As everyone knows, Chicago is known as arguably one of the greatest sports cities in the world. From the Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls to two first-place baseball teams in the White Sox and Cubs, Illinois’ professional sports teams represent a massive hub for sports and sports betting.
As of 2020, Illinois residents and visitors can wager on sports legally from the comforts of their own mobile devices. With a large state being such a sports betting hotbed, FanDuel Sportsbook has been clawing to enter the state. The wait is finally over, so let’s go over what promises to be a popular Illinois option: FanDuel Sportsbook.
Website Review and Mobile App Download
While the FanDuel Sportsbook app may slightly trail the DraftKings Sportsbook in downloads, it is
certainly becoming the most popular sports betting apps in the market. Why? The answer is simple; the seamless interface and beautiful layout make the app stand out from its peers. The rest of what FanDuel offers is industry-standard, except for their signup bonus, which falls a bit short compared to its competitors; however, they do offer plenty of offers that scream FREE MONEY.
In 2009, FanDuel reimagined the concept of fantasy sports, giving fans the ability to play one-day fantasy sports for real cash prizes. And despite many imitators, there’s still no better place to play. After launching in 2018, it didn’t take long for FanDuel to become America’s go-to for sports betting and the #1 online sportsbook.
Whether you love fantasy football, fantasy basketball, fantasy baseball, fantasy soccer, or any of our other fantasy sports, such as MMA, there’s a contest for you on FanDuel. The best part about it, you don’t need to be an expert to play fantasy on FanDuel. Once you a ready to rock, the website will immediately instruct you to download the Android platform, while you would need to open up the App Store to get the iOS version.
How to Download FanDuel Sportsbook App On An iOS Device
- Click here to get your register, so you get your sign-up bonus.
- Go to the Apple Store.
- Search for “FanDuel Sportsbook” in the search bar.
- Find the appropriate app.
- Click the “Download” button.
- The download should begin immediately. Once it is complete, go ahead and set up an account and log in.
How to Download FanDuel Sportsbook App On An Android Device
- Click here to get your register, so you get your sign-up bonus.
- Go to the FanDuel Android page.
- Click “Download now.”
- The download should immediately begin. Once it is complete, open, and install the file.
The FanDuel Sportsbook app provides a truly modern user interface. The screen is clean and intuitive, featuring a few major tabs that you can use to swap between different sports, live streams, and data analysis tools. The left-hand side of the screen features all the sports that the app offers. If you like to participate in multiple types of wagers across competitions, you can do so easily.
Depositing Funds
Depositing and withdrawals are usually pretty quick. Many customers love the variety of withdrawal methods and the speed of check delivery by mail. Other players really like that if their phone crashes or they have to take a phone call, the app will automatically restore them to where they left off in a game, but most of all, customers like being able to make bets instantly as opposed to having to wait in line at a retail sportsbook.
To deposit funds, you have to click on your avatar icon on the top right. There are several options to deposit money using the FanDuel Sportsbook app.
- Credit / Debit Card: instantly fund using all major credit/debit cards.
- Online banking: transfer funds directly from your bank account.
- Play+ Prepaid Card: transfer funds from PayPal, bank accounts, or credit/debit cards.
- Deposit Cash in Person: fund your account at Pair-a-Dice Casino in East Peoria, IL.
Making Your First Bet
FanDuel’s NFL betting list features one of the largest spreads of individual bets and wager types around. In addition to the basic money line bet (where you predict a game), players can also participate in future bets, playoff bets, props, and wagers on daily fantasy points. Here are some examples of bets that can be made:
| FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois Bet Types | |
| Moneyline | Betting on who will win the game |
| Total Score | Betting the over/under of the total score |
| Double Result | Bet on which team is winning after 1st and 3rd |
| Winning Margin | Bet on the exact amount of points the team wins by |
| Team to Score First | Bet on which team will score first |
| Spread | Bet on the underdog/favorite using spread |
| First Touchdown | Bet on which team scores touchdown first |
| many, many more… |
The other sports have similar types of bets, along with others that are tailored to the game.
