Best Illinois Online Casinos 2025
Real money online casinos are still not legal in Illinois. However, state legislators have proposed bills to legalize online gaming in the past three years, the most recent being House Bill HB3080 and Senate Bill SB1963.
However, social casinos that don’t offer real-money gambling are safe to play and available in Illinois. You can play sweepstakes casinos in Illinois through bonuses and promotions. You can also purchase Gold Coins (GC) and receive Sweepstakes Coins (SC) as a bonus. SC can be redeemed for cash prizes and gift cards.
Read this guide by our gambling experts, covering everything you need to know about Illinois sweepstakes casinos. We recommend the top brands available in Illinois, the legal status of gambling in the state, and how to claim the most generous welcome bonuses.
Our Top Five Recommended Illinois Casinos
Play 17,000+ Free Casino Games
Top Legal Games to Play at Illinois Casinos
The Prairie State is also home to 16 land-based casinos and 8,700 licensed video gaming locations where you can play slots, table games, poker, and more.
Best Casino Games to Win Real Money in Illinois
Sweepstakes casinos offer most of the great games you can also find at real-money casinos. You play for virtual currency that can be redeemed for real-money prizes. This distinction is slight but essential since it is why social casinos are available legally in Illinois.
Here are some popular games you will see at Illinois sweepstakes casinos.
Slots
Blackjack
Roulette
Live Dealer
Crash Games
Card Games
Baccarat
Arcade
Bingo
Casual Games
Craps
Dice Games
Fish Shooting
Game Shows
Instant Games
Keno
Other
Scratch Cards
Slingo
Table Games
Video Poker
Virtual Sports
Spinmatic
Amatic Industries
Barcrest Games
Spinmatic
SmartSoft Gaming
Casino Web Scripts
How to Win Real Money on Casino Games in Illinois
Almost all the games covered above will be available at all the top Illinois sweepstakes casinos. Wherever you play, the strategy to increase your chances of winning should be the same: playing games with high RTP percentages.
Games with higher RTPs pay out more money on average than games with lower RTPs. For example, a game with an RTP of 96% will pay out $0.96 for every $1 wagered on average. Generally, table games have higher RTPs than slots.
Illinois Online Gambling Overview
Illinois Gambling Law
Casinos have been legal in Illinois since 1990 when the state passed the Riverboat Gambling Act to legalize riverboat casinos. A few years later, riverboat casinos were allowed to be docked. Then, land-based casinos were legalized in the 2000s with bills like the Video Gaming Act and SB 744 (2011).
Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Illinois Sports Wagering Act into law in June 2019 to legalize sports betting in Illinois. This bill was passed over a year after the US Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), which banned sports betting nationally.
How to Play With Illinois Casinos
Playing at Illinois online casinos is as easy as picking a site and creating an account. If you follow this guide, you should be able to start playing in minutes:
- Choose your casino: Review this guide and other expert recommendations to find an Illinois casino site where you want to play.
- Create your account: Go to the official casino site or download the app and select “Sign Up” or “Register”. Then, complete the casino registration form with your name, email, date of birth, and other personal information.
- Verify your identity: Follow the steps to upload a copy of your driver’s license or other government ID to verify your identity (if necessary).
Accepted Illinois Online Casino Banking Methods
Once you create your account with an Illinois sweepstakes casino site, you will automatically be awarded a welcome package of free coins. You can buy more if you run out or want more coins.
Thankfully, most sites make this very easy. All the most popular payment methods in Illinois are accepted at social casinos in Illinois. Many also have low-stakes options, where you can buy coins for as little as $1.
Here are some casino payment methods you will see at most sites in Illinois.
| Payment Method | Deposits/Purchases? | Withdrawals/Redemptions? |
|---|---|---|
Visa
| ✅ | ✅ |
MasterCard
| ✅ | ✅ |
American Express
| ✅ | ✅ |
Discover
| ✅ | ✅ |
PayPal
| ✅ | ✅ |
Skrill
| ✅ | ✅ |
Neteller
| ✅ | ✅ |
Bank Transfer
| ✅ | ✅ |
Apple Pay
| ✅ | ✅ |
Google Pay
| ✅ | ✅ |
Bitcoin
| ✅ | ✅ |
Ethereum
| ✅ | ✅ |
Tron
| ✅ | ✅ |
Ripple
| ✅ | ✅ |
Tether
| ✅ | ✅ |
DOGE
| ✅ | ✅ |
Who Can Play at Illinois Online Casinos?
Illinois sweepstakes casinos are available to anyone over 21, the legal minimum gambling age. If you are under 21, you cannot create an account with most legal social casinos.
What Legal Requirements Must Players Meet for Illinois Casinos?
Illinois does not regulate social casinos like sports betting, so there are few restrictions on sweepstakes casinos. You can play it legally if the site is a sweepstakes casino and you are 21+.
Most social casino sites require you to verify your identity before playing. At a minimum, you will have to do it before you make your first withdrawal. Verifying your identity is a simple process. All you need to do is upload a picture of your official government ID and a photo of yourself.
