Illinois offers legal online gambling through sports betting, horse racing, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), sweepstakes casinos, and lottery draws. Although IL has yet to introduce regulated online casino gaming, players in the state can bet at a host of offshore gambling sites, including BetOnline, Wild Casino, Bovada, and Everygame.
Read our complete guide to discover everything you need to know about IL online gambling, from our experts’ list of the best gambling platforms and in-depth reviews of these sites, to details on how to sign up and play and what bonuses you can claim.
BetOnline Gambling
50% Sports Bonus, 100% Casino Bonus, 100% Poker Bonus 50% Sports Bonus, 100% Casino Bonus, 100% Poker Bonus
Bovada Gambling
50% Sports Bonus, 100% Casino Bonus, 100% Poker Bonus 50% Sports Bonus, 100% Casino Bonus, 100% Poker Bonus
Wild Casino Gambling
$5,000 Online Casino Welcome Bonus Package $5,000 Online Casino Welcome Bonus Package
Everygame Gambling
100% Sports Bonus, $5,555 Casino Bonus, 200% Poker Bonus 100% Sports Bonus, $5,555 Casino Bonus, 200% Poker Bonus
BetNow Gambling
150% Bonus up to $225 or 100% Bonus up to $1,000 150% Bonus up to $225 or 100% Bonus up to $1,000
MyBookie Gambling
50% Sports Bonus & 150% Casino Bonus 50% Sports Bonus & 150% Casino Bonus
BetUS Gambling
100% Sports + 25% Casino Combo Bonus 100% Sports + 25% Casino Combo Bonus
BUSR Gambling
100% Sports Bonus, 150% Casino Bonus, $150 Racebook Bonus 100% Sports Bonus, 150% Casino Bonus, $150 Racebook Bonus
SportsBetting.ag Gambling
100% Sports Bonus, 100% Casino Bonus, 100% Poker Bonus 100% Sports Bonus, 100% Casino Bonus, 100% Poker Bonus
TG.Casino Gambling
200% Instant Bonus up to 10ETH 200% Instant Bonus up to 10ETH
XBet Gambling
50% Sports Bonus & 200% Casino Bonus 50% Sports Bonus & 200% Casino Bonus
Lucky Block Gambling
200% Bonus up to $10,000 for Sports and Casino 200% Bonus up to $10,000 for Sports and Casino
Mega Dice Gambling
200% Bonus up to 1 BTC for Sports and Casino 200% Bonus up to 1 BTC for Sports and Casino
BetOnline Gambling
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Bovada Gambling
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Wild Casino Gambling
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Everygame Gambling
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BetNow Gambling
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MyBookie Gambling
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BetUS Gambling
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BUSR Gambling
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SportsBetting.ag Gambling
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TG.Casino Gambling
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XBet Gambling
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Lucky Block Gambling
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Mega Dice Gambling
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Top 10 Online Gambling Sites in Illinois
To find the top IL online gambling sites, our experts tried and tested the best offshore online gambling platforms. Although these sites base themselves outside the US, they are renowned for their high standard of offerings, including diverse gambling options, security, and exciting bonuses. Below, you can access our experts’ list of the best offshore gambling platforms Illinois has to offer.
- BetOnline – The best overall Illinois online gambling site, offering a separate poker room, racebook, online casino, and sportsbook.
- Wild Casino – Enjoy a unique, dedicated casino with over 300 games and a fun collection of video poker games.
- Bovada – Place live bets on sports and casino games and watch these events in real time using HD streaming.
- Everygame – Explore one of the best dedicated poker suites at this dual casino and enjoy several exciting poker tournaments.
- XBet – Bet on a unique variety of sports while enjoying some of the most competitive odds and betting lines.
- MyBookie – Learn the ropes of online gambling at this user-friendly site that also translates well on smaller mobile devices.
- Ignition – Play the best live dealer casino games at this top online casino and enjoy the top live roulette offerings.
- Sportsbetting.ag – Fund your account with ease and quickly access your winnings using one of the many payment options provided here.
- Lucky Block – Enjoy a diverse selection of gambling options, including sports betting and over 6,000 casino games.
- Mega Dice – Crypto gamblers can enjoy varied sports betting options and casino games at this top Telegram gambling site.
Reviews of the Best IL Online Gambling Sites
The offshore IL gambling casinos and sportsbooks on our list are safe and secure and have licenses from reputable gaming authorities. These sites may not be based in the US, but this works to their advantage, allowing them to offer more flexible and diverse betting options. Below, we review the top 10 offshore IL gambling sites so you can find the one that meets your needs.
1. BetOnline – Best Overall Gambling Site in Illinois
- Payout time: Instant to 15 days
- Established: 1991
- License: Panama Gaming Authority
- Headquarters: Panama City
- Restricted Regions: New Jersey
Our Verdict (10 / 10)
When it comes to online gambling sites, BetOnline sits at the top of our list, for many reasons. The platform, which first launched in 1991, has a reputation for offering some of the most diverse gambling options and delivers an extensive range of payment methods, adding convenience to its features.
