Bears fans are known for their fierce loyalty.
In fact, that loyalty is so universally recognized that it’s been grist for the humor mill on Saturday Night Live with the likes of John Goodman, George Wendt and the late Chris Farley, among others, donning Bears gear, hoisting brews and proudly hailing “Da Bears!”
However, with IL sportsbooks legal throughout the state, both at retail sportsbooks and on computers and smart phones via apps, how does the Bears faithful collectively rank as also fans of sports betting?
Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. Min. qualifying bet amount: $1. Tokens max. bet amount: $25 per token. Tokens bet max. add'l winnings: $2,500 per token. Token(s) expire 14 days after receipt. Not reissued for voided/pushed bets. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org, NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369); LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans) Call 1-800-522-4700, Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-MY-RESET. ©2026, Caesars Entertainment
How We Determined Our List
Well, IllinoisBet.com wanted to find out. We used Statista’s 2022 “Attitudes Toward Sports Betting” survey of NFL fans -- which included 1,020 respondents -- to determine the NFL fanbases who currently indicate that they are a “sports betting user.”
Note that this is a sample size of NFL fans who indicate they are followers of a specific NFL team. The percentage represents how many people are sports bettors out of the sample.
You can also follow the Bears Super Bowl odds for the upcoming season.
Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. Min. qualifying bet amount: $1. Tokens max. bet amount: $25 per token. Tokens bet max. add'l winnings: $2,500 per token. Token(s) expire 14 days after receipt. Not reissued for voided/pushed bets. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org, NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369); LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans) Call 1-800-522-4700, Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-MY-RESET. ©2026, Caesars Entertainment
Top Fanbases For NFL Betting Interest
| Rank | Team | Sports Betting User % |
|---|
| 1 | NY Giants | 13% |
| 2 | Buffalo Bills | 11% |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | 8% |
| T4 | Chicago Bears | 6% |
| T4 | Dallas Cowboys | 6% |
| T6 | Carolina Panthers | 5% |
| T6 | NY Jets | 5% |
| T6 | Atlanta Falcons | 5% |
| T9 | LA Chargers | 4% |
| T9 | Green Bay Packers | 4% |
| T11 | Baltimore Ravens | 3% |
| T11 | Denver Broncos | 3% |
| T11 | SF 49ers | 3% |
| T11 | Minnesota Vikings | 3% |
Bears Fans High on Wagering List
As it turns out, Bears fans rank fairly high for their activity on Illinois betting apps.
In the rankings, Chicago’s fanbase came in at a tie for No. 4 with the Dallas Cowboys.
Ranking ahead of the Bears fanbase were fanbases of the New York Giants, the Buffalo Bills and the Arizona Cardinals. There’s a reasonable suspicion that some of that Arizona fanbase may be Chicago transplants as evidenced by the proliferation of Chicago-themed bar-restaurants in the Valley of Sun, such as the Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill, where Walter Payton jerseys are de rigueur.
However, just focusing on the specifically measurable Chicago Bears fanbase – who can take advantage of Illinois sportsbook promos – the percentage of “sports betting users” registers at 6%. That’s ahead of top-10 fanbases representing Carolina, the N.Y. Jets, Atlanta, the L.A. Chargers, Green Bay, Baltimore, Denver, San Francisco, and Minnesota.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See http://BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Bears A Big Disappointment Recently
That’s some pretty admirable and stubborn resilience, considering Bears fans who may be wagering on the hometown team have been pummeled by the sportsbooks in recent seasons.
In 2022, the Bears were a disappointing 5-11-1 against the spread, which happened to be better than their real record in the NFC North (3-14). That was the next-to-worst ATS record in the NFL, ahead of only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were 4-13. No wonder Chicago had preseason Super Bowl odds of +15000 at BetMGM Sportsbook Illinois entering last season.
In 2021, the Bears were 6-11 against the spread; in 2020, they were 8-9 ATS, and in 2019, they were an NFL-worst 4-12.
You have to go back to 2018 to find a Bears winning season ATS. In that campaign, Da Bears roared to a 12-4 record in the NFC North in the regular season before losing in the playoffs to the Eagles on a heart-breaking doinked field goal try.
On a happier note for Chicago, against the spread that season the Bears rewarded their betting backers with an NFL-best 12-5 mark.
Stay with IllinoisBet for the latest on the Chicago Bears playoff chances all season.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), or visit http://www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Min. $5 first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Plus, upon qualifying bet placement, get 1 100% Profit Boost Token, valid only for a NCAA Tournament Winner bet. Max. Bet: $10. Profit Boost Tokens are single-use and expire on 4/6/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Must select Token BEFORE placing bet. Boost only applies to winnings. Ends 4/6/26 11:59 PM ET. Terms: https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos.
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