Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Illinois?

Online Roulette

It doesn't get much easier when it comes to online gambling than roulette. Among the most popular and oldest of all casino games, American roulette involves a spinning wheel with slots numbered 1-36, 0 and 00. A ball is spun in the opposite direction of the wheel, and gamblers choose with number or range of numbers (with varying odds) the ball will land on.

There aren't too many different variations that bettors will find at online casinos, though French roulette has better odds because there is no 00. Just make sure you're aware of the different types of bets you can make on the board and read a strategy guide, as the even-money bets are the best ones long-term.

Unibet Illinois Sportsbook App & Bonus Expected

Unibet app has moved in next door to Illinois. In fact, the Swedish-based sportsbook operation is all around the state.

• Illinois Online Gambling & Betting
• Reviews
• Sportsbooks

Reputation

As with most online products and services, we care a lot about what other Illinois players have loved and hated about a specific brand. Bad experiences happen with every gambling operator, it's inevitable. But how poor experiences are turned around can make or break an online gambling site. Review sites, online chatter, Facebook Groups, Reddit, and inbound emails, are all materials we use to assess the reputation of a gambling brand.

Table of Content

• Who is this article suitable for? Players looking to enjoy Illinois online gambling opportunities
• The legal history of gambling in Illinois – can I gamble online in Illinois?
• Editor’s recommendation – the best online casino operator for users in Illinois
• Five tips for a secure and fair gambling experience in Illinois – follow our step-by-step outline
• What do we look for when evaluating operators for Illinois residents? Cover all of your bases
• Finding the right operator for you – assess your Illinois online gambling options
• Conclusion – gambling in Illinois
• Illinois online gambling sites FAQ

IL Online Gambling Summary

• ❌ Online Casino Games: No real-money casino games allowed
• ✔️ Online Sports Betting: Legal
• ✔️ Daily Fantasy Sports: Legal
• ✔️ Legal Age for Gambling: 21

Bet $5, Get $200 on the NFL

Bet $5, Get $200 on ANY NFL Moneyline

NFL Exclusive

New Users Only

Overall Rating: 5/5Payout Speed 2 DaysSee reviewCLAIM OFFER

Payment Methods

T&Cs apply

Land Based Casinos By States

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Action Network Score

9.8/10. See our BetMGM review for more in-depth information about BetMGM and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
BetMGM vs Other Sportsbooks

FAQ – Illinois online gambling

Still have questions about online gambling in Illinois? Check out our FAQ section below for some quick answers or read our latest Illinois gambling news.

Is online gambling legal in Illinois?

Yes. Online gambling has been legalized and regulated in Illinois since June 2020. However, so far, this law is limited online to sports betting. Although there have been promising signs about legalizing online casino gambling in Illinois and we are hoping to see it happening soon.

What is the legal gambling age in Illinois?

Illinois gambling age is the same as in most states, 21 years. When a person has reached this legal gambling age Illinois sports betting is free to be explored. We recommend all bettors to take advantage of an Illinois online gambling bonus when joining their first sportsbook.

Is online sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes. The laws that went into effect in June 2020 legalized sports betting, and several prominent sportsbooks have since started operating in the state. Click yourself to the Illinois sports betting bonus site to find out how you can benefit from sportsbook bonuses.

Are online casinos legal in Illinois?

Online gambling has been regulated in Illinois following the laws that went into effect during the summer of 2020. However, it seems that online casino gambling is coming to the Prairie State sooner or later. Read more about online casino bonuses in Illinois and find our why you should take bonuses when the casino’s open.

Does Illinois gambling have in-person registration?

Illinois used to have an in-person registration when you wanted to start betting online. Fortunately, Illinois lifted this regulation, and starting from March 5th 2022 in-person registration has not been required. IL sports bettors can now gamble completely online.