Sports fans can enjoy the site’s sportsbook, which also includes a live betting suite and a dedicated racebook. The variety of sports covered is extensive and includes 35 markets, including football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. BetOnline is also known for its varied betting lines and for offering some of the most competitive betting odds.
Casino goers can enjoy the platform’s casino, which offers over 500 games, including live dealer options, slots, and table games like blackjack. Besides a casino, BetOnline features a dedicated poker suite with a selection of games and tournaments.
Features Overview
- Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
- Desktop Experience: 10/10
- Mobile Experience: 10/10
- Registration Process: 9/10
- Payment Methods: 10/10
- Sportsbook: 10/10
- Casino: 9/10
- Live Casino: 9/10
- Poker: 10/10
- Customer Support: 9/10
Top Sign-Up Offers:
Offer | Description | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit |
Casino Sign-up Offer | Deposit matches up to $3,000 | BETCASINO | 45x | $25 |
Sports Sign-up Offer | 50% Welcome bonus up to $1,000 | BET1000 | 10x | $55 |
Poker Sign-up Offer | 100% Poker welcome bonus up to $1,000 | POKER1000 | N/A | $50 |
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Excellent poker suite
- Provides regular poker tournaments
- Has 35 sports markets and 500 casino games
- Delivers the most competitive sports odds
Cons:
- Not the most exciting bonuses
- Doesn’t offer live game show games
2. Wild Casino – Top Casino for Video Poker Games
- Payout time: Instant to 7 days
- Established: 2018
- License: Panama Gaming Authority
- Headquarters: Panama City
- Restricted Regions: New Jersey
Our Verdict (9.5 / 10)
Wild Casino differs from other sites on our list, like BetOnline or Bovada. Instead of delivering a comprehensive selection of gambling options, Wild Casino only offers casino gaming. However, while this narrows the possibilities severely, the site provides some of the best casino games.
The casino has over 350 games to explore, each one produced by a leading software developer. Among the options are slots, jackpot games, specialty options like scratchcards and keno, video poker, and table games. Additionally, Wild Casino provides one of the top live dealer suites, featuring over 20 blackjack games, a handful of roulette variations, and baccarat games.
Wild Casino, like BetOnline, does deliver a varying number of payment methods. You can opt for fiat currencies like credit cards and bank transfers or go the quicker route of using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. The bonuses and promotions Wild Casino has are also some of the best, with the welcome bonus covering your first few deposits.
Features Overview
- Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
- Desktop Experience: 9/10
- Mobile Experience: 9/10
- Registration Process: 8/10
- Payment Methods: 9/10
- Sportsbook: 0/10
- Casino: 9/10
- Live Casino: 9/10
- Poker: 5/10
- Customer Support: 8/10
Top Sign-Up Offers:
Offer | Description | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit |
Casino Sign-up Offer | 250% first-time deposit match up to $1,000 + subsequent matches up to $5,000 | WILD250 | 35x | $20 |
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Enjoy 73 live casino games
- Fund your account using Bitcoin
- Sign-up promo extends to multiple deposits
- Fun video poker options
Cons:
- No sportsbook or racebook
- Doesn’t offer free-play on games
3. Bovada – Live stream sports and casino games in HD
- Payout time: Instant to 10 days
- Established: 2011
- License: Curacao Gaming Authority
- Headquarters: Costa Rica
- Restricted Regions: Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York
Our Verdict (9.5 / 10)
An online offshore gambling site that comes in as a close second to BetOnline is Bovada. Despite only hitting the market in 2011, Bovada offers many of the same exciting features found at BetOnline, including a racebook, a sportsbook, a live betting suite, a poker room, a live dealer casino, and an online casino.
Bovada’s online casino may have a varied assortment of games. However, the number is half that offered by BetOnline. But, where Bovada stands out is in its live offerings. Both the live dealer casino and live betting suite offer you the chance to live stream games and matches in high-definition in real-time.
The sports selection at Bovada is far more impressive and includes a number of unique sports, making for a more interesting online betting experience. Bonuses and promotions are quick and easy to claim and are generous for the most part. However, Bovada’s selection of payment methods is limited and could improve.
Features Overview
- Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
- Desktop Experience: 9/10
- Mobile Experience: 9/10
- Registration Process: 8/10
- Payment Methods: 8/10
- Sportsbook: 9/10
- Casino: 8/10
- Live Casino: 9/10
- Poker: 9/10
- Customer Support: 8/10
Top Sign-Up Offers:
Offer | Description | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit |
Casino Sign-up Offer | Deposit matches up to $3,750 | BTCCWB1250 | 25x | $15 |
Sports Sign-up Offer | 75% match bonus up to $750 on first deposit | BTCSWB750 | 5x | $15 |
Poker Sign-up Offer | Deposit match of 100% up to $500 | PWB500 | N/A | $5 |
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Delivers a dedicated poker room and racebook
- Enjoy casino games and sports matches in high-definition
- Covers several unique sports
- Offers a variety of exciting promotions
Cons:
- Very small selection of casino games
- Bonuses not available for use on live gambling
4. Everygame – Features the top dedicated poker suite
- Payout time: Up to two business days
- Established: 2021
- License: Curacao Gaming Authority
- Headquarters: Antigua
- Restricted Regions: Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Washington State
Our Verdict (9 / 10)
Intertops launched onto the online gambling market in the early 90s. However, in keeping with the times, the platform rebranded in 2021, emerging as Everygame. While the site kept up its stellar sports betting options and varied selection of sports markets, it added several new features. Today, you can enjoy placing parlays and props more efficiently using the prop and parlay building features.
