1975: Illinois Horse Racing Act
Illinois Gambling Laws: A Comprehensive Guide to Legal Gambling in the State
Illinois gambling laws continue to evolve, as the legislature overhauled land-based and online gambling in 2019. As the sixth most populous state in the USA, Illinois offers a full range of gambling options: pari-mutuel horse track betting, land-based casinos, VLT gambling dens, brick-and-mortar sports betting, and online sportsbooks.
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Illinois Gambling History
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2009: Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs)
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2015: Daily Fantasy Sports Banned
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2017: Illinois Online Poker Bill
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2019: Land-Based Casinos Approved
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2020: Illinois Online Sports Betting
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2021: Illinois Online Casino and Poker Bill
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2021: Phase 5 Reopening Guidelines
Illinois Gambling Laws
The Illinois Gaming Board allows most forms of legal gambling to its residents. If you want to gamble on horse races, the lottery, video lottery terminals, or in land-based casinos, you can find a legal game. Since 2020, land-based sportsbooks, online sports betting, and mobile sports betting apps have been legal.
A movement remains alive to legalize online casinos and online poker sites. For now, the best options for online casino and poker betting are the offshore gaming sites.
Illinois Gambling Options
When Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the 2019 Illinois Gambling Act into law, it meant most forms of gambling in Illinois are legal and licensed.
The Illinois Gaming Board oversees most forms of gaming, while the gaming laws are comparable to what players will find New Jersey and Nevada.
Land-Based Casinos
Illinois has 10 land-based casinos spread throughout 9 different cities. Regionally famous casinos like Hollywood Casino Aurora, Grand Victoria Casino Elgin, Harrah’s Metropolis, and DraftKings at Casino Queen in East St. Louis welcome gamblers. The Rivers Casino Des Plaines north is a destination for Chicago area players. Joliet boasts two casinos: Hollywood Casino Joliet and Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel.
The land-based gaming laws assure that most Illinois residents stay in-state when gambling offline, instead of traveling to nearby Michigan, Iowa or Indiana — or further afield to MGM Detroit or Greektown Casino in Michigan.
Video Gaming Terminals
Video gaming terminals (VGTs), known as video lottery terminals (VLTs) in many states, exist throughout Illinois. Individual counties have the right to legalize or ban VGT gambling, which takes place in bars, taverns, and restaurants throughout the state.
Local anti-gambling forces stopped legalization in some counties, but local gamblers simply drive to bars in the next county. Local venue owners say the VLTs help them stay in business, though the pandemic was not kind to the Illinois VLT industry.
Illlinois Horse Racing
The Illinois Racing Board licenses and overseas the horse racing industry in the state. Illinois has 6 race tracks:
Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero, Fairmount Park in Collinsville, DuQueoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Brown County Fairgrounds in Mount Sterling, and the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
Illinois also allows off-track betting. You’ll find OTBs in 20 different Illinois towns and cities: Alton, Aurora, Bolingbrook, Chicago (2), Crestwood, Hodgkins, Hoffman Estates, Joliet, McHenry, Moken, Normal, North Aurora, Outbrook Terrace, Orland Hills, Prospect Heights, Rockford, Sauget, South Elgin, Springfield, Villa Park, and Waukegan.
Illinois Online Poker
Online poker remains unregulated in the state. Proponents sought licensed online poker as late as 2019, so expect to see lawmakers put forth more effects.
For the time being, Illinois residents can play at offshore online poker rooms like Bovada Poker and Ignition Poker.
Online Casino Games
Online casino gaming is in the same condition in Illinois. Players can’t play at licensed gaming sites, but they can play at offshore casino sites like Bovada, Ignition, Cafe Casino, and Slots.lv.
Illinois Sports Betting
Illinois Sports Betting is licensed and legal. The 2019 bill allowed sites like Rivers Casino (BetRivers) and PointsBet to launch Illinois gambling sites.
Six years ago, DraftKings and FanDuel were in legal battles with the state government over the future of Illinois daily fantasy sports. These days, DFS is legal and licensed. DraftKings and FanDuel even have full service online sportsbooks for sports wagering. All bookmakers have live in-play sports betting apps for Illinois bettors, too.
DraftKings even has its name on the Casino Queen in East St. Louis. Times have changed.
Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery operates a robust state lottery system.
