The Best Online Casinos in Illinois
The gambling landscape has grown a lot in the past few years. This is especially true when considering that sports betting was legalized in 2019 with the first sportsbooks being launched in 2020. Our team of experts have taken the time to thoroughly review all the gambling options available in the state. We work tirelessly to ensure that players and bettors are gambling at the best venues and websites available in the Prairie State.
Gambling Laws and Regulations in Illinois
Just like many states in the US over the past few years, Illinois embraced the expansion of gambling in the state. After the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overruled in 2018, sports betting was legalized in the state the following year. However, it would take another year for all the details to be finalized and for sportsbooks to launch in 2020, both retail and online.
The state’s legal gambling age is set at 21 years old and only in 2022, was the decision to allow remote registrations approved. Before this decision, bettors needed to sign up for sports betting at their local casino. At this time, online casino gambling is considered illegal even though the projections for revenue could be lucrative for the state. For now, social casinos are the best options for players looking to play casino games online.
Online Gambling
It is believed that the in-person registration was kept in place due to it being a way to generate foot traffic into the land-based casinos. Many bettors are relieved that this is no longer the case, especially since online sportsbooks are generally used more often than retail sportsbooks in the state. Even with the popularity of betting online, there is still a fear that legalizing online casinos will affect the land-based casino industry negatively. Social casinos at least offer players a chance to enjoy casino games from anywhere in the state and without any financial risk.
Gambling Taxes
Depending on how much you win from your gambling activities, your winnings are taxable. So, ensure that you have all your records in order for when you need to file your tax return. The local sportsbooks are also taxed as part of their license agreements to operate in the state. There is a possibility that you may face federal and state taxes, so consult your tax professional to find out what your contribution will have to be.
Oversight
All forms of gambling in the state are overseen and regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. This includes the state’s lotteries, bingo and keno. So, for this state, all gambling activities fall under one banner and more control is kept on the industry as a whole and also includes riverboat casinos.
The Best Online Casinos in Illinois
For now, there are no legal online casinos in the state and there is still a lot of deliberation on the topic. Despite the financial gain for the state, it might be a threat to the local casino ecosystem, or so some officials say. However, if you don’t have the time to head out to your local casino in Illinois, then you can rely on a social casino to get you what you want. The social casinos available in the state are fully packed with great entertainment for any type of casino game player. Here are the best social casinos for you to enjoy if you find yourself in Illinois.
Reviewing and Rating The Best Casinos
We do a lot of research before we recommend any casino to our readers. So, when you select one of the casinos or sportsbooks we recommend, know that we have carefully selected them. We want every player and bettors’ experience to be the best one and for that, there are factors that these gambling venues need to consider. These factors are thoroughly investigated and elaborated on in individual reviews. Here are some of the aspects that we consider to be the most important things to look out for.
Customer Support
Knowing that there is someone you can reach out to if anything goes wrong is very important. It is important for the customer and the operator. If there are issues that need to be fixed then the representatives on the front line need to address the issues as quickly as possible. We check to see how players and bettors can contact the customer support team, when they can be contacted and how well they respond to a range of queries. The customer support team must be efficient, professional, friendly and willing to help.
Security
We check to see if the website and gaming platform are regularly audited as they need to maintain high standards. Our team does a deep dive to find out about the safety protocols to check if the latest encryption software is being used to keep your personal information safe at all times. This is important because even if the website or platform is hacked, the information cannot be decrypted by a third party.
Payment Options
Convenience is key when it comes to completing financial transactions online. Along with convenience, the security of online payment is also important. We like to see a wide range of payment options that are widely accessible to Illinois residents.
Bonuses and Promotions
Any gambling outlet should have great offers to attract new bettors and players which is also beneficial for the player. There is no use claiming a bonus that has no potential to be turned into real money winnings. Along with the welcome offer, we also love seeing event-specific promotions and other ongoing promotions to award players and bettors for their loyalty as they return for more gambling action whether it is to place a sports bet or even enjoy a free game at a social casino.
Collection of Games
A variety of gaming options has to be on offer. Even if there aren’t many gaming options, the available ones should be of the best quality out there. We dive into who provides the games and who provides the data that fuels the sports betting options. Our team also checks to see if the software used to keep the games fair is regularly audited.
Mobile Compatibility
Whether it is an online sportsbook or a social casino, mobile compatibility plays a big role in how popular it is. We find out and test the websites on many mobile devices to see if the experience is hindered or better on a smaller screen. We also find out if the website has a mobile app and how well the mobile app performs on different devices that run different operating systems.
Best Online Casinos in Detail
Now that you know more about how we rated the online casinos in our list, let’s find out more about the social casinos available in Illinois specifically. There are hundreds of social casinos online, but only a handful make the cut for players in Illinois.
