Sports betting is legal in 19 states in one way or another.
Those states are: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Other states will come online sometime in 2022. Some are a longer way off. In-person betting also exists in multiple states across the country, but the fastest growing part of the sports betting industry is in the online arena.
Here is a list of other legal online sports betting states.
Here's what you need to know about legal online sports betting in Illinois:
Can I legally bet online in Illinois?
Yes; if you are 21 or older. Sports betting became legal in Illinois in June 2020.
How do I bet?
To start a sports betting account in Illinois, you must visit a sportsbook in person to register. That process is set to expire on March 5, 2022. Once you register for an account, you can bet on sports anywhere within the state of Illinois by downloading a sports betting app on your smartphone/mobile device/computer/any online device. You can also place bets at physical sportsbooks, of which seven in the state have obtained licenses.
Where can I bet?
Anywhere within the state’s boarders. You don’t need to be a resident of the state to sign up for an online account, but you do need to be in the state to place a bet – your smartphone or desktop plugin will use geolocation (“geofence”) technology to verify that your location when placing a wager. If you are an Illinois resident physically in another state, you will be blocked from placing a bet.
What can I bet on?
You can bet on all major sporting events/games, including college/NCAA, however, you cannot bet on Illinois college/NCAA teams, nor can you live bet on any college/NCAA sports. Also, college/NCAA player prop betting is prohibited.
Who can I bet with?
Sports bettors in the state currently must first make an in-person visit to a casino or racetrack in the state to complete their registration to legally place online sports wagers. Once they do, they have six online options to bet with:
Who oversees betting in Illinois?
Illinois Gaming Board
-- FrontPageBets Staff
Gambling problem? There is help. Call 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling for help.