Illinois Online Gambling
Illinois Online Gaming
Illinois currently ranks among the top states for gaming, with anticipated expansions in 2023 including the launch of new bookmakers like Fanatics and Circa. While Illinois has yet to authorize online casinos, several bills in the Illinois General Assembly may change that next year.
There are currently 12 land-based casinos in Illinois, with the most recent addition being The Temporary by American Place in Waukegan. Additionally, plans are underway for at least four more casinos, including a mega casino by Bally’s in Chicago. A temporary Bally’s casino is expected to open soon at the Medinah Temple in Chicago. The Golden Nugget Danville is also set to open shortly.
There are numerous different virtual gaming options in Illinois besides games. These consist of:
- sporting wagering
- gaming consoles for movie
- lottery
- equine driving
In addition to casinos, Illinois offers various other gaming options such as sports betting, video gaming terminals, lottery, and horse racing. Stay updated on Illinois’ push for online casinos and other gambling news through Play Illinois.
Illinois’ Top Online Gaming Sites
News about casinos
Reports in business
Poker News
Choices for legal gambling in Illinois
Sports Betting Online
In Illinois, there are currently seven licensed online casinos: BetRivers, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, Caesars, Barstool, and BetMGM. However, Circa Sportsbook will launch in Illinois later this month, becoming the eighth operator. Additionally, keep an eye out for Fanatics’ acquisition of PointsBet and its assumption of operations in Illinois.
Licenses are available for casinos, lottery retailers, venues, and racetracks. There are three categories for online betting licenses. Currently, there are at least 14 available licenses for new online casinos to enter the Illinois market:
- six tied to a reputable, established financial casino
- Fivelicenses earmarked for new market entrants
- Three licenses specifically for online sportsbooks
- Up to four licenses associated with professional sports venues.
It is better for you if there are more casinos and opposition. When you sign up at a legitimate Illinois betting, take advantage of pleasant offers and bonus bets. There are all the well-liked gambling options, including moneylines and same-game parlays.
Online Lottery
The Illinois Lottery offers access to popular state and major multi-state games like Powerball and Mega Millions. Instant-play games, featuring themes such as Deal or No Deal, are also available. Players can participate in both online and in-person lottery activities through the Illinois Lottery. Online ticket purchases are facilitated, and a dedicated lottery app allows users to check drawing results.
Proceeds from the Illinois Lottery support numerous nonprofit organizations across the Prairie State, benefiting children, veterans, and community services.
Retail Sports Betting
In Illinois, there are currently 11 options for retail sports betting. These venues offer the opportunity to watch games on large TVs, place bets, and enjoy food and beverage service.
Retail sportsbooks can be found at various locations across Illinois, including casinos, racetracks, and sports venues. A 12th sportsbook is expected to launch at the beginning of 2023 at The Temporary by American Place in Waukegan, Illinois.
Soon, Wrigley Field will open a DraftKings Sportsbook. However, the Illinois Gaming Board has not yet approved the FanDuel Sportsbook at the United Center, which opened in fall 2022.
Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel plans to include a retail sportsbook in a $34 million renovation project.
It’s notable that physical casinos are available at most Illinois casinos, racetracks, and off-track betting locations.
Sports Fantasy Daily
In Illinois, daily fantasy sports (DFS) competitions are legal. The Illinois Supreme Court’s April 16, 2020 ruling clarified that head-to-head DFS contests are not considered gambling, affirming the legality of DFS play in the state. Players can participate in real-money contests on major platforms like FanDuel DFS, DraftKings, Yahoo, and Monkey KnifeFight.
In DFS, participants assemble teams of professional players under a salary cap. Points and victories are awarded based on the performance of these players in their respective games.
Casinos
In Illinois, there are currently 12 casinos offering games such as slots, blackjack, and roulette. The newest addition is the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford. Additionally, Bally’s is constructing a major entertainment casino complex in Chicago, one of five new facilities approved along regulatory lines.
In February 2023, American Place debuted a temporary casino in Waukegan.
Currently, only real-money casino games are allowed at physical casinos in Illinois. The Internet Gaming Act aims to expand options to include limited online poker, table games, and casinos, with the bill currently progressing through the Illinois General Assembly.
Online casino offerings would adhere to lottery regulations under the current legal framework.
Poker
In Illinois, there are two types of real-money casinos: commercial and charitable. Recently, Rivers Casino near Chicago unveiled a new casino area. The state currently boasts four main casino locations:
- Quad Cities Casino and Hotel in Rock Island (Bally’s)
- Hollywood Casino in Aurora
- Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin
- Rivers Casino in Des Plaines
The Internet Gaming Act aims to legalize online casinos in Illinois. If passed, online poker would be permitted under lottery regulations, with Global Poker currently being the only authorized online poker option.
