Online Gambling Illinois
It is a glorious time to gamble in Illinois. The Land of Lincoln has casinos, sportsbooks, horsetracks, and a host of other gaming options available.
Online Gambling in Illinois Illinois has flirted with legalizing online casinos and poker sites since 2013, but all efforts to date have failed. As a result, online gambling remains prohibited, aside from sports betting and parimutuel horse racing betting. Illinois online gambling is legally permitted from offshore gambling sites that are operating legally within the industry and possess official credentials to establish their legitimacy. Just because the law is silent on taking part in online gambling, it does not mean that online gambling is legal in the State of Illinois. Argosy's Alton Belle Casino was the first riverboat casino in Illinois, opening its doors in 1991. Now there are 9 major casinos in Illinois, home to riverboat casinos. Taxed at the highest rate in the nation, Illinois casinos have been limited by the government's restrictions and the state is now at the maximum limit for gaming licenses.
Obviously, the buzz both inside Illinois and around the US is about sports betting. However, Illinois also has other gambling options including sweepstake casinos, lottery and horse racing.
This page will provide you with the latest news on Illinois gambling laws, what and how sweepstakes sites work and what you can expect to see when it comes to Illinois online casinos.
Sweepstakes casinos accepting Illinois players
Latest Illinois Gambling Updates
Last update: March 8, 2021
Customers will continue to have the ability to sign up for sports betting accounts from home. Gov. JB Pritzker recently announced he has once again extended mobile registration till April 3.
Additionally, Churchill Downs has decided to sellArlington International Racecourse.
Churchill is a current applicant for the Waukegan casino license so experts have speculated Churchill plans to transfer its gaming license.
Other applicants for the Waukegan license are Full House Resorts and North Point Casino.
Is online gambling legal in Illinois?
Yes, but only sweepstakes casinos.
There are several different ways that you can gamble online in Illinois. However, two notable exceptions are online casinos and online poker.
Illinois has not approved laws for either type of site just yet. The good news, though, is that with nearby states with online casinos and poker up and running (Michigan), Illinois lawmakers will be able to observe the positive effect on the state’s bottom line and, naturally, want the same for themselves.
So, although online casinos and poker are not part of Illinois’ offerings just yet, they are probably not too far away from becoming a reality.
Sweepstakes sites and playing online casino games in IL
One option that may tide you over until there is a move to regulate IL online casinos and poker sites, is a sweepstakes site. If you’ve never heard about sweepstakes casino and poker sites before, they may seem a bit hard to believe. You can play some pretty entertaining online slots in Illinois, and it’s completely legal.
Your top options for sweepstakes sites in Illinois are the following:
- Global Poker (online poker)
Sweepstakes are present everywhere. Technically, these sites belong in the same category as PCH or the fast-food sweepstakes. Essentially, as long as you can play for free and the prizes are awarded as advertised, the site is good to go. Sweepstakes sites are able to offer a host of online casino games and poker through a dual-currency system that allows their classification to remain valid. You can win real cash prizes at these sites.
So, here are some of the options you have at your disposal:
- Slot games – These are indistinguishable from their online casino counterparts. They can be played with both play money and real money equivalents, and offer big payouts and progressive jackpots in the same way as a normal online casino would. You can also find video poker games on sweepstakes sites, too.
- Table games – Options for table games are decidedly more limited, but you can still find them if you prefer to play that way. Obviously, blackjack is the most common game to find, but you can also see options for roulette, keno, and Caribbean stud poker on various sites.
- Online Poker – Poker games are almost exclusively found on Global Poker, unsurprisingly. Global offers the ability to play no-limit Texas hold’em, pot-limit Omaha, and Crazy Pineapple in cash game, tournament, and sit-n-go formats.
When you first play on one of these sites, the dual currencies might be a bit hard to grasp. However, after the shock wears off, you’ll find that many of these sites do quite well as stopgaps until Illinois gets online casino gambling and poker in earnest. For that matter, you may even find that the sweepstakes sites are great options in their own right, anyway.
