Online Gambling in Illinois (2026) | Laws, Sports Betting & Video Gaming Guide
Quick Legal Status
| Field | Status |
|---|---|
| State | Illinois |
| Online Casino Games | Not legal |
| Online Sports Betting | Legal — mobile and retail (launched March 9, 2020) |
| Online Poker | Not legal |
| Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) | Legal — bars, restaurants, truck stops, fraternal/veterans clubs (Video Gaming Act, 2009) |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Legal in practice — operators accept Illinois players |
| State Lottery | Yes — includes iLottery (online draw game sales since 2012) |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 casinos / sports betting / VGTs · 18 lottery / horse racing / DFS |
| Regulatory Body | Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) |
| Last Legal Update | FY2025 budget — graduated 20–40% sports-betting tax (effective July 1, 2024); FY2026 per-wager fee added |
Legal Overview
Illinois has one of the most active regulated gambling markets in the United States — but its footprint looks very different from neighboring states. Mobile and retail sports betting are legal and generate substantial tax revenue. The state also operates a large network of licensed casinos and a one-of-a-kind statewide Video Gaming Terminal (VGT) program that places regulated gambling machines in roughly 9,000 bars, restaurants, truck stops, and fraternal or veterans clubs. At the same time, online casino gambling (iGaming) and online poker remain not legal in Illinois, despite multiple legislative attempts.
For Illinois residents looking to gamble online, the legal options are mobile sports betting (through the sportsbooks licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board), daily fantasy sports, Illinois Lottery online draw game sales at illinoislottery.com, and advance deposit wagering (ADW) on horse racing. Online casino slots, online table games, and online poker are not among them.
Illinois’s combined gambling industry — casinos, VGTs, sports betting, lottery, and horse racing — generated more than $2.2 billion in tax revenue in calendar year 2025, making it one of the largest state gambling-tax contributors in the country.
What’s Legal
- Mobile and retail sports betting: Sports wagering launched at Rivers Casino Des Plaines on March 9, 2020 under the Sports Wagering Act (part of SB 690, 2019). As of April 2026, the IGB lists 15 active approved sportsbooks operating in Illinois. The in-person registration requirement was sunset in March 2022. See Sports Betting in Illinois below.
- Commercial casinos: 17 licensed casinos operate in Illinois under IGB regulation — the original Riverboat Gambling Act (1990) properties plus the six SB 690 expansion facilities (Illinois Gaming Act, 2019). See Commercial Casinos below.
- Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs): Illinois has the country’s largest VGT footprint. The Video Gaming Act was signed in July 2009; commercial rollout began in October 2012. Nearly 9,000 licensed establishments host IGB-regulated VGTs today. See Video Gaming Terminals below.
- Horse racing and parimutuel wagering: Legal under the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, regulated by the Illinois Racing Board (IRB). Advance deposit wagering is authorized. See Horse Racing below.
- Illinois Lottery: Founded in 1974. Illinois became the first US state to launch a legal iLottery, with online draw game sales starting in 2012. See Illinois Lottery below.
- Daily fantasy sports: Legal in practice. DraftKings, FanDuel, and other major DFS operators accept Illinois players. See Daily Fantasy Sports below.
- Charitable gambling: Bingo, raffles, pull-tabs/jar games, and charitable games of chance are authorized for qualifying non-profit and fraternal organizations under Illinois’s charitable gaming statutes.
What’s Not Legal
- Online casino games (iGaming) — No state-licensed online slots, online table games, or online live-dealer platforms exist in Illinois. The Internet Gaming Act has been introduced repeatedly (including SB 1656 / HB 2239, sponsored by Sen. Cristina Castro) but has not passed. See Online Casino — Not Legal.
- Online poker — No state-licensed online poker framework exists. Online poker is bundled into the pending Internet Gaming Act legislation but has not been authorized. Illinois is not a member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). See Online Poker — Not Legal.
- Unlicensed offshore gambling sites — Offshore sites that accept Illinois residents are not regulated by the IGB, offer no consumer protections under Illinois law, and their legality for users is ambiguous. See A Note on Offshore Sites.
