• Is Online Horse Betting Legal In Illinois
• Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois Secretary Of State

The Illinois legislature has caused a few problems for online gamblers, as they have obfuscated the reality of the legalities of online gambling in Illinois. We want to help our readers find the truth about online gambling, and we can tell you that there are many options available. If you decide that online gambling is something you are interested in, you definitely want to look at the laws regarding the games in Illinois, as they could potentially cause you some trouble that you would rather not deal with.

Betting on the Kentucky Derby in Illinois

Thanks to the 2019 Illinois Gambling Act, all residents of legal age can now place a wager in both land-based and online sportsbooks. This means that you need to be at least 21-years old in order to place a bet in Illinois. Illinois has joined the growing list of states to launch regulated sports betting. Online casino games or online poker is not legal under Illinois gambling law, however. The Land of Lincoln is the 15th US state to roll out legal sports betting since the repeal of PASPA in May 2018. Yes, sports betting in Illinois is legal. Sports betting in Illinois Sports betting was passed by the Illinois House and Senate, passing legislation officially on June 2, 2019. Democrat Governor. Despite the seemingly harsh laws against it, Illinois’ online gambling industry is growing fast. More individuals are playing at IL sports betting sites every single month. This is especially true now that the state decided to legalize sports gambling. To sum it up, the state’s online sports betting industry is in kind of a gray area. But it has led to some ambiguous legal issues, as the legality of online gambling is constantly being challenged. There are differences in the legality of making bets, taking bets, facilitating payments to casinos, and advertising on websites. And there are constantly new legal challenges. So here is a breakdown of the law on online gambling.

The state of Illinois has no shortage of gambling opportunities as lawmakers recently gave the green light to sports betting. While the state has banned some forms of online gambling (casino games and online poker) it hasn’t made online horse betting illegal and that is what keeps Kentucky Derby bettors that find themselves in Illinois satisfied. There are a plethora of options for Derby punters in Illinois to choose from as they can elect to place their bets at a retail sportsbook or at an online offshore sportsbook. The latter is likely to have better odds which result, in higher winnings for those residing in The Prairie State. Not only are the odds better but using online sportsbooks to bet on the Kentucky Derby also gives gamblers a chance to receive a generous bonus or promotion as well.

Mobile NFL Betting in Illinois

Since Illinois has legalized online sports betting there has been a horde of users flocking to their mobile devices to place bets on the Chicago Bears who are the only NFL team in the state. The biggest advantage to using mobile betting is that gamblers can place a bet on the Bears or any professional football team from anywhere within Illinois, as long as their mobile device is connected to a steady internet source. Making mobile NFL bets in Illinois is easy and bettors should also try to take advantage of any mobile betting bonuses that sportsbooks will be offering this NFL season. As mobile betting continues to grow, expect this to be the most popular way to bet in the state in just a few years.

Live NFL Betting in Illinois

Bettors that have always wanted to bet on if Nick Foles will rush for a touchdown coming out of halftime have to be glad that live NFL betting has made its way to Illinois. That’s just one example of the many in-game betting props that will be available at legal sportsbooks throughout the professional football season. Online sportsbooks available to Georgia bettors such as Bovada, BetOnline and 5Dimes all offer live betting on both their desktop and mobile versions. These sites are some of the best in the entire sports gambling industry and bettors will never have to worry about the latest live betting odds not being posted in real time by choosing one from the trio.

Online Gambling Age For Illinois Residents

Illinois gamblers will find that there are age limits on every form of gambling. If you are 18, you can begin participating in a few styles of play. First off, bingo games, the lottery, horse and dog race betting, online bingo and online poker can all be enjoyed. For those who are 21, the rest of the options become available. Land casinos, online casinos, online poker and online sports betting are also available.

Illinois Online Gambling Laws

Unlike almost every state in the Union, Illinois actually has laws that mention online gambling. If you live in the state of Illinois, you will find that there is something of a ban imposed on online gambling. The law simply says that anyone who 'knowingly establishes, maintains or operates an Internet site that permits a person to play a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value by means of the Internet or to make a wager on the result of any game, contest, political nomination, appointment or election by means of the Internet,' is violating the law. However, the Illinois legislature has pushed back against this in a number of ways since the repeal of PASPA on a federal level.

