While Illinois online casinos are not legal yet, there are workarounds that allow you to play casino games online right now.
Firstly, you can use one of the . These sites provide all the casino games you’d find within state lines but aren’t considered a casino. Instead, they’re classified as sweepstakes, which is a legal form of gaming in Illinois. Moreover, you can exchange sweepstakes credits (scores points) for sweeps coins (virtual currency). Both credit and coin types allow you to play games and redeem prizes.
The second way around the lack of is to look outside your state for legit opportunities. There are many reputable platforms operating outside US jurisdiction that accept players from Illinois.
I’ve done some research on both in-state and offshore options and created a list of five IL online casinos to try this year and three to avoid at all costs.
Best Illinois Online Casino Sites For 2023
- (Best IL Online Casino Overall)
- Ignition Casino (Top-Rated Collection of Table Games)
- mBit Casino (Most Diverse Live Dealer Casino Games)
- Slots.lv (Excellent Welcome Bonus for SLots Players)
- MyB Casino (Great Mobile Platform for Playing on the Go)
- BetOnline (Offers Poker and Sports Betting Markets)
- Bovada (Best for Fast and Reliable Withdrawals)
- XBet (Great Promotions and Offers for Existing Customers)
- Wild Casino (Best Selection of Virtual Table Games)
- Lupin Casino (Excellent VIP Program for High Rollers)
How We Ranked the Best Illinois Online Casino Sites
Before jumping into my recommendations for Illinois virtual casinos, I want to explain how we rank them. Regardless if we talk about or land-based venues, certain factors determine how good an operator actually is. Player safety always comes first, which means we start our review process with licensing and security checks.
Once we confirm that an online casino in Illinois (or offshore) operates under strict regulations and uses the latest encryption technologies, we analyze the game selection. The best virtual casinos offer hundreds of slots, various table games, and live dealer lobbies. You will also find different categories of casino sites in this guide. Some of them are licensed and legal in Illinois, meaning you can access them in state lines.
Others are based outside US jurisdiction but welcome players from Illinois with open arms. If fair games and trusted results are essential for you, make sure that the RNG testing certificates from third-party organizations are visible on the casino’s website. Speaking of trust – a varied portfolio of bonuses and promotions is a must for online casinos. Therefore, we assess the catalogs and check the terms to see the real value of each offer.
Lastly, a safe and fast banking method portfolio is crucial for online transactions. Most operators accept credit/debit cards and have set aside room for top cryptos (BTC, ETH, LTC, etc.). A professional customer support service completes a great online casino in Illinois. Most platforms offer 24/7 assistance through live chat, phone, and email.
Illinois Online Casinos By Type
As I said, there are two main types of IL virtual casinos. The first category gathers sites with local licenses and restrictions accessible only to players located in Illinois. Potential customers outside the state, as well as users looking to access illegitimate gambling platforms, are banned. That’s sadly the case of Only Casino, the only regulated virtual operator in Illinois.
It became operational in 2020 after reaching a partnership with the Caesars Casino Hotel in Elizabethville. As you guessed, only players who are also registered in Caesars are allowed to access the connected online platform and place wagers. On the bright side, the site is secure, offers fair games, and has a rich portfolio of daily promotions. Plus, you can easily switch from digital tables to real ones if you decide to change scenery.
On the other hand, the Illinois Gambling Act of 2019 only legalized online , poker, and sports betting. Lottery tickets and bingo cards are also available for players over 18. However, marijuana online sales are still prohibited, along with swipeable debit/credits. That’s why you must use workarounds to gamble online in Illinois and benefit from perks such as sign up bonuses and enhanced comp points. You can either try your chances on local sweepstakes casinos or look for legit offshore online casinos that don’t operate under US jurisdiction but accept players from Illinois. You don’t risk breaking any laws by using the latter, as long as the operator is transparent and holds the necessary gambling licenses.
Offshore IL Online Casinos
Although Illinois virtual casinos are subject to change once state lawmakers decide to legalize them, most operators offer a stable gaming environment. Safety is always the number one priority when choosing an online casino, regardless if it’s available in other states or outside US borders. Licensed offshore sites use advanced encryption protocols for storing and transferring user data. They also have reliable random number generators (RNG) that ensure honest results for all casino games.
Moreover, the best IL online casinos offshore have portfolios with thousands of slots and other types of casino games. You can benefit from juicy welcome deposits and loyal compensation programs for loyal customers. Fast and efficient banking methods help you load your account quickly and withdraw your winnings just as easy. Lastly, experienced dealers run the live gaming lobby 24/7, broadcasting all the action to your PC or mobile device.
