Online Gambling Illinois

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Online Gambling in Illinois Illinois has flirted with legalizing online casinos and poker sites since 2013, but all efforts to date have failed. As a result, online gambling remains prohibited, aside from sports betting and parimutuel horse racing betting. The Illinois online sports betting public will also have access to as many as 5,000 betting kiosks. They will be much like traditional lottery booths. A pilot project will permit 2,500 of these licensed retail outlets in the first year. Then, the number should rise to 5,000 the following year. IL Online Poker and Gambling Facts: Objective Sources. The Illinois Casino Gaming Association is a trade group representing the interests of many of Illinois’ casinos. The group’s site provides useful research material for those interested in the Illinois gambling industry. Illinois Gaming Board. The official site for the state.

Legal Illinois sports betting made its debut on the retail front in March 2020 with the online sports betting apps rollout taking place a few months later. There was some wrangling back and forth about users being able to register online, but that has all been sorted out.

You can now sign up to bet on Illinois sports betting apps from anywhere in the state. It’s easy to do so, too. We’ll cover everything you need to know about how to bet on sports in Illinois right here, along with any bonus and promotional offers available to new sports bettors.

IL sportsbook reviews: DraftKings > FanDuel > William Hill> PointsBet > BetRivers

Top Illinois sports betting sites for 2021

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Who can bet on sports in Illinois?

If you’re 21 or older and located within statelines, you’re good to go for betting on sports in Illinois online. There is no in-person residency requirement, but the usual pair of restrictions apply to eligible players.

  • You can’t be on any self-exclusion lists in relation to gambling.
  • Sports league personnel are prohibited from betting on their own sports.

Assuming neither of the above apply to you, there shouldn’t be any trouble signing up to play. The online and mobile registration process is simple and straightforward. We’ll have some details on what you have to do in a bit.

The Illinois sports betting market has attracted a number of the top names in the industry, all of whom have had to undergo a rigorous application process. Those who have received the green light to hang out their shingles had to pony up a whopping $10 million while either having a land-based operation in the state or being partnered with an entity that does.

In the future, online-only licenses are expected to be available, all of which will carry a price tag of $20million. Gross gambling revenue from sportsbooks is subjected to a 15% tax rate. The regulatory body for sports betting in the state is the Illinois GamingBoard.

Best Illinois sports betting apps for 2021

The official opening of the Illinois online sports betting market was a highly anticipated event. A number of the biggest names in the industry had their sights firmly set on gaining entry, and several have been able to make it happen. Here’s a look at the best sports betting apps available in Illinois, all of which you can get started with quickly and easily.

1. DraftKings Sportsbook

  • Review: DraftKings Sportsbook
  • Bonus: Claim $50 free + $1,000 deposit bonus

There have been a number of success stories since sports betting in IL began to gain legalization, but DraftKings is among those leading the pack. The platform is highly regarded across the industry, and the company has a history of innovation.

Included on the list of accomplishments is a top-notch live bettingfeature. This has become a go-to spot for scores of bettors who are interested in this facet of wagering.

DraftKings isn’t shy on the promotional front, either. There’s always lots going on like odds boosts and special parlayoffers.

DraftKings has become a market leader in all states it has entered to date, including Illinois since gaining market access via a deal with Casino Queen in East St. Louis.

2. FanDuel Sportsbook

  • Review: FanDuel Sportsbook
  • Bonus: Claim a $1,000 deposit bonus

FanDuel shares a lot in common with DraftKings. The two behemoths both made their bones in the world of daily fantasy sports and were ready to pounce once legal sports betting got a green light.

Being quick to market in legal states has helped FanDuel race to the top of the charts, and the company shows no signs of slowing down. The interface is incredibly user friendly and visually appealing while being full of features.

One of FanDuel’s biggest highlights is the single-game parlay feature. The company has arguably become the top name in the game for bets of that nature. FanDuel joined the Illinois marketplace via a deal with Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria and has comfortably settled in as a top option in Illinois.

