Illinois is a rather liberal state when it comes to gambling regulations. All the forms of land-based gambling that are popular in America are allowed within the borders of the state. This obviously includes casino gaming, pari-mutuel horse race betting, charitable gambling and a state-controlled lottery. The Illinois lottery is free to sell its tickets over the internet, but other than that the state doesn’t have a regulated iGaming industry. This means that if you want to play online poker or casino games, you’ll have to go for the offshore internet gambling platforms.
Online Gambling in Illinois
Illinois lawmakers have recently passed some online gambling regulations, which means that the legal status of online real money games isn’t as ambiguous as in the case of most of the other states. According to the Illinois Code, running an unlicensed iGaming operation is illegal. The local authorities are very serious about tracking down unlawful online gambling operators. Nevertheless, none of the local laws mention any penalties for individuals participating in illegal gambling activities as players, which means that playing on any US-facing gambling site is 100% legal for Illinois residents and visitors.
Casinos & Sportsbooks Accepting Players From Illinois
| Rank | Gambling Site | New Player Bonus | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  Bovada Casino | 100% up to $3000 | Play Now |
| 2. |  Wild Casino | 100% up to $5000 | Play Now |
| 3. |  Ignition Casino | 100% up to $2000 | Play Now |
| 4. |  BetUS Casino | 125% up to $3125 | Play Now |
| 5. |  Las Atlantis Casino | 280% up to $14000 | Play Now |
| 6. |  Slots.lv Casino | 300% up to $5000 | Play Now |
| 7. |  Café Casino | 500% up to $5000 | Play Now |
| 8. |  Lucky Red Casino | 400% up to $4000 | Play Now |
| 9. |  BetOnline Casino | 100% up to $3000 | Play Now |
| 10. |  Buzzluck Casino | 250% + $75 Free on Bitcoin deposits | Play Now |
Casino Games
There are 10 casinos in Illinois – and if we were to pick three that you simply have to visit, we’d go for Harrah’s Joliet, Grand Victoria Casino Elgin and Rivers Casino in no particular order. We’re well aware that even the most diehard casino enthusiasts aren’t able to travel to brick and mortar gambling establishments every day, so if you want some quick action in your home make sure to check out our list of Illinois-friendly online casino sites.
Sports Betting
The facilities that offer pari-mutuel betting in Illinois include the Hawhtorne Race Course, the Fairmount Park and the Arlington Park. However, those facilities won’t allow you to wager on all your favorite sports and leagues – if you need total event coverage when it comes to NFL, NBA, MLB or even NCAA, you should definitely sign-up with one of the Illinois sportsbooks listed below.
Poker
Illinois is well known for excellent poker tournaments and great live games, but let’s be honest here – most player simply prefer to play online these days. If you don’t want to miss all the internet poker action, we recommend joining one of the massive US-facing poker networks listed on our site.
Online Gambling FAQ
Where can I find regulations that pertain to gambling in Illinois?
Section 28 of Illinois Code contains all the regulations pertaining to gambling in the Illinois area.
What forms of gambling are legal and regulated within the borders of Illinois?
Charitable gambling, pari-mutuel betting, casino games, poker, state lottery.
What is the legal status of online gambling in Illinois?
Online gambling isn’t prohibited in the Illinois area.
Do offshore gambling sites accept Illinois residents?
Yes, all the important sites have no qualms about accepting Illinois-based players.
How can I deposit to an offshore gambling site from Illinois?
You can deposit to any offshore site by making a normal credit card payment as long as your card has been cleared for international transactions.
How can I withdraw my money from an offshore iGaming site if I live in Illinois?
All you have to do is choose between a bank wire transfer and check by courier and confirm your payout request.
Is Illinois planning to regulate online gambling in the future?
Yes. The Illinois online gambling bill has already been approved by the local Senate Committee.
Gambling History – Interesting Facts
1. Lotteries were the first popular form of gambling in Illinois, predating even the famous riverboats of the 19th century.
2. The modern shift towards regulated gambling expansion started in 1974, when Illinois launched its state-controlled lottery.
Illinois Gambling Resources
Illinois Compiled Statues:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp
Illinois Casino Gaming Association:
http://www.illinoiscasinogaming.org/
List of Casinos in Illinois:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_casinos_in_Illinois