There are currently 15 legal poker rooms in Illinois after a big expansion of legal gaming in 2021. That number will likely grow when the Chicago casino opens in the city, probably in 2024. The Lawful Gambling Act of 2019 authorized the construction of five new land-based casinos in Illinois and allowed the addition of poker rooms at racetracks.
Here are the venues now offering games to the public. All of them spread both cash games and tournaments with a wide variety of limits. You'll find both Texas Hold'em and Omaha available throughout the state.
Top Illinois Poker Rooms
- ¹ . Great Games, Promotions and Hospitality in the Chicago Area.
- ² Par-A-Dice has added new tables and improved the room substantially since our review.
- ³ Located inside Harrah’s Casino in Joliet.
1. Hollywood Casino Aurora
Hollywood Casino Aurora was the first to open its doors in 2022 and it's our top pick among the new poker rooms in Illinois. It features 16 tables and runs series of tournaments every month. One of the highlights is the deepstacked events with $100k in guaranteed prize pools.
The surrounding area isn't much, as it's basically in an industrial park outside of town. But there is a large Hollywood Casino in downtown Aurora with restaurants, shops and a movie theater across the street. Chicago is less than 30 miles away if you want the big city. The poker room itself is spacious and modern with comfortable seats, big TVs and plenty of outlets. They serve food and drink right to the tables and offer a players club with excellent rewards.
Hollywood Casino Aurora Address:
5000 East Main Street, Aurora, Illinois 60504
Phone:
630-892-3200
Email:
Islandslider@hollywoodcasino.com
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
2. Par-A-Dice Riverfront Gaming & Casino
Par-A-Dice Riverfront Gaming & Casino opened their poker room in November of 2022 and it's already one of the best in Illinois. They started with just six tables, but recently added another ten, making it one of the largest rooms in the state. Peak hours can still be crowded, so they may bring on more dealers soon.
Like the other newer rooms in the state, this one features high-end table, quality chairs and nice overhead lighting. And they offer great promotions to go along with it. This is the only room near Peoria and it draws players from a relatively large area.
Par-A-Dice Riverfront Gaming & Casino Address:
777 W Water St, East Peoria, IL 61635
Phone:
309-694-8440
Email:
Contact form only through website.
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
3. Harrah’s Casino Hotel Joliet
Harrah’s Casino Hotel Joliet is the first of the larger casino chains to enter the Illinois poker market and their room does not disappoint. It features 18 tables, comfortable seating, multiple TVs and plenty of outlets. There's also high-definition televisions at every seat, WiFi, power outlets at every seat and charging stations.
Best Real Money Gambling Apps in PennsylvaniaThe venue as a whole if first class as well. There are over 1,000 hotel rooms, dozens of retail stores and several places to eat. It's located just south of Chicago and I-80 makes for an easy drive from all parts of the state.
Harrah’s Casino Hotel Joliet Address:
151 N Weber Rd, Robbins, IL 60472
Phone:
708-210-7600
Email:
Contact form only through website.
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
4. Grand Victoria Casino (Elgin)
The Grand Victoria Casino has a smaller poker room than some, with just 8 tables. But it's open daily from early afternoon until late at night, which is more than many rooms can say for themselves. They spread No Limit Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha and games typically start at $.50/$.50.
This is a full service casino with over 500 slot machines, roulette, craps, Spanish 21, pai gow, three card poker and three kinds of texas hold'ems. There's even a keno lounge with 50 HDTVs showing nine hour sessions of Keno drawings. The facility is owned by MGM Resorts and is located about 40 miles northwest of Chicago.
Grand Victoria Casino Address:
1400 Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Phone:
847-468-7000
Email:
Contact form only through website.
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
5. Hollywood Casino Aurora
The second Hollywood Casino to open in Illinois, this one is in the Chicago suburb of Aurora. It features 12 poker tables and games that range from $.50/$.50 up to $5/$10. Same as its sister casino in Chicago, this one offers live poker tournaments every month with good guarantees. They also have more than 500 of the latest slot and video poker machines, plus 35 table games including blackjack, pai gow and Spanish 21. Enjoy stellar dining options including Ruby Tuesday, a fabulous steakhouse, and the buffet.
