Illinois Online Gambling
At the time of writing, Illinois has an incredibly diverse gambling landscape. Thanks to SB 690, this was one of the first states in the nation to legalize online sports betting in 2019. Nine Illinois sports betting sites have launched since then, and more could emerge soon. And with iGaming proposals already in motion, the future looks very bright indeed for Illinois gambling.
Such positive news builds on the hype surrounding existing real money gambling locations across the state, of which there are 15 designated retail sportsbooks and 16 physical casino locations. Illinois has a favorable approach to in-person and online gambling, and we expect things to get even better over the coming years.
Best Illinois Gambling Sites
Sports betting is the only type of Illinois online gambling product that exists. Nine Illinois sports betting platforms are currently active, so you have plenty of choice as an Illinois resident. However, not all sites operate similarly, and each has pros and cons.
We’ve taken the time to review all active sportsbooks in the state and picked out the best options available:
Is Online Gambling Legal in Illinois?
Online gambling in Illinois is legal. This has been the case since SB 690 passed back in 2019. However, this bill only legalized online sports betting, meaning other forms of online gambling relating to poker, slots, table games, and all others remain illegal. You can engage in these forms of gambling at physical casinos across the state, although you must still be 21+ to do so.
As for movements concerning Illinois online casino legal changes, there aren’t any active or pending bills for online casino gambling. However, recent efforts were made in 2024 through HB 2239 and SB 1565 to legalize Illinois iGaming under several conditions. Ultimately, these bills were rejected, but there is still plenty of hope for the future of Illinois online casino sites.
We say that since State Representative Edgar Gonzalez Jr. has publicly indicated his intention to readdress iGaming legislation in 2025. Governor JB Pritzker has also stressed that Illinois online casinos are ‘worthy of consideration.’ This statement may seem small, but reports indicate that the state could generate $800 million annually by introducing iGaming. With the recent state budget showing a $3 billion deficit, iGaming revenue could be very important for IL.
Illinois Gambling History
Illinois has a rich history concerning gambling from a wider perspective. The legal Illinois gambling landscape dates back to 1927, when the state legalized pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. This was officially the first form of gambling permitted in the state. And Illinois continued to be a bit of a trailblazer for gambling from that date on – in many different ways.
Illinois was the first state to establish its own state lottery in 1974 and the second state to legalize riverboat casinos in 1990. However, legislative changes permitted riverboat casinos to remain permanently docked while operating from 1999 onwards.
That said, it wasn’t until 2019 that Illinois legalized sports betting in all forms—online and in-person. Illinois sports betting certainly sprung out of the blocks quickly, as in just a few short years, the state now has 15 retail sportsbooks and nine online betting platforms.
Here are some of they key dates in Illinois gambling history:
- 1927: Illinois legalizes pari-mutuel horse racing (the state’s first form of legal gambling).
- 1971: Illinois legalizes bingo.
- 1974: Illinois establishes its own state lottery, the first in the US to do so.
- 1986: Illinois legalizes gambling for non-profit charities.
- 1990: Illinois legalizes riverboat casinos.
- 1999: Illinois changes laws to permit riverboat casinos to remain docked for gambling.
- 2009: Video Gaming Act passes, which permits gaming terminals in licensed establishments.
- 2019: Illinois legalizes sports betting and permits riverboat casinos to move to dry land permanently.
Legal Gambling Options in Illinois
As things currently stand, the Illinois gambling industry is relatively diverse, with several popular forms of gambling accessible to residents over 21. The sole form of gambling that remains absent from the checklist is online casino gambling – including all relevant verticals. However, as mentioned earlier, a few promising developments are in the pipeline concerning the potential launch of Illinois online casino sites over the coming months and years.
We will watch this closely, and we will certainly provide updates as and when available. In the meantime, here the current kinds of gambling available in IL:
| Type of Gambling | Legal? | When Legalized? |
| Online Casinos | No | N/A |
| Land-Based Casinos | Yes | 2019 |
| Online Poker | No | N/A |
| Land-Based Poker | Yes | 2019 |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes | 2019 |
| Retail Sports Betting | Yes | 2019 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes | 2020 |
| Horse Racing | Yes | 1927 |
| Lottery | Yes | 1974 |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes | 1986 |
Sports Betting
Illinois was one of the first few states in the US to legalize online sports betting once the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was declared ‘unconstitutional’ by the Supreme Court in 2018. When the Supreme Court overturned this act, all individual states obtained the authority to establish an online sports betting industry. Of course, this included Illinois, and once SB 690 passed in 2019, the path to an established Illinois sports betting industry opened up.
The first few online sportsbooks launched in 2020. Initially, players had to visit a retail sportsbook to register with an online platform, but lawmakers removed that requirement in March 2022. Today, Illinois has nine online betting platforms. Furthermore, with more online sports betting licenses up for grabs from the Illinois Gaming Board, we expect the industry to grow over the coming years.
Online Casino
Unfortunately, online casinos are illegal in Illinois. That said, three big names in Illinois politics are pushing the agenda for a legalized online casino gambling industry: Senator Cristina Castro, Representative Edgar Gonzalez, and Governor JB Pritzker. Both Castro and Gonzalez have influence over the budget, and with a big deficit right now, they are looking favorably at Illinois iGaming.
Even Gov. Pritzker has a favorable stance on online casinos. His views toward the potential Illinois online casino space are undoubtedly influenced by the fact that Illinois now ranks inside the top five in the US for monthly sports betting handles. An online casino bill may reach IL lawmakers soon.
