Illinois Online Casinos

Illinois could become the next state to legalize online casinos if lawmakers can drum up enough support for their proposals. In 2024, the Illinois General Assembly considered two online casino bills championed by Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. and Sen. Cristina Castro. Both advanced to committee but neither made it out before the legislature concluded business.

In the meantime, you can play online slots and table games at social and sweepstakes casinos in Illinois. They allow you to play games for entertainment, but you can also redeem cash prizes or gift cards. This guide highlights the best options in Illinois and discusses the future of real money online casinos.

Where to play online slots and blackjack in Illinois

Rank
Casinos
Offer
Features
Play
1
35 Free Sweepstakes Coins
With 1.5 Million WOW Coins Purchase
WOW Vegas Casino Review
  • Get 5 Free SC + 250,000 WOW Coins on Sign Up
  • Over 1000 Slots Games
  • Welcome Bonus and Daily Login Bonuses
  • Use Promo Code: WOWBONUS
2
5 Sweeps Coins
250 Game Coins & 600 Diamonds on Sign Up
High 5 Casino Review
  • US Players Accepted
  • 1200+ Slots & Live Dealer Games!
  • FREE Daily Rewards
  • Authentic Brand, Made in the USA
3
Up to 27.5 FREE SC
PLUS 57,500 GC
McLuck Review
  • US Players Accepted
  • Get 2.5 Free SC + 7,500 GC on Sign Up
  • Live Dealer Blackjack, Roulette, and MORE
  • Use Promo Code: PLAYBONUS
4
Up to 575,000 Gold Coins
Plus 105 Free SC
RealPrize Review
  • PLUS Earn 1000 VIP Points
  • Daily 5,000 GC Login Bonus
  • Choose from 400+ Games
  • To Claim: Click Play Now
5
30 FREE Sweepstakes Coins
With 362,000 Gold Coin Purchase
Pulsz Review
  • Free 2.3 SC + 5,000 GC on Sign Up
  • Daily FREE Sweepstakes When Logging In
  • Choose From Over 700 Games
  • Use Promo Code: BONUSPLAY
6
100,000 Crown Coins
Plus 2 Sweeps Coins on Sign Up
Crown Coins Review
  • 800K CC + 40 SC on 1st Purchase for $15.99 (150% Bonus!)
  • FREE Daily Rewards & Weekly Challenges
  • Available iOS Mobile App
  • To Claim: Click Play Now
7
250,000 Gold Coins
PLUS $25 Stake Cash
Stake.us Review
  • Over 1,000 Slots + Live Dealer Casino-Style Games + Live Poker!
  • 10,000 GC + $1 Stake Cash Daily Bonus
  • Partnerships with Drake, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake, Everton FC, and more!
  • Use Bonus Code: GETSTAKE
8
5,000 SC Free
Plus 10,000,000 Coins
  • Generous Bonuses & Daily Freebies
  • Feat. Casino Floor Slot Games
  • Daily, Weekly & Monthly Lucky Draws
  • To Claim: Click Play Now
9
50,000 Gold Coins
Plus 25 Free SC on First $9.99 Purchase
  • Get 7,500 GC + 2.5 SC Free on Sign Up
  • Play a Huge Range of Casino Games
  • Get Free Coins Daily
  • To Claim: Click Play Now
10
Up to 27.5 FREE SC
PLUS 65,000 GC
  • GC 15,000 PLUS SC 2.5 Free on Sign Up
  • Pragmatic Jackpot Play + Over 700 Slots Games
  • Free Daily Coins Reward
  • Use Exclusive Promo Code: BONUSPLAY
11
20 Free Sweep Coins
On First $20 Purchase
Chanced Casino Review
  • PLUS 2 SC + 20,000 Gold Coins on Sign Up
  • PLUS 20 FREE Spins on Account Verification
  • Live Blackjack, Roulette, and MORE
  • Instant Redemptions for US Players
12
Up to 3,400 Free SC
PLUS 1.1M GC on First Purchase
  • Get 100,000 Gold Coins + 100 Super Coins on Sign Up
  • Play in Free Daily Tournaments
  • Choose from 100+ Slots
  • Use Promo Code: ODDSBET

Are real money online casinos legal in Illinois?

