What You Need To Know About Illinois Online Casinos

Written By Darren Cooper on January 17, 2023
Though online casinos are not, yet, legal in Illinois, they could be in 2023. Here's what you need to know about betting in a virtual casino.

Although online casinos in Illinois are not currently legal, this aspect of online gaming is constantly advancing. Online casinos serve as a lucrative sector for major gambling organizations globally.

Think of this as an introductory guide to online casinos.

Essentially, online casinos enable you to play casino games like slots, poker, and roulette on your computer or mobile device. You establish an account as you would for an Illinois online sports betting account, log in, and begin to bet real money with each spin or virtual dice roll.

There’s a chance that online casinos could be legalized in Illinois in 2023. Until then, it’s beneficial to understand the workings of online casino gambling, where it’s accessible, and what it can provide for you.

Where are online casinos available?

Six U.S. states permit online casino gambling, namely Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

You can also find locations across North America where you can play virtual slot machines online. Many provincial lottery corporations in Canada offer some form of online casino. However, only Ontario has a completely open online casino market. At present, Ontario is host to 41 live online gaming operators, which include six out of the seven companies currently providing sports betting in Illinois.

Online gambling is permitted in Mexico, however, there is limited regulation of this activity.

Gambling is completely banned in Cuba, however, it still occurs. Contrastingly, Jamaica and Puerto Rico possess lenient regulations concerning online casino gambling.

How do you play?

In US states that permit online casino gambling, you can access it through the same apps used for sports betting. These apps typically feature a Casino icon either at the top or bottom. By tapping on this icon, you are taken to a virtual casino floor where you can choose to play games like slots, blackjack, craps, poker, and more.

Typically, the account you’ve established for sports betting can also be utilized for casino expenditures.

How do online casinos work?

As long as you’re engaging with a lawful, regulated online casino, it’s crucial to understand that the games are not manipulated. Every casino game undergoes regular checks and gets certification for fair play. A trustworthy casino discloses the theoretical Return To Player figures for its games and posts actual payout rates, verified by independent gaming laboratories and testing authorities.

In states where online casinos are permitted, the corresponding regulatory authorities are responsible for ensuring the validity of the games. For instance, in Illinois, this task is handled by the Illinois Gaming Board.

These digital games utilize pseudorandom number generator (PRNG) software to generate outcomes, similar to the ones located at a physical casino. It’s as though you’re standing in front of the gaming table or slot machine, since they use the same technology.

Live dealer games also exist, which utilize camera technology to allow you to visually and audibly interact with your dealer. These games, typically poker, are broadcasted live, and include a chat feature for communication with the dealer and fellow players.

Furthermore, there’s no need to stress over not receiving payment if you win. As long as you only gamble with legally regulated operators, payment won’t be an issue. It’s mandated by law.

What do you need to access an online casino?

You must confirm your location via geolocation software. Installation of this software on your computer or mobile device is necessary for the website or app to function. To set up your account, online casinos may request identification in the form of a driver’s license, passport, military ID, or social security number.

This information is all stored on a secure server.

Should you decide to make a deposit using a credit or debit card, you might be required to verify your card ownership by providing pictures of both sides of the card. This procedure is put in place to prevent underage gambling and fraud.

How easy is to gamble this way?

This is akin to wagering on the Bulls or Bears. You sign into your account, but rather than examining point spreads, you choose a slot machine to invest some money in. You hold the reins on how much you wager on each spin or dice roll. The selection of games available at online casinos will astound you. They provide hundreds of slot machines to play, blackjack at a range of betting levels, and poker.

Most online casinos provide a “demo” mode for a majority of their games. This allows you to play simply for enjoyment, without the risk of losing actual money. This is an excellent method of discovering a game you prefer, and then, when you feel the inclination, you can start betting with real money.

Are there responsible gaming measures at online casinos?

Indeed, online casinos constantly monitor your time spent on their virtual platform and will intermittently alert you when it might be time to log out.

You can also configure your account with safeguards to ensure that you don’t gamble beyond your limit.

These protections encompass restricting your play duration, daily or weekly betting limit, and the amount you can deposit into your online casino account.

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Darren Cooper

Darren Cooper hails from Southern Louisiana, born and bred just a brief pirogue journey from New Orleans. He initiated his career in journalism at the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Since 1998, he has been contributing as a writer and columnist in New Jersey. Cooper has been honored with 14 statewide press awards and in 2022, he achieved his first Associated Press Sports Editors Top 10 award.

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