DraftKings operates legally in Illinois as a licensed sportsbook and a daily fantasy sports platform. If you’re at least 21 and physically inside the state, you can place sports bets through the app or website; daily fantasy contests are open to users 18 and older. Online casino games — slots, blackjack, roulette, and the rest — are not available on DraftKings in Illinois because state law does not authorize online casino gambling.
What You Can and Can’t Bet On
The Illinois Gaming Board regulates sports wagering under the Illinois Sports Wagering Act, and DraftKings holds a license to operate under it.1Illinois General Assembly. 230 ILCS 45 – Sports Wagering Act Sportsbook betting and daily fantasy sports are the two products you’ll find.
Several categories of events are off the menu. You cannot bet on any sporting event involving an Illinois college team, any minor league game, or any K-12 school athletic event.1Illinois General Assembly. 230 ILCS 45 – Sports Wagering Act A temporary carve-out that allowed certain in-person bets on Illinois college teams expired July 1, 2024, so the ban is now absolute across every format. The Illinois Gaming Board publishes the full list of approved and prohibited events that operators must follow.2Illinois Gaming Board. Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Use DraftKings in Illinois
Sports betting requires you to be at least 21 years old. Daily fantasy sports contests have a lower threshold of 18. DraftKings verifies both during account setup, and trying to get around the check is a punishable offense under state law.
You also have to be physically inside Illinois each time you place a sportsbook wager. This applies to residents and visitors alike. The app checks your location in real time at the moment of every bet, so a trip across the border into Indiana or Wisconsin suspends your ability to wager even though your account is registered to an Illinois address.
Some people are barred from sports wagering entirely because of their professional roles. The Sports Wagering Act defines a broad category of “covered persons” that includes athletes, referees, coaches, athletic trainers, medical professionals who treat players, team and league staff, and the family members and close associates of those individuals.1Illinois General Assembly. 230 ILCS 45 – Sports Wagering Act If you fall into one of these groups, placing a wager can carry serious legal consequences.
Self-Exclusion
Illinois runs a free, voluntary self-exclusion program through the Gaming Board for anyone who wants to be permanently blocked from sports wagering and casino gambling. Enrollment is done in person at an IGB office, including offices at casinos around the state, and takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes with a valid driver’s license or state ID.3Illinois Gaming Board. Self-Exclusion Program (SEP) Once you’re on the list, every licensed operator in Illinois, DraftKings included, must block you from placing wagers. Worth knowing before you sign up rather than after.
Signing Up and Getting Verified
You can download the DraftKings app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, or register directly on the website. The form asks for:
- Full legal name
- Current home address (no P.O. boxes)
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Phone number
- Social Security Number
DraftKings initially asks for only the last four digits of your SSN. If you later hit a taxable winning threshold, the platform will request your full nine-digit number for IRS reporting.4DraftKings. Creating a DK Horse Account – Overview Every field needs to match your government-issued ID exactly. Small discrepancies between what you type and what shows up in public records can trigger a manual review that delays access to your account.
Once you submit, DraftKings runs an automated identity check against secure databases. Most registrations clear almost immediately. If the system can’t verify you, you’ll be asked to upload a driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued photo ID, and sometimes a utility bill to confirm your address.5DraftKings. How Do I Create an Account? (US) Your account stays locked out of wagering and withdrawals until verification clears, so responding to document requests quickly saves you time later.
Geolocation runs continuously in the background whenever you use the sportsbook. The app uses GPS, Wi-Fi, and other signals to confirm you’re inside Illinois, and the check happens at the time of each wager, not just at login. Near a state border you may occasionally get flagged even when you’re technically inside Illinois; moving further in or connecting to Wi-Fi usually resolves it. The Sports Wagering Act requires this location verification, and the Gaming Board can require operators to share real-time location data at the account level.1Illinois General Assembly. 230 ILCS 45 – Sports Wagering Act
Deposits and Withdrawals
DraftKings accepts a range of payment methods, though availability varies by product and location. Commonly available options include debit cards, online banking, PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay. Bank wire transfers typically carry a $100 minimum deposit. Cash deposits can be made at participating retail locations, subject to a $500 daily and $10,000 monthly limit.6DraftKings. Depositing on DraftKings – Overview (US) DraftKings gift cards and cryptocurrency (sports betting only) are available in some cases.
Withdrawals go through PayPal, Venmo, online banking, debit card, bank wire, check, or Apple Pay. PayPal and Venmo typically clear within 24 hours; debit card withdrawals take three to five business days.7DraftKings. Withdrawing from DraftKings – Overview (US) Checks are the slowest. DraftKings may require full identity verification before processing your first withdrawal, so finishing that step early keeps you from waiting when you’re ready to cash out.
What You’ll Owe in Taxes
This is the part most Illinois bettors underestimate, and it can produce an unpleasant surprise at filing time.
Federal Reporting
For sports wagering, DraftKings is required to issue a Form W-2G when your winnings reach at least $2,000 and the payout is at least 300 times the amount of your wager.8Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (Rev. January 2026) The $2,000 threshold applies starting in calendar year 2026. Even if no W-2G is issued, the IRS still expects you to report all gambling income on your federal return.
For daily fantasy sports, platforms issue a Form 1099-MISC when your net annual profit exceeds $2,000, calculated as cash winnings minus cash entry fees, plus any cash bonuses. That threshold was set by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, and applies to tax year 2026 forward. DraftKings tracks DFS winnings separately from sportsbook winnings, so you could receive both forms in the same year.
Illinois State Tax
Illinois applies its flat 4.95% individual income tax rate to gambling winnings.9Illinois Department of Revenue. Income Tax Rates Here’s the painful part: Illinois does not let you deduct gambling losses against your winnings on your state return. Federal law allows loss deductions up to the amount of winnings if you itemize, but Illinois ignores that entirely. If you win $10,000 and lose $10,000 in the same year, you still owe Illinois $495 on zero actual profit. Keep careful records of wins and losses through the year so the state bill doesn’t catch you flat-footed.