While this makes it seem like only those who actually host a gambling site are subject to punishment under the law, it may just be those who are operating this site that is subject to punitive action. Also, it is worth noting that Illinois previously had laws that permitted residents to bet on horse races online. The important word there is 'previously' because, at this very moment, it is not legal to do so. But, it's not all bad news. Sports betting is currently legal in the state of Illinois! The most recent change in status came when the first sportsbooks opened on March 9th, 2020, and that officially inaugurated legal sports betting in the state of Illinois. Online sports betting is slated for arrival in 2021.

Gambling Sites That Accept Illinois Residents

Despite the murky legal climate in the state of Illinois, there are plenty of online gambling sites that accept Illinois residents. We are here to share information, and this is part of the information that we want to share. While we cannot assure you this is legal, and we do not recommend you partake if it is illegal, we will show you where you can join to play.

Bovada: Find Casino Promotions When You Bring On A Friend

Some say that the town of Superman is Metropolis in southern Illinois, and that means that the people in this state know a super good site when they see one. Bovada is the best overall gambling site in Illinois. This site has many different things to offer, including complete sportsbooks for making wagers, poker rooms with weekly tournaments, and lots of fun casino games. This sportsbooks have full listings for NFL, NCAA, MLB, and NBA leagues. In addition, the sportsbooks feature fun betting like propositional and futures. Fly on over to the website and take a leap into signing up, it’s quick and easy. Best of all, you won’t find any villains there.

Bovada offers all of its heroes great bonuses with no strings attached. It’s free for all players over the age of 21, and Bovada offers the greatest lines and odds for all its sportsbooks. Not even kryptonite could stop its players from making their fortunes, all from the comfort of their own personal fortress of solitudes. You won’t need X-Ray vision for these books, the layouts of all Bovada’s sportsbooks are easy to read and understand. The large amount of lines will give everyone a chance at betting on their own favorites. Join us at Bovada.lv for an experience unlike any order, spandex wearers are always welcome. Go To Bovada!

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SportsBetting: Bet On The Bears While The Game Is Going

Plenty of online gambling sites and Bovada stands on top of them all! Already having the quickest and safest depositing options, Bovada also has an online casino that included a live dealer. With something so cool like that, there is no way that bettors can't find a way to flip their money in the online casino. There is also plenty of blackjack games and slot games there that can be played. Bovada has it all and that includes sports as well. Now with all these options, you can sign up and still get some amazing promotions that can reward you some extra funds while playing these online casino games. Make sure to sign up for Bovada quick as you can and bring a friend as well cause there is a reference promotion as well! Go To SportsBetting!

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Online Casinos That Accept Illinois Residents

Residents of Illinois will have access to a number of different casinos, and these have proven to be some of the better options for gambling on the market. If you are going to play these games, we recommend that you stick only to the best and most trusted options around. These casinos are limitless in terms of possibilities, and safety is guaranteed.

Lucky Red

A great online casino for Illinois residents is Lucky Red Casino. Within the casino, players will find a wide selection of great games to take advantage of, with slots, table games and more available. A great bonus of up to $4,000 is available on first deposits, using the bonus code LUCKYRED400.

Online Sports Betting Sites That Accept Illinois Residents

Want to hit the odds on sports? If so, you have found your options on this site. We are going to share you with the best and most trusted sports betting sites, and each of these will allow you to hit lines from all over the world. If you are going to play through these sportsbooks, you could very easily make a living.

Bovada

Illinois players will have a great time at Bovada Sportsbook, able to wager on all of their favorite sports and teams. Bet on the Bears to win the Super Bowl or the Cub to win the World Series. Ok, so more likely the White Sox. But regardless, Illinois players can wager on whatever they want. A first-deposit bonus of 50 percent up to $250 on the first deposit.

Online Poker Sites That Accept Illinois Residents

Online poker rooms are easily the most desired form of online gambling, but also one of the harder to locate. We have done what we can to bring our readers a list of the best possible poker rooms, and these are the rooms you will want to stick to if you are going to play the games online.

Bovada

Bovada poker is a great online room to join if you are a player from Illinois. These players in the state are accepted and welcome at Bovada. Illinois players can enjoy up to a $1,00 bonus on a first time deposit into the site, and enjoy a ton of great games.

