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Sports Betting in Illinois

Fully Legal

By DawBets · Last verified: April 2026

Quick answer: Illinois bettors have access to 10 licensed sportsbooks, 2 CFTC-regulated prediction markets, 4 peer-to-peer sweepstakes exchanges.

Licensed Sportsbooks

State-licensed regulated sportsbooks. Operator tax rate: Up to 40%. Online betting legal since June 2020.

Prediction Markets

Federally regulated by the CFTC. Trade event contracts on an exchange model — separate from state-licensed sportsbooks.

Peer-to-Peer Sweepstakes Exchanges

Dual-currency model. Trade directly against other users instead of against a sportsbook.

Legal Status

One of the largest and most heavily taxed markets. Progressive tax structure increased as market matured.

Online sports betting has been legal in Illinois since June 2020.

Tax Information

Operator tax rateUp to 40%

Progressive tax up to 40%, plus per-bet excise tax ($0.25 first 20M wagers, $0.50 above).

College Betting Restrictions

No in-state college bets. No college player props.

Legislative Timeline

  1. May 2018
    PASPA struck down by SCOTUS
  2. June 2019
    SB 690 signed by Gov. Pritzker
  3. March 2020
    Retail sports betting launches

    In-person registration required for online accounts.

  4. June 2020
    Online sports betting launches

    Online registration enabled during pandemic.

  5. July 2024
    Progressive tax up to 40%

    Becomes one of the most heavily taxed sports betting markets.

How DawBets Helps Illinois Bettors

DawBets compares odds across every sportsbook available in Illinois in real time. Instead of checking each app individually, see all prices side-by-side and always place your bet at the best available line.

Illinois +EV tip: Illinois layers a per-bet excise tax on top of a progressive rate up to 40%. Operators recover that cost in their pricing, so the gap between the best and worst line is worth checking on every wager.

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Frequently asked questions

Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes. Online sports betting is legal in Illinois since June 2020. One of the largest and most heavily taxed markets. Progressive tax structure increased as market matured.

What is the sports betting tax rate in Illinois?

Progressive tax up to 40%, plus per-bet excise tax ($0.25 first 20M wagers, $0.50 above).

What is the minimum age to bet on sports in Illinois?

You must be at least 21 years old to bet on sports in Illinois.

Can I bet on college sports in Illinois?

No in-state college bets. No college player props.

How many online sportsbooks are available in Illinois?

Illinois has approximately 10 licensed online sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and others. Compare odds across all available books with DawBets.

When did Illinois legalize online sports betting?

Online sports betting has been legal in Illinois since June 2020.

Can I use Kalshi in Illinois?

Illinois Gaming Board considers sports event contracts to be unlicensed sports wagering. Federal court action pending.

Is ProphetX available in Illinois?

Yes. ProphetX, a peer-to-peer sports prediction exchange operating under a sweepstakes model, is available to Illinois residents.

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