took lawmakers a long time to come together to legalize land-based sports gambling, but they were able to do it in the final moments of a legislative session. Passing IL SB 690 ** allows for land-based sportsbooks to open all over Illinois. As of this writing, this is new news. Land-based sportsbooks are not available just yet, but it will be in the near future. For now, you will have to stick to online gambling sites to place your bets on the Bulls or any of your favorite teams.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Illinois?
Online sports betting is legal in Illinois. State-licensed online sportsbooks are legal as well thanks to IL SB 690 becoming law. But they are currently not available right now and they would not have the experience that our recommended online offshore sportsbooks would have. Our list of offshore books allows you to make a bet on the Chicago Bulls or any of your favorite teams no matter where you are. You cannot bet on Illinois college teams using online sportsbooks based in the state, but you can with our list of online offshore sportsbooks. Since sports betting is not currently active in Illinois just yet, the offshore sportsbooks are the perfect place to place your bet.
Which Sports Betting Sites Accept Illinois Residents?
Most if not all of the popular online sportsbooks accept Illinois residents. These online offshore sportsbooks have been accepting bets from Illinois fans for well over a decade. Even though Illinois has passed legislation that will allow the state to create online sportsbooks, these will not be done as well as our recommended websites. The years of experience matters and not all sports betting sites are created equal.
It should not be a problem for you to find a sports betting website. The trick, however, is to find a website that allows you to bet on a wide range of sports. In addition, any website you decide to sign up with should be considered safe, reliable, and have a solid reputation. The websites we have suggested throughout this page and website are completely safe to use and we use many of them ourselves. If you are interested in learning more about these pages, we have some reviews for you to read below.
Facts Regarding Sports Betting In Illinois
- You can bet legally on all sports in Illinois
- Illinois sportsbooks offer a full array of gambling opportunities including casino and poker games.
- No one has ever went to jail for betting sports online in Illinois
- You will find Illinois sports gambling sites easy and fun to use
Bovada Sportsbook - The Best Illinois Sports Betting Site
Bovada is a leading provider of online bookmaking services for those living in Illinois and they even boast an impressive welcome bonus (50% up to $250) as well as a multitude of other features. Based in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, Canada, this online sportsbook has been providing its users with a safe betting experience for almost 10 years.
No lightweight when it comes to features, Bovada is known for having some of the best mobile capabilities for those who prefer their wagering on the go. Want more? Look for exciting opportunities like live sports betting to keep the action going.
Bovada's interface is very easy for new users and their comprehensive help section supplies all the information one would need in order to place a bet using each of types of wagers and lines found within their website. Given they have over 8 different wager types including parlay, teaser, sweetheart teaser, reverse, and round robin, as well as an entirely different set of rules for live sports wagering, you can rest assured that they will help you learn the ropes in a safe and friendly environment.
SportsBetting's Sportsbook - 50% Match Bonus at Sign Up + 25% Reload Bonus
SportsBetting knows how to draw big bettors and also how to keep them. Proof of this is found in the fact that they offer a 50% welcome bonus up to $1,000 (on the first deposit only). Just use the promo code SB1000 at the cashier. Then, you can add on a 25% reload bonus up to $1,000 each and every time a user funds their account by using the promo code FORLIFE at the cashier. SportsBetting knows that times aren't the best and these offers help Illinois sports bettors stretch their entertainment budget further.
Constantly on the go? No worries, SportsBetting also has a mobile site available for iPad, iPhone, and Android devices that works just like their normal website would as long as the user's device has a network connection. Not only that but users could also qualify for a free $50 bonus credit the first time they make a wager using the mobile interface.
One of the areas where SportsBetting is known to rise above its competitors is in the payout department. By implementing a variety of methods, users willing to pay a small fee could have as much as $500 in their pocket by the end of the day; as much as $15,000 if they are willing to wait a week.
BetOnline Sportsbook - Betting Odds On The Bears + Bulls
Hailing from the Caribbean nation of Panama, BetOnline seeks to make betting easy as can be, and, of course, it has to start with signing up. Registration is always quick + easy, and if you ever need any help or have any questions, live chat and toll-free call in support can definitely aid you with whatever is required.
Like any other online sportsbook that accepts Illinois residents recommended on this website, BetOnline is certainly equipped to handle user deposits instantly so that there is no down time between funding an account and actually placing the desired wager. On the other side of the coin this sportsbook is also very adept at providing efficient payouts when users request a withdrawal which is really something that cannot be understated in this industry.
But why would you even want to use this website for sports betting in Illinois in the first place? For starters they offer wagering on any sport currently in-season, and even on most sports currently in the offseason by wagering on a team/individual to win the championship. Want to change up you odds formats? Users can find odds in several different formats including American, decimal, and fractional style payouts.