3. William Hill Sportsbook

  • Review: William Hill Sportsbook
  • Bonus: Claim a $300 risk free bet

Before legal sports betting became widespread in the US, the William Hill name still held a ton of clout. The legendary sportsbook from across the pond found lots of success out in Las Vegas, and is now doing the same in other locales.

The overall résumé of the company is incredibly impressive, and there’s a host of experience behind the scenes. That translates into odds that are always on point, as well as a wealth of markets and bet types.

William Hill’s land-based partner in Illinois is the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin. The company is on a mission to have as big of a presence here as it has over in the UK. So far, so good as the platform is excellent and easy to use. There’s a lot to love about William Hill, and users across Illinois are catching on.

4. PointsBet Sportsbook

  • Review: PointsBet Sportsbook
  • Bonus: Claim $2,000 in risk free bets

PointsBet entered the US as a big unknown back in 2019. That has changed dramatically in a short amount of time. The company has established a big presence in a number of legal states, including Illinois.

This is a company that’s focused on bettors and their experiences. That becomes pretty apparent once you start comparing lines in comparison to others, as well as when you check out the solid array of ongoing promotionalofferings.

Australia-based PointsBet has made some tremendous strides since entering the US. The company entered Illinois via a deal with Hawthorne RaceCourse. It’s available for iOS and Android users and features a solid platform that lets you get down to business quickly and easily.

5. BetRivers Sportsbook

  • Review: BetRivers Sportsbook
  • Bonus: Claim a $250 deposit bonus

BetRivers may not have the national name recognition that other competitors in the market have, but don’t let that fool you. This is an outstanding offering from a company that knows its way around the gambling sector.

Rivers Casino Des Plaines is the land-based partner, while Rush StreetInteractive is the parent company behind the scenes. BetRivers features a clean interface that’s a breeze to use, as well as a great loyalty program for users.

You can earn points for redemption just for placing bets, and there’s always a good selection of other promos going on, as well. BetRivers has been a very pleasant surprise in all the markets it has entered to date. The same story has been developing here in Illinois as the app and online offering have been attracting tons of interest.

How Illinois online sports betting works

If you meet the requirements — 21 or older, within state lines, not on a self-exclusion list, etc. — then you can register to bet online or viaapp. The registration process is quick and painless. For starters, use the links above to visit any of the IL sports betting sites.

By taking that step, you’ll be eligible for potential sign-up offers from the top legal IL online sportsbooks. Once you’ve clicked the link, you’ll be brought to a new page where you’ll have to enter a few basic details, including:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Email
  • Date of birth
  • Last four digits of Social Security number

After all of your information is in, you’ll agree to the terms and conditions and check off any relevant boxes. Your new account will be ready right away. You can take some time to browse around, but be sure to download the app for your device.

The top sports betting apps in IL are available on mobile for iOS and Android users. Once you download the app directly from the sportsbook website, log in on mobile for the first time. You’ll then have access to your book of choice both online and via app.

Funding your account and placing bets will vary slightly by sportsbook, but the general process is the same. There’s usually a separate cashier function available. If not, look in the “my account” section for deposits and withdrawals.

To place a bet, you simply find what you’re interested in and click on the odds for that choice. It’ll go right onto the betslip. From there, you just have to plug in the amount, verify and click submit. Websites and apps from the top shops are very user-friendly, so you can find what you’re looking for and get down to business quickly.

2021 Illinois sportsbook promotions and bonus offers

Online Gambling Illinois

As expected, the Illinois online sports betting marketplace has become incredibly competitive. That’s awesome news for consumers. As industry heavyweights battle it out for supremacy, they all have their eyes set on attracting as many users as they can.

To do that, they’re not shy about dishing out sign-up offers for new players. Offerings will vary by sportsbook, but here are some of the top options that you’ll see.

  • Free bets: Once you create an account, some shops will give you free funds to play with in the form of site credits.
  • Deposit bonuses: Certain sportsbooks will match your first deposit, with the amount of the match varying.
  • Risk-free bets: After setting up an account with a book, it will let you place a bet in risk-free fashion. If your bet loses, you get back site credits.

The above offers are just for signing up, but that’s not where it ends on the promotional front. Online sportsbooks are always looking for ways to attract attention, and many of them lean on solid offerings to do so. Here are some examples on that front.