IL Sports Betting Final Score

Reader Rating8 Votes

Pros

Quality Sportsbooks Live

You will be able to bet at sports stadiums

Licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board

Cons

Limits on college betting

4.2

Tennessee

Illinois Online Casinos Overview

Illinois boasts a rich history in gambling, but the present scenario is certainly not a reflection of what the state was in the past. Land-based casinos, although legal to operate, are a rare sight in Illinois.

Following the trend going on in the US, Illinois also legalized online sports betting, which has become increasingly popular in the state. The online casino business is currently unregulated in Illinois, but the state should approve the online gambling laws.

The success of online poker and casinos indicates that regulated online casinos in Illinois will be plenty of fun for all too!

Red Dog Casino

Accepts US players

Bonus Offer:225% Slots Bonus

Visit CasinoRead Review

More Info

Available Games

• Slots
• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Live Dealer
• Baccarat

Payment Methods

Features

• Interesting design
• Easy-to-navigate platform
• Long list of bonuses
• Reasonable wagering requirements

States With Legal Online Gambling

States were prohibited from legalizing and regulating online gambling up until 2011 due to the Federal Wire Act previously being interpreted as applying to all forms of gambling.

That changed after lottery officials in New York and Illinois asked the Department of Justice to issue guidance regarding their wishes to begin selling online lottery tickets.

The Department of Justice issued a memorandum in 2011 stating that it has reinterpreted the Wire Act as only applying to sports betting. Although the original request from Illinois and New York was related to online lotteries, the Justice Department’s interpretation opened the door to most forms of online gambling.

Several states have since jumped on the opportunity to legalize, regulate and tax online casino games and poker. States where online casino games, online poker or both are legal include:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia

Win $200 if Any Team Scores a TD

$200 Bonus on any NFL wager

Bet $10, Win $200 On Any NFL Matchup

New users only

Overall Rating: 4/5Payout Speed 2 DaysSee reviewCLAIM OFFER

Payment Methods

T&Cs apply

Apply Filters

State you are betting from:

Illinois

United States

ArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutFloridaIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasLouisianaMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMississippiNevadaNew JerseyNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoTennesseeTexasVirginiaWashington, D.C.West VirginiaWyoming

Canada

Ontario

Deposit Value$1000

Min.Max.

$100$1000

Bonus Amount$1000

Min.Max.

$100$1000

Action Network Score

9.5/10. See our Caesars review for more in-depth information about Caesars and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
Caesars Sportsbook vs Other Sportsbooks

Nevada

2016

06.07.2016   Walker's Bluff Casino to Challenge Other Nearby Casinos01.11.2016   Flooding Affects Argosy Casino Alton Revenue01.05.2016   Proposed Decatur Casino to go Before City Council

Types of Bets Available in Illinois

Having a comprehensive range of sports to bet on at Illinois gambling sites is impressive enough, but you’ll also find an equally impressive selection of markets to bet in for any given event. Take a football game, for example. As well as being able to bet in the spread market, you will also have the opportunity to bet on the moneyline, totals, and any number of prop outcomes.

Live betting is also available in Illinois. This allows you to make bets even when games are already underway, so when wagering on basketball, for example, you could potentially bet from the tip-off to the final buzzer. The only caveat is that live betting isn’t available on in-state college games, as mentioned earlier.

BetRivers Promo

2nd Chance Risk-Free Bet up to $500

How does Sweepstakes poker work?

Under sweepstakes law, no purchase or payment can be necessary to participate. When it comes to sweepstakes poker, that means you can claim free ‘entries’ simply by logging into your account every day. You can also write to the company itself and they will send you a free entry as required by law.

As for Global Poker, poker players on the site use a virtual currency called Gold Coins to play ring (cash) games, tournaments, and sit & go’s. Gold Coins can be accumulated in these games but have no cash value.

Players who simply enjoy playing free poker, learning the games, and practicing their skills can plsy as long as they want.

That’s not the only currency available, however. When you buy additional Gold Coins you’ll also get a completely separate currency called Sweeps Coins. These can then be used in specially designated “SC” ring games, tournaments, and sit & go’s.