Illinois gambling laws
There are multiple types of gambling that Illinois inhabitants can enjoy. Both online and land-based options abound, and the list of opportunities is growing longer each month.
Riverboat casinos have been a fixture in the Land of Lincoln for more than thirty years. There are 10 different floating properties scattered throughout Illinois, although most are clustered around Chicago and St. Louis, the latter of which is just across the Mississippi River in Missouri.
Alongside the riverboats are scads of locations with video gaming terminals (VGTs). VGTs are electronic lottery machines that have little difference, functionally, from a regular slot machine. They have been part of life in Illinois since 2009 and gained full legal status thanks to the massive expansion of gambling in 2019.
That expansion also ushered both online and retail sports betting into Illinois. Retail sports betting is now present at a majority of Illinois’ riverboat casinos, is available at racetracks and OTBs, and may even be available at major sports arenas throughout the state.
There are also multiple active sportsbook apps in Illinois right now. That number is certain to grow, and the sunsetting of the in-person registration requirement in September 2021 should only make the Prairie State a more attractive market for other sports betting companies.
Finally, it is also possible to play the Illinois Lottery, bet on horseraces, and engage in daily fantasy sports through your mobile devices and computers in Illinois. So, there is no shortage of options for Illinois residents and visitors who want to join the fun.
Other forms of legal gambling
Online sports betting launched in Illinois in June 2020. BetRivers Sportsbook, which is owned by Rush Street Interactive (which also owns Rivers Des Plaines), became the first sports betting app to launch in Illinois. Since then, multiple apps have joined the party, including: DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, and William Hill.
Alongside online sports betting, Illinois residents and visitors are also able to bet on horse races through the TVG racing site. Online horse betting is available in the Prairie State through a variety of sites.
Finally, Illinoisans and guests to the state can also play in daily fantasy sports play if they choose. An Illinois Supreme Court ruling in April 2020 definitively identified DFS as not gambling and has legitimized the notion of playing the game in some capacity in Illinois.
Casino and riverboat locations in Illinois
The most obvious places to play in Illinois are its casinos. Each casino, at the time of its construction, was required to be on water. So, most of the casino options are riverboats moored permanently on waterways. However, there is at least one casino (Rivers Des Plaines) that is simply resting in a shallow pit filled with water.
The casinos each offer different options for gaming, but, in general, they have slot machines and table games in many varieties. Whether they have sports betting and poker onsite is a different matter, however. Here are all the riverboat casino locations in Illinois:
- Argosy Casino Alton – Alton*
- DraftKings at Casino Queen – East St. Louis*
- Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin ‡
- Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel – Joliet †
- Harrah’s Metropolis Casino & Hotel – Metropolis
- Hollywood Casino Aurora – Aurora ‡
- Hollywood Casino Joliet – Joliet*
- Jumer’s Casino & Hotel – Rock Island †
- Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino – East Peoria*
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines – Des Plaines*
*Sportsbook onsite
†Poker room onsite
‡Both sportsbook and poker room onsite
All 10 have a variety of slots, including reel slots and progressive slots, plus video poker.
Illinois law does not permit casinos to remain open 24 hours, which means most will close their doors for two to four hours each day during the early morning.
The Illinois Gambling Act authorizes six additional casinos to be built in Illinois in the following locations:
- Chicago
- Danville
- Waukegan
- Rockford
- Williamson County (near Carbondale)
- Cook County in either Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Rich, Thornton or Worth
The new law also allows the riverboat casinos to finally become land-based casinos after paying a fee and obtaining regulators’ approval to do so.
The existing casinos will be allowed to expand their operations from 1,200 to 2,000 “gaming positions” should they desire, with such expansion also requiring the payment of a position fee for every added position.
Meanwhile, the new Chicago “mega-casino” will be much bigger, with 4,000 gaming positions.
Illinois video gaming terminals
Since 2009, video gaming terminals, or VGTs, have been available throughout Illinois at licensed retail establishments.