  • Odds boost: This is an offer that enhances the returns on a specific wager, such as a player prop or team moneyline bet.
  • Parlay insurance: For multi-leg parlays, you can get back your wager amount if you’re incorrect on one of the legs.
  • Performance bonus: You can earn extra when a team or player does something significant, such as scoring TDs or making 3-pointers.

Current promotional offerings are generally featured prominently in the main lobby at online sportsbooks. Several books also have dedicated sections that list all of the current promos.

How to deposit and cashout for Illinois sportsbooks

When looking to move money in and out of your sports betting account, you shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to do so. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about that with the online betting sites in Illinois. Each has a solid list of options, including:

  • Credit and debit cards
  • Online banking transfers
  • ACH/e-check
  • PayPal/other e-wallet options
  • Prepaid cards
  • PayNearMe
  • Cash at casino cage

It’s important to note that the exact options will vary by sportsbook, but there’s a good chance that you’ll find something that works best for your situation regardless of where you play. Also, keep in mind that not all options will be available for deposits and withdrawals.

What types of sports bets can you place in Illinois?

You’ll have access to all of the bet types and markets you could ask for in Illinois. Here’s a quick runthrough of the most popular bets and a refresher on how they work.

  • Moneyline: You pick the straight-up winner between the favorite and underdog.
  • Point spread: The side you choose has to cover the spread set by oddsmakers.
  • Totals: You decide if the total points scored will be over or under a benchmark number.
  • Props: Basically, side wagers on things that may happen, many of which depend on player performance.
  • Live betting: Wagers you can place in real time as the action plays out on the field.
  • Futures: A lookahead bet on a future outcome, such as the winner of a league championship.
  • Parlays: A wager where you include multiple selections on the same slip in hopes of greater returns.
  • Pleasers and teasers: Bets that place more control over the spread in the hands of bettors, with returns adjusted accordingly.

Which sports are available for betting in Illinois?

When it comes to sports, you won’t be lacking for options. From the top attractions down to those that are on the obscure side, they’re all here. First up, here are the biggest needle movers at sportsbooks.

  • NCAA basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • NASCAR
  • Boxing

The NFL attracts the most betting interest, followed by the NBA. You can bet on college sports in Illinois, but state law prohibits wagering on the in-state teams. For the individual sports, the most action comes around when a big event is on tap, such as a huge fight or a golf major.

  • Australian rules football
  • Cricket
  • Cycling
  • Darts
  • Formula One
  • Handball
  • International sports
  • MMA
  • Rugby
  • Snooker
  • Table tennis
  • Volleyball

The above sports fall into the niche category. Interest isn’t as strong in these sports, but some of them have their moments here and there. The exact list of markets will vary by sportsbook, but all of the top books in Illinois have a solid selection to choose from.

Local Illinois teams you can bet on at legal sportsbooks

Illinois is a hotbed for sporting action. That translates into plenty of local favorites to root for, and we can now legally and safely bet on each of them. Here’s a look at the top attractions.

  • NFL: Chicago Bears
  • NBA: Chicago Bulls
  • MLB: Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox
  • NHL: Chicago Blackhawks
  • MLS: Chicago Fire FC
  • WNBA: Chicago Sky

As a reminder, you can’t bet on in-state college programs here at home. That means no betting on Illinois, Northwestern or any other Illinois-based school. However, the rest of the college football and basketball landscape is fair game and available for wagering.

Illinois sports betting partnerships

As sports betting continues to go mainstream, several interesting promotional partnerships have emerged. On the national level, a number of top sportsbooks have linked up with top networks.

Down at the local level, the once unheard-of thought of sports betting partnerships with teams is quickly becoming a reality. Here’s what we’ve seen on that front to date in Illinois.

  • Chicago Bears — PointsBet
  • Chicago Cubs — DraftKings

The deals cover the usual suspects like signage and broadcast placement. In the case of the Cubs, a DraftKings-branded sportsbook is in the works for WrigleyField. It’s a copycat world when it comes to betting and partnerships, so it’s safe to say these won’t be the last deals we see in Illinois.

