Is it legal to play online casinos in Illinois?
Right now, online casinos are not legal in Illinois. After looking into the state’s gambling laws, I found that while Illinois has made big strides in some areas of gambling, online casino gaming still hasn’t been given the green light by lawmakers.
To help you understand where things stand, let me walk you through how gambling laws have changed over time in Illinois:
- The Riverboat Gambling Act (1990)
The 1990s marked a major turning point for gambling in Illinois. With the Riverboat Gambling Act passed in 1990, riverboat casinos became legal. This was a big deal. People across the state started heading to these riverboat casinos for entertainment. The very first one opened in Alton, Illinois. But by 1999, the law was amended and prohibited riverboats, making them land-based casinos instead.
- The Illinois Gaming Act (2009)
In 2009, the state made another move by passing the Illinois Gaming Act. This law allowed bars, restaurants, and some other businesses to install video gaming terminals (VGTs) and slot machines. It added a new layer to local gambling, especially in smaller venues.
- The Illinois Sports Wagering Act (2019)
The most recent major change came in 2019 with the Illinois Sports Wagering Act (also known as SB 690). This law legalized sports betting throughout the state. It was officially passed in June 2019, and by March 2020, sports betting operators were up and running.
While you won’t find any
online casinos offering no deposit bonuses
for real money in Illinois, there are still several legal ways to enjoy sports casino sites in the state. From sports betting apps to video gaming terminals and physical casinos, Illinois offers a variety of regulated options for those interested in placing a wager.
Let me walk you through the legal forms of wagering you can take part in when you're in Illinois.
Illinois has a long history with riverboat casinos, but over time, the laws changed. Many of these riverboats are now permanently docked or have transitioned into land-based casinos. Today, you can visit a number of these establishments across the state, offering everything from slot machines to table games. Here’s a list of the land-based casinos currently operating in Illinois.
| Land Based Casinos |
City |
| Casino Queen |
East St. Louis |
| Harrah’s Joliet |
Joliet |
| Harrah’s Metropolis |
Metropolis |
| Hollywood Casino Aurora |
Aurora |
| Grand Victoria Casino Elgin |
Elgin |
| Argosy Casino Alton |
Alton |
| Rivers Casino |
Des Plaines |
| Par-A-Dice Casino |
East Peoria |
| Jumer’s Casino & Hotel |
Rock Island |
After the Illinois Racing Board (IRB) was created in 1933, there was a push to legalize horse racing in the state. The Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 finally legalized legal horse racing and wagering on races across the state.
Sports betting is also legal in Illinois now. In 2019, a law called the Illinois Sports Wagering Act made it official. Today, there are 14 licensed sportsbooks where people can place bets. While you won’t find real online casinos that let you play for free with real money, some sportsbooks do offer no deposit bonuses, which means you can try them without spending anything right away.
The state lottery is another legal way people in Illinois try their luck. It’s run by the Illinois Gaming Board and includes things like scratch-off tickets, draw games (where numbers are picked), and even games you can play online.
Is it legal to play sweepstakes casinos in Illinois?
After looking closely at the laws in Illinois, I found that
sweepstakes casinos
are
legal in Illinois as long as they comply with the regulations. The operation of sweepstakes is regulated by the Prizes and Gifts Act, enforced by the Attorney General or State’s Attorney's office. This law is enforced by the Attorney General or the local State’s Attorney. Basically, they make sure everything is fair and legal.
Now, what makes sweepstakes casinos different from regular online casinos is that they have to be
free
to enter. That means you shouldn’t have to pay to play. If a site tries to make you pay just to join the game, that’s not allowed under the law.
For a sweepstakes to be legal in Illinois, three things are needed:
-
It has to be free to play.
o payment cannot be required by operators to allow players to enter.
-
There must be a prize.
Players should have a chance to win something.
-
There must be an element of chance.
That means winners are picked randomly, not by skill.
Since Illinois doesn’t currently allow real money online casinos, a lot of people enjoy sweepstakes casinos instead. They offer a fun way to play games online without spending money, and if you’re lucky, you might even win a prize.
Why are sweepstakes casinos a good alternative to online casinos in Illinois?
I’ve been exploring ways to enjoy casino‑style games here in Illinois, and I found sweepstakes casinos to be a great option. Let me share with you why:
- Legal status:
Since online casinos in Illinois are not yet legal,
sweepstakes casinos
fill the gap. They’re regulated and follow the law
- Free-to-play: You can sign up for free on all Illinois sweepstakes casinos and you can try the different sweepstakes games on the site for free as well. This is an attractive incentive for players who simply want to try out sweepstakes games in Illinois without making a purchase.
- Opportunities to win real prizes: Even though you play with virtual coins, you can turn your wins into real rewards. If you play at sweepstakes casinos where there are real prizes up for grabs, you can redeem your sweeps coins for cash prizes or gift cards. This has contributed immensely to the growing popularity of sweepstakes casinos in Illinois.
How do you identify which sweepstakes casinos are legit?
If you're thinking about trying out sweepstakes casinos in Illinois, it’s important to make sure you’re using a trusted and legal site. From my experience, not all sites are legal. You can find all the information on their legal status, security, and reputation in our review.