Players can enjoy the Pick3 plus Fireball, Pick4 plus Fireball, Lucky Day Lotto, and Extra Shot Lotto games. The Quick Spot tickets are the latest thing. Illinois is also part of the Mega Millions and Powerball multi-state lottery associations, too.
Lottery bettors can buy online lottery tickets for each of these six lottery drawings at the Illinois Lottery’s online sites. Scratch cards are available online, too. Simply click on the “Instant Tickets” page to see what’s available.
What Types of Gambling are Legal in Illinois?
Illinois Code Section
Three sections of the Illinois Constitution outline Illinois gambling laws: 720 5/28-1; 230 10/1; and 230 5/1.
Three sections of the Illinois Constitution outline Illinois gambling laws: 720 5/28-1; 230 10/1; and 230 5/1.
Brick-and-Mortar Casinos
Not long ago, Illinois had riverboat casinos only. Casino gambling has moved from the riverboats to full-service land-based casinos. This allows for bigger hotels and more attractions, such as concert venues and convention halls. Illinois casinos also features bars and restaurants now.
Not long ago, Illinois had riverboat casinos only. Casino gambling has moved from the riverboats to full-service land-based casinos. This allows for bigger hotels and more attractions, such as concert venues and convention halls. Illinois casinos also features bars and restaurants now.
Poker Rooms
Select Illinois casinos have poker rooms in their casinos. Home games are legal, but you can’t charge a rake or establish a seat-fee. If you make a profit off a private poker game (besides winnings), it’s illegal.
Select Illinois casinos have poker rooms in their casinos. Home games are legal, but you can’t charge a rake or establish a seat-fee. If you make a profit off a private poker game (besides winnings), it’s illegal.
Horse Race Betting
Pari-mutuel wagering on horse races is legal in Illinois. This must be done at a licensed facility, though. Illinois has 6 horse tracks and 21 OTBs that offer horse betting. Examples of Illinois horse racing include Fairmount Park in East St. Louis and the Illinois Fairgrounds in Springfield.
Pari-mutuel wagering on horse races is legal in Illinois. This must be done at a licensed facility, though. Illinois has 6 horse tracks and 21 OTBs that offer horse betting. Examples of Illinois horse racing include Fairmount Park in East St. Louis and the Illinois Fairgrounds in Springfield.
Dog Race Betting
Though dog races are not strictly outlawed, no dog tracks operate in Illinois. Given that only 5 US states now allow dog racing, it’s unlikely to be come to Illinois anytime soon.
Though dog races are not strictly outlawed, no dog tracks operate in Illinois. Given that only 5 US states now allow dog racing, it’s unlikely to be come to Illinois anytime soon.
Lottery
The Illinois Lottery has a full range of lottery bets. You can play scratch-off tickets (instant tickets), daily drawings, and the biweekly multi-state jackpot drawings (Mega Millions, Powerball).
The Illinois Lottery has a full range of lottery bets. You can play scratch-off tickets (instant tickets), daily drawings, and the biweekly multi-state jackpot drawings (Mega Millions, Powerball).
Daily Fantasy Sports
Illinois’ former attorney general banned DFS gaming in 2015. That became irrelevant in 2020 when the state approved sports betting and DFS. Now, land-based casinos and sports betting brands partner on sports wagering.
Illinois’ former attorney general banned DFS gaming in 2015. That became irrelevant in 2020 when the state approved sports betting and DFS. Now, land-based casinos and sports betting brands partner on sports wagering.
Charitable Gaming
The state has a wide network of charitable gaming operators. Eligible groups include charitable, educational, religious, fraternal, labor, or veterans’ groups. Fourteen types of charitable gambling are allowed: Bingo, Keno, pull tabs, chuck-a-luck, Beat the Dealer, Big Six, Bang, gin rummy, roulette, blackjack, craps, poker, five-card stud poker, and Hold’em poker. The casino-style games take place at Poker Nights.
The state has a wide network of charitable gaming operators. Eligible groups include charitable, educational, religious, fraternal, labor, or veterans’ groups. Fourteen types of charitable gambling are allowed: Bingo, Keno, pull tabs, chuck-a-luck, Beat the Dealer, Big Six, Bang, gin rummy, roulette, blackjack, craps, poker, five-card stud poker, and Hold’em poker. The casino-style games take place at Poker Nights.
Social Gambling
The video gaming terminals (VGTs) found in bars across Illinois are part of the social gambling industry, which is huge. By 2017, VGT gambling surpassed riverboat casino gambling in revenues (prompting the update to Illinois’ casino laws).