Everygame also added a dual casino. The Classic casino offers gaming and betting limits designed to suit all budgets and features slots, table games, and specialty options. In contrast, the Red Casino delivers high-end gaming to meet the needs of high rollers. This casino also offers a live dealer suite.
However, Everygame stands out for its impressive poker room. Besides a large selection of poker games, you can also enjoy daily and weekly tournaments that provide more excitement and greater ways to win. You can even claim several bonuses to boost your bankroll and your betting options.
Features Overview
- Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
- Desktop Experience: 9/10
- Mobile Experience: 9/10
- Registration Process: 8/10
- Payment Methods: 9/10
- Sportsbook: 9/10
- Casino: 8/10
- Live Casino: 8/10
- Poker: 10/10
- Customer Support: 8/10
Top Sign-Up Offers:
Offer | Description | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit |
Casino Sign-up Offer | Welcome bonus worth up to $5,555 | SIGNUP1000 | 30x – 60x | $20 |
Sports Sign-up Offer | 50% deposit match up to $200 | WELCOME200 | 8x | $20 |
Poker Sign-up Offer | 200% deposit match up to $1,000 + 25 FS | 1000EGP | N/A | $25 |
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Enjoy daily poker tournaments
- Build your own props and parlays
- Explore various sports markets
- Visit the red casino for high roller gaming
Cons:
- Not many casino games despite a dual casino
- Not the most user-friendly platform
5. XBet – Covers a unique variety of sports markets
- Payout time: Up to two business days
- Established: 2014
- License: Curacao Gaming Authority
- Headquarters: Costa Rica
- Restricted Regions: Available in all states
Our Verdict (8.5 / 10)
Although it is newer than sites like BetOnline and Everygame, XBet delivers a fantastic selection of gambling options. A racebook covers the latest local and international horse racing events and offers excellent odds. The sportsbook features a live betting suite and a pre-game betting section that allows you to bet on a varied assortment of sports, including more unique options like water polo and badminton. XBet also features more competitive odds for more lucrative sports betting.
While XBet’s casino is not as extensive as its sportsbook, you can still find a variety of options, including slots, table games, keno, and a live dealer suite. However, there is no poker suite and only a handful of poker games available.
The payment methods and bonuses offered by XBet leave room for improvement. Both are limited in selection, and the bonuses are not nearly as generous as the options provided by competitor sites. The rollover requirements for XBet’s bonuses are substantial, too, making them a less-than-ideal option for players with tight budgets.
Features Overview
- Promotions & Rewards: 7/10
- Desktop Experience: 8/10
- Mobile Experience: 9/10
- Registration Process: 8/10
- Payment Methods: 7/10
- Sportsbook: 9/10
- Casino: 9/10
- Live Casino: 8/10
- Poker: 7/10
- Customer Support: 6/10
Top Sign-Up Offers:
Offer | Description | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit |
Casino Sign-up Offer | 200% casino sign-up bonus up to $500 | XBC200 | 40x | $45 |
Sports Sign-up Offer | 50% sports sign-up bonus up to $500 +$10 casino chip | XBET50 | 7x | $45 |
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Some of the most competitive odds
- Has fun 3D slots on offer
- Covers sports like water polo and badminton
- Excellent live betting suite
Cons:
- Minimal selection of promotions
- Not many poker options
6. MyBookie – Most user-friendly online gambling site
- Payout time: 24 hours to 7 business days
- Established: 2014
- License: Curacao Gaming Authority
- Headquarters: Costa Rica
- Restricted Regions: Available in all states
Our Verdict (8 / 10)
Although many of the offshore gambling sites on our list are simple to navigate, MyBookie is one of the most user-friendly. The site has an uncluttered layout that makes it easily accessible to all gamblers, particularly those new to online betting.
Besides being quick to navigate, the platform’s mobile-optimized website translates seamlessly onto mobile, making it accessible on a number of devices like smartphones and tablets.
MyBookie, like XBet, has a racebook, a sportsbook, a live betting suite, a live dealer suite, and a top casino. The casino is vibrant and covers a selection of games, from slots to table games like roulette. Additionally, there are keno, hold ‘n wins, and live games, but no game shows, unfortunately.
MyBookie’s sportsbook is equally as exciting and has a number of sports markets available, including the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, and UFC. If you’re looking for fun bonuses, MyBookie has a few, although not as many as BetOnline. Additionally, the platform delivers a few more payment options than those found at XBet.
