At the time of writing, DraftKings Illinois features markets for 18 sports, though this number may increase when big events like the Olympic Games come around. Whether your passions are college football and basketball, or the NHL and NASCAR, you should find plenty to explore at DraftKings. There’s a lot of depth here too. This means you can bet on everything from what the first inning score will be in a baseball game, to which team will be ahead by half time in a soccer match.
Having long since made the transition from a fantasy sports operator to one of the country’s best-known sportsbooks, DraftKings brings plenty of experience and know-how to the Prairie State. With betting markets for a big range of sports, and a mobile app that makes it easy to keep on top of your wagers and make deposits and withdrawals wherever you are, there’s a lot to recommend with DraftKings.
You can follow our link to sign up right away. Or, if you’d like some more details, read on for our in-depth review of what’s on offer at this top Illinois sportsbook.
Why Sign Up To Draftkings Illinois
DraftKings is a big name, familiar even to people who don’t bet on sports. So it’s only natural to expect great things when coming to the site for the first time. We’re glad to see it lives up to expectations. Most sports events are decked out with a diverse array of betting options, and there’s a rewards program that allows you to rack up some potentially lucrative ‘Crowns”. If you’re curious to know more, we’ve got all the info right here.
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History of Draftkings Illinois
The lavish, 6,000-square-foot DraftKings retail sportsbook at Casino Queen, East St Louis, finally opens after years in the making.
DraftKings becomes the second online sportsbook to go live in Illinois.
A new era begins in Illinois when Governor JB Pritzker passes legislation to allow sports betting in the state. It paves the way for companies such as DraftKings to plant their flag here.
Draftkings Illinois Promo Code
DraftKings’ matched deposit bonus is one of the more striking sign-up deals we’ve seen in the Prairie State, though it’s important to be aware of the fine print.
By creating an account and paying at least $5 into your account, you’ll be eligible for bonus credits equivalent to 20% of your deposit. So, to get the maximum bonus amount of $1,000, you’d have to deposit $5,000.
This percentage could be bigger, for sure. Plus, there’s a pretty steep 25x playthrough requirement, meaning you’ll need to wager $25,000 to release the full $1,000. You’ll also have to meet this requirement within 90 days of your initial deposit.
While these T&Cs could certainly be more player-friendly, many users will still welcome the chance to get bonus credits right off the bat.
Plus, DraftKings often greets new sign-ups with a secondary offer. At the time of writing, for example, a new member who bets at least $5 on any pre-game NBA moneyline will get $150 in free bet credits if their team wins. This is paid out as six $25 free bets, which must be used within seven days.
Promotions
What other deals are in store at DraftKings, beyond the welcome offers? You can find out by heading to the ‘Promos’ page, and there will typically be one or two running at any particular time. For example, you may be offered same game parlay insurance for NBA events, where you’ll get a proportion of your stake returned in free bet form if your parlay loses by one leg.
DraftKings also prides itself on running daily free to play pools, which give you the chance to win cash rewards for making accurate predictions on sports events.
As new deals may appear at any time, we recommend keeping tabs on the promotions page so you don’t miss out.
Sports available at Draftkings Illinois
Live Betting & Streaming
It probably won’t come as a surprise to know DraftKings places a big focus on live betting. After all, this is a must-have sportsbook attribute as far as many bettors are concerned, allowing for wagers to be placed while the action’s underway. Head to the ‘Live In-Game’ page and you’ll see all the events that are currently unfolding, along with the fluctuating odds for each selection.
When live betting at DraftKings, you might want to look out for the cash out option. This allows you to lock in profits or mitigate losses, before the outcome of selections are known. Say you’ve put down a moneyline wager on the Chicago Cubs beating the Arizona Diamondbacks. You might then choose to cash out the bet halfway through the game if the Cubs are doing well. This will guarantee a profit, meaning you don’t have to worry about the Diamondbacks mounting a comeback. Alternatively, if the Cubs look like they’re not on form, you might want to play things ultra-safe and cash out for a small return, rather than risk an outright loss.
Odds
There are now several online bookmakers in the Prairie State, and DraftKings holds its own by offering odds that typically adhere to the industry average. That said, the site also boosts the odds on certain selections, meaning you’ll get a better return than the average if these wagers go your way.
As we touched on earlier, DraftKings also allows you to put together same game parlays for certain events. Combining different odds within one parlay can lead to bigger returns compared to making individual bets, though it’s important to remember your risk also increases with the number of legs.
App Review
The DraftKings mobile app puts all the aspects of the desktop site in the palm of your hand. Sharing the same distinctive dark color scheme, it’s very clearly laid out so you’ll be able to head to your favorite markets and make deposits and withdrawals with ease. Hitting the in-play markets is just as simple and fast as you’d want, too.
Once you’ve followed our dedicated DraftKings link to create your account, you can simply download the app from Google Play (if you’re an Android user) or the App Store (if you’re on an iOS device).
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Design & Usability
DraftKings follows a traditional layout, with the A-Z list of sports categories running down the left-hand side of the page, and the bet slip sitting on the right. There are large, helpful tabs at the top, providing quick access to promotions, in-game markets, and the rewards program. The dark colors of the site can divide users – some may find it stylish, while others may simply think it looks a little gloomy. But either way, DraftKings checks the box for user experience.
Special Features
DraftKings boasts a loyalty scheme known as the Dynasty Rewards Program. All members are automatically enrolled, and it provides one ‘Crown’ for every $2 you put on straight bets, and for every $1 wagered on parlays. You can redeem these Crowns for free bet credits, DraftKings merch and more. Racking up enough Crowns will also push you up the rankings, with higher tier members enjoying priority customer support and invitations to live events.
Cashier
Convenience is key at DraftKings, just as it is at any top betting site. This means you’ll probably find your preferred banking method here.
You can make deposits using a number of options, including your debit or credit card, a DraftKings gift card or Play+ card, and PayPal.
Meanwhile, withdrawals can come via PayPal, VIP Preferred, and even paper check. Payout processing times are a little longer compared to some other bookies, with Play+ cards typically allowing for the fastest movement of funds.
Min deposit | Minimum Withdrawal Limit | Withdrawal Processing Time | |
DraftKings Play+ card | $5 | None | 2-4 days |
Credit/debit card | $5 | N/A | N/A |
DraftKings gift card | $5 | N/A | N/A |
PayPal | $5 | $1 | 3-5 days |
VIP Preferred (ACH) | $5 | None | 3-5 days |
Online banking (ACH) | $5 | None | 3-5 days |
Check by mail | N/A | $15 | 3-days |
Draftkings Illinois Customer Support
DraftKings has a sprawling help section packed with FAQs. But there may be a time when you need a member of the team to handle a specific issue. If so, it’s good to know you can fire up the live chat window. Staff may not always be available, but you’ll be able to leave a message if nobody is on hand. Alternatively, you can send over an email, or use the active Twitter account.
Your Questions Answered
Can I play blackjack, slots and other casino games at DraftKings Illinois?
Online casino gambling isn’t currently legal in Illinois. That means the DraftKings online casino can’t be accessed within state lines, though you can of course play in eligible regions across the US, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Do I need to be an Illinois resident to bet at DraftKings?
Not at all. You can place real money bets as long as you’re over 21 and physically located within state lines. Geolocation software is used by the site to check you’re in Illinois when you bet.
Does DraftKings have a VIP scheme?
As we discussed earlier, DraftKings has a perk-filled rewards program. But there’s also a VIP tier, offering exclusive promotions and personalized contests. Access is by invitation only, however.