Illinois Casinos, Sweepstakes and Gambling

Online Gaming in Illinois

Illinois has one of the largest and most developed legal gambling markets in the US, anchored by 16 licensed casinos, a state-wide network of around 50,000 Video Gaming Terminals, and one of the busiest online sports betting markets in the country. What it lacks, for now, is licensed real-money online casino gaming — though bills to legalise iGaming have been introduced in both 2023 and 2025, and the financial case for legalisation is compelling.

Online Sports Betting — Fully Legal, Heavily Taxed

Illinois legalised sports betting as part of the landmark 2019 Gambling Act (SB 690), with the first in-person bets accepted in March 2020 and online wagering launching in June 2020. Illinois quickly became one of the largest sports betting markets in the US, with licensed operators including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, BetRivers, Fanatics, and Hard Rock Bet.

Illinois has raised its sports betting tax twice in recent years, making it the most aggressively taxed sports betting state in the US:

• July 2024: Illinois replaced its flat 15% tax with a progressive structure of 20%–40% based on annual adjusted gross revenue (AGR). FanDuel and DraftKings — the two largest operators — reached the 40% bracket immediately.
• July 2025: An additional per-wager excise tax was introduced: $0.25 per wager for the first 20 million bets per operator per year, rising to $0.50 per wager thereafter. Several operators passed part of this cost to bettors through minimum bet requirements or explicit per-bet fees.

Illinois collected $276 million in sports betting taxes in 2024 and the per-wager tax is projected to generate significantly more in 2025. However, data through late 2025 shows bettors placed fewer wagers following the per-bet tax introduction. Illinois also prohibited wagering on Illinois collegiate sports from 1 July 2024. A bill to repeal the per-wager tax was introduced in 2026.

Sweepstakes Casinos — Available But Contested

Sweepstakes casinos operate in a legally contested environment in Illinois. The IGB has made its position explicit — these platforms violate the Illinois Criminal Code — but as of early 2026, enforcement compliance is low and most platforms remain accessible. Our recommended platforms available to Illinois players include:

• Crown Coins — A well-regarded sweepstakes casino with a strong game library and smooth redemption process.
• WOW Vegas — Over 1,000 slots plus live dealer games. Free Sweeps Coins from day one.
• Free Spin Casino — A solid option with a wide variety of slot titles.
• American Luck — A US-focused platform with regular promotional offers.
• Fortune Coins — Popular for its large game library and strong VIP programme.

Not currently available in Illinois: MegaBonanza and Spree have restricted Illinois access, likely in response to the IGB's enforcement stance.

Social Casinos — The Safe Alternative

• 7 Seas Casino — Free-to-play Vegas-style slots. No prizes, no purchase, no legal grey area.
• Vegas World — Free slots, poker, and table games in a lively social setting.
• Casino World — A broad range of free social casino games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is online sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes. Online sports betting has been legal in Illinois since June 2020. Illinois is one of the largest sports betting markets in the US, with all major operators licensed including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and BetRivers. Bettors must be 21 or older and physically located in Illinois. Note that wagering on Illinois collegiate teams has been banned since July 2024, and credit cards are prohibited for funding betting accounts from April 2025.

Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Illinois?

The Illinois Gaming Board's position is that they are not. In February 2026, the IGB issued cease-and-desist letters to 65 sweepstakes casino operators, stating they violate Illinois Criminal Code Article 29, Section 28-1. Compliance has been partial — Stake.us is among the platforms that have exited Illinois, with several others following suit in March 2026. However, most platforms remain accessible. MegaBonanza and Spree have restricted Illinois access; Crown Coins, WOW Vegas, and others remain available. Use licensed sports betting or social casinos for the clearest legal option.

Are real-money online casinos legal in Illinois?

Not yet. Online casino gaming is not currently legalised in Illinois. An Internet Gaming Act was introduced in both 2023 and 2025 but failed to advance past committee. Projections suggest licensed iGaming could generate $800 million+ in annual Illinois tax revenue — a powerful argument for eventual legalisation, though tribal opposition and responsible gambling concerns have slowed progress.

How many casinos are there in Illinois?

Illinois has 16 licensed casinos, rising to 17 when Bally's Chicago opens in 2026. The state's casinos are a mix of riverboat-origin venues now permanently docked or land-based, plus newer land-based properties. There are no tribal casinos in Illinois — a distinctive feature of the state's gaming landscape.

What are Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) in Illinois?

Illinois has one of the most extensive Video Gaming Terminal networks in the US — around 50,000+ licensed terminals operating at bars, restaurants, and other licensed establishments across the state. VGTs are electronic gaming machines (slots and video poker) that can be found throughout Illinois wherever alcohol is served and a VGT licence has been obtained. They generated over $1.1 billion in combined state and local taxes in 2025. VGTs are a uniquely Illinois experience — a form of widely distributed gambling not found at this scale in most other states.

When will the Chicago casino open?

Bally's Chicago Casino is expected to open its permanent facility in 2026. When it does, it will become Illinois's first Chicago-based casino — previous licensing restrictions had kept casinos outside Cook County to protect the horse racing industry. The Chicago casino will add significant gaming capacity to the state's most populated area.

What responsible gambling resources are available in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery funds problem gambling services statewide. The helpline is 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), or text GAMB to 833234, available 24/7. The IGB operates a voluntary Self-Exclusion Program covering all licensed Illinois casinos and sportsbooks — a single registration excludes a player from all regulated venues and platforms. The IGB's website at igb.illinois.gov provides full details.