Hollywood Casino Aurora Address:
2000 West New York Street, Aurora, Illinois 60506
Phone:
630-892-3200
Email:
Islandslider@hollywoodcasino.com
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
6. Argosy Casino Alton
Argosy Casino Alton is just across the river from St Louis and is owned by Caesars Entertainment. Their poker room offers 8 tables of No Limit Hold'em and Omaha with a solid promotion schedule. . On Tuesdays, they give away a Harley Davidson motorcycle each month. Other regular promos include bad beat jackpots, high hand bonuses and freerolls.
Apps Like FanDuel Casino You Need to TryGamblers will find hundreds of slot machines, electronic tartets and video poker here. Table game options include blackjack, craps, roulette and pai gow. There's also a full restaurant row in the casino with choices ranging from fast food to fine dining.
Argosy Casino Alton Address:
1 Piasa Port Drive, Alton, Illinois 62002
Phone:
618-463-9880
Email:
Contact form only through website.
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
7. Fairview Heights Casino & Hotel
Fairview Heights opened in December of 2022 and quickly became of the most popular in Southern Illinois. The poker room features 10 tables and is open daily from noon until 6 am. Games begin at $.50/$.50 and go up to $5/$10. They also offer monthly tournaments with buy-ins from $250 to $650 and solid guarantees.
This is part of the Century Casino chain and there are some fantastic dining options at the property. Including Triple 7's, a steak house that's been named one of the best in the US by USA Today's 10Best Readers Choice Awards. The venue also boasts 500 slots and video poker machines, plus over a dozen table games.
Fairview Heights Casino & Hotel Address:
1215 Lebanon Avenue, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62248
Phone:
618-462-8731
Email:
Contact form only through website.
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
8. Grand Victoria Casino (Elgin)
The Grand Victoria Casino has a smaller poker room than some, with just 8 tables. But it's open daily from early afternoon until late at night, which is more than many rooms can say for themselves. They spread No Limit Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha and games typically start at $.50/$.50.
This is a full service casino with over 500 slot machines, roulette, craps, Spanish 21, pai gow, three kind of texas hold’ems. There’s even a keno lounge with 50 HDTVs showing nine hour sessions of Keno drawings. The facility is owned by MGM Resorts and is located about 40 miles northwest of Chicago.
Grand Victoria Casino Address:
1400 Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Phone:
847-468-7000
Email:
Contact form only through website.
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
8. Par-A-Dice Casino
Par-A-Dice Casino recently remodeled their poker room and added four extra tables, bringing the total to ten. That may not seem like much, but it's one of the bigger rooms outside of Chicago proper. Blinds start at $.50/$.50 and they host regular tournaments with reasonable buy-ins. This casino is located between Peoria and Bloomington and it's the largest employer in central Illinois.
There are nearly 700 slots and video poker machines to enjoy, along with all of your favorite table games. Eateries within the casino include Sally’s Diner, a 1950’s style eatery, and Jimmy’s Bar & Grill, which features live music on weekends.
Par-A-Dice Casino Address:
2007 W Hites Rd, East Peoria, IL 61635
Phone:
309-694-7600
Email:
Contact form only through website.
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
9. Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge
Rounding out our list of best Illinois poker rooms is Hollywood Casino in nearby Hammond, Indiana. Technically it's not in Illinois, but it's only about 25 miles east of Gary/Chicago International Airport and an easy drive from most of the Chicagoland burbs.
The poker room has 15 tables and spreads No Limit Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha. Blinds start at $.50/ $.50 and go up to $3 /$5. Games run daily from 10:30 AM until late in the night.
This is the largest poker room in Northwest Indiana and it offers a loyalty program with good rewards. The main attraction, though, is the Majestic Star Casino, which boasts more than 1,400 of the hottest slot machines, electronic game tables, and classic games such as roulette and blackjack. Three casual eateries and two full-service restaurants complete the package.
Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge Address:
7770 U.S. 6, Whiting, IN 46394
Phone:
219-whiteng (@whiteng)
Email:
Contact form only through website.
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
Additional Illinois Card Rooms
The following venues also offer poker games, but do not have dedicated rooms or extensive schedules. Call ahead to make sure games are running.
10. Harrah’s Metropolis Casino
Harrah’s Metropolis Casino is one of three casinos the Mississippi River town of Metropolis. This one is owned by Vici Properties and features 500 of the hottest slot machines, electronic game tables, and classic games such as roulette and blackjack.
Slot Machine Secrets Casino Don't Want You To KnowThey also have 3 Missouri Hold ‘Em Live Table poker tables. Games typically start at 11 am and run until 3 am or later. Call ahead to confirm. This casino is located across the street from the world's biggest Grumpy Cat meme.
Harrah’s Metropolis Casino Address:
200 Harbor Drive, Metropolis, Illinois 62960
Phone:
877-737-7635 (@PlayMetropolis)
Email:
Contact form only through website.
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
11. Casino Aztar Jasper
Casino Aztar Jasper is one of three casinos the Mississippi River town of This one is owned by Centaur Gaming and features 500 of the hottest slot machines, electronic game tables, and classic games such as roulette and blackjack. They also have 3 Missouri Hold 'Em Live Table poker tables. Games typically start at 11 am and run until 3 am or later. Call ahead to confirm.
Casino Aztar Jasper Address:
500 Bell Ave, Golconda, IL 62938
Phone:
618-683-2222
Email:
info@casinoaztar.com
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
12. Casino Aztar Ford Center
Casino Aztar Ford Center is one of three casinos in the Mississippi River town of This one is owned by Centaur Gaming and features 500 of the hottest slot machines, electronic game tables, and classic games such as roulette and blackjack. They also have 3 Missouri Hold 'Em Live Table poker tables. Games typically start at 11 am and run until 3 am or later. Call ahead to confirm.
Casino Aztar Ford Center Address:
512 N Illinois Ave, Pierron, IL 62974
Phone:
618-793-2222
Email:
info@casinoaztar.com
Hours:
- Sun-Thu: 11 am-3 am
- Fri-Sat: 11 am-5 am
What's the Legal Situation with Illinois Poker?
State Rep Lisa Hernandez introduced House Bill 3973 back in February of 2019 with the intent of regulating online poker. It would also allow existing facilities to add a poker room and establish new ones.
Governor Pritzker signed the Gaming Bundle into law on July 1, 2019. It authorizes the addition of up to five new land-based casinos and allows existing race tracks to add table games and up to 300 new gaming positions. That expanded gaming is expected to generate up to $670 million per year in revenue for the state.
The Legislation is known as the "Racing and Gaming Act of 2019" or more affectionately known as the “gaming bubble.”
One portion of the law specifically addresses poker. It reads, in pertinent part:
“(f) authorize a holder of a license for a race track to operate up to 20 tables for the play of poker if food and beverage are served and if other table games are not operated pursuant to this Section; provided further, that no additional licenses shall be issued for the operation of poker rooms…”
The law went into effect immediately upon signing. Racing and Gaming Act of 2019, 20 ILCS 805/, Laws 2019, 1st Ex. Sess., ch. 1, § 5.
That means racetracks were allowed to apply for licenses to add poker rooms. They had until June 30, 2021 to submit their applications to the Illinois Gaming Board. Any approved rooms must then open for business by June 30, 2023.
Big Changes Ahead for Illinois Gaming
Bally’s, the struggling casino company that once owned the Grand Casino in Tunica, Mississippi, is set to purchase the downtown Chicago Temple Vegas Casino for $24 million. They then plan to tear down both buildings and construct a $740 million dollar casino resort that rivals anything in Las Vegas or Atlantic City.
No Deposit Bonus Casinos in the USA for 2023 [Free Money]The 75-story Temple building is one of Chicago’s most distinctive skyscrapers while the Vegas Casino across the street is one of the city’s worst performers. Union Gaming estimated Vegas’s annual revenues at around $16 million, well below even the smallest of Chicago casinos.
