Unlike illegal offshore sportsbooks, which are risky, you can fund your Illinois gambling account using the same options you use to make online purchases.
You’ll be able to deposit and withdraw safely using any of the following options:
Credit or Debit Cards: All sportsbooks allow Visa and Mastercard.
Prepaid Debit Cards: In other states, major operators, like DraftKings, have branded prepaid cards. You fund these from your bank (or regular credit card), which allows you to keep keep your gambling bankroll and regular spending separate.
Bank Transfers Using ACH: This type of local transfer is also known as e-checks. You can get additional verification, which speeds this up.
Bill Pay: Treat sports betting as a utility bill, using bill pay at major banks only.
Bank Wires: This method has more significant charges than ACH, though many people who deposit substantial cash use it. Some books accept cashier’s checks and money orders.
PayPal: This popular e-wallet lets you keep your bank and online merchants and sportsbooks separate. Alternative brands, including Skrill and Neteller, are available.
Cash Payment Options: You can take cash to the cage at the retail casino or use a commercial service like PayNearMe.
Note that legal sportsbooks will ask you to use the same method you used to deposit funds to withdraw (where this is possible), which helps control fraud and money laundering.