After the federal ban on sports betting ended, many states slowly began to allow this form of gambling, including Illinois. The impact of that legalization has been an incremental and rather quick growth of sports betting in Illinois, with a dozen great sportsbooks now available.
These platforms attract players by offering major benefits and promotional deals. We’ll get you up to speed with everything you need to know about sportsbooks in Illinois, to help you on your way.
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How to place your bets on Illinois sportsbooks safely and legally
Safety and security checks are crucial for registering on betting websites in Illinois and wagering on your favorite sports. While there are many legit sportsbooks available in the state, you may come across the occasional rogue operator that’s to be avoided. To make the most of your betting experience, it’s a good idea to keep in mind the following steps, which show you how to place your bets on Illinois sportsbooks safely and legally. Remember that the sports betting age in Illinois is 21 years.
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Find the best sports betting sites in Illinois
Registration for an account at the best sportsbook in Illinois is a walk in the park, taking just a couple of minutes. You are required to provide your personal details such as your full name, a valid email address, and the last four digits of your social security number. Once your information is verified by the best bookmaker in Illinois, you can start betting and make your first deposit. Nonetheless, before choosing your preferred site and providing your details, take time to check the following crucial features that reliable sportsbooks must provide.
Current licensing information
Clear, logical, and concise terms and conditions
Deposit and payout details
Contact info including live chat, phone, or email
A broad range of sports and types of bets
Make your first deposit for sports betting in Illinois
After signing up for your new account in the best bookmaker in Illinois, you will receive an email to confirm your registration. Go to the “Cashier” tab that can usually be seen at the top right of the lobby. Several payment options are available, and reliable sites are usually bundled with different types of banking methods. The common options include debit and credit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, Play+, mobile payment methods, and many others.
Making bets at an online sportsbook
After setting your budget and choosing what appeals most, you need to start sports betting in Illinois. Once you score through the lines, you will be transported to another screen where you can do this. You have a large choice of bet types, as will be explained below. Navigate to the one you want, enter the amount to stake, and begin online sports betting in Illinois.
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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+
The most popular sports to bet on in Illinois sportsbooks
The competition among the betting operators is fierce due to the popularity of
online sports betting in the USA, which is constantly rising. Any player who has the slightest interest in this entertainment activity will have no trouble finding somewhere to enjoy sports betting in Illinois. Which of the many sports in existence do Illinois citizens most like to gamble on? Here are the top sports betting choices in that state.
Football
As football has been embraced by every country, it is undoubtedly the most popular wagered sport. According to the betting and sports data analyst Sportradar, soccer betting makes up 70% of the global betting market and the FIFA World Cup has the biggest betting volume. You can bet on thousands of teams and tons of leagues at the best sports betting sites in Illinois on football, both pre-match and while live streaming online.
Tennis
Lagging just behind soccer, tennis ranks as the second-most attractive sport among Illinois-based bettors. As tennis is played as singles or doubles matches, betting on this sport is widely viewed as fairly straightforward compared to team sports. Other factors to consider when tennis betting depend on the sports betting site you’re using. Many of the best bookmakers in Illinois offer a high number of betting options and are great destinations for both beginners and professional players keen to bet on tennis.
Basketball
After soccer and tennis, basketball is ranked third among the top sports, seducing not only basketball fans but also thrill-seekers. A large number of tournaments take place in the state too, so it’s a good choice for sports betting. You'll find no shortage of
NBA bets at the best sports betting sites
in Illinois.
Most common types of sports bets at the best sportsbook in Illinois
Many betting types are available for online players, so it may sometimes seem quite difficult to choose the right one. Don’t worry, though. Here’s a handy guide to the kinds of core bets you’re likely to see at reputable Illinois-based sportsbooks.
Moneylines
This is the most straightforward wager and is pretty much omnipresent at the best sports betting sites in Illinois. All it means is betting on a particular player or team to win a game.
Parlay betting
In this wager, sometimes known as an accumulator, you make two or more bets and bond them together into one single bet. You win if all legs of your bet come good. The more legs you pile into your parlay, the greater your returns will be. Obviously, it’s quite a high-risk option, but it can be great fun at the best sports betting sites in Illinois too.
Prop bets
Prop bets can be about all sorts of features of a game. They’re based on how teams or players perform, so they’re not dependent on the final score or result.
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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 maximize your winnings on Illinois sportsbooks
With the incredible growth of sportsbooks in Illinois, it’s clear that you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to reliable platforms. There’s no substitute for good luck, of course, but there are several other factors that can help you win when you’re betting with a sportsbook. So make sure you’re as prepared as you possibly can be by following these tips.
Check the odds
It’s a common mistake to always bet on your preferred teams without checking the odds. You need to take into account that these odds are important as they allow you to calculate how much you could potentially make back. Therefore, before placing a bet, always consider the odds carefully so you make the best decision.
Respect bankroll management
Players who manage their bankrolls are able to protect themselves from the urge to bet successively and spend huge amounts of money. So it’s crucial to manage your bankroll by only betting with money that you can afford to lose. Don’t be tempted to chase losses, as that never works out well.
Stick with what you know
If you’re a football fan but you know next to nothing about tennis, betting on the Australian Open probably isn’t for you, even if it looks like the odds are good. Ideally, you should be able to use your knowledge of your favorite sports to give yourself a chance of finding the best bets available.
Final thoughts on finding your ideal sportsbook in Illinois
Since the federal laws around sports betting in the US changed, Illinois has become a great state to enjoy web-based sportsbooks in. Bettors can now access the
best betting sites
or
download best apps
to get started betting on their favorite sports.
It’s a good idea to shop around, though. Different sportsbooks have different strengths and weaknesses, with some offering a wider range of bet types or sporting events than others. Hopefully, you now have a good idea how to approach choosing the best sportsbook in Illinois for some great betting entertainment.
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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+
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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+
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