Illinois Gambling Laws and the IGB

Illinois gambling is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), one of the most active and well-resourced state gaming regulators in the country. The IGB oversees casino licences, the Sports Wagering Act, the Video Gaming Act, and responsible gambling programmes. The IGB works closely with the Illinois State Police's Gaming Enforcement Command and the Attorney General's Office on enforcement.

Legal gambling in Illinois is restricted to specifically licensed operators. The Illinois Criminal Code (Article 29, Section 28-1) prohibits operating any internet site that permits games of chance or skill for money — which is the provision the IGB cites against sweepstakes casino operators. Unlike some states where the law is ambiguous, Illinois has a specific criminal statute that regulators are actively applying.

The sweepstakes enforcement campaign in February 2026 — 65 C&D letters — follows earlier rounds of enforcement against offshore sportsbooks (February 2025) and prediction market operators (2025). The IGB has stated it will "continue to evaluate all available regulatory and law enforcement tools to combat illegal gambling." However, the low initial compliance rate suggests that without legislation specifically outlawing sweepstakes platforms, enforcement will remain challenging.

Illinois Gambling History

Illinois has a genuinely notable place in American gambling history. In 1974, it became the first US state to legalise a state lottery — a landmark decision that was soon followed by most other states. The idea was primarily to fund public education, a justification that has remained central to Illinois lottery policy ever since. The Illinois Lottery now consistently ranks among the top ten US lotteries by revenue.

Horse race betting was legalised in the 1920s, and pari-mutuel wagering grew into a significant industry. The 1975 Illinois Horse Racing Act regulated thoroughbred and harness racing, and simulcast wagering and off-track betting were added in the 1980s. Riverboat casinos were legalised in 1991 — initially required to actually cruise the rivers, with patrons queuing for hours to board. The movement requirement was repealed in 1999, allowing the "riverboat" casinos to become permanently docked or land-based venues, though the licensing framework kept the name.

The 2011 Casinos Act (SB 744) expanded permitted games, and the landmark 2019 Illinois Gambling Act (SB 690) transformed the state's gaming landscape — legalising sports betting, authorising six new casinos (including Chicago), and expanding the VGT framework. Illinois notably has no tribal casinos, an unusual feature for a large US state, reflecting ongoing disputes over reservation definitions.

The tax policy story of recent years has been dramatic. Illinois raised sports betting taxes from 15% (flat) to 20–40% (progressive) in 2024, then added a per-wager excise tax in 2025 — placing itself among the highest-taxed sports betting jurisdictions in the world. The argument for legalising online casino gaming has grown significantly as a result: iGaming is projected to generate far more tax revenue than sports betting, with far less need for aggressive tax escalation.

Land-Based Casinos in Illinois

Illinois has 16 licensed casinos, all regulated by the IGB. Unlike most large US gambling states, none of Illinois's casinos are tribal — all operate under commercial licences. Major venues include:

• Rivers Casino Des Plaines — The highest-earning casino in Illinois, generating $503 million in AGR in 2025 — roughly a quarter of the state's entire casino market. Located near O'Hare airport, it is the de facto flagship Illinois casino.
• Hollywood Casino Joliet — One of the largest original riverboat casino sites, with nearly 1,200 slot machines and 20 table games across 50,000 square feet.
• Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino (East Peoria) — Permanently docked on the Illinois River with over 1,150 slots, 21+ table games, and a 195-room hotel.
• Harrah's Joliet — Part of the Caesars network, offering slots, table games, and a hotel.
• Casino Queen (East St. Louis) — Located near the Missouri border, offering gaming and hotel facilities.

Bally's Chicago — Opening 2026

The most significant development in Illinois casino history since the riverboat era is the opening of Bally's Chicago Casino, which received its licence in late 2024. Located on the former Tribune Publishing site in the River North neighbourhood, Bally's Chicago will be the state's first casino within Chicago city limits — a restriction that had existed for decades to protect the horse racing industry. Its opening will raise the state's total to 17 licensed casinos.

Video Gaming Terminals — Illinois's Distributed Casino Network

Illinois's VGT network is one of the most distinctive gambling features in any US state. Around 50,000 licensed gaming machines operate at bars, restaurants, truck stops, and other licensed establishments across the state. VGTs offer video poker and slot-style games, with a maximum stake of $4 per play. They generated over $1.1 billion in combined state and local taxes in 2025 — significantly more than the casino sector's $430 million. Chicago itself debated adding VGTs to city bars as a budget measure for 2026, though negotiations were ongoing as of year's end.

Responsible Gambling in Illinois

• Illinois Helpline for Problem Gambling — 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or text GAMB to 833234, available 24/7. Run in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services and the IGB.
• IGB Self-Exclusion Program — A single voluntary self-exclusion registration excludes a player from all 16+ licensed Illinois casinos and all licensed online sportsbooks. Available through the IGB at igb.illinois.gov.
• National Problem Gambling Helpline — 1-800-522-4700, available 24/7 by phone, text, and live chat.
• Gamblers Anonymous — Active chapters throughout Chicago and Illinois; schedules at gamblersanonymous.org.

References

1. Illinois Gaming Board
2. IGB Cease-and-Desist Letters — Sweepstakes and Online Casino Operators
3. Illinois Lottery
4. Illinois Racing Board
5. Online gambling — are players at risk of prosecution?
6. American Gaming Association