Best Illinois Online Casinos 2023 – Play at IL Social Casinos

Illinois is one of the more gambling-friendly states in the nation. But, while it offers sports betting, land-based and riverboat casino gaming, parimutuel betting, and a state lottery, Illinois online casinos are not yet permitted. However, players in the state can still enjoy online casino gaming by visiting social and sweepstakes casinos online.

This guide introduces you to the best sweepstakes casinos Illinois has to offer. In addition to informative reviews, you’ll also learn how these sites work, what they offer, how to sign up with them, and how they differ from regular online casinos.

Current Status for Real Money Online Casinos in Illinois

While players can only legally visit social and sweepstakes casinos online, regulated IL online casinos are in the pipeline, with two bills progressing through the appropriate channels toward legalization. Additionally, the building of Bally’s Chicago, set to be the state’s largest casino, is underway, making this an exciting time for casino gambling in Illinois. So, let’s take a closer look.

• March 2023: The two bills, HB2239 and SB1656, set to create the Illinois Internet Gaming Act are facing difficulties and could both die because of inactivity. However, if these bills proceed, they would need to be passed before the session closes on May 19.
• February 2023: Two bills, SB 1656, introduced by Senator Cristina Castro, and HB2239, submitted by Representative Edgar Rodriguez, to create the Illinois Internet Gaming Act and introduce legal IL online casinos are seeing progress and put Illinois on the map as one of three states that could potentially introduce legal online casino gaming this year.
• December 2022: Bally’s received approval from the Chicago City Council to go ahead with plans to build the largest casino in Illinois. Bally’s Chicago is set to open in 2026, although it is still waiting on a gaming license from the Illinois Gaming Board.

Reviews of the Best Illinois Online Casinos

While real money online casinos are not yet available in the state, players still have access to exciting options. Understanding what makes each Illinois online casino on our list stand out and what features and games are available makes it quick and easy to pick the one that most meets your needs. So, to help you do this, we review each online social casino in detail below:

1. Stake.us – The Best Illinois Sweepstakes Online Casino Overall

Undoubtedly the best online casino in Illinois, Stake.us, an exciting sweeps casino, has been around since 2017. The casino’s operator, Sweepstakes Limited, is based in Cypress. Since the site follows a sweepstakes gaming format, it offers Stakes Cash (sweeps coins) that players can exchange for crypto prizes of their choosing.

Players visiting Stake.us have over 600 casino games to discover. Included in these options are various slots, scratchcards, Stake Originals (which players can’t find anywhere else), live dealer games, table games like roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and feature spins games.

While Stake.us doesn’t offer real money payouts, players can purchase gold coins using several fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Tron, Tether, and Ripple. Players can also collect Stakes Cash (sweeps coins), which they can redeem for crypto prizes of their choosing. Since these withdrawals are made in cryptocurrencies, they are instant, giving players quick access to their sweeps prizes.

IL online casino players have several exciting promotions to unlock at Stake.us. While there isn’t a welcome bonus for new players, gamers can unlock daily rewards, daily races, challenges, multiplier drops, and weekly giveaways.

2. Chumba – A Leading Sweeps Online Casino In Illinois for Table Games

Chumba Casino entered the online casino market around the same time as Stake.us, in 2017. However, this site’s operator, VGW Malta, is based in the region it is named for. Additionally, the casino has a Malta gaming license, ensuring players enjoy safe and secure online gaming. Here, players can enjoy the sweepstakes rewards the casino offers and exchange their collected sweeps coins for cash prizes.

At Chumba, there are 67 exciting games for players to enjoy, including some of the best table games like blackjack, video poker games, and slots with fun titles, like Pug Royale. However, Chumba is yet to add live dealer games to its collection.

IL players use gold coins and sweeps coins when playing games on the site. While they can exchange sweeps coins for prizes, these cannot be bought. In contrast, players can purchase gold coins using several payment options, including Skrill, Rapid Transfer, Instant ACH, Mastercard, Discover, and Visa. When withdrawing their prizes, players will need to use EFT and submit KYC documents.

Chumba offers players a variety of fun rewards, from an exciting Illinois online casino no deposit bonus to a $30 Gold Coin package for $10 and 30 free sweeps coins that make it easier for players to begin collecting these prize-winning coins.