The video gaming terminals (VGTs) found in bars across Illinois are part of the social gambling industry, which is huge. By 2017, VGT gambling surpassed riverboat casino gambling in revenues (prompting the update to Illinois’ casino laws).
Online Casinos and Poker
The only type of gambling that isn’t licensed in Illinois is online gambling. Illinois online sites and Illinois online poker takes place at offshore online sites. A bill to regulate online poker and casino sites remains active in the 2021 legislative session, though it wasn’t passed by the end of the session that ended May 31. Stay tuned for more updates on SB2064.
The only type of gambling that isn’t licensed in Illinois is online gambling. Illinois online sites and Illinois online poker takes place at offshore online sites. A bill to regulate online poker and casino sites remains active in the 2021 legislative session, though it wasn’t passed by the end of the session that ended May 31. Stay tuned for more updates on SB2064.
Illinois Definition of Gambling
“Sec. 28-1. Gambling.
(a) A person commits gambling when he or she:
(1) knowingly plays a game of chance or skill for
money or other thing of value, unless excepted in subsection (b) of this Section;
(2) knowingly makes a wager upon the result of any
game, contest, or any political nomination, appointment or election;
(3) knowingly operates, keeps, owns, uses, purchases,
exhibits, rents, sells, bargains for the sale or lease of, manufactures or distributes any gambling device…”
Explanation: The definition of gambling is broad and well-defined. Section A of the law describes 12 types of gambling, while Section B describes another 15 forms of gambling.
“Sec. 28-1. Gambling.
(a) A person commits gambling when he or she:
(1) knowingly plays a game of chance or skill for
money or other thing of value, unless excepted in subsection (b) of this Section;
(2) knowingly makes a wager upon the result of any
game, contest, or any political nomination, appointment or election;
(3) knowingly operates, keeps, owns, uses, purchases,
exhibits, rents, sells, bargains for the sale or lease of, manufactures or distributes any gambling device…”
Explanation: The definition of gambling is broad and well-defined. Section A of the law describes 12 types of gambling, while Section B describes another 15 forms of gambling.
Latest Online Gambling News
Illinois Gambling Laws FAQ
Yes. Illinois residents can play online for real money without fear of fines or prosecuted. Some online gambling is licensed and regulated, while other forms are unregulated. These you’ll need to do at offshore online casinos and poker rooms.
Because these sites are unregulated, you won’t have consumer protections. Read trusted online gaming reviews before playing at casino or poker sites. In either case, illinois prosecutes unlicensed operators who base their servers in Illinois. Individuals who gamble online do so legally, though.
Yes, but Illinois does not regulate online casinos in the US. Illinois residents face no legal consequences for playing at offshore online casinos, but they won’t have consumer protections. Read trustworthy online casinos reviews before playing for real money.
Yes, but online poker sites are not regulated by Illinois state officials. That means you’ll play at offshore online cardrooms like Bovada and Ignition. Since it’s unregulated, you won’t have consumer protections, so read honest poker reviews and play at trusted poker sites.
Yes. Illinois passed a comprehensive gambling bill in 2019 that legalized online sports betting. Legal online sportsbooks began launching in 2020. At present, top bookmakers like William Hill, FanDuel, DraftKings, and PointsBet each have online sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps in Illinois. Bettors also can bet at offshore online sportsbooks.
Our choice for the best Illinois online casino is Slots.lv. Slots.lv has a hundreds of online slots, plus a full range of table games, specialty games, and video poker. New players receive a $5000 welcome bonus stretched over their first 9 deposits, while Bitcoin users receive a similar $7500 Bitcoin bonus.
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Bovada Poker is our pick for Illinois card players. Bovada has $1.5 million in guaranteed prize pools each week, plus a $150k guaranted weekend event. New players also enter a $2500 freeroll. Bovada players have access to a full range of tournament types and cash games at a variety of betting levels.
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Illinois residents who want to play in the offshore sportsbook market should try Bovada sports. Bovada is the US successor to Bodog, one of the most famous sportsbooks in the world. It offers a $250 welcome bonus, plus access to all the US sports Americans prefer. If you play in the regulated market, try William Hill.
Real money players at land-based casinos sportsbooks must be 21 years or older. If you want to bet on the lottery or at pari-mutuel race tracks, you’ll need to be 18 or older. If you wish to bet in online sportsbooks or at video lottery terminals in bars, you’ll need to be 21 or older.