FAQ on Illinois gaming
Yes, gambling in casinos, horse racing, lotteries, and charitable activities has been long permitted in Illinois.
In June 2019, Governor JB Pritzker signed Bill SB 690 into law, which added online and retail sports betting to the list of permissible activities. The Illinois Gaming Board oversees the registration process, and the first set of sportsbooks went live starting in May 2020.
This legislation also allows for the establishment of six additional retail casinos in Illinois, including one in Chicago. It also permits an increase in the number of gambling machines across the state.
The possibility of legalizing online casino and table games in Illinois was introduced through the Internet Gaming Act, proposed by State Rep. Bob Rita on February 19, 2021. For updates on this legislation, visit Play-illinois.com.
Currently, however, there is no legal provision for online casino gambling in Illinois under Bill SB 690.
The only available options for online casino-style gaming are statewide platforms authorized under sweepstakes wagering regulations, such as Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots.
There’s no need to risk your money at offshore casinos anymore, as Illinois now offers legal and regulated online sports betting. These offshore books operate with little oversight, often based in smaller countries in Central America or the Caribbean, leaving customers with no recourse for payment disputes.
In contrast, legal Illinois sports betting offers numerous advantages. You’ll enjoy competitive odds and a wide range of bet options, along with convenient payment methods such as credit cards or bank transfers. Plus, you have the protection of the Illinois Gaming Board should any issues arise.
When comparing this secure and regulated sports betting option to the risks associated with using bitcoin or expensive prepaid vouchers at offshore sites, Illinois’ legal sports betting clearly emerges as the safer choice.
In Illinois, a wide range of betting options are available, both online and at physical locations across the Prairie State:
- Casino games can be played at physical casinos or online gambling sites.
- Poker can be played at casinos, charitable poker rooms, or through sweepstakes platforms.
- Sports betting is offered both online and in-person.
- Lottery activities include scratch cards, online games, multi-state draws, and Illinois-only draws.
- Pari-mutuel pools for horse racing wagers, both live and virtual, are available.
- Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) competitions, though subject to legal disputes, are operational in Illinois.
Bingo and raffles are permitted under Illinois’ comprehensive gaming laws.
Resources
Selecting one of the well-known online sportsbooks that will be available in Illinois is your first job. To determine which software you prefer, take advantage of the freebets and matched pleasant prizes at various locations.
Online casinos can be accessed in two methods:
- Your internet browser, which is compatible with both laptops and desktops, can be used.
- Your mobile unit can be used to get your preferred sportsbook. Downloading the app is the way to go for the best portable experience.
Illinois bookmakers will take you to the Apple or Google Play Store to acquire the sports gambling app after determining whether you have an Android or Apple device.
When creating an account, all sports betting companies will request your personal information.
The methods used by websites to collect this data can vary. To begin, click on the sign-up button when you first visit the website and follow the prompts.
You will typically need to provide your screen name, email address, birth date, home phone number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number on the registration page.
While ID documents are not usually required initially, they may be requested for additional security verification.
Legitimate sportsbooks ensure secure transactions by requiring you to use the same deposit method for withdrawals, where feasible. Here are the approved methods for depositing and withdrawing funds:
- All bookmakers accept Visa and Mastercard as credit or debit cards.
- Credit/Debit Cards: All bookmakers accept Visa and Mastercard.
- Prepaid Debit Cards: Available from major retailers like DraftKings, these cards allow you to separate your gambling funds from regular spending.
- Bank Transfers (ACH): Also known as E-checks, this method allows for easy transfer between your bank account and gaming account.
- Bill Pay: Offered by major banks, treat sports wagering deposits like any other bill payment.
- Bank Wires: Used for larger deposits, though they typically incur higher fees compared to ACH transfers. Some sportsbooks accept cashier’s checks and money orders.
- Cash Payment Methods: Use services like PayNearMe or deposit cash at the physical casino’s cashier.
These methods ensure compliance with regulations to prevent fraud and money laundering.
In December 2021, the Chicago City Council lifted its ban on sports gambling, paving the way for sportsbooks to operate at prominent venues such as the United Center and Wrigley Field. This decision expanded sports gambling registration to all sports events in Illinois, including those held at Chicago’s major sporting venues.
Here are the nine cities in Illinois that have wholesale casinos; Chicago may be the tenth in 2022.
- Alton
- Aurora
- Collinsville
- Crestwood
- In Des Plaines
- St. Louis, East
- Elgin
- Joliet
- Stickney
Responsible gambling programs are designed to offer safeguards and support for individuals who may experience issues with their gambling habits. Online sportsbooks enhance accessibility by providing additional tools and support. It’s important to note that while the majority of gamblers participate responsibly and safely for entertainment, a small minority may encounter problems.