In the modern world it’s so easy to place a bet. You still have the option of walking into a bookmaker if you wish but the majority opt for web-based betting. Of those that prefer to bet from the comfort of their own home that leaves you two choices. Either on the internet – check out our article on the top 10 football betting sites – or via mobile app. The latter does have some upsides over standard web betting and is an ever-growing market. With that in mind, let’s stop jabbering and get into things by looking at the top apps for punters.

• Top Football Betting Apps Today
• Top Sports Betting Apps
• Top Football Betting Apps 2020
• Top Football Betting Apps
• Top Football Betting Apps 2019
• Online Betting Apps
• Top 10 Football Betting Apps

Betting Apps 2021	Key Features	Sign-Up Link
BET365	Largest Streaming Portfolio Best odds on football	BET ON BET365 >
WILLIAM HILL	Acca boosts Welcome free bet	BET ON WILLIAM HILL >
CORAL	Top odds on lower football leagues Correct 4 challenges	BET ON CORAL>
BETFRED	Premium App #PickYourPunt	BET ON BETFRED >
LADBROKES	Price boost Correct Score tournaments	BET ON LADBROKES >

FOOTBALL BETTING TIPS FOR TODAY, TOMORROW AND WEEKEND. Tipy1x2 is the site for all the things you need. Our qualified tipsters review statistics from around the world to provide you with a wide range of daily free football predictions and ideas, in-depth evaluation, and match predictions, as well as previews along with bookmakers. Matchguess – Best Football Bet Prediction App. The first best football bet prediction app is. The best football betting apps are flexible enough to satisfy both groups. The low minimum bets will provide beginners with the opportunity to learn and improve with a small investment. At the same time, the high limits are perfect for high rollers looking to bet big on football. Sky Bet, sponsors of the Football League, bring you the most advanced sports betting app, so you can check your accumulators, singles and the latest in-play odds anywhere. As a Sky Bet Customer you can enjoy some fantastic features on the app:. Sky Bet Club: £5 Free Bet from Sky Bet Club every week you place £25 of single or accumulator bets on any sport. Get the Best Odds Guaranteed.

Have you ever wondered which betting apps are the best for football wagering? Well, we will give you a list of the best football betting apps in the UK.

Our UK Selection of the 15 Best Football Betting Apps

These are the top-rated football betting applications in the UK, but they aren’t in order.

• William Hill
• 888 Sport
• Ladbrokes
• Coral
• Unibet
• Betfair
• SkyBet
• Smarkets
• Matchbook
• Genting Bet
• Casumo Sports
• Bet365

Contents

15. Betfair – Receive Up to £100 in Free Bets of £20 Each

Betfair’s welcome bonus promises plenty of free bets, and their platform is full of many sports and markets to pick from, including Football. They also have a betting exchange platform where you can find even more betting options and exceptional odds.

14. Matchbook – Get £10 Bonus Funds Once You Place Your First Wager of £10

Matchbook’s mobile app is a mobile betting exchange platform that offers customers a wide array of betting markets in the categories (sports) they provide. Their welcome offer is fair, and they also have unique features you can use like cash-out. Use this bonus code to sign up.

13. Smarkets – Claim the £10 Losses Refund if You Deposit £20

Smarkets isn’t a bookmaker, but they still offer a betting exchange mobile app that gives you more options and larger payouts if you find anyone to match your bet. They have a fantastic platform and plenty of customers.

12. Genting Bet – Receive Up to £25 Free Bet if Your First Wager Loses

Genting Bet is an established brand in the UK, and although the welcome offer (up to £25 free bet with the promo code GENTSPORTS) isn’t the best out there, they still provide plenty of football betting markets and competitive odds.

11. Casumo Sports – Bet £10 to Receive a £10 Free Wager

Bet on your favorite matches with one of the best football betting apps – Casumo Sports. The interface is modern and user-friendly, plus you get the attractive welcome bonus if you don’t have an account.

10. BetVictor App

If BetVictor were a football team, they’d be punching above their weight sitting in second place. As a standalone platform, their app isn’t the best of the 10 listed. It’s probably worthy of a mid-table ranking – still not bad. There’s more to betting than just the thing you use to place your bet though. Odds is the key driver and BetVictor win in that category all day, every day. You soon look past the fact their app isn’t quite as slick as Bet365 or SkyBet when it comes with better returns.