3. Pulsz – Has Some of the Best Gold Coin Bonuses

One of the newer IL online casinos on our list is Pulsz, which launched in 2022. The site is owned and operated by Yellow Social Interactive and offers players a unique selection of games and features, and ranks as one of the best sweepstakes casinos in the US. Besides excellent gaming, Pulsz offers a variety of generous promotions and an assortment of ways for players to get their hands on those elusive sweeps coins which they can exchange for cash prizes.

Players visiting this sweepstakes casino won’t find as many games as Stake.us offers, but there are over 300 options to enjoy. Here, players can play several slots and jackpots with titles like Day of the Dead and Dog House Megaways. Additionally, the site offers lottery-style games like keno, scratch cards, roulette, blackjack, and poker.

Pulsz doesn’t offer players the opportunity to purchase sweeps coins directly. However, players can buy gold coins from the site using methods like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Trustly, and Skrill, and receive free sweeps. Those ready to redeem their prizes can use the same payment options as those available for buying coins, but they must make a minimum withdrawal of $100 and not attempt to withdraw more than $10,000.

IL players can unlock several exciting bonuses on the site, including one of the best gold coin welcome promos, daily rewards, and several other promotions that make it easy to collect sweeps coins for prizes.

4. LuckyLand – Offers IL Players All-Original Games

LuckyLand is an Illinois online casino that first entered the market in 2018. Unlike the other sites we have discussed so far, this sweepstakes casino is based in the US, making it a top All-American site. While LuckyLand has a relatively small selection of games compared to some of its competitors, it stands out for its games, all of which are originals. In other words, players won’t find the games on this site offered anywhere else.

IL players only have 40 games to browse through and play when visiting LuckyLand. However, all of these are original instant win or video slot games that offer a unique gaming experience. Unfortunately, the sweeps casino doesn’t yet offer any table games or live dealer options.

LuckyLand is based in Wilmington, Delaware, and as a result, offers players a variety of US-approved payment options, which they can use to buy additional gold coins. Players can use Discover, Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Instant ACH, Skrill, and PaySafeCard. These methods are all also available for use when players want to withdraw their sweeps coins.

Collecting gold and sweeps coins at LuckyLand is quick and easy as the site offers new and existing IL players a selection of fun promotions and bonuses. Besides an Illinois online casino no deposit bonus, players can unlock daily rewards and access a generous VIP program.

5. Gambino – A Top Online Casino for Social Gaming in IL

The following Illinois online casino we are reviewing is based in Israel. Since it launched in 2015, Gambino has gained a reputation as one of the top social casinos and offers players diverse features and games. The site, which performs as well on mobile as it does on desktop computers, makes gaming on the go quick and accessible. However, it is essential to note that because Gambino is a social casino and not a sweeps casino, it offers no cash prizes or payouts, and all gaming is done purely for fun.

Gambino offers players over 150 exciting slots games created by leading software developer Spiral Interactive. As a result, players always have exciting, high-quality games to enjoy. However, there are no table games or live dealer options provided. But players can access those that are available on social media platforms like Facebook, making them easy to access anywhere, anytime.

Since Gambino is a purely social casino, it doesn’t offer any withdrawals, payouts, or cash prizes. All gaming is done solely for fun. However, players have the option to purchase gold coins to play with on the site, and they can obtain these using methods like credit cards, in-app iTunes purchases, or Microsoft gift cards.

Although Gambino doesn’t offer any real money rewards, the site offers players several exciting bonuses that allow them to accumulate gold coins to play with. From a no deposit welcome promo to a first-deposit reward, G-Wheelz bonuses, free spins, and a VIP program, there is something for everyone.

6. Wow Vegas – The Illinois Sweeps Online Casino for Exciting slots

In 2022, Wow Entertainment Ltd. introduced an exciting new sweepstakes casino called Wow Vegas. When visiting this contemporary site, IL players will quickly discover a variety of unique features, from some of the fastest payouts to fun rewards. Additionally, the casino allows players to withdraw their sweeps prizes for cash and use several payment methods.

Wow Vegas, like Pulsz, features over 300 games. In addition to table games like blackjack, roulette, and Jacks or Better, the casino also offers baccarat and several fascinating slot games that will captivate players with their fun storylines. It can be a perfect fit for players looking to practice their winning blackjack strategy.

