NHL Betting: The Best Online Sportsbooks in Illinois for Hockey

Illinois is home to the Chicago Blackhawks, one of hockey's Original Six, and 10 licensed sportsbooks competing for your attention. Since online betting launched in June 2020, Illinois has become one of the most competitive betting markets in the nation. Sharp puck line pricing, deep player props, constant promos, and serious line shopping opportunities make Illinois a hockey bettor's playground.

Is NHL Betting Legal in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois legalized sports betting in June 2019 when Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Sports Wagering Act. Online sports betting launched on June 18, 2020.

Quick facts:

You must be 21 or older. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) regulates and licenses all retail, online, and mobile sports betting sites. The IGB oversees compliance, ensures fair odds, and protects consumers. Illinois currently has 10 licensed online sportsbooks as of November 2025: bet365, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, Circa Sports, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics, FanDuel, and Hard Rock Bet. Remote registration is allowed, sign up and bet entirely through mobile apps from anywhere in-state. No casino visit required.

Read more: Best Sports Betting Bonuses and Promos in Illinois

Tax note: Illinois has a complex tax framework including a base rate up to 40% on gross gaming revenue over $200 million, plus a per-bet surcharge ($0.25 for the first 20 million bets, $0.50 after). These taxes are passed through to bettors in the form of reduced payouts or minimum bet requirements.

Legal books protect your funds and offer consumer protections impossible on offshore sites. Stick with licensed operators.

Top Sportsbooks for NHL Betting in Illinois

Illinois is loaded with options. Here's where to bet hockey based on what matters most.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Illinois Partner: PointsBet (retail operations)

FanDuel's the gold standard for hockey bettors nationwide, and Illinois is no exception. Sharp puck line pricing, extensive player props (shots, assists, goals, saves, power play points), responsive live betting, and creative SGPs. The interface is intuitive, injury and goalie updates are real-time, and NHL-specific promotions drop frequently. FanDuel's Blackhawks coverage is particularly strong for Illinois bettors.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins (code varies).

Best for: All Illinois hockey bettors, FanDuel is the default choice.

DraftKings Sportsbook

Illinois Partner: Casino Queen (East St. Louis)

DraftKings dominates individual player props, pulling from their daily fantasy sports expertise. Shots on goal, assists, blocked shots, anytime goal scorer markets are deep and creatively priced. The shared wallet between DFS and sportsbook is seamless. SGPs are extensive.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $200 in bonus bets if your bet wins + 3 months of NBA League Pass (terms vary).

Best for: Prop-focused bettors and DFS players.

Shurzy Tip: If you're already playing DFS hockey on DraftKings, the shared wallet is clutch. Build your lineups, then bet the game outcomes. One account, double the action.

Caesars Sportsbook

Illinois Partner: Multiple casino partnerships

Caesars consistently posts the sharpest NHL puck line pricing. Their algorithms are tuned to hockey's tight margins, when other books list underdogs at +110, Caesars might have +120. The Caesars Rewards loyalty program provides real value for frequent bettors (earn points toward hotel stays, dining, and more). Prop depth is strong, live betting is reliable.

Welcome offer: Bet $1, double your winnings on your next 20 bets (code varies).

Best for: Sharp bettors focused on ROI and long-term loyalty value.

Shurzy Tip: Caesars Rewards is legit if you're betting regularly. Stack points, cash them in for Vegas trips or comped dinners. Your bookie won't do that.

BetMGM

Illinois Partner: Multiple retail operations

BetMGM runs aggressive promotional calendars with NHL-specific boosts on rivalry games, national broadcasts, and playoff action. Dedicated goalie props (saves over/under, shutout odds) and deep team props. The "One Game Parlay" feature is solid for SGPs.

Welcome offer: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets back if your first bet loses (code varies).

