Legal Illinois Gambling Sites

Illinois has a well-regulated gambling industry, allowing its players to play casino games at licensed riverboat casinos, bet on horse racing events, and take part in lottery games. The state, however, hasn’t regulated any form of online casino gambling yet though the attitude in the individual U.S. states has been changing thanks to states like New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada making exemptions to regulate.

This page is designed to give Illinois gambling enthusiasts plenty of gambling-related information. Besides providing a brief overview of the state’s attitude to online gambling, LegalOnlineGamblingSites.com number one goal is to always show the best gambling sites that are legal where you live, in Illinois or anywhere else in the United States.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Illinois?

Illinois is one of the few US states that have laws clearly mentioning the word “Internet.” In 2009, the state upgraded its online gambling laws, which now state that anybody who “knowingly establish, maintain, or operate an Internet site that permits a person to play a game of skill or chance for money or other things of value by means of the Internet” is violating the law. The section also states that it is not allowed to knowingly run an Internet site that allows players to wager on the outcomes of games, political nominations, contests, and appointments.

Anybody who reads this law carefully will observe that it applies only to operators and not to individuals, which means that the people of Illinois can sign up at legal online gambling sites without fear of prosecution. Simultaneously, they should note that existing laws can be said to apply to online gambling.

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Illinois Gambling Laws And Statutes

Like all other US states, Illinois hates unregulated gambling and unlicensed gambling operators running gaming businesses in its jurisdiction. The state has a set of strict laws and penalties to deal firmly with operators who violate the law although it is quite lenient toward individual players caught taking part in these types of games. It is worth noting that Illinois makes no distinction between skill-based and luck-based games; wagering on any game, sports event, or political event at unlicensed venues is an offense.

The state offers a few attractive regulated gambling options for its residents. Players can take part in the state-operated lottery game, place bets on outcomes of horse racing and dog racing events, or visit a riverboat casino, which offers a wide range of casino games. Licensed organizations are also permitted to run charity gambling events to raise funds for worthy causes.

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Is Sports Betting Legal in Illinois?

Illinois offers a bit of regulated horse racing betting and recently legalized sports betting through both land-based locations and online sports wagering sites. Although, it will take some time for regulations to get set up in order for those sportsbooks to launch. Online operators will also have to wait for over a year just to be able to operate from within the state, due to how legislation was written. The law does not prevent Illinois residents from using online offshore sportsbooks in the meantime.

Legal Online Gambling Sites for Illinois Residents

Our team has researched the following sports betting sites well and has come to the conclusion that these are the best online sportsbooks for Illinois players. They offer a wide range of betting markets and free picks besides welcoming new players with attractive bonuses.

Bovada Sportsbook - Place Bets On Da Bears On Your Smartphone Or Tablet

If you are from Illinois then one of these teams is your favorite, Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, or White socks. What if you could not only watch and follow these teams, but also bet on the outcome and win some big bucks? Bovada is the best legal gambling site in Illinois. Bovada has the biggest, badest sportsbook, novice and cardsharp poker tables, and interactive 3D slots in its casino. Bovada is a well establish gambling site that has been around for 20 years, and operates out of Quebec, Canada. Anyone in Illinois can join Bovada and all you have to be is over the age of 18.

When you sign up at Bovada and make your first qualifying deposit, you are eligible for Bovada’s 50% welcome bonus. This bonus can flush your bankroll with up to $250, think of how many extra bets you can place with that cash flow. The bonuses do not stop there though. Bovada also offers another fantastic bonus; the refer-a-friend bonus will get you 200% cash for every one of your buds that you get to sign up. For the huge list of other great bonuses that Bovada’s legal gambling site offers, check out the promotions page. Prove you are an avid Illinois sports fan and join Bovada free today! Signup Now!

Are Online Casinos Legal in Illinois?

Illinois does not permit the setting up of online casinos in its jurisdiction. Simultaneously, it does not have any laws criminalizing the act of playing casino games online. This suggests that playing at offshore online casinos is perfectly legal in Illinois.

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Is Sports Betting Legal in Illinois?

Illinois offers a bit of regulated horse racing betting, but betting on outcomes of sports events is illegal. Since the feds are against online sports betting, there is no chance of Illinois legalizing online sports betting in the near future. However, no part of Illinois gambling law makes it illegal for Illinois-based punters to bet at offshore online sportsbooks.

Legal Sports Betting Sites That Accept Illinois Residents

Our team has researched the following sports betting sites well and has come to the conclusion that these are the best online sportsbooks for Illinois players. They offer a wide range of betting markets and free picks besides welcoming new players with attractive bonuses.

Helpful Sports Betting Articles:

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Is Online Poker Legal in Illinois?

Operating online poker rooms is not allowed in Illinois, but there are also no rules preventing individual poker players in Illinois to register at licensed online poker rooms operating from remote locations. Illinois law does not prohibit residents from playing online poker for real money.

Poker Sites that Accept Illinois Residents

Several online poker rooms accept Illinois players and allow them to play online poker for real money. We have handpicked with care the following online poker sites, which offer a wide range of online poker variants such as Texas Hold’em, HORSE, Stud, and Omaha. These online poker rooms run lucrative online poker tournaments as well as qualifiers to prestigious live and online poker events, along with offering generous real money poker bonuses.

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Land Based Gambling in Illinois

Illinois was the second US state to launch a riverboat casino. The state’s first riverboat casino was Alton Belle, which was launched in 1991. Today, it is home to several riverboat casinos that offer a wide range of real money casino games and pay heavy taxes to the government. Illinois riverboat casinos accept any player who is above 21 years of age and offer games such as slots, roulette, and blackjack.

A list of top Illinois casinos include Casino Queen, Harrah’s Joliet, Hollywood Casino Aurora, Grand Victoria Casino Elgin, Rivers Casino, Par-A-Dice Casino, and Jumer’s Casino and Hotel.

Closing Thoughts About Legal Online Gambling For Illinois Residents

As far as regulated gambling options go, Illinois is much better than US states such as Georgia and Utah. But players who want the best of gambling experiences will miss a lot if they do not sign up at a legal online gambling site. Illinois residents can rest assured that the state has absolutely no online gambling laws to prevent them from playing online.