IL players can accumulate gold coins on the Wow Vegas site using several methods, one of which is by purchasing them. The casino allows players to buy gold coins using Skrill, Trustly, Apple Pay, American Express, Visa, and Mastercard. Generally, these methods process instantly, so players can enjoy games immediately. However, withdrawals are only made using Skrill, and players must have a minimum of 100 sweeps coins in their account before they can submit a payout request.

Wow Casino offers a unique collection of promotions, from social media giveaways like “Super Sunday,” “Magic Mondays,” and “Mega Wednesdays,” that allow players more ways to collect sweeps coins and gather more gold coins to use for playing.

7. Funzpoints – The Most Secure Online Social Casino in IL

The following Illinois online casino on our list is Funzpoints. Operated by Canadian company Woopla Gaming, the sweepstakes casino offers several unique features but made its mark with us thanks to its unrivaled safety and security. The casino uses 128-bit SSL encryption, safeguarding players’ banking and personal information from hackers. While this sweeps casino isn’t accessible to those in Idaho or Washington, it is legal in Illinois and allows players to earn real money prizes.

While Funzpoints has several excellent features, its selection of games is limited. Here, players only have 65 slots to enjoy. Additionally, only 10 are offered as standard-play games where players only enjoy the games for fun, while the remaining 55 are offered as premium games where players can win prizes.

Funzpoints allows players to purchase gold coins to play with, but the site only accepts credit cards, like Mastercard, American Express, and Visa. Additionally, players must make a minimum purchase of $4.99, and they can only withdraw funds using bank wire transfers.

IL players can unlock unique promotions at Funzpoints, from a no deposit sign-up bonus to a first-deposit match promo, and even earn free premium Funzcoins (sweeps coins) every time they purchase Funzpoints (gold coins).

8. Sweepslots – An Excellent Casino with Top Sweeps Coins Promos

In 2021, Regal Technologies introduced its version of a sweepstakes casino called Sweepslots. Based in the USA, this sweeps casino offers real money rewards and several unique gaming options rarely found at sweeps and social casinos, making it one of the best Illinois online casinos for players who enjoy lottery-style games.

Although Sweepslots doesn’t offer live dealer games, it provides 27 high-RTP slots for players to explore, which include titles like Fruit Cocktail and Rich Pirates. However, the primary draw of this casino site is its extensive collection of keno games that provide players with a unique gaming experience.

Like many of the other sites on our list, Sweepslots allows players to buy gold coins. Players can purchase these coins using Visa, American Express, Mastercard, bank transfer, and Skrill. However, the options for withdrawals are limited to bank transfers only, and players have a minimum withdrawal limit of $20 and a maximum cap of $5,000.

IL players will discover that Sweepslots has a generous welcome bonus that offers 1,000 sweeps coins. However, these cannot be accessed and withdrawn all in one go as the site releases them in increments. Besides this exciting welcome bonus, players can also unlock daily rewards.

9. Betrivers.net – The Place to Go for an Extensive Game Selection

Another social casino that players rank among the best online casinos in Illinois is Betrivers.net. The social casino was launched in 2020 by Rush Street Interactive, a Chicago-based firm known for offering some of Illinois’ best gambling sites, including real money casinos in Illinois and a sportsbook. However, unlike these other gambling sites, Betrivers.net follows a purely social construct and doesn’t offer real money payouts or withdrawals of any kind.

While Betrivers.net has many outstanding attributes, the highlight of the site is its extensive games collection. Among the 2,000 available games, players can find hundreds of slots, 21 live dealer games, and over 200 table games like roulette and blackjack.

IL players cannot request withdrawals from this social gaming platform. However, if they wish, they can purchase additional gold coins from the site, but these cannot be withdrawn for cash at a later point. Betrivers.net offers several payment methods, including PayPal, gift cards, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and Visa.

Another unique aspect of this site is that there is no sign-up promotion. Instead, players accumulate points and coins by logging into their accounts daily and spinning the rewards wheel to claim up to 1,000 coins in prizes. Additionally, by visiting their profile each hour, players can unlock more gold coins.

10. Fortune Coins – A Top Casino for Keno Gaming

Fortune Coins, a New York-based sweeps casino, launched in early 2022. Here, players can pick up several generous rewards and bonuses and enjoy Vegas-style gaming that makes it stand out as a top Illinois online casino for many players. But the primary highlight of this site is its collection of keno games that allow players to enjoy a game other than slots.

While Fortune Coins’ 50 games seem minimal compared to Betrivers’ 2,000, players can still enjoy a selection of options, from slots to casino war, wheel of luck, joker poker, and of course, keno.

