Best Illinois Sportsbook Promos & Bonuses: $7,400 in Offers Nov. 2024

Best Illinois sportsbook promos

BetMGM boasts one of the best sign-up bonuses with a high potential value, up to $1,500. To qualify for the bonus, you must lose your first wager. At the same time, Fanatics offers guaranteed bonus funds, win or lose, for five straight days. 

SBR tip: Only Caesars (SBRBONUS1000) and BetMGM (SBRBONUS) require promo codes when submitting your first deposit.

BetMGM IL welcome offer 🦁

The sportsbook and self-appointed "King of Parlays" offer new players in Illinois up to $1,500 paid back in bonus bets. Use BetMGM bonus code SBRBONUS to redeem this welcome bonus.

• $10 minimum deposit is required.
• The bonus only pays if you lose your first bet.
• If you wager more than $50 and lose, BetMGM will pay out the total amount in 20% bonus bet increments of the total amount lost. So, a $1,500 first bet loss would pay out in five (5) $300 bonus bets.
• If you bet less than $50 and lose, BetMGM will pay out one bonus bet credit.
• Bonus bets must be used within seven days of account credit.

BetMGM IL pros and cons

Why this bonus is better than others

This is a great promo for bettors looking to place a large first wager. Customers can place a first bet of up to $1,500, and if they lose, they will receive their initial wager back in bonus bets. For bettors with a smaller budget, you can still earn bonus bets for any wager of $10 or more. All bets of $50 or more will be awarded in 20% increments, allowing you to spread out your future wagers.

Caesars Sportsbook IL welcome offer 🏛

A Las Vegas casino and sports betting industry veteran has taken its talents online to Illinois. New customers can earn a first bet on Caesars of up to $1,000. You will need to use Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBRBONUS1000 to redeem the promo at the time of the initial required deposit.

• A minimum first deposit and wager of $10 are required.
• The first bet must lose to qualify for the welcome offer.
• Bonus credit(s) will be available within seven days after the first bet settles.
• The bonus expires 14 days after receipt.
• Bonus credit must be used on single bet.

Caesars IL pros and cons

Why this bonus is better than others

Simply put, Caesars' welcome bonus is one of the most valuable offers, assuming you can max it out. With a potential second-chance bet of $1,000, you could build your bankroll quite quickly if your first bet doesn't win. The only real downsides are that the bonus bets won't be awarded if you win your first bet and you must use your bonus bets within 14 days. To make the most of this offer, consider being a bit more risky with your first bet by wagering on a market with longshot odds.

DraftKings IL welcome offer 👑

One of the industry leaders in daily fantasy sports and sports betting, DraftKings Illinois' latest welcome offer allows new players to bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets instantly. No DraftKings promo code is required at the time of redemption. Take a look at the key information:

• You must make a minimum deposit of at least $5
• Your qualifying wager must be $5 or more.
• Bet $5+ on any market to instantly receive $150 in bonus bets.
• The bonus is paid out in six (6) $25 chunks.
• You cannot redeem the bonus bet for cash, and they expire in seven days.

DraftKings also has a secondary promo you may want to check out instead. With this alternate offer, you can claim a 20% deposit bonus, up to $1,000. Just be aware that the bonus funds come with a hefty playthrough requirement. 

DraftKings IL pros and cons

Why this bonus is better than others

This bonus is better than others because it offers the best bang for your buck. While other sportsbooks may offer $1,000+ bonuses, they typically require you to make (and lose) a large bet to collect it. This DraftKings bonus is an instant $150 and all you have to do is wager $5. Win or lose that first wager, and the bonus bets are yours.

FanDuel IL welcome offer 🔵

New FanDuel Illinois customers can claim a bet $5, win $150 in bonus bets offer without the need for a FanDuel promo code. Here are the pertinent details:

• You can register on any device, but you'll have to download the FanDuel app to claim the bonus. 
• A minimum $5 deposit is required.
• Place a $5+ bet on any available betting market. If it wins, FanDuel will provide you with $150 in bonus bets.
• Bonus bets must be used within seven days of receipt.

