Illinois off track betting is part of one of the most established horse racing betting markets in the US, with 14 licensed OTB locations, licensed advance deposit wagering operators (ADWs), and two permanent racetracks.
These include Fairmount Park in Collinsville and Hawthorne Race Course, where live racing ended early in July 2026. Hawthorne has applied for 2027 race dates, but a return is not yet guaranteed.
This page is a complete resource for horse racing bettors in Illinois, covering all active off-track betting locations across the state and the best online racebooks available to IL bettors.
Illinois offers licensed advance deposit wagering operators (ADWs), and OTB venues spread statewide.
This guide will compare Illinois betting options, locations, and wager options.
For more info visit our complete online betting houses resource.
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Illinois OTB locations
There are currently 14 OTB locations in the state of Illinois operated under the authority of the Illinois Racing Board.
These Illinois off track betting parlors comprise a wide range of venues, from dedicated teletheaters to bars, restaurants, and bowling alleys offering simulcast wagering.
Alongside Illinois betting, these offer simulcast horse racing from across the US and major international tracks.
We have detailed the key OTB locations below.
Illinois horse racing tracks
At the time of writing, Illinois has two permanent race tracks, but only Fairmount Park is currently hosting live meets. Hawthorne's 2026 live season ended early during its Chapter 11 restructuring, and its proposed 2027 return is not guaranteed.
Both venues remain open for on-site simulcast wagering and OTB facilities. For more info check out our full off track betting guide.
Hawthorne race course
Hawthorne Race Course has long been the most famous Illinois venue, hosting racing from March through to December, including both thoroughbred and Standardbred harness meets.
Hawthorne, North America’s oldest continually run family-owned racetrack, is currently closed to live racing after ending its 2026 thoroughbred season early during financial restructuring.
The operator has applied for 2027 dates, including thoroughbred racing from March 27 to October 31, but reopening is not yet guaranteed and remains subject to regulatory and ownership developments.
| Location | 3501 S. Laramie, Stickney, IL 60804 |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1891 |
| 2026 Meet Status | Live racing ended early in July 2026 |
| Racing Type | Thoroughbred and Standardbred |
Fairmount Park Casino & Racing (formerly FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing)
Opening in 1925, Fairmount Park in Collinsville offers thoroughbred racing, year-round simulcasting, dining, and casino gaming.
Between 2020 and 2024, Fairmount underwent a major facility upgrade that brought a retail sportsbook and an online sports betting operation to the venue. It was briefly called the FanDuel Sportsbook and Racing but has now returned to its original name.
The Illinois Racing Board currently lists 57 live programs, running from April 14 through to October 27, with racing typically taking place on Tuesdays and Saturdays, starting at 1:30 p.m.
| Location | 9301 Collinsville Road, Collinsville, IL 62234 |
|---|---|
| Formerly Known As | FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing |
| 2026 Meet Dates | April 14 through October 27 |
| Racing Type | Thoroughbred |
Illinois State Fair harness racing
The Illinois seasonal fair circuit brings licensed harness racing to Springfield, Du Quoin and Mount Sterling, giving bettors accessible live action beyond the permanent-track calendar.
It comprises two state fairs alongside the Brown County Fair, with meetings generally running from early August to September.
Below we break down when and where each meet usually takes place.
Illinois State Fair
The Illinois State Fair hosts the largest of the fair meets at the State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
In 2026, racing takes place on August 13, 14, 15, 19 and 20, with cards spread across several days during the fair.
The program usually includes Illinois-bred divisions, Colt Stakes eliminations and championships, and Illinois Topline events.
Du Quoin State Fair
The Du Quoin State Fair stages harness racing on the historic Magic Mile in Du Quoin.
In 2026, racing is scheduled for August 31, September 1 and September 2, placing it near the end of the Illinois fair-racing calendar.
Programs typically include County Fair Challenges, Illinois-bred stakes, aged divisions and IDOA races, with pari-mutuel wagering available.
