Thanks to its relatively relaxed gambling laws, Illinois is known for being a betting-friendly state.
The best Illinois online casinos are offshore casinos, where residents can enjoy their favorite games, including slots, video poker, and many other table games.
Lucky for you, our team of experts has scoured the internet to find the very best online casinos for Illinois players. Read on to learn everything there is to know about online gaming in Illinois.
Illinois has some of the most lenient gambling laws in the United States. Land-based casinos and sportsbooks have been operating for some time, while online sports betting is also legal. They even have the oldest state lottery in the country.
Although Illinois has legalized some forms of online gambling, there are no regulated online casinos in the state. That said, IL players looking to play their favorite games via the internet can access offshore casinos.
Type of Gambling | Status | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Online Casinos | Offshore Only | While Illinois has no regulated online casinos, many offshore casinos accept IL players. |
Online Poker | Offshore Only | Illinois doesn’t have any regulated online poker sites, but IL players can access online poker via offshore sites. |
Land-Based Casinos | Available | The Prairie State is home to more than a dozen land-based casinos. |
State Lottery | Available | Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery is one of the longest-running state lotteries in the US. |
Online Sports Betting | Available | Illinois legalized online sports betting in June 2019. |
Land-Based Sportsbooks | Available | On March 9, 2020, BetRivers Sportsbook took the first legal sports wager in IL. |
Fantasy Sports | Available | A 2020 state supreme court decision found DFS contests to be games of skill and legal under IL law. |
Best Online Casinos Available in IllinoisWhat is the Gambling Age in Illinois?
The legal gambling age in Illinois ranges from 18 to 21 depending on the activity. IL residents can partake in the lottery, charity bingo, and sports betting at 18, but they must be 21 to enter casinos and poker rooms.
It is also worth noting that offshore casino sites require players to be 18 to game online.
We pride ourselves on recommending only the finest online casinos. Accordingly, we have worked tirelessly to locate the very best Illinois online casino sites.
Not only have we found the best Illinois online casinos, but we have also found the top sites for a range of key categories, including variety of games, banking options, welcome bonuses, and even customer support.
Let’s take a closer look at our recommended online casinos for IL players.
When it comes to gambling on the internet, we all want access to first-rate customer support, right? The world of online casinos can be a daunting place, especially if you’re new on the scene.
Thankfully, Ignition Casino offers an unrivalled customer service system. The Help Center allows you to browse by topic (Poker, Casino, Live Dealer FAQ, Account and Security, Voucher FAQ, Financial, Bonuses, Player Transfer, and Bitcoin/Crypto), putting you in contact with the relevant team.
Better still, there is a video library with step-by-step guides, and they even have a forum where IL players can chat with fellow members from around the world.
Ignition Casino also has a selection of Hot Drops Jackpot games and an excellent VIP program. However, in terms of customer support, Ignition Casino is undoubtedly the best online casino Illinois has access to.
Boasting more than 500 titles, DuckyLuck is the top-ranked Illinois online casino when it comes to variety of games. Thanks to software providers like Rival Gaming, Betsoft, and Dragon Gaming, there are countless high-quality options to choose from.
DuckyLuck is home to over 440 slot games, many of which offer progressive jackpots. On top of that, players in the Land of Lincoln can enjoy multiple blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, and video poker variations.
There truly is something for everyone at DuckyLuck. Whether you’re an experienced gambler searching for engaging live dealer tables or a total newbie looking for casual games, DuckyLuck will have you covered.
For many reasons, Wild Casino is among the top Illinois online casinos. In addition to the website’s modern design, generous welcome bonus, and extensive live dealer options, Wild has the best variety of banking options for IL players.
To be precise, Wild Casino accepts 27 different payment methods. Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover) are accepted, along with a vast range of cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Apecoin, Avalanche, Binance, BitcoinCash, Cardano, Chainlink, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, Ripple, Solana, Stellar, Shiba Inu, Tether, Tron, and USD Coin).
Wild Casino even accepts American Express, which is uncommon among its competitors. Other methods such as cashier’s check, bank transfer, money order, and Person2Person are also on the menu, further enhancing Wild’s credibility.
SlotsandCasino is one of the newest names in the online gambling industry. Although the site only started operating in 2023, it has already cemented itself among the best Illinois online casinos, thanks largely to its attractive welcome bonuses.
With a minimum deposit of $25, new players can access a 300% match bonus of up to $1,500. Newcomers also receive 100 free spins on selected slot games over a 10-day period, with SlotsandCasino serving up a generous 30x wagering requirement for that deal.
We understand the importance of welcome bonuses for online gamblers in the United States, and Illinoisans are no exception. Why not head straight to SlotsandCasino and take advantage of this offer?
