Illinois Gambling Sites
Gambling has long been a subject of debate in Illinois, but so far there has been very little debate over the Illinois gambling sites. In fact, there is a large number of different online gambling sites that accept residents of Illinois, and we have made it a point to hunt these down and offer them to our readers. If you live in the state of Illinois, you are not going to be told that you cannot gamble online in the state. There are a few laws written in regards to preventing people from operating online gambling businesses in Illinois, but we presume this is not what you are here to do. We have compiled a list of the most important types of online gambling in the state of Illinois, all to provide our readers with a slight overview of how the online gambling industry works. Provided you do not attempt to start an online gambling website out of Illinois, you should have nothing to worry about.
Is online gambling legal in Illinois?
Illinois features some of the most diverse gambling options available legally to U.S. citizens, including riverboat casinos, which are highly enjoyable, and more than 9 land-based gambling facilities. The state government reaps the benefit with a tax rate as high as any in the country applied to revenues earned by these facilities. But the internet has not made its way into Illinois law.
Players in Illinois still enjoy many of their favorite gambling hobbies online. Sites that operate in countries other than the U.S. open their virtual doors to residents of Illinois, allowing them to enjoy slots, roulette, poker, table games and even sports betting, all in a legal, safe and secure manner. Illinois law regarding legal minimum age, in this case twenty-one, are strictly enforced by the state when visitors go to brick and mortar casinos or cruise vessels, and the online sites will do the same.
Online Casinos | Deposit Bonuses | Bonus Codes | Software | Visit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lucky Red | Slots Bonus: 400% - $4,000 | LUCKYRED400 | RTG | VISIT |
Club World | Slots Bonus: 100% - $777 | BIGSLOT | RTG | VISIT |
Aladdin's Gold | Slots Bonus: 200% - $2,000 | No Code Needed | RTG | VISIT |
Bovada Casino | Slots Bonus: 100% - $500 (4x) | SLOTS500 | RTG | VISIT |
High Noon | Slots Bonus: 200% - $2,000 | HIGHNOON100 | RTG | VISIT |
Slots.lv | Slots Bonus: 200% - $1,000 | HELLOSLOTS200 | RTG | VISIT |
Las Vegas USA | Slots Bonus: 400% - $10,000 | 400BONUS | RTG | VISIT |
BetOnline | Slots Bonus: 100% - $1,000 | SLOTS100 | RTG | VISIT |
All Star Slots | Slots Bonus: 100% - $787 | ALLSTAR1 | RTG | VISIT |
SportsBetting | Slots Bonus: 100% - $1,000 | 100SLOTS | RTG | VISIT |
Manhattan Slots | Slots Bonus: 100% - $747 (2x) | No Code Needed | RTG | VISIT |
Online Sportsbooks | Bonuses | Top Sports To Wager | Visit |
---|---|---|---|
Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Match To $250 | NFL, College Football | VISIT |
BetOnline Sportsbook | 25% To $1,000 - Every Deposit | NFL, MLB, MMA, NHL | VISIT |
SportsBetting Sportsbook | 25% To $1,000 Match | NFL, College Basketball | VISIT |
5Dimes Sportsbook | 50% To $250 Match | College Sports, NBA, MLB | VISIT |
DSI Sportsbook | 20% To $500 Match | NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL | VISIT |
Online Poker Rooms | Deposit Bonuses | Average Traffic | Visit |
---|---|---|---|
Bovada Poker | 100% Match Good To $1,000 | 12,000+ Players | VISIT |
BetOnline Poker | 200% Match Good To $1,000 | 8,000+ Players | VISIT |
SportsBetting Poker | 200% Match Good To $1,000 | 8,000+ Players | VISIT |
Is it legal to gamble online in Illinois?
Only the act of operating an online gambling site on U.S. soil is against the law, not the simple act of placing bets online. So long as Illinois residents use the services of an online gambling site located elsewhere they are not committing any crime.
What is the legal gambling age for Illinois residents?
The legal gambling age for Illinois residents in online casinos is 21. Some online gambling sites may have their own age restrictions so be sure to check the rules for each site that you are visiting.
Is online poker any different from live poker?
Other than the fact that you will not be holding cards while you play, or that you can play with others at any hour of the day or night on demand, the game remains exactly the same as it is in person. Some players prefer not physically sitting next to others who may be studying their ‘tells’.
How often do Illinois online gambling sites pay their players?
These sites will pay you at your request. The amount of time it takes to receive your winnings is often dependent on the distance a check must travel from the location of the site you are using. Canadian sites often have Illinois residents paid in under two weeks.
Do online gambling sites offer rewards or VIP programs?
Yes, but instead of free drinks and hotel rooms, these sites instead offer you free money to keep you playing. Many incentives can have you playing quite a few free rounds of cards, slots or bets on sports. Clever gamblers can utilize ways to spend very little of their own money to increase the size of their bankroll.
Are these gambling websites based in the United States?
The sites that we recommend here are located in Canada, the United Kingdom, Argentina and Costa Rica and have been operating for years under their own stringent laws and regulations. Federal laws do not permit these businesses to establish physical operations inside the U.S. which is why any gambling website for Illinois residents that is considered safe is based offshore.
How can I make a deposit into an Illinois online gambling site?
Most sites accept major credit cards like Visa but will also offer options to make a deposit via bank wire transfer, money order or a check by courier. The process may require a verification of identity but is not too intrusive nor time consuming.
Do I need to report gambling winnings on my taxes?
As is the case with all earnings in the United States, you are expected to report all of your income to the IRS including winnings from gambling. You will not be monitored by the site, the government or anyone else for that matter and it is up to the player to report their winnings. In your annual tax return paperwork, there is even a special section for money that was won off of gambling winnings.
NOTE - We do not claim to be experts pertaining to the gambling laws in Illinois. All of the information provided on this site is from personal experience. It is recommended that you consult the Illinois Gambling Laws or consult an attorney if you are unsure on how much liability you will assume when playing at real money gambling sites.