Sweeps Coins, as opposed to Gold Coins, can then be redeemed for cash prizes and gift cards. Sweeps Coins are also awarded to you in your account free just for logging in every day.

For states like Illinois, where online poker is yet to be legalized, Global Poker makes a nice alternative for players to play online poker. You won’t become a poker pro playing games at Global Poker, but you can play for more than just play money.

Illinois Online Gambling FAQ

What types of gambling are available in IL?

Illinois is considered to be a rather gambling-friendly state, which should as no surprise since the local law allows all the popular forms of gambling. The local casinos include two Harrah’s properties and are spread over different counties. Illinois doesn’t have any noteworthy regulations limiting the availability of certain games, so you’ll be able to try anything ranging from slots to poker there. Other than that, the state allows pari-mutuel horse race betting and operates a lottery, which is permitted to sell tickets online. Other than that, Illinois doesn’t have a regulated online gambling industry.

What laws cover online gambling in IL?

Gambling in Illinois is covered by Section 28 of the Illinois code. It’s worth pointing out that while some of the Illinois laws do refer to internet gambling, there are no regulations that prohibit individual players from participating in unlicensed games, which makes it next to impossible to prosecute gambling enthusiasts that stick to offshore sites.

Is real money online gambling legal in IL?

Yes, there are no regulations prohibiting Illinois residents from playing on offshore sites, which means that this form of gambling is perfectly legal.

Which offshore gambling sites accept IL residents?

There are no restrictions for Illinois-based gamblers when it comes to joining offshore iGaming sites. All the major operators accept Illinois residents.

What are the most popular banking options supported by Illinois-facing sites?

Most offshore sites don’t give you many deposit options to choose from, which is precisely why the vast majority of Illinois players stick to standard credit and debit cards, such as MasterCard or Visa. Please note that this method is unavailable when it comes to withdrawals, as most offshore operators prefer to rely on wire transfers for this purpose.

Does IL offer any intrastate online gambling?

Illinois doesn’t permit any intrastate online gambling aside from the state-run lottery ticket sales.

Is it likely for IL to regulate online gambling?

Yes. Illinois has already introduced an online gambling bill, which has been approved by the Senate Committee.

Best Illinois Casino

100% Legal in Illinois

Play Vegas World >

• Accepting all players in Illinois, Vegas World is a fully regulated, and 100% legal option for Illinois players.
• Daily slot tournaments
• Meet and socialise with other Illinois slot fans
• Create your own Vegas casino
• Play Vegas World on our site!

Genuine bonus offers

Operators that we recommend or the best online casinos IL has to offer, provide fantastic IL online casino bonus codes and promotions. So we compare the operator’s bonuses to that of industry standards to see how they are fair and vet their promotions to ensure that wagering requirements are fair and reasonable. It’s extremely important to us that operators follow through with their bonus offers, so we vet them on this as well.

Illinois Online Gambling Sites Comparison

Gambling Site	Types of Gambling	Welcome Bonus	Promo Code	Payment Methods
BetOnline	Sports, racing, casino, eSports, poker	Sports – 50% up to $1000Casino – 100% up to $1000	BOL1000(sports code)	Debit cards, credit cards, cryptocurrency, Person 2 Person
MyBookie	Sports, racing, casino, eSports	Sports – 100% up to $1000Casino – 150% up to $750	MYB150 (casino code)	Debit cards, credit cards, cryptocurrency, Person 2 Person
Wild Casino	Casino	Casino – 100% matched up to $5000	None	Debit cards, credit cards, cryptocurrency
XBet	Sports, racing, casino, eSports	Sports – 100% up to $500Casino – 200% up to $500	None	Debit cards, credit cards, cryptocurrency, Person 2 Person
Bovada	Sports, racing, casino, eSports, poker	Sports – 50% up to $1000Casino – up to $3000	None	Debit cards, credit cards, Rapid Transfer
Intertops	Sports, casino, eSports, poker	Sports – 100% up to $200Casino – 100% up to $100	None	Debit cards, credit cards, cryptocurrency, Skrill, Neteller
Ignition	Casino	Casino – 100% up to $1000	None	Debit cards, credit cards, cryptocurrency
MyB Casino	Casino	Casino – 200% up to $1000	None	Debit cards, credit cards, cryptocurrency, Person 2 Person
Sportsbetting.ag	Sports, racing, casino, eSports, poker	Sports – 50% up to $1000Casino – 100% up to $3000	SB1000 (sports code)	Debit cards, credit cards, cryptocurrency, Person 2 Person
BetNow	Sports, racing, casino, eSports	Sports – 100% up to $500Casino – 100% up to $5000	BN100	Debit cards, credit cards, cryptocurrency, Person 2 Person

