DraftKings Sportsbook (Illinois) – Expert Review & Sign Up Bonuses

DraftKings Sportsbook (Illinois) – Expert Review & Sign Up Bonuses

DraftKings Illinois (officially DraftKings at Casino Queen) is a leading sportsbook in the state, boasting hundreds of betting markets across over 20 popular sports, including football, soccer, tennis, and basketball. There’s an excellent selection of bet types, including in-play and parlay options, plus regular bonuses & exciting promos.

DraftKings Illinois Highlights

DraftKings at Casino Queen entered the Illinois lucrative sports betting market in mid-2020, becoming only the second sportsbook to do so after its chief rival BetRivers. To circumvent the 18-month moratorium meant to lock out online-only sports betting operators, DraftKings partnered with Casino Queen in East St. Louis to offer a physical sportsbook. Today, DraftKings has shaped up to become one of the leading sportsbooks in the Land of Lincoln, and with good reason:

Well-established, American-born betting company: DraftKings made a foray into the fantasy sports and betting scene back in 2018, and it hasn’t looked back. It has made a name for itself, and it’s now considered one of the most popular sports betting brands in the country, only trailing its arch-rival FanDuel.

The Boston-based operator is already running a successful sports betting platform in a number of other states, including West Virginia, Michigan, Arizona, Tennessee, Virginia, Colorado, New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. We are certain that DraftKings will continue to use its experience to further its dominance in the IL sports betting market.

Sleek, easy to navigate, and modern sportsbook interface: We’ve to admit that the DraftKings Illinois sportsbook interface isn’t perfect. However, it’s user-friendly, clean, and immediately familiar to both veteran and casual users. Bettors are already raving about the mobile app’s sleek look, easy-to-navigate sports menus, and innovative live streaming service.

Fast & secure deposits and payouts: DraftKings accepts all major payment options we have come to associate with the gambling industry. Talk about PayPal, bank wire, online banking, Play+, ACH e-check, and debit/credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and Amex. Although we’d love to see more eWallet options offered by the sportsbook, the deposit methods at your disposal are more than enough for bettors of all styles and experiences.

Bettors will also appreciate that cashing out their winnings at DraftKings is a quick and secure affair. All the usual suspects are covered here, from PayPal to old-school methods like check by mail. However, a few qualms dwell on the lengthy withdrawal processing time, which can last up to 8 business days.

Wide sports betting coverage: DraftKings isn’t a newbie to the American sports betting scene, and it sure knows its stuff. The sportsbook offers betting odds on more than twenty of the most popular sports, including big hits like NFL football, EPL soccer, MLB baseball, NHL hockey, pro golf, tennis, boxing, athletics, MMA, cycling, and much more.

When it comes to betting markets and bet types, that’s where DraftKings brings its A-game. You will find thousands of sports markets available for betting, and bettors can make prop bets, futures, spread bets, total bets, parlays, round robins, and live in-play bets.

Top-class mobile betting experience: The entire sports betting site is optimized for play on the small screen. DraftKings has made sure that both the downloadable apps and the site offer an exhilarating and unique experience. Save for a few reports of the app freezing; the sportsbook app is polished and top-class.

Attractive rewards and bonus offers: DraftKings welcomes new Illinois bettors with numerous incentives, including an eye-watering welcome bonus of up to $1,000 on their first deposit plus a $50 free bet. When you decide to sign up for a new betting account with DraftKings, the operator will match your first deposit at the rate of 20% up to $1,000 in bonus cash.

We think, however, that the playthrough requirements linked to the welcome bonus are a bit unreasonable, especially when compared to wagering conditions imposed by its rivals. That is because bettors who choose to claim the welcome offer must play through a cumulative of $25,000 to be able to cash out the maximum bonus amount of $1,000.

Not just that; they must also wager an additional amount equal to their original bets to be eligible for cashouts. Moreover, wagers that qualify for the playthrough must have odds of -300 or higher. One missing thing from DraftKings is a loyalty rewards program, which puts the sportsbook at a disadvantage over its close competitors like Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill, BetMGM Sportsbook, BetRivers, and Pointsbet Online Sportsbook.