Features Overview
- Promotions & Rewards: 7/10
- Desktop Experience: 8/10
- Mobile Experience: 9/10
- Registration Process: 8/10
- Payment Methods: 6/10
- Sportsbook: 8/10
- Casino: 8/10
- Live Casino: 8/10
- Poker: 6/10
- Customer Support: 7/10
Top Sign-Up Offers:
Offer | Description | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit |
Casino Sign-up Offer | 150% casino sign-up bonus up to $750 | MYB150 | 40x | $45 |
Sports Sign-up Offer | 50% sports sign-up bonus up to $1,000 +$10 casino chip | MYB50 | 10x | $50 |
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- User-friendly site for new gamblers
- Has several top sports markets
- Various hold ‘n win games
- Translates seamlessly on mobile
Cons:
- Small selection of payment options
- High rollover requirements for casino promo
7. Ignition – One of the best sites live roulette gaming
- Payout time: 24-48 hours
- Established: 2016
- License: Curacao Gaming Authority
- Headquarters: Costa Rica
- Restricted Regions: Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York
Our Verdict (8 / 10)
Ignition Casino is just that, a casino. Like Wild Casino, the site only offers casino gaming, with no sportsbook or racebook available. However, the casino is diverse and offers exciting slots, table games, and specialty options like bingo and keno.
In addition, you can visit the dedicated poker room and play in a tournament or two, or you can head to Ignition’s live dealer suite. Here, you can play a number of live casino games, including blackjack, baccarat, and an impressive selection of roulette variations, including American and European.
Ignition features several generous promotions, including specific poker bonuses and a fun welcome promo that covers several deposits. Depositing funds into your Ignition account is as simple as withdrawing them, thanks to the varied selection of options you can pick from, including credit cards and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Features Overview
- Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
- Desktop Experience: 9/10
- Mobile Experience: 8/10
- Registration Process: 8/10
- Payment Methods: 8/10
- Sportsbook: 0/10
- Casino: 8/10
- Live Casino: 8/10
- Poker: 8/10
- Customer Support: 8/10
Top Sign-Up Offers:
Offer | Description | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit |
Casino Sign-up Offer | 300% up to $3,000 poker & casino welcome bonus | N/A | 25x | $20 |
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Excellent selection of live roulette games
- Offers games like craps
- Several bonuses for poker players
- Live casino games are streamed in HD
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer a sportsbook
- No demo play on live games
8. Sportsbetting.ag – Leading gambling site for payment variation
- Payout time: 2-7 business days
- Established: 2003
- License: Panama Gaming Authority
- Headquarters: Panama City
- Restricted Regions: New Jersey
Our Verdict (7.8 / 10)
Sportsbetting.ag makes depositing and withdrawing funds from your online gambling account a breeze. The platform offers a varied assortment of payment methods, including credit cards, bank wire transfers, online banking, and more than 10 cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Bitcoin.
Considering the name of the site, you can find an extensive sports betting suite. You can use a range of betting lines, including round robins, moneylines, spreads, totals, props, futures, and parlays on various sports like the MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL, and enjoy several sports-related bonuses and promotions.
Sportsbetting.ag also offers a casino and a live dealer suite. The casino, while not as exciting as the sportsbook, still offers a good selection of games, including slots, jackpot slots, keno, video poker, live games, and table games like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat.
Features Overview
- Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
- Desktop Experience: 8/10
- Mobile Experience: 6/10
- Registration Process: 7/10
- Payment Methods: 8/10
- Sportsbook: 7/10
- Casino: 8/10
- Live Casino: 7/10
- Poker: 7/10
- Customer Support: 7/10
Top Sign-Up Offers:
Offer | Description | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit |
Casino Sign-up Offer | Up to $4,000 in matched deposits | SBCASINO | 45x | $25 |
Sports Sign-up Offer | Double your money bonus, up to $1,000 | DOUBLEUP | 14x | $100 |
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- One of the most varied selections of payment options
- Has a great selection of keno games
- Broad assortment of betting lines
- Delivers a racebook and poker suite
Cons:
- No promotions for poker players
- High minimum deposit on sports welcome bonus
9. Lucky Block – The online casino with over 6,000 games
- Payout time: Instant
- Established: 2022
- License: Curacao Gaming Authority
- Headquarters: London
- Restricted Regions: Available in states with a VPN
Our Verdict (7.8 / 10)
Lucky Block is one of the best new online casinos in the US. Since it launched in 2022, the site has caused quite a stir, primarily because of the unique format it follows. Unlike any of the other gambling sites on our list, Lucky Block uses a crypto-centric format. In other words, you can only deposit and withdraw funds using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum.
While this may be troublesome for some players, it works to your advantage. Cryptocurrencies offer a higher standard of security, and because they are decentralized, they come with zero transaction fees and payout instantly.
Despite being a new gambling platform, Lucky Block offers a well-stocked sportsbook and live betting section, covering over 30 sports markets, including several less-common sports. However, the site doesn’t offer any horse racing betting.
The casino is where Lucky Block really shines. Here, you have over 6,000 casino games to explore, including slots, Lucky Block originals like Minesweeper, table games, and lottery-style games like keno. Lucky Block also has an extensive live dealer suite with 126 live games for you to play.