You’ll often find them in establishments with liquor licenses like restaurants, bars, convenience stores and hotels. Truck stops and fraternal or veteran’s organizations with national charters also have them.
The law initially allowed each establishment up to five VGTs in one location. However, the Illinois Gambling Act amended the Video Gaming Act to increase that number to six while also allowing “large truck stops” to operate up to 10 VGTs.
Other changes to the law include increasing the maximum bet (from $2 to $4), increasing the maximum win (from $500 to $1,199), the authorization of progressive jackpots and an increase in the tax imposed from 30% to 33%.
The VGTs are housed in stand-alone, slant-top cabinets or upright cabinets set on a base such as a bar.
The machines are very much like video slots. However, unlike the slots in casinos, each VGT typically features a wide variety of games from which to choose, including slots and video poker games.
In late 2019 there were more than 6,800 establishments with VGTs in Illinois, making the state the country’s leader by a wide margin over Nevada, which has around 2,000 locations.
Responsible gambling in Illinois
Illinois has several measures in place to protect and assist problem gamblers.
In 2002, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) launched the Statewide Riverboat Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program for Problem Gamblers, known as SEP.
The program allows those who determine they are problem gamblers to self-exclude themselves from Illinois casinos. The new gambling expansion law extends SEP to sports wagering as well.
In 2018, the IGB additionally established the Problem Gambling Registry for Video Gaming.
Those who enroll receive regular emails providing information about problem gambling with links to problem gambling prevention and treatment resources in the state. The program is available both to Illinois and out-of-state residents.
The Illinois Department of Human Services has also developed a website to provide support and advice for problem gamblers — WeKnowTheFeeling.org — that also invites problem gamblers to contact them by phone at 1-800-GAMBLER.
The IGB site also provides additional information regarding these programs and other help for problem gamblers.
Historical overview of legal gambling in Illinois
Legal and regulated pari-mutuel horse race betting in Illinois dates back to 1927.
Illinois first introduced the lottery in 1974, joining the first big wave of states to do so. Later in 2012, Illinois became the first state to offer online lottery ticket sales and is still one of a limited number of states that do.
Riverboat gambling has been legal in Illinois since 1990 and, in fact, Illinois was the second state in the US to legalize riverboat gambling after Iowa. A year later, the first riverboat casino opened the Alton Belle (then to become the Argosy Casino Alton).
For the first several years, the boats were required to leave docks and set sail at regular intervals, but that is no longer the case. At present, 10 riverboat casinos are operating either on boats or docked barges or on what are essentially land-based properties resting in shallow water.
In 2009, the Video Gaming Act was enacted in Illinois, allowing the placement of VGTs in licensed retail locations, truck stops, and veteran and fraternal establishments.
More recently, in June 2019, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Illinois Gambling Act, a law allowing for significant gambling expansion in the state. The new law permits six new casinos to be built, including one “mega-casino” near Chicago.
It also allows the existing casinos and racetracks to expand the number of “gaming positions” they can offer, including allowing the tracks to become “racinos” by adding slots and table games.
Illinois is a state with a rocky history when it comes to gambling. It was among the first states to offer an online lottery in 2012 and the second to legalize riverboat gambling in the 1990s, after Iowa.
With the recently-passed Illinois Gambling Act expanding the legality of casinos and sportsbook gaming across the state, Illinois will continue being at the forefront of gaming in the midwest moving forward.
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Illinois Casino Legalization
The history of Illinois casinos starts on the race track in 1927. Then, it introduced the official state lottery in 1974; Illinois was also the first state to host an official online lottery in 2012.
By the early 1990s, Illinoisans had become just the second state to allow access to gambling by riverboat in Illinois. In fact, the state is home to ten riverboat gambling sites. These are the only physical Illinois casinos at the time of this writing.
In 2009, the state introduced VGTs. VGT stands for video gaming terminals, which essentially were electronic lottery machines. However, their gameplay was more closely reminiscent of slot machines.