Online Bingo Sites That Accept Illinois Players

Bingo players are another set of gamers who can find their style of play online. If you want to hit the cards from your home, you will be able to easily do so with the different bingo sites we have found. While not that many bingo halls still operate, you should have very little trouble finding an appropriate agent for your gaming. We only allow the most trusted of all gambling sites, and we can tell you that these bingo halls are no different.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois?

Online gambling is legal in Illinois as long as you are a resident and not a business entity. The Illinois Compiled Statutes does include a law regarding internet gambling, however, it is not directed toward bettors. 720 ILCS 5/28-1 states that those who reside in the state cannot establish internet sites with the intent of collecting wagers. Clearly, the law only applies to gambling businesses and not those who merely want to place bets. Aside from this section, there are not any regulations regarding using the internet to gamble. There is nothing in the ICS that punishes or penalizes online bettors in any way.

You can use legitimate online gambling sites that take players from the state of Illinois. These sites are able to legally accept USA players and there are hundreds of gamblers that join every day. All of the legal gambling sites that we review are reputable and highly regarded in the industry. When you want to use safe online gambling sites in IL, start with the websites that we mention.

Are Online Casinos Legal In Illinois?

Tough question. If gambling on the Internet is legal, then online casinos are also illegal. We are not going to sit here and tell you that this is totally true, but we can tell you that gambling online may be a risk. You are unlikely to ever be arrested, but breaking the law is unacceptable in our eyes.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Illinois?

This is another relative unknown. While we do have the text of the law at our disposal, we cannot actually say whether or not the games are legal or illegal. We recommend consulting your attorney or a paid legal professional before you engage in online sports betting if you are worried about getting in trouble with the law.

Article: Is online sports betting legal in the USA?

Are Sportsbooks Safe In Illinois For Online Wagering?

While there is cloudiness over the legality of sports betting in the state, Illinois residents really need not worry about whether they're going to get into trouble for betting sports online. This is because there are way too many people that do it and to try to catch each person would be insane. Rather, Illinois is sure to focus it's efforts on the catching those who provide gambling opportunities to it's residents, whether it be online or in real life. That guy you know that puts $20 on every Bears and Bulls game doesn't get in trouble does he? And, neither do the thousands of other Illinois residents that wager online too. Plus, using the sportsbooks for Illinois players that we have listed on this page guarantees that you are wagering with an establishment that isn't located in Illinois or even the United States. These sites are out of the reach of the government and absolutely will not disclose any of your personal information.

Is Online Poker Legal In Illinois?

Poker players who live in Illinois have many options available, but the sad truth is that it may be a crime to hit the felts in Illinois. The legislature specifically mentioned games of skill in the text of the law, which is why these games may be illegal.

Online Racebooks That Currently Accept IL Residents

Horse enthusiasts have the pick of the gamut when it comes to online racebooks that currently accept IL residents. The online horse racing betting sites all provide the latest horse betting odds for you to wager on and earn cash. You can bet on the Triple Crown and watch the races with free live horse racing streams. There are also horse racing results and other archives that you can review to help improve your betting strategy. Horseplayers should always take advantage of the special promotions offered by online racebooks, such as free horse bets and deposit match bonuses. We recommend sites like Bovada and SportsBetting for IL residents. Both are accepting new horse players and membership is free!

How To Fund Your Online Gambling Account In Illinois

There are so many ways that you can fund your gambling account in Illinois. The methods that we prefer are those that are both expedient and reliable. Bitcoin is a same-day deposit option that will see funds credited to your account in minutes. You can typically send anywhere from $10 to $25,000 in a single transaction, and there are no fees charged by the online gambling site. Instead of having to enter your checking account information or credit card number, you can just transfer funds from your secure wallet to the BTC address provided by the online cashier.

Bank wire transfers are the most popular method for high roller gambling. You can send $20,000 or $200,000 – the sky is the limit. Visit the cashier to get instructions on where to send the transfer. After that, go to your bank account and transfer the funds directly to the cashier. There will be a fee charged by your bank for initiating the transfer. Within around 3 business days, your cash will be applied to your online gambling account. You can also opt to fund your account with checks, money orders, or MoneyGram options.