Besides our reviews, you can also perform a quick background search on Illinois sweepstakes casinos you come across by following the simple checklist of instructions below. To help you stay safe, here’s how I check if a sweepstakes casino is legally authorized and you can do the same.
1.
Make Sure It Follows the Law
Sweepstakes casinos in Illinois follow special rules. You should never have to pay money or make a deposit to enter. If a site asks you to spend money to play, that’s a big red flag.
Also, a good sweepstakes casino will clearly explain:
If the site hides any of this or makes it confusing, I’d be cautious.
2.
See What Other Players Say
After checking the legal stuff, review what other players think and say about them. Reviews from real users can tell you a lot. If many people complain about slow reward redemptions, trouble verifying their accounts, or poor customer support, that’s a sign to stay away.
Good sites usually have a mix of reviews, but too many complaints should make you think twice.
As mentioned above, if you’re still unsure, I recommend you check our trusted lists of sweepstakes casinos on our website. We have reviewed several sweepstakes casinos in Illinois and other parts of the U.S. You can find out which ones are legal, safe, and fun to use, all in one place.
What potential future updates on online casinos in Illinois can the state expect?
The future of online casinos in Illinois is changing, and it's important to understand how recent laws and debates might impact this. Let's dive into what might be coming next and how it could affect the state online casinos.
Progressive taxation can hurt iGaming expansion
I’ve been following the 2024 Illinois budget bill, and there’s a new idea to tax sports‑betting operators more as they make more money. Right now, big online sportsbooks in Illinois pay a flat rate on their winnings. Under this plan, the more they earn, the higher the percentage they’d owe in taxes.
While this might be demanding, several of the largest operators have already said they might leave Illinois for states with lower, simpler tax rules. The budget bill still needs Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s approval, but he usually signs off on higher taxes, so it looks likely to become law. If it does, Illinois would join only a few other states using a tiered tax system for online sports betting.
Under the new system, operators will pay:
- 20% on the first $30 million in yearly revenue
- 25% on $30 million to $50 million in yearly revenue
- 30% on $50 million to $100 million in yearly revenue
- 35% on $100 million to $200 million in yearly revenue
- 40% on $200 million or over in yearly revenue
Internet Gaming Act (IGA)
Let me explain what’s going on with online casinos in Illinois.
Right now, there's a bill called
House Bill 2239. This is the only recent law that tries to make online casinos legal in the state. But honestly, there hasn’t been much progress with it. At this point, it doesn’t look like it will pass anytime soon.
Two lawmakers,
Senator Cristina Castro
and
Representative Edgar Gonzalez Jr., are the ones pushing this bill forward. They want to make online casino gaming legal, and they’re using rules that are a lot like the ones we already have for sports betting.
Here’s how it would work:
-
Online casino companies would have to pay a
15% flat tax
on what they earn. But there’s a chance this could go higher because the state is also thinking about using a system where the more you make, the more you pay (that’s called progressive taxation).
-
Each company that gets a license would be allowed to run
up to three online casino brands.
No-deposit bonus wagering requirements in Illinois
When I was exploring sweepstakes casinos in Illinois, I found that many of them offer no-deposit bonuses. These are free rewards you can get without spending any money. They often show up as welcome bonuses when you first sign up,
daily login rewards, or special offers during holidays or events.
But here’s something important to know—just because the bonus is free doesn’t mean you can cash it out right away.
Let me explain.
If you get a no-deposit bonus, like the 5 SC (Sweeps Coins) from High 5 Casino’s welcome offer, you’ll need to use that bonus to play games at least once before it becomes eligible for redemption. This is called a "playthrough" requirement.
Also, even after playing it through, you’ll need to reach a certain number of SC before you can exchange them for real prizes. For example:
Each sweepstakes casino may have slightly different rules, but most follow a similar pattern. These rules help make sure players actually engage with the games and don’t just take the free bonus and leave.
| Sweepstakes Casino |
No-deposit bonus |
Playthrough requirements |
| Stake US |
25 SC + 250,000 GC |
Must play through 3x before redemption |
| McLuck |
27.5 Free SC + Up to 57.500 GC |
SC must be played through 1x before redemption: 75 SC for cash, 100 SC for gift cards |
| Hello Millions |
2.5 SC +15,000 GC |
SC must be played through 1x before redeeming |
| WOW Vegas |
35 SC Free and 1.75M WOW Coins |
SC must be played through 1x before redemption |
| Zula Casino |
Get 10 SC Sign-up Bonus + 100K GC |
SC must be played through 1x before redemption; 50 SC is the minimum required for redemption |
| High 5 Casino |
5 SC Free + 250 Game Coins and 600 Diamonds |
SC must be played through 1x before redemption; 50 SC for a gift card, 100 SC for cash prizes |
| Sportzino |
SC 7 Welcome Bonus + Up to GC 170,000 |
SC must be played through 1x before redeeming |
| Sweeptastic |
50% First Purchase Discount: Get 40K Lucky Coins + 40 SC Free |
SC must be played through 1x before redeeming; 100 SC minimum for redemption |
| Fortune Coins |
1,400 Fortune Coins+ Free 650,000 GC |
SC must be played through 1x before redemption |
| Vegas Gems |
1K Gems + 50% Extra Gems On First Purchase |
SC must be played through 1x before redeeming: 100 SC required at the minimum for a redemption |
What are users saying about playing sweepstakes casinos online in Illinois?
