Best Illinois Online Casinos and Apps

Online sports betting is growing in the state of Illinois, but what about other gambling options? Where does the state stand when it comes to Illinois casino games online and casino sites?

Here’s what you need to know about Illinois online casinos.

Are Online Casino Games Legal in Illinois?

At the moment, online casino gambling remains illegal. Legislation has struggled to get off the ground despite the success of sports gambling sites and apps like DraftKings, FanDuel, and more. As you wait for legal online casino options, you can check out some of the top online sportsbooks in the state.

The Illinois Gambling Act of 2019 allowed for legal sports betting in the state, but legislation hasn’t been approved for legal online casino gaming due to hold-ups in the state legislature. If the state approves gambling expansion, top online casinos with slots and table games will be jumping to get into the large market.

The Illinois Gaming Board is in charge of gambling in the state and would likely be in charge of online casino options if they were able to become available in IL. They would be in charge of responsible gambling and regulations for the gambling laws for anything online in Illinois.

Sweepstakes Casinos for Illinois Gambling

Gamblers looking for the best online casino sites aren’t completely out of luck. Sweepstakes casinos are available to play casino games or online lotteries. Most sweepstakes casinos don’t require you to risk any money, but you can win prizes that include real money. They are fun social casinos that are forms of gambling which don’t require real money or risk.

Potential Online Casinos in Illinois

If the state of Illinois legalizes online casinos, there are several apps you can expect to jump into the state.

Here’s a look at some of the top online casino gaming options that are popular in legal online gambling states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

BetMGM

BetMGM Casino is a paradise for gaming aficionados, offering a remarkable array of more than 700 games. One notable highlight is its progressive jackpot, MGM Millions, which consistently establishes new records for the largest casino payouts in the United States.

With a vast selection of games, including specialty games, BetMGM distinguishes itself as the ultimate hub for virtual table games and video poker. Moreover, the platform provides an online poker room where cash games and tournaments are accessible in specific states, catering to the desires of poker enthusiasts.

BetMGM has legal online sports betting in Illinois, so it would likely be an easy move to add its casino if the state gives the green light.

FanDuel

FanDuel Casino is an exceptional online casino that stands out by offering a meticulously curated selection of over 200 high-quality games sourced from highly esteemed suppliers.

Upon reviewing the site, we discovered a multitude of games from top providers, including NetEnt, IGT, SG Digital, Red Tiger, NextGen, High 5, Everi, Shuffle Master, Lightning Box, Wazdan, WMS, Bally, and Barcrest.

In contrast to many other online casinos that aim to fill their game libraries with a large number of titles, FanDuel Casino has taken a different approach. They have handpicked the most exciting and captivating games from each provider, ensuring that players enjoy an unparalleled gaming experience that prioritizes quality over quantity.

Whether players have a penchant for classic slots, innovative video slots, or virtual table games, FanDuel Casino has something to suit every preference. The site boasts an exceptional range of games that cater to a wide variety of tastes, featuring thrilling titles that encompass popular classics as well as cutting-edge releases.

DraftKings

DraftKings Casino stands out as one of the top online casinos, renowned for its impressive collection of over 500 high-quality slots. These games are provided by esteemed industry leaders like NetEnt, SG Digital, and IGT, ensuring that players can enjoy a top-notch gaming experience.

Players at DraftKings Casino can anticipate a wide range of high RTP games, including popular titles like White Rabbit Megaways, Medusa Megaways, and Guns N’ Roses. The casino also offers free online slots, allowing players to try out games before placing real money bets.

Although DraftKings Casino may not feature as many progressive jackpots as some competitors, it excels in virtual table games and other game varieties. Players can indulge in a diverse selection of virtual table games, including beloved classics such as blackjack and roulette, as well as thrilling and innovative games.

BetRivers

Another one of the top places to play online casino games is BetRivers. the platform is run by Rush Street Interactive and is known for its slick design as well as welcome bonuses. BetRivers has a casino that offers the ability to play on mobile or desktop.

There are solid game options like video poker, slot machines, table games, and Slingo. The online gambling options also include live dealer games, as well. Like all of these other platforms, it also has an online sportsbook that is licensed and follows Illinois gambling laws and regulations.

Caesars

At Caesars Palace Online Casino, emphasis is placed on quality rather than quantity when it comes to game selection. While the casino may have a smaller range compared to some competitors, each of the 150+ games available has been meticulously curated to ensure that players can enjoy only the finest online casino games.

At Caesars Palace Online Casino, players have access to a diverse array of gaming options, including slots, table games, live dealer games, and video poker titles. Each game is meticulously crafted to deliver an immersive and captivating gaming experience, featuring breathtaking graphics and innovative features that keep players entertained for extended periods.

By prioritizing quality over quantity, Caesars Palace Online Casino guarantees that players can anticipate nothing but the best in terms of gameplay, payouts, and the overall gaming experience.

Potential Popular Games for Online Gambling in Illinois

Despite no bill to legalize online casinos, you can still learn about some of the best games to play online with legal gambling options. Eventually, these games could be available with legal gambling options in Illinois. Online gambling sites like BetMGM, DraftKings, BetRivers, and more are hoping they can bring their real-money online casinos into the state soon.

Roulette

Roulette is an extremely popular table game with popular strategies like the Martingale system or the James Bond Strategy. With roulette, each spin of the wheel gives players a chance to win based on single numbers, rows of numbers, colors, and more.