Mobile Gambling Apps In Illinois

You will find that there are numerous mobile gambling options in Illinois. Casino sites, online racebooks, and sports betting sites all offer mobile wagering platforms that allow you to gamble on the go. The apps are optimized for mobile, meaning you do not have to worry about graphics not rendering or the app constantly freezing. Rather than having to download an app, you can usually just visit the site from your tablet or smartphone to start gambling from your mobile. Take SportsBetting for example. If you visit SportsBetting.ag from your iPhone, you will automatically be redirected to the mobile site where you can bet on sports, horses, or play in the casino.

Illinois Legal Gambling FAQs

Will Bitcoin Transactions Go Through, Unlike Debit Or credit Cards?

Is Online Horse Betting Legal In Illinois

Bitcoin is more reliable than debit or credit cards and the transactions will always go through. This is because bitcoin is decentralized, meaning there is no central agency or bank that will refuse to authorize your transaction. You are 100% in control of all deposits, and gambling sites will always send your bitcoin payouts within hours.

If I Send Bitcoins To The Wrong Person Can I Reverse The Transaction?

One of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of bitcoin is that the transactions are permanent. On one hand, you are guaranteed that transactions will go through because there essentially is no intermediary. On the other hand, once the transaction is sent there is no customer service team or administrator that can find the transaction and reimburse your BTC. Always review a bitcoin address several times before pressing submit.

Can 5Dimes Be Trusted By US players?

5Dimes can absolutely be trusted by US players. Since 1996, the operator has been in the online gambling industry and has grown to be one of the most well-respected brands. The site takes players from all over the USA and provides a variety of services. You can bet on the NFL, wager on your favorite horse to win, or play blackjack at the online casino. 5Dimes also has a reputation for reliable and speedy payouts. When it comes to trustworthy online gambling sites, 5Dimes is at the top of the list.

Mobile Gambling Apps In Illinois

You will find that there are numerous mobile gambling options in Illinois. Casino sites, online racebooks, and sports betting sites all offer mobile wagering platforms that allow you to gamble on the go. The apps are optimized for mobile, meaning you do not have to worry about graphics not rendering or the app constantly freezing. Rather than having to download an app, you can usually just visit the site from your tablet or smartphone to start gambling from your mobile. Take SportsBetting for example. If you visit SportsBetting.ag from your iPhone, you will automatically be redirected to the mobile site where you can bet on sports, horses, or play in the casino.

Will I go to jail for online gambling in Illinois?

While we have never heard of an arrest taking place in Illinois over online gambling, we cannot be 100% sure over whether or not you are completely free from arrest in Illinois. Residents who want to take the risk may, but we cannot guarantee that you will be able to play without total safety from arrest. We recommend you speak with a trial attorney before you begin to play.

• Casino Gambling: Legal
• Tribal Gambling: Not Legal
• Poker: Legal
• Horse Racing Betting: Legal
• Dog Racing Betting: Not Legal
• Lottery: Legal
• Daily Fantasy Sports: Not Legal
• Charitable Gaming: Legal
• Social Gambling: Not Legal
• Online Gambling: Not Legal

Illinois is sometimes referred to as a microcosm of the United States, meaning their behavior reflects the average American. And based on the numerous betting options that are offered to their residents, we can assume that Americans love gambling.

While Illinois isn’t the Wild West of gaming, they do offer plenty of riverboat casinos and lottery retailers.

The Land of Lincoln hasn’t always been this liberal with regard to gaming. But they’ve gradually loosened regulations since the 1970s, when their state lottery and horseracing industry were created.

The big reason for the change of heart is that politicians grew tired of seeing tax dollars pour into Indiana casinos. And the end result is that the Prairie State now offers more than enough gambling options for its residents.

One thing that surprises us, though, is that Illinois is one of the few states to ban online gaming. We’ll discuss this later, but let’s first look at their gaming industry along with important laws you should know about this state.

With a population of 12.88 million, Illinois has plenty of people to support its thriving gambling industry. And this includes the Illinois State Lottery, which generates over $2.8 billion in ticket sales every month.

After prizes and retailer commissions are paid out, 24% of this amount, or approximately $670 million, goes into the Common School Fund. This is a tremendous amount when compared to most other states, and it plays a big role in maintaining and upgrading Illinois’ school facilities.

The other big source of gaming revenue is the state’s riverboat casinos, which earn over $1.4 billion per year. The state features 10 riverboat casinos, with the largest concentration in counties surrounding the Chicago area.