FanDuel IL pros and cons

Why this bonus is better than others

FanDuel's $150 bonus bets offer is nice because it comes with ultra flexibility. You can use it all at once or break it into multiple smaller pieces. The only drawback is that your first bet must win in order to collect the bonus.

Fanatics IL welcome offer 🧢

Fanatics is a major seller of officially licensed sports apparel and is now entering the sports betting arena. You don't need a Fanatics Sportsbook promo code to grab an eye-popping $1,000 in bonuses split over a ten-day period, allowing new users to earn a daily $100 No Sweat First Bet bonus. Here's what you need to know about Fanatics' welcome offer:

• In the ten days following account creation, you must wager at least $1 daily (at -500 odds or longer).
• If your first daily bet loses, you'll see your stake refunded as a bonus bet (up to $100).
• No opt-in is necessary on day one, but you must opt-in in the following nine days.
• Failing to opt-in and wager on a given day forfeits your chance to earn bonuses for only that day.
• Bonuses expire after seven days.

Fanatics IL pros and cons

Why this bonus is better than others

Even though your first daily wagers need to lose in order to collect the No Sweat Bet bonuses, this Fanatics promo has excellent value. For ten straight days, your first bet will be insured against an unlucky loss. The best part is that your qualifying bet can be anywhere between $1 and $100, providing bonuses no matter how big your bankroll is. 

Additional sportsbooks

Hard Rock Bet is also in the state and for more info on the sportsbook, see our Hard Rock Bet promo code page.

BetRivers IL welcome offer ⚡

BetRivers recently updated its new-player welcome offer: Claim up to a $ 500-second chance bet without needing a BetRivers bonus code. Should your first bet lose, BetRivers will insure it up to $500.

• Minimum deposit of $10 is required.
• The first bet must lose for the welcome offer to kick in.
• The bonus bet value of up to $500 will be credited to your account within 24 hours.
• There are odds limits when wagering with bonus bet credits -200 or longer.

BetRivers IL pros and cons

Why this bonus is better than others

If we’re being honest, BetRivers' previous welcome offer of a deposit match bonus up to $250 was better because bonus monies were guaranteed. A second-chance bet up to $500 is still pretty strong, but it pales in comparison to other similar offers from top Illinois sportsbooks. That being said, there's nothing wrong with this offer, and it's still worth exploring as you broaden your sportsbook usage.

Illinois sports betting promos summary

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Illinois sports betting recent updates

How we rate and review sports betting promotions

We strive to thoroughly provide our readers with an in-depth and independent critique of all nine Illinois online sportsbooks and Illinois sports betting apps. Our team of experts also applies the same quality standards when we rate and review sports betting promotions and bonuses. We consider several factors like these:

• The earnings potential of each bonus.
• If the sports betting promo is guaranteed simply by signing up or by making a first deposit.
• If the bonus funds requires you to lose a first bet (or bets) to unlock value.
• If a promo code is required to redeem the promo?
• Is there a minimum deposit amount required?
• How long are the bonus funds good for, or do they carry an expiry date?
• If any playthrough requirements must be met before you can withdrawal.

Types of Illinois betting sign-up offers and bonuses

New players in Illinois have several options regarding sign-up offers and bonuses operators are using to entice and attract customers. Still, the three most common sportsbook promos are deposit match bonuses, bonus bets, and second chance bets.

Deposit match bonus

The popular deposit match bonus is becoming harder to find at legal Illinois online sportsbooks because the up-front cost for the operator is steep. A deposit match bonus equates to guaranteed funds for new players based on the amount of their first deposit.

So, your classic 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,000 would take a $1,000 deposit and double that player’s bankroll to $2,000, costing the operator $1,000 to convert a new player. A 50% deposit match up to $500 on a $500 initial deposit would kick in $250 for a bankroll of $750 to start for a new player. Deposit match bonuses are not impacted if your first bet wins, loses, or draws; the bonus funds are credited to your account simply by making a deposit. 

Bonus bet offer

Bonus bets, or 'bet & get' offers, have become increasingly popular over the last 12 months. They typically work like this: register a new account, make a minimum deposit, and place your first wager (which usually needs to be at least $5 or $10). Once you've done that, the sportsbook will credit your account with a handful of bonus bets, often in the $100 to $200 range. 

