Sports Betting

NBA Betting: The Best Online Sportsbooks in Illinois for Basketball

Illinois legalized online sports betting on June 18, 2020, and the Prairie State jumped straight into the deep end with 10 licensed sportsbooks. That's some serious competition, which means better promos, sharper odds, and more options for you. If you're riding with the Chicago Bulls at United Center or building Same Game Parlays on national TV games, Illinois has one of the best NBA betting markets in the country.

NBA Betting: The Best Online Sportsbooks in Illinois for Basketball

Is Sports Betting Legal in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois legalized sports betting on June 28, 2019, when Governor J.B. Pritzker signed SB 690 into law. Retail sportsbooks opened on March 9, 2020, and online betting launched on June 18, 2020.

Here's what you need to know:

Governing body: Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). They regulate everything, so if a sportsbook has their approval, you're good.
Licensed operators: 10 online sportsbooks (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, ESPN BET, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, Fanatics, Circa Sports).
Retail locations: 14+ retail sportsbooks at casinos, racetracks, and arenas.
Minimum age: 21. No exceptions.
Tax structure: 15% operator tax plus a per-bet tax (25 cents per bet up to 20 million wagers, 50 cents beyond that). Some sportsbooks pass this cost to bettors through minimum bet requirements or fees. Others absorb it. Check before you commit.
College betting rules: You can bet on college basketball, but absolutely no betting on in-state college teams (University of Illinois, Northwestern, DePaul, etc.). Out-of-state college teams are fair game. No props on any college athletes anywhere. High school betting is completely banned.
Advertising ban: The Illinois Gaming Board banned all sports betting ads during live sports programming as of August 2025.
Geolocation requirements: Every app uses GPS tech to confirm you're in Illinois before accepting bets. Cross state lines and your app won't work.
Offshore sites: Avoid them. They're not regulated, offer zero consumer protections, and if something goes wrong, you're out of luck.

Shurzy Tip: Illinois has 10 sportsbooks, which makes line shopping mandatory. The difference between DraftKings offering Bulls -3 and FanDuel offering Bulls -2.5 could be the difference between a push and a loss. Open accounts with 3-5 books, check odds before every bet, and always grab the best number. Your bookie hates this, but your bankroll loves it.

Top Sportsbooks for NBA Betting in Illinois

Illinois has 10 licensed sportsbooks. Here are the best for NBA betting:

DraftKings Sportsbook Illinois

DraftKings partners with the Chicago Cubs and Casino Queen, delivering one of Illinois's deepest NBA betting experiences. The app is fast, the Same Game Parlay builder is stupid easy, and they drop daily odds boosts on NBA games. Their partnership with NBA League Pass adds serious value if you're streaming games while betting.

Best for: Same game parlays, daily odds boosts, player props, NBA League Pass

FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois

FanDuel partners with the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, and Fairmount Park. Their live betting interface is the cleanest in Illinois. Odds update in real time during games, perfect for hammering live unders or fading teams losing steam.

Best for: Live in-game betting, single-game parlays, clean interface

BetMGM Sportsbook Illinois

BetMGM delivers strong NBA odds and comprehensive player props. The MGM Rewards loyalty program extends across their nationwide casino properties, adding long-term value for regular bettors.

Best for: Loyalty rewards, comprehensive NBA markets

Caesars Sportsbook Illinois

Caesars combines extensive NBA betting markets with the valuable Caesars Rewards program applicable to casinos nationwide. Regular profit boosts on basketball games make them a weekly stop for serious bettors.

Best for: Rewards program, profit boosts

bet365 Sportsbook Illinois

bet365 brings international expertise to Illinois. Early cash-out options, extensive live betting markets, and "Tip Off Tuesdays" NBA promotions make them a favorite among sharp bettors.

Best for: Cash-out options, live betting depth, NBA-specific promos

Fanatics Sportsbook Illinois

Fanatics partners with Hawthorne Race Course and leans into their merch dominance. The FanCash rewards system lets you earn credits toward official NBA gear with every bet. Perfect for Bulls fans who want to stack jerseys and wins.

Best for: Merch rewards, FanCash program

BetRivers Sportsbook Illinois

BetRivers provides solid NBA markets, competitive odds, and reliable in-game betting. Their straightforward approach appeals to serious basketball bettors who want consistency over flash.

Best for: Reliability, straightforward promos

ESPN BET Illinois

ESPN BET integrates directly with ESPN's NBA coverage. Watch "NBA Tonight," hear a take, and bet on it without switching apps. They offer injury insurance on player props and regular parlay boosts.

Best for: ESPN integration, injury insurance on props

Hard Rock Bet Illinois

Hard Rock Bet partners with Hard Rock Casino Rockford and entered Illinois in August 2024. The platform delivers competitive NBA odds and innovative live betting features.

Best for: New market energy, competitive odds

Circa Sports Illinois

Circa Sports partners with American Place Casino and stands out for the highest betting limits in Illinois. If you're a high roller or sharp player looking to bet big, Circa's your spot.

Best for: High betting limits, sharp bettors

Shurzy Tip: Chicago hasn't won a championship since 1998, and nostalgia clouds judgment. When the Bulls play on national TV, public money floods in based on the Jordan legacy, not the current roster. That's when you find value in fading the public and backing the opponent if the line gets inflated.

