How to choose an Illinois betting app
Since in Illinois there are currently eight
bookmaker apps available, the question arises as to how to choose one. Each Illinois sports betting app has slightly different offerings, which makes a direct comparison difficult. However, all the best IL betting apps have earned an overall high score in each of these general criteria.
- Bonus offers:
Bonus offers and promotions shouldn’t be the main reason to choose a sportsbook, but they definitely have a weight in the decision. The best sports betting apps in Illinois offer not only generous welcome bonuses but also regular promotions for existing users.
- Betting markets:
Although all IL sports betting apps cover all the major sports, such as soccer and baseball, you will want to look for an app that offers you a good variety of sports and markets, potentially including some niche options.
- Odds:
Odds often vary from one sportsbook to another; for instance, a specific betting app can have more favorable odds than others for a particular event you want to wager on. Seasoned bettors often sign up to multiple sports betting apps, and compare the odds offered to find the most favorable.
- Live betting:
Live betting and streaming became increasingly popular among Illinois bettors in the last few years. Therefore, many sports betting apps in Illinois offer several live betting options and streaming features.
- Overall experience:
The main reason to download an Illinois betting app is the added layer of convenience in terms of usability, therefore a good app should be able to perform well, load without lags, and have an intuitive interface.
- Payment methods:
The best sports betting apps in Illinois offer a wide range of payment options, including Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay, bank transfer, digital wallets and more, to meet the needs of their customers.
- Customer support:
Customer support is a critical aspect of any sportsbook. A good sports betting app will offer several channels to get in contact with the assistance, such as live chat, email and phone.
Illinois sports betting apps pros & cons
- Easy access to bets
- Ability to bet from anywhere
- Mobile-friendly design
Top tips to pick the best sports betting app in Illinois
To help you quickly get your bearings when evaluating an Illinois sports betting app, here are a few tips from seasoned bettors to make the whole process more efficient and straight to the point.
Contact the customer support before subscribing for the sportsbook. If the customer support team is difficult to reach, takes a lot of time to answer, or is not helpful, it is definitely a red flag and you should evaluate other options.
Download Different Illinois Betting Apps
Download different Illinois betting apps if you can. In this way, you will be able to compare which sportsbook offers the most favorable odds for a specific event, which app performs more smoothly, or which layout makes the most sense to you.
Compare the Latest Features
Compare the latest features available. Each sports betting app has its unique features, catering to different betting preferences; for instance, FanDuel boasts a Parlay Builder, Caesars offers daily odds boosts, and BetMGM allows you to edit your bets thanks to the “Edit My Bet” feature. Comparing different features will allow you to spot the app that offers the most interesting ones for you.
Check Device Compatibility
Make sure that you have enough space in your device’s memory, and that your phone or tablet meets the minimum requirements to support the application.
Our top recommended sportsbooks
1.
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
How to get started with an Illinois betting app
All sports betting apps available in Illinois are designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, so download and registration are on average quick, easy and painless processes, even for less experienced bettors.
- Choose the Illinois betting app that is the most suitable for your preferences.
- Visit the Google Play Store or the Apple store and download the app.
- Create an account, if you don’t already have one. Any Illinois betting app will ask you to share some basic personal data, such as name and date of birth, and will verify your location, to make sure you are indeed accessing the app within the country’s borders.
- Claim your welcome bonus, if available. The best sports betting apps usually offer sign up bonuses to new subscribers.
- Make your first deposit.
- Start placing bets.
Are sports betting apps legal in Illinois?
Sports betting in Illinois was legalized back in 2019, and the first sports betting app was launched in 2020; since then, the sports betting market in Illinois has continued to expand, especially since remote registration was introduced in 2022. As for what sports betting apps are legal in Illinois, at the time of this review, there are eight sports betting apps available in Prairie state:
- FanDuel
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- Draftkings
- Fanatics
- BetRivers
- ESPN
- Circa
All these sportsbooks are perfectly legal, and approved by the Illinois Gaming Board, the authority that regulates the sports betting industry in Illinois.
However, although sports betting is generally legal in Illinois, there are some restrictions to be aware of. Only bettors older than 21 are allowed to bet, and it is not permitted to wager on non-sportive events (such as awards or political elections), nor on in-state college teams. In addition, any Illinois sports betting app will have to verify your location; in fact, it is not mandatory to be Illinois residents to place bets, but you must be physically located within the state.
| Minimum age to bet | 21 years old |
| Sports betting legalization | June 2019 |
| First sports betting app launch | June 2020 |
| Number of sports betting app | 8 |
| Remote registration | Yes |
| Wagers allowed | Any sports |
| Wagers not allowed | Awards, elections, in-state college teams |
| Residency needed | No |
| |
Final thoughts on Illinois betting apps
Sports bettors looking for a legal betting app in Illinois are faced with a wide selection of valid options: sportsbooks such as FanDuel, Caesars, or BetMGM, just to name a few, offer bettors a safe betting environment and a plethora of betting markets and special features. Furthermore, all sports betting apps legally available in Illinois are licensed and approved by the Illinois Gaming Board, which is a further guarantee of the quality and legitimacy of these platforms.
Overall, the future of sports betting apps in Illinois looks definitely promising: the competition among the eight betting apps available in the country has motivated each sportsbook to deliver top notch products and services, and this trend is likely to continue.
Top sports betting bonuses we recommend
1.
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Illinois betting apps FAQs
🔒 Are sports betting apps legal in Illinois?
Yes, sports betting was legalized in Illinois in 2019, and both retail and online sportsbooks were launched in 2020. Since then, sports betting apps are legal in the state.
👀 How old do you have to be to bet on sports betting apps in Illinois?
To bet on sports in Illinois, you must be 21 or older. Additionally, you must be physically located within the state, but you don’t need to be a resident.
❓ Are Illinois betting apps available in other states?
Many sports betting apps that offer their services in Illinois are available in other countries as well. Feel free to take a look at my review of
Pennsylvania sports betting apps, to check out the options available in a different state.