Features Overview
- Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
- Desktop Experience: 8/10
- Mobile Experience: 7/10
- Registration Process: 8/10
- Payment Methods: 7/10
- Sportsbook: 7/10
- Casino: 8/10
- Live Casino: 8/10
- Poker: 5/10
- Customer Support: 7/10
Top Sign-Up Offers:
Offer | Description | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit |
Casino & Sports Sign-up Offer | 200% up to $10,000 + 50 free spins | N/A | 6x per 10% | $20 |
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Large selection of live game show games
- Offers instant, fee-free payouts
- Unique coverage of sports
- One of the best welcome promotions
Cons:
- No fiat currencies accepted
- US players can only access the site via a VPN
10. Mega Dice – A top crypto gambling site
- Payout time: Instant
- Established: 2023
- License: Curacao Gaming Authority
- Headquarters: Curacao
- Restricted Regions: Available in states with a VPN
Our Verdict (7.5 / 10)
Mega Dice is another crypto-centric online gambling site. Like Lucky Block, the site only accepts deposits and withdrawals in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin. However, these have no fees and offer instant transactions and, anonymous deposits and withdrawals. However, you’ll need to use a VPN to access Mega Dice. While this may seem annoying, it delivers a more secure online gambling experience.
Mega Dice is also the first gambling platform to offer the option for players to access it using the Telegram app for instant mobile gambling on the go. Whether you opt to visit the site on your mobile device or on your computer, you can enjoy an extensive online casino that offers all the top casino games, as well as a live dealer suite with the best selection of game show games.
Additionally, you can find a top-rated sportsbook that features over 40 sports markets, including unique leagues and options like Gaelic hurling, Gaelic football, futsal, kabaddi, and jai alai. However, Mega Dice has yet to include a racebook, but the site does have a fantastic live betting suite.
Features Overview
- Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
- Desktop Experience: 8/10
- Mobile Experience: 7/10
- Registration Process: 7/10
- Payment Methods: 7/10
- Sportsbook: 8/10
- Casino: 8/10
- Live Casino: 8/10
- Poker: 7/10
- Customer Support: 8/10
Top Sign-Up Offers:
Offer | Description | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit |
Casino & Sports Sign-up Offer | 200% bonus up to 1 BTC + 50 free spins | N/A | 40x | $20 |
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- 46 sports markets including Gaelic hurling
- Claim up to 1BTC in welcome bonus funds
- Exciting live game shows on offer
- Offers anonymous, instant withdrawals
Cons:
- No horse racing betting or esports betting
- Not as many casino games as competitors
How We Rate Illinois Gambling Sites
Learn how we rate the Illinois gambling sites using our strict criteria. We make sure you can play slots, table games and live dealer titles, can bet on the Bulls and Bears, and you’ll learn how we test gambling licenses and security.
Comparing the Best Illinois Gambling Sites
If you want to catch up on all the top features offered by our 10 best IL gambling sites, review the following table. Here, you can compare and contrast the offerings of each to find your ideal offshore gambling site.
Site
Sportsbook
Racebook
Esports
Online Casino
Poker
Lottery
BetOnline
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
Wild Casino
❌
❌
❌
✅
✅
✅
Bovada
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
Everygame
✅
✅
❌
✅
✅
✅
XBet
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
MyBookie
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
Ignition
❌
❌
❌
✅
✅
✅
Sportsbetting.ag
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
Lucky Block
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
Mega Dice
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
Illinois Online Gambling Legislation Timeline
Many different types of online gambling are allowed in Illinois, including sports betting, DFS, and pari-mutuel horse racing betting. Illinois online gambling is easier than ever before, as IL lawmakers got rid of the requirement for players to visit a retail sportsbook and register in person for a betting site. Online casinos remain illegal, but sweepstakes casinos are permitted.
Latest Updates on Online Gambling in IL:
- March 17, 2023 – Bills HB2239 and SB1656 both moved to the Senate Assignments Committee. Inaction from the Senate Executive Committee means probable delays and even a complete halt on any resolution of Illinois’ online casino gaming laws.
- February 8, 2023 – State Senator Cristina Castro files a new bill, SB 1656, that would legalize online casinos in Illinois. The bill has a small license fee for operators, a low tax rate of 15%, and allows for up to three skins for each license.
- January 10, 2023 – The Illinois Senate bill to legalize online casinos, HB 3142, also known as the Internet Gaming Act, receives some updates to make it ready for the vote later in 2023.
- March 5, 2022: The in-person registration requirement for Illinois ends.
- December 17, 2021: After the success of online registrations during Covid-19, Gov. Pritzker signs HB 3136 to allow online sign-ups. This bill also legalizes betting on in-state college teams.
- June 18, 2020: BetRivers Sportsbook becomes the first online sportsbook to accept players in IL.