IL players wanting to enjoy the games on Fortune Coins will need to have sufficient gold coins in their accounts. Players running short on these can buy more from the casino using Skrill, Trustly, Visa, and Mastercard. However, players must make a minimum purchase of $5. IL players can use these same payment options for payouts, but they must have a minimum of 5,000 FC (Fortune Coins/Sweeps Coins), where 100 FC equals $1.

Like Sweepscoins, Fortune Coins offers players various generous and exciting promotions, including a sign-up promotion with over 500 sweeps coins which players can redeem for cash prizes, a first-purchase promo, and a daily bonus.

11. Golden Hearts Games – Illinois’ Best Online Casino for Bingo Games

The final IL online casino on our list is a sweepstakes casino that aims to make a difference by putting charitable donations at the center of its focus. Golden Hearts Games, founded in 2020, allows players to deposit funds into their gaming accounts and then donate a portion of the deposit to a charity they choose. Besides offering a platform that allows players to give back, the site also makes it easy for players to withdraw cash prizes, offering them a fulfilling experience both online and charitably.

IL players can explore several exciting slots like Rock Dog and Frantic Fish, video poker, and table games like blackjack when gaming at Golden Hearts Games. Additionally, the casino offers exciting bingo games that refresh every 10 minutes, allowing players to join a new game soon after they log on.

Golden Hearts Games provides a range of payment methods for players to use that make it convenient for them to fund their accounts and make donations. Players can use options like Google Pay, Apple Pay, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, and American Express to purchase their coins. In contrast, payouts can only be claimed using PayPal, bank transfer, or check.

In addition to an exciting sign-up promotion that is quick and easy for players to claim, IL players can also find daily bonuses and referral rewards.

Current Gambling Laws in Illinois

Since the state has yet to introduce real money online casinos in Illinois, regular online casino sites are prohibited from providing their services, including online slots, table games, and poker gaming in the state.

However, IL residents can still visit one of the state’s 11 riverboat and commercial casinos, wager on sports, place parimutuel bets on horses, and take a lottery ticket for the state lottery. Daily Fantasy Sports betting (DFS) is also legal in IL, and players can visit sites like FanDuel and DraftKings.

Illinois Online Casino Laws

Although Illinois lawmakers have recently introduced two bills that could see the state becoming one of three to legalize online casino gaming in 2023, these sites are presently prohibited. However, players in the state have 11 riverboat casinos to enjoy and another, Bally’s Chicago, on the way. These provide a good range of games and even beginners can quickly learn how to play blackjack in a casino within a few visits.

While the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is in play and IL offers legal land-based and riverboat casinos, there are no Tribal casinos in the state.

Players 18 and above can purchase lottery tickets, enjoy social gambling, place parimutuel wagers on the horses, and take scratch cards. However, for those wanting to wager on sports or visit one of the state’s casinos, players must be 21 or older.

Since the state doesn’t consider social and sweepstakes casinos as “gambling” because the sites don’t use real money for betting and they don’t provide cash payouts for winning bets, they are legal in the state. As a result, we recommend checking out the top 10 Illinois social casinos on our list.

Latest Illinois Online Casinos Update

Illinois is poised to become one of three states that may introduce online casinos in 2023. In February, Rep. Edgar Rodriguez introduced the House bill of the Illinois Internet Gaming Act, HB2239. Additionally, Senator Cristina Castro introduced the Senate version of the Illinois Internet Gaming Act, SB1656.

However, the latter of the two appears to have stalled, but players in the state still hope that HB2239 will receive the attention it needs before the Illinois General Assembly adjourns on May 19.

Who Regulates Gambling in Illinois?

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) oversees the state’s ten riverboat casinos and one commercial casino. Additionally, this board regulates all sports betting in the state, including DFS and horse racing. Additionally, should Illinois online casinos become legal, this board would handle these sites too. The Lottery Control Board of Illinois oversees the state lottery.

Future of Online Casinos in Illinois

Although HB2239 and SB1656 are in the pipeline to introduce the Illinois Internet Gaming Act, these two bills have seen some snags of late. However, there is still hope that the state will become the seventh state (along with Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,  and West Virginia) to offer legal, real money online casinos in Illinois. Until then, players can safely access the best social and sweeps casinos in the state to enjoy casino gaming online.

FAQs