No, Illinois has not yet legalized real money online casinos. However, the state’s gambling industry has expanded rapidly in recent years. In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation permitting online and in-person sports betting. He also approved the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which authorized six new brick-and-mortar casinos.

The next step would be for Illinois to legalize online casinos and iGaming. Two lawmakers, Sen. Castro and Rep. Gonzalez, introduced bills seeking to do so in 2023. Those bills eventually died in committee in 2024, meaning new legislation must be proposed in 2025 to re-start the process.

What needs to happen for Illinois to legalize online casinos?

Lawmakers such as Sen. Cristina Castro have filed multiple bills seeking to legalize online casinos in Illinois. A bill needs to gain the right level of support in both chambers, and the governor can then sign it into law. However, it won’t be easy. Illinois has the largest VLT industry in the country, and it will be ready to shoot down any and all online casino legislation that gets proposed.

Alternative options to Illinois online casinos

Anyone who is 18 or older can play games at social and sweepstakes casinos in Illinois. These sites are perfectly legal, as they follow the state’s sweepstakes regulations. We have identified the top four casinos for Illinois players to consider:

LuckyLand Slots Casino

LuckyLand Slots promo

Read more on LuckyLand Slots

Luckyland Slots is a popular social casino that has been welcoming Illinois since 2018. The site offers two types of currency: Gold Coins, which you can use to play games for fun; and Sweeps Coins, which can be redeemed for cash prizes if you complete a 1x playthrough requirement on them.

New customers will receive 7,777 Gold Coins and 10 free Sweeps Coins by creating a LuckyLand Slots account today, with no purchase required. The site offers more than 100 slots, many of which are exclusive. LuckyLand also provides many bonuses and promotions, 24/7 customer support, and quick, secure prize redemptions. In short, it’s one of the best social casinos in Illinois.

Chanced Casino

Chanced App promo

Chanced is the best casino in Illinois for live dealer games. The site hosts a wide range of live blackjack, roulette, and baccarat games. They include games with high return to player (RTP) rates, such as classic blackjack and French roulette.

You’ll also find slots from leading studios such as Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, and Relax Gaming at Chanced. The site hosts a range of original games, too, including Mines, Plinko, Dice, Keno, and Limbo. The interface is polished, and redemptions are rapid, although you must complete a 3x playthrough requirement before redeeming a prize. The Chanced welcome bonus consists of 2 Sweeps Coins and 20,000 Gold Coins.

Chumba Casino

Chumba games

Read more on Chumba Casino

Chumba Casino is another established casino. It’s been available in Illinois since 2017. This is a sister site to LuckyLand slots, so they offer some of the same games produced by their parent company, VGW Group.

However, you can also play blackjack and video poker at Chumba Casino. The site hosts live bingo games, too. Once again, you can play all of these games with Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins, and there are lots of promos on offer. The welcome offer at Chumba contains 2,000,000 FREE Gold Coins and 2 FREE Sweeps Coins.

WOW Vegas Casino

WOW Vegas games

Read more on WOW Vegas

WOW Vegas is the best sweepstakes casino for Illinois players seeking a wide variety of slots. The site hosts approximately 800 slots, including classic slots, Megaways slots, progressive jackpot slots, and much more. The games are sourced from multiple providers, offering a greater level of variety than most riverboat casinos in Illinois.

New customers can claim 5 Sweepstakes Coins via the no-purchase bonus at WOW Vegas. There are lots of ongoing promos too, and this sweepstakes casino also offers 24/7 support and reliable prize redemptions.

Other social and sweepstakes casinos

  • Punt.com Social Casino
  • Stake.US Social Casino

How prize redemption works at social and sweeps casinos

You can redeem prizes via premium coins at social and sweepstakes casinos in Illinois. The premium coins are normally called Sweeps Coins, and you can earn them through various bonuses and contests. You can also purchase Gold Coins, and you will then receive free Sweeps Coins as a reward.

Most sites impose only a 1x playthrough requirement on their Sweeps Coins, but some have a 3x playthrough requirement. If you satisfy these requirements, you can click the “Redeem” button and request a prize. Remember that you need to play through a minimum of 100 Sweeps Coins to redeem a cash prize at most sweepstakes casinos. The funds will then be transferred to your bank account or your Skrill wallet.