Regulatory Structure
Illinois gambling regulation is distributed across several state agencies, with the Illinois Gaming Board as the primary regulator for casino and sports-betting operators.
| Authority | Jurisdiction | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) | Commercial casinos, sports wagering, Video Gaming Terminals, operator and supplier licensing | igb.illinois.gov |
| Illinois Lottery (Department of the Lottery) | Lottery operations, including iLottery | illinoislottery.com |
| Illinois Racing Board (IRB) | Thoroughbred and harness racing, ADW, parimutuel wagering | www2.illinois.gov/sites/irb |
| Illinois Department of Human Services — Division of Mental Health (IDHS/DMH) | Problem gambling treatment, referral, prevention funding | dhs.state.il.us |
| Illinois Department of Revenue — Charitable Games | Charitable bingo, raffles, pull-tabs, games of chance | tax.illinois.gov |
| National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) | Federal oversight of tribal gaming (Illinois has no federally recognized tribes with gaming) | nigc.gov |
Unlike New York, Illinois does not have a single consolidated gaming commission. Casino and sports-betting regulation lives with the IGB; lottery and horse racing sit with separate agencies.
Minimum Gambling Ages
| Activity | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Commercial casinos | 21 |
| Mobile sports betting | 21 |
| Retail sports betting | 21 |
| Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) | 21 |
| Illinois Lottery (all games) | 18 |
| Daily fantasy sports | 18 |
| Horse racing / ADW / OTB | 18 |
| Charitable gaming (bingo, raffles, games of chance) | 18 |
Sports Betting in Illinois
Illinois legalized sports wagering under the Sports Wagering Act (enacted as part of SB 690, 2019). Retail betting went live at Rivers Casino Des Plaines on March 9, 2020, and mobile wagering followed. Illinois has become one of the largest legal sports-betting markets in the United States by handle and by tax revenue, and it is now the first state in the nation to use a graduated sports-betting tax structure.
Licensed Sportsbooks
As of April 2026, the Illinois Gaming Board confirms 15 active approved sportsbooks operating in the state. Operators are tethered to master sports-wagering licensees (typically existing casinos or racetracks). Verify the current roster against igb.illinois.gov immediately before publication, since operator branding and tethered relationships can change.
In-Person Registration Sunset
When mobile sports betting launched, Illinois required new users to register an account in-person at a licensed casino. The in-person registration requirement sunset in March 2022, and Illinois mobile sports betting is now fully remote-registration.
Graduated Sports-Betting Tax (First in the US)
Illinois became the first US state to adopt a graduated sports-betting tax as part of the FY2025 state budget (HB 4951), effective July 1, 2024. The tax replaces the prior flat 15% gross gaming revenue (GGR) rate with a tiered structure:
- Tax tiers range from 20% to 40% of GGR, with rates rising as an operator’s Illinois GGR increases.
- The highest tiers apply to the largest operators in the state — primarily DraftKings and FanDuel.
- Illinois’s FY2026 budget added a per-wager fee on top of the graduated GGR tax.
Specific bracket GGR boundaries and the exact FY2026 per-wager fee amount are not reproduced in this guide pending primary-source confirmation. For authoritative figures, see the Sports Wagering Act text and IGB monthly revenue reports.
Restrictions
- In-state college sports: Wagering is restricted on games involving Illinois college teams. Review the Sports Wagering Act and IGB rules for current restriction scope before publication.
- High school sports: Wagering on high school sporting events is prohibited.
- Minimum age: 21.
Retail Sportsbooks
Retail sports betting is authorized at licensed commercial casinos and select racetracks that hold master sports-wagering licenses. Retail books also operate at licensed locations under tether arrangements with IGB-approved mobile sportsbooks.
Commercial Casinos
Illinois has 17 licensed casinos regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. The market is structured in two waves:
- Pre-SB 690 riverboat and dockside casinos — originally authorized by the Riverboat Gambling Act (1990), now operating as land-based or dockside facilities under later legislative modernization. These are the long-established Illinois casino properties (Rivers Des Plaines, Grand Victoria, Hollywood Casinos at Aurora and Joliet, Harrah’s Joliet, Harrah’s Metropolis, and the other original licensees).
- SB 690 expansion properties (2019) — the Illinois Gambling Act (SB 690, signed June 2019) authorized six new casino licenses, including one in the City of Chicago. Several expansion properties are operational (Hard Rock Rockford, American Place in Waukegan, Walker’s Bluff Carterville, and others), and the Chicago permanent-facility build-out (Bally’s Chicago) continues under IGB oversight.
All 17 casinos offer slot machines, table games, and — where locally operational — retail sportsbooks. Individual property operational status changes; verify specific casino names, locations, and open/temporary/permanent status against the IGB licensee roster at time of publication.
Illinois has no federally recognized tribes with gaming operations. Tribal casino gaming under IGRA does not exist in Illinois. This is the structural inverse of neighboring states like Wisconsin and New York.
Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs)
Illinois operates the largest Video Gaming Terminal program in the United States. This is the single biggest Illinois-specific differentiator in the US gambling landscape, and it is the feature Illinois residents are most likely to encounter in daily life.