Top Illinois Sports Betting Sites
Other Types Of Gambling Available In Illinois
Other than horse racing and online sportsbooks, you are more than able to play the Illinois State Lottery or visit one of its many bingo halls. The state, as mentioned, is lax when it comes to gambling. There are a handful of casinos (the Casino Queen in East St. Louis and several other riverboats) throughout the state that provide in-state residents with entertainment and gambling opportunities.
Is it likely that Illinois will pass online gambling legislation or expand its existing industry? Perhaps, but we will have to wait and see how voters feel. For now, though, the unregulated stance on online sports betting is good news for players.
Does Illinois Have Legal Land Based Sports betting?
Yes, Illinois does have legal land-based sports betting. Lawmakers were initially in disagreement about what sports wagering should look like for the state. In the last possible moments during the legislative session, all chambers of Illinois Congress came together and passed a sports wagering bill. This means that Illinois will have land-based sportsbooks opening sometime in the near future. We will update this site as they become available. Until they open up, going to an online offshore sportsbook is the only way for you to gamble on sports in Illinois right now.
Illinois Pari-Mutuel Betting
Contrary to popular belief, Illinois does indeed have a handful of horse racing tracks. These pari-mutuel betting facilities allow you to bet on thoroughbred racing throughout most of the year. Some of the popular ones include Fairmount Park in Collinsville, Arlington Park, and Maywood in Melrose Park, Illinois. Going out to one of the tracks to bet on the ponies is one of the favorite pastimes in Illinois. But you do not have to go out to the tracks to bet on the races. If you go to one of our suggested online offshore sportsbooks, then you will be able to access their racebooks. You will not only be able to bet on races in Illinois, but you can also bet on races all over the world.
How Old Do I Have To Be To Bet Sports Online In Illinois?
One of the first questions that potential bettors ask is “how old do I have to be to bet on sports online in Illinois?”, and we have the answer. You must be at least 21 years old to place an online sports bet for sports betting in Illinois. This is a state law, which means that even if an online sportsbook accepts younger players you must wait. The sportsbooks we recommend to you abide by local laws when it comes to the accepted sports betting age. Betting before the age of 21 would constitute as underage gambling, and that is an issue that we would hate for any bettor to run into. Once you turn 21, you can legally participate in online sports betting.
What Teams Can I Bet On In Illinois?
Local sports enthusiasts have plenty of teams to bet on in Illinois. There is a good selection of teams at both the collegiate and professional level. Online sportsbooks allow bettors to wager on hundreds of different teams, but there is nothing better than supporting a team in your hometown. With MLB, NHL, NFL, NBA, and MLS options, sports fans in the Land of Lincoln will never run out of betting options.
College Sports Teams:
- Fighting Illini
- Northwestern Wildcats
Professional Sports Teams:
- Chicago Bears (NFL)
- Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
- Chicago Bulls (NBA)
- Chicago Cubs (MLB)
- Chicago Fire (MLS)
- Chicago White Sox (MLB)
How To Read American Odds!
While there are various formats for sports betting odds at the best USA sportsbooks, you will want to be aware of how to read American odds. You will most often see American odds at the online sportsbooks that we suggest and on any sports insights that you read about betting. There are three basic components of American odds that will make understanding the format much easier. You will notice that there is a (-) and/or a (+) followed by a numerical value. The (-) represents the favorite, while the (+) represents the underdog. The numerical value will represent either your risk or reward. Let us look at the example below:
- Chicago Bears (-135) vs. San Francisco 49ers (+148)
If you want to bet on the favored Chicago Bears, you would have to risk $135 to potentially win $100. The favorite is also known at the chalk, and whenever you bet the chalk your initial risk is more than your return. Betting on the underdog would be a bet on San Francisco, and you would only have to risk $100 to potentially win $148. Understanding American odds is very simple once you realize the differences between favorites and underdogs.
Why Was My Credit Card Declined At BetOnline
As an online sports bettor that relies on legal sports betting online, many of us have had an occasion where our credit card was declined. If your credit card was declined at BetOnline, it was not because of the sportsbook but because of your bank. There is a federal law called the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006(UIGEA) that prohibits US financial institutions from processing transactions related to internet gambling. There are various payment systems that fall under the jurisdiction of the law. Credit card systems are monitored more heavily than other payment systems, which is why your card issuer, merchant, or bank may have chosen not to authorize your payment.
While online sportsbooks have started to work with processors that have a higher credit card success rate, your card may still get declined from time to time. You can try again at a later time, or attempt to use a different card. USA-friendly sportsbooks also offer several alternative banking methods specifically for US bettors who want to participate in sports betting in Illinois. The best way to get around this situation is to use cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or DASH. Not only will you be able to get money in and out of your account faster than ever, but they are also completely safe and secure to use. Plus, you will likely get extra bonuses for using cryptos.