Illinois taxes their casinos more heavily than any other state. Based on annual casino revenue, the tax rate starts at 15% ($25m annual) and goes up to 50% ($200m or more).

Compare this to Nevada, which charges a flat 7.75% tax rate (includes 1% fees).

Despite the high taxes, this hasn’t discouraged the industry since most of the riverboat casinos are still successful. This has in turn helped make Illinois one of the most successful states in terms of gambling revenue.

• Age Requirements: 18 for lottery; 21 for casinos
• Approximate Annual Gambling Revenue: $4.8 billion
• Approximate Annual Gambling Taxes: $1.6 billion
• Number of Commercial Casinos: 10
• Number of Racinos: 0
• Number of Tribal Casinos: 0
• Casino Regulatory Body: Illinois Gaming Board
• Lottery National Rankings: 7th

Transition to Legal Status of Gambling

While the bulk of Illinois’ gambling revenue comes from the lottery, they also feature a sizeable casino industry.

Their largest casino is Hollywood Casino Joliet, which has nearly 1,200 slot machines and 20 table games. The second-biggestcasino is Par-A-Dice Hotel, which also features over 1,150 slot machines and 21 table games.

Their minimum gambling ages are similar to most other states, with 18 being the minimum lottery age and 21 being the minimum for riverboat casinos.

Legal Status of Gambling in Illinois

Illinois’ criminal code begins with a lengthy section in Article 28 that defines illegal gambling. Here’s an abridged version of what gambling types are listed as illegal under Sect. 28-1:

• Playing any “game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value.”
• Betting on any game, contest, or political race.
• Possessing or owning a book or instrument used to keep track of bets and wagers.
• Selling pools upon the result of any game, contest of skill, or political race.
• Operating an unapproved lottery.
• Transmitting information as to wagers via radio, telephone, or telegraph, including info on betting odds or changes in betting odds.

We’re not lawyers, but our translation from the Illinois criminal code is to avoid bookmaking and/or betting on anything outside of licensed casinos or lotteries. Unfortunately, this also means that private gambling is illegal, even if it’s just a low-stakes game with your friends.

Of course, Illinois carves out a number of exceptions, including riverboat casinos, pari-mutuel betting, pull-tabs, lottery tickets, scratch-offs, and charity bingo & raffles.

One other part of the criminal code worth highlighting is what the state deems to be an illegal gambling device. Here’s the definition via statue 28-2 (a):

“A ‘gambling device is any clock, tape machine, slot machine or other machines or device for the reception of money or other thing of value on chance or skill or upon the action of which money or other thing of value is staked, hazarded, bet, won or lost; or any mechanism, furniture, fixture, equipment or other device designed primarily for use in a gambling place.”

Exceptions for what’s not a gambling device include:

• A “coin-in-the-slot operated mechanical device played for amusement” that doesn’t offer money or right to receive money as prizes.
• Vending machines “by which full and adequate return is made for the money invested” and doesn’t include an element of chance.
• A crane game that awards toys and novelty prizes worth less than $25.
• “Redemption machine” featuring skill-based activities like bowling, rolling, shooting, or throwing a ball. Only novelty prizes or non-cashable tokens can be awarded, with prizes being worth less than $25.
• Video game terminals at licensed truck stops, fraternal establishments, or any other business in accordance with the Video Gaming Act 9230 ILCS 40/1 et seq.].

Overall, Illinois’ restricted forms of gaming and illegal gambling device definition follow a commonsense approach.

In 1990, Illinois passed the Riverboat Gambling Act, becoming the second state to allow such gaming.

This act also created the Illinois Gaming Board, which determines who receives riverboat casino licenses. In 2012, they awarded the 10th and final license to River Casino Des Plaines.

The primary motivation for passing this legislation is that lawmakers wanted to boost river towns, which were struggling in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Another reason is that the state didn’t want their residents pouring tax dollars into Iowa riverboats.

An original stipulation of this law is that the boats had to be cruising while patrons were gambling. But this rule was changed in 1999 so that riverboats could still offer gaming when docked.

Another stipulation is that no riverboat gambling is allowed in Cook County (Chicago), which is meant to protect the horseracing industry here. Nevertheless, several riverboat gaming venues have cropped up in surrounding counties.