9. 888Sport – Stake £10 or More and Get £30 in Free Bets

Place your favorite football bets with one of the UK’s most famous bookmakers. Their mobile app is a combination of quality and quantity because it offers plenty of betting options in both in-play and pre-game categories while offering us a modern and straightforward app design.

888Sport offers some of the most generous sign up bonuses out there. That’s an almighty plus to their name immediately. This is about apps though and where the specifics of their app design are concerned it’s all about being user friendly. Their developers have thought beyond just the headline navigation bars with the nitty gritty of the app i.e. where you place your bets made quick to view and easy to select betting legs from. For usability, it’s the best app out there and is fully deserving of its first place rank.

8. Ladbrokes – Bet £5 and Receive £20 in Free Wagers

Oh Ladbrokes! Yes, they are one of the first names that spring to mind when you think of football betting. Chris Kamara made sure of that. Their app is reasonable too – although I’m personally not a huge fan of its colour scheme. Look beyond that though and you have decent offers, good standard odds and a more than respectable company to deal with. The huge downside is to offer no Android app. Why?

Ladbrokes has many years of experience in the business, and they offer an attractive promotion for new customers. The Ladbrokes mobile app is full of popular features, like in-play betting, cash-out, live streaming, bet builder, etc.

7. Unibet App Get £40 Money Back and £10 Casino Bonus

Unibet’s unique welcome offer gives you not only money back but also a casino bonus. The mobile app is easy-to-navigate and gives you access to the full platform in the palm of your hand. The bookie also provides plenty of bonuses for sports betting and their other sections.

Unibet might have missed the cut on our top 10 had they not recently extended their app to cater for the Android crowd. Clearly they’re smarter than Ladbrokes though as they’ve ticked that box now meaning both iOS and android users can gamble away safely. There is a lot to like about the app too with the main thing in its favour the fact Unibet focus on two sports – one of which is football.

6. Paddy Power App

There is plenty right with the Paddy Power app. It’s easy to move through menus with swipe and slide motions combined with all the usual perks of boosted odds, wide range of markets and a trusted customer service. They could do with modernising the way the app looks though – although I guess some might like it.

5. SkyBet App – Place a £5 Wager and Receive £20 in Free Bets

SkyBet is the Sportsbook of the famous football channel SkySports where you have probably watched all your favorite teams. Take their app for a spin and use all the cool betting features while betting on your favorite sports.

On first glance the SkyBet app isn’t a beauty with menus not particularly clear, however, within a single click it transforms to be the polar opposite allowing for the easiest of navigations through their selection of sports and subsequently their range of bet types. As a bookie, they’re as solid as they come. Good offers, great free to enter games – such as Super6 – and competitive odds. One downside? It won’t work on all devices. If you don’t have an iOS device then check the compatible devices as the app isn’t supported by all.

4. Betfair App

Betfair offer a couple of different betting apps; our focus is on their sportsbook version. They’ve clearly poured their efforts into an app that looks and performs well for the user. Navigation panels are clean and clear and you can have your bet placed in just a few clicks. Price boosts are a bonus too. Betfair would definitely break into the top three of our best apps for sports betting if only they could find a way to integrate their sportsbook and exchange models. At the moment, you need two apps.

3. Coral App

We’re into our top five and it’s a high street giant we’ll be looking at now. Coral. Their app does exactly what you’d expect and a little bit more too. Menus are tidy and can be navigated with no nonsense whilst you’ll get alerts updating you of personal offers and bet statuses. Where Coral have innovated though is with their ability to link a high street bet to your app. That’s right, you can now place a bet with cash in a physical branch and track it straight from your mobile. It’s pretty smart. Check out the latest sign up offers for mobile here.

2. Bet365 App

On first glance the Bet365 app looks a lot like that of Paddy Power who we listed at number 8. Why does it sit at a much more lofty third then? It’s quite straight forward really. It’s just superior in the areas that really matter. Menu icons are bigger and easier to select, the markets are more clearly defined and, as a result, placing your bet is quicker with the all-important odds in a not dissimilar ballpark.

1. Willam Hill Mobile App – Wager £10 and Get £40 in Free Bets

William Hill surprises with a fantastic mobile-only welcome offer, and we know their platform is top-rated and user-friendly. They provide bonuses for existing customers, as well.