Illinois Online Gambling Summary
For a clearer understanding of the current online gambling landscape in IL, see the table below:
🚀 Launch Date: |
Online sports betting was legalized on June 28, 2019, and launched on June 18, 2020. |
👤 Who can play: |
Must be at least 21 years old and physically present within state borders |
⚖️ Regulator: |
Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) |
🎰 Gambling Available: |
Online sports gambling, retail sports betting, DFS, online horse racing gambling, pari-mutuel horse betting, sweepstakes casinos, lottery |
💯 Tax rates: |
4.95% |
💲 Application fee: |
$10,000,000 – $20,000,000 depending on license type |
🪙 Where taxes go: |
Gambling addiction education, youth sports, collegiate athletic departments, general fund |
🏆 Top Gambling Brands: |
BetOnline, Wild Casino, Bovada, Everygame |
Illinois Online Gambling Regulation
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) is the regulatory body for overseeing all forms of gambling in the state, including sports betting, casino gambling, and online poker. Sports betting operators are required to obtain a license from the IGB and pay a fee of $10 million. In addition, sportsbooks must pay a 15% tax on their adjusted gross revenue.
The gambling age in Illinois is 21 or older to place online or retail sports bets or visit a casino. However, you can buy lottery tickets, play DFS, and enjoy pari-mutuel wagering if you are 18 and above.
However, these sites aren’t the only way to play in Illinois. You can also access offshore online gambling sites like those highlighted in this guide. Because these sites are not based in the US, they are not under the jurisdiction of US state or federal gambling laws. As a result, many accept players and bettors 18 years and older.
Online Gambling Bonuses in Illinois
Many Illinois online gambling operators use welcome bonuses to attract new players and ongoing promotions to reward existing customers for their loyalty. Bonuses provide ample opportunity to cash out real winnings in a less risky way, where you can use the additional funds you receive to experiment with new games or boost your odds.
There are many shapes and forms of bonuses, but mostly they are divided between casino bonuses and sports bonuses.
Since operators frequently change their promotions, we encourage you to check out the bonuses available in Illinois by clicking on any link in this guide. Here are some examples of the types of bonuses and promotions you might find at Illinois gambling sites:
Welcome Bonuses
A welcome bonus is a promotion specifically available for new customers signing up. You can get deposit match bonuses, no deposit bonuses, bonus bets, and more just by registering and following simple instructions like depositing. These can add extra funds and help you overcome the sports betting vig for more profits.
Deposit Match Bonuses
With a deposit match bonus, a gambling operator will match a percentage of your qualifying deposit up to a certain amount. Some deposit bonuses provide you with matches of 100% or higher. Most deposit match bonuses will have wagering requirements, which tell you how many times you need to use your funds before withdrawing.
No-Deposit Bonuses
As the name suggests, no-deposit bonuses allow you to get rewards like bets and bonus funds without adding any money. Instead, you can get these promotions by registering with a sportsbook or opting in.
Bonus Codes
Bonus codes allow Illinois gambling operators to provide players with exclusive bonuses. You can enter a bonus code during your deposit or while signing up to claim no-sweat bets, cash reloads, and more.
Cashback
When you claim a cashback bonus, an online gambling site will pay back a percentage of your losses as cash. You can earn cashback through loyalty programs or claim these offers for special events.
Referral Bonuses
An online gambling site may give you a referral code or link, which you can give to friends to use during their registration. If your friend signs up and follows terms and conditions, like making a minimum deposit, you can both get bonuses.
Loyalty Programs
Many online gambling sites will provide loyalty programs to reward customers returning to gamble. You can earn loyalty points for placing bets, which you can use to redeem prizes like bonuses, restaurant meals, and hotel stays.
How to Register with Gambling Sites in Illinois
1. Sign Up
Use the links provided in this guide to open the BetOnline website. Then, double-click the green “Join” button to launch the registration page. Fill in your details and create a username and password.
2. Verify Your Account
Next, you’ll need to verify your account. To do this click the link in the email BetOnline will send you. When you’re done, sign back into your BetOnline profile using your new username and password.
3. Deposit Funds and Claim Your Bonus
On the BetOnline home page, select the blue “Banking” button to launch the cashier page. Next, select your payment method and input the amount you want to deposit. Then, type your BetOnline bonus code into the box provided to claim your welcome promo. Only then, should you click “Deposit.”
4. Begin Gambling
Navigate to the casino, sportsbook, racebook, poker room, or live betting suites and select the option you want to bet on. Double-click the option to launch it, and type in your bet value. Click “place bet,” and enjoy playing.
Illinois Online and Mobile Gambling
Betters in Illinois no longer need to travel to physical locations to place bets. With the advent of online and mobile gambling, players can enjoy certain games and sporting events from the comfort of their own homes. Let’s explore the two types of online gambling available in Illinois:
Desktop Gambling in Illinois
Desktop gambling in Illinois allows players to enjoy games from their home computer or laptop. You can place bets and live stream events at sportsbooks and pari-mutuel horse racing betting sites or visit sweepstakes casinos and DFS platforms through a desktop. The larger screens make it easy to see the latest odds and navigate between markets with a few clicks.