The new Bally’s property is expected to feature 1,500 slot machines, 100 table games, a 35-table poker room, 20 poker tables and 400 hotel rooms. There will also be ten restaurants and bars, including a rooftop lounge with stunning views of the city. Construction should begin sometime in 2022 and take 36 months to complete.
Meanwhile, The Cordish Companies, who own the Hard Rock brand, are working on their own mega-resort just Across the Chicago River from Bally’s. They purchased the old Montreal Canadiens hockey arena and a vacant surface lot for $21 million in May of 2021.
Their plans call for a $1.3 billion project called “The 78,” anchored by a 2,400-seat Hard Rock Casino with another 35-50 acres available for future development. That could eventually include hotels, condos, offices, parking garages, parks, riverwalks, restaurants and entertainment venues.
These two developments promise to make Chicago Poker a major destination for years to come.
Chicago Poker Options
For now, Midwest grinders must content themselves with the small but growing selection of Chicago area poker rooms. Here are the current options closest to downtown Chicago.
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Rivers Casino - This is the largest casino in Chicago and part of the Churchill Downs family. The poker room has 12 tables spreading No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha. It also offers a loyalty program with good rewards. Game spreads start at $.50/ $.50 and blinds max out at $3 /$5. The casino itself offers more than 1,200 of the hottest slot machines, electronic game tables, and classic games such as roulette and blackjack. Three casual eateries and two full-service restaurants complete the package.
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Alderking Gaming - This may be the smallest poker room in the Windy City, but it has a loyal following. With just 6 tables, it’s rarely crowded and the staff knows the regulars by name. No loyalty program yet, but food and drinks are free while in play.
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Maryville Boulevard Café Club - This poker room is located about 30 miles northeast of downtown Chicago in a suburban restaurant. It’s open 24 hours and hosts NLHE cash games and tourneys almost every day. Highest stakes are $1/$2 with $200 maximum buy-in.
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Prairie State Gaming - This poker room is located about 35 southeast of downtown Chicago in a suburban casino. It hosts . Among the most popular are Monday Night Steak Special ($20 buy-in includes a seven-ounce sirloin dinner) and Friday Night Showdown ($50 buy-in, $10,000 guaranteed prize pool).
History of Gambling and Regulated Poker in Illinois
Voters approved a referendum in 1990 to authorize riverboat casinos and the state’s first floating casino set sail in 1991. Eight others followed suit and Illinois was suddenly a viable gambling destination. The Recession of 2008 hit the industry hard and three of the state’s casinos shut down. Two of them have since reopened under new management.
Then, in 2012, laws relaxing gambling restrictions took effect. The Race Horse Industry Improvement Act of 2012 ended the requirement that table games and slot machines had to be located on boats moving between different points. That led to many of the state’s casinos remodeling and expanding their operations.
The Legislation also allowed the addition of video gaming terminals (VGTs) at bars, fraternal organizations and other establishments. As of August 2021, there were over 35,000 VGTs in more than 8,500 locations throughout the state.
Online sports betting became legal in 2019 and the first mobile apps launched in March of 2020. Despite being launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, operators bet almost $4.5 billion last year and generated close to $280 million in revenue.
Same with poker. Governor Pritzker signed the Gaming Bundle into law on July 1, 2019 allowing the addition of poker rooms to existing facilities and establishing new ones. The first of those opened in September of 2021 and many more are planned for the next few years.
twin casino promo codeIllinois Online Poker
Legalizing online poker was part of the Gaming Bubble passed in 2019, however, the legislation stated that in-person registration would be required before one could create an online gaming account. A subsequent bill, SB690, tried to remove that provision but failed to pass before the end of the legislative session.
As of now, there is no set timetable for introducing another bill to strike that registration requirement. Until then, all forms of online poker are still considered illegal in Illinois.
Live Poker Rooms by City
Still looking for the perfect IL poker room? Below you will find our complete listing of all poker rooms and card rooms in Illinois in order by city.