Illinois casino and gambling law overview

Illinois passed the Riverboat Gaming Act in 1990. This law permitted 10 riverboat casinos to launch in “economically depressed areas of the state.” These structures are essentially brick-and-mortar casinos, but they are located on docked barges close to a river. Some sit on land over inch-deep water pits.

The Video Gaming Act was passed in July 2009, allowing video gaming terminals to be placed in stores and truck stops. There are now more than 8,400 licensed video gaming locations in Illinois, offering games similar to video poker and slots. Later, the Illinois Sports Wagering Act permitted online and in-person sports betting in 2019, and the Rebuild Illinois capital program of 2019 authorized the construction of six new retail casinos.

  • Retail casinos: Yes
  • Number of casinos in Illinois: 15
  • Casino gambling age: 21
  • Top online casino alternatives: LuckyLand Slots, Chanced Casino, Chumba Casino
  • Casino slots: Yes
  • Casino table games: Yes

Who regulates casinos in Illinois?

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) regulates casinos and sportsbooks in Illinois. The IGB was created in 1990 after the Illinois General Assembly passed the Riverboat Gambling Act. The board consists of five members, appointed by the governor and approved by the Illinois Senate.

If Illinois legalizes real money online casinos, the IGB will be tasked with regulating them. The board will need to approve license applications, test games for fairness and accuracy, promote responsible gambling, and ensure that online casinos uphold their licensing conditions.

When will online casino sites be legal in Illinois?

After two online casino bills, HB 2239 and SB 1656, failed to advance in the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers must go back to the drawing board in 2025.

Should lawmakers have greater success in 2025 and get an online casino bill to Gov. Pritzker’s desk, the Illinois Gaming Board will then need to process and approve licensing applications, which could take at least a year. As such, legal online casinos are unlikely to launch until 2027 at the earliest.

How are winnings from casinos taxed?

You will need to pay taxes on your winnings only if you earn an overall profit from all gambling activities during a particular year. Any losses you incur can be deducted from your winnings, so it is helpful to keep a record of your wins and losses.

If you end the year in profit, you will need to pay a flat tax rate of 4.95% to the state of Illinois. You will also be liable for federal income tax. Any profits you earn from gambling will be added to all other income you earn, and you will be taxed accordingly. Anyone in the lowest bracket pays 10%, whereas the highest earners pay 37%.

Bonuses to expect at Illinois online casinos

If Illinois legalizes online casino gaming, we expect the country’s leading sites to go live in the Prairie State. BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetRivers all offer online sports betting in Illinois, so they would be highly likely to launch online casinos.

That would create a competitive market, inspiring rival sites to offer large bonuses in an attempt to stand out. These are some of the main promos you will be able to claim at future Illinois online casinos.

  • Welcome bonuses: These bonuses are designed to encourage new players to sign up. They include deposit match bonuses, no deposit bonuses, bonus spins, and first bet offers. You will be able to claim a single welcome bonus at each Illinois online casino.
  • No deposit bonuses: This is an attractive bonus, as the online casino provides you with bonus credits, and you do not need to deposit or risk your own money. If you complete a playthrough requirement on the bonus funds, you can cash out your winnings.
  • Deposit bonuses: The online casino will offer to match a percentage of your initial deposit with bonus funds. For example, you might be offered a 100% first deposit bonus of up to $2,500. Once again, you must complete playthrough requirements before withdrawing.
  • Bonus spins: Some Illinois online casinos will also provide you with bonus spins. For instance, you may be offered a 100% deposit bonus of up to $500, plus 200 bonus spins. Winnings from the bonus spins may be paid in cash or bonus credits.
  • Reload bonuses: These bonuses are aimed at existing customers. An online casino will offer to match your deposit with bonus funds if you top up your account balance on a particular day. A reload bonus will normally be smaller than the sign-up bonus.

Games at Illinois online casinos

The best online casinos in legal states like Michigan offer thousands of slots, plus virtual table games, live dealer games, and specialty games. Illinois online casinos would offer a similar breadth of games if they were legalized. In the meantime, you can play a variety of games at social and sweepstakes casinos in Illinois.

Online slots

The top Illinois social and sweepstakes casinos host hundreds of slots. They are similar to the slot machines found at riverboat casinos in Illinois, but they tend to have higher theoretical payout rates. You can play simple three-reel slots, modern slots with loads of bonus features, and everything in between.