Senate Bill 1793 sought to increase the number of riverboat casino licenses, but then-Governor Pat Quinn vetoed the matter.

Given that casino competition has increased in Indiana and surrounding states, many riverboat casinos have concentrated on becoming all-around entertainment destinations that feature celebrities, comedians, and musical acts.

The Charitable Games Act [230 ILCS 30/1 et seq.] allowed approved charities to conduct certain types of gaming for non-profit purposes.

Accepted forms of charity gaming include bingo, pull-tabs, raffles, 5-card stud poker, and Texas hold’em poker. Given that many states don’t allow their charities to offer poker, Illinois is pretty liberal in this regard.

Another rule in charities’ favor is that they can offer cash prizes as rewards.

Signed into effect in 1975, the Illinois Horse Racing Act allows licensed tracks to offer both harness and thoroughbred racing. Simulcast wagering and off-track betting were approved in 1985 and 1987, respectively.

Illinois has a long history of horseracing, dating back to the first track being built in 1830. But it took almost a century and a half before the activity was officially legalized and regulated.

Today, the Prairie State has four different tracks, including Arlington International Racecourse, Balmoral Park Race Track, Du Quion State Fair Harness Racing, and Fairmount Park Racetrack.

Like many other states, Illinois’ pari-mutuel industry is in decline. Once worth well over a billion dollars in the early 1990s, horseracing now generates around $650 million per year.

Pari-mutuel betting is no longer the draw that it was once thanks to increased competition from riverboat casinos, video gaming terminals, the lottery, and out-of-state competition.

Several bills have been proposed to allow slot machines at racetracks (a.k.a. racinos). But all of these measures were defeated thanks to vetoes from former Gov. Pat Quinn.

In 1975, state legislators created the Illinois State Lottery in order to fund local schools. The result has been a success so far, with the lottery earning over $2.8 billion annually in recent years.

But many complain that the Common School Fund is too reliant on the lottery, with inner-city Chicago schools needing an influx of taxpayer money to help.

Another controversy involves the Northstar Lottery Group, a private company that’s been tasked with running the Illinois State Lottery ever since 2012.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Northstar has been accused by players of offering fraudulent scratch-off tickets. Specifically, the private company is accused of discontinuing unpopular games early when they were reaching profitability for players.

A class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of players, which would repay all affected people who bought tickets for the discontinued games.

Despite the controversies, the Illinois State Lottery continues to rank within the top 10 in terms of revenue. More than 60% of earnings come from scratch-offs, while the rest comes from Pick 3, Pick 4, Mega Millions, and Powerball tickets.

Illinois has a number of casino-based poker rooms dotting its landscape.

The largest of these poker rooms is at Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, where you’ll find 12 tables and a regular tournament schedule. Another notable poker room is located at Harrah’s Joliet, where you’ll find 8 tables.

Other poker venues in the state include: Harrah’s Metropolis, Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino Joliet, Jumer’s Casino, and Par-A-Dice.

As covered earlier, Article 28 Sect. 28-1 states that it’s illegal to play any game of chance or skill for money and other valuables in Illinois.

This is a cut-and-dried definition of illegal gambling that leaves little to interpret. Furthermore, no carve-outs are made for private or social gambling.

If you play in a low-stakes game with a few friends, chances are unlikely that your private gambling function will be raided. But the odds increase as the number of participants grows.

Such was the case in 2015, when police raided a Naperville poker game and arrested 13 people.

As reported by ABC 7 Chicago, officers confiscated $25,000 in cash, evidence of gambling, and three cars: a 2015 Lamborghini Huracan, 2014 E63 AMG Mercedes, and 2011 Porsche Panamera.

12 of the arrested parties were charged with misdemeanor gambling, and four were charged with possession of a controlled substance.

As you can see, there’s more to this bust due to the large game size and drugs involved. But you should still be careful if you’re going to hold private gambling functions in the Land of Lincoln.

The town of Shabbona, Illinois has been fighting for years to build a tribal casino. And these efforts peaked in 2016, when the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe began lobbying for the right to offer gambling.

Located 70 miles west of Chicago, the small town originally wanted to build a 24-hour bingo hall. But the US Department of the Interior wasn’t convinced that the 128 acres owned by the Prairie Band Potawatomi counts as a legitimate reservation.

Given that no tribal bingo hall was built in Shabbona, Illinois still remains without tribal gaming.

