Illinois offers plenty of legal land gambling options for residents, but these are incapable of satisfying residents craving the high adventure of playing online. Although Illinois has not legalized online gambling, it does not stop residents from playing at offshore online gambling sites.
Legal Online Gambling In Illinois. Legalized gambling in Illinois has been on the cards for several years, with online gambling either being included in. Bingo and fourteen specified table games.
This page lists out legal online gambling options in Illinois besides answering several gambling legality queries. Besides clearly stating why we feel that gambling online is legal in Illinois, we have presented a comprehensive list of licensed offshore online gambling sites accepting Illinois residents.
Gambling in land-based gambling facilities is legal in Illinois, provided those facilities are licensed and regulated by Illinois. Gambling at any unlicensed outfit is as illegal as operating gambling businesses without the state’s permit. Residents can safely and legally gamble at the state’s licensed poker rooms, riverboat casinos, and race tracks. It is also legal for residents to purchase lottery tickets online.
Illinois has a law that deals with online gambling, according to which, it is illegal for operators to run online gambling businesses in the state’s jurisdiction. As one can see, this law is directed at operators, not players, making it legal for Illinois residents to gamble at offshore online gambling sites that accept them.
In Illinois, gambling is legal only at gambling facilities approved by the state; otherwise, it is illegal. Interestingly, the state makes no distinction between skill-based games and chance-based games. According to its definition of gambling, betting anything of value on the outcome of any skill-based or chance-based game is illegal, unless done in establishments licensed by Illinois. Although running online gambling businesses is illegal in Illinois, the state doesn’t penalize residents who gamble at offshore online gaming sites.
Learn More:Gambling Laws + Statutes In Illinois
Legal Gambling Sites That Accept Illinois Residents
There is no dearth of offshore gambling sites that accept Illinois residents. We have carefully researched the following poker sites, casino sites, racebooks, and sportsbooks that accept Illinois players. It is safe and legal for Illinois residents to gamble at these online gambling sites because they are not based in Illinois.
Illinois has not regulated online casino gaming and therefore does not license anybody to run online casino businesses. The state has clear laws prohibiting the operation of Internet gaming businesses, but it has no law prohibiting residents from gambling at offshore online casinos.
Legal Online Gambling Illinois
The offshore online casinos listed below are not licensed and regulated by Illinois. But they are safe and legal for Illinois residents because they operate under licenses issued in offshore gambling jurisdictions. The online casinos we recommend offer great bonuses, large jackpots, and exciting rewards for loyalty—all in safe, secure gambling environments.
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If you are at all fascinated by the idea of a legal online casino, you simply have to take a look at what the gang over at Lucky Red has put together. Do you want to talk about games? Let’s talk about games. Lucky Red has thousands, including variation on poker, black jack, slots, roulette and even bingo, you’re sure to find a table that suits you in the massive digital chambers of the legal online casino. Lucky Red also boasts one of the most secure online networks known to man, ensuring that your funds are always safe, snug and sound when they pass through this legal gambling site.
If you’re thinking about it already, wait until we bring you the best part. This casino is absolutely littered with opportunities to rack in bonus money and make a killing online. Just for signing up, you’ll be able to score a full 100% of your initial bonus back, all the way up to a lucky $777 in bonus money. This just goes to show you that not only is Lucky Red generous with the bonuses, but they have a sense of humor when it comes to legal gambling and their product. You won’t regret a membership with Lucky Red, sign up today!