Best for: Promotion seekers and goalie prop enthusiasts.

bet365

Illinois Partner: Launched March 2025

bet365 is a global powerhouse with what many consider the best live betting platform in the industry. NHL in-game odds update in real-time, and the interface is smooth during fast-paced hockey action. Futures markets (Stanley Cup, Conference winners, individual awards) are among the deepest available.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets win or lose (code varies).

Best for: Live-action bettors and futures-focused players.

Fanatics Sportsbook

Illinois Partner: Expanding retail presence

Fanatics' FanCash rewards program is among the most generous in the industry, earn cash back on every bet, redeemable for merchandise or betting credits. Live betting is responsive, the platform is modern, NHL coverage is comprehensive.

Welcome offer: Bet and Get Up To $2,000 in Bet Insurance FanCash (code varies).

Best for: Bettors who value ongoing rewards over one-time bonuses.

Read more: NFL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Football Season

NHL Bet Types in Illinois

Illinois sportsbooks offer the full spectrum of NHL bets. Here's what you can play.

Moneyline Betting

Pick the winner, straight up. Shop for the best moneyline pricing across Illinois's 10 books, prices vary.

Puck Line (-1.5 / +1.5)

Hockey's spread. Favorites must win by 2+ goals (-1.5), underdogs get a 1.5-goal cushion. Pricing varies meaningfully between Illinois books, always shop.

Shurzy Tip: With 10 sportsbooks in Illinois, puck line shopping is mandatory. A -110 at FanDuel might be -105 at Caesars. Over a full season, that's real money. Don't be lazy.

Total Goals (Over/Under)

Usually set between 5.5 and 6.5 goals per game. Alternative totals available on most Illinois books.

Player Props

The fastest-growing NHL market. Anytime goal scorer, shots on goal (2+, 3+, 4+), assists, saves (goalies), power play points, blocked shots, and time on ice (select books). DraftKings and Caesars offer the deepest menus.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About NBA Prop Betting

Period Betting

Bet specific periods: 1st-period moneyline, 1st-period total, 2nd-period total, 3rd-period moneyline. All major Illinois books offer period markets.

Shurzy Tip: Period betting is underrated for tight games. If you're expecting a defensive slugfest, bet the first-period under instead of the full game. You dodge empty-net chaos and overtime coin flips.

Team & Game Props

Team total goals, both teams to score, overtime (yes/no), winning margin, race to 3 goals. Available across all major Illinois books.

NHL Parlays & Same Game Parlays

Standard and SGP options available across all 10 Illinois books. FanDuel and DraftKings lead on NHL SGPs.

NHL Futures Betting

Stanley Cup winner, Conference winners, division winners, Hart/Vezina/Calder Trophy odds, team win totals. Comprehensive futures on all major Illinois books.

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

NHL Betting Bonuses & Promos in Illinois

Illinois's competitive market drives aggressive promotions. Here's what to watch for.

• Welcome Bonuses: All 10 sportsbooks offer new customer promotions. Current highlights include FanDuel's Bet $5, Get $150 if your first bet wins, DraftKings' Bet $5, Get $200 + NBA League Pass, BetMGM's up to $1,500 back if your first bet loses, Caesars' double your next 20 bets, and bet365's Bet $5, Get $150 win or lose.
• Odds Boosts on Rivalry Nights: Blackhawks games, Original Six matchups, and playoff action frequently feature boosted odds.
• Parlay Profit Boosts: 3+ leg parlays often receive 25-50% payout boosts across multiple books.
• Goal Scorer Insurance: "Bet on any goal scorer; if he doesn't score but logs 3+ shots, get money back." These reduce downside risk.
• Playoff Specials: Stanley Cup Playoffs bring some of the best promotional value of the year.

Shurzy Tip: Check multiple sportsbook promotion tabs daily. Illinois's competitive market means frequent, rotating offers. Track promo expiration dates and stack bonuses strategically. This is a bonus-hunting paradise.

Expert NHL Betting Tips for Illinois Bettors

Here's how to bet smarter on hockey in Illinois.

