Go directly to the content.
Online registration for sports betting in Illinois is back! Starting from March 5, there is no longer a need to physically sign up for sports betting apps.
This is the perfect opportunity to place bets on March Madness, with six online sportsbooks now available in Illinois: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers, PointsBet, Barstool, and Caesars by William Hill.
A new sportsbook called BetMGM has debuted, with the potential for more launches on the horizon. There are currently undisclosed pending applicants vying for online-only sports betting licenses.
We are keeping Illinois sports bettors informed with the most recent news, launches, promotional offers, and more as the Prairie State’s “second launch” approaches.
2022 Illinois remote registration updates
8 a.m. March 9: Caesars Sportsbook reboots
Caesars Illinois officially rebrands, dropping William Hill and incorporating the sportsbook into nationwide promotions. Find out more about the Caesars Sportsbook Illinois launch to understand the impact on you.
10 a.m. March 7: New Caesars app coming soon
The new Caesars Sportsbook app is set to debut in Illinois sometime between Monday and Wednesday, replacing the current Caesars by William Hill app and brand.
7 a.m. March 5: BetMGM is live
BetMGM is the seventh online sportsbook to launch in Illinois. It is the first mobile sportsbook to debut in the state in nearly a year.
Upon signing up, new users have the opportunity to earn a bonus bet of up to $1,000.
Midnight March 5: Bye-bye, in-person registration
Residents of Illinois can now officially register for sports betting apps on their mobile devices.
4 p.m. March 4: Caesars to keep William Hill cloak a bit longer
Caesars has officially announced that the Illinois sportsbook will remain under the William Hill brand until next week.
11 a.m. March 4: FanDuel online registration starts at 12:40 a.m. Saturday
Starting at 12:40 a.m. on March 5th, FanDuel Sportsbook will now permit online registration for new customers. This means that individuals will no longer be required to visit the former Fairmont Park in Collinsville to create a FanDuel account.
FanDuel is currently running a pre-registration promotion. If you sign up before March 5th, you will receive $100 in complimentary site credits.
FanDuel IL made its official debut in Illinois on August 28, 2020. Originally in partnership with Par-A-Dice Casino, it later transferred its online license to FanDuel Sportsbook and Racing.
5 p.m. March 3: Caesars at William Hill to become Caesars
On Thursday evening, Caesars sent a notice to Illinois customers of the former William Hill app.
2 p.m. March 3: PointsBet online registration starts at 10 a.m. Saturday
As of 10 a.m. on March 5, PointsBet Sportsbook will now offer online registration for new customers. This means that individuals interested in signing up for a PointsBet account no longer need to visit a Hawthorne Race Course location.
Take advantage of the book’s prelaunch special by creating a new PointsBet account before March 6. You will receive $100 in bonus bets, on top of the $2,000 in bonus bets. To claim this offer, sign up with PointsBet Illinois and use the promo code BETBONUSIL. The $100 in bonus bets will be added to your account after you place your first wager.
PointsBet IL launched in the state on September 12th, 2020.
March 1: DraftKings unveils new bonus
Just like FanDuel, DraftKings is also offering a $100 pre-registration bonus.
Sign up for DraftKings by March 5 to receive a complimentary $100 bet.
Feb. 28: New approvals coming?
Three unknown applicants have submitted bids for online-only sports betting licenses in Illinois. According to the Sports Wagering Act, the winning bidders may be disclosed on March 3.
That being said, there is also a board meeting scheduled for March 10 where we may receive an update. Regardless, be prepared for some news on this matter in the near future.
Feb. 24: FanDuel unveils sign up offer
Illinois residents can take advantage of FanDuel Sportsbook’s pre-registration promotion.
Sign up before March 5 to receive $100 in free site credits from FanDuel.
Jan. 27: Illinois Gaming Board approves BetMGM
BetMGM was recently approved by the IGB for a sports betting license at the end of January. Upon its launch, BetMGM will join six other online sportsbooks in the state.
BetMGM, a top-four national sportsbook, had not yet entered the Illinois market despite its prominent status.
It has formed a partnership with Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria to gain market access, distinguishing itself from the three undisclosed online-only license applicants.
2021
Dec. 17: Gov. Pritzker signs bill setting end date for in-person registration
HB 3136 was a major milestone for the industry, and Pritzker officially approved it into law right before the holiday season.
The deadline for in-person registration was established as March 5, and betting on Illinois college teams was also made legal. However, there is a requirement for in-person registration.
Dec. 9: Three companies apply for online-only licenses
Three applicants applied for the $20 million online-only licenses offered by the IGB.
By March, we will have learned the identities of the applicants. After that, the IGB will decide whether to approve or deny them. If all are approved, Illinois could potentially have more than ten online sportsbooks by summer.
Oct. 28: Online registration law fix passes
After being passed by both the Illinois Senate and House, HB 3136 was signed into law by Pritzker just over a month later as detailed above.
April 4: Pritzker brings back in-person registration in Illinois
After approximately seven months of requiring online registration, Pritzker lifted his executive order once COVID-19 vaccines were readily accessible.
The seven-month period set the stage for Illinois to emerge as a leading sports betting market in the US, yet there appears to be further potential waiting to be realized.
2020
Aug. 21: Pritzker shifts to online registration
With the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, the Governor decided to suspend the in-person registration mandate. Despite previous indecision, this crucial change remained in effect until April 2021, paving the way for significant growth in the sports betting industry.
