Best Illinois sportsbooks: signup bonus, odds and features

Illinois residents are lucky enough to have legal sports betting in their state. The question is, which sportsbook should you choose? While you’ll find much of the same betting options in any of the major sportsbooks, the small things really matter when it comes to betting on sports.

Below you’ll find our rundown of the best Illinois sportsbooks and what features set them apart from their competitors.

What to keep in mind when choosing a sportsbook

First of all, it’s best to have more than one sportsbook app on your device. That way you can choose the bookmaker that offers the best odds for the bet you want to place.

Also, you might want to take advantage of the welcome bonuses for multiple sportsbooks. This can really pad your bankroll with bonus funds when you’re starting out.

Lastly, look for the best Illinois sportsbook for your specific needs. If you’re into betting futures, look for one that offers a wide array of futures to choose from. If you’re a big NFL fan, choose one that offers NFL live streaming, and so on.

What are the best Illinois sportsbooks?

Which sportsbook is best can be subjective, but we’ve tested all of the top competitors, compared features, and come up with a list of options that we ranked according to our scoring system.

Here are the top options and an overview of their pros and cons.

FanDuel

There’s a reason why FanDuel’s nickname is “King of the Sportsbooks.” FanDuel has created an excellent sports betting platform that does everything right. It’s flawlessly designed, and although it does still have a normal amount of lag for a sportsbook app, it has the best all around user experience.

As for the odds, they’re very competitive in most markets. There isn’t as much variety as there is on bet365 for example, but all of the major sports are there—certainly more than enough for the average punter.

FanDuel’s welcome bonus isn’t the best since it relies on your first wager winning. You can lose your welcome bonus altogether if you’re not careful with your first wager. The signup bonus is bet $5, get $150 if your bet wins.

DraftKings

DraftKings has the second largest user base in the US. Like FanDuel, DraftKings has been able to lean on the brand recognition it earned as a DFS app long before sports betting was legalized in the US.

Like FanDuel, DraftKings sportsbook is expertly crafted. It’s easy to navigate, functions smoothly, and is simple enough for first-timers to use.

DraftKings offers good promos for NBA and NFL parlays, and competitive odds all around. DraftKings’ welcome bonus is bet $5, get $150, regardless of whether your bet wins or not.

BetMGM

The most notable thing about BetMGM is its huge welcome bonus: up to $1500 first-bet safety net. And if you like betting on props, you’ll love BetMGM. It’s got the best prop odds out of any US sportsbook.

The app and interface are basic but serve their purpose well. BetMGM has customization options that let you tweak some app features to your liking. When it comes to the betting menu, BetMGM has an absolutely huge selection to choose from.

With its generous welcome bonus and unbeatable odds for props, BetMGM is a great choice for Illinois sports bettors.

Bet365

Bet365 has a massive amount of sports markets for both US and European sports fans. It’s got over 35 sports markets to choose from and a deep betting menu that caters to the most experienced bettors. At the same time, bet365 is easy enough for beginners to use with its intuitive layout and design.

Where bet365 really excels is its odds on straight bets. However, when you dig a little deeper into the betting menu, the odds aren’t quite as good. Bet365 does have the most boosts out of any Illinois sportsbook though—something that can really come in handy throughout your time using the app.

Bet365 offers two separate signup bonuses: bet $5, get $150 in bonus funds - OR - up to $1000 first-wager safety net. This is the only US sportsbook that offers the choice between two competitive welcome bonuses. The downside is that there is no loyalty program at bet365 sportsbook or casino, so keep that in mind.

Caesars

Caesars is an ideal choice if you’re an NFL fan, since it includes NFL streaming through the website or app. It’s also got a lot of boosts geared towards NFL that you can take advantage of. The same can be said for NBA as it’s an official betting partner.

Caesars has the best loyalty program with generous rewards for avid users of the sportsbook and casino. The app itself is beautifully designed, but can suffer from a bit of lag, especially during peak usage hours.

Caesars has a solid signup bonus: up to $1000 second chance first bet. This amount is second only to BetMGM, and equal to Bet365’s first-bet safety net offer.

How to claim a sportsbook welcome offer

Most sportsbooks will offer a promo code for their welcome bonus, but some don’t require a code at all. FanDuel and DraftKings for example don’t require a code for their welcome offer. It’s automatic.

Here are some steps to follow in order to claim Illinois sportsbook bonuses:

Best Illinois sportsbook promos for new users

How to make a deposit on a sports betting app

Making a deposit at a sportsbook can be done through the app or website. Simply follow these steps:

Best Illinois sportsbooks - FAQs

Q: Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

A: Yes, sports betting is completely legal in Illinois

Q: What’s the best Illinois sportsbook welcome bonus?

A: The best Illinois sportsbook signup bonus is offered by BetMGM - Risk-free first bet up to $1500.

Q: What’s the most popular sportsbook in IL?

A: FanDuel is the current market leader for sports betting

Q: What are the best Illinois sportsbooks that accept PayPal?

A: The best sportsbooks Illinois residents can use PayPal with are Bet365, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars.

This article is a paid-for promotion