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If you’re searching for legal online casinos in Illinois, you’re not alone. While traditional real-money online casinos aren’t available just yet, there are still exciting, legal ways to enjoy casino-style games online. Most sweepstakes casinos are accessible to Illinois players, offering hundreds of slots, table games, and even live dealer options—plus the chance to win real cash prizes. This page will guide you through what’s legal, what’s not, and which sites offer the best experiences right now.
The casinos listed below are the best sites for anyone that wants to play online casino games in Illinois. They are social and sweepstakes casinos, rather than real money online casinos.
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There are many different forms of online gambling in Illinois, even if traditional online casinos aren’t among the options. So, the table below is a quick guide to the different options you have available to you right now.
| Type of Gambling | Status | Gambling Age |
| Online casino | Unavailable | Likely 21 |
| Sweepstakes casino | Available | 18 |
| Social casino | Available | 18 |
| Online lottery | Unavailable | 18 |
| Online poker | Unavailable | Likely 21 |
| Online sports betting | Available | 21 |
| Online horse racing | Available | 18 |
| Daily fantasy sports | Available | 18 |
Social and sweepstakes casinos are legal in Illinois. These sites allow you to play for free with Gold Coins, and you can also unlock Sweeps Coins and redeem them for cash prizes and gift cards.
However, state lawmakers have begun to discuss legislation to ban these sites. The attorney general’s office also sent out cease-and-desist letters to several operators, but many of the operators are fighting those letters. Still, as a result of these uncertainties, some sweepstakes casinos have voluntarily stopped accepting IL players.
To reiterate, there is no state ban on sweepstakes casinos, though. If a site is still operating in the state, you are allowed to play on it.
With all that said, here are our recommendations for the best sweepstakes casinos or social sites currently available in Illinois:
Sweepstakes and social casinos are the best sites for anyone that wants to play online casino games in Illinois right now. However, like all things, there are both benefits and drawbacks associated with playing them. It’s important to play with your eyes wide open, so here are some of the top pros and cons of sweepstakes and social casinos in Illinois.
No, real-money online casinos have not been legalized in Illinois. Although Illinois may legalize in the near future, they remain off the table for Illinoisans for the moment.
However, it is perfectly legal for anyone aged 18 or older to play online slots and table games at the sweepstakes and social casinos available in the Prairie State. Sweepstakes contests fall under the Prizes and Gifts Act in Illinois. Sites like WOW Vegas, Carnival Citi, and Lonestar adhere to this Illinois sweepstakes law, which gives players the chance to redeem premium coins for cash prizes or gift cards. That may change in the future, and if it does, we will update this page accordingly.
When pundits make lists of potential states that will be next to legalize real-money online casinos, Illinois inevitably makes every list. This is because state legislator continue to debate the issue, bringing up new bills in virtually every legislative session. As of now, though, those efforts have proven unsuccessful.
That said, the state’s gambling industry has expanded at a rapid pace in recent years. Online sports betting was rolled out in 2020, and lawmakers also authorized six large commercial casino resorts, so online casinos could be next on the agenda.
Even the potential crackdown on sweepstakes casinos could potentially be a sign of lawmakers eventually wanting taxable options in the Land of Lincoln.
Time will tell. But you can learn more by following the latest news about all things online gambling in Illinois here at PlayUSA.
You can enjoy a wide range of online casino games in Illinois. The casino options found in Illinois host many of the same games found at the top US online casino sites, sourced from the same software studios.
Anyone aged 18 or older can play hundreds of online slots at sites like WOW Vegas, Pulsz, High 5 Casino, and McLuck in Illinois. They host games from the world’s leading providers, such as NetEnt and Pragmatic Play. That means you can play iconic slots such as Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, and Big Bass Splash with Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins.
Physical slot machines are also available at riverboat casinos such as Argosy Casino in Alton and Rivers Casino Des Plaines. The large commercial casino resorts currently being built, such as Bally’s Chicago and Golden Nugget Danville, will also offer thousands of slot machines.
Blackjack is one of the most popular games at riverboat casinos in Illinois. This game has a low house edge and a simple format, but there is also an element of strategy.
You can play blackjack at certain online casinos in Illinois too. They include Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, Pulsz, High 5 Casino, Stake.us, Chanced Casino, and McLuck. Options include classic blackjack, multi-hand blackjack, and live dealer blackjack.
Roulette is another casino game that has captured the imagination of Illinois players for many years. Retail casinos offer roulette wheels, and you can also play online at Stake.us, Chanced Casino, McLuck, and Sweeptastic.
A white ball is dropped onto a wheel, and you can wager on which section it will land in when the wheel stops spinning. There are a few different roulette variants, but French roulette has the lowest house edge. You can play it at Stake.us in Illinois.
Illinois has the largest video gaming network in the world. There are more than 46,400 video gaming terminals on a statewide basis, spread across approximately 8,400 venues, including stores and truck stops. The Illinois Gaming Board regulates these terminals under the Video Gaming Act of 2009.
You can also play video poker online at a few sites, including Sweeptastic and Chumba Casino. These games are played against the house, as opposed to fellow players. You can play for fun with Gold Coins, or you can use premium coins.
Baccarat is another popular table game found at sites like Stake.us, Chanced Casino, McLuck, and Sweeptastic. Some sites offer casino poker games too, such as 3 Card Poker and Pai Gow Poker. Other card games include three card rummy and draw high low.
Sweepstakes casinos do not offer online craps, but you can play craps for fun at BetRivers.net, a social casino linked to Rivers Casino Des Plaines. Sic Bo is available at Sweeptastic and Stake.us too. Additional games include Mines, Plinko, bingo, keno, scratchcards, and Slingo, which is a hybrid of slots and bingo.