1. Watch Goalie Announcements Closely: A backup goalie can flip a line 2-3 goals instantly. Check official team sources 30 minutes before puck drop. Illinois books update quickly, but there's often a brief window to capture value.
2. Consider Back-to-Back Situations: Teams playing consecutive nights face fatigue. The team on night two of a back-to-back allows more goals. The Blackhawks' schedule creates regular opportunities here.
3. Shurzy Tip: Back-to-backs hit differently in hockey. If a team's on the second night and traveling, fade them hard. Books price it in somewhat, but casual bettors sleep on this edge, especially late season.
4. Track Pace & Expected Goals (xG): Raw win/loss records can mislead. Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality and predicts future performance. Free resources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey.
5. Home-Ice Advantage Isn't Massive: NHL home advantage is modest (~3-4% edge). Don't overweight home teams, but use it as a tiebreaker when analytical models are close.
6. Look for Underdog Value: NHL's low scoring creates frequent underdog wins. Moneylines and +1.5 puck lines often offer value overlooked by casual bettors.
7. Shop Illinois's Deep Market: With 10 sportsbooks competing, pricing varies meaningfully. A 5-cent difference on a puck line or 10-cent difference on a moneyline compounds into real money over a season. Check at least 3 books before betting. Use apps like OddsAssist for rapid comparison.
8. Leverage Blackhawks Knowledge: Illinois bettors who follow the Blackhawks closely have an edge on national bettors. Use your local knowledge, injury updates, lineup changes, goalie workload, to find value before lines adjust.
9. Monitor Tax Impact on Payouts: Illinois's per-bet surcharge ($0.25 per bet for the first 20M bets, $0.50 thereafter) affects payouts. Some sportsbooks pass this through as minimum bet requirements or reduced margins. Be aware of how your chosen book handles this tax.

How to Start Betting on NHL Games in Illinois

Getting started is simple. Here's the play-by-play.

• Pick a licensed sportsbook: From FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, BetRivers, Circa Sports, ESPN BET, or Hard Rock Bet. Create an account by downloading the app or visiting the website. Provide accurate info (full name, DOB, address, last four of SSN). Must be 21+. Remote registration means you can open an account from anywhere in Illinois, no casino visit required. Verify identity by uploading your driver's license or passport (verification typically happens within 24 hours). Deposit funds via debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, or other methods (minimums typically $5-$10). Claim promotions by checking the "Promotions" tab for NHL-specific offers across all 10 books. Navigate to NHL/Hockey to find upcoming games with moneylines, puck lines, totals, and props. Compare odds across at least 3 books before placing bets. Place your first bet, start simple with moneylines, puck lines, or anytime goal scorer. Track results and note which books offer the sharpest lines.
• Beginner-friendly bets: Anytime goal scorer (lower variance), puck lines (better payouts), first-period unders (less chaotic).

Safe, Responsible Hockey Betting in Illinois

The Illinois Gaming Board ensures all 10 licensed sportsbooks comply with consumer protection laws. Your funds are protected, and identity verification prevents underage gambling.

All Illinois sportsbooks offer deposit limits (daily, weekly, monthly), wager limits, time-out periods (24 hours to 6 months), and self-exclusion options. Use these tools proactively.

Responsible Gambling Resources:

• Illinois Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
• Gamblers Anonymous: Meetings throughout Illinois

If betting ever feels like a burden, reach out. Illinois's resources are confidential and free.

Never bet money you can't afford to lose. Avoid chasing losses. Track your bets. Stick to a plan. Separate betting funds from your everyday account.

Final Thoughts: Illinois's Best for NHL Betting

Illinois's sports betting market is among the most mature and competitive in the nation with 10 licensed online sportsbooks. For NHL betting, this competitive rewards disciplined bettors who shop for the best lines and bonuses.

For Blackhawks fans, leverage your local knowledge. Injury updates, lineup changes, team momentum insights give Illinois bettors an edge. Combine that edge with disciplined bankroll management and responsible gambling, and you'll maximize your NHL betting enjoyment.

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