Downloading the Betting Apps on iOS and Android

Getting the Football Betting Apps on an iOS Device

Users using iPhones are luckier because they can head to the App Store and download the betting apps they like from there. The installation is also done via the App Store, and once you open the app, you can go ahead and start registering or login to your account.

Downloading the Football Betting Apps on an Android Device

If you have an Android smartphone then downloading the app will happen once you permit to download and install apps from “unknown sources” from the Settings->Security menu. Once you do that, go to the bookmaker’s mobile site and download the app from there. To start installing it, you only have to open the downloaded file from your folders. If you want, you can change your settings back after you install the app.

Signing Up to the Bookmaker Platform

Creating an account is the next step you should take if you don’t have one yet. Open the mobile app and click on the button to start the process. Fill out all the information asked of you in the registration form and accept all the rules and conditions of the platform. To finish the process, click on the final button and verify your e-mail address.

What to Look for to Find the Best Football Betting Apps?

We decided to sum up the factors we rate football betting applications and give you a list of what to look for when choosing the best football betting apps, so you know what is most important. It’s not necessary to have all of these features, but if the betting application you chose has most of them, it is a good choice.

User-Friendly Interface and Ergonomy of the Mobile App

The mobile app must be easy-to-navigate because not all punters are experts, and some might be just starting. A user-friendly and easy-to-use application is an advantage.

Is There a Welcome Bonus, and Is It Easy to Claim It?

Welcome bonuses are fantastic incentives and if you are creating a new account with a bookmaker, make sure they have a welcome offer you can claim. Also, read the terms and conditions of the bonus and see which of the bookies you look at has the most undemanding conditions.

Range of Betting Markets and Sports Available

Since we are talking about Football, you need to check if the betting app has enough competitions and markets to offer you. With Football being the most popular sport worldwide, we expect it to have more betting markets than other sports. Check if the variety is wide and if there are enough in-play markets as well.

Does the App Have Betting Features Like Cash-Out?

The best betting apps should have features making the punter’s betting faster and easier. These features can be cash-out, which allows you to settle a wager early, or bet builder, which allows you to combine selections from the same match into one wager.

Is There Live Streaming Available, and What Are the Conditions to Use it?

Live streaming is the most popular betting feature for every bookie and providing it on the mobile app is a bonus. Only some bookies support mobile live streaming, but the good news is that you won’t have to pay any fees to use it. The only conditions are that you have a verified account and a positive balance.

Are There Many Payment Options Available for Depositing and Withdrawing?

Depositing and withdrawing are vital parts of sports betting, and having many options is also an advantage you should look for when choosing your sports betting app. Even if the number of options isn’t enormous, there should still be different types of methods, like e-wallets, prepaid cards, bank cards, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Football Betting Apps in the UK

Do all the bookmakers mentioned in the article have a mobile app?

Yes, they do.

Are the football betting apps free of charge?

Yes, they are.

Are there any mobile-only bonuses available?

Bookmakers sometimes offer mobile-only bonuses, but the bookies we mentioned don’t have any type of mobile-only offers at this time.

Can I download the mobile app on a tablet or does it have to be a smartphone?

Yes, you can. You can download the mobile app on both smartphones and tablets.

Do I have full access to the Sportsbook and football matches available via the mobile app?

Yes, you do. Everything you see on the site and the app is synchronized, so you have access to all football events by betting from the mobile app.

Can I sign-up use the mobile app or do I have to do it from the site?

You can sign-up via the mobile application or the website, whichever you choose.

Can I use two-factor authentication if I bet via the mobile app?

Most betting apps have the 2FA (two-factor authentication) option available, but you will have to specifically check to see if the bookmaker app you chose has this option available.

Can I access my account from the mobile app?

Yes, you can. Most mobile apps give you access to your whole account including payments, settings, and other features.

Do I have to download one mobile app or multiple?

Most bookmakers have multiple apps available, but if you are only interested in football and sports betting, then you will only need to download one application to get access to the Sportsbook.

Do I have to deposit immediately after I create my account via the mobile app?

No, you don’t. You can deposit whenever you want but keep in mind that there is a timeframe you should keep if you wish to claim the welcome offer.

Illinois sports betting is alive and well after launching during 2020. And, in 2021 we anticipate more Illinois sports betting apps will join the fray.

Illinois sports bettors can expect to avoid the in-person registration requirement for online sportsbooks for the first half of 2021. This means unfettered access to all five of the state’s online sports betting apps and websites.