Illinois Sports Betting FAQs

Contributors

Mark Strotman

@markstrot

Mark Strotman is a veteran sports journalist who has covered the Chicago Bulls and the NBA for NBC Sports Chicago for about 8 years. His work has also appeared on ESPN.com, FoxSports.com, The Chicago Tribune, Yahoo Sports and NBC Sports. He covered the NBA Playoffs in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017 as well as Team USA Basketball in 2014 and 2016. He has also covered high school football and was nominated for a Midwest Emmy in 2016 for his work on a documentary featuring local Chicago product and NFL prospect Miles Boykin.

Risk Free Bet up to

$1000

Use Bonus Code:

ILBBONUS

Bet NowTerms apply for all bonuses. Must be 21+ to participate.

Cited by leading media organizations, such as:

Popular Pages

Illinois Sports BettingIllinois Betting AppsSportsbook Promo CodesBetting Odds & LinesHow To Bet On Sports In IllinoisGambling Tax CalculatorIllinois Sports Betting NewsIllinois Online Casinos

Quick Links

BetMGM IllinoisBetRivers IllinoisDraftKings IllinoisFanDuel IllinoisPointsBet IllinoisCaesars Illinois

Support

About UsAuthorsPrivacy PolicyTerms & ConditionsSitemap

Problem Gambling Help:

© 2022 GDC Media Limited and licensed to GDC America Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Home > US Plays With Bonuses > IL online gambling

What is the minimum gambling age in Illinois?

The minimum Illinois gambling age is 21 for casinos and video lottery, and 18 for racing, lottery, and bingo.

Content

1. ⭐ Illinois Online Gambling
2. ⭐ Illinois Sports Betting Sites & Promo Codes
3. ⭐ Casinos in Illinois
4. ⭐ Online Gambling in Illinois
5. FAQ

Best Illinois Sports Betting Promos

Every sportsbook wants your business and a great way to attract new customers is to offer sign up bonuses and promos. Illinois is new to sports betting but the sportsbooks that have moved into the state are old hands when it comes to promos and offers. Check out the table below to find the best promos.

Take a look at the list we’ve put together with some of the best sports betting bonuses available in Illinois.

How to Get Started with an Illinois Gambling Site

If you would like to get started with Illinois online gambling, then here we are going to detail the simple steps you need to take to sign up and start wagering. In this example, we will use XBet as the gambling site, but many sites are very similar when it comes to the sign-up process.

1. Follow our link above to visit the XBet website – this will take you to their landing page.
2. Look for the big green ‘Join Now’ button on the site, press this to start the process.
3. Fill in the form, which requires your name, address, mobile number, email and date of birth, and create a password for the account.
4. At this point, it is always a good idea to verify your account, do this by sending ID documents in to prove who you are, avoiding delays later.
5. Now it is time to make a deposit, head to the cashier section of the site, choose a payment method, and make a deposit, remembering the welcome bonus, so try and ensure you are eligible for that.
6. When those funds are in your account, it is time to explore the XBet service, check out the betting markets, casino games or poker rooms, whatever you want, and begin to place your bets.

