Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois

Online bingo played with real money falls into the online gambling arena and is thus is included in the laws that pertain to the industry of online gambling. That makes it totally legal for residents of Illinois to play bingo online with any Internet gambling companies that possess the proper regulation, licensing and compliance certifications. Online Gambling in Illinois. Illinois has flirted with legalizing online casinos and poker sites since 2013, but all efforts to date have failed. As a result, online gambling remains prohibited, aside from sports betting and parimutuel horse racing betting.

1. Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois
2. Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois County
3. Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois Government
4. Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois Casinos
5. Is Online Gambling Legal In Il
6. Is Online Gambling Illegal In Illinois

Much like Illinois gambling, some sorts of betting are permitted in the state, such as wagering on horce races. In accordance with current changes in legislation, lawmakers are likely to push for state-licensed Illinois online sportsbooks as well. Illinois Online Sports Betting Launch. Legal online sports betting launched in Illinois on June 18, 2020, but things are just getting started. Unlike other states that have gone live with multiple online sportsbook offerings, BetRivers is currently the state’s lone online option. At least for now.

US culture has a fascination with gambling in all shapes and sizes. Whether a resident is most interested in betting on sports, playing poker or online casinos, there is a fascination with gambling from the comfort of home that runs deep. Unfortunately, would-be players in Illinois opt not to participate. They do not do so from a lack of interest, but rather through a belief that any form of online gambling could land them in jail if state law enforcement agencies were to catch them in the act.

Luckily, this is not a correct understanding of the law as it applies to Illinois residents. The following page will break down all the most popular aspects of gambling through the eyes of the laws that govern them. We will not only take an intimate look at the policies governing a gambling hobby, but some of the best legal online gambling sites for Illinois residents to get started with.

Because there are sanctioned casinos in the state of Illinois, there are not heavy penalties or legal prosecution associated with participation in slot machines or other traditional forms of casino games in Illinois. This means that while players cannot get in trouble for playing casino games online, federal laws like the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) ban use of the internet to establish, run or maintain a casino site. This means that honest residents are forced to use offshore websites to fulfill their gambling needs.

As it turns out, the state laws of Illinois echo the federal sentiment almost perfectly. Although Illinois legislation specifically mentions the internet in regards to gambling, it is only seen as a criminal act to operate a gambling website, not use one. This means that just so long as residents of the state stick to the legal online casinos located offshore indexed on this site, they will be in compliance of their state laws and risk no legal prosecution.

When it comes to casinos in Illinois, while it’s true that there are a couple sanctioned, land-based options scattered throughout the state, the overwhelming majority of Illinois players who play casino games for money use the internet. This is due in part to convenience, but also the high quality of product available through legal online casinos that accept Illinois players

Go To: Legal Online Casinos For Illinois Residents

Sports betting is the most regulated form of gambling in the United States, but bettors are still free to take part so long as they find a reliable Illinois sports betting site. The Federal Wire Act of 1961 made it impossible for bookmakers to move information regarding sports betting across state lines using a wire service. (In the early 2000’s, the Supreme Court would rule that this includes the internet.) The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) passed in 1992 took that act a step further and made it impossible to facilitate sports betting in the United States at all. There were four states exempt from this act, but unfortunately, Illinois was not one. Thankfully, all of these policies only target the bookmakers, and specifically exempt players. This means that it is legal for Illinois residents to participate in sports betting just so long as they do not take part in its facilitation.

The state laws governing Illinois are very similar. Bettors in the state never face criminal charges whereas the facilitation of betting in the state of Illinois is a very serious crime. Again, just so long as a resident sticks only to betting online through offshore, legal gambling in Illinois will be open to residents not operating their own, illicit sportsbook online or land based, they will avoid the ire of the law.

It’s a good thing that many online sportsbooks are open to Illinois residents, because thanks to the PASPA, it’s impossible for the state to sanction any sports betting facilities. Unless this federal policy is overturned, it’s unrealistic to expect and legal sports betting facilities to open up shop in Illinois, even in the distant future.

Go To: Legal Sports Betting Sites For Illinois Bettors

Just like with casino games, the UIGEA heavily influences the facilitation of online poker. This policy makes it all but impossible for a poker website to set up shop in the United States and accept players from Illinois. Luckily, also as with casino games, it does not violate the UIGEA to participate in online poker just so long as the player does not operate an online poker room.