When I started looking into what others think about online gambling in Illinois, I noticed something right away—most people are talking about sports betting.
Ever since sports betting became legal in Illinois back in 2019, and sportsbooks started popping up in 2020, a lot of residents have noticed a big change. One of the most common things people mention is how many more ads they’re seeing for sports betting. These ads seem to be everywhere on TV, online, and even at bus stops.
Fantasy sports,
DFS sites, and sports betting have grown across the U.S. significantly, especially in Illinois. It's no surprise that people really enjoy being able to place bets on their favorite local teams. But it’s not just sports betting that’s catching attention. Sweepstakes casinos have also become a hot topic among people who are into online gambling in the state.
Recently, I came across a post on Reddit that got a lot of attention. Someone shared news about a new poker room in Chicago called the Chicago Card Club. What’s interesting is that it runs on something called a
sweepstakes model. This means players don’t have to pay directly to play. Legally speaking, there’s no “consideration,” which is one of the key elements that usually makes a game gambling in the eyes of the law. That’s why Chicago Card Club is allowed to operate.
Someone in the thread mentioned they had visited the Chicago Card Club and said it was “awesome and legit.” That got me thinking about how places like this bring sweepstakes games into real-life locations, even though they still follow the same sweepstakes rules as online games.
The idea is pretty interesting. Instead of just playing on a website, you can walk into a place like the Chicago Card Club and enjoy the same kind of games in person. It feels more social and real, especially for people who like the face-to-face experience.
Sweepstakes casinos are allowed to operate in Illinois, as long as they follow one important rule:
no purchase should be necessary to play. This means you don’t have to spend any money to take part, which helps these casinos stay within the law.
So far, everything seems to be going smoothly. More and more sweepstakes casinos are starting to offer their games in Illinois. It’s clear that the idea is catching on, and operators are finding ways to follow the rules while still giving people a fun way to play.
Final thoughts on sweepstakes casinos in Illinois
Even though online casinos are still not allowed in Illinois,
online sports betting
has been growing quickly since it became legal in 2019. But the new tax laws might make things harder for this industry. If that happens, it could delay or even stop the future approval of online casinos in the state.
For now, sweepstakes casinos are a legal and fun way to enjoy online casino-style games in Illinois. As long as they follow the state’s sweepstakes laws, they’re good to go. If you're curious and want to try out games without spending real money right away, sweepstakes casinos can be a great place to start. They even offer no-deposit bonuses, so you can play for free and still have a chance to win prizes.
Illinois Legal Sweepstakes Casino FAQ
🧑⚖️ Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Illinois?
Yes, sweepstakes casinos are indeed considered legal in Illinois as long as they comply with all the sweepstakes laws and regulations in the state of Illinois.
⁉️ Will online casinos be legal in Illinois?
It is hard to say whether online casinos will be legal in Illinois because there hasn’t been any movement on the House Bill that proposes to legalize online casinos in the state. As of now, it doesn’t seem legalization is coming at least until 2025.
🧐 What type of gambling is legal in Illinois?
Different forms of commercial gambling like horse racing, riverboat casinos, sports betting and state lottery, are legal in Illinois. Contests of skill are permitted, and so are charitable raffles, bingo and so on.
🏝️ Do casinos have to be on water in Illinois?
According to the history of riverboat casinos in Illinois, all casinos have to be moved to dry land, as per the legislation of 2019. So as of now, all Illinois land-based casinos have to operate on dry land.
🏅 Which are the top sweepstakes casinos in Illinois?
Some of the most well-known Illinois sweepstakes casinos include High 5 Casini, Stake.us, McLuck Casino, Sportzino and more. You can find a complete list of the top 25 sweepstakes casinos on the Ballislife website.
👮 Is Bingo legal in Illinois?
Yes, Bingo is legal in Illinois as long as it is hosted by a non-profit organization.
🎰 Can you build a casino on land in Illinois?
Illinois is one of the 21 states where non-tribal, land-based casinos are permitted. So you could build a land-based casino in Illinois.
🎯 Which is the best sweepstakes casino for Illinois residents?
There are many sweepstakes casinos available to Illinois residents, but some of the best ones are Stake.us, McLuck Casino and Sweeptastic Casino, all of which have a wide gaming catalog along with attractive no-deposit bonuses.
⚖️ Are sweepstakes legal in the U.S.?
Besides some states where there is a blanket ban on sweepstakes casinos, they are mostly legal across the different states, as long as they comply with the sweepstakes laws in that state.
🪪 Do I need to pay to play at a sweepstakes casino?
Sweepstakes casinos are free-to-play casinos so you will not need to pay any fee to enter the sweepstakes casino.
Disclaimer: Kindly note that we are not legal or tax experts. While we always strive to present the most accurate information, this is not binding legal advice. Always reach out to a licensed lawyer or tax advisor when in doubt.
