Guide To Online Gambling In Illinois In 2023
According to the most recent updates to Illinois's gambling legislation, online gambling in Illinois is still prohibited. Online gambling is popular in the state, but there have been no major changes to the landscape for gamblers.
Author:Rock WildfireReviewer:Professor JhizNov 20, 202334 Shares16.9K Views
According to the most recent updates to Illinois's gambling legislation, online gambling in Illinoisis still prohibited. Online gambling is popular in the state, but there have been no major changes to the landscape for gamblers.
Try not to let the headlines get you down. Despite restrictions on land-based casinos, internet video slots and lottery games are legal in the state of Illinois.
Online sweepstakes casinos like Chumba Casinoare accessible to residents of the state. Sweeps coins (on-site tokens) may be purchased, while welcome bonuses and other promotions can be used to get free credits. Actually, these Illinois casinos don't break any regulations since they provide free sweeps coins.
Simply put, sweeps coins may be exchanged for prizes but have no monetary worth. Because players in Illinois don't have to pay for sweeps coins (because to ongoing promotions), these sites are legal in the United States.
So, although real-money casinosites are still missing from the Illinois gaming landscape, there are still possibilities for those who wish to play for progressive jackpots and the like utilizing onsite tokens.
History Of Legal Gambling In Illinois
In Illinois, pari-mutuel betting on horse races has been legal and regulated since 1927. In 1974, Illinois was among the first states to legalize and widely implement lottery games. Illinois pioneered online lottery ticket sales in the latter half of 2012 and is one of just a handful of states to do so today.
Since 1990, riverboat gambling has been permitted in Illinois, making it the second state in the United States to do so after Iowa. The first riverboat casino, the Alton Belle (later renamed the Argosy Casino Alton), debuted a year later.
It used to be the case that boats had to leave the docks and set sail at certain times, but that rule has since been relaxed. There are now 10 riverboat casinos in operation, some of them are floating while others are moored or lying on land in very shallow water.
Illinois passed the Video Gaming Act in 2009, enabling video lottery terminals (VLTs) to be installed in bars, restaurants, truck stops, and other regulated businesses serving veterans and fraternal organizations.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Illinois gaming Act in June 2019, significantly expanding the state's legal gaming options. A huge casino in Chicago is one of the six new casinos allowed under the new rules.
It also permits existing casinos and racetracks to increase the number of "gaming positions" they provide, with the latter enabling them to transform into "racinos" by adding slot machines and table games.
Land-Based Casinos In Illinois
Casino Queen
Nestled near the banks of the Mississippi River, this Illinois gambling haven presents a unique blend of popular slot machine games featuring progressive jackpots, high-stakes gaming areas, and an array of video poker machines.
Table game enthusiasts can indulge in options like 3-card poker, baccarat, and Texas Hold ‘Em. A well-equipped hotel and RV park are also present, in addition to a quartet of dining options, including the elegant Prime Steakhouse.
Harrah’s Joliet
Situated in Northeast Illinois, near the shores of Lake Michigan, Harrah’s Joliet boasts a gaming paradise with over 1,000 slot machines, including favorites like Lightning Link and Diamond Blaze. The gaming floor offers a plethora of table game options, from blackjack and craps to 3-card poker and roulette.
The poker room welcomes enthusiasts from 8 a.m. to 5 a.m. daily. Culinary delights await with a buffet and two additional restaurants, while a 200-room hotel provides a comfortable retreat.
Harrah’s Metropolis
Southern Illinois hosts this Harrah’s gem, featuring classic table games such as roulette, craps, blackjack, and Mississippi Stud. The expansive gaming floor boasts 800 slot machines and qualified players can benefit from casino credit. The 252-room hotel offers various accommodations, from standard rooms to luxurious suites.
Hollywood Casino Aurora
On the banks of the Fox River, Hollywood Casino Aurora welcomes visitors with over 1,000 slot machines and four diverse dining options. Traditional table games like blackjack and baccarat are readily available, and soon, the Aurora Sportsbook will offer legal sports betting in Illinois. A dedicated poker room ensures daily excitement for poker enthusiasts.
Grand Victoria Casino Elgin
A mere 40 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, this casino beckons with over 1,100 slot machines and video poker options. Table game aficionados can enjoy classics like baccarat, high card flush, and craps, while the poker room opens its doors daily at 8:30 a.m. Culinary delights are offered at Buckingham’s Steakhouse and the Indulge Show Kitchen Buffet.