Most recently, the Prairie State’s governor, J.B Pritzker, introduced the Illinois Gambling Act in 2019. This legislation paves the way for the future of betting in Illinois, both online and in-person.
The Illinois Gambling Act legalized sports betting in late 2019 and planned six new land-based casinos across the state. This act includes the blueprint for a “mega-casino,” which will be located outside of Chicago. None of these six casinos have been built at the time of this writing.
This legislation also expanded the number of gaming positions that Illinois casinos are permitted to have. It also gives riverboats complete access to moving to a physical, on-land location (provided they pay a fee).
Currently, IL online casinos are still illegal. You may only access Illinois online betting through sportsbooks or lottery games. Illinois online casinos are only available through sweepstakes sites. Look for this to change soon.
Best Casinos in Illinois
Now, if you want to get into Illinois online casinos, first you will want to look into the casinos that are already in the state. You will want to do this because many times the already existing casinos will become the best online casinos. So, becoming familiar with the best casinos in the state of Illinois will prepare you for those online casino launches.
Harrah’s Joliet Hotel and Casino / Harrah’s Metropolis Hotel and Casino
The Illinois casinos Harrah’s Joliet Hotel and Casino and Harrah’s Metropolis Hotel and Casino are names you should get to know. The Harrah’s Casinos via Caesars sports are expected to launch Illinois sportsbooks online very soon. So, that means that these casinos could become some of the best online casinos in the state once online casinos are legalized.
Hollywood Hotel and Casino Joliet
The Hollywood Hotel and Casino Joliet is another of the Illinois casinos you will want to get to know. The Hollywood Casino already has its own sportsbook brand that has launched in PA, meaning it could be one of the first USA online casinos to launch in Illinois once it is able to legally. So, you should check out the Hollywood Hotel and Casino in Joliet before that happens.
Rivers Casino Des Plaines
The Rivers Casino Des Plaines is another casino to look into if you are curious about the best online casinos. This is because the Rivers Casino Des Plaines is set to launch their BetRivers sportsbook in Illinois. So, that means that one of the most popular USA online casinos, the BetRivers casino, could be launched in Illinois as soon as it is legally able to.
Online Gambling Illinois Law
List of Illinois Casinos
At the time of writing, there are only ten Illinois casinos that have a physical location. Out of these ten, all of them are riverboats. However, the Illinois Gambling Act has allowed for the construction of six physical, land-based Illinois casinos. The following is a list of the locations for the planned Illinois casinos:
- Chicago
- Danville
- Waukegan
- Rockford
- Williamson County
- Cook County
Out of these six Illinois casinos, keep an eye on the one planned near Chicago. The state has already permitted them to build a “mega-casino” that features twice as many games as others.
Betting in Illinois on riverboats has been a state-wide custom since the 90s. Here’s a list of the current Illinois casinos on riverboats:
- Argosy Casino Alton
- Hollywood Casino Aurora
- Grand Victoria Casino
- Harrah’s Metropolis Casino & Hotel
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines
- Hollywood Casino Joliet
- Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel
- DraftKings at Casino Queen
- Jumer’s Casino & Hotel
- Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino
Out of these ten, the Grand Victoria Casino, Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel, Hollywood Casino Aurora, and Jumer’s Casino & Hotel are the only ones to offer full poker rooms.
Casino Games Available
One of the most important factors that you will face when choosing from the legal Illinois online casinos when they open will be which games are offered. So, you should learn about the casino games that are typically available on most online casinos. Then, you will know what to look for when Illinois online casinos become a reality in the state.
Many of the casino games you will find on online casinos are games of skill. But, you will also find casino games that are games of luck. It is best to figure out your own particular skill set and interest when choosing which casino game is for you.
Slots
Slots and Video slots are very popular games at casinos and online casinos alike. With slots, the customer pulls a lever and tries to match a certain number of pictures that scroll by in different columns. Slots is a game of chance, not a game of skill, like many of the other games you will find at Illinois online casinos.