However, you need to take certain precautions before joining any offshore online casino in Illinois. First of all, verify its licensing and certification status. Check the country where it operates from and see what types of online gambling are legal there. Some countries have relaxed legislation towards gambling websites, which makes them popular havens for online casinos. The Maldives, Curaçao, Panama, and Costa Rica are some of the most popular gambling destinations.
Secondly, scrutinize the casino’s terminator and look for potential red flags. Low withdrawal limits or long processing times can be dealbreakers if you plan to chase big profits playing casino games online. Luckily, I already did the heavy lifting and gathered three amazing offshore sites accepting players from Illinois.
Best Illinois Online Casino Real Money Apps
If you think that playing at land-based casinos is more convenient than participating in, think again. Modern operators understand that people have busy lives and created dedicated apps for their online platforms. All IL online casinos I reviewed have free real money apps available for Android and iOS. These light applications offer all the features of the desktop version and allow you to play on the go. Here are the top Illinois online casino apps for 2023:
- | Percentage Payout
- | Number of Slots
- | Welcome Bonus
Deposit Options at IL Online Casinos
Another aspect you should study before creating an account on any gambling platform is the banking methods. Ideally, an IL online casino should accept multiple payment processors and cover all tastes and needs. Debit and credit cards remain the most popular solutions for loading gambling accounts due to their large spread and solid reputation. However, some users prefer to keep a low profile and avoid sharing their bank card details with online casinos. In that case, you can try wire transfers, but they often come with fees and have slow transaction processing times.
Cryptocurrencies are the new kids on the block and are slowly becoming mainstream payment methods. The most popular digital assets, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin, have strong backsings and excellent security features. Plus, anonymous users can buy, sell, send, receive, and trade them 24/7, in accordance with dedicated portfolios (e-wallets).
You should check which deposit methods are available on the Illinois virtual casino of your choice. The best sites have most or even all these banking options in their portfolios. Moreover, they offer juicy for select payments and assure users their transactions are processed in a timely manner.
Withdrawal Options at IL Online Casinos
Getting funds into your gambling account is one thing, but cashing out is totally different. While some payment processors facilitate deposits, they might fail to offer withdrawals or have very restrictive policies. That’s why you should carefully read the terms and conditions section on the Illinois online casino of your choice.
Fortunately, only relate cashouts. However, some of them might take longer than others. Credit/debit cards can take up to seven days to process a withdrawal request, while banks transfers often take even more time. If you want faster payouts, I recommend you stick to e-wallets, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrencies. These methods sometimes deliver the funds on your balance within 24 hours.
online roulette casino gameTop Real Money Casino Games in Illinois
Even if Illinois online casinos are not yet legal, local players can enjoy many games for real money online. The best sites offer hundreds of slots, scores of table games, and dozens of live dealer titles. You can even try your luck in the lotto or specialty games sections. Here are the types of titles you can enjoy on the top Illinois online casinos:
Illinois Online Slots
Slot games dominate the game lists on all IL online casinos. These easy-to-play games of chance come in many forms and deliver unique gaming experiences. Some slot machines follow a story and have multiple levels and challenging boss battles. Others boast huge grids with up to 117,649 ways to win. Certain video slots transport you to exotic locations, like Ancient Egypt or Far East jungles, and use immersive soundtracks and visual effects to keep you entertained.
If you’re new to online casinos in Illinois, I recommend you focus on slots. You just need to choose a bet size, check the paytable, and spin the reels. If you get lucky, you may trigger bonus rounds, free spins, prize multipliers, or other lucrative features.
Blackjack and Other Table Games
Illinois gambling laws don’t mention anything about online table games, so you can play blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and other casino classics on offshore sites. You just have to look for IL online casino contenders and benefit from temporary licenses that allow them to accept users from Illinois. Most platforms have dedicated blackjack sections with scores of classic and modern versions of the most popular card game.
You can play solo against the computer or join a public or private table and challenge other players. If that’s not enough, you can access the live dealer lobby and discover dozens of rooms running around the clock. You can do the same thing with roulette games, with the difference that offshore Illinois virtual casinos host fewer roulette versions and tables.
However, you can find other intriguing table games, such as Dragon Tiger, Texas Hold’em, Casino War, and more. Make sure to check the minimum and maximum bets for each title because they vary greatly. While some games are recommended for beginners and children because of theirswear deposits (ex.: $0.10), others are made for high rollers and .
Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games are a treat for every gambler’s eyes because they allow you to enjoy the thrills of real money casino games in Illinois from the comfort of your home. Professional croupiers or dealers stream blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Super 6, and other table games from specialized studios. Cameras capture their actions and broadcast the footage to users connected to the respective live lobby. You place your bets from a dedicated interface and interact with the dealer and other players through the chat box. Just make sure you meet the minimum bet for that table and have a reliable internet connection to avoid buffering issues.
