Legal sports betting by state / Illinois

Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

Legal, online and in person

Yes. Sports betting is legal in Illinois, including online and mobile betting through state-licensed sportsbooks.

StatusLegal, online and in person
RegulatorIllinois Gaming Board
Last checkedNovember 2, 2026

Online and retail sports wagering is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board under the Sports Wagering Act. Under Section 25(d) of the Act, licensees may not accept wagers on sports events involving Illinois collegiate teams.

Licensed online sportsbooks in Illinois

As listed by the Illinois Gaming Board:

What these books charge

Every sportsbook builds a margin into its prices. We measured it on NBA player props over the 2025-26 season. Lower is cheaper for you. Among the books licensed in Illinois:

SportsbookAverage NBA prop marginLines measured
FanDuel Sportsbook6.19%112,996
DraftKings6.66%125,315
BetMGM7.07%129,131
Fanatics Sportsbook7.10%48,864
Caesars Sportsbook7.29%64,651
BetRivers Sportsbook7.40%55,504

Margins are national averages across states. Full tables by market: which sportsbook charges the most vig. What the number means: hold vs vig.

Questions

Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes. Sports betting is legal in Illinois, including online and mobile betting through state-licensed sportsbooks.

Who regulates sports betting in Illinois?

The Illinois Gaming Board.

Sources

Laws change. We check each state against its regulator; if you see something out of date, write to [email protected]. This page is information, not legal advice.

Other states with the same status: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Iowa, Kansas. All states.

21+ in most states. Only bet what you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Responsible gambling resources.