This one goes without saying, FanDuel checks all the boxes for what should be available in a mobile sports betting app. In addition to all of the expected bet types – like spread, money line, and totals – they offer a multitude of props, alternate lines, and a staggering array of living, quarter, pre-populated parlays, and odds boosts. The boosts are a fan favorite because it brings an added excitement to each game. But what really stands out is that FanDuel Sportsbook makes all of these lines easy to search, view, and bet on. Other Sportsbooks offer this level of detail, but few present it in the way FanDuel does.
Withdraw Funds
There are four options to withdraw your winnings from the app, all of which are relatively easy and quick.
- PayPal: you will have your funds sent directly to your PayPal account for your disposal.
- Online banking: the quickest and most secure method is having your funds sent directly to your bank account.
- e-Check: a check will be mailed directly to your house in the requested amount.
- Cash at the counter: head over to the casino to pick up your winnings and perhaps double them before you leave!
Additional Features
All in all, FanDuel Sportsbook App is a great addition to the sports betting industry. It’s a solid choice overall and a viable alternative to DraftKings if you want an app with a more modern interface.
Not only does it have a ton of betting options, but odds are also automatically updated on the main page as a game continues. You don’t have to constantly refresh the page to get new updates on statistics and odds, which is ideal for LIVE betting.
The update screen also makes it easy for you to tell whether the odds are in your favor with green up arrows and red down arrows. This is a great feature for both newcomers and experienced bettors.
FanDuel Sportsbook History
The first FanDuel sportsbook was opened in March 2019 at Meadowlands Racetrack in Pennsylvania. This came after FanDuel merged with Paddy Power Betfair back in July of 2018. Together the two companies launched the first FanDuel sportsbook and have since expanded it to seven states.
On August 29, 2020 FanDuel launched its first Illinois sportsbook partnering with Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria. They were the third sportsbook to launch in Illinois behind BetRivers and DraftKings.
FanDuel Daily Fantasy Sports
The FanDuel company originally started offering daily fantasy sports to its players back in 2009. This was a wild new concept that took the traditional strategy of drafting a fantasy football team once in a season and allowed players to draft daily. For the most league, the fantasy football draft is often the best part; FanDuel was smart to take that concept and apply it to a different kind of game that allowed players to draft more often. That is where their original popularity came from.
FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois FAQ
- Is it legal to bet with FanDuel Sportsbook in Illinois?
- Is FanDuel Sportsbook in Illinois safe?
- Is FanDuel Sportsbook in Illinois better than DraftKings?
- Does FanDuel Sportsbook in Illinois have good promotions?
- How many people use FanDuel?
- What states does the FanDuel Sportsbook operate in?
- What is a FanDuel risk-free bet?
Is it legal to bet with FanDuel Sportsbook in Illinois?
Yes, it is legal to bet in Illinois since early 2020. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 690 allowing for sports gambling in mid-2019 then Rivers Casino Des Plaines placed the first legal sports wager in Illinois in March 2020.
Is FanDuel Sportsbook in Illinois safe?
Yes, it is one of the most widely used betting applications in the world. FanDuel originally started back in 2009 doing daily fantasy contests for money, therefore they have a wealth of experience securing people’s money and allowing them to deposit/withdraw without issues.
Is FanDuel Sportsbook in Illinois better than DraftKings?
The mobile apps are very comparable, and the promotions are similar, too. Some people like to use both of them to take advantage of the promotions from both companies; that’s definitely an option. As far as one being better than the other, you’d have to try them to find out.
Does FanDuel Sportsbook in Illinois have good promotions?
FanDuel has great promotions, highlighted by their $1,000 risk-free bet. They will give you up to $1,000 back if you don’t win your first bet using their app. They do this to allow new customers to try it out and avoid any confusion while placing their first bet.
How many people use FanDuel?
Counting the daily fantasy downloads, combined with the sportsbook, FanDuel has a user count of roughly six million. This is according to the company’s website dating back to March 2020. With the new launch in Illinois in August, this number has likely gone up.
What states does the FanDuel Sportsbook operate in?
The FanDuel sportsbook operates in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Colorado, making seven states. Other states like Tennessee and Michigan are expected to come online soon which should expand FanDuel’s coverage. More states will most likely pop up in the future as well.
What is a FanDuel risk-free bet?
A registered player makes a bet on the FanDuel app, if they lose, they will be credited one free bonus bet in the amount they originally wagered – up to $1,000 under the promotion. You don’t technically get the “money” back, but you do get another chance to win.