But that’s not news to thousands of Illinoisians – the state has already become the fourth largest sports betting market in the country.

Summary of the Best Illinois Sports Betting Apps

• FanDuel Sportsbook: Best for iOS & Android App
• PointsBet: Best for Closest Retail Betting
• DraftKings Sportsbook: Best for New Promos
• BetRivers: Best for Loyalty Program
• William Hill Sportsbook: Best for Market Depth

Illinois Sports Betting Updates

• Illinois Takes First Step Toward Online Casinos – Illinois legislators introduced HB 3142 in February 2021, which would create the Internet Gaming Act and authorize casinos to offer online casino gaming in the state.
• Governor J.B. Pritzker Extends Mobile Registration – The Illinois Governor has once again suspended in-person registration until March 8, 2021.
• DraftKings Launches In Illinois – On August 5, 2020, DraftKings Sportsbook launched in Illinois in partnership with Casino Queen in East St. Louis. The app currently offers a 20% deposit bonus up to $1,000 for new members.
• FanDuel Launches In Illinois – On August 28, 2020, FanDuel Sportsbook joined the Illinois market in partnership with Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria. If you’re not already a member, you can place a risk-free bet up to $1,000 at FanDuel Illinois.
• In-Person Registration Requirement Suspended Again – On August 21, 2020, Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker suspended the in-person registration requirement for the second time, and has since renewed that order through January 2021. That means you can sign up at any Illinois online sportsbook remotely.
• PointsBet And William Hill Launch In Illinois – PointsBet Illinois launched on September 12, and William Hill Illinois launched on September 15, 2020. Those are the fourth and fifth options to enter the market, respectively.
• Illinois Sports Betting Hits $435 Million – In January 2021, the Illinois Gaming Board released their most recent sports betting revenue report: $435 million in October 2020, making it one of the largest markets in US sports betting. Online bets consisted of 95% of total wagering, and estimates suggest that the state could see more than $5 billion in sports wagers by the end of 2023.

The 5 Best Illinois Sports Betting Apps

Best Sportsbook iOS & Android App

at FanDuel Sportsbook

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

States Accepted: IL, NJ, PA, IN, IA, CO, WV, TN, MI, VA

Best Sportsbook iOS & Android App

FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois

4.7

FanDuel Sportsbook Review

Risk-Free Bet

Retail Partner

Licensed by

The FanDuel Illinois Sportsbook offers an exceptionally smooth and intuitive platform that’s a joy to navigate. And that’s on top of the hyper-competitive odds and some of the best parlay deals in the state.

In Illinois, FanDuel is offering a risk-free bet up to $1,000 for new members. If the bet is won, you keep the winnings and the wager. But a losing bet is refunded in site credits, which then need to be bet a single time (in any combination) before you can cash out.

While DraftKings offers a better welcome bonus, FanDuel often offers better odds on certain events. Joining both may be a smart move to compare win potential before placing a bet.

The FanDuel Illinois Sportsbook offers an exceptionally smooth and intuitive platform that’s a joy to navigate. And that’s on top of the hyper-competitive odds and some of the best parlay deals in the state.

Best for Closest Retail Betting

at PointsBet IL

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

Best for Closest Retail Betting

PointsBet Illinois

4.25

PointsBet Review

Risk-Free Bet

Retail Partner

Licensed by

PointsBet is a new name in US sports betting. But the Australian company is already making waves in New Jersey, Iowa, and Indiana, and it’s sure to continue its trajectory as a top-tier sportsbook brand as it grows in Illinois.

The PointsBet Illinois Sportsbook offers new members two risk-free bets up to a total of $1,500 with code BIGBONUS. You can place up to $500 risk-free on a fixed-odds bet, and up to $1,000 on a “Points Betting” wager, which is the platform’s most unique feature. Losses are funded as site credits that must be wagered 1x.

With Points Betting, you choose a totals wager, such as NBA total points or NFL passing yards. When the game ends, you receive a multiplier based on how accurate you were.

But that multiplier applies to both winning and losing bets. For example, if you bet the over on 200 total points for an NBA game and it ends in 210 total points, you’d win a 10x multiplier. But if you bet the under on that same game, your lost wager is multiplied by ten.