What VGTs Are (and Aren’t)
VGTs are IGB-regulated electronic gambling machines installed in licensed bars, restaurants, truck stops, and fraternal or veterans clubs. They are not casino slot machines and they are not online casino games. Three important clarifications:
- VGTs are not casino slots. Casino slot machines are located inside IGB-licensed casino properties and are regulated as part of the casino gaming floor. VGTs are separate: they sit in community establishments under a different licensing regime (the Video Gaming Act of 2009).
- VGTs are not online gambling. VGTs require physical presence at a licensed establishment. There is no online or mobile VGT app. Despite VGT play being legal, online slots remain not legal in Illinois.
- VGTs are age-restricted to 21, the same age threshold that applies to casino gambling and sports betting.
Legal Framework
- Video Gaming Act: Signed July 2009, with commercial rollout beginning October 2012.
- Regulator: Illinois Gaming Board.
- Licensed venues: Nearly 9,000 licensed establishments statewide as of April 2026 (per IGB homepage). Venue types include bars, restaurants, truck stops, fraternal organizations (e.g., American Legion, VFW posts), and veterans clubs.
- Per-venue terminal cap: Limited number of terminals allowed per licensed establishment under the Video Gaming Act.
- Municipal opt-out: Individual municipalities may opt out of VGT licensing. The IGB publishes a list of opted-out municipalities.
The total count of individual VGT machines in operation across Illinois is commonly cited in the tens of thousands, but the specific current terminal count should be confirmed against IGB monthly video gaming reports before citing a precise figure.
Why This Matters for the Guide
The VGT program is the reason Illinois residents may see “slot machine-like gambling” in everyday neighborhood businesses. It is essential to distinguish this legal, IGB-regulated, in-person activity from:
- Online casino slots: Not legal in Illinois.
- Sweepstakes / social casino apps: Not regulated as gambling, legally distinct from VGTs.
- Offshore online slots: Not licensed, not regulated in Illinois.
Online Casino Gambling — Not Legal
Online casino gambling is not legal in Illinois. There are no state-licensed online slots, online table games, online live-dealer products, or online poker platforms. The Illinois Gaming Board does not license or regulate online casino operators.
This is a common point of confusion for Illinois residents: the state has legal in-person gambling at casinos, sportsbooks, and VGT establishments, legal mobile sports betting, and a legal iLottery — but that combination does not extend to online casino games. Mobile sports wagering and online casino gambling are separate regulatory categories, and legal access to one does not imply legal access to the other.
iGaming Legislation (Internet Gaming Act)
Legislation to legalize online casino gambling has been introduced in multiple consecutive Illinois General Assembly sessions. The most active vehicle has been the Internet Gaming Act, introduced as SB 1656 in the Senate and HB 2239 in the House, with Sen. Cristina Castro as lead sponsor.
Key features of the proposal as introduced:
- Online casino games (slots, table games, live dealer) and online poker
- Licensing tethered to existing IGB-licensed casino operators
- Integration with existing IGB regulatory infrastructure
Obstacles to passage:
- Labor opposition — Casino-worker unions have opposed iGaming citing displacement of brick-and-mortar casino jobs.
- Brick-and-mortar casino opposition — Some existing casino licensees have opposed iGaming over revenue-cannibalization concerns.
- No gubernatorial endorsement — Governor J.B. Pritzker has not included iGaming in executive budgets and has not publicly endorsed the legislation.
Status as of April 2026: The Internet Gaming Act did not pass in the 2025 session and has not passed to date in the 2026 session. No passage is expected in the near term.
A Note on Offshore Sites
Some Illinois residents encounter offshore online casinos that claim to accept US players. These sites operate without US state licensing, are not regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board, offer no consumer protections under Illinois law, and their legality for individual users is ambiguous. MobileCasinoParty does not recommend unlicensed offshore options as a substitute for legal in-state gambling.
For Illinois residents who want to gamble online legally, the available options are:
- Mobile sports betting through the IGB-licensed mobile sportsbooks
- Daily fantasy sports through major DFS operators
- Illinois Lottery draw game purchases at illinoislottery.com
- Horse racing ADW through licensed advance-deposit wagering platforms
For more on how we evaluate casinos — including licensing, player complaints, and responsible gambling tools — see our Casino Review Process.
Online Poker — Not Legal
Online poker is not legal in Illinois. There is no standalone online poker framework, no IGB licensing regime for online poker, and no live IGB-regulated online poker platform. Illinois is not a member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), which currently includes Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Online poker is included as part of the pending Internet Gaming Act (SB 1656 / HB 2239), but that legislation has not passed. Live poker is available at several Illinois commercial casinos.
Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery was founded in 1974 and is one of the oldest US state lotteries. Proceeds primarily benefit the Common School Fund, with additional allocations to capital projects and specialty causes.
iLottery (First in the Nation)
In 2012, Illinois became the first US state to launch a legal iLottery, selling draw-game tickets (Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, and others) online at illinoislottery.com. Online instant-win game availability varies — instant-game offerings through iLottery have changed over time and should be verified at time of publication.
Current Lottery Offerings
| Game Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Multi-state draw | Mega Millions, Powerball |
| Illinois-only draw | Illinois Lotto, Lucky Day Lotto, Pick 3, Pick 4 |
| Instant games | Scratch-off tickets |
| Online | iLottery draw-game sales at illinoislottery.com |
Minimum age for lottery purchases: 18.
Horse Racing and Parimutuel Wagering
Horse racing is legal in Illinois under the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, regulated by the Illinois Racing Board (IRB). Parimutuel wagering is offered at licensed tracks and off-track betting (OTB) facilities, and advance deposit wagering is legal through authorized ADW platforms.
Active Tracks
- Hawthorne Race Course (Thoroughbred / harness — Stickney/Cicero)
- FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing (formerly Fairmount Park, Collinsville — Thoroughbred)
Arlington Park — Closed
Arlington International Racecourse closed in 2021. The property was sold to the Chicago Bears organization, and Thoroughbred racing at Arlington has not resumed. Illinois’s live-racing venue count is smaller than it was in the 1990s–2010s.
Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW)
Illinois law authorizes advance deposit wagering. Multiple licensed ADW platforms accept Illinois residents for wagering on horse races at Illinois tracks and simulcast venues nationwide.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports are legal in practice in Illinois. Major DFS operators (DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, Underdog, Sleeper) accept Illinois players. DFS operates under a regulated / permitted framework that distinguishes DFS contests from sports wagering.
Minimum age: 18.
Charitable Gambling
Illinois authorizes several forms of charitable gambling for qualifying organizations under the Charitable Games Act, Raffles and Poker Runs Act, Pull Tabs and Jar Games Act, and Bingo License and Tax Act. Authorized activities include:
- Bingo — conducted by licensed non-profit organizations
- Raffles — including poker runs
- Pull tabs / jar games — licensed non-profit organizations
- Charitable games of chance — including limited casino-night-style events for qualified organizations
Charitable gaming is regulated by the Illinois Department of Revenue. Minimum age: 18.
Recent Legal Changes
Illinois’s gambling landscape has seen substantial legislative and regulatory activity since 2019.
| Date | Change | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| June 28, 2019 | SB 690 signed | Illinois Gambling Act + Sports Wagering Act. Authorized 6 new casino licenses (including Chicago), mobile + retail sports betting, and modernization of existing casino framework. |
| March 9, 2020 | Sports betting retail launch | Rivers Casino Des Plaines accepted the first legal Illinois sports wager. Mobile sportsbooks followed. |
| March 2022 | In-person registration sunset | Mobile sports-betting in-person registration requirement ended; fully remote registration now permitted. |
| July 1, 2024 | Graduated sports-betting tax | FY2025 budget (HB 4951) replaced the flat 15% GGR tax with a graduated 20–40% GGR structure — first-in-US. |
| FY2026 budget | Per-wager fee added | FY2026 budget bill added a per-wager fee on sports wagering on top of the graduated GGR tax. |
| 2025–2026 sessions | Internet Gaming Act re-introduced | SB 1656 (Castro) / HB 2239 proposed online casino + online poker. Not passed as of April 2026. |
iGaming Legislative Outlook
As discussed above, the Internet Gaming Act remains pending. Passage requires (a) neutralization of union opposition through workforce protections, (b) buy-in from existing casino licensees, and (c) gubernatorial support. None of these conditions is currently met. No passage is expected in the 2026 session; the earliest realistic window is 2027 or later.
MobileCasinoParty does not predict whether or when specific legislation will pass. The information above reflects the status of introduced bills as of April 2026.
Responsible Gambling Resources
Gambling should be treated as entertainment, not a source of income. If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, help is available.
Illinois-Specific Resources
- National Problem Gambling Helpline (serving Illinois): 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Available 24/7; text and chat options available.
- IGB Self-Exclusion Program: The Illinois Gaming Board operates a Statewide Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program that covers IGB-regulated casino, sports-betting, and video gaming venues. Individuals may self-enroll for defined durations. Information and enrollment at igb.illinois.gov.