The History of Online Sports Betting in Illinois

June of 2020 BetRivers Sportsbook became the first online sportsbook to go live in the state meaning that people wanting to bet online or their mobile devices can now do so. But getting to that stage was not an easy thing. Below is a brief history on how sports betting came to the Land of Lincoln.

Sports betting has been illegal in Illinois for a long time. In fact, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), signed into law in 1992, made sports betting illegal in almost every state in America. PASPA, which had effectively banned sports betting in almost every state in the country since it was signed in 1992, was overturned by the Supreme Court in May 2018. What this effectively means is that there is now no federal barrier to legalizing sports betting anywhere in the US. Now the decision rests with each state independently.

Plenty of states have wasted no time getting in on the action. Right across the US sports betting bills are being debated, prepared, passed, or enacted. Since the SCOTUS decision, some states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania have already implemented fully legal sports betting. Others are just waiting on the red tape to be completed. Some have stayed away altogether and plenty more are still debating the form sports betting should take before a bill is introduced and voted on.

As it stands now online betting and mobile betting on sports is a legal activity in is legal in the State of Illinois.

Basketball

Thanks in large part to one Michael Jordan, Chicago is home to what might be the most iconic team in NBA History. The 90s belonged to the Chicago Bulls when they picked up an incredible six NBA Championships in eight years. In 1996 the Bulls set win records that would not be broken until the current Golden State Warriors 2016 campaign. Led by Jordan, the Chicago Bulls became one of the most recognizable and marketable teams in all of the sports. The Chicago Sky represents the city in the WNBA.

Illinois a Historically Friendly Attitude to Betting

Illinois currently has 15 active casinos, offering everything from slots to table games and live poker. The casino tradition began in 1991 when the first riverboat casinos were established. Another important thing to understand about Illinois is that casino revenues are taxed at one of the highest rates in the entire country. This suggests that while not averse to gambling, the Prairie State likes to make sure it generates money for public services. Since Illinois is clearly motivated by tax revenue, sports gambling has to be appealing to the state’s budget makers. It’s also in keeping with the state’s historical attitude towards gambling that the move towards legalized sports betting has been methodical and well thought out. Horse racing has been legal in Illinois since the 1920s and remains a hugely popular form of gambling today. Illinois was also one of the first to introduce a state lottery, which has been in effect since 1974. The lottery even has an online component, a hint that the state was ready to embrace online sports betting from an early point.

3. Caesars Sportsbook – Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin

Caesars Sportsbook, owned by the casino giant, is a new and improved sportsbook offering that replaced William Hill, also owned by Caesars, in 2021. William Hill was in many states, but Caesars clearly has a more recognizable brand, so the company decided that it was better off using the Caesars brand for its flagship sportsbook product.

As of August 2021, after replacing William Hill, Caesars Sportsbook now has locations in over a dozen states plus Washington D.C. Caesars operates a brick-and-mortar sportsbook, located near the entrance of the Grand Victoria casino in the Chicago suburb of Elgin, is open seven days a week and features multiple TVs and a number of seating options. Caesars Sportsbook has proven to be among the best and most consistent in the country, with trained and knowledgeable ticket writers and sleek stadium-style lounges.

The Caesars Sportsbook mobile app gives bettors a range of betting options, and also features one of the nation’s more robust live-odds betting options. Available for Apple and Android devices, the company’s mobile app isn’t a tech or bells-and-whistles standout, but it does get the job done.

Illinois Casinos

Illinois Casinos & Gambling

• Year Illinois Regulated Gambling: Horseracing (1927), Lottery (1974), Bingo (1983), Casinos (1991), Video Lottery (2012)
• Estimated Tax Revenue from Gambling: $1.1 billion
• Estimated Gambling Revenue: $3.8 billion
• Illinois Gambling Age: 18 for racing, lottery, and bingo. 21 for casinos and video lottery
• Smoking ban: Illinois bans smoking in all gambling establishments
• Illinois Online gambling: Horseracing is the only version of online gambling legal in Illinois.

