Illinois is gearing up for the possible legalization of online casinos, with legislative efforts intensifying in 2024. Though online casino gambling is not yet legal in the state, there’s significant momentum towards changing this. Following the introduction of the Illinois Gambling Act, Illinois has already seen great success with online sports betting, which bodes well for the future of online casinos.
In this in-depth guide, you’ll find all of the Illinois gambling details that you need, including if it’s legal to play at an online casino and where to play on land.
Online Casino Sites in Illinois
You can’t play at a real-money online casino in Illinois at this time. The state is at the beginning of a new age of gambling, but, as it stands, online casinos aren’t a feature of the state’s casinos contingent. Should the latest efforts become law, existing land-based casinos could obtain an online gaming license to run a casino website. This would allow anyone aged 21-years-old or older to play Illinois online casino games.
Best Online Casino Games in Illinois
You can’t play online casino games in Illinois at this time. The best online casinos that are permitted to operate in other states have hundreds, even thousands of games available to their players. The most popular tend to be the big-hit slot games, but several innovative table games also command a vast American audience. However, while Illinois gambling still excludes online casinos, you can’t play the best games as a state resident.
Based on the current laws in Illinois BetMGM, Caesars, Betrivers and DraftKings are among the first online casino sites/apps expected to go live in the state in 2025.
Illinois Online Casino Sites Expected in 2025
- BetMGM Casino: Known for its extensive selection of slots, table games, and live dealer options, BetMGM also offers a robust rewards program.
- FanDuel Casino: Currently operating in New Jersey, FanDuel is expected to bring its full-scale casino offerings to Illinois, featuring jackpots, promotions, and live dealer games.
- Caesars Palace Online Casino: With an upgraded app and a well-known rewards program, Caesars is ready to provide a comprehensive gaming experience.
- BetRivers Casino: Already having a strong presence in Illinois with its sports betting platform, BetRivers is anticipated to quickly expand into online casino gaming.
- DraftKings Casino: Starting in daily fantasy sports, DraftKings has expanded into online betting and offers a variety of table games and slots
Illinois Best Mobile Casino Apps
You can’t play casino games via apps for Android and iOS in Illinois at this time. Anyone hoping that the state’s standing ban on online casinos doesn’t extend to mobile casinos will be disappointed. That said, should the state open up to the idea of an Illinois online casino, it will likely introduce casino apps, too. This is based on the fact that the region permits the release of mobile sports betting apps.
Top Land-based Casinos in Illinois
You can play at several land and water-based casinos in Illinois right now. Governed by the Illinois Gaming Board, riverboat gambling is big business in the Prairie State. While there aren’t any tribal casinos to speak of, the top-rated land and water-based casinos currently stand as Rivers Casino Des Plaines, Harrah’s Joliet Casino, Jumer’s Casino Rock Island, and Harrah’s Metropolis. Each offers an extensive range of high-quality games and a great atmosphere.
Bonuses in Illinois
You can’t claim online casino bonuses in Illinois at this time. As there isn’t an Illinois online casino, there aren’t any online casino promotions or bonuses to claim. Should this change, though, Illinois gambling fans could claim matched deposit bonuses and even some free spins.
Top Bonus Offers in Illinois
You can’t claim the top bonuses for an online casino in Illinois yet. Should we see the state of legal online casino play in Illinois change, we will update this section with the very best of all of the bonus offers that you can claim.
Illinois Online Casinos FAQ
Here are the answers to the questions that many Illinois gamblers seek.
No. As it stands, online casino in Illinois is illegal, but that could change in the future.
Via your income tax reports, you’ll be charged flat rates of 24 percent by the IRS and 4.95 percent at state level.
Illinois hasn’t legalized any mobile casino apps yet, but that may change under an introduced bill.
You have to be 21-years-old for casino gaming, betting, and poker in Illinois. The state’s legal age for gambling varies based on the activity. To partake in casino games, poker, and betting, you have to be at least 21-years-old. For horse racing, bingo, and the lottery, you need to be 18-years-old.
Your gambling winnings are subject to state and federal taxation in Illinois. As the standard across the United States, the IRS considers all of your gambling winnings to be taxable income at 24 percent. The state will also tax your winnings at a flat rate of 4.95 perce.