Live betting at DraftKings is exhilarating: While DraftKings Illinois isn’t the only sportsbook in the Land of Lincoln offering live betting, it sure stands out of the pack. Not only is the live in-play page full of exciting markets, but the sportsbook also provides better and more coverage in this section. It helps that the sportsbook also features a live streaming service designed to help bettors catch the action in real-time and check the game stats before placing their in-game bets.

DraftKings provides support to its customers from 6 in the morning all the way up to 11:59 pm EST. However, the sportsbook is lagging when it comes to avenues for seeking customer support. The only way to get in touch with customer care reps is through live chat and email.

IL bettors will be surprised to learn that there’s no way to reach DraftKings customer support by telephone. In its defense, the sports betting website and app have an extensive Help & Support page featuring an assortment of expertly answered FAQs.

Handy responsible gaming tools and resources: Gambling addiction is no joke, and it is encouraging to see betting companies that put the safety concerns of their uses front and center. That is exactly the impression we got when we first signed up and used DraftKings.

In compliance with DGE, the sportsbook operator has put in place at least three helpful tools for limiting play and curbing gambling addiction. These include:

• Cool Off: This feature enables the bettor to prevent themselves from placing any wager or depositing at DraftKings for a specified period. You can still access the site, betting markets, and mobile app, but you can’t deposit or place a bet. That’s a good thing, of course.
• Self-Exclusion: A standard DGE-enforced feature, self-exclusion encompasses practically banning yourself from using DraftKings’ app and platform for a specified period. You set the timeline yourself, putting you in charge of your betting activities, so you don’t spiral out of control and fall prey to problem gambling.
• Player Limits: The player limit tool is what it sounds like – it allows bettors to limit their spending and deposits on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

All these three features are certainly useful, and their execution by DraftKings is nothing short of impressive. Features like these are a welcome respite and highly recommended.

Sign-Up Process at DraftKings Illinois

DraftKings sportsbook is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) and holds a valid license from the regulator to offer legal sports betting services in partnership with Casino Queen. That means interested bettors at least 21 years of age must complete the registration in person at Casino Queen in East St. Louis.

The sign-up form is split into four parts, and you must verify that you are completing the registration in person at the DraftKings at Casino Queen in East St. Louis.

1. Set up an account: In this initial section, you will be asked to provide your preferred email address and create login details (username + password). If you have a promo code (optional), you can enter at this point, agree to terms & conditions, and then submit the details. You can skip the promo code if you don’t want to deal with the high playthrough requirements.
2. Verify yourself: In the second window, you will provide your first/last name, Date of Birth, last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN), and home address. In some cases, you may be requested to upload a scanned copy of your passport, driver’s license, or state-issued photo ID.

In addition to that, you may be asked to upload or send another scanned copy of your recent utility bill or bank statement. These copies will serve as proof of identity and address, respectively. The operator uses a geolocator and will most likely find out your location even if you use location-spoofing software like VPN.

1. Secure your account: It’s imperative to keep your account secure and safeguarded against prying cybercrime actors. For this step, you will set up security questions and answer them appropriately.
2. Confirm your location: This is the trickiest part of the DraftKings Illinois sign-up process. Since the eighteen-month moratorium isn’t over, you will have to provide proof of being at Casino Queen in East St. Louis. This will either require assistance from a customer support team on the ground or the provision of a selfie that shows you’re finishing the sign-up at the land-based casino establishment.

To fully activate your sportsbook account, you must visit Casino Queen. Once there, turn on Bluetooth, enable WiFi, and re-log in to your account.

Once you have completed the sign-up, your new sportsbook account will become instantly active and accessible. You can then send funds to your wagering account, take advantage of the bonus offers, and start betting on your favorite sports market.

One important thing we should note is that you will likely run into headwinds while opening a sportsbook account with DraftKings if you already have a DFS account. The registration may go through, but both your DFS and new sportsbook accounts will be suspended and locked, which can be frustrating for most bettors who have been with DraftKings since its formative years as a daily fantasy sports-only platform.

If you manage to pull through these few pitfalls, the sign-up process at DraftKings at Casino Queen is pretty simple, straightforward, and fairly smooth. We’ve to point out that DraftKings puts several security protocols and measures into place right from the outset, so be prepared to go through several security hoops.

Ease of Use at DraftKings Illinois

The experience of using the sportsbook at DraftKings Illinois is impressive. The site and app are naturally similar to other leading sports betting platforms that utilize the Kambi sportsbook software. Here, think Rush Street Gaming’s BetRivers, Kindred Group’s Unibet, and the Penn-based Parx Casino.