Naturally, Super Slots is known for its broad selection of slot games. But the live dealer section is also very impressive. In fact, we rank Super Slots as the best Illinois online casino for live dealer games.
Powered by renowned software developers like Visionary iGaming and Fresh Duck Studios, Super Slots’ live dealer casino is stacked with 72 games. With 26 blackjack tables and 15 roulette tables on offer, as well as various baccarat and lottery games, Super Slots is the Prairie State’s go-to gambling site for live dealer games.
Furthermore, IL players can make use of a generous welcome bonus, tons of banking methods, and speedy crypto withdrawals.
Don’t be fooled by the name. While High Roller Casino may sound like a site that caters to wealthy professional gamblers, it is actually one of the best places for new players to start.
High Roller Casino is a beginner-friendly gambling site with low-stakes wagering limits on games like blackjack and roulette. You will also come across lots of slots with a high return to player (RTP) percentage, which is perfect for newbie gamblers.
Regardless of your experience level, High Roller Casino is an ideal option for players in Illinois. New customers can even customize their welcome bonuses before enjoying an expansive game library of 750+ titles.
The popularity of mobile gambling is at an all-time high. With more Illinoisans betting via portable devices than ever before, it’s crucial that players have access to mobile-optimized online casinos.
In terms of overall mobile experience, we’re confident that El Royale Casino is the best online casino Illinois has access to. The easy-to-use website runs smoothly on iOS and Android devices, and there is even a downloadable mobile app.
When carrying out our assessment of El Royale on mobile, we encountered no interruptions with the live dealer streams, while all the other games ran seamlessly. Plus, there are no banking fees!
The relationship between online gambling and crypto continues to go from strength to strength. If you reside in the Land of Lincoln and want a casino site with unrivalled crypto perks, Slots.lv is the place to go.
Slots.lv accepts a wide variety of cryptos, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, and Ethereum. Players can grab a 200% match bonus on crypto deposits up to $3,000, and the offer also includes 30 free spins with a 35x rollover.
If you’re feeling fancy, you can become a member of the Super Crypto Exclusive Club. Members can access even more deposit match bonuses, free spins, and MySlots Rewards points, enhancing their overall experience.
Casino | Welcome Bonus | Rollover | Min Deposit | # of Games | Review |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ignition Casino | 300% up to $3,000 | 25x | $10 | 300+ | Read Review |
DuckyLuck Casino | 500% up to $7,500 | 30x | $25 | 500+ | Read Review |
Wild Casino | 100% up to $1,000 | 30x | $20 | 750+ | Read Review |
SlotsandCasino | 300% up to $1,500 | 30x | $25 | 500+ | Read Review |
Super Slots | Up to $6,000 | 45x | $20 | 700+ | Read Review |
High Roller Casino | 400% up to $4,000 | 35x | $20 | 750+ | Read Review |
El Royale | Up to $7,000 | 40x | $10 | 200+ | Read Review |
Slots.lv | 100% up to $2,000 | 35x | $5 | 200+ | Read Review |
Our process for rating and ranking gambling sites is thorough and stringent. We leave no stone unturned when it comes to assessing online casinos, meaning each and every site must pass a series of rigorous tests.
As a result, our recommended Illinois online casinos rank highly in each of these important areas:
There are no regulated online casinos in Illinois itself, but residents of the Prairie State can access reliable offshore gambling sites. Although our recommended sites are based overseas, they are ideal for American players, enabling Illinoisans to easily create an account and receive payouts after enjoying their favorite games.
You will be pleased to learn that player protection is of paramount importance to everyone at Gamblingsites.org. We verify the licenses of sites regulated by international gambling agencies like Curaçao eGaming, and we always check TLS encryption and data-storage protocols to keep you safe.
We only endorse Illinois online casino sites that offer attractive bonuses and promotions. Not only do we consider welcome bonuses for new players, but we also look for ongoing promotions and loyalty programs for existing players. On top of that, we factor in wagering requirements to understand the real value of bonuses.
All of our recommended online casinos for IL players boast a wide variety of games from industry-leading software developers. From table games and slots to poker and live dealer games, our favored sites deliver state-of-the-art graphics and top-notch gameplay, while many offer unique special features.
Every online gambler wants access to reliable customer support, right? That’s why we only promote sites that offer excellent customer service. Our top-rated Illinois online casinos have live chat functions, responsive phone helplines, and email support.
Many of the leading online casinos available to Illinoisans don’t have a downloadable app, instead they offer a mobile-optimized website. If you prefer gambling via your portable device, you won’t miss out on anything if you use our recommended sites.