Who Regulates Online Casinos in Illinois?
The Illinois Gaming Board regulates all gambling in Illinois. This agency is responsible for issuing licenses to Illinois sportsbooks and casinos and ensuring that these companies follow state laws, such as advertising rules and responsible gambling regulations.
The Illinois Gaming Board does not license Illinois sweepstakes casinos because they are not technically online casinos. However, regulators still monitor them to ensure they are not offering illegal games or ripping off Illinois players.
Illinois Casino Apps for Players
All the sweepstakes casinos covered in this guide and the other top betting sites in Illinois are available on mobile devices and desktops. Many even have dedicated casino apps available for download on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.
These apps are some of Illinois's best ways to play casino games. They allow you to play from anywhere in the state as long as you have an internet connection. Additionally, they typically have all the same games as the desktop site. Some even have exclusive bonuses and features you can only get playing on mobile.
Illinois Casino Apps for Android
Illinois Casino Apps for iOS
History of Online Gambling Laws In Illinois
Illinois has some of the most storied gambling history in the US. Its legacy is littered with old-school gambling houses, black market bookmakers, and other unregulated forms of gambling. That changed in the mid-1900s when state and federal lawmakers began cracking down on criminal activities.
Since the crackdown, the Illinois gambling market developed slowly. Online gambling was not legalized until 2019, and most forms of it remain illegal. Here’s an overview of Illinois’ recent online gambling milestones:
Timeline for Online Casino Gambling in Illinois
1961
Following the national government's passage of the Federal Wire Act, Illinois lawmakers formally legalized all forms of gambling.
1971
Bingo games in Illinois are legalized. The Illinois Lottery is established three years later.
1990
Illinois passes the Riverboat Gambling Act, becoming the second state to legalize riverboat casinos in the US.
2009
The Illinois General Assembly passes the Video Gaming Act, laying the path for legal land-based casinos.
2019
Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Illinois Sports Wagering Act into law, legalizing in-person and online sports betting in Illinois.
Legal vs Offshore Casinos in Illinois: What’s the Difference?
When we say there are no legal online casinos in Illinois, we mean that the Illinois Gaming Board has not licensed any online casinos.
Since there are no local sites, many players turn to offshore casinos. These sites are located abroad and often have licenses from foreign gaming regulators like the Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao Gambling Control Board, or the UK Gambling Commission.
These sites may seem attractive, but they should be avoided. Offshore casinos do not have to follow US Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and other American laws. They often have unfair terms and conditions and sometimes even have rigged games.
If you want to play casino games in Illinois, sweepstakes casinos like the ones covered in this guide are your safest option.
Land-based Casinos in Illinois
Illinois technically legalized land-based casinos in 1990 by passing the Riverboat Gambling Act, which made casino gambling legal on riverboats within Illinois borders. The act was expanded to include docked riverboats in 1999. In the 2000s, land-based casinos and video gaming terminals were legalized completely.
There are now 16 legal land-based casinos in Illinois. You can see the complete list, as well as our top three favorite Illinois casinos, below.
Rivers Casino-Des Plaines
Rivers Casino-Des Plaines is arguably the most popular casino in Illinois. This makes some say it’s too crowded, but we love the busy atmosphere, wide selection of games, and 147,000-square-foot gaming floor. These features offer Rivers Casino a Las Vegas-style that few other casinos in the Midwest offer.
Hard Rock Casino Rockford
With 1,300 slots and a 64,000-square-foot gaming floor, Hard Rock Casino Rockford is one of the biggest casinos in Illinois. It stands out, though, for its vast selection of table games. The Hard Rock Casino has 50 tables, more than all but two other Illinois casinos.
Bally's Chicago
Bally's Chicago opened its doors at its temporary location in 2023. In 2026, it plans to open a massive new casino with over 3,000 games. The current spot is not as impressive as that, but it’s still a great place to play your favorite games. It also won’t hurt to get in early with this big-brand casino.
FAQs
Are online casinos legal in Illinois?
No. Real-money online casinos are not legal in Illinois. The state government has hesitated to expand legal online gambling beyond sports betting sites, so there are no legal Illinois online casinos. However, there are many sweepstakes and social casinos that are allowed in the state.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Illinois?
Yes. While real money casinos are off limits, there are loads of great sweepstakes casinos in Illinois that are available to play legally. These sites allow you to play casino games with virtual currency. You can redeem this currency for real money prizes.
What are the best online casinos in Illinois?
RealPrize, Hello Millions, High 5, WowVegas, and Statke.us are our experts' favorite Illinois social casinos. The best for you will be different from someone else’s favorite, so you should research before playing and not be afraid to test out multiple sites.
Are Illinois online casinos safe?
Yes. While sweepstakes casinos are unlicensed in Illinois, the major sites available are huge national brands with big reputations and hundreds of thousands of players. These top sites are very safe and can be trusted.
Can I claim bonuses at Illinois casinos?
Yes! All the top Illinois sweepstakes casinos offer no deposit bonuses to all new players. All you need to do is sign up. Some even have exclusive promo codes to give you even bigger bonuses.