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Is poker legal in Illinois?
Yes. The state of Illinois legalized In January of 2020, Governor Pritzer signed a bill that permits the formation of new live poker rooms and allows existing horse racing tracks to add poker rooms. The first of these new poker rooms opened in September of 2021 and more are planned for the Chicago area in the coming years.
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Where can I play poker in Illinois?
There are currently 14 live poker rooms operating in Illinois. See our list above for specific locations, contact info and games schedules.
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Where can I play poker in Chicago?
If you’re looking for the best poker action in Illinois, head to the Windy City. There are four live poker rooms in Chicago proper with numerous card rooms scattered through the suburbs. See our list above for details.
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Who can play poker in Illinois?
Anyone 21+ with valid ID. Like most states, Illinois requires players to be at least 21 years old to play at licensed poker rooms and casinos.
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Does Illinois have online poker?
Not yet. Legislators included language in the 2019 Gaming Bundle that would have legalized online poker and mobile apps. But a last-minute amendment required in-person registration before one could create an online gaming account. That provision killed the online gaming language before the bill was signed into law.
Advocates introduced similar bills in 2020 and 2021, but none made it out of committee for a vote. It might happen in 2022, but there are no firm commitments at this time.
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Will Illinois legalize online poker?
We think so. Support is clearly building in the state legislature and among constituents. Plus, legalization would generate millions in extra revenue for the state, provide entertainment for residents during the long winters and draw tourists to the state’s many gaming facilities.
Great Tips on How to Win at Online CasinosThe Illinois Gaming Board established rules and regulations for online and mobile gaming in 2020, so the infrastructure is already in place. It’s just a matter of time before politicians muster the necessary votes to get an online gaming bill to Governor Pritzker’s desk.
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Why is Illinois poker online not available yet?
The Illinois poker online is not available because lawmakers added a provision requiring in-person registration before one could create an online gaming account. This happened at the very last minute and caught many interested parties off guard.
Most agreed that in-person registration would deter many customers and possibly drive them to unlicensed and unregulated sites. Efforts to strip that language from the bill before final passage failed and the bill was signed into law without online poker and mobile betting included.
Since then, advocates have introduced similar bills in subsequent legislative sessions, but none have gotten out of committee for a full vote in the House or Senate.
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When will illinois poker online be available?
We don’t have an exact date, but it could be as early as this summer. Advocates introduced a poker online bill (SB690) in February of 2022 and it quickly moved through the Senate and into the House where it was assigned to the Business & Occupational Development Committee on April 6, 2022.
If it passes out of that committee favorably, it will go before the full House for a vote. Assuming it passes there, it will move to the Senate for concurrence and then on to Governor Pritzker’s desk for signature.
Many stakeholders believe that in-person registration deterred lawmakers from passing the gaming bundle in 2019 so proponents are not expected to make that mistake again. Therefore, if SB690 passes this year, Illinois poker online could become a reality within six months after the governor signs it into law.
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Can I play online poker in Illinois?
Not at this time. As explained above, lawmakers included a provision requiring in-person registration before one could create an online gaming account. That never passed for traditional casino and poker rooms so it will also need to be removed for the online version. Expect another attempt in 2022.
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Where is the biggest poker win in America?
The biggest live tournament win in the United States belonged to Gary Rich, who won the World Series of Poker Main Event in 1995 and pocketed $1 million. That changed when Ryan Riess won the 2013 WSOP Main Event for $8,000,000.
The biggest single poker hand win in America belongs to , who hit a Full House Jackpot of $578,976 while playing Ultimate Texas Hold’em at the River Palms Casino in Las Vegas. That works out to a hourly rate of about $289,000.
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Does Illinois allow poker?
Illinois has permitted live poker and poker rooms since 2019. That’s when Governor Pritzker signed a gaming expansion bill that allowed existing racetracks to add table games and spread live poker. It also authorized the establishment of new poker rooms in the state. The first of those opened in September of 2021 and many more are in various stages of planning and construction.