Mobile Gambling in Illinois
Betters in Illinois no longer need to travel to physical locations to place bets. With the advent of offshore online and mobile gambling, you can enjoy games and sporting events from the comfort of your own home. Let’s explore the two types of online gambling available in Illinois:
Desktop Gambling in Illinois
Desktop gambling in Illinois allows you to enjoy games from home using a computer or laptop. You can place bets and live stream events at sportsbooks and pari-mutuel horse racing betting sites or visit offshore online casinos and DFS platforms. While desktop gambling is easier because of the larger screens, they do restrict where you can gamble.
Mobile Gambling in Illinois
While some online casinos and sportsbooks offer downloadable casino and sportsbook apps, most offshore gambling sites provide mobile-optimized websites. These platforms allow you to access your favorite casino using your device’s web browser, allowing you to enjoy all of your favorite games and sports just on a smaller screen. Since you can use these platforms to place bets from anywhere and enjoy the same features found on your desktop website, gambling becomes a lot more accessible.
Illinois Online Gambling Payment Methods
When you deposit and withdraw from Illinois online gambling sites, you can use a variety of trusted payment methods you’ll recognize from day-to-day life. Every payment option has its benefits and drawbacks, and we’ve highlighted these for you below.
- Credit and Debit Cards: Bank cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted by online gambling sites, but other bank cards may block online gambling transactions. Bank cards also may not be available for withdrawals.
- Cryptocurrencies: Many of the top offshore casinos accept deposits and withdrawals made with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, litecoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. Because crypto is decentralized and runs independently of financial institutions like banks, transactions are anonymous, have zero fees, payout instantly, and are far more secure.
- E-Wallets: Popular options include PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill, allowing quick and easy withdrawals.
- Prepaid Cards: With prepaid cards like PayNearMe, you can top up your balance at retail locations like 7-Eleven and CVS. You can also use Play+ cards, which allow you to make fast deposits and withdrawals.
- Wire and Bank Transfer: You can make transactions directly from your bank account, which allows you to make larger deposits and withdrawals. However, bank transfer withdrawals tend to be slower than other options.
- Mobile Payment: When you play with mobile gambling apps, you can make payments using services like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Illinois online gambling deposits will hit your account instantly, but withdrawal times will vary depending on your payment method. Most transactions take a few business days, but your withdrawal will be faster if you use a payment method like e-wallets.
Responsible Gambling in Illinois
Each Illinois online gambling site must have a responsible gambling section that includes self-help tools such as time limits and deposit limits. Illinois gambling sites also need to provide resources for problem gamblers and links to problem gambling organizations.
Illinois also operates a self-exclusion program that allows individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from all Illinois casinos and video gaming locations for a specified period. You can also self-exclude from online sportsbooks.
Illinois Problem Gambling Resources
- Illinois Council on Problem Gambling – 1-800-522-4700
- Illinois Alliance on Problem Gambling – 217-717-4398
Illinois Sports Betting
Retail and online sports betting were legalized at the same time in 2019, with retail sports betting going live first in March 2020. While the COVID-19 pandemic derailed the initial rollout of the sports betting industry, both online and retail sportsbooks are now thriving. Additionally, players also have access to top offshore sportsbooks, like those we outline in this guide. Because these platforms are not state or federally regulated, they offer far more diverse and flexible betting options.
You can bet on a huge range of sports in Illinois, which allows fans to support local teams. Here are some of the most popular betting markets.
- NFL: Online and retail sportsbooks offer a variety of markets for the Chicago Bears and all other NFL teams, including moneylines, point spreads, and totals.
- NBA: Bettors can find a range of markets for the Chicago Bulls and other NBA teams, including moneylines, point spreads, and player props.
- MLB: Online and retail sportsbooks offer a variety of markets for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, as well as all other MLB teams, including futures on teams to win the World Series.
- NHL: Bettors can find a range of markets for the Chicago Blackhawks and other NHL teams, with betting lines available pre-game and in-play for every matchup.
- NCAA: You can place college sports bets in Illinois, including on in-state teams like the Illinois Fighting Illini, across sports like football, hockey, and basketball.
- International Sports: Along with US sports, you can find betting lines for plenty of international sports like European soccer, rugby, and motorsports.
- Minor Leagues: Some Illinois sports gambling sites offer markets for minor league baseball, basketball, and hockey.
- Other Sports: Aside from major league teams, you can bet on US favorites like tennis, MMA, and golf.
Types of Bets in Illinois
There are dozens of online sportsbooks, and you can use these betting platforms to place a huge range of wagers. Below, you’ll find some of the top betting options at Illinois sports gambling sites.
- Moneyline: A simple wager where you bet on which team will win an event.
- Point Spreads: A bet on whether the favorite can overcome a point deficit and the underdog to lose within a point advantage.
- Totals: A wager on whether there will be over or under a particular statistic in an event.
- Player Props: With a player prop, you wager on how a player performs in a particular statistic, such as passing yards from the quarterback, rushing yards from the running back, or total sacks made by the defensive end.
- Team Props: Betting on particular statistics for a team in an event, such as total yards of offense (NFL) or total rebounds (NBA).
- Futures: A future is a wager on significant events in the future like the Chicago Bears winning the Super Bowl.