Argosy Casino Alton
Known for its riverboat charm, Argosy Casino Alton stands out as a premier destination for legal gambling in Illinois. Hosting one of the first legal sportsbooks in the state since March 2020, it provides an excellent venue for sports wagering enthusiasts. The gaming floor features slot machines and classic table games like blackjack, roulette, and 3-card poker.
Rivers Casino
Established in 2011 and conveniently located near O’Hare International Airport, Rivers Casino beckons with nearly 1,100 slot machines and a variety of standard casino table games. The BetRivers sportsbook, operational from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. daily since March 2020, caters to sports betting enthusiasts. The Lotus cocktail bar adds to the entertainmentwith live DJs every weekend.
Par-A-Dice Casino
In East Peoria, Par-A-Dice Casino offers a diverse selection of table games, including blackjack, craps, Mississippi Stud, and more. The property features four restaurants, and the 202-room hotel provides amenities such as a shuttle service, a full gym, and a gift shop.
Jumer’s Casino & Hotel
Situated just east of the Iowa border off the Mississippi River, Jumer’s Casino & Hotel is a three-star Illinois casino with a well-appointed hotel boasting various amenities. The gaming area hosts close to 1,000 slot machines and video poker options, complemented by classic games like craps, roulette, and blackjack.
Online Casino Games To Launch In Illinois
Roulette
Legalized casinos and internet gambling in Illinois would greatly benefit from offering roulette to patrons, particularly those who are already versed in basic and advanced roulette techniques.
It's all about smart money management and calculated betting, so tried-and-true methods like the James Bond approach and the Reverse Martingale also apply to online and mobile casinos.
The extra benefit of playing roulette online is that you have the whole table to yourself. You won't have to stress out trying to keep track of your chips in a crowded casino.
Lottery
In Illinois, you may legally play the lotto online right now. When it began offering its lottery online in March 2012, it was the first state to do so.
It forms a large chunk of the state's $3 billion in yearly lottery earnings and functions much like the tickets you'd purchase at any retail shop. To begin playing the Illinois Lottery, register for an online account. Easily understood.
Slot Machines For Real Money Online
Online slot games that are similar to those found in brick-and-mortar casinos are widely available at Illinois' legal sweepstakes sites.
Many people in Illinois like playing slot machines online for real money, so it seems to reason that these games would be included in any future law authorizing online casinogambling in the state.
For those who have never played before, it will feel remarkably similar to sitting down at a slot machine at a brick-and-mortar casino.
Web-Based Poker
While it's become simpler to locate poker tables in Illinois, the same can't be said for online poker. In Illinois, playing poker online for real money is still against the law. Illinois legislators have not been compelled to legalize Internet poker despite the state's thriving casino industry.
The arrival of Internet poker is yet possible. Illinois politicians are obviously favorable to most types of gambling, and online poker enthusiasts in the state should be confident this will extend to their favorite game in the not-too-distant future.
Video Poker Machines
Online blackjack may be played and practiced legally in Illinois at sweepstakes casinos. Blackjack played for real money online follows the same rules as the game played in brick-and-mortar casinos, but rounds may be completed considerably more quickly.
Not only does this let you get more practice in without wasting time waiting for other players to finish their hands, but it also saves time.
In a fast-paced game, it doesn't take long for a player to learn the fundamentals of blackjack, such as when to double down, when to split 8s, etc. And you may avoid the few dealers that seem a touch too ecstatic when they get a blackjack.
Actual Dealing
If and when Illinois passes legislation to authorize internet casinos, it's possible that live dealer online games may become accessible. Even in areas like Pennsylvania where live dealers are permitted, it may be difficult to locate a place to play.
Blackjack and other similar games played online are quite similar to their live dealer counterparts. If you like a more authentic casino feel, you'll get that here, but otherwise, it's not much different from playing at any other online casino.
Sweepstakes And Social Casinos In IL
If you're new to the concept of sweepstakes casinos and social casino sites, it might sound too good to be true. However, playing engaging online slots in Illinois is not only possible but also completely legal.
Illinois residents have several excellent options when it comes to sweepstakes and social casino sites, including:
- Chumba Casino (Social Casino)
- GlobalPoker (Online Poker)
- LuckyLand Slots (Social Casino)
- Funzpoints (Sweepstakes Site)
As long as these sites allow you to play for free, and the prizes are awarded as advertised, they operate within the bounds of legality. Sweepstakes and social casino sites typically feature a variety of online casino games and poker, utilizing a dual-currency system involving coins to maintain their compliance. The exciting part is that you can indeed win real cash prizes on these platforms.