These bonus bets cannot be cashed out, but are a great way to make additional wagers and get a feel for your new sportsbook without having to wager more of your own money. Make sure you read and understand any terms and conditions first, though, since sometimes there are additional requirements (like having to win your first bet), odds restrictions, or short expiration windows. 

First bet offer

Sign-up bonuses labeled first bet offers are attractive because their peak value is higher than most modest welcome bonuses. However, the only reason operators have to pay out first bet bonuses is if, and only if, your first bet settles as a loss. If you win, you’re happy you won, and the operator is glad they don’t have to shell out account credits.

For example, Caesars frequently boasts a $1,000 first bet insurance deal. So, if you wager $1,000 on the Chicago Cubs to win their next game and they lose, Caesars will credit your account the entire $1,000 to try another bet. 

Referral bonus

Once you've claimed a welcome bonus, many sportsbooks will offer additional ongoing promotions to keep you interested. A common one is a referral bonus, where you can be rewarded for getting your friends to create an account with your sportsbook of choice. 

You'll use a unique sign-up code or link, which you'll pass along to your friends. If they use your referral to make a new account and an initial deposit, you'll get a small perk from the sportsbook. It's usually $20 to $50 worth, in the form of a bonus bet or some cashback rewards.

In our opinion, these sites have the best sportsbook referral bonus you can claim. 

Illinois online sportsbooks

Most casual bettors living outside of Illinois may need to learn that when sports betting became legal in June 2019, the bill stated that out-of-state operators must wait 18 months before entering the market. This allowed Chicago-based BetRivers to launch the first online sportsbook in Illinois before the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel entered the fray.

Today there are nine online sportsbook operators in the state, after Circa, Fanatics Sportsbook, and Hard Rock Bet all launched in 2023 and 2024. Even though Circa doesn't offer a welcome promo like the other books, all nine have dedicated mobile sports betting apps for download on iOS and Android devices. While each is worthy of consideration, we're calling out their unique calling cards and top features.

Illinois online and mobile sportsbooks

Illinois betting resources

With some sportsbooks offering new players guaranteed bonus bets and Caesars and BetMGM kicking in up to four figures plus rewards points, it’s easy for Illinois sports betting enthusiasts to get tunnel vision when it comes to sign-up promos. However, the goal should be the best-informed sports bettor, not the person who falls in love without doing homework.

We spend time building complementary resource guides to the best sportsbooks promos in Illinois, a more in-depth look at how sports betting bonuses work, and highlighting the best sportsbooks.

If you're curious about sports betting in other states, head over to our legal sports betting state tracker for all the latest updates. 

Sports betting by category

It doesn't matter what sport or league is your favorite; there's a great sportsbook bonus waiting for you at any number of legal and licensed sportsbooks in your state. Here's a list of the best sportsbooks by category, to make your decisions even easier:

Responsible sports betting with Illinois promos

The Illinois Gaming Board regulates all forms of gaming in the state. In addition to ensuring the integrity and safety of those who engage in sports betting, the IGB also offers services for those seeking help for problem gambling.

Proceeds and a portion of the tax revenue collected from operators and sports bettors go towards these programs to educate, prevent and treat gambling addiction. Some of the resources available include:

• Self-exclusion programs that is a voluntary option for those who want to limit their exposure to casinos and sportsbooks, both retail and online.

• The Illinois Gaming Board Problem Gambling registry provides regular emails and courses on recognizing, treating, and preventing gambling problems before they get out of control.

• The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) launched a website for those seeking assistance with their gambling.

IDHS helpline: 1-800-843-6154

National U.S. gambling helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER

With online sportsbooks offering so many glitzy promotions to new players, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment. However, practicing safe sports betting and protecting your bankroll is of the utmost importance to avoid the pitfalls of gambling addiction.

Sportsbook promos and bonuses in other regions

Sportsbook promos & bonuses in legal U.S. states

Sportsbook promos & bonuses in international regions

• Canada sportsbook promos (excluding Ontario)

• U.K. sportsbook promos