In 2009, the Video Gaming Act was passed, clearing the way for bars, truck stops, fraternal organizations, and veterans establishments to offer video gaming terminals.It wasn’t until 2012 that the first machines were rolled out in Illinois.

Operators of these games must adhere to a number of conditions.

First off, each voting jurisdiction can decide whether or not they want video gaming terminals. To date, only around 40% of jurisdictions have voted to allow video gambling.

Other conditions include that video terminals can’t be placed near riverboat casinos, churches, or schools.

Where Can I Gamble in Illinois?

Internet gaming is addressed under the criminal code’s illegal gambling offenses in Article 29 Sect. 28-1:

“ … knowingly establishes, maintains, or operates an Internet site that permits a person to play a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value by means of the Internet or to make a wager upon the result of any game, contest, political nomination, appointment, or election by means of the Internet.”

This language is aimed at offshore operators who offer gambling to Illinois residents. But this section also suggests that state lawmakers don’t want their residents gambling online either.

Does this mean that you’ll be prosecuted for internet gaming?

The odds are slim, and we’ve yet to see any online gamblers busted in the Prairie State. But what you’ll notice is that many offshore casinos and poker sites that normally serve Americans will exclude Illinois residents.

An exception to Sect. 28-1 is made for internet lottery sales, which you can see below:

“The purchase of lottery tickets through the Internet for a lottery conducted by the State of Illinois under the program established in Section 7.12 of the Illinois Lottery Law [20 ILCS 1605/7.12].”

State politicians approved online lottery ticket sales in 2013. And while this is an obvious example of hypocrisy, it makes sense because Illinois doesn’t generate any revenue from offshore operators.

Attorney General Declares Daily Fantasy Sports Illegal in 2015

In late 2015, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan came out and voiced her opinion that daily fantasy sports (DFS) “clearly constitute gambling.”

Through a 15-page paper, Madigan went on to state that Illinois’ criminal code “prohibits the playing of ‘games of chance or skill for money.’” And while she admits that DFS does involve skill, the element of chance and entry fees make the activity illegal in her eyes.

As reported by the Chicago Tribune, Madigan asked the industry’s biggest sites to add Illinois to their exempt list.

At this point, Illinois is merely operating on the opinion that DFS is illegal. But Rep. Scott Drury took this a step further in 2016 by introducing House Bill 6586, which would make it illegal to operate a DFS site in the state.

HB 6586 didn’t have much support in congress, but it’s another sign that Illinois won’t be reversing their opinion on DFS any time soon.

Online Gambling Legislation Falters

Senate President John Cullerton has long been a proponent of online poker in the state. He believes that this would be a good way to supplement land-based casino revenue.

But Cullerton doesn’t think that this issue can move forward until Illinois decides whether or not they want to add commercial casinos.

State Senators Donnie Trotter and Terry Link are also fans of internet gaming, introducing SB 1739 in 2013. Attached to a Chicago Casino Development Act, this bill sought to legalize online gambling in the state.

But most lawmakers weren’t in favor of SB 1739, and it was removed from the casino development act. This is the last time that a serious effort was made towards legalizing internet gaming in Illinois.

Push for Land Based Casinos

Over the past few years, there’s been a movement to legalize land-based commercial casinos.

At the time of this writing, congress is reviewing SB 7, which would add 6 land-based casinos, including one in Chicago.

While the legislation has moved through the state senate, it’s questionable whether SB 7 will be passed. After all, Gov. Bruce Rauner isn’t in favor of expanding gambling due to all of the state’s riverboat casinos.

Proponents of SB 7 argue that it would contribute up to $1 billion in licensing fees to the government and add more jobs. Additionally, it’d generate an estimated $560 million in annual tax revenue.

Another effect would be keeping more Illinois gamblers in-state, rather than traveling to Indiana casinos.

At the moment, riverboat casinos still enjoy a monopoly in the Land of Lincoln. As a concession to riverboats, SB 7 proposes that casinos pay flat taxes of 16% on table games and 20% on slot machines.

While this is still high in comparison to other states, many riverboats would prefer this to the current tax rate, which goes as high as 50%.

More points in SB 7 include adding slot machines to the state’s racetracks, and also installing slots at Chicago’s airports.