We’ve come to expect a high level of reliability, usability, and ease of navigation from Kambi-run sportsbooks, and DraftKings Illinois takes it up a notch. Instead of using the basic engine, the operator went for a visually pleasing blend of green, black, and gray color scheme. The sportsbook theme is drop-gorgeous and simply out of this world – and the design folks at DraftKings did so without adding clutter or flashy bloat features to the sportsbook.

The pages on the sportsbook load surprisingly fast despite the rich and visually heavy layout, not to mention the menus are laid out in an intuitive manner. We particularly love that the sports menus and the navigation are simple yet effective. The site and app feature plenty of useful shortcuts and quick links to add to the ease of use.

Right from the moment you land on the sportsbook, the pages are well-designed, orderly, and clean, helping bettors find sports, teams, players, and betting options in a breeze. If you have patronized other sportsbooks already operating in the Illinois sports betting market, you will be thoroughly impressed by the bet slip at DraftKings at Casino Queen.

The bet slip sits comfortably on the top right-hand-side panel. It isn’t clunky or obstructive; instead, it’s part of the delightful user experience. The slip itself is split into round robins, parlays (aka accumulators), and single bets. And it populates easily, quickly, and without displaying over the sports markets.

The featured section of the sportsbook will come in handy, especially if you are not sure where to get started with your betting endeavor. You’ll find the live in-play markets, popular game lines, and helpful information at the stats hub. For instance, it displays facts like “Each of the last matches involving Liverpool FC saw 3+ goals scored.” These nuggets of facts can be quite helpful when selecting potential picks for your wagers.

A search feature would definitely make DraftKings sportsbook much more user-friendly, as the function would help bettors navigate faster to their favorite selections. Furthermore, we’d love to see the sportsbook provide more stats on pre-game markets.

All in all, the overall user experience at DraftKings Illinois is stellar.

DraftKings Sportsbook Illinois Deposit Options

DraftKings Illinois offers a safe and secure banking system that’s effortless to utilize. It features numerous popular deposit payment options, much like most of its rivals. You must log in to your sportsbook account before you’re able to make a deposit.

Once you have logged in, go to the Cashier or Banking section of the sportsbook, from where you can choose your preferred deposit method. DraftKings has a vast range of deposit payment options, most of which are instant and free. Bettors can expect to choose from a selection of prepaid cards, debit/credit cards, bank transfer, mobile payment, and eWallet options.

Once you are ready to fund your DraftKings Illinois sportsbook account, here are the most common deposit methods you can use:

Play+: If you plan to stick with DraftKings as your go-to sportsbook in Illinois, you’d be better off signing up for its Play+ prepaid online account. You can fund your prepaid account using your credit card, debit card, or online banking.

Once funded, a personalized DraftKings Play+ prepaid card will be mailed to your mailing address on file within ten to fourteen business days. Deposits through this method are instant and free of charge, plus they can be used for cashing out your sportsbook payouts.

PayPal: No forward-thinking online sportsbook can cut the mustard in the IL market without offering PayPal deposits. The online payment wallet was surprisingly not part of the initial banking options but quickly added following users’ demand.  One thing to point out is that PayPal business accounts cannot be used for funding casinos and sportsbooks.

Of course, it is easy to see why bettors prefer PayPal when making deposits to online sportsbooks and gambling sites – it’s already trusted by millions for internet payments and serves as an intermediary between your bank/credit card issuer and the gambling operator.

Credit/Debit Cards: The sportsbook has a built-in API that allows bettors to fund their bankrolls using debit cards and credit cards issued by Discover, MasterCard, and Visa. You will appreciate that the platform allows you to save your debit/credit cards for added convenience when making future deposits.

Note that American Express doesn’t support depositing your debit/credit card directly to a casino or sportsbook. However, you can purchase an Amex prepaid gift card and use it to make a deposit.

Online Banking Transfers: This is a safe, tried, and true alternative for those who are not keen on signing up for yet another online wallet or prepaid account. IL bettors can deposit funds into their wagering accounts at DraftKings Illinois via PayWithMyBank login. The online banking transfers with most US banks, including TD Bank, Bank of America, Chase Bank, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Capital One 360, and many others.

