Online Sportsbooks For IL Residents
A set of state and federal laws prevent Illinois from legalizing its sports betting industry. But none of its laws prevent residents from betting on sports at licensed offshore online bookies. The state is not likely to legalize land-based or regulate online sports betting in the near future...at least not until the United States Government permits it.
This page presents a brief overview of the sports betting laws in Illinois. Besides discussing the legalities of betting on sports online, this page presents a list of top-rated offshore online bookies accepting Illinois residents.
Sports betting, both land-based and online, is illegal in Illinois because of state-level as well as federal laws. If players carefully read through these laws, they will realize that not one of them prohibits residents from betting on sports online. In the absence of clear online sports betting laws in Illinois, one may rightly conclude that online sports betting at offshore online sportsbooks is not illegal.
Since offshore online bookies are not based in Illinois, they do not violate Illinois laws. Though not regulated and licensed in Illinois, these offshore online bookies are legal because they have secured interactive gambling licenses in offshore gambling jurisdictions. Illinois bettors, therefore, will not get into trouble with the law for sports betting online.
Learn More: Gambling Laws + Statutes In Illinois
Best Legal Sports Betting Websites For Illinois
The online bookies we have listed here are the best for Illinois bettors. They not only accept Illinois bettors, but welcome them with grand bonuses and allow them to place bets on a wide range of state, collegiate, and international sports events. Besides, they are licensed and regulated and prioritize issues such as security, customer satisfaction, fair play, and responsible gambling.
| Rank | Legal Sportsbooks | Bonus Rewards | Find Out More |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bovada Sportsbook | Collect Up To $250 / 50% Match | Visit Bovada |
| 2 | BetOnline Sportsbook | 25% Match Up To $1,000 - "FIRST" | Visit BetOnline |
| 3 | SportsBetting | Bonus To $1,000 / 50% Match - "SB50" | Visit SportsBetting |
| 4 | 5Dimes Sportsbook | To $520 Total; 50% - $200, 20% After | Visit 5Dimes |
Does Illinois Have Legal Land-Based Sports Betting?
Since betting on sports is illegal in Illinois, the state does not have any licensed and regulated sports betting facilities. The state is home to some licensed horse racing tracks, which offer pari-mutuel betting facilities, but none of them accept wagers on sports events. The only legal way for Illinois bettors to bet on their favorite sports events is to do so at offshore online bookies.
Illinois Sports Betting Laws + Statutes
Illinois is governed by a set of state as well as federal laws. Article 28 clearly states that running online sports betting sites is illegal. The state also has a transmission law, making it illegal to disseminate betting-related information online. At the federal level, two major laws prevent the state from having legal gambling in Illinois. Recently, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) clarified that the Wire Act of 1961 applies only to online sports betting. Besides, the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) makes it illegal for most US states, including Illinois, to legalize and regulate sports betting.
Owing to legal obstacles both at the federal and state levels, Illinois is least likely to legalize sports betting in the near future. The state is currently mulling over expanding its existing casino gaming industry, but legalizing sports betting is not included in any of its bills.
