Q: Can you play online casinos in Illinois?

Yes, but only online sweepstakes casinos. There are several ways you can gamble in Illinois; however, two exceptions are online casino games and online poker. There is pending legislation that could see online casinos legalized in 2023.

Q: Is gambling legal in Illinois?

Yes , casinos, horse racing, lottery gambling and charitable gambling have been legal in Illinois for many years. Bill SB 690 adds online and retail sports betting to this list. Gov. JB Pritzker signed this bill in June 2019. The licensing process is under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Gaming Board . The first batch of sportsbooks went live starting in May 2020. This bill allows for six more retail casinos in Illinois , including one in Chicago. The number of gambling machines in the state will also increase.

Q: Will online casinos open in Illinois, too?

It's a possibility . Several 2023 bills attempted to legalize online casinos in Illinois. It is expected to be a major legislative effort in 2024, as well. The only options for online casino games are the nationwide sites that operate legally in the state under sweepstakes gambling laws. Brands include: Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots .

Q: Will online poker launch in Illinois?

Not any time soon . As with casino games, online poker was not included in recent legislation. There is a sweepstakes site, Global Poker , that will legally offer online poker games in Illinois.

Q: Are offshore casinos legal or safe?

No , depositing at offshore casinos is a major risk. These casinos are often based in small nations in the Caribbean or Central America , with little oversight. You won't have anyone to turn to if you have nonpayment or other dispute.

Q: What is the legal gambling age in Illinois?

You must be 21 years or older to place a bet legally in Illinois.

Question 1

Can you play online casinos in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only online sweepstakes casinos. There are several ways you can gamble in Illinois; however, two exceptions are online casino games and online poker. There is pending legislation that could see online casinos legalized in 2023.

Question 2

Is gambling legal in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

Yes, casinos, horse racing, lottery gambling and charitable gambling have been legal in Illinois for many years. Bill SB 690 adds online and retail sports betting to this list. Gov. JB Pritzker signed this bill in June 2019. The licensing process is under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Gaming Board. The first batch of sportsbooks went live starting in May 2020. This bill allows for six more retail casinos in Illinois, including one in Chicago. The number of gambling machines in the state will also increase.

Question 3

Will online casinos open in Illinois, too?

Accepted Answer

It's a possibility. Several 2023 bills attempted to legalize online casinos in Illinois. It is expected to be a major legislative effort in 2024, as well. The only options for online casino games are the nationwide sites that operate legally in the state under sweepstakes gambling laws. Brands include: Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots.

Question 4

Will online poker launch in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

Not any time soon. As with casino games, online poker was not included in recent legislation. There is a sweepstakes site, Global Poker, that will legally offer online poker games in Illinois.

Question 5

Are offshore casinos legal or safe?

Accepted Answer

No, depositing at offshore casinos is a major risk. These casinos are often based in small nations in the Caribbean or Central America, with little oversight. You won't have anyone to turn to if you have nonpayment or other dispute.

Question 6

What is the legal gambling age in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

You must be 21 years or older to place a bet legally in Illinois.

Question 7

What can I bet on in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

Most forms of gambling are available in the Prairie State, though not all of them are available online. These include:

Casino games and slots at retail casinos or online sweepstakes gambling sites.
Poker at casinos or charity poker rooms or via sweepstakes gambling.
Sports betting online or at retail venues.
Lottery games include Illinois-only draws, multi-state draws, scratch cards and online games.
Horse racing bets via the pari-mutuel pools, live and online.
DFS contests run in IL, though these are the topic of legal challenges.

There are also bingo and draws allowed under charitable gambling regulations.

Jenn Montgomery

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