Illinois offers a wide variety of gambling. It’s racing industrƒy was the first to enter the market, dating back to the Great Depression. The Illinois Lottery was one of the first in the Midwest. There are also several high-end Illinois casinos and video lottery.

Illinois’ economy and smoking ban have hurt its gaming revenue in recent years. The state passed a casino smoking ban in 2008, just before the Great Recession. This chopped 20% off its gambling revenue as smokers moved the action to border states where casinos permit smoking. Illinois was hit hard by the recession. This kept gaming revenue down for a longer period of time than other states. In 2015, the state stopped paying big lottery winners due to a budget impasse in the state legislature; this hurt ticket sales.

How old do you need to be to bet in Illinois?

While anyone that is over the age of 18-years old can legally buy lottery tickets at over 7,200 available retail locations, you must be over the age of 21-years old to legally bet. Many Illinois betting apps will require age verification before you can access all account features. You can do this by uploading copies of your photographic ID. This will prove your age and allow you to withdraw cash from Illinois betting site accounts.

Illinois Casino List by City

Argosy Casino Alton1 Piasa StreetAlton, IL 62002-6232(618) 474-7400(800) 711-4263

Casino Queen and Hotel200 South Front StreetEast Saint Louis, IL 6220(618) 874-5000(800) 777-0777

Grand Victoria Casino Elgin250 South Grove AvenueElgin, IL 60120847-888-1000(888) 508-1900

Harrah's Joliet Casino and Hotel151 N. Joliet St.Joliet, IL 60432(815) 740-7800(800) 427-7247

Harrah's Metropolis Casino100 East Front StreetMetropolis, IL 62960(618) 524-2628(800) 935-1111

Hollywood Casino Aurora1 New York Street BridgeAurora, IL 60506(630) 801-7000(800) 888-7777

Hollywood Casino Joliet(Formally Empress Casino)2300 Empress DriveJoliet, IL 60436(815) 744-9400(888) 436-7737(888) 4-EMPRESS

Jumer's Casino and Hotel18th St.- Mississippi RiverfrontRock Island, IL 61201(800) 477-7747

Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino21 Blackjack BlvdEast Peoria, IL 61611-2010800-PAR-ADIC

Rivers Casino3000 S. River Rd.Des Plaines, IL 60018888-307-0777

ALTONArgosy Casino Alton1 Piasa StreetAlton, IL 62002-6232(618) 474-7400(800) 711-4263

AURORAHollywood Casino Aurora1 New York Street BridgeAurora, IL 60506(630) 801-7000(800) 888-7777

DES PLAINESRivers Casino3000 S. River Rd.Des Plaines, IL 60018888-307-0777

EAST PEORIAPar-A-Dice Hotel Casino21 Blackjack BlvdEast Peoria, IL 61611-2010800-PAR-ADIC

EAST SAINT LOUISCasino Queen and Hotel200 South Front StreetEast Saint Louis, IL 6220(618) 874-5000(800) 777-0777

ELGINGrand Victoria Casino Elgin250 South Grove AvenueElgin, IL 60120847-888-1000(888) 508-1900

JOLIETHarrah's Joliet Casino and Hotel151 N. Joliet St.Joliet, IL 60432(815) 740-7800(800) 427-7247

Hollywood Casino Joliet(Formally Empress Casino)2300 Empress DriveJoliet, IL 60436(815) 744-9400(888) 436-7737(888) 4-EMPRESS

METROPOLISHarrah's Metropolis Casino100 East Front StreetMetropolis, IL 62960(618) 524-2628(800) 935-1111

ROCK ISLANDJumer's Casino and Hotel18th St.- Mississippi RiverfrontRock Island, IL 61201(800) 477-7747

ROULETTE !! PLAY WITH LIVE DEALERTake a seat and play Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat or Super 6.$3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus BOVADA.

ROULETTE !! PLAY WITH LIVE DEALER  Take a seat and play Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat or Super 6. $3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus BOVADA.