Unique “Points Betting” feature for totals, huge number of promotions every day, “no Juice” spreads on certain events, tons of market depth for MMA and international sporting events

Best for New Promos

at DraftKings at Casino Queen IL

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

States Accepted: IL, CO, IN, IA, MI, NJ, NV, WV, VA, PA, NH

Best for New Promos

Draftkings at Casino Queen

4.5

DraftKings Sportbook Review

Deposit Bonus

Retail Partner

Licensed by

The DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook is second to none. With the best mobile platform for both iOS and Android devices, a lucrative welcome offer, and extremely competitive odds, DraftKings tops the list of options in the state.

The welcome bonus is a 20% deposit match up to $1,000. To receive the maximum amount, you’ll need to deposit $5,000. DraftKings Illinois will then match each $5 in real-money with $1 in bonus money which then must be wagered 1x before it can be withdrawn.

If you’re going to use the maximum amount and plan on betting $6,000 anyway, then this is the best welcome bonus. But for most of us, the 100% deposit bonus up to $250 offered by BetRivers is the better deal.

New promos and special offers added daily, free daily tournaments and tournaments with huge prize pools, popular loyalty program, works seamlessly with DraftKings DFS

Best for Loyalty Program

at DraftKings at Casino Queen IL

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

Best for Loyalty Program

BetRivers Sportsbook IL

4.5

BetRivers Review

Deposit Bonus

Retail Partner

Licensed by

The BetRivers Illinois Sportsbook offers a robust sports betting platform, with somewhat competitive odds and some interesting special offers. However, it shines brightest in the promotions and reward category.

BetRivers Illinois will double your first deposit up to $250, and the amount is tied to a mere 1x wagering requirement. That means you only need to bet the full amount (using any combination of bets), and whatever is leftover is yours to withdraw.

The BetRivers Illinois mobile app is currently subpar. And they do not consistently offer much better odds than other options. But they compensate well for those significant downsides with lots of free chances to win.

High-quality loyalty program (iRush Rewards), integrated live streams of select events, special offers in the “House Bets” section, PayPal available as deposit and cashout method

Best for Market Depth

at Willima Hill IL

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

States Accepted: IL, CO, IN, IA, MI, NJ, NV, WV, VA

Best for Market Depth

William Hill Illinois

Top Football Betting Apps Today

4

William Hill Review

Risk-Free Bet

Retail Partner

Licensed by

The William Hill Sportsbook in Illinois brings a century-old sports betting brand from the UK to a state with a sizable European and Mexican soccer fanbase.

That’s where William Hill really stands apart from the other options in the state. They have an impressive market depth for international events, and their odds are competitive across the board.

But beyond that, William Hill largely falls short. They offer the worst welcome bonus in the state, with a risk-free bet up to $300, and a loss is refunded in site credits that need to be wagered a second time before cashout.

The other promotions are few and far between, and the app is having a lot of issues too, which is an even bigger problem when they don’t offer a desktop version of the site.

Top Sports Betting Apps

Huge market depth, unique options for international sports, simple, straightforward platform, quality odds that compete well with competitors

All Illinois Sportsbook Apps

Sportsbook	Bonus Offer	Retail Partner	Launch Date
BetRivers	100% Deposit Match Up To $250	Rivers Casino	June 18, 2020
DraftKings	20% Deposit Match Up To $1,000	Casino Queen	August 5, 2020
FanDuel	Risk-free Bet Up To $1,000	Par-A-Dice Casino	August 28, 2020
PointsBet	Two Risk-free Bets Up To $1,500 With Code BIGBONUS	Hawthorne Racecourse	September 12, 2020
William Hill	Risk-free Bet Up To $300	Grand Victoria Casino	September 15, 2020

How To Place A Bet In Illinois

Step 1: Find The Right Sportsbook

You can safely join any of the five legally-licensed online sportsbooks in Illinois.

You can also do so from anywhere in the state, as Governor Pritzker has suspended the in-person registration requirements via Executive Order, and will likely renew that order throughout 2021.

If you’re unsure which to join, consider choosing the platform with the best odds on an event you like. You can view the odds at all sportsbooks (except William Hill) before joining by visiting their website.

Step 2: Download The App Or Bet Via Desktop

If you’re using Apple’s App Store, make sure the app is specific to your state. In the case of FanDuel, DraftKings, and PointsBet, the same sportsbook app applies to all legal states. But you’ll need to download BetRivers Illinois and William Hill Illinois specifically.