Wire Transfer: If you plan to make large deposits to your DraftKings sportsbook account, we highly recommend using a bank wire transfer. It’s available via MVB Bank, and the minimum deposit is $100.

Deposit with Cash: Another increasingly popular method for funding wagering bankrolls in Illinois, cash deposits can be made at DraftKings at Casino Queen. The land-based casino is located around 250 miles from downtown Chicago. If you happen to be within the East St. Louis area, you can visit the cashier counter and make a cash deposit at the casino cage.

Another method for making cash deposits is to create a one-time barcode. You can then use the barcode to deposit with cash any participating locations, including 7-Eleven, Dollar General, CVS Pharmacy, and Family Dollar. You can deposit a maximum of $500 per day using cash.

ACH ECheck: You can also send funds from your VIP preferred account to your DraftKings bankroll. It is one of the quickest and most convenient payment methods for frequent bettors. It doesn’t hurt that deposits are free of charge, as well.

To use this method, head over to the deposit page. From here, you can pick VIP Preferred e-check as your payment method, then follow the on-screen prompts. You will be requested to enter your bank account details (account number & routing) and ID verification information.

DraftKings gift card: If you already have a pre-bought gift card from DraftKings, you can use it to make a deposit into your betting wallet, too.  You can buy MetaBank-issued DraftKings gift cards from select retail stores, including PC Game Supply, 7-Eleven, Speedway, Dollar General, and Sheetz. They are particularly great as a meaningful gift for sports betting-loving loved ones, colleagues, and friends.

It would be best to note that the deposit process is slightly different when using the sportsbook website, mobile site, and app. Here’s how to deposit using each platform.

Depositing on the DraftKings sportsbook desktop website:

1. Sign in to your DraftKings at Casino Queen account via a desktop browser
2. Click the ‘Deposit’ button. It is found in the top-right section of the site
3. Choose your deposit amount
4. Select your payment method or add payment information
5. Follow the on-screen prompts

Depositing the DraftKings sportsbook app:

1. Load up the app and log into your sportsbook account
2. Tap the ‘Deposit’ button to get started. It is also found in the top right side
3. Select both the payment method and amount you wish to deposit
4. Finish the rest of the process by following on-screen prompts
5. Depositing on the DraftKings sportsbook mobile site:

Visit DraftKings sportsbook by pointing your mobile browsers to the address

1. Log in to your sportsbook account
2. Tap Deposit at the top right corner, and it is tucked away inside the toggled menu. Just tap the 3 line menu logo to reveal the options.
3. Select your payment method and enter the amount you want to transfer
4. Complete the rest of the procedure for the specific payment method

The minimum deposit for the DraftKings sportsbook is the standard $10. Meanwhile, the daily amount you can deposit is capped at $2,000 for most payment methods, although you can get in touch with customer support to ask for larger deposits. They are more likely to bump up your daily maximum limit if you are a high-stake bettor.

You can deposit funds into your wagering account from anywhere in the country or across the world. However, you must be physically in Illinois to be able to place a wager using those funds. Remember, DraftKings Illinois uses a geo-location plug-in to determine your exact location when you register or place the bet.

DraftKings Sportsbook Illinois Withdrawal Options

DraftKings Illinois offers a few withdrawal methods, which are enough to cater to most IL bettors.  You may be requested to provide proof of identity by uploading a scanned copy of your driver’s license, passport, or state-issued photo ID if you haven’t done so already. The same goes for proof of address; you may be asked to submit a scanned copy of your latest bank statement or utility bill.

Sports betting winnings and earnings with pending playthrough requirements are not eligible for withdrawal. When you are ready, you can withdraw your withdrawable bankroll balance at any time through any of the following popular options:

• PayPal: You cannot withdraw using PayPal if you have not used it to deposit at least once before. The PayPal address must match the email address and name on file. You can use PayPal to withdraw between $1 and $60,000 from your DraftKings wagering balance.
• Online Banking: Use your bank’s login for a streamlined withdrawal process at DraftKings. As with PayPal, you must have used online banking to make a deposit at least once to be able to cash out your earnings. The maximum withdrawal limit is $100,000, and the funds should take 3-5 business days to reach your online bank account.
• Play+ Prepaid Card: You can also take withdrawals from your DraftKings account using your Play+ prepaid account. You can then withdraw at an ATM or spend the funds using your card anywhere Discover Card is accepted. The max withdrawal limit is $25,000, and the processing time is 2-4 business days.
• VIP Preferred e-check: This method is great for both deposits and withdrawals. A prior deposit is a must if you want to use this method for withdrawal. You can expect the withdrawal request to clear within 3-5 business days. The maximum amount you can withdraw using VIP preferred e-check is $100,000.
• Bank Wire: This is the fastest withdrawal method for large sums of money, with funds taking between 24 and 48 hours to hit your appointed account. You will be asked to enter your bank account number and routing number. The minimum for your first wire withdrawal is $50,000, with subsequent withdrawals requiring a minimum of $10,000.
• Courier Checks: If you prefer to get your payouts via check by mail, the check must be made out to the exact address and name on file. All checks worth under $100 will reach you after 5 to 7 business days via USPS Priority Mail, while any check worth $100-$1,999 will be sent via tracking-enabled USPS services. For any check exceeding $2,000, DraftKings will send via FedEx, and it should reach you within three business days.

Unfortunately, cash withdrawals at the Casino Queen Cage are not allowed at the moment. If your home address has changed, you must exact a similar change to your DraftKings Illinois account record following submission of copies of certain documentation.

DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook Popular Sports, Markets, and Bet Types

DraftKings Illinois sportsbook has impressive coverage of more than 60 sports, sporting events, and competitions, including all the big leagues in the US and from across the globe. The sports betting app also includes a decent range of mid-tier and lesser-known sports and sporting leagues.

With well over twenty popular sports on the roster, we are sure all types of sports bettors will be able to find and bet on their favorite wagering markets. Unsurprisingly, DraftKings Illinois sportsbook has an especially heavy focus on US sports markets. Football, basketball, hockey, and baseball are the most featured popular sports on the app and sports betting website.

The most popular sports leagues highlighted at the top of the sportsbook for easy betting include NFL football, college football, EPL soccer, UEFA Champions League, MLB baseball, NBA basketball, MLS soccer, and NHL ice hockey – just to mention a few If you are wondering if the sportsbook only focuses on a few major leagues and traditional sports, wonder no more.

DraftKings Illinois sportsbook offers decent odds on a wide range of other sports and events so that you can get some betting action on just about everything. Once you visit the website or launch the app, you will find many different markets across a plethora of sporting options

While the availability of sports markets does vary from season to season, the sports menu shows that offerings include:

• Soccer (MLS, EPL, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, etc.)
• American football (NFL, college football, etc.)
• Baseball (MLB, KBO, JBO, etc.)
• Basketball (NBA, European basketball, college basketball, and so on)
• Boxing
• Cricket
• Rugby (Rugby Union, Rugby League, etc.)
• Golf (PGA, European Golf Championships, Golf Open Tournaments, and so on)
• MMA/UFC
• Darts
• Volleyball
• Hockey
• Motorsports (Formula 1, NASCAR, INDIE 500, etc.)
• Table tennis
• Handball
• Tennis

Other sports popularly offered at DraftKings Illinois include e-sports, Aussie Rules, and other obscure events. In fact, DraftKings is well-known for covering esports, with major tournaments covered including Call of Duty, Overwatch, CS-GO, League of Legends, Dota 2, FIFA football, and much more.

As of writing, football season is over, and soccer is taking all the action. Talking of soccer, DraftKings Illinois doesn’t just provide betting action on the major hits like EPL alone. Just take a look at the sports currently featured at the top of the sportsbook:

• England – Championship
• England – League One
• England – League Two
• France – Ligue 1
• English Premier League
• UEFA Champions League
• Italy – Serie A
• Spain – La Liga

We’re not joking – those rights there are eight pages of soccer leagues. It is kick-off time somewhere in the world, and DraftKings is ready to provide some odds on it. Our investigation didn’t find any non-sports events, such as politics, TV, and entertainment betting options. Horse racing is also MIA.

At DraftKings Illinois, sports betting is king. In fact, the sportsbook sports several menu sections dedicated to NFL teams, NBA teams, NHL teams, MLB teams, college football teams, Championship pages, and Playoffs. There’s also an entire page devoted to live in-play betting.