Online Poker

We are still waiting for lawmakers to legalize online poker in Illinois. In other states where it’s legal, online poker is a popular option. There is a long list of online poker games like Omaha, Hold’em, and more.

Online Slots

The legal sweepstakes sites offer online slots, and so do the top online casino sites. They are like land-based casino slot machines and there are plenty of options that include real-money slots in legal states. You deposit and try to win by setting a wager and pressing a button to spin.

Online Blackjack

Another popular game that will likely be huge with real-money online casinos in Illinois would be blackjack. The card game where you try to get 21 or beat the dealer is a staple at any casino that offers gambling. Gamblers enjoy doubling down, splitting cards, and more while trying to beat the dealer.

Live Dealer Games

Online dealer games are growing in popularity but are still limited even in legal online casino states. For a live dealer, you see a person dealing cards in front of a camera. You can play games like blackjack and others with a live dealer.

Top Land-Based and Retail Casinos Available in Illinois

There are quite a few land-based casino options for the state. Some of these land-based casinos in Illinois also have retail sportsbook options. The amount of sportsbook locations has increased since Illinois online sports betting has taken off.

Here’s a look at some of the top land-based casinos in Illinois. There are Chicago casino options or locations in the greater Chicago area.

Argosy Casino Alton

The Argosy Casino Alton is a strong riverboat casino option that also opened a sportsbook in March 2020. It has over 30 TVs and odds for sports betting, as well as slot machines, table games, and more for traditional gamblers looking for the top casino games.

Casino Queen

The Casino Queen is just off the ole Mississippi River and is popular for slot machines with progressive jackpots as well as video poker machines. There are four options for dining along with a hotel and RV park for guests.

Grand Victoria Casino Elgin

It’s located 40 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and has over 1,100 slot machines along with video poker options. You can get action with great table games like high card flush, craps, and baccarat. Also, the poker room is open daily and there are dining options like Buckingham’s Steakhouse.

Hollywood Casino Aurora

The Hollywood Casino Aurora is a riverboat casino on the Fox River. It offers plenty of slot machines with over 1,000 options. Also, the casino has four restaurants to go along with great table games like blackjack and baccarat. The casino has a poker room that is open daily. The Hollywood Casino is one of the top options for riverboat gambling.

Jumer’s Casino & Hotel

The Jumer’s Casino is just east of the Iowa border and has a three-star hotel. When it comes to the gaming area, there are over 1,100 slot machines and video poker options. You can also play craps, roulette, blackjack, and more.

Rivers Casino

The Rivers Casino opened back in 2011 and is just a short trip from O’Hare International Airport. It has great standard casino table games and over 1,100 slot machines. In 2020, the casino opened a BetRivers Sportsbook that is open daily.

Potential Illinois Online Gambling Bonuses for Casino Apps

When legal, the best online casinos in Illinois will likely have offers or promotions for new users. This is how the top online Illinois casinos will build a user base quickly and promote their brands.

Here are some of the top promotions you might see at online casinos and online websites when you can use Illinois gambling sites legally.

Deposit Match Bonuses

Many casino offers include what’s called a deposit match bonus. As a new user, you get bonus funds for depositing into your account for the first time. For example, an online casino might offer a 50% deposit match bonus up to $1,000. If you deposit $500, you will get an extra $250 in bonus funds.

Free Spins

Online casinos will sometimes dish out free spins on slot machines. For this type of bonus, a casino will reward you for gambling with their platform by adding free spins for a chance to win real money.

Remember, free spins might come with a playthrough requirement. That means you have to earn more winnings or play a certain number of spins to access your winnings.

No-Deposit Bonus Offers

Sometimes, top online casinos will dish out bonus funds just for signing up as a new user. This might be a popular option for leading online casinos in Illinois if the state legalizes online casino gaming. For example, an online casino might be giving $50 in bonus funds for registering for the first time.

Refer Friends

The top platforms obviously want as many people as possible to discover the best online casinos. This is why they usually have referral programs to reward users and customers who get their friends, family, and more to sign up. Most of the time a referral bonus is only added to your account after a friend registers and deposits money into their account.

The History of Gambling in Illinois

Gambling in the state of Illinois can be traced all the way back to unlicensed riverboat casinos in the 1880s. The first legal gambling steps were taken in the 1920s when the Illinois General Assembly allowed for horse track betting in 1927.

In 1974, Illinois was one of the first midwest states to create a lottery. Then in 1990, the state passed the Riverboat Gambling Act, which opened the door for more legal gambling options in 1991.

Today, the state of Illinois has 10 licensed casinos operating, and have been going strong thanks to the 2009 Video Gaming Act that allows for video gaming terminals to be legally added to certain locations. A few more retail locations like Bally’s Casino Chicago are expected to open within the next few years.

In March 2020, the state of Illinois started sports betting at retail locations. Mobile sports betting was able to start later that year in June. Since then, top sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers, and more have entered the state to take advantage of the booming sports betting market in the US.

Responsible Gambling in Illinois

The state of Illinois has utilized several responsible gambling tools to ensure a great betting experience for customers in the state. More will likely be added or considered if the state moves to add legal online casino gaming in 2023 or later.

Some of the tools include deposit limits, betting limits, reality checks, and timeouts. Also, there are links to organizations like the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling on all gambling sites across the state.

Best Illinois Online Casinos FAQs

21+ and Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.