Explore a range of gaming options, including:
- Slot Games:These closely resemble online casino slots, offering both play money and real money equivalents. You can enjoy substantial payouts and even find progressive slots, similar to what you'd encounter in a traditional online casino. Additionally, sweepstakes sites often feature video poker games.
- Table Games:While options for table games are somewhat limited, you can still find variations like online blackjack. Some sites also offer roulette, keno, and Caribbean stud poker for those who prefer table gaming experiences.
- Online Poker:Global Poker stands out as the go-to platform for online poker. While real-money online poker isn't currently available in Illinois, Global Poker provides opportunities to play no-limit Texas hold ’em, pot-limit Omaha, and Crazy Pineapple in cash games, tournaments, and sit-n-go formats.
Social Illinois Online Casinos
Despite the prohibition of online casinos in Illinois, social casinos provide users with comparable gaming experiences, albeit with lower stakes.
Social casinos function as free-to-play gambling games, similar to those found on social media platforms. While users cannot win real money, they have the opportunity to earn credits or points redeemable for cash prizes.
Currently, social casinos are the sole online gambling option in Illinois, offering a diverse range of slot machines, table games, and poker. Although traditional online gambling is not legally allowed, social casino games provide a compelling alternative for players seeking excitement from the comfort of their homes.
- Stake.us - In Illinois, Stake.us stands out as a premier option for social casino games, offering a vast selection of favorites like slots, live dealer games, and classic table games. The platform also features over 20 original games, including Hilo, Keno, and Plinko. Stake.us provides users with daily and weekly promotions, offering free game credits and raffle tickets.
- Chumba - Chumba is another excellent choice for Illinois bettors looking for an online casino alternative. With over 150 games, including Jackpot Slots and Slingo, Chumba caters to various preferences. The platform offers classic slot machines, five-reel and video slots, progressive jackpot slots, and more. The appeal of Chumba lies in its free-to-play model, ensuring a diverse gaming experience without compromising variety.
- LuckyLand Slots- LuckyLand Slots, a unique option, provides exclusive slot machines not available elsewhere. Players can wager with gold coins or sweeps coins, the latter redeemable for cash prizes. With efficient Electronic Funds Transfers for cash prizes and dedicated customer support, LuckyLand Slots offers a distinctive social casino experience.
- Pulsz Casino- Pulsz Casino emerges as one of the largest social casinos nationally, gaining popularity in Illinois. Boasting over 500 casino games, Pulsz features a variety of slot machines, including classic themes like Gold Rush and newer options like Fruit Super Nova 40. Alongside casino standards like Texas Hold ‘Em and Blackjack, Pulsz offers a broad spectrum of gaming options for Illinois players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Illinois?
Online sports betting is legal in Illinois, with licensed operators offering a range of options for sports enthusiasts.
What Are The Popular Payment Methods For Online Gambling In Illinois?
Several popular payment methods are accepted for online gambling in Illinois, including credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers.
Are There Any Exclusive Bonuses For Illinois Online Casino Players?
Yes, many online casinos in Illinois offer exclusive bonuses for players, including welcome bonuses, free spins, and ongoing promotions.
How Does Online Poker Work In Illinois?
Online poker in Illinois operates through licensed platforms, providing players with various poker variants and tournament options.
What Age Restrictions Apply To Online Gambling In Illinois?
To engage in online gambling activities in Illinois, individuals must be at least 21 years old, in compliance with state regulations.
Final Words
Online gaming in Illinois is going through some changes at the moment. Since the law restricts access to online casinos, users are only able to play at social casinos.
While social casinos may be quite good for bettors wishing to sublimate the thrill and enjoyment of retail betting at home, they don't quite scratch the itch that online casinos provide.
Despite the fact that, as discussed below, no legislative measures have gained enough impetus to succeed, internet casinos are likely to arrive in Illinois given the magnitude of the state's betting industry and the widespread acceptance of gambling.
Rock Wildfire
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Rock Wildfire is an enigmatic individual whose very presence exudes an air of mystery and intrigue. With a commanding physique and a bald head adorned with expressive tattoos, Rock stands as a living masterpiece. His piercing gaze, often hidden behind stylish sunglasses, adds an extra layer of intrigue to his persona.
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Professor Jhiz
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Professor Jhiz brings fun to teaching anatomy. Born in China, she shares her fascination for how the body works.
Students say her lectures are lively with jokes and stories. She draws cartoon diagrams that highlight structures creatively.
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When not teaching, Jhiz enjoys karaoke and novelty socks. Her goal is passing on a spirit of wonder to students.
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