Best NBA Betting Bonuses in Illinois

Illinois sportsbooks throw money at new users. Here's how to grab it:

Fanatics: Up to $2,000 in No Sweat Bets. The biggest welcome offer in Illinois, though it requires qualifying wagers across multiple days. Plus FanCash rewards toward Bulls gear.
DraftKings: Bet $5, Get $200 + 3 Months NBA League Pass + 20% Deposit Match up to $1,000. Multiple bonus pathways. Bet $5 on any NBA game, get $200 in bonus bets if it wins, plus a 20% match on your deposit (up to $1,000 extra), PLUS three months of NBA League Pass for streaming.
BetMGM: Up to $1,500 First Bet Offer. Substantial safety net. Drop $1,000 on an NBA spread, and if it loses, you get $1,000 in bonus bets back.
bet365: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets. Straightforward offer with competitive odds and "Tip Off Tuesdays" promos for NBA games.
FanDuel: Bet $5, Get $150 If Your Bet Wins. Clean interface, immediate bonus activation. Perfect for new bettors.
Caesars: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Next 20 Bets. Lowest entry point in Illinois. Extended value across multiple weeks of NBA action.
Deposit Match: DraftKings' 20% deposit match up to $1,000 provides additional bankroll without aggressive playthrough requirements.

Shurzy Tip: Bonus bets in Illinois typically expire in 7 days. Don't sit on them. NBA national TV games (Tuesday/Friday/Saturday on ESPN, TNT) are perfect spots to burn through bonus bets because the slates are small and you can focus on 2-3 games instead of getting overwhelmed by 10 matchups.

NBA Bet Types You'll Actually Use

Illinois sportsbooks offer every NBA bet type imaginable. Here are the ones that matter:

Moneyline Bets: Pick which team wins straight up. Bulls -200 vs. Pistons +160 means you bet $200 on Chicago to win $100, or bet $100 on Detroit to win $160.
Point Spread Bets: The most popular NBA bet. If the Bulls are -6.5 favorites, they need to win by 7+ for your bet to hit. If you bet the Pistons +6.5, they can lose by 6 or fewer (or win outright) and you cash.
Totals (Over/Under): Bet on the combined score. Bulls vs. Pistons total is set at 216.5? Bet the over if you think both teams combine for 217+ points.
Player Props: Points scored (DeMar DeRozan Over 21.5 Points), rebounds (Nikola Vucevic Over 11.5 Rebounds), assists (Coby White Over 5.5 Assists), threes made (Lonzo Ball Over 1.5 Threes), double-doubles, triple-doubles. Remember: No props on any college athletes in Illinois, only pros.

Team Props: First team to score 20 points, highest-scoring quarter, first basket scorer, halftime leader, winning margin ranges.
Same Game Parlays (SGPs): Combine multiple bets from one game. Example: Bulls Moneyline + DeMar DeRozan Over 21.5 Points + Game Total Over 220.
Futures: NBA Finals champion, conference winners, MVP candidates, team win totals.
Live In-Game Betting: Odds update in real time during games. Bet on next team to score, quarter winners, adjusted spreads.

Shurzy Tip: Illinois has that unique per-bet tax that some sportsbooks pass to you and others absorb. Compare how each book handles it. If one charges you 25 cents per bet and another absorbs the cost, bet with the one that eats the fee. Small edges add up over 82 games.

How to Start Betting NBA Games in Illinois

Step 1: Pick a licensed sportsbook. Choose from Illinois's 10 IGB-licensed platforms. Open accounts with 3-5 to stack bonuses and compare odds.
Step 2: Register. Download the app or visit the site. You'll need your full legal name, date of birth (21+), last four digits of your SSN, Illinois address, email, and phone number.
Step 3: Verify your identity. Upload a government-issued ID. One-time verification.
Step 4: Deposit. Fund your account with debit/credit card, bank transfer (ACH), PayPal, or in-casino deposits for casino-partnered sportsbooks.
Step 5: Claim your promo. Activate any welcome bonuses before placing your first bet. For DraftKings, claim the full suite (bonus bets + NBA League Pass + deposit match).
Step 6: Find NBA markets. Open the basketball section. Browse games, odds, and bet types.
Step 7: Place your bet. Add picks to your bet slip, enter your stake, confirm.
Step 8: Withdraw winnings. Request payouts through the app. Most Illinois sportsbooks process withdrawals in 24-72 hours (e-wallets) or 2-3 business days (bank transfers).

NBA Betting Strategies That Actually Work

Line shop across all 10 books. A half-point on a spread or 10 cents on a moneyline compounds over 82 games. Check multiple apps before every bet.
Track injury reports religiously. Star players missing games change everything. Follow official reports every afternoon.
Fade public money on Bulls games. Chicago games attract heavy public betting based on nostalgia. When the Bulls are primetime favorites, sharp bettors often find value on the underdog.
Bet unders in Eastern Conference defensive matchups. When two top defensive teams play (Bulls vs. Heat, Celtics, Knicks), totals tend to stay under.
Manage your bankroll. Bet 1-2% per game. Never chase losses.
Use advanced stats. Check offensive/defensive ratings, pace factors, net ratings. NBA.com/stats and Cleaning the Glass are goldmines.
Respect line movement. Illinois has a sophisticated betting population. When lines shift significantly, sharp money is behind it.
Account for the per-bet tax. Compare how operators handle Illinois's per-bet tax and factor it into your unit sizing over the long season.

Bet Responsibly (For Real)

Illinois Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or 1-800-662-4357 (24/7, confidential). Illinois Council on Problem Gambling offers treatment programs and counseling. Gam Talk provides 24/7 peer support forums. All Illinois sportsbooks offer deposit limits, loss limits, cooling-off periods, and reality checks. Betting should make games more fun, not create stress.

Final Word

Illinois is one of the best states for legal NBA betting. 10 licensed sportsbooks, competitive promos, and strong consumer protections through the Illinois Gaming Board make it a premium place to bet basketball. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and bet365 offer security, competitive odds, and bonuses that offshore sites can't touch. Line shop across multiple platforms, account for per-bet tax implications, and bet smarter all season.

Too lazy to research? You're in the right place. Now go bet smarter.

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