How do Illinois sportsbook odds compare to Vegas?

Quite simply, the odds and lines you’ll find here in Illinois stack up quitewell with the numbers that come out of the desert. That doesn’t mean they’ll be exactly the same. Due to market action, that’s just not possible.

However, it does mean that the books here in Illinois are on point. You can still see what the oddsmakers out west have to say for research purposes if you wish, but know that the numbers you have direct access to are likely just as good.

Retail sportsbooks in Illinois

While there are plenty of online and mobile options to consider in Illinois, the experience of betting in person can be lots of fun. Several retail locations have already opened their doors.

PropertyAddressOnline Partner
Casino Queen200 S. Front St., East St LouisDraftKings
Hollywood Casino1 W. New York St., AuroraPenn National
Hollywood Casino777 Hollywood Blvd., JolietPenn National
Grand Victoria Casino250 S. Grove Ave., ElginWilliam Hill
Argosy Casino1 Piasa St., AltonPenn National
Rivers Casino3000 S. River Road, Des PlainesBetRivers
Par-A-Dice Casino21 Blackjack Blvd., East PeoriaFanDuel
Hawthorne Race Course3501 S. Laramie Ave., Stickney/CiceroPointsBet

PointsBet has also opened up a trio of off-track betting facilities in association with Hawthorne. Here’s where you can find those shops.

  • 13148 Rivercrest Drive, Crestwood
  • 17W648 22nd St., Oakbrook Terrace
  • 1250 River Road, Prospect Heights
Home » US Poker Laws – State by State Reviews » Illinois Gambling & Online Poker Laws

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Illinois
April 30th, 2018 Last updated on February 18th, 2021
Illinois Gambling & Online Poker Laws
Last Updated February 18, 2021

Home to the “Windy City” and an eternal favorite of gamblers, Illinois is the base for a multitude of successful online and live tournament poker professionals. Poker seems to be in the state’s blood; President Obama often recalls his late-night games of poker played during his time at the Illinois Statehouse. In the live poker scene, locals have a wide variety of upcoming tournaments in poker clubs and riverboat casinos they can enter. Illinois has a more complicated relationship with real cash online poker.

In our guide to online poker in Illinois, we’ll explain and analyze the current gambling laws in Illinois, while discussing the poker sites which accept players from the state. We’ll discuss the odds that Illinois lawmakers regulate the Internet poker industry. This review of Illinois online poker laws will analyze whether existing gaming interests in the state support or oppose such laws.

Illinois Online Poker Guide

If you want to play online poker in IL, we suggest that you choose a room from our list below. The poker sites in this list have been chosen because they accept Illinois players, are regulated and – most importantly – have the softest games of all available Illinois online poker rooms. Here are the top legal Illinois online poker rooms

Is Online Poker Legal in Illinois?

Illinois is a state that does face some restrictions when it comes to playing poker online. Some sites that take players from other states don’t accept new players from Illinois. Read Poker Atlas for the latest updates on live poker events at local card clubs and the riverboat casino scene. As for online poker in Illinois, we have you covered.

Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about finding the right site that will allow you to sign up from Illinois; our list of real poker sites in Illinois on this page is comprised exclusively of rooms that take players from Illinois, saving your time for the online poker tables.

Best Online Poker Sites in Illinois for Real Money in 2021

1. Ignition Poker - Bonus: 100% up to $3000

Deposit Limits: $10 – $5,000

Accepts: Visa, Bitcoin, Mastercard, Bank Wire

Ignition is a popular option for players in the United States. They offer most popular cash game variants and more than $1.5 million in weekly online poker tournament guarantees. Ignition also offers Zone Poker, similar to Zoom Poker where you’re moved to a new table and dealt a new hand every time you fold.

Ignition Poker also offer a wide variety of poker promotions.

Join Ignition Poker here and get up to $2000 free!

2. Bovada Poker - Bonus: 100% up to $500

Deposit Limits: $10 – $5,000

Accepts: Bitcoin, Visa, Bank Wire

Licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Bovada is one of the oldest online poker sites servicing America. Bovada offers anonymous tables and a mobile-optimized design allowing play on all mobile platforms. The design makes it feel like you’re playing in Las Vegas rather than your home computer.