While federal policies leave the door open for the ever-popular game of online poker, what do state laws say on the subject? Just as with other forms of gambling, poker laws as laid out by the state of Illinois fall closely in line with what the federal laws enforce. Playing online poker is not tried, prosecuted, or even cited in the state. In fact, in the entire history of arrests in the state of Illinois, never once has a player been placed under arrest for merely participating in online poker. More important than the actual letter of the law is the implied function. The target of anti-gambling legislation is, was, and has always been large, organized crime syndicates, not individuals. Therefore, players are generally free to participate in online poker to their heart’s content.

In addition to the legal online poker rooms that accept Illinois residents listed on this site, Illinois has a couple brick and mortar, sanctioned poker rooms available for their residents to play in. Although they offer a full array of poker games and are usually open generous hours, their remote and inconvenient locations lead to online poker being the most popular means of playing the game within state lines.

Go To: Legal Poker Sites For Illinois Players

With all the talk of legality and criminal action, it can be easy to forget one thing – gambling is supposed to be fun. The legal gambling sites for Illinois residents on this page can help bring that emphasis back where it belongs since their members do not need to spend any time worrying about their legality and safety. Since these are legal, offshore businesses that have been in operation for well over a decade, there is never a need to worry about their financial security. These sites invest in the best software that money can buy, and they put the biggest emphasis in their business model in protecting your money. They worry so that you don’t have to; you just have to worry about making it grow!

After over 20 years of service to Illinois residents, the artist formerly known as BoDog moved their operation to Canada, but kept up the same high level of service and product quality that their users long grew accustomed to. Over the years, the Bovada name has become synonymous with internet gambling. They pride themselves on providing the very best online casino, online poker room, and online sportsbook for Illinois residents. You’ve spent all this time learning how you can legally gamble online, make sure to take advantage of it with one of the strongest websites available on the web!

The very best part about a membership with Bovada is making use of their excellent financial system. Never before has moving money in and out of your gambling account been so effortless, or so carefree. This legal gambling site for Illinois players even goes so far as to cover all fees associated with one payout a month. That’s twelve times a year you can request a check of your winnings absolutely free. With a new account at Bovada, you keep more of your money where it belongs – in your account, where it can get more opportunities to grow.

For decades, Illinois was considered one of the least gambling-friendly states in the country. Luckily, that’s no longer the case; in fact, there are plenty of gambling options here. In this guide, our sports betting experts are going to explain how you can find the best Illinois sports betting sites, so you can start placing wagers on your favorite teams.

There are so many options out there that it may seem kind of daunting trying to decide which site to join. Not to worry, though. We’ll help out by explaining the most important features that all the best real money sports betting sites should offer.

If you look below, you’ll find some of the best sports betting sites in Illinois. Feel free to visit any one of them and start betting right now!

The state of Illinois has recently begun to expand its gambling industry, and many are still unaware of the online sports betting laws. Our team will let you know exactly what’s allowed and more in this guide to Illinois sports betting sites.

Here’s What to Look for in Illinois Sports Betting Sites

Today, online sportsbooks in Illinois are only getting better. In fact, most online sportsbooks in the US are great places to start. Unfortunately, some of them have gained reputations for being a little shady. With that said, it’s important to be able to tell a good site from a bad one.

If you learn about the features that only reputable online betting sites offer, you’ll know how to find the best options. Below are the four qualities you should look for in Illinois sports betting sites.

Safe and Simple Payment System

Nothing is more important than safety when betting online. Before you create an account, ensure that your money and your personal information is safe. Only join real money sports betting sites that offer reliable, simple payment options to all of their members.

This shouldn’t be too difficult to find. You can check out some Illinois sports betting sites for yourself and head to their cashier pages to see what forms of payment are accepted. Our gambling site reviews also provide information on the payment systems for many of the country’s best real money betting websites.

We also always recommend for players to join Illinois online sportsbooks that allow debit and credit cards. Withdrawal options differ from site to site, yet most allow Bitcoin payouts. Many sites offer entire pages that explain how to use Bitcoin to collect winnings.

A safe payment system should be the first feature you look for in different Illinois sports betting sites.

