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Written by: Filip Gromovic Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala
Gambling is a form of gaming, where the players go beyond the conventional entertainment that comes with it to predict potential outcomes. Even in 2026, some jurisdictions still frown at this practice. In the United States especially, one can find a couple of States that are yet to fully accept legal wagering opportunities.
In this guide, you’ll find out the stand of the government on wagering options in Illinois. You’ll also discover some of the best options available to residents looking to participate.
“States with restrictive online casino laws are increasingly finding themselves at a crossroads between generating tax revenue and maintaining traditional gambling frameworks. Illinois represents a fascinating case study in this ongoing national debate,” says Dr. Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director of Research at the International Gaming Institute at UNLV.
Source: https://www.unlv.edu/news/expert/brett-abarbanel
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One question on the lips of gamers in the State is «Is wagering illegal in Illinois?» The question draws varied opinions and can be confusing, except when one looks at the contexts. Yes, iGaming is currently not legal in Illinois for the moment. However, enthusiasts can use the services of any of the physical casinos to enjoy and wager on their favorite games.
The absence of real money options for casino games is not discouraging, especially if you’re interested in other forms. In this section, we talk about some of the accepted forms.
For now, Interactive Gaming (iGaming) opportunities, including top online casinos, are prohibited in Illinois. However, you may explore some options for real money wagering on casino games. The most popular are social and sweepstakes. They’re perfect for players who are looking for that casino-style gameplay with the attendant wagering.
Keep in mind that this option is offered through a casino site that supports the same. Such a platform operates a different legal model, which is the opposite of what’s obtainable in traditional venues. Also, these sites are allowed to offer games patterned after Illinois casinos 2026, even in the state.
We’ll discuss how they work with a table:
| Social Casinos | Sweepstakes Casinos |
| These are sites that allow users to engage in casino gameplay solely for entertainment purposes. | In a sweepstakes casino, users are allowed to purchase gold coins and receive sweep coins. |
| Since the aim is entertainment, users are not allowed to cash out their winnings. | On the contrary, those who use sweepstakes can redeem their sweep coins for cash prizes. They can also receive these coins as promotional bonuses at casino sites. |
Efforts have been made in the last decades to legalize casino games in the state. The continuous illegality of casino games, such as online poker and slots, is because of the inability to achieve a conclusive decision on legalizing the process. Particular efforts towards this end have been made through these initiatives:
The Internet Gaming Act is the brainchild of these bills and experts are hopeful that it might bring about the much needed legislation that’d uphold iGaming in the state. Among many other things, the act seeks to permit racetracks and casinos to offer online gaming services either as a partnership with licensed platforms or directly.
If enacted into law, the act will allow IL online casinos to operate in the state, as well as:
The act also seeks to obtain a 15% privilege tax on the declared gross revenue generated from iGaming. When enacted, it’d also ensure strict compliance, by empowering the regulatory board to oversee the operations of licensed online casinos.
“Illinois faces significant budget pressures, and the potential $500-700 million in annual revenue from regulated online casinos is increasingly difficult to ignore. The question isn’t if Illinois will legalize, but when,” notes Chris Grove, Managing Director at Acies Consulting Group and recognized expert in U.S. gambling policy.
Source: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgrove/
Now that we know the status of platforms in IL, let’s look at some of the options worth exploring, pending the legislation is passed.
Also called DFS, this is a form of wagering available in Illinois. It entails competing in a fast-paced fantasy sport with the aim of managing teams for short-term contests of real athletes. Thus, you can build up these teams using real-life athletes, while sharing the pool prize at casinos in Illinois.
One could argue that sports betting and casino betting are different, but they offer the same value — a mix of entertainment and money-making. In Illinois, you’re allowed to engage in online sportsbook activities, provided your bets are:
To stay clear of the law, one can engage in one of the most common forms of betting at casinos — horse racing. The state has a long history in this regard and has gone on to permanently place horse race betting in the Interstate Horseracing Act.
If choosing this option, ensure that:
Some platforms allow you to engage in casino-style gaming and wagering. Those are what we’ll look at in this section.
A majority of the sites we cover here operate based on the provisions of social and sweepstakes, which use virtual currency to enable casino gameplay and wagering. The choice of one depends on what you expect to benefit from, as well as the overall structure of the platform.
Here are some important points worth noting about these sites:
Generally, the choice between the two boils down to these options:
That being said, here is a list of the best casinos that players can use to engage in social and sweepstakes opportunities in Illinois.
Considering that sweepstakes and social casinos are the best options out there, we went shopping for some of the best platforms to use. We found Crown Coins and have reviewed the offerings and found them ideal for players who want to partake in wagering without going against the law at this time.
What makes this casino site better than the others out there? First, Crown Coins has gained a reputation over the years across core offerings, such as extensive bonus options. While some users complain of the limited games, the platform makes up for this by ensuring that the available content is rich and lets you win big.