Sites With Real Money Apps You Need to Try in 2023Il Online Casino Apps for Mobile Gambling
Mobile gambling apps have exploded in recent years thanks to the increasing power of smartphones and tablets. Nowadays, you can play casino games online from any touchscreen device without sacrifices in terms of graphics, sound, or features. Illinois virtual casinos are no exception and offer native or HTML5 apps for Android and iOS.
A native application is developed specifically for a certain operating system and can be downloaded and installed from the brand’s official website. An HTML5 app is accessible from any modern browser, such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Opera. Both solutions let you play sweepstakes games and offshore casino titles using your phone or tablet. You just need a relatively new device with a reliable Internet connection.
New IL Online Casinos
Old is gold, but new things are exciting because you never know what to expect. The online casino industry in Illinois is about to expand and we don’t know yet how the market will look like in the future. However, I can say for sure that new sites will emerge and try to attract attention with generous welcome bonuses and loyalty programs.
Some of these platforms might become the best Illinois online casino in a few years, so keep an eye on the following contenders: , BetUS, Bovada, DuckyLuck Casino, Las Atlantis, Rich Palms Casino, and TrustDice.
Is GamStop Complicit with IL Online Casinos?
Self-exclusion programs such as GamStop are meant to help problem gamblers ban themselves from all regulated gambling platforms in the UK and, soon, in other countries. If you voluntarily register for such a program, you will no longer be able to play at online casinos in England. That also includes all IL online casinos if they hold a license from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
Therefore, if you don’t want to exclude yourself from all online casinos in Illinois, don’t register with GamStop. Luckily, most alternative self-exclusion programs are optional and don’t affect your access to offshore online casinos. However, I don’t recommend you use any of them because setting restrictions on all gambling platforms might grant you significant financial gains. It’s up to you to decide based on your situation.
The History Of Gambling in Illinois
The history of gambling in Illinois dates back to the 1830s when people used to play faro and other card games on steamboats traveling on the Mississippi River. The state government tried several times to ban all forms of gambling but failed until 1980, when lawmakers passed the Illinois Riverboat Gaming Act.
This piece of legislation authorized paddlewheelers to offer casino games if at least 50% of their gross surface was covered, making the ships technically “riverboats”. Players could access the gambling area only while the boats were cruising on the waterways. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) was established four years later to supervise riverboads and prevent illegal activities.
Land-based casino resorts appeared in 1995 after lawmakers approved the Illinois Casino Gaming Act. Nowadays, nine establishments are authorized to offer slot machines and table games. Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) became legal in 2009 and are currently available in bars, taverns, veterans organizations, fraternal organizations, and similar venues throughout the state.
The Race Horse and Dog Track Video Gaming Act from 2012 expanded the reach of VGTs to off-track betting parlors and racetracks with active wagering licenses. The Illinois Gaming Board supervises all these types of venues and collects revenue for the Common School Fund.
The Illinois Law Testing for Alcohol and Drugs (ILTAD) also benefits from gambling earnings, together with capital projects, the Department of Human Services, and the General Revenue Fund. The Illinois Gambling Reinvestment Act from 2019 introduced important changes in state laws regarding gambling activities. Also known as the Gamblers’ Toolkit Act, this bill aims to help problem gamblers and focuses on preventing minors from accessing gambling products.
Marijuana Establishments and Adult Use (Adult Use Cannabis Control and Revenue Act) became effective in January 2020, meaning you can purchase small amounts of cannabis from licensed dispensaries without providing a medical card. However, Illinois online casinos are still scarce and only one operator has a linked land-based venue accessible only for registered guests.
Talk to Other Gamblers in Illinois Gambling Forums
Now that you know all Illinois gambling laws and have a list of the best Illinois online casinos, there’s nothing left to do but play your favorite games for real money. Before leaving, I want to show you a list of reputable gambling forums in Illinois where you can connect with other players and discuss various topics related to iGaming.
These communities are ideal for exchanging information about the best IL online casinos, sharing tips and tricks for beating specific games, asking questions, posting comments, and so much more. You can also visit our forum and share your opinion about this gambling guide or ask our admin to add more info.
Best Real Money Casino Games for Big Wins (2023)Footnotes:
- “Timeline of Illinois gambling” contains info from .
- “State-by-State Marijuana Laws 2023” was last updated on February 2023.
Anthony is a sports writer for GamblingSites.com covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more. He also covers other various topics such as entertainment, general sports betting tips, and more.
His favorite teams are the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Cubs, and Blackhawks. He also will be a temporary fan of any team if it means winning him bets.