Illinois Gambling FAQ

According to the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), 62 cents of every dollar spent on the lottery goes towards paying prizes. 12 more cents goes towards paying commissions, bonuses, and operating expenses.

This leaves 24 cents per dollar going towards the Common School Fund, which doesn’t actually cover much of what Illinois’ schools need to operate.

The IASB report states that Illinois’ 3,862 public schools require over $30 billion to operate each year. This means that the lottery’s Common School Fund contribution only paid 6.7% of this cost.

Even still, $670 million can certainly help fund some of the schools’ expenses.

No. Section 28-1 of Article 28 specifically mentions that “an internet site” offering gaming is illegal. The language is aimed at operators, but this could possibly be used against online gamblers along with other points of Sect. 28-1.

Speaking of which, Illinois defines illegal betting as playing game of chance or skill for money and/or valuables. Even if prosecutors don’t use the mention of an internet site, they can still pursue people for making a bet in any way.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois Secretary Of State

Of course, this doesn’t mean that law enforcement is actively looking for people gambling online. In fact, we can’t find one instance of somebody who’s been arrested for internet gaming.

But the truth is that you’ll have a tough time finding offshore sites that will service residents of Illinois. Article 28 makes it explicitly clear that online gaming isn’t tolerated in the state.

The only exception is for internet lottery sales, which were excluded by politicians in 2013.

No. While Illinois’ criminal code doesn’t specifically address social and private gambling, we can again refer to Article 28 to see that betting on anything outside of licensed options is illegal.

As unfair as it may seem, Illinois doesn’t even want you playing low-stakes card games with your friends. But does this mean that nobody plays poker with their friends on the weekends?

Absolutely not because there are many people who gamble on card games in private. Furthermore, it’s a waste of law enforcement’s time to stake out penny ante poker games.

As we discussed earlier, the main thing that police are looking for is large, high stakes games that could be subject to other crimes like drug and illegal weapons possession.

This was the case in the 2013 Naperville game that was busted, where a 13-player game was raided because police also suspected drugs on the premises.

Illinois was actually a pioneer when they legalized riverboat gambling, becoming the second state behind Iowa to do so. Back then, few states were even thinking about casino gaming at this time, let alone legalizing them.

Once the Illinois Gaming Board began issuing licenses and riverboat casinos started being built, the state quickly experienced a gambling boom.

This growth has since stabilized, and state politicians don’t see the viability in adding more casinos to fix the problem.

It also doesn’t help that the past and current governors – Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner – aren’t staunch gambling enthusiasts.

Senate Bill 7 is circulating around congress at this time and would add 6 casinos in the state. But it’s unclear whether the legislation has any chance of making it past Rauner’s desk.

History of Illinois Gambling Laws

First racetrack opens in Chicago

Riverboat gambling begins

Illinois State Lottery begins running

Congress approves Horse Racing Act

Simulcast betting approved

Illinois legalizes off-track betting

Riverboat Gambling Act is passed

Amendment made to allow riverboats to offer gambling when docked

Video Gaming Act approved.

10th and final riverboat casino opens in Des Plaines.

HB 4148, an attempt to legalize online poker, falters in congress.

Internet lottery sales legalized.

Gov. Quinn vetoes bill to expand riverboat gambling.

Attorney General states that daily fantasy sports are illegal.

Conclusion

Illinois has fully embraced riverboat gambling since legalizing it in 1990. Now, their waterways are lined with 10 casinos, several of which rival big land-based casinos.

The Illinois State Lottery has also been quite successful, despite hiccups by the private company that runs the operation. With over $2.8 billion in annual revenue, Illinois has one of the biggest lotteries in the US.

The state’s racetracks have been in decline for a while, and certain lawmakers are trying to fix this by adding slot machines. But so far, these efforts have proven fruitless.

The same can be said for land-based casinos, which, due to existing riverboat establishments, don’t have much support.

Online gaming hasn’t gained many supporters in Illinois either. And given that their criminal code essentially makes internet gaming illegal, you should proceed with caution here.

Another area to watch yourself is social gambling because Illinois has a broad definition of illegal gaming that doesn’t exclude private functions. If you’re going to play a home poker game, be sure to keep the stakes low and the game quiet.

Given that Illinois offers riverboat casinos, poker rooms, racetracks, and a lottery, you at least have plenty of legal options available.