- Parlays: Combines multiple bets into a single wager at high odds, where if one bet goes wrong, the whole wager loses.
Retail Sportsbooks in Illinois
Venue | Address | Operating Partners |
Argosy Casino Alton | 1 Piasa Street, Alton, IL 62002 | Barstool |
DraftKings at Casino Queen | 200 S. Front Street, East St Louis, IL 62201 | DraftKings |
FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing | 9301 Collinsville Road, Collinsville, IL 62234 | FanDuel |
Grand Victoria Casino | 250 S. Grove Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120 | Caesars |
Hawthorne Racecourse | 3501 S Laramie Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804 | PointsBet |
Hollywood Casino Aurora | 1 W. New York Street, Aurora, IL 60506 | Barstool |
Hollywood Casino Joliet | 777 Hollywood Boulevard, Joliet, IL 60436 | Barstool |
Par-a-Dice Casino | 21 Blackjack Boulevard, East Peoria, IL 61611 | FanDuel |
River Des Plaines | 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018 | BetRivers |
Illinois Sports Betting Bonuses
While all Illinois online gambling platforms will provide bonuses for new and existing players, specific bonuses are available for sports betting sites. Check out what offers are available for Illinois sports bettors.
- Bonus Bets: Receive a bet to use on a specific game or event.
- Odds Boosts: Your sportsbook will offer higher odds on select games or events.
- Parlay Insurance: If one leg of your parlay loses, your gambling site will refund you with either the return of your stake or bonus bets up to a certain amount. This bonus is usually only available on 4+-leg parlays.
Illinois Casinos
The Riverboat Gambling Act of 1991 legalized land-based casinos in Illinois, and currently, there is a mixture of commercial, Native American, and riverboat casinos you can visit.
While the state offers no regulated online casinos, you can still access the very best offshore online casinos, like Wild Casino and Ignition. These sites make it easy to access and enjoy your favorite casino games like slots, roulette, and poker from the comfort of home.
Which Casino Games Can You Play at IL Brick-and-Mortar Casinos?
It doesn’t matter whether you play at a Native American casino, riverboat casino, or commercial casino, you’ll get access to a wide range of casino games. You can enjoy slots with various themes, practice blackjack strategy, or spin the wheel in roulette. Our experts have listed some of the most popular below.
- Slots
- Progressive Jackpot Slots
- Video Poker
- Poker
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Baccarat
Land-Based Casinos in Illinois
Venue | Address |
Argosy Casino Alton | 1 Piasa Street, Alton, IL 62002 |
Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel | 777 Bally Boulevard, Rock Island, IL 61201 |
DraftKings at Casino Queen | 200 S. Front Street, East St Louis, IL 62201 |
Grand Victoria Casino | 250 S. Grove Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120 |
Hard Rock Rockford Casino | 610 N Bell School Road, Rockford, IL 61107 |
Harrah’s Casino Joliet | 151 N Joliet Street, Joliet, IL 60432 |
Harrah’s Metropolis Casino | 100 E Front Street, Metropolis, IL 62960 |
Hollywood Casino Aurora | 1 W. New York Street, Aurora, IL 60506 |
Hollywood Casino Joliet | 777 Hollywood Boulevard, Joliet, IL 60436 |
Par-A-Dice Casino | 21 Blackjack Boulevard, East Peoria, IL 61611 |
Rivers Des Plaines | 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018 |
Illinois Poker
Online poker is not yet legal in Illinois. However, many land-based casinos throughout the state offer poker tables where you can play cash games and tournaments. Popular variations in Illinois include Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Seven-Card Stud. However, if you want to play from home, many of the offshore casinos on our list offer excellent online poker rooms.
Illinois Lottery
The Illinois State Lottery launched in 1974 and offers a variety of games, including scratchcards and draws like Powerball and Mega Millions. You can buy tickets at thousands of retailers across Illinois or play instant games online.
Illinois Sweepstakes Casinos
While online casinos are not available in Illinois, you can still register with the best sweepstakes casinos to enjoy your favorite casino games for free. You can’t win real money, but you can buy on-site currency, which you can then exchange for cash. Many top sweepstakes casinos are available in IL, including local favorite BetRivers.net.
Illinois DFS
Illinois legalized Daily Fantasy Sports games in 2019 in the same bill that allowed retail and online sports betting. Using operators like DraftKings and FanDuel, you can build teams of athletes from major leagues and win cash prizes for getting the most points.
Best Illinois Online Gambling Site
Illinois has an impressive selection of top offshore gambling sites for you to access to place exciting sports wagers and casino bets. Many of these sites also offer online poker and horse racing wagering, meeting all of your online gambling needs in one place.
However, one site stands out for its exceptional offerings. BetOnline has a long-standing reputation and delivers a leading sportsbook with over 35 sports markets, many of which have competitive odds. The site also offers live betting and casino gaming, along with a poker suite and racebook.
FAQs
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Affiliate Disclosure: Techopedia may receive advertising commissions for visits to a suggested operator through our affiliate links, at no added cost to you. However, all our recommendations are unbiased and follow a thorough review process. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly and you must be a legal gambling age.