| Rank | Legal Online Casinos | Bonus Rewards | Find Out More |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Club World Casino | 100% Match For Slots To $777 | Visit Club World |
| 2 | Lucky Red Casino | Up To $4,000 On Slots / 400% Match | Visit Lucky Red |
| 3 | High Noon Casino | $2K Extra For Slots - First Deposit | Visit High Noon |
| 4 | Slots.lv Casino | Multiple Bonuses Totaling $5,000 | Visit Slots.lv |
| 5 | Aladdin's Gold Casino | Unlimited 200% Match For 7 Days | Visit Aladdin's Gold |
| 6 | Bovada Casino | $2,000 For Slots / $1K Other Games | Visit Bovada |
| 7 | Las Vegas USA | 400% To $10,000 For Slots Games | Visit Las Vegas USA |
| 8 | BetOnline Casino | $1,000 Free To Use On Slots / 100% | Visit BetOnline |
| 9 | Manhattan Slots | Two 100% To $777 Slots Bonuses | Visit Manhattan Slots |
| 10 | SportsBetting Casino | Double Up First Deposit To $1,000 | Visit SportsBetting |
Online Sportsbooks That Are Legal For Illinois Players
Sports betting, both online and land-based, is against the law in Illinois. The state is prohibited by the federal Wire Act and the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) from legalizing sports betting.
Illinois laws, however, do not prevent residents from betting on sports online at Illinois friendly offshore online sports betting sites. Residents can bet on sports legally at any of the online bookies we have listed here. These bookies, besides being licensed and regulated, offer a wide range of sports betting markets, including collegiate sports and local events.
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For those who wish to find the absolute best and highest standard of legal sports betting sites available, the search should both begin and end with Bovada. Through over 20 years of service the Bovada name has practically become synonymous with legality and legitimacy in online sports betting, and for good reason. No legal online sportsbook has maintained such high standards of quality while simultaneously exceeding users’ expectations for exciting ways to bet time and again.
The most appealing quality of an account with Bovada is surely the confidence that they show in their product. When an Illinois resident starts an account with this legal betting site for the first time and then puts money in it, they will find that not only did all of their money make it into the account safe and sound, but that they were awarded another 50% of their deposit on top in the form of bonus money. That’s up to an extra $250 with which you can bet, risk free. Bovada has great confidence all their customers will return, because they are willing to provide a superior online betting experience.
| Rank | Legal Sportsbooks | Bonus Rewards | Find Out More |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bovada Sportsbook | Collect Up To $250 / 50% Match | Visit Bovada |
| 2 | BetOnline Sportsbook | 25% Match Up To $1,000 - 'FIRST' | Visit BetOnline |
| 3 | SportsBetting | Bonus To $1,000 / 50% Match - 'SB50' | Visit SportsBetting |
| 4 | 5Dimes Sportsbook | To $520 Total; 50% - $200, 20% After | Visit 5Dimes |
Online poker is not regulated in Illinois, and there are specific laws prohibiting the operation of online poker rooms in the state. Although the state offers legal land poker options, they are not enough to slake the thirst of avid poker players. Fortunately, several offshore online poker rooms accept Illinois residents, and the state does not have any laws preventing residents from playing poker online at these poker sites.
The online poker rooms we have listed here are legal for Illinois residents. None of them are regulated by Illinois, but they are still legal because they operate under interactive poker licenses issued by various offshore gambling jurisdiction. Illinois poker players can play several poker cash games and tournaments at these sites and build huge bankrolls in no time.
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The great thing about Bovada is that there is room for players of all skill levels, without making one group feel like they are getting the bad end of the bargain. Bovada is one of the best sites on the web for making sure you get matched with players of a similar skill level. It is also one of the most flexible sites on the web when it comes to buy in amounts. Bovada not only offers games with great variety but also tournaments. In fact Bovada is one of the world leaders for online poker tournaments and it is easy to see why.