Illinois offers legal online gambling in the form of sports betting, horse racing, fantasy sports, lottery draws, and social casinos. When you compare IL’s online gambling options with the options available in many other US states, Illinoisans have plenty to choose from.
While real money online casino gaming is technically prohibited in the Land of Lincoln, IL residents can utilize offshore casinos without any problems. These sites are based overseas but accept players from Illinois.
It is also worth pointing out that offshore casinos often have more attractive bonuses and a wider variety of games. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that gambling fanatics throughout Illinois enjoy playing at these sites.
Land-Based Gambling Options in IllinoisThere is no hiding the fact that Illinois is closely tied to the US gambling industry. Bally Manufacturing – later renamed Bally Entertainment – was founded in Chicago back in 1932, increasing the popularity of gambling in the state.
Today, the Prairie State is home to more than a dozen land-based casinos, with more gaming establishments on course to open in the coming years. From Aurora to Joliet, there is no shortage of venues for Illinoisans to enjoy.
Tribal Casinos in Illinois
Illinois has a solitary tribal casino: Hard Rock Casino Rockford. The Seminole Tribe of Florida purchased Hard Rock in 2007, and it now operates venues in almost 70 countries across the globe.
State Lottery in Illinois
In July 1974, Illinois became the first US state to introduce a state lottery. Illinois Lottery offers a selection of instant tickets and larger drawings, including Mega Millions, Power Ball, Lotto Extra Shot, Lucky Day Lotto, Pick Fireball, and Fast Play.
Where to Gamble In-Person in Illinois
Casino | Address | Phone | Gambling Options | Operated By |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rivers Casino Des Plaines | 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018 | 888-307-0777 | 22 poker tables, 67 tables games, 1,400+ slot machines | Churchill Downs Incorporated, Rush Street Gaming |
Hard Rock Casino Rockford | 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, IL 61107 | 1-779-269-9010 | 55 table games, 1,500+ slot machines | Rockford Casino Development LLC |
Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel | 151 N. Joliet Street, Joliet, IL 60432 | 815-740-7800 | 8 poker tables, 26 table games, 1,100+ slot machines | VICI Properties Inc. |
Bally’s Chicago Casino at Medinah Temple | 600 N. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 | 888-822-2559 | 56 tables games, 750+ slot machines | Bally’s Corporation |
The Illinois Gaming Board regulates gambling in the Land of Lincoln. The government-run agency oversees all aspects of casino gambling, video gaming, and sports betting.
Established before Illinois became the second state to legalize riverboat gambling in 1990, the Illinois Gaming Board controls a regulatory and tax collection system for all forms of gambling in the state.
The Illinois Gaming Board also issues licenses to new gambling operators, conducts the necessary background checks on prospective employees, and deals with lawbreakers.
Comparing Illinois’ Gambling Laws to Neighboring StatesIllinois has six neighboring states. Like the Land of Lincoln, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan have relatively relaxed gambling laws. These states have land-based casinos, legal sports betting, and other forms of gambling.
To the south, Kentucky does not permit land-based casinos but allows sports betting both in-person and online. Elsewhere, Missouri has stricter gambling laws. While there are land-based casinos in MO, sports betting is forbidden.
Heading north, Wisconsin is Illinois’ strictest neighbor in terms of gambling laws. Not only is sports betting prohibited in WI, but there are also no land-based casinos in the state.
The Future of Online Casinos in IllinoisThe Illinois online casino industry appears to be heading in a positive direction. As it stands, there are no regulated online casinos based within the state. But that could change in the near future.
If recent advances with the Illinois Internet Gaming Act are anything to go by, IL could become one of the next US states to legalize regulated online casinos. Two bills calling for the legalization of online casinos and online poker are still alive, and lawmakers have until January 2025 to make a decision.
With online sports betting already legal in the Prairie State, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before online casinos join the party. In the meantime, gamblers can use offshore casino sites to play slots, blackjack, and other table games while they wait for the outcome of the IL Internet Gambling Act.
Sadly, gambling addiction remains a problem in Illinois and across the United States. Gambling addiction can cause financial troubles, relationship problems, and even legal issues. If you feel like you need professional guidance, the following resources can help.
There is no denying that Illinois is one of the more lenient states in terms of online gambling. The Land of Lincoln already has a thriving online sports betting scene, which many believe will pave the way for regulated online casinos.
Illinois’ land-based casinos offer slots, blackjack, and all the other popular table games. IL residents can also enjoy their favorite games via the internet, so be sure to explore our recommended offshore Illinois casino sites.
Ben Morris is a sports and casino writer who started with Gambling Nerd in 2024. However, he has more than a decade of experience in the industry. He has a particular interest in European soccer, but also enjoys betting on tennis and playing online slot games. His work has appeared in Sportico and TheSportsGeek.