Update: How to Register for an Illinois Sportsbook
Editor’s Note: As of Saturday, March 5, 2022, you no longer have to visit a retail sportsbook in Illinois to sign up for a legal online sportsbook. Instead, you can create your Illinois sports betting account at home and bet anywhere within state lines.
Here is a list of the top sportsbooks in Illinois along with the bonus offers. New players can take advantage of multiple bonuses.
Can I Register for an Illinois Sportsbook Online?
Yes, you can download and register online for the best sportsbooks in Illinois that operate legally in the Prairie State.
In-person registration is in effect in Illinois; however, it doesn’t mean you should miss out on any free bets and bonuses you can get by signing up online. By March 5 at the latest, Illinois will have online registration.
Let’s walk through the steps on how to sign up for one of the seven online sportsbooks in Illinois — BetMGM DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, Caesars and Barstool — and have the best experience:
DraftKings Sportsbook
Bonus: $50 + $1,000
Bonus Code: Click to claim promo
- Download the DraftKings App: First, download the DraftKings Sportsbook app to ensure you receive the $50 free bet.
- Create Your Account: Click on the green “Sign Me Up” button. Create a username and password and enter your email address. Then, read and agree to the Terms of Use. Enter your details, including your name, date of birth, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Caesars Sportsbook
Bonus: $1,250
Use bonus code: LEGALFULL
- Download the Caesars App: Be sure to download the Caesars Sportsbook app for Illinois sports betting, and don’t miss out on the up to $1,250 on Caesars + 1000 Tier Credits + 1000 Reward Credits®.
- Create Your Account: Click the “Join Now” button and follow the registration prompts. Caesars will ask for your details, including the last four digits of your Social Security number. Don’t forget to enter the promo code LEGALFULL.
BetMGM Sportsbook
Bonus: up to $1,000 bonus
Use bonus code: PLAYBONUS
- Download the BetMGM App: To ensure you get the $1,000 risk-free bet, download the BetMGM app onto your phone.
- Create Your Account: Click the “Register” button. You’ll be asked to enter your email and create a password. Then you’ll need to share the last four digits of your Social Security number and your date of birth. Enter your details, including the last four digits of your Social Security number, birth date, phone number and your address. Last but not least, you’ll need to enter the BetMGM promo code PLAYBONUS and you should be good to go.
PointsBet Sportsbook
Bonus: Get 2 Second Chance Free Bets up to $2,000
Bonus code: BETBONUS
- Download the PointsBet App: Be sure to download the PointsBet app, to get up to $2,000 in second chance free bets.
- Create Your Account: Click the “Sign Up Now” button and then choose Illinois. Then enter your name and email address. PointsBet notes that your name should match the name on your driver’s license or passport. After clicking “Continue,” you’ll need to enter further personal details, including the last four digitals of your Social Security number. Then create a password and check the “Terms and Conditions” box.
BetRivers Sportsbook
Bonus: $500
Use promo code: PLAYRIV
- Download the BetRivers App: If you download the BetRivers app using our link, you’ll receive a 100% deposit match up to $500. BetRivers is an official betting partner of the Chicago Bears. You can bet on exclusive Bears’ markets soon, but first, you’ll need to create a screen name and enter your email address. Once you’re done, click “Join Now.”
- Create Your Account: Create a screen name and password, and enter your email address. Then enter PLAYRIV into the promo code box to receive the deposit match. You can register faster if you already have a Rush Rewards or Play4Fun account. Enter your personal information as prompted — this will include your name, date of birth, address, phone number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
FanDuel Sportsbook
Bonus: $1,000
Promo Code: Click to claim promo
- Download the FanDuel App: To ensure you get the $1,000 no-sweat bet, download the FanDuel app onto your phone/tablet.
- Create Your Account: Click the “Bet Now” button and then choose “Illinois.” Create a username and password, and enter your email address. Enter your details, including the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Barstool Sportsbook
- Download the Barstool App: Download the Barstool app onto your mobile device.
- Create Your Account: Click the “Register Now” button to fill out the presented form with your email address, and create a username and password. The next page asks for your address, phone number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Be sure to set up the security settings how you prefer. Barstool has five “Terms and Conditions” boxes you must agree to before you can “Accept & Register.”
What Information Do I Need to Share to Register for a Sportsbook?
For the most part, registering for an Illinois sportsbook is no more complicated than signing up for an account on any number of online shopping apps/websites. It’s also standard across all the sportsbooks in IL.
You can start the process on your computer, smartphone or tablet. If you’re using a mobile device, make sure the app you’re downloading is for the sportsbook in Illinois. Some sportsbooks have apps specific to other jurisdictions.
The same goes for desktop website users. Regardless of what device you’re using, you’ll have to agree to let the website use location services to identify your position.
You’ll also have to share the following identifying information:
- Legal name
- Mailing address
- Date of birth
- Social Security number (for tax purposes)
- Email address
After you’ve gone through all the registration steps you can complete online; you’ll need to visit the retail sportsbook location. Present your government-issued photo ID to the attendant, and they will click the computer mouse a few times and you’re good to go.
After you have completed your registration, you can deposit funds into your account and place bets right there. Alternatively, you can use your computer or mobile device as well.
History of Sportsbook Registration in Illinois
Despite that legal sports betting in Illinois began in March 2020, there is already an interesting history of the registration component to this entertainment form, primarily because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a timeline of events surrounding sports betting and the pandemic:
- March 5, 2022: Online registration became a permanent fixture in Illinois sports betting.
- April 2, 2021: Gov. JB Pritzker allows Executive Order 2020-41 to expire, and the in-person registration mandate returns on April 4.
- March 5, 2021: Pritzker renews the executive order again until April 3.
- Feb. 5, 2021: Pritzker renews the executive order to allow online registration until March 6.
- Jan. 8, 2021: Pritzker renews the executive order until Feb. 6.
- Dec. 11, 2020: Pritzker renews the executive order again until Jan. 9, 2021.
- Nov. 13, 2020: Due to high COVID-19 case numbers, Pritzker allows mobile sports betting registration through Dec. 12.
- Oct. 16, 2020: Pritzker extends executive order to allow online sportsbook registration through Nov. 14.
- Sept. 14, 2020: Pritzker extends the order through Oct. 17.
- Aug. 21, 2020: Pritzker issues a new executive order suspending physical registration again.
- July 27, 2020: Pritzker lets the executive order expire and in-person mandate returns.
- July 9, 2019: Pritzker signs law legalizing sports betting in IL with in-person registration requirements for online wagering.
- June 18, 2020: BetRivers becomes the first legal online sportsbook in Illinois.
- June 5, 2020: Pritzker signs executive order suspending in-person registration requirements.
- March 9, 2020: BetRivers becomes the first legal retail sportsbook in IL.
IL Sportsbook Registration FAQ
The short answer is that the state included the mandate to keep DraftKings and FanDuel from having an advantage over competitors because of their large rolls of daily fantasy sports (DFS) customers. What other states require bettors to register for online wagering in person? Currently, only Nevada has such a mandate. Iowa’s mandate expired on New Year’s Day 2021, however. Rhode Island originally had a similar requirement but has since repealed it.
Opponents argue it creates an incentive for bettors to continue to use illegal, offshore sports betting websites. Additionally, there is no evidence that face-to-face registration improves outcomes on preventing match-fixing or increasing responsible gambling.
No, you must be at least 21 years old and supply the sportsbook with all requested identifying documents/information.