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Home > Best Free Bets in the US 2024 > Free Bets on Illinois Betting Sites 2024

Free Bets on Illinois Betting Sites 2024

Last Updated on November 5, 2024
Fact checked by: Chris A

Looking for free bets in Illinois? You’ll find the best IL free betting sites in this article!

If you’re looking for the best free bets in Illinois for 2024, look no further. Dozens upon dozens of interesting promos are available, and to make things even more complicated, they change all the time. That’s where Gambla comes in handy.

Our experts created accounts at all the best IL sportsbooks and tested them extensively. Likewise, we compared the top picks to one another. This all helped us get a clearer view of the market and assess the situation. In the process, we also created a ranking of the top free bets in Illinois.

So just bear with us, and you’ll get the best deals. Pick one from the list below and see how it fits in with your strategy. Good luck!

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What is a Free Bet?

Free bets are one of the most common types of bonuses at Illinois sportsbooks. Most of the time, bookies use them to attract new players. This is with future earnings in mind. If the player gets $5 and ends up spending $1,000 the next week, the site wins. Therefore, they can afford to do new players a favor and boost their own stock instead.

However, you shouldn’t expect anything significant. It’s not a chance to rip off the bookie since they’re always prepared against value bettors. At the same time, you’ll get a shot to test the site and see if everything is according to your taste. Most of the time, this is the best way to shop for new sportsbooks.

If you like the site, you can easily claim another promo. If not, no harm is done. Just return to Gambla’s top list and pick a different one. In addition to this approach, some free bets in Illinois are also for regulars. Apparently, some bookies prefer to add free bets to VIP programs or as tournament rewards. Given how useful this type of promo really is, we can’t complain.

So, to sum it up, free bets in Illinois:

  • Let you try out a sportsbook risk-free
  • Are a great marketing tool for sites
  • Allow you to switch betting sites on a whim

Now that you know the gist of things, let’s take a look at the inner workings of this type of bonus.

How Do Free Bets Work?

Despite some bookies overdoing it a bit, free bets are actually very simple and straightforward. Before you claim a promo and start using it on NFL or NBA games, you need to know the key elements of it. That’s why our team claimed all the top free bets in Illinois and ‘dissected’ them. While there are unique elements to each and everyone, here’s how most of them function:

free bets no depsit for il players

Registration

To claim a free bet, you’ll need to create an account with the sportsbook. This involves providing the necessary personal information, such as your name, date of birth, address, and contact details. You may also need to verify your identity and age by submitting identification documents. It’s unfortunate, but it’s a requirement due to IL state laws. Nevertheless, you can still delete your account.

Promo Codes

In some cases, sportsbooks may require you to enter a promo code during the registration process or when making a deposit to activate the free bet offer. Make sure to check for any specific codes or instructions provided by the sportsbook. Do all the necessary research before depositing any money. Otherwise, you’ll be disqualified from using the promos.

Terms and Conditions

Free bets come with certain terms and conditions that you must comply with to be eligible for the offer. It’s essential to understand these terms before claiming the free bet. Common conditions include minimum odds requirements and specific limitations. Be sure you understand everything before moving forward. And if you see anything that seems abusive or coercive, move away from said site.

Activation

Once you’ve completed the registration process and met any necessary requirements, the free bet will be credited to your account. The credited amount may be a fixed value or a percentage of your initial deposit in some cases. But in recent years, a fixed fee is much more common. So just create the account, accept the T&C and the money should be there instantly. Some sites, though, lock this behind KYC procedures. Nevertheless, these have also gotten much faster.

Placing the Free Bet

With the free bet credited to your account, you can use it to place a wager on eligible sports or events as specified by the sportsbook. Don’t play around with the rules. If you deposit an amount that’s too small or try to ‘cheese’ the odds, the bookie might ban or restrict your account. So always think about free bets in Illinois in the context of your own strategy.

Uncomfortable Conditions 

Some free bet offers may have wagering requirements, unfortunately. This means you need to meet a specific turnover requirement before you can withdraw any winnings. Be sure to understand these requirements to avoid any surprises. And if the number is over 40, abandon the promo. Ideally, free bets in Illinois should have 20-25x wagering requirements. Also, there are ways to make this easier on yourself, such as slightly varying value bets.

Winnings and Withdrawals

If your free bet is successful, you will receive the winnings as specified in the sportsbook’s T&C. Winnings from free bets will become bonus funds, which are subject to wagering requirements before they can be withdrawn.

It’s important to review the sportsbook’s withdrawal policy to understand the process and any associated fees or restrictions. Also, you ought to check with support about the status of the wagering requirements. If you’ve placed enough bets to fulfill them, proceed with the withdrawal request and just wait for the money to arrive.

top sportsbooks with free bets in Illinois

How to Claim Free Bets on Illinois Betting Sites

Even though you have to watch out for a lot of things, the claiming process itself is rather simple. That’s what Gambla likes the most about free bets in Illinois. They’re beginner friendly and can come in many shapes and sizes. Still, we wanted to guide our readers properly. So, once you’ve familiarized yourself with the terminology, follow these steps:

Pick one of Gambla’s top-rated Illinois free bets 

The reason we created our rankings is to save you time and money. You wouldn’t believe how many people complained to us about wasting deposits at bad sportsbooks. It’s something that happens frequently, so we wanted to do something about it. Just take a look at the available bookies and read their individual reviews. Don’t feel like you have to agree with our top pick. Choose a free bet that you feel comfortable using, and that’s all that matters.