- Illinois Department of Human Services — Division of Mental Health (IDHS/DMH): Administers the state’s problem gambling treatment funding and referral network.
- Illinois Alliance on Problem Gambling: State-level advocacy and prevention organization.
- “Are You Really Winning?” campaign: Illinois public-awareness campaign on problem gambling.
National Resources
| Organization | Phone | Website | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCPG | 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) | ncpgambling.org | 24/7/365 |
| NCPG Text/Chat | Text 800GAM | ncpgambling.org/chat | 24/7/365 |
| National Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) | 1800gamblerchat.org | 24/7/365 |
| Gamblers Anonymous | (909) 931-9056 (office) | gamblersanonymous.org | Meetings vary |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | 988 (call or text) | 988lifeline.org | 24/7/365 |
| SAMHSA | 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) | samhsa.gov | 24/7/365 |
For more information, visit our Responsible Gambling Policy.
If gambling is no longer fun, call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET for free, confidential support 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online gambling legal in Illinois?
It depends on what type. Mobile sports betting is legal — the Illinois Gaming Board lists 15 active approved sportsbooks as of April 2026. The Illinois Lottery offers iLottery draw-game sales. However, online casino games (slots, table games, live dealer) and online poker are not legal. Legislation to legalize online casino gambling (the Internet Gaming Act, SB 1656 / HB 2239) has been introduced in consecutive sessions but has not passed.
Is sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes. Sports betting — both retail and mobile — has been legal in Illinois since March 9, 2020, under the Sports Wagering Act (SB 690, 2019). The IGB lists 15 active approved sportsbooks. Illinois uses a first-in-the-nation graduated sports-betting tax structure (20–40% of GGR, effective July 1, 2024) and added a per-wager fee in the FY2026 budget. Minimum age: 21.
Can I play online casino games in Illinois?
No. Illinois does not license any online casino operator. Online slots, online table games, and online live-dealer games are not legal. Legal alternatives for Illinois residents include mobile sports betting, the Illinois Lottery iLottery at illinoislottery.com, daily fantasy sports, and horse racing ADW.
What are Video Gaming Terminals, and are they the same as online slots?
No. VGTs are in-person, IGB-regulated electronic gambling machines located at licensed bars, restaurants, truck stops, and fraternal/veterans clubs in Illinois. They are authorized by the Video Gaming Act of 2009 and are distinct from (a) casino slots, which are inside licensed casinos, and (b) online slots, which are not legal in Illinois. VGTs are not available online or via mobile app. As of April 2026, nearly 9,000 licensed establishments host VGTs. Minimum age to play: 21.
Can I play online poker in Illinois?
No. Online poker is not legal in Illinois. Illinois is not a member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). Online poker is included in the pending Internet Gaming Act (SB 1656 / HB 2239), but that legislation has not advanced. Live poker is available at several Illinois commercial casinos.
How many casinos does Illinois have?
Illinois has 17 licensed casinos regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board — the long-established properties authorized under the Riverboat Gambling Act of 1990 plus the expansion properties authorized under SB 690 (2019). All offer slot machines, table games, and, where operational, retail sportsbooks.
What is the minimum gambling age in Illinois?
21 for casino gambling, sports betting (retail and mobile), and Video Gaming Terminals. 18 for the Illinois Lottery, daily fantasy sports, and horse racing / ADW / OTB.
Where can I get help for problem gambling in Illinois?
Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), available 24/7. Illinois residents can also self-enroll in the IGB Statewide Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program at igb.illinois.gov, which covers IGB-regulated casino, sports-betting, and video gaming venues. National resources include the NCPG helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Related Guides
- Responsible Gambling Policy — Support resources and helplines
- Casino Review Process — How we evaluate and rate casinos
- USA Online Casinos — Full state-by-state guide hub
- New York Gambling Guide — Legal mobile sports betting; no legal online casino or poker
- Pennsylvania Gambling Guide — Full iGaming market (MSIGA member)
- Michigan Gambling Guide — Full iGaming market; MSIGA member
- New Jersey Gambling Guide — Full iGaming market since 2013
- Nevada Gambling Guide — Online poker and sports betting legal
- Texas Gambling Guide — No legal online gambling
- Florida Gambling Guide — Tribal-compact sports betting
- Ohio Gambling Guide — Sports betting legal; no online casino
Note: Some state guide pages linked above may contain older content that predates the current rebuild cycle. Links are included to establish the cross-reference scaffold.
Last verified: 2026-04-17