Modern Design and User Interface

Some completely overlook how important the design of an online sportsbook is. Don’t make this mistake. The way that a betting website is designed will affect your entire gambling experience.

In our opinion, you should only join online betting sites that offer a simple, clean design. The user interfaces of these sites should be great as well. It should never be too difficult to find the exact odds you’re looking for.

Of course, everyone has a different design preference. One isn’t always better than the other. Just sign up for a website you think is suitable for your needs.

Spend a few minutes checking out some of the Illinois betting sites we listed and compare their designs. The ones we recommend at the top of this page are well-known for offering fantastic user interfaces.

Helpful Customer Support Options

Customer support is another feature of gambling sites that many new gamblers tend to overlook. That’s a shame, because this is one of the best tools available for sports bettors. It’s the only feature that Illinois betting sites have to help their players out.

Illinois recently passed a bill to legalize sports betting. Soon, several state-regulated online sportsbooks will be available here. For those that choose to play through the unregulated websites, a solid customer support feature is hugely important.

There are many different forms of customer support that are being offered nowadays. In our opinion, the best is a live chat feature. It allows you to speak directly with website representatives over text chat.

Stay away from the Illinois sports betting sites if they only offer one method of communication, such as email support or a web contact form. Getting a response through this method could take weeks. Look for the Illinois betting sites providing instant support at any time of day.

The Betting Odds You’re Looking For

You might be surprised to find how many individuals join an online sportsbook without even checking out which odds are available. It’s one of the easiest mistakes to avoid. Just about every single betting site clearly lists the odds that they offer directly on their homepages.

The important thing is making sure there are betting options for the sports you’re interested in. If you love football, check for some sports betting sites in Illinois offering odds on the Chicago Bears or other NFL teams. If you’re a baseball fan, check for websites that provide odds on regular and postseason MLB games.

Don’t be concerned if you aren’t sure about what sports you want to bet on. Nowadays, there are a huge number of amazing novelty betting options, too. Some sites allow you to place entertainment bets like movie outcomes and politics!

Never join any IL online sportsbooks without first checking out which odds are available. The betting websites we featured at the top of this page are known for offering thousands of different odds every single day.

Why Are Sports Betting Sites in Illinois Growing so Popular Right Now?

The rise of sports gambling can be seen around the entire country. This is all thanks to the Supreme Court striking down PASPA in May of 2018. Since that time, every state in the country has been permitted to establish their laws on sports betting, whether that’s online or in person.

A huge number of states now have regulated sports betting options up and running. Even in states that haven’t passed sports betting bills, this industry is growing fast.

We wanted to know exactly why Illinois sports betting sites are so popular right now. Our team reached out to several bettors here and asked why they prefer to make wagers online. Here’s what we heard.

It’s the Most Convenient Option Right Now

Since there are no legal land-based sports betting options available in Illinois, the only real options to place sports bets here are with an illegal bookie on the ground. Or bettors can do it through an online betting site. Most agree that casino sites in Illinois are far more convenient.

Don’t bother looking for a bookie. These sites allow you to make bets from anywhere in the state with an internet connection. Many also offer fantastic mobile sports betting platforms. The convenience of these sites has helped them grow more popular every single year.

There Are a Huge Number of Betting Options Available

Have you already checked out any IL online sportsbooks? If so, you may have seen how many amazing online betting options are available. Some betting sites in this state offer more sports betting odds than the top land-based sportsbooks in the country.

Don’t forget—this includes more than just sports odds, too. There are also odds on politics, awards shows, and even the weather! You might be amazed to find just how many incredible betting options are now being offered online.

So, Are IL Sports Betting Sites Actually Legal?

Illinois recently passed a bill to legalize sports betting. But as of February 2020, state officials are still coming up with specific regulations. At the time of writing, there are no state-controlled online sportsbooks here.

Fortunately, there are some fantastic online sports betting sites here that are not directly regulated by the state. The state laws seem to indicate that wagering online is banned.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois

Some, however, believe these laws do not apply to sites based overseas.

“ … 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.”

On the surface, it might appear that this law outright bans wagering online. Most feel that these laws are for anyone thinking about operating an online gambling site in the state.

Many are also looking at how this applies to the state’s sports betting industry, considering Illinois lawmakers officially legalized online sports betting recently.

