Illinois Online Casino Sites – Best of 2024
Illinois offers diverse gaming opportunities, but online casino gaming remains unregulated in the state. While you won’t find legal real-money online casinos, sweepstakes sites provide an engaging and lawful option for players seeking online entertainment. This guide will help you navigate Illinois’s gambling laws and explore the premier sweepstakes and land-based casinos available.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Explore the legal gaming options available in Illinois
- Uncover top-rated sweepstakes casinos where you can enjoy online gaming legally in Illinois
- Gain insights into Illinois’s gambling laws to make informed and responsible gaming decisions
Top Sweepstakes Online Casinos in Illinois
Sweepstakes casinos offer a unique and legal online gaming model by operating with virtual currencies instead of real money. These platforms provide players with a fun way to enjoy some of the best online casino games while staying on the right side of the law. Players can then redeem Sweepstakes Coins for prizes, which can include cash options, offering the thrill of gaming with the added potential for real money winnings.
Here are some of the top sweepstakes casinos available in Illinois:
Online Gambling in Illinois: An Overview
As we’ve learned, real money casino sites are not legal in Illinois, however, the state does permit many other forms of gambling as you can see below.
| Gambling Type | Legal? | Current Situation | Legal Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Casinos | No | Illegal and unregulated in Illinois | – |
| Retail Casinos | Yes | Legal with at least 7 land-based casino locations offering slots and table games | 21 |
| Sweepstakes Casinos | Yes | Operate legally using virtual currencies with potential for cash prize redemption | 21 |
| Cardrooms | Yes | Live poker rooms are legal in Illinois | 21 |
| Bingo Halls | Yes | Bingo and raffles conducted are considered legal as part of charitable gaming | 18 |
| Lottery | Yes | State-run with various draw and scratch-off games | 18 |
| Horse Racing | Yes | Legal with a long-standing tradition and multiple venues | 18 |
| Sports Betting | Yes | Both online and retail sports betting are legal in Illinois | 21 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes | Deemed legal since 2020 | 18 |
Want to Bet Real Money? Land-Based Casinos in Illinois
Real money gambling is legal at land-based casinos in Illinois, providing a range of gaming experiences with at least 7 locations across the state. These casinos offer traditional games like slots and table games in a vibrant setting.
To explore detailed information about these venues and find the best options for your gaming preferences, visit our dedicated guide to Illinois’s land-based casinos.
How to Declare Taxable Winnings in Illinois
Gambling winnings in Illinois are considered taxable income by both federal and state authorities. To declare gambling winnings, you need to complete Form W-2G, which casinos issue for larger payouts.
The IRS requires reporting of all gambling income, with a federal tax rate of 24%. Additionally, Illinois imposes a state tax on these winnings at a flat rate of 4.95%. It’s crucial to keep detailed records of your winnings and losses to ensure accurate reporting on your annual tax return.
History of Gambling in Illinois
Illinois has a rich history of legal gambling advancements that have shaped its current landscape:
- 1927: Pari-mutuel horse race betting is legalized, establishing Illinois as a major player in the booming horse racing industry with venues like Arlington Park.
- 1974: The state lottery launches, generating significant revenue and positioning Illinois as an early adopter in statewide lottery games.
- 1990: Illinois approves modern riverboat casinos, contributing to a nationwide expansion of gambling opportunities.
- 1999: A legislative change allows riverboat casinos to operate while stationary, increasing accessibility and revenue. The same year, the Video Gaming Act permits gaming terminals in licensed establishments.
- 2012: Illinois pioneers online lottery sales, broadening access to state-run lottery games.
- 2019: Gov. JB Pritzker’s bill legalizes sports betting, offering both online and retail options and significantly expanding the state’s gaming landscape.
- 2023: HB 2239 sponsored by State Sen. Christina Castro aims to legalize online casinos under the Illinois Internet Gaming Act, marking Illinois as a notable state in the ongoing exploration of digital gaming expansions.
What Does the Future Look Like for Illinois Online Casinos?
While current regulations in Illinois focus on land-based and sports betting options, the future of online casinos in the Prairie State looks promising, with ongoing discussions happening around its legalization. Until that materializes, however, sweepstakes casinos remain the best legal online gaming alternative.
For those interested in how Illinois’s gambling laws compare to other states, our comprehensive guide to state regulations provides valuable insights and can help you make informed gaming choices.
References
- “HB 2239”. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved Nov 7, 2024.
- “Mobile sports betting launches in Illinois — finally”. Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved Nov 7, 2024.
- Illinois Revenue. Retrieved Nov 7, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, online casinos are unregulated, but sweepstakes casinos offer legal alternatives with virtual currencies.
The legal gambling age for lottery, DFS, bingo, and horse racing is 18, while it’s 21 for land-based casinos, sports betting, sweepstakes casinos, and cardrooms.
Yes, you need to report winnings on federal and state tax returns, using a W-2G form for large payouts.