Poker
You can play poker at several established casinos in Illinois, as has been the case since 1990. Prime examples of poker rooms where you can go and try to score that elusive Royal Flush include Rivers Casino, Grand Victoria Casino, Hollywood Casino, and Bally’s Quad Cities Casino and Hotel. However, if you’d prefer video poker, you can play games such as Jacks or Better at any licensed establishments with video gaming terminals.
Since poker is considered casino gambling, it is not yet available online. However, this could change if bills such as SB 2064 (Internet Gaming Act) pass or if other bills are introduced over the coming months.
Daily Fantasy Sports
2020 was a big year for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in Illinois. While many Senators and state officials were split over DFS competitions from a legal standpoint, the lawsuits filed by major brands like FanDuel and DraftKings put serious pressure on the respective authorities in 2016. Fast forward to 2020, when the Illinois Supreme Court officially permitted DFS competitions to run in the state, taking the stance that these competitions are based on skill instead of blind luck.
That said, there isn’t an established legal framework for DFS competitions in Illinois, and anyone over 18 can participate. However, this could all change if HB 5648 passes – the Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act.
Lottery
Illinois was the first state in the entire nation to establish its own in-state lottery in 1974. Of course, you can now buy tickets to Illinois-specific lotteries online, and popular draws include Lotto Extra Shot, Lucky Day Lotto, Pick 3, and Pick 4, among others.
At the same time, Illinois facilitates access to multi-state lotteries. The largest and most popular of these include the Powerball and Mega Millions, which regularly have jackpots in the seven or eight-figure range.
Retail Sportsbooks
Following the approval of SB 690 in 2019, retail sportsbooks started to pop up all over the state. Today, there are 15 locations where you can place bets on popular events covering top leagues such as the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, and more. Of course, Illinois is home to several major league franchises like the Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Bears (NFL), and the Chicago White Sox (MLB).
Land-Based Casinos
Once the Riverboat Gambling Act passed in 1990, many popular forms of casino gambling became open for business. This included slots, table games such as roulette and blackjack, poker, and other verticals. However, until SB 690 passed in 2019, riverboat casinos could legally shift to a permanent, land-based location. Today, you can enjoy real money casino games at 16 different Illinois gambling locations across the state.
Sweepstakes Casinos
If real money Illinois online gambling doesn’t appeal to you, there are always sweepstakes casinos to consider. These sites provide hundreds, if not thousands, of popular casino games – all totally free. Several operators accept players from Illinois and allow players to enjoy slots, table games, and live dealer titles while playing for fun with Gold Coins or the potential for prizes with Sweeps Coins.
How are Gambling Sites Regulated in Illinois?
For any provider to be licensed and regulated as an official Illinois gambling site, it must be approved by the Illinois Gaming Board. This is the official regulator for all forms of Illinois betting services, including physical sportsbooks, casinos, and online sports betting platforms. Moreover, this regulatory agency is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and issuing gambling licenses to the various companies and providers within the state. But this isn’t all they do.
Beyond the simple issuance of licenses, the Illinois Gaming Board also acts as a law enforcement agency – overseeing and monitoring all forms of Illinois gambling. Of course, other states have similar agencies, and the overarching reason for their presence is to ensure the industry operates with integrity while keeping users of gambling services safe. The Illinois Gaming Board has successfully managed these things since 1990, when the Riverboat Gambling Act was passed.
Subsequently, the need for a regulatory agency emerged when this law was passed. Today, the IGB oversees 16 casinos, 15 retail sportsbooks, nine online sports betting sites, and nearly 9,000 video gaming locations across the state!
Responsible Gambling in Illinois
Gambling should also be conducted responsibly in all of its different forms. This includes bets made in-person and online. Yet, since gambling naturally comes with the inherent risk of ‘problem gambling’ habits, online gambling providers have introduced tools enabling you to keep things fun. These tools include restrictions through session timers, wagering limits, and deposit limits on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Many Illinois gambling outlets also support self-exclusion as part of the statewide SEP (Self-Exclusion Program). However, despite these efforts, some gamblers may wish to take matters further and seek external support. On that note, there is the ICPG (Illinois Council on Problem Gambling), which provides counseling, treatment resources, and education/awareness programs. Most Illinois gambling outlets, both online and offline, offer access to the National Problem Gambling Helpline.
All of these tools and resources demonstrate just how seriously the state takes responsible gambling.
FAQs
Is online gambling legal in Illinois?
Yes. Online gambling is legal in Illinois, but only for sports betting. Other verticals, including casino gaming and poker, remain illegal.
Can I bet on sports in Illinois?
Yes. You can wager on sports in Illinois at retail sportsbooks or via the state’s online sports betting providers. However, wagering on high-school events remains illegal, and wagering on college sports is restricted to moneylines, totals, and spreads.
Does Illinois have any online casinos?
No. No Illinois online casino sites are operating right now that accept real money wagers. Illinois has plenty of sweepstakes casinos that you can access and proceed to play real casino games for free.
Is DFS legal in Illinois?
Yes. In 2020, Illinois legalized DFS competitions, meaning you can engage with these as and when available.
Are Illinois online gambling sites safe?
Yes. However, you should only gamble at licensed and regulated Illinois gambling sites. These are the only legal operators in the state and uphold the safety standards expected of the Illinois Gaming Board.
Do I have to pay taxes on gambling winnings in Illinois?
Yes. Any gambling winnings that exceed $600 must be reported and are therefore subject to tax at the State and Federal level. These rates are 4.95% for Illinois State Tax and 24% for Federal Tax withholdings for larger winnings.