Table and Card Games
Table and Card Games that you will find at online casinos resemble the classic casino games. So, these refer to card games like Blackjack for instance. Blackjack is a fairly easy game for new users to learn, but a hard game for users to master.
Poker Options
Poker is one of the most popular casino games and online casino games that you will find. Many customers join online casinos simply to play poker and video poker. Poker is so popular that some online casino and online sportsbook operators offer whole sites dedicated to poker. Poker is the ultimate casino game of skill. When playing poker in a casino or on an online casino, you will want to make sure you understand the rules. Poker can take a long time to master, so you should make sure to learn all the rules and ways you can win.Illinois Casino Apps
Now, as we discussed before, Illinois online casinos are not yet legal in the state. So, that means that Illinois online casino apps are also not yet legal in the state. But, we can look at the online casino operators that are most likely to move into the state when they are legally able to launch.
So, the same possible online casino operators we discussed before are very likely to launch Illinois online casino apps when they are able to. This includes BetRivers, Harrah’s via Caesars online casino, as well as the Hollywood Casino. Because these operators are likely to open up Illinois sportsbooks online in the state, we can expect to see online casinos from these operators when they can legally launch in Illinois.
Once these operators are able to launch their online casinos legally in Illinois, we can expect the casinos apps soon after. Many online casinos already have apps launched in other states that are associated with their online casinos. So, it would be fairly easy for these operators to launch their online casino apps in Illinois when they are legally able to.
Illinois Online Sportsbooks
Now, as discussed before, Illinois has recently legalized online sports betting in the state through Senate Bill 690, also known as SB 690. So, we can expect Illinois sportsbooks to be flooding the state very soon. And, we can look at the operators in other states to see which online sportsbooks are likely to launch.
Just as we mentioned before, we can expect to see online sportsbooks from a few different operators first. It is anticipated that BetRivers, Harrah’s via Caesars Sports, and the Hollywood Casino will be some of the first Illinois sportsbook operators. And, once they launch their online sportsbooks, we can expect accompanying sportsbooks apps to launch as well.
There are plenty of online sportsbooks operators in other states with legal sports betting. So, it is a good idea to do your research on the online sportsbooks that are already in operation in other states. That way, you will know all about these online sportsbooks when they finally become available in Illinois.
Online Gambling In Illinois
FAQ Online Casinos
Do you still have any questions related to Illinois online casinos? Check out this quick list of frequently asked questions about Illinois online betting.
Are online casinos legal in Illinois?
No. Illinois online casinos are illegal at the time of this writing. That being said, players can access Illinois online betting on casino games through sweepstakes sites. These sweepstakes sites are essentially IL online casinos that don’t require any purchase or deposit to play.
Are land-based casinos legal in Illinois?
Yes. Although Illinois online casinos are illegal, players will soon access physical casinos across the state.
What kinds of games can I play online in Illinois?
Illinois online betting sites like BetRivers offer lines and odds for sports.
What are the age requirements for online casinos in Illinois?
When betting in Illinois through sportsbooks, lotteries, and most other methods, you must be 21 years or older. However, due to the grey area within which sweepstakes sites work, you only need to be 18 to access them. Look for this to become more concrete with the addition of more Illinois online casinos.
Final Thoughts on Casino Gambling in Illinois
Illinois online casinos enter 2021 in an interesting position. They’re the last of the classic betting formats that still remain illegal in the state. However, with the Illinois Gambling Act being passed in 2019, the legality of Illinois online casinos, as well as their land-based counterparts, has become far more lenient.
We’d expect there to be an increased demand for licenses for IL online casinos in the coming months and years. The state government has the added benefit of seeing how some neighboring states are handling virtual casinos before going all-in on Illinois online casinos.
Regardless of where and how you choose to play, make sure you’re doing so safely. The burden of responsibility is aided by various sites and their programming but ultimately rests on your shoulders. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially when the gambling world is growing at such a rapid pace.