Online blackjack

Blackjack has the highest RTP rate of any online casino game. Some blackjack games have a house edge of just 0.14%, so they are popular with many players. A handful of sweepstakes casinos offer virtual blackjack, and you can also play live dealer blackjack at Chanced Casino.

Online craps

Unfortunately, the social and sweepstakes casinos that operate in Illinois do not offer craps games. Real money online casinos in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania offer craps, so you should be able to play virtual and live dealer craps games if the Land of Lincoln rolls out a regulated online casino market.

Online roulette

Roulette is available at the best sweepstakes and social casinos in Illinois. The best option is Chanced, which offers a live dealer French roulette game. This game has a 1.35% house edge, compared to 2.7% on European roulette and 5.26% on European roulette, so it is an attractive option for roulette fans.

All Illinois casinos

Illinois became the second state to legalize riverboat casinos when it passed the Riverboat Gambling Act in February 1990. Argosy Casino in Alton opened for business the following year, marking the start of legal casino gaming in Illinois. There are now 10 riverboat casinos in the Prairie State. While they are defined as riverboat casinos, they are actually buildings located close to a riverbank.

In June 2019, the Rebuild Illinois capital program authorized six new brick-and-mortar casinos to launch. Most of the successful applicants have already opened temporary casinos, and they will launch permanent casinos within the next couple of years.

These are the casinos that you can visit in Illinois right now.

CasinoSlotsTable GamesCasino TypeOwnerAddressPhone Number
American Place CasinoYesYesTemporary (permanent casino opens in 2025)Full House Resorts Inc.4011 Fountain Square Pl, Waukegan, IL 60085773-477-9515
Argosy Casino AltonYesYesRiverboat CasinoPenn Entertainment1 Piasa St, Alton, IL 62002800-711-4263
Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & HotelYesYesRiverboat casinoBally’s Corp.777 Bally Blvd, Rock Island, IL 61201309-756-4600
Bally’s ChicagoYesYesTemporary (permanent casino opens in 2026)Bally’s Corp.600 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611888-822-2559
DraftKings at Casino QueenYesYesRiverboat casinoCQ Holding Company Inc.200 Front St, East St Louis, IL 62201618-874-5000
Grand Victoria Casino ElginYesYesRiverboat casinoCaesars Entertainment250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120847-468-7000
Golden Nugget DanvilleYesYesCommercial casinoLandry’s Inc.204 Eastgate Dr, Danville, IL 61834217- 271-8200
Hard Rock Casino RockfordYesYesCommercial casinoSeminole Tribe of Florida610 N Bell School Rd, Rockford, IL 61107779-269-9010
Harrah’s JolietYesYesRiverboat casinoCaesars Entertainment151 N Joliet St, Joliet, IL 60432815-740-7800
Harrah’s MetropolisYesYesRiverboat casinoCaesars Entertainment100 E Front St, Metropolis, IL 62960618-524-2628
Hollywood Casino AuroraYesYesRiverboat casinoPenn Entertainment1 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506630-801-1234
Hollywood Casino JolietYesYesRiverboat casinoPenn Entertainment777 Hollywood Blvd, Joliet, IL 60436888-436-7737
Par-A-Dice CasinoYesYesRiverboat casinoBoyd Gaming21 Blackjack Blvd, East Peoria, IL 61611309-699-7711
Rivers Casino Des PlainesYesYesRiverboat casinoRush Street Interactive3000 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018847-795-0777
Walker’s BluffYesYesCommercial casinoElite Casino Resorts777 Walkers Bluff Way, Carterville, IL 62918618-993-7777
Wind Creek Chicago SouthlandYesYesPlanned fall 2024 openingPoarch Band of Creek IndiansCorner of Lincoln Highway and Harlem Avenue866-946-3387

We will update readers if any more casinos open for business in Illinois.

Responsible gambling in Illinois

It is imperative that you gamble responsibly at casinos in Illinois. That applies to riverboat casinos, sweepstakes casinos, and potentially real money online casinos in the future. Set a budget, which should not include money that you cannot afford to lose, and stick to it. Do not chase losses, and take regular breaks.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling site for details of the local support that you can access.

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