As with other sportsbooks in Illinois, DraftKings has made betting on certain sporting events unavailable and restricted. These include:

• Bets on all games involving colleges in Illinois
• Wagers on all high school sporting events
• Betting on collegiate sporting events that take place within the borders of the state of Illinois

Types of Bets Covered

DraftKings Illinois sportsbook is all about straight bets, and offers attractive odds on a raft of money-lines, total bets, runs, and spreads when it comes to your wagering options.

Point spread bets – Spreads are the most popular kind of sports bet at DraftKings. With this bet type, you select the number of points by which a favorite team is expected to win over the underdog. When betting, you predict whether the favored team will or will not cover the spread.

The good news about spread bets is that you aren’t essentially picking the winner. If you think the favored team is too strong, you can bet on the underdog not to cover the spread predicted by the sportsbook.

Moneyline bets – We all love placing money-line bets, and DraftKings Illinois has plenty on offer at its sportsbook. In this type of bet, you are attempting to predict the winner of the game. For example, the odds of Arsenal beating Aston Villa in the 9th round of EPL are -110, while Aston Villa winning is +300, and the odds for a tie are +265.

Totals – Bettors are fond of totals bets because they are easy to make. After all, you are just predicting the total number of goals, runs, or points in a game. You can either take the Under bet or take the Over bet, and it’s that straightforward.

Alternate lines – Betting on alternate lines can aid gamblers in getting off the hook and moving away from certain spread bets. For instance, you can turn a 3.5 point spread into a better 2.5 one with very different odds to boot. It is typically used when you want to bet on the favorite to get a lower point score.

Futures – Futures bets have become quite popular in recent years, and DraftKings brings all the action right to its sportsbook. In this kind of bet, you are making longer-term bets, such as whether a soccer team will win the EPL title, an NFL team will win the Super Bowl, or an MLB team will clinch the World Series.

Parlays – If you are not fond of placing parlay bets, you are missing out big time, and DraftKings sure reminds you will have a lot of parlay betting options on its platform. This is a single bet that connects more than one individual selection, and winning relies on all picks to have a positive outcome. The perks of making a parlay bet are that the payout is usually greater than making an individual wager.

For instance, if you bet $100 on the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots to win, your total payout will be a hefty $350.

Teasers – Teasers are another category of bets that DraftKings Illinois has paid particular attention to. A teaser bet enables you to adjust the game totals and point spreads on more than two selections. You will buy a fixed number of points in the teaser, and the payout odds will be determined by the number of points picked and the number of selections in your teaser wager.

For a teaser bet to win, all selections in the slip must be successful, and a push will be eliminated, and the payout odds will be rectified as such. If two or more picks in a tease are pushed, then the wager is considered null, and the stake will be refunded no matter if the other selections are successful.

Proposition – The so-called prop bets are also wildly popular among IL bettors and widely covered by DraftKings. These are bets that have little to do with the outcome or the winner of the game. The freewheeling and fun props welcome bettors to bet on proposition markets, such as:

• Who will start the soccer match?
• Which team will take the first corner?
• Will a penalty be taken in the match?
• Will Tom Brady throw for 35+ yards?
• Will player x hit a home run in a baseball game?
• Will Patrick Mahomes score a touchdown against the Titans?

Placing any of the bet types mentioned above is easy at the sports betting platform, as DraftKings Illinois has included the info symbol on each market to explain each type of bet. The betting lines are well-defined and indicated with odds in a bright green hue. Making your wagering selections is as simple as clicking the odds, and they will populate automatically in the bet slip.

Live Betting at DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook

In-play, in-game, or live betting takes the sports wagering experience to the next level, and DraftKings offers a ton of opportunities to get a slice of the live-action. The sportsbook features a dedicated live betting page with bet options across the most popular sports and sports leagues, including EPL, NFL, football, basketball, tennis, and ice hockey.

The vast majority of markets available for pre-game betting are also featured in live in-play wagering. Overall, DraftKings’ live in-game betting is hands down one of the best on the Illinois sports wagering market.

There’s a whole page devoted to stats and piecemeal info, which will help bettors better understand what’s happening in the field/court/pitch. This way, they can gauge what they can wager on with a certain degree of accuracy.

Odds and Other Betting Features at DraftKings Illinois

Sports betting odds – The odds offered by DraftKings Illinois are fairly average compared to other sportsbooks on the market. You will find run-of-the-mill dime odd lines on the majority of totals, point spreads, sides, and money line bets. Occasionally, however, you will encounter odds like -114, -107, -112, or -109, helping bettors get some value out of certain players, teams, and games.