These games allow you to connect with a real dealer. They are designed to replicate the experience of visiting a brick-and-mortar casino in Illinois, but you can play online from the comfort of your own home.
The best sites for live dealer games in Illinois are Stake.us, Chanced, High 5 Casino, and McLuck. They allow you to play live blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Sic Bo, and Teen Patti.
Even though there are no online casinos in Illinois, any resident of the state can find a retail casino within a few hours drive (assuming you don’t hit nasty Chicago traffic, of course!)
There are six large casino resorts in Illinois: American Place, Bally’s Chicago, Golden Nugget Danville, Hard Rock Casino Rockford, Walker’s Bluff, and Wind Creek Chicago Southland. However, riverboat casinos are currently the best venues in the state, and these are the most popular.
Legal casino sites such as WOW Vegas, Hello Millions, and High 5 Casino must adhere to strict regulations laid down by U.S. authorities. They comply with Illinois sweepstakes laws and various federal laws, which are designed to protect consumers and promote security.
That is not the case at unregulated casinos. These sites are not authorized to operate in the United States, but they still try to target players in Illinois.
Unregulated offshore casinos cannot be trusted to treat players fairly or pay out when you win, as they do not fall under the jurisdiction of Illinois or federal authorities. No American agencies have tested their games for accuracy and fairness, and you have no legal recourse if they scam you, so it is best to stick to legal online casino options like WOW Vegas, Chumba Casino, Carnival Citi, and Pulsz instead.
You will be able to make deposits and withdrawals via a range of secure payment methods if online casinos are legalized in Illinois. In the meantime, you can use social and sweepstakes casino sites. They allow you to buy coins, and you can also redeem Sweeps Coins for cash prizes.
You can buy additional Gold Coins via a credit card at online casinos in Illinois. Most accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Skrill is another widely available payment method at Illinois online casinos. You can use it to buy coins, and you can often redeem cash prizes via Skrill too.
Online bank transfers and e-checks are also available at certain casino sites. If online casinos become legal, additional methods may include PayPal, Venmo, Play+, cash at the cage, wire transfers, and PayNearMe.
The Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG) offers a range of responsible gambling resources. You can take a screener test to see if you are at risk of developing a gambling problem, and you will also find tips on how to gamble responsibly and information about addiction.
The IPCG also runs the statewide self-exclusion program. The site offers links to local and national services too, including Chicagoland Gamblers Anonymous and the Illinois Department of Human Services, which offers professional support for anyone with a gambling problem.
There is also an Illinois Alliance on Problem Gambling, which includes the ICPG, the Illinois Gaming Association, Illinois Lottery, Institute for Addiction Recovery, and various other agencies. It is designed to educate on the potential dangers of problem gambling, prevent underage play, and coordinate resources for Illinoisans.
No, you cannot win real money at Illinois online casinos. However, you can redeem premium coins for cash prizes at certain sites. You will need to earn free premium coins, which are normally referred to as Sweeps Coins, and then successfully play them through before requesting a cash prize redemption.
Anyone aged 18 or older can buy lottery tickets, bet on horse races, enter fantasy sports contests, or play social casino games in Illinois. You need to be 21 or older to bet on sports or to visit a retail casino. If Illinois legalizes online casinos, the minimum age is likely to be 21.
You can play slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, and arcade-style games at sites like WOW Vegas, Pulsz, and Sweeptastic in Illinois. These games can be played for fun, and you can also play them with premium coins, which can potentially be redeemed for cash prizes or gift cards.
There are 10 riverboat casinos in Illinois. The state also authorized six new commercial casinos in June 2019 via the Rebuild Illinois capital program. Some of the successful applicants have opened temporary casino venues, and they are gearing up to launch permanent casino resorts soon.
Bally’s Chicago plans to open in 2026. The company opened a temporary casino in the Medinah Temple in September 2023, but the permanent casino will be far larger. Bally’s Casino will have 3,500 slot machines, 173 table games, and a 500-room hotel, making it the largest casino in Illinois.
Yes, you need to pay state and federal income tax on gambling winnings in Illinois. You can deduct any wins from losses if you maintain a careful record. That means you will only be liable to pay tax if you end a particular year in profit from gambling activities.
We listed the top five online casinos for Illinois players earlier, but there are lots of additional sites to consider. These are some of the other options that have proved popular in the Land of Lincoln.
Stake.us hosts a variety of live casino games for Illinois players, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Sic Bo, and Teen Patti. You can also play more than 650 slots, plus virtual table games and exclusive arcade games. If you unlock free Stake Cash and satisfy a 3x playthrough requirement, you can redeem it for crypto prizes.
This site is similar to Stake.us, as they both offer a variety of high-quality slots, specialty games, virtual table games, and live dealer games. However, it stands out with the Chanced casino welcome bonus and by offering some games with a low house edge, such as live French roulette and classic blackjack. It also accepts fiat payments and crypto, whereas Stake.us is purely a crypto site.
LuckyLand Slots is another established social casino for players in Illinois. The site hosts a selection of exclusive slots, and the portfolio increases on a monthly basis. If you follow LuckyLand on social media, you can enter free-to-play contests in a bid to win coins, and you can also make friends with fellow players.
Anyone in Illinois can play a large selection of virtual table games at Sweeptastic, including baccarat, table poker, video poker, roulette, Sic Bo, and three card rummy. The site also offers lots of slots, but it is easy to find your favorite games, as the navigation system is sophisticated.
Vegas Gems launched in Illinois in August 2023, offering new players a large no-purchase welcome bonus. You can play hundreds of slots from Pragmatic Play, Belatra, and GameArt at Vegas Gems, using two currencies. Shards have no monetary value, so you can use them to play for fun, but Gems can be redeemed for cash prizes if you satisfy a 1x rollover requirement on them.