For Android users, you’ll need to visit the desktop version of the website and download the app directly from the sportsbook. The Google Play store does not list sports betting apps.

For all online sportsbooks except William Hill, you can also bet directly on the website using the browser on your mobile device or computer.

Step 3: Make A Deposit And Get The Welcome Offer

Make a deposit using one of the baking methods offered by your preferred sportsbook. The most common options include:

• Credit/Debit Card
• PayPal
• Online Bank Transfer
• ACH/E-Check
• PayNearMe retailers (7Eleven, Walgreens, CVS, etc.)

You can also deposit in your online sportsbook account and receive winnings in cash at the partnering casino cage. For example, BetRivers deposits and cashouts are accepted at Rivers Casino Des Plaines.

You may also need to provide a promo code during signup or deposit. In some cases, the promo can be automatically applied.

Step 4: Place Your Bet

If you’re using a promotion, make sure you read the terms and conditions. For example, a risk-free bet usually only applies to your first wager, and the odds must be -200 or longer.

Otherwise, simply select the bet you want to place, and add the amount you want to wager into your bet slip. The sportsbook will automatically generate the amount you stand to win.

Illinois Legal Sportsbooks

The legally licensed sportsbooks available in Illinois are some of the highest quality brands in the world. And with the ability to register on these sites and apps remotely, it’s simply not worth the risk of joining an illegal site.

One of the biggest reasons to avoid an illegal sportsbook is the fact that you’re not protected from fraud. If the website disappears, if they refuse to pay out your winnings, if they allow your information to be compromised, you have no legal recourse.

The Illinois Gaming Board regulates state-licensed sportsbooks, and also offers dispute resolution directly on their website.

Remember, you’re legally obligated to report net winnings from gambling every year, and they’re subject to income tax at both the state and federal level. The online sportsbooks in Illinois are obligated to provide tax documents and make it easy to receive them if needed.And, yes, the sportsbook will report net winnings to the IRS and the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Illinois Sports Betting Revenue

According to the sports wagering monthly reports offered by the Gaming Board, Illinois sportsbooks handled close to a billion dollars in bets across the different sportsbooks between March and October.

In October 2020 alone, sports bettors in the state wagered $435 million. That translates to $42.2 million in revenue for the sportsbooks and $6.3 million in tax revenue for the state.

The top three most popular sportsbooks in October 2020 were:

1. DraftKings ($141 million wagered)
2. BetRivers ($115 million wagered)
3. FanDuel ($106 million wagered)

Based on the fact that 94% of those wagered were placed on mobile devices, and given the NFL playoffs, Super Bowl LV, and March Madness, that trend is only expected to continue.

Experts believe that the total amount wagered in Illinois could exceed $5 billion within the first three years of legalization.

How Illinois Compares To Other States

When Illinois first launched legal online sports betting in March 2020, the in-person registration requirement made the Indiana and Iowa laws more appealing. But since Governor Pritzker suspended that requirement via executive order, that’s no longer a factor.

However, Illinois currently offers five online sportsbooks. Indiana offers ten, including top-tier choices like BetMGM, Unibet, and Caesars Sportsbook. Iowa offers seven and also boasts BetMGM, which has an app quality that’s on par with DraftKings.

Further, Illinois does not allow betting on in-state schools, whereas you can bet on all collegiate sports in Indiana and Iowa. But you cannot place in-game bets on college sports in Iowa, while Illinois and Indiana allow it.

Thankfully, Illinois has most of the best online sportsbooks, and remote registration will likely be available for the entire year. So unless you’re determined to bet on the University of Illinois or Northwestern football, you have all sports betting action you need in-state.

Illinois Betting Successes And Failures

Illinois Sports Betting Success

The immediate and gradually increasing popularity of sports betting in Illinois has been a success that’s expected to continue. As the sixth-largest state in the US—and with Chicago boasting some of the biggest professional sports teams in the world—a lack of legal sports betting pushed the pastime underground.

Another major success was the Governor suspending the in-person registration requirement. The requirement to leave home, drive to the closest casino, and register for just one online sportsbook would be a major hurdle in normal times. But during COVID-19, that became all the more unreasonable.

Thankfully, the Governor continues to renew the executive order suspending that requirement, and legal sports betting in Illinois continues to gain in popularity as a result.

Where Could Illinois Improve Online Gambling

Several line items in the state’s sports betting regulations have received a significant amount of criticism.