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. Soon, state-regulated online sportsbooks will begin operating here and lawmakers are likely to change the current online gaming laws.

Will I Be Prosecuted for Playing at Illinois Casino Sites?

Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois County

It’s extremely unlikely. As we showed earlier, Illinois seems to have tough laws towards gambling online. But we have not come across a single case of an individual facing legal trouble for making bets online. Residents of IL hope that online sports betting laws will be official soon.

It’s important to note that we are not lawyers and always recommend you abide by your state laws. For more details on the gambling regulations in Illinois, please contact a gaming law professional. If you head over to our gambling news page, we provide you with constant updates towards sports betting laws around the country.

How Do I Bet Safely Through Sports Betting Sites in IL?

Almost everyone has concerns about safety when first getting into online sports betting. This is still a relatively new industry, and many are unsure about how secure it really is. Fortunately, sports betting sites in Illinois have improved dramatically over the years and most are completely safe.

Of course, some of these sites still have reputations for being a little shady. Generally speaking, however, the shady sites are quickly blacklisted.

It’s very easy to stay completely safe while gambling online nowadays. Here are some steps that you can follow to ensure that your betting experience is nothing but fun.

Only Play Through Reputable Online Sportsbooks

As long as you only make bets through reputable Illinois sports betting sites, there’s a very good chance you’ll never encounter an issue. Competition is high in this industry and these sites work hard to provide their members with the best possible experience. Feel free to check out the online sportsbooks we recommend at the top of this page. Each one is well-known for being completely safe.

Keep Track of Your Money

Some individuals accidentally wager more money than they can afford to lose. You can easily avoid this mistake. Simply keep track of how much money you are betting. If you realize your betting habits are getting out of hand, take a break for a little while. You can also ask someone you trust to help you hold yourself accountable for your spending.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois Government

Bet on Sports You Understand

You may have already seen that most online sportsbooks offer thousands of different betting odds every single day. It can be tempting to throw some money on sporting events that you’ve never played in hopes of winning big. With that in mind, we recommend that you only bet on sporting events you know and understand. It will significantly increase your odds of winning.

Understand How Promotions Work

Just about all sports betting sites in Illinois offer their members promotions. In case you’re unaware, these are promotional offers that help boost the amount of money you have to gamble with. Before you decide to utilize any promotions, understand exactly how they work. It will save you from any headaches in the future.

Keep Your Betting Account Information Private

Your online betting account is just like a real bank account. There’s money on the line. If you share your information with anyone, they can access the money without your knowledge. Never give out your account information to anyone. It’s also a good idea to change your account’s password every 90 days.

FAQ on Online Sports Betting in Illinois

When Did Illinois Decide to Legalize Sports Betting?

Not long after PASPA was removed in May of 2019, lawmakers began presenting bills to legalize sports wagering. In June of 2019, lawmakers here decided to officially legalize this industry. Both online and land-based sports betting is scheduled to become available here in 2020.

How Much Money Can I Win Playing at IL Online Sportsbooks?

That all depends on you. Not many sports betting sites in Illinois set limits on how much their players can win. The more you bet, the more you can win. Your chances of winning will obviously increase when betting on sports you understand.

What Are Some of the Best Illinois Sports Betting Sites Right Now?

There’s no one single answer for this. Most of the best online sportsbooks in the country are available in Illinois. At the moment, two of our favorites are Bovada and MyBookie. Both are known for offering great sports betting odds and safe payment options.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois Casinos

Is Online Sports Betting Easier Than Land-Based Sports Betting?

When it comes to convenience, absolutely! Online sports wagering allows sports fans to make bets from anywhere in the state with an internet connection. In terms of the ability to win, there’s really no difference.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Il

Why Should I Bet on Sports Online?

The choice to bet, or not to bet, online is yours! This industry is growing extremely popular around the country. More individuals are choosing to wager online every single month. If you’re a sports fan looking to win a little extra money, then check out the Illinois sports betting sites we recommend at the top of this page.

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Illinois

Conclusion

Illinois is in an interesting place right now. Lawmakers here have decided to legalize both land-based and online sports betting. Soon, a huge number of different sportsbooks will begin operating in the state.

Head on over to our gambling blog for all things gambling and sports betting related and feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

Good luck with your bets!