Odds on alternate lines are massive at DraftKings, as they offer bettors a lot of wagering flexibility. That is certainly one area where the sportsbook has cut a niche for itself on the market. Nonetheless, the odds offered by the sportsbook on futures, props, and money-lines are seldom above the market average, but they are certainly at par with competitors.

One thing you will notice is that DraftKings releases its batch of odds and lines much earlier than its rivals. Moreover, you can switch the odds between American (the default format), decimal, and fractional formats as you see fit to match your betting preference.

Cash Out – More and more sportsbooks in Illinois (and indeed across betting America) are rolling out the cashout feature, and DraftKings hasn’t been left behind. This new, innovative tool provides bettors with a chance to close out their active wagers early. It gives them an opportunity to either secure part of the potential winnings or simply cut their losses because the situation on the ground isn’t in their favor.

At DraftKings, sports betting site, mobile web, and app, the Cash Out is available for all qualifying parlay, future, live in-play, and pre-play bets. You can cash out more or far less than the initial stake depending on the movements of the odds and what’s happening on the ground. You will know whether a wager is eligible for Cash Out once you submit it.

You can always re-visit the My Bets section of the sportsbook and click/tab the yellow-colored Cash Out button. If the cash out is successful, the payout will be credited to your wagering balance, and you can use the funds to bet again or even request a withdrawal.

Pools – Here’s another notable feature that has put DraftKings on the Illinois betting map. The sportsbook offers a busy selection of pool contests you can play with your coworkers, friends, or family. They provide bettors with added excitement and value, especially during the football offseason.

Most of the pools at DraftKings come with free entry, and everyone stands a chance to win sizzling hot cash prizes by making sharp predictions. For instance, $5,000 is up for grabs on the Braves vs. Dodgers Game 3 Late Innings Pool.

DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook Loyalty Program

Every sportsbook is susceptible to one or more faults, and DraftKings Illinois isn’t immune. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of one of the most sought-after aspects of a modern sportsbook: the loyalty program.

While DraftKings excel at many aspects of the sportsbook, it doesn’t shine in this area. As of writing, there’s no sign of a working loyalty program at the sports betting platform. What you will find, however, is a skeleton of a VIP scheme.

DraftKings doesn’t divulge much info about the VIP program. What it says is that VIPs are sure to get a special treat. It doesn’t mention anything about the perks; only that top-tier members will enjoy enhanced promos and exclusive benefits.

Joining the VIP scheme is also by invitation only. However, if you are already a VIP member at another online gambling site, sportsbook, or casino, you can fire off an email to dkvip@draftkings.com for consideration.

DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook Website

DraftKings spent a lot of effort and resources on crafting a first-class sportsbook app. Getting the mobile side of the sportsbook just right is usually a tricky endeavor. And since DraftKings did a bang-up job on that, you would expect the same level of effort and investment geared towards the website … and you’d be correct.

The full sports betting site is everything an avid bettor could dream of – easy to navigate, immersive, and cleanly designed. The design team at DraftKings clearly expended many creative hours in making the site user-friendly, polished, and intuitive.

As we’ve already noted, the user experience at the DraftKings Illinois website is very similar to other top-tier sports betting platforms powered by Kambi gaming software. However, the operator focused on an aesthetically pleasing color theme of green, black, and gray.

The navigation across the site is simple and easy yet effective. The menus on the site are designed beautifully, the pages load snappily, and there are plenty of useful shortcuts that bettors will really appreciate.

Making your bets is as easy as clicking on the odds market or line. The live in-play section is where the real usability shines the brightest. You can play from the main page and skip right to the cash-out, so you can beat matches that are going against the run of play.

The static header sports a horizontal menu that makes navigating effortless and intuitive. Bettors can simply jump between popular sections, such as Promos, Live In-Game, Pools, VIP, and much more. You can switch between different sports in no time.

The vertical navigation menu is ready-made for finding and choosing betting markets based on major leagues, sporting events, and sports categories. We love (and you’ll appreciate, too) that the payouts and odds are clearly defined in bright green.