But for both sports bettors and sportsbook operators, the biggest failure seems to be the licensing issue with mobile-only brands. The Illinois Gaming Board has until Spring 2022 to approve three mobile-only licenses, which cost $25 million apiece. Assuming there are any takers, approval would mean the end of the in-person registration requirement.

Until then, it’s up to the renewal of the executive order. So it might be a good idea to register now while it’s available.

It’s also disappointing that only ten mobile licenses can be approved. Illinois has a population that could support far more. For example, New Jersey has 14 options and about 4 million fewer people.

Legalization Effort In Illinois

It’s easy to say that legal sports betting wouldn’t exist in Illinois if it weren’t for the push by Governor Pritzker. Just six months into his first term, the Governor garnered bipartisan support for a gambling expansion. This included a casino in the City of Chicago as well as sports betting.

However, state senators have been pushing for this initiative since at least 2018, when the Supreme Court repealed the law restricting legal sports betting in the US. And, really, New Jersey lawmakers and voters are responsible for attempting to legalize sports betting in their state in 2011. That triggered a challenge in the federal courts, and New Jersey eventually prevailed on behalf of all US states, ending Nevada’s monopoly on legal US sportsbooks.

Meanwhile, Indiana and Iowa also legalized sports betting, and both states were faster with their rollout than Illinois. This meant Chicagoans would travel to Indiana to bet on sports, as Horseshoe Hammond offered Windy City bettors free shuttles to and from Chinatown and other locations.

But when Governor Pritzker replaced Bruce Rauner, sports betting was quickly on the docket, and the state legalized online and retail sportsbooks in March 2020.

Timeline For Illinois Sports Betting

June 28, 2019- Governor Pritzker signed the Gambling Act into law, which expanded gambling regulations considerably, including legalized sports betting.

September 1, 2019-Indiana launches sports betting, creating easy access for Chicagoans who still don’t have a legal option in-state.

March 9, 2020, 12:00 PM- Rivers Casino in Des Plaines began accepting the first legal sports bets in Illinois at their retail BetRivers Sportsbook.

March 16, 2020-All casinos shut down for 14 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the BetRivers Sportsbook.

June 11, 2020- By this day, seven sports betting licenses were granted to seven gambling properties: Rivers Casino, The Argosy, Grand Victoria Casino, Par-A-Dice, Casino Queen, Hollywood Casino Aurora, and Hollywood Casino Joliet. Each could also launch an online sports betting brand.

June 18, 2020- BetRivers launched online, becoming the state’s first legal sports betting website and app. Through an Executive Order, the Governor also suspended in-person registration requirements.

July 2020- On the first, retail casinos and sportsbooks could reopen in Illinois at 50% capacity with six feet of social distancing. Late in the month, the Governor reinstated the in-person registration requirement.

August 2020- DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook launch in Illinois.

September 2020- Not only did PointsBet and William Hill launch in Illinois, the Governor again suspend the in-person registration requirement, and has every month since.

October 2020- Illinois sports betting hits its record $435 million in wagers in one month, and about 95% of those wagers were placed online. The sportsbook market is officially off to the races.

Illinois Teams

Illinois Professional Sports Teams

Chicago Bears

Betting on the NFL is the most popular wager in Illinois, and the Chicago Bears are the most popular NFL team in Illinois. The Monsters of the Midway are an institution that dates long before the days of Coach Ditka. And they’ve recently been making it to WildCard rounds at the playoffs, so the future isn’t looking half bad.

Chicago Bulls

Since the double three-peat days of Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, the team has seen more downs than ups. But they remain one of the most popular sports teams in the world, and folks in Illinois love to bet on the NBA – and Bulls games in particular.

Chicago Cubs

For decades, the Chicago Cubs offered the best live sports experience in Illinois that you could attend for under $10. But those days are behind us now that the Cubbies broke their 108-year World Series drought in 2016. And while ticket prices are none too cheap, they’ve been a contender for another ring every year since, which makes for great betting action.

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox won the World Series in 2005, and they’ve had some great teams in the years since. And while the South Siders don’t receive the kind of national attention the Cubs enjoy, they’re a popular team in Illinois that inspires plenty of wagers.

Chicago Blackhawks

Seeing the Chicago Blackhawks play in-person at United Center is absolutely electrifying. Combined with the excitement of placing bets, and that’s an irresistible level of excitement that thousands will enjoy when the crowds return post-coronavirus.