It’s the best choice for Illinois sweepstakes fans, for these reasons:
For lovers of slots, you can play exclusively on the Ducky Luck website. It offers a decent game library, including some of your best online casino games.
In the casino section, you’re treated to a host of options, including slots, jackpots and video poker. Particularly, the slot games online are sourced by leading software developers, including Tom Horn, Gaming, Rival Gaming and BGaming. You’ll also find titles from Arrow’s Edge Spinomenal and Dragon Gaming.
Some of the slot game titles are:
The limitations in offering wagering in Illinois discouraged many players. Rather than play and wager on the games they love, they’re made to do with the limited options and the platform-centric offerings. For those who don’t like specific games, such as slots, we have a new platform worth checking out. The name is XBet.
It allows you to engage in casino activities and the offerings cut across some of the core games. You can play and bet on the outcome of video poker, table games like blackjack and slot machines. Others include:
Some of the casino game titles are:
Most social and sweepstakes sites do not offer many bonuses. This is because a good majority of the offerings are in the form of cash prizes, which must be redeemed. We went looking for another site that could offer one. Bovada caught our fancy and we checked out the following:
Prize pools are the amount of money that players compete to win in a casino game. This offers higher winning chances, provided the players go about it the right way.
Miami Club is the platform where you can benefit from this. It has been offering this service to Illinois players since 2012. Within this time, the platform has created many winners, thanks to the audited Random Number Generator (RNG) that ensures fair play.
Here, you compete with others across over 20 tournaments with different prize pools attached. Also, these pools are ranked based on:
The platform also offers a welcome bonus, which is matched up to the sum of $800. On each deposit, you’re offered 100% of that value, and each bonus is valued at $100. For the first eight bonuses, you’ll get $800. All prizes offered here are directly credited to your account and can be used to wager on all the games on the platform.
To help the users further, Miami Club also allows you to benefit from the Miami Club Levels. It’s a loyalty program dedicated to regular customers. There are six (6) levels, and attaining the next level is subject to earning a number of reward points. For example, you’ll be upgraded to the Flamingo level on purchasing $20 worth of casino credits. Getting to the Ocean Drive level requires 500,000 reward points, while 1 million reward points get you to the last level — Millionaire’s Row.
Despite being a gambling-friendly state, Illinois is yet to implement a law to legalize the process. This is why players are stranded and in want of options to participate.
We understand that, despite the restrictions, there is one way to go about it. Use offshore sites. Yes, you can use websites that are registered, licensed and operated outside of the state. They’re legal in Illinois and residents up to the age of 21, who provide proof of their age can use them.
When you locate these platforms, here’s how to start betting on slots for real money:
Finding a reliable platform is one part of the research. The other is understanding how it works. As to be expected, some may operate in unconventional ways when compared to traditional offerings.
To cut to the chase, you can rely on our reviews of Illinois platforms because we considered several factors before making the list.
The best casino sites allow you to access the content only after becoming a customer. Become one by:
Funding the new account is a must since the goal is to play for real money. Navigate to the banking page and choose a preferred payment method. Popular options at casino apps include credit and debit cards, electronic wallets and cryptocurrencies.
When depositing, keep the following in mind:
The best websites offer a wide range of promotional offers, including matching your deposits to a certain percentage. Claiming these bonuses is subject to some terms:
| Types of Casino Bonuses | What They Entail |
| Match bonus | This is also called the welcome bonus. It’s offered when the first set of deposits have been made. The bonus amount is also subject to wagering requirements, which refer to the number of times the bonus amount must be betted on before cashing out the winning. |
| Free spins | These give one access to some selected virtual slot machines. You may get up to 50 Free Slots (FS), depending on the amount deposited. |
| No deposit bonus | This type of bonus is freely-given, without necessarily completing a deposit. Most times, the casino credits your account with a small amount of money to play certain games risk-free. |
The regulatory board is tasked with the responsibility of monitoring activities in the state. The responsibility also extends to:
When casinos could finally be legalized, the board will also be tasked with issuing licenses that permit them to operate in Illinois.
The regulatory board also approves casino games for retail casinos. The categories include:
As of now, many casinos operating in physical locations, are open to residents who wish to play and gamble on casino games. These are regulated and licensed by the regulatory board.