For instance Bovada gives away more than 2 million dollars every week in guaranteed tournaments. Most sites don’t manage to offer even a fraction of that in an entire year. Another thing that Bovada nails is making sure there is both a lot of tournaments to play in as well as a lot of different chip in amounts for players of any bankroll size. The biggest tournament of the week, the $100,000 guaranteed has multiple ways to enter meaning even the most modest player can find themselves in the tournament even if they can only spare a dollar to bet on most games. It is hard to find a site as dedicated to its players as Bovada.
| Rank | Legal Poker Sites | Bonus Rewards | Find Out More |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bovada Poker | 100% To $1,000 On First Deposit | Visit Bovada |
| 2 | BetOnline Poker | Up To $1,000 Free / 200% Match | Visit BetOnline |
| 3 | SportsBetting Poker | Triple Up On First Deposit To $1,000 | Visit SportsBetting |
Illinois has legalized several forms of gambling. The state runs a lottery game, in which residents are free to participate. Residents can also legally play casino and poker games at licensed riverboat casinos or bet on their favorite horses at licensed horse racing tracks. Many forms of charity gaming, including poker, are also legal in Illinois.
Synopsis of Gambling Options For Illinois Residents
To put it shortly, it is not illegal for Illinois residents to gamble online. Illinois residents will not find any online gambling site licensed and regulated by their state, but there will find plenty of online gambling sites, based in offshore countries, which accept Illinois residents.
Gambling in Illinois’ land-gambling facilities is fun, but not as alluring as playing large online slots tournaments or online blackjack tournaments or online poker tournaments in the comforts of one’s own home. Online gambling in Illinois offers benefits that land gambling can never do—the ability to win large cash jackpots with just a few clicks of the mouse at home.
The gaming industry is alive and well in Illinois and has been thriving since the first riverboat casino opened its doors back in 1991. Illinois was the second state to allow the riverboat casinos and now has nine full-scale riverboat casinos operating in the state. Horse racing is another form of gambling that is quite popular in that state and there are a number of fine tracks in operation.The Illinois Casino Gaming Association (ICGA) is a non-profit trade association that represents seven of the nine gambling concerns in the state. According to their statistics (covering all nine casinos), there are over 14,600,000 visitors to the casinos every year. The casinos provide more than 7500 jobs and the industry pumps more than a billion dollars annually into the economy.
History of Gaming in Illinois
When riverboat casinos were first legalized, state law required them to cruise. Gambling was only to take place on the boats as they moved up and down the rivers. However, in June of 1999, the state changed that to allow gaming while dockside. Regulations do not allow round-the-clock play as in some other states. Illinois strictly regulates gaming licenses, limiting them to only 10, and has set a cap of 1200 gaming machines per license. Minimum age to gamble in Illinois is set at 21, although attempts to lower the age to 18 are made periodically.
Legal Casino and Poker regulations in IllinoisA bill was introduced in May, 2011, that proposed a large expansion in gaming for the state. The proposal would have allowed for about 26,000 slot machines alone, at the tracks and at Chicago’s two airports, as well as nine new gambling locations. Governor Pat Quinn has made it clear that he does not support the legislation as it stands and stated in October, 2011, that he opposed the idea of allowing slot machines in the airports and would only support expansion limited to five new locations. If the legislation, slated for voting in 2012, is passed it will allow for new casinos in Chicago, Rockford, Danville, Lake County and Cook County.
Types of Gaming and Other Entertainment
Legal Online Gambling In Illinois
Gamblers will find all of the most popular games on the riverboat casinos including blackjack, craps, roulette, Caribbean stud poker and slot machines. Some of the casinos also offer other types of poker games and variations of baccarat. While some of the riverboats do still cruise the river, some of them operate strictly dockside at this point.
Of course, gambling isn’t the only entertainment to be had at the riverboat casinos. They offer frequent live performances by a variety of well-known musical and comedy stars including entertainers such as Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett and Bill Cosby. The dining experience is rich and varied among both the casinos and the local area. Whether it’s a casual meal with friends or fine dining for two, there is no lack of choice.
The Casinos of Illinois
Argosy’s Alton – Open daily from 8 am right through to 6 am the next morning, Argosy’s was the first riverboat casino in Illinois. There is 23,000 square feet of gaming space at Argosy’s with 15 table games and over 1,000 gambling machines to keep guests occupied. With a bar and three separate restaurants, there is no lack of dining options at Argosy’s in Alton, Illinois.