They offer a wide variety of cash games and tournaments with over $1.5 million in weekly guarantees.

Join Bovada Poker here and get a $500 bonus!

Illinois Gambling News

3. Sportsbetting.ag - Bonus: 100% up to $1000

Deposit Limits: $25 – $25,000

Accepts: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Visa, MasterCard, Money Transfers, Bank Wire

Sportsbetting.ag offers a robust online poker option with excellent cash game and tournament action. For cash games, they provide weekly cash leaderboards with $10,000 in prizes weekly. They offer over $45,000 in weekday guarantees, over $130,000 in guarantees on Saturday and over $275,000 in guarantees on Sunday.

If you like fast-fold poker variants like Zoom Poker, you’ll love Boost Poker. Get a new hand every time you fold in this fast-paced game.

Join Sportsbetting.ag – 100% up to $1000 for new US players!

All Poker and Gambling Laws by State

Illinois in the News

Online Gambling Illinois Law

  • Illinois was close last year. There was a strong bill championed by State Representative Robert Rita and others, there were hearings, and there was widespread support for the sports betting part of the bill. Online poker and casino games were also included in that gambling expansion bill, along with new

    Read Full
  • December 28th, 2018

    Last year, the attempt to predict which states might join the ranks of those with legalized online poker was not very successful. In fact, only one state actually passed such legislation in 2018, but at the very last minute, on December 28, that state’s governor vetoed the bill. Oh, Michigan!

    Read Full
  • October 18th, 2018

    Illinois was one of only a few states that held open the possibility of legalizing online poker and other casino games in latter part of 2018. The consideration has been part of a larger gambling expansion bill that was and remains on the table for lawmakers this year. While online

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  • August 26th, 2018

    While most other states that had considered online poker in 2018 abandoned those ideas earlier in the year, Illinois remained open to it. One lawmaker continues to champion one bill, and its future may depend on a legislative hearing set for October. The process of legalizing online gaming – whether

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  • August 2nd, 2018

    Most states that examined online poker in early 2018 have abandoned it for the year, as legislative sessions ended and no plans were made to revisit online gaming at all in the next few months. Illinois, it appears, is not one of those states. There wasn’t much hope placed in

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  • May 29th, 2018

    Online poker and gambling became real legislative possibilities for Illinois in 2017. The Senate even passed a bill to legalize and regulate those internet games one year ago, but the companion bill on the House side never garnered enough support to even pass a committee. There has been no word

    Read Full

Latest Updates Through 2021

Actions in the Illinois legislature in 2017 gave many legal online poker supporters hope that lawmakers were beginning to see the positives of legalizing and regulating online gaming. There was a bill that would’ve done just that for online poker and casino games, which passed the full Senate by a 42-10 vote in May, but the House bill never made it through committee as hearings were cancelled at the last minute.

However, online poker remained on the table going into 2018. State Representative Michael Zalewski’s H.479 was still being pushed, and he was confident that the right mix of gambling expansion projects would be appealing to a majority of lawmakers.

The tide began to turn not long after the United States Supreme Court overturned PASPA, which allowed New Jersey and all other states to address sports betting as they chose. Supporters of online gambling revised SB.7 to add daily fantasy sports and sports betting to the bill, but it happened late in the session and too close to its closing date of May 31.

Senate Bill 7 became a bipartisan bill, with several Republican and Democratic sponsors: Senators Terry Link, Dave Syverson, Mattie Hunter, and Donne Trotter; and Representatives Robert Rita, Rita Mayfield, Chad Hays, and Litesa Wallace. The proposal included articles for the “Fantasy Sports Act,” “Internet Gaming Act,” and “Sports Wagering Act.” Importantly, though, the bill lacked details about tax rates, licensing, and the regulatory framework.

One of those sponsors, Rita, then took an opportunity in the summer of 2018 to announce two hearings to discuss gambling expansion for Illinois. The first was held on August 22 in Chicago, and it was more than four hours of debate featuring members of joint committees. The main topics were new land-based casinos and expanded numbers of video gaming terminals.