The integrated social network featured on the site is a much welcome element that boosts the overall user experience of the sportsbook. It was launched in 2021, and it’s a hybrid between social media platforms Facebook and Twitter, as it includes news feed, user profiles, and the ability of the bettors to interact within the platform.

The social feature allows bettors to share bad beats, wagering tips, make friends, and find good punters. This concept is fairly unique in the world of online sportsbooks, and we think it is an added incentive to sign up with DraftKings Illinois based solely on its optimal usability.

A few things we’d love to see adjusted or added to the sportsbook site include the search function, favorites section that puts together your popular sports/games/teams, and an accessible live chat function.

DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook App

Even with a best-in-class sports betting website, sportsbooks can fall short if they don’t offer an impressive mobile app to match. Thankfully, DraftKings has a mobile app available for both iOS and Android devices. Since the launch of the sportsbook, the mobile app has gained a lot of traction with bettors.

The design team at DraftKings has a ton of experience operating a daily fantasy sports app, and it was in an advantageous position when pivoting towards a sportsbook. The mobile sportsbook app has a similar appeal, layout, and design to the full desktop version of the website, helping bettors transition seamlessly from online to mobile betting.

We were impressed by how the Kambi sportsbook software is adapted well into the mobile application. The user experience is fantastic with smooth navigation, mobile-ready features, and many useful links translating seamlessly into the app.

We tried both versions of the app on a variety of Android devices, iPhones, and iPads – and we were thoroughly impressed with the clarity of the graphics, robustness of the functionality, and usability of the features, even on older, slower mobile devices.

You can find the app on the sportsbook website and download it directly to your device. Alternatively, you can visit Google Play Store or the Apple App Store and make the necessary download. The app averages a rating of 4.8/5 on the App Store, following over 300,000 verified user reviews. That’s quite spectacular, especially given the fact that people tend to give sports betting apps negative reviews and ratings, sometimes for flimsy reasons.

It is easy to see why the app has accrued such high praise, though. The buttons are buttons/icons are crisp, clear, and very sensitive to the touch. At the same time, it’s easy to use and enables bettors to place bets effectively and in a breeze. IL bettors will also be happy to know that the app is teeming with promo codes and rewards.

One major downside, however, for the DraftKings Illinois app is that bettors are reported to have rampant cases of freezing. The problems seem to point towards the geo-location software, and it seems to be so glitch that the whole device freezes to the point that it requires a reboot. Funny enough, the app works fine in other states, so the calibration of the geolocators must be a little off.

Even so, we really appreciate the user-friendliness of the app. As with the full site, some of the menu options are hidden when not being used to optimize the use of the screen space. This is particularly crucial when you are using a mobile device with a small screen. The banking system, customer support, and promotions work even better on mobile.

The live in-game betting aspect is even sharper and more prominent on the mobile application, as you can easily switch between pre-game and in-play betting options with a simple tab. We love that DraftKings prioritized the live betting section on the app.

DraftKings Illinois Contact Information

The DraftKings Illinois Help Center is full of frequently asked questions that cover many topics, from understanding the odds and making a deposit to pools and how to play.

Customer support requests can be made through the Contact Support page

Email support is available 24/7 through: sportsbook@draftkings.com

Live chat function, which is located in the bottom right corner, provides instant, one-on-one, or bot-facilitated support

Phone Fill out the form here to request a callback

Social: You can find DraftKings on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook – The Verdict

DraftKings is deservedly one of the leading sportsbooks in Illinois and across the country. Since its launch, it has become the go-to destination for Illinois bettors, providing plenty of markets to keep all of them pleased. The sportsbook provides a wide range of coverage, including major sports like football, soccer, basketball, and golf.

The sports betting platform is an excellent choice for both pre-game and live in-play betting, offering competitive odds or at par with the rest of the market. What makes the sportsbook rank above the fold, however, is its first-class mobile app.

The user experience is fabulous both through the desktop site and mobile apps. Odds boosts, parlay options, cash-out feature, pools, and live betting are some of the key aspects that provide bettors with an added value.

There are few minor downsides to the sportsbook, though, including the geolocators that seem to freeze mobile devices, lack of around-the-clock customer support, and the glaring absence of a loyalty rewards program.

Even with these minor shortcomings, DraftKings Illinois is an impressive sportsbook, and it’s trustworthy, reliable, safe, and effective for seasoned and amateur bettors alike.