Hollywood Casino Aurora – Located in Aurora, Illinois, the Hollywood Casino features 53,000 square feet of gaming space with 28 tables of poker and other popular games, along with almost 1,200 gaming machines. There are three full restaurants on the property and the casino hours are daily from 9:30 am through to 5:30 am.
Rivers Casino – Rivers Casino boasts of 43,000 square feet of gaming space located in Des Plaines, Illinois. In that space, visitors will find over 1,000 gaming machines and a huge 48 table games available. Open daily from 9 am through 7 am, guests also will discover five different eating establishments to choose from when refortifying from their night of excitement.
Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino – Located in lovely East Peoria, Illinois, the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino offers a full hotel with 202 units, a full bar and three separate restaurants. The boat is open every day from 8 am through 6 am. The 26,116 square feet of gaming space holds 1,170 gaming machines and 27 table and poker games.
Casino Queen Hotel – Over in East Saint Louis, Illinois, visitors will enjoy the 38,000 square feet of gaming space available at the Casino Queen Hotel. With 1,155 gaming machines and 28 table games, guests will have plenty to do. In between games, visitors can eat at any of the four separate eateries on the property and stay in one of the hotel’s 157 luxury rooms. The casino is open every day from 8 am through 6 am.
Grand Victoria Casino – Open daily from 8:30 am through 6:30 am, the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, Illinois, offers 29,000 square feet of gaming space. Visitors can choose from 29 exciting table games or play any of the 1,150 gaming machines. There are 201 hotel units on the property along with a bar and three restaurants.
Harrah’s Joliet Casino and Hotel – One of two casinos located in Joliet, Illinois, Harrah’s offers a huge 40,000 square foot gaming space packed with 32 table games and almost 1,200 gaming machines. Visitors can stay in the 204 unit hotel and enjoy any of five different eating establishments. Open 8 am through 6 am, there is always something exciting going on at Harrah’s.
Hollywood Casino Joliet – The second of the two Joliet casinos, Hollywood Casino is the largest casino in the state with a whopping 50,000 square feet of gaming space. Open every day from 8:30 am through 6:30 am, there are 1,194 gaming machines and 23 table and poker games to choose from. Though the hotel is rather small, with only 100 rooms, the units are luxuriously appointed. Also on the property are six full eateries and a full-service bar.
Harrah’s Metropolis Casino – The second Illinois casino to be operated by Harrah’s, the Metropolis is a stationary riverboat permanently docked in Metropolis. The hours of operation are 9 am through 5 am from Sunday through Thursday and 9 am through 7 am Friday and Saturday. The property features a hotel with 252 rooms and four restaurants. The 36,000 square feet of gaming space holds 27 table and poker games along with 1,172 gaming machines.
Jumer’s Casino and Hotel – Located in beautiful Rock Island, Illinois, this casino features 42,500 square feet of gaming space, making it the second largest casino in the state. They offer 1,100 gaming machines and a full 30 table and poker games. Featuring a 205 room hotel, a bar and four restaurants, this facility is open daily from 7 am through 5 am.
Online Casinos and Online Poker in IllinoisIllinois is one of the few American states that explicitly prohibits internet gambling. The precise wording of the Illinois anti-gaming statutes that reference internet wagering are that it is illegal to “Knowingly establish, maintain, or operate an Internet site that permits a person to play a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value by means of the Internet or to make a wager upon the result of any game, contest, political nomination, appointment, or election by means of the Internet.”However at the time of writing no one has ever been successfully prosecuted for using the internet to place wagers and this is reflected in the number of online casinos and online poker rooms that accept players from Illinois. We have compiled a list of the safest, most secure and established online gaming venues that continue to take US players, though remember you play at your own risk.Casino NewsIdahoFloridaDelawareConnecticutColoradoUSA Casino ArticlesIs Online Gambling Legal Illinois
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