Betting On OTB Illinois Online

Horse racing has been popular in Illinois since the mid-19th century. The first harness track in Chicago was built in 1840 on the south side, and soon after, tracks dotted the city, especially on the south and west sides. Though a gambling ban in the early 1900s slowed the sport, it never disappeared—proved by a rogue meet at Hawthorne in 1916.

When betting was legalized again in 1922, Illinois horse racing flourished. Hawthorne reopened for good, while tracks such as Maywood, Washington Park, and Aurora either reopened or reestablished. Lincoln Fields—later Balmoral Park—and Arlington Park were founded in the 1920s. Sportsman’s Park followed in 1932, converted from a dog track in Cicero, just across the street from Hawthorne.

Today, all the Chicago-area tracks except Hawthorne are history, but Hawthorne continues to host live Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing into 2025. Fairmount Park, on the Illinois side of St. Louis, opened in 1925 and remains in business. Purchased by new owners in 2024, it celebrates its centennial in 2025. Live horse racing still runs most of the year in the state, supported by a dedicated community of horsemen and fans who love going to the races and placing a few bets.

If you want to be part of the Illinois horse racing action, keep reading to discover the best places to make your OTB wagers in the Land of Lincoln!

OTB Illinois Betting Sites

If you are betting horse racing in Illinois, offshore racebooks are a secure way to do it as conveniently as possible. Be a part of the action from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, and bet horse races anywhere with an internet connection! Offshore racebooks also help you maximize your bankroll with bonuses, rebates, and promotions to suit every betting style.

These are the best offshore racebooks for betting Illinois horse races online:

Illinois Race Tracks

There are two horse tracks left in the state of Illinois: Hawthorne Race Course and Fairmount Park.

Hawthorne Race Course opened in 1891 and was purchased by Thomas Carey in 1909. The Carey family still owns Hawthorne today. Throughout its history, the track has hosted both Thoroughbred and harness racing. Since Maywood Park and Balmoral Park closed in 2015, Hawthorne has been the only track in the Chicago area to stage live racing, and after the closure of Arlington Park in 2021, it remains the sole major racetrack in northern Illinois. Hawthorne now runs Thoroughbred meets from spring through fall, while harness (Standardbred) meets are scheduled during other parts of the year, including late fall and winter.

Fairmount Park, now once again operating under its historic name after a period as FanDuel Sportsbook & Racing, is located in Collinsville, Illinois, a suburb of St. Louis. It opened in 1925 and, though it hosted both Thoroughbred and harness racing in its early years, it has only offered Thoroughbred racing since 1999. The track is celebrating its centennial in 2025 under new ownership (Accel Entertainment). Its live meet typically runs from spring through fall, featuring both daytime and evening cards, including popular weeknight and weekday programs.

Illinois Horse Races

Hawthorne's most prestigious Thoroughbred races include the $200,000 Illinois Derby and the $150,000 Hawthorne Derby. Both are currently Grade III races, having regained graded status after previously being downgraded. The Illinois Derby is a 1 1/8-mile dirt race typically run in April, and horses can use it as a prep for the Preakness Stakes or other summertime goals. The Hawthorne Derby, usually held in October, is a 1 1/8-mile turf race for three-year-old horses.

On the harness side, it's all about Night of Champions, a series of races in every division: 2-year-olds and older, trot and pace, open company and fillies and mares. Typically hosted in November, there are races through summer and fall both at the Springfield fair and Hawthorne to qualify for the finals on Night of Champions.

At Fairmount, the richest race of the year is the St. Louis Derby for three-year-olds. A 1 1/16 mile trip over the dirt, the $250,000 purse makes it the richest race in Illinois, and it draws horses from all over the country to race under the lights.

Off Track Betting in Illinois

Under the rules of the Illinois Racing Board, off track betting parlors have to be associated with existing racetracks in Illinois. Hawthorne operates 13 off-track betting bars around the state in addition to the racetrack facility. Several of the OTB locations, as well as the Hawthorne racetrack itself, also offer a sportsbook. Fairmount also offers three OTBs around southern Illinois, as well as simulcast wagering and sports betting at Fairmount Park itself.