The second hearing in early October was held in Springfield and focused heavily on sports betting. Horse racing takes precedence in Illinois and it became clear that there were many issues to be worked out before a solid bill could be drafted and presented to legalize sports betting, but it will be a priority for many lawmakers in 2019. This may mean that SB.0007 could be discarded and rewritten, and it is unclear whether online poker and casino games will be included in a new online gambling bill to be considered in early 2019.

Some speculation was correct for 2019 in that lawmakers were ready to pull together for gambling expansion in the state of Illinois. However, online poker and other forms of internet gambling were not a part of that picture. No matter the intentions of some lawmakers, it did not happen.

In the summer of 2019, a massive gambling expansion bill passed through the legislature after months of negotiations and discussions. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed it into law. It included the legalization of video gaming terminal (VGT) establishments, five new casinos in Illinois, a mega-casino in Chicago, a new racetrack, slot machines and table games in racetracks (making them racinos), and sports betting.

There will be 16 retail sportsbooks in the state and three online sportsbooks for Illinois. Casinos, racetracks, and stadiums may begin applying for sports betting licenses in December 2019. Sports betting went live in land-based establishments and online in March 2020.

The future for online poker and internet slot and table games remains unknown. The inability to include online gambling into the omnibus bill was disappointing, and it is not known if there will be an opportunity to legalize those online games in 2021.

Is Gambling / Poker Legal in Illinois?

Type/CodeSummary
State Code Section(s)230.ICLS.5-40; 720.ICLS.5.28
Definition of Gambling & PlayerPerson Commits Gambling:Knowingly plays a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value; or knowingly establishes, maintains, or operates 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.
Online Poker/GamblingMultiple attempts to legalize online poker and internet gaming have happened in the last decade, but the most recent pieces of legislation came close to passage. The 2017 bill for online poker was paired with casino expansion and passed the Senate but not the House. There is talk of an omnibus bill that will include online gambling with other forms of gambling expansion in 2018 or 2019.
Live PokerLive poker is permitted in all of the casinos in Illinois, and the poker rooms offer cash games and tournaments.
CasinosThe Riverboat Gambling Act permitted 10 fully-functional casinos to be established on riverboats, though the strict rules have been eased somewhat. There have been proposals to establish more casinos in Illinois, most recently via bills in 2017 and 2018. Lawmakers have come surprisingly close to expanding the number of casinos in the state.
Sports BettingA bill to legalize sports betting in Illinois casinos was introduced in 2018 and is still pending..
DFSA 2017 proposal for daily fantasy sports carried over into 2018 and remains open for consideration, possibly as a part of a larger gambling expansion bill going forward.
Other Forms of GamblingHorse racing, pari-mutuel betting, bingo, raffles, pull-tabs, charitable gambling, poker runs, jar games, Native American gaming, video gaming terminals.

Illinois Law and Online Poker

So where does Illinois stand when it comes to the law and online poker? The state does address the issue of online gambling directly in its law, so let’s talk a bit more about that part of the Illinois statute and a few other aspects that should be of interest to the typical online poker player.

First, what constitutes gambling in Illinois? The law is pretty clear; gambling occurs when someone

“plays a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value” (Section 28-1).

The only exceptions are state-approved forms of gambling.

Violation of that section as a player is a class A misdemeanor (Section 28-1(c)). Illinois does not have a history of aggressively pursuing mere participants in illegal gambling.

What does Illinois law have to say about online gambling? It is illegal if someone plays poker online?

“knowingly establishes, maintains, or operates 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” (Section 28-1(12)).”

Nothing in the section (or in any other part of Illinois law) appears to directly address the act of participating on such “internet sites” as a mere player.

What you’re left with is a situation that, to some degree, lacks legal clarity. However, that should not be mistaken as a blanket endorsement that all online gambling activity is explicitly legal. In such cases of uncertainty, players should start by reviewing the laws of Illinois personally, and then continue by consulting a lawyer if questions persist.