Read the Terms & Conditions

Yes, that’s the long and boring document we all skip. However, this is significantly more important at online IL sportsbooks. Once you agree to the T&C, there’s no going back. So, make sure you have enough time to go through every single section. More often than not, it’s the only place where more ‘negative’ rules are mentioned. For instance, no free bets in Illinois will be marketed with severe restrictions. Instead, you have to do the digging yourself.

Claim it

There are several ways in which you can claim free bets in Illinois. Here’s a bit about each:

  • Promo codes. This is by far the most common way of claiming free bets. The bookie sends you a code via email or in-site mail, and all you have to do is enter it. Once you confirm the input, the money will appear almost instantly.
  • Depositing. Some free bets function only alongside a deposit. Although they’re financially the riskiest, they’re often the fairest. Because you’re paying something forward, the bookie can afford to be more generous. This means you can either split the amount or enjoy lower rollover requirements. Either way, you’ll have a much easier time integrating the promo.
  • Opt-in. Some free bets in Illinois require opting in, so follow the instructions to unlock the deal.

Start betting 

Read the rules of the promo once again and think of a good starting point. Don’t put too much thought into it if you’re only testing the site. Pick something you’re familiar with and observe the process. If there are bugs or the bookie delays accepting the bet, delete your account and go with another one. But in general, Gambla meticulously tests for any signs of shenanigans like this.

Things to Watch Out for with Free Bets at Illinois Betting Sites

When it comes to key aspects of Illinois free bets, you can’t view them in a vacuum. They’re reflective of the bookie that offers them, and vice versa. So, if you’re on the hunt for a new bookie, check for the following:

  • Rollover requirements. Even though everyone hates them, they’re pretty much mandatory. If the sportsbook gives out money, it must have a mechanism to protect itself against big winnings. Fortunately, you can bet moderately and still fulfill them without spending too much. Pros call it win stacking.
  • How big is the bonus? Of course, you want a fair bonus, but $5 isn’t that good of a deal. Money is a major factor, so consider your own finances and decide whether the format is worth it or not.
  • Available markets and sports. Don’t listen to people who only care about the odds. You’re supposed to bet on something you actually like watching and are knowledgeable about. If that’s baseball, look for MLB free bets in Illinois. The same goes for other popular sports and leagues.
  • Expiry date. No matter how intriguing a bonus is, you don’t want to rush it. So right off the bat, ignore bonuses that force you to spend all the money in a day. A 48-hour period is okay, while 7-15 days is the ideal time window for beginners to use the free bet. If you already know what to do, then go ahead with a smaller timeframe.
  • Limits. As if rollover requirements weren’t enough, bookies have additional restrictions in place. So, when claiming free bets in Illinois, you won’t be free to do anything you want. Instead, there are limits on bets, maximum winnings, sports, and sometimes even markets. Navigate the rulebook until you find something to your liking.

What Are the Best Ways to Use Free Bets in Illinois?

If you’re looking at how to use free bets in Illinois, Gambla has a few suggestions. Our ideal choice would be to spend them on special events. If you’re a pro or intermediate player, you won’t get much value, per se. Unless you’re just testing out potential new sites, that is. You can also use it for comparisons, but this is recommended for free bets without deposit requirements.

promo codes for free bets in Illinois

Tips on How to Use Free Bets in Illinois

The most important thing you need to worry about is being patient. You’ll see plenty of tempting deals being thrown around. Don’t be tempted by big promises. Take the time to read the T&C and let the thoughts simmer before deciding. Of course, bigger bonuses aren’t always better. They might be a trap with unfavorable conditions and rules. And last but not least, don’t be afraid of disappointment. Things happen and there’s no point lamenting over them.

Free Bets vs. Deposit Bonuses: What’s the Better Option?

With so many debates going on, it’s time to compare deposit bets and free bets in Illinois one last time:

Feature/type of Promo Free Bets in TN Deposit Bonuses in TN
🎲 Comes with lots of rules 📌 Yes 🎲 No
🎲 Requires a payment upfront 📌 No 🎲 Yes
🎲 Available only to new players 📌 Yes 🎲 No

compare free bet offers in Illinois

Pros & Cons of Free Bets on Illinois Betting Sites

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Great for testing bookies
  • Can be free
  • No strings attached

Cons

  • Little value
  • Strict limits

Online Free Bets by US state

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Bets on Illinois Betting Sites

Of course, as long as bookies don’t mislead, scam, or do anything illegal to the players.

How restrictive are free bets in Illinois?

This depends on the promo, but they often have stricter limits than classic deposit bonuses.

Can you win with free bets in Illinois?

Of course. Just pick one of Gambla’s recommended sportsbooks, and you’ll have a fair environment at your disposal.

Are free bets in Illinois only for new players?

Most of the time, yes. However, many sites offer them as part of VIP programs and larger-scale promos.

Can I bet on the Super Bowl with free bets in Illinois?

Definitely. The best way to use these bets is during big events. And we all know there’s nothing better than the SB.

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