Global Poker
Online poker is not legal in Illinois, however, this website is powered by sweepstakes promotions instead of real-money gambling. So, players can enjoy some of the best poker games by using the gold coins they receive when they sign up. Some tournaments can be played to win more sweeps rewards which can even be exchanged for bigger prizes and in many cases real-money rewards.
LuckyLand Slots
A gaming platform that can be accessed on many different mobile devices where there is a chance of eventually winning real money. You work to win sweeps rewards that can be exchanged for real-money prizes. The selection of games is not huge, with only 40 online slots to enjoy. However, it is in bonuses and events that LuckyLand Slots shines. There are ongoing promotions and bonuses to take advantage of and even regular events you can compete in to win more sweeps rewards.
Chumba
This is a social casino that has been growing rapidly due to its great selection of games. The games include table games and a variety of online slots for players to enjoy. Compared to other social casinos, Chumba gives players more opportunities to win sweeps coins which can eventually be turned into or rather exchanged for real money prizes.
WorldWinner
A social gambling experience that offers games in the form of popular board games and TV shows. These games are made up of slots and even table games with different themes.
Gambino Slots
With Gambino Slots, you only have your gold coins to play with, so it has its focus on free-to-play games. There are more than 100 online slots to enjoy and also come with a great welcome bonus. Players can also climb the ladder in the VIP program and reap even more benefits just by playing more often.
Gambling Games in Illinois
The fact that real-money online casinos are not legal in the state doesn’t mean that there is a lack of gambling opportunities in Illinois. People that find themselves in the state have access to land-based casinos, retail and online sportsbooks as well as bingo halls and lotteries. The state just prefers that you do your casino gambling at one of their great land-based casinos scattered across the state. Here are some of the main gambling types you will encounter in the state.
Land-Based Casinos
There are quite a few land-based casinos that you have access to in Illinois. Some of them are even better than casinos you might find in Las Vegas. These casinos value their patrons and offer so much more than just slot machines. You can access table games, poker tables, sportsbooks and other forms of entertainment when you choose to visit one of the land-based casinos in Illinois. Here are some of the best casinos in Illinois that we think deserve to be mentioned.
Hollywood Casino Aurora
Comfortably located in the Fox river on an island close to Chicago. The casino offers players a selection of games that include poker tables, and around 20 gaming tables to play blackjack, roulette and more. Additionally, the casino floor is also home to almost 1,200 slot machines. The location makes it a perfect venue to be entertained by performances that usually include local artists and the selection of restaurants will keep you fed as you enjoy what the casino has to offer.
1 W New York Street, Aurora, IL 60506, USAPlay Now+1 630-801-1234
Harrah’s Metropolis
One of the smaller gambling venues available in the state is located close to the Ohio river. Players can enjoy several poker tables along with 20 gaming tables for traditional table games. The casino also includes about 800 slot machines. The ambience is not luxurious but it is comfortable, with a bar, several dining options as well as live entertainment when you want to take a break from placing your bets.
100 E Front Street, Metropolis, IL 62960, USAPlay Now+1 618-524-2628
Grand Victoria Casino Elgin
This casino offers a different experience due to it being a riverboat casino on the Fox River. The views and scenery are spectacular and also has a bar and a few restaurants to choose from. As for the casino floor, players will find several poker tables available along with almost 30 gaming tables and not forgetting the more than 1,000 slot machines.
250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120, USAPlay Now+1 847-468-7000
Casino Queen St. Louis
Located in East St. Louis close to the Mississippi River and regularly hosts great events. The casino floor has over 1,000 slot machines, poker tables and about 30 gaming tables to enjoy. If you want to stay over, there is also a hotel for your convenience.
200 S Front Street, St Louis, IL 62201, USAPlay Now+1 618-874-5000
Bally’s Quad Cities
A grand yet small casino that offers the very best from this trusted brand. There are great dining options available on-site and also has several poker tables, approximately 900 slot machines and nearly 20 table games to enjoy.
777 Bally Boulevard, Rock Island, IL 61201, USAPlay Now+1 309-756-4600
Argosy Casino Alton
This is another riverboat casino that has been open and operating since 2004. It is located comfortably on the Mississippi River. The selection of 750 slot machines along with poker tables and other traditional gaming tables are sure to keep you entertained. Don’t forget to check out the dining options as well.
1 Piasa Street, Alton, IL 62002, USAPlay Now+1 800-711-4263
Responsible Gambling in Illinois
For Illinois, the fear of expanding to online casino gambling is also exacerbated by the fear of increases in gambling addiction. It shows that the state is concerned about the well-being of its residents. If you or someone you know has been affected by a gambling addiction, then you need to reach out. Here are a few resources to get you started and on the road to recovery.
