Licensed Illinois Sportsbooks
Legal sports betting came to Illinois in two phases over the first half of 2020.
First was the launch of retail sportsbooks at casinos in March and second was the launch of mobile sportsbooks in June. All Illinois sportsbooks are required to hold licenses from the state gaming board, promote responsible gambling and ensure customers are paid promptly.
Remote Registration for IL Online Sports Betting
The opening of the first Illinois sportsbooks was timed to coincide with the start of the 2020 March Madness college basketball tournament, but it ended up being an ill-timed launch as the tournament was cancelled at the last minute and casinos were ordered to close indefinitely over coronavirus concerns.
The closure of the state’s casinos put sports betting on hold, but it also prompted Governor J.B. Pritzker to issue an executive order temporarily waiving in-person registration requirements for mobile sportsbooks in Illinois. That order has since expired, and now bettors must register sports betting accounts in-person at casinos.
However, state was law written to end in-person registration permanently on March 5th, 2022. From that date on, bettors may register online sports betting accounts from anywhere in Illinois.
Illinois Online Sportsbooks
State law allows land-based casinos, race tracks and up to three online-only operators to launch betting sites and mobile applications for customers located within state lines.
The three online-only applications are set to become available 18 months after the start of IL sports betting. Operators who go this route do not need to partner with local casinos. Every other mobile app will be tied to a land-based licensee.
Numerous sportsbook companies have received Management Services Provider licenses to date that allow them to offer mobile betting on behalf of a racetrack, casino or stadium:
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Circa Sports
- DraftKings
- ESPN BET Sportsbook
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Hard Rock Bet
Bettors can view the status of any sports betting license and view a full list of approved mobile sportsbooks on this page at the IGB website.
Retail Sportsbooks in Illinois
Under state law, each of Illinois’ ten land-based casinos, seven of its major stadiums, and three race tracks (including their off-track betting facilities) are permitted to apply for licenses to operate on-property sportsbooks.
Only one retail sportsbook was able to get up and running prior to the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in casinos across the country closing, but additional sportsbooks have launched since then as COVID-19 restrictions have eased.
- Rivers Casino Sportsbook
- Argosy Casino Sportsbook
- Grand Victoria Sportsbook
- DraftKings At Casino Queen Sportsbook
- Sportsbook At Hollywood Casino Joliet
- Penalty Box Sportsbook At Hollywood Casino Aurora
- FanDuel Par-A-Dice Sportsbook
- Fanatics Sportsbook At Hawthorne Race Course
- Fanatics Sportsbook At Club Hawthorne Crestwood
- FanDuel Sportsbook At Fairmont Park
Other casinos that have not yet detailed their plans for sports betting include:
- Jumer’s Casino in Rock Island
- Harrah’s Joliet Chicago Hotel & Casino
- Harrah’s Metropolis