Illinois Gambling Guide

Most accounts of Illinois history assign gambling an early and prominent role in the story of the state. Whether through the lotteries of early settlers, the famous riverboat gambling ships that cruised Illinois waters during the 1800s or the ubiquitous, ever-present gambling halls of Chicago, you’d be hard-pressed to pick a point in the Illinois timeline that didn’t involve gambling in some way, shape or form.

Today’s gambling industry in Illinois is a result of nearly forty years of legislative shifts toward gambling expansion, one that began in 1974 with the authorization of the state lottery. Online poker legislation is an extension of those legislative trends, but like many states with a substantial land-based gambling industry, the existing interests complicate iGaming bills.

Rivers Online Gambling Illinois

What Gambling is Regulated in Illinois?

Most popular forms of regulated gambling are permitted under Illinois law. In addition to the state lottery and the multiple casinos spread across the state, there is also legal pari-mutuel wagering in Illinois and a wide slate of charitable gambling formats.

Illinois has vastly expanded its gambling offerings in recent years, most extensively with a massive gambling expansion bill in 2019.

There had been more than 32,561 video gaming terminals (VGTs) in Illinois, and more were installed when the new law was implemented in 2020 with the creation of full VGT establishments. There were also 10 casinos in the state, but that was expanded this year to allow for five new casinos to be built and a mega-casino/resort in the city of Chicago. And on top of the three-horse racing tracks in Illinois already, an additional one was approved in 2019. Racetracks will also be able to expand to become racinos and offer up to 1,200 casino games, including slots and table games.

Online lottery games have been available for some time, but sports betting will now be available online. In 2021, there will be three online sportsbooks to complement the 16 retail sportsbooks. In addition, there will be 2,500 sports betting lottery kiosks permitted throughout the state.

IL Online Poker and Gambling Facts: Objective Sources

ICGA . The Illinois Casino Gaming Association is a trade group representing the interests of many of Illinois’ casinos. The group’s site provides useful research material for those interested in the Illinois gambling industry.

Illinois Gaming Board. The official site for the state gaming board is the definitive resource for legal and regulatory information concerning gambling in Illinois. Get information on meetings, measures, help with problem gambling and self-exclusion along with a wealth of statistical information at the IGB website.

ICPG The online home for the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling is a central location providing access to a 24-hour helpline, speakers, and resources for educators, families and players. The ICPG is opposed to poker laws that expand and regulate the industry.

Famous Illinois Poker Players

There are actually a number of points at which the history of poker and the history of Illinois intersect. One example is the story of James Butler Hickok, better known as “Wild Bill.” It was Hickok’s death that gave a name to the now-famous “dead mans hand” – two pair, aces and eights, said to be held by the lawman when he was shot during a poker game.

Another example comes in the colorful tale of Nick “The Greek” Dandolos, who called Chicago home for much of his life. Dandolos was part of the mythic (and much debated) match up with Johnny Moss that is often cited as the template for the World Series of Poker. A final, and more modern, illustration of the shared history between poker and Illinois is author and poker player Jim McManus, who lives in the state.

The plethora of live poker rooms in Illinois have allowed poker players to flourish in Illinois through the years. Even so, many of the state’s most famous players garnered most of their experience online.

Almost all of the top live tournament earners in Illinois were famous first for their online play, like Connor Drinan, Mohsin Charania, Gavin Griffin, and Kevin Saul. Their online poker earnings are not even included in the numbers below, which goes to show how well most of them crossed over from online to live play.

The top-ranked players from Illinois, as of 2019, are as follows:

Illinois Online Gambling Age

1. Connor Drinan ($11.3 million)
2. Mohsin Charania ($6.2 million)
3. Gavin Griffin ($5.1 million)
4. Ryan Tosoc ($4.8 million)
5. Aaron Massey ($4.1 million)
6. Jason Wheeler ($4 million)
7. Ravi Raghavan ($4 million)
8. Kevin Saul ($3.7 million)
9. Chris Moor ($3.6 million)
10. Kyle Julius ($3.5 million)

Illinois Online Sports Betting

Sources & Citations For This Article on Illinois Online Poker