Brown County Fair
Brown County Fair hosts the smallest of Illinois’ three fair harness meets, based in Mount Sterling.
In 2026, racing takes place on August 8 and 9 at 1:00 p.m., with the Downstate Classic for two-year-olds among the regular attractions.
Bettors should check the current fair schedule and confirm whether pari-mutuel wagering will be offered before visiting.
What happened to Arlington Park?
Unfortunately Arlington Park closed after its final race program on September 25, 2021.
The owner Churchill Downs Incorporated agreed to sell the 326-acre property to the Chicago Bears for $197.2 million and completed the transaction on February 15, 2023.
The closure leaves Illinois with only one active racetrack, Fairmount park.
Whilst Fairmount Park is the only permanent Illinois track still staging live racing, Arlington’s three best-known turf races continue to take place outside the state, preserving their names and tradition, but not their Illinois setting.
Major Illinois horse races
Illinois has long been a bastion of racing in the US, however as aforementioned, many of the state's most famous races have been moved elsewhere.
Despite their relocation, these races still hold a special place in the strong racing heritage of the state.
We break down the key races below.
Arlington Million
Hawthorne Gold Cup
Beverly D. Stakes
Illinois Derby
Secretariat Stakes
The Arlington Million was the world’s first million-dollar thoroughbred race, with the first race held in 1981. On that occasion, John Henry and jockey Bill Shoemaker ran out winners.
The Arlington Million is now staged as a Grade 1 turf race at colonial downs in Virginia.
The Hawthorne Gold Cup was one of the flagship stakes races at Hawthorne Race Course, traditionally bringing older thoroughbreds together over 1 1/4 miles on dirt.
The race was a major event on the Midwest circuit and held graded status during its history. It has not been run in recent seasons, so it should now be treated as a historic Illinois race rather than an active annual fixture.
Historically staged at Arlington for older fillies and mares, the Beverly D. stakes developed into one of North America’s leading female turf contests.
Whilst its identity remains linked to Arlington, the race is now part of Virginia’s Festival of Racing, held at colonial downs as a Grade 2 turf race.
It last took place on August 1 2026 with a $500,000 purse.
The Illinois Derby is one of Illinois’ best-known races for three-year-old thoroughbreds, run over 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Hawthorne Race Course.
The race returned in 2024 after a long hiatus with a $200,000 purse and served as a prep for the Preakness Stakes. Its recent schedule has not been consistent, so bettors should check Hawthorne’s current stakes calendar before each season.
Named after the 1973 Triple Crown winner, the Secretariat Stakes was historically one of the main supporting contests on Arlington Million day.
The race previously held Grade 1 status at Arlington but is now also staged at Colonial Downs as a Grade 2 turf race for three-year-olds.
The 2026 renewal was run over 1 1/16 miles on August 1 with a $500,000 purse.
Illinois horse racing history
Despite currently only hosting one active horse racing track, Illinois has a horse racing tradition that spans over a century.
Hawthorne was the first track, opened in 1891, followed by Arlington in 1927, while Fairmount Park, the only current active track, began racing in Collinsville in 1925.
Illinois Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing developed alongside an extensive simulcast and OTB network overseen by the Illinois Racing Board.
Arlington’s closure in 2021 removed the state’s flagship turf venue, and Hawthorne’s 2026 stoppage has left Fairmount Park carrying the permanent live-track calendar while state and county fairs preserve seasonal harness racing.
Is online horse betting legal in Illinois?
Yes, online horse racing betting is legal in Illinois through licensed advance deposit wagering operators. Illinois residents must be at least 18 to open an ADW account and place pari-mutuel wagers.
The Illinois Racing Board licenses and oversees permitted providers under the Illinois Horse Racing Act.
We recommend checking the Illinois Racing Board’s public ADW list before depositing because a nationally available racebook is not automatically approved in Illinois.