Illinois College Sports Teams

Illinois boasts 18 D1 college football teams and 22 D1 college basketball teams. The top programs include the University of Illinois, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, and DePaul, all of which are popular options for bettors across the US.

In fact, during the college football and NFL seasons, the collegiate level events were a close send to the pro games for most wagering in Illinois.

Unfortunately, it is illegal to bet on in-state Illinois teams. That means all those wagers placed in Illinois—including much of the $435 million worth in October 2020—were placed on out-of-state college football teams.

While the Fighting Illini and Northwestern Wildcats have a lot of alumni throughout the state, Chicago residents as a whole may have more love for other midwest teams. For example, you’re never more than a mile or two from a Notre Dame, Michigan, or Ohio State bar.

Further, March Madness attracts more bets than any other multi-event postseason in the US. Illinois has 30 appearances, DePaul has 18, and Northwestern has just one. That means there’s a decent chance that folks in the state can bet on all the March Madness games, and the vast majority are always fair game.

Other Sports To Bet On In Illinois

International Sports

PointsBet and William Hill are two international sportsbook brands available in Illinois. As such, both offer tons of bets on the more obscure competitions.

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However, for mainstream international sports like the Premier League or Champions League, all the sportsbooks will offer tons of action, particularly DraftKings and FanDuel.

Individual Sports

You can bet on golf, tennis, MMA, boxing, and all other individual sports at the professional level in Illinois. As betting on the PGA and MMA continues to grow in popularity, the action will only get more robust as time goes on.

Racing

The Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL boasts top-tier NASCAR events, which means you could attend a race and bet on it online simultaneously. Illinois sportsbooks also offer bets on Formula 1 and other racing events.

Esports

Illinois defines a sport in a way that makes betting on esports a real possibility. Only time will tell, but in Indiana and Iowa, esports betting is prohibited, so the potential alone is promising.

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Illinois Sports Betting FAQs

Yes. Online sports betting is legal in Illinois. Five licensed sportsbooks are currently available: DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, BetRivers, and William Hill. As of September 2020, you can also register at all legal Illinois sportsbooks remotely. Governor Pritzker suspended the in-person requirement by Executive Order, and he seems set to renew that policy for the majority of 2021.

You must be at least 21 years old to wager at online sportsbooks in Illinois. The same is true for betting on sports in-person at sportsbook retailers. You must verify your age and identity when you register for an online sportsbook account to ensure you’re of the legal age.

Yes. You can bet on college sports in Illinois except for in-state college teams. That means University of Illinois, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, DePaul, and all the rest are strictly off-limits. However, you can place in-game bets on out-of-state college teams, and bet on tournaments like March Madness as long as it’s not on a single-game event with an Illinois school.

No. You can bet at Illinois sportsbooks as long as you’re at least 21 years old and physically located in the state. This law applies to both online and retail sportsbooks. To place a wager, you must turn on geo-tracking to verify your location inside the state.

Yes. DraftKings Sportsbook launched in Illinois on August 5, 2020, in partnership with Casino Queen in East St. Louis, which also has a retail DraftKings Sportsbook. If you’re over 21, you can join DraftKings Illinois right now and receive a 20% deposit bonus up to $1,000. But you have to be physically inside Illinois to wager.

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Yes. The FanDuel Sportsbook launched on August 28, 2020. It was part of a partnership with Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria, IL, which also houses a FanDuel Sportsbook lounge inside for those who prefer in-person betting. Those who want to wager in Illinois can join FanDuel Sportsbook and place a risk-free bet up to $1,000.

Online Betting Apps

More Resources On Illinois Sports Betting

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• Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), which regulates and collects taxes from gambling companies, including land-based casinos and sportsbooks as well as online sportsbooks.
• Check this page of the IGB website to download PDFs of sports betting revenue reports as they’re released.
• Read the full Sports Wagering Act, which details all rules and regulations surrounding online and retail sportsbooks in Illinois.
• You can find Chicago’s breaking sports news at the Chicago Tribune online Sports Section and the Chicago Sun-Times online Sports Section.
• The Illinois College Sports News page at the Decatur Tribune and the Chicago TribuneCollege Sports page offer daily updates on in-state college sports.
• College Football News and ESPN’s College Football page offers nationwide coverage of college football, which will likely be more useful than in-state coverage for Illinois bettors.