The list of retail locations and what they offer is tabulated below:
| Name of Land-Based Casino | Address | Games Offered |
| Argosy Casino Alton | Alton | It offers a sportsbook and a casino, where you can play nine (9) table games and over 500 slots and video poker. |
| Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino | East Peoria | It offers a rich selection of table game cutting across mini baccarat, blackjack, Mississippi Stud and craps. |
| Wind Creek Chicago Southland | East Hazel Crest | This is an over 70,000 square feet alternative that offers over a thousand slot machines, 56 tables games and a poker room. It also has a dedicated sportsbook. |
| Hollywood Casino Joliet | Joliet | Featuring over 1,000 slot machines and 18 table games, this casino allows residents to enjoy non-stop action at the over 50,000-square-foot gaming floor. |
| Hard Rock Casino Rockford | Rockford | This 64,000-square-foot casino offers a choice selection of 50 table games, featuring live games and a poker room. It also has over 1,300 slot machines. |
| Grand Victoria Casino | Elgin | Owned by Caesars Entertainment, it offers a mix of classic Vegas-style table games and over 700 slot machines. |
| DraftKings at Casino Queen | East St. Louis | This venue elevates guests’ experience by exposing them to a choice selection of 29 table games, 899 slot machines and video poker. |
| Hollywood Casino Aurora | Aurora | This was originally conceptualized as a riverboat casino. Gaming and Leisure Properties own it, while Penn Entertainment operates it. The casino boasts over 1,000 variants of the latest slot machines, a poker room and 21 table games, cutting across craps and blackjack. |
The year 2026 started on a good note for those clamoring for legalization in Illinois. Two bills proposed in the Illinois General Assembly sought to make this happen.
The first bill, Senate Bill 196, sponsored by Senator Cristina Castro, sought to:
The second bill, House Bill 3080 was sponsored by Representative Edgar González, Jr. The bill sought to create the Internet Gaming Act and all the other provisions outlined in Senate Bill 1963.
Both bills have been jointly sponsored by the Senator and Representative but haven’t received the nod yet from the General Assembly. This would be the second time they submitted it. This time, the second submission came with an increase of the proposed privilege tax from 15% to 25%.
As it stands, the bills are yet to receive legislative approval and thus, dampened the possibilities of getting a confirmation during the 2026-26 general assembly.
More and more residents resort to using offshore platforms to bet on sports. While these platforms are not operating within the State, they do have good patronage, especially from those who are not comfortable with the state’s in-person sports betting provisions.
When comparing it with legal options, one needs to look at the merits and demerits:
Since casino wagering in Illinois is restricted, residents prefer to use offshore sites where they can either use a VPN or proxy to bet on games.
The non-legalization of casino gaming can be traced down to many factors, one of which is problem gambling. The need to avoid addiction is paramount.
But with offshore sites, security is further reinforced, owing to the fact that offshore platforms may not have strong player protection apparatus in place. Add to that, the fact that, in case of losing funds, users may have a hard time seeking a refund.
Players relying on offshore sites may be in for a shock because some of these sites are either unlicensed or not permitted to operate in the jurisdiction. In that case, their rights are not fully assured, especially in extreme cases of paying out winnings.
When using legal options, one can fund the account with a wide range of trusted methods, including credit and debit cards, wire transfer and PayPal.
This is not always the case with offshore sites where users are required to use unfamiliar electronic wallets (e-wallets) and cryptocurrencies for payments.
Overall, using an offshore site for casino gaming in the state could be a good idea in the absence of legalization. However, one needs to be careful with the platform used. Your best bet is using the social and sweepstakes casinos that are recognized and that accept residents.
While wagering at casino apps is allowed in certain cases, the state also expects players to abide by the law. Given the rise in problem gambling and the addiction that comes with it, there has become a need to be careful while at it.
The following are some of the measures in place to promote safe play in Illinois:
If you must gamble in the state, here are some things to do:
The state also has a couple of measures in place to promote a safe culture among casinos operate. Key among these are:
Also, individuals with gambling problems can use the helpline 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) to get professional help or treatment referrals.
It appears unlikely that the General Assembly will accept the Senate Bill 1963 and House Bill 3080 sponsored by Senator Cristina Castro and Representative Edgar González, Jr., respectively. The bill pushes for the introduction of an Internet Gaming Act that recognizes and legalizes the operations of gaming operators, especially those offering casino and poker services to residents.
Against the backdrop of not getting the necessary nod for legalization, the state seems unlikely to do anything about it. Hopefully, by the commencement of the 2026 assembly, the bill will be brought up the third time.
Nevertheless, the fact that the bill remains a point of discussion and concerns over the country’s financial state may tilt towards legalization. As those familiar with the matter say, the revenue generated by unlicensed avenues, which amount to about $700 million annually, would immensely benefit the state’s budget for the fiscal years to come.
Filip Gromovic is a senior slots reviewer here at FreeSlots99 with over five years of experience evaluating the latest drops in the world of iGaming.
Being a slot fan himself, Filip approaches slot ratings just the way we like it – professionally, but also from a player’s standpoint.
That enables him to give his unbiased take on the slot’s features, gameplay and design, while only recommending top-tier releases to our readers.
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Having served FreeSlots99 for more than 5 years as a senior content editor and reviewer, Nashon Khamala has extensive knowledge in game slots and iGaming.
His membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association helps him deliver content that reaches both editorial excellence standards and an engaging information level.
By using his expertise in slots games combined with player-focused analysis, Nashon delivers a professional evaluation of slot features and player experiences in his reviews.
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