If you’re looking for ways to play online poker in Illinois, this article will help you learn all about gambling laws in the state. We look at what you can play, where you can play it and when it is available.
We at CaptainGambling.com are experts at helping online bettors everywhere to make informed decisions. While online poker real money Illinois is not yet legally available, we can help you find other ways to play until legislation comes into effect. Curious to see what’s already out there? Here’s everything you need to know about gambling in Illinois.
Who is this article suitable for? Anyone who wants to play online poker in Illinois
This article is aimed specifically at gamblers in the state of Illinois, be those newcomers to the pastime or established bettors looking for new sites to play at. Our experts cover a range of options and help you determine where to go to enhance your betting experience. At present, online poker in Illinois remains illegal. For now, we can look at the history of gambling in Illinois and what to look out for should online poker become legal in the state.
The legal history of sports betting in Illinois
Illinois has a long history of sports betting dating back to the Prohibition era. However, until very recently, all sports bookmakers operated underground as sports betting was illegal. Casino-style gambling, including poker, was legalized with certain restrictions on riverboats and in designated clubs in the 1990s. Even though United States law allowed states to legalize sports wagering from 2018 and the Illinois Sports Wagering Act passed in 2019, it was not until the 9th of March 2020 that sports betting officially began in the state of Illinois. On this date Eddie Olczyk, former NHL center and famous sports announcer, placed the first legal wager, with a bet on the White Sox to win the AL pennant.
With Olcyzk’s ceremonial wager, Illinois officially became the 15th state in the US to offer legal sports betting. Today, residents and guests can wager on all their favorite sports online. However, you can at present only enjoy real-money casino games, including slots, blackjack, roulette and online poker in Illinois, at licensed brick-and-mortar venues.
As a new market created by the passing of the US Supreme Court decision on sports wagering in the United States, the state of Illinois hopes to benefit from tax revenue now licensed operators can generate business. With decades of illegal sportsbooks, there is a clear demand for opportunities to bet on sporting events as well as play casino games and online poker for real money in Illinois. Bettors can now place wagers in casinos, licensed gambling venues and bookmakers in person, and make sports wagers online throughout the state. The only current restrictions center around collegiate sporting events where teams from Illinois are playing.
There is currently still no legal online poker in Illinois, although sweepstakes poker is available at many sites. Poker seems to be last on the list for many states – online poker Iowa is also still not yet legal, despite almost every other form of gambling having been legalized in the state.
Editor’s recommendation - the best poker operator for users in Illinois
As online poker for real money in Illinois is not yet legal, there are no state licensed operators currently offering their services. However, lovers of online poker in Illinois can keep their eye out for our poker site pick should legislation pass that allows online poker.
The mega-brand 888Poker has a strong presence across areas of the US where gambling legislation permits online poker, and they have built a solid reputation for being fair, transparent and easy to use. Players can make deposits from as little as $10 and experiment with a wide range of events including cash games, sit and go tournaments and big money tournaments.
In addition, 888Poker gives new members a deposit-match welcome bonus of up to $1,500, paid in $10 increments each time you achieve 100 bonus points, giving you twice as much to play with. You can also win free tournament tickets to major events when playing in satellite tournaments, giving you the opportunity to play for big money without spending a cent!
Five tips for a secure and fair gambling experience in Illinois
Gambling online is a popular pastime for many. When done safely and securely on one of the best U.S. online poker sites, it can be a fun way to spend time and even on occasion to make some money. Before heading online and sharing credit card details, it can be useful to brush up on safety tips to ensure the overall gambling experience is pleasurable, fun and above all secure.
Read customer reviews
This is one of the best ways to get an overview of how a gambling site operates and hopefully, at some point in the near future, a site for online poker Illinois! Many websites and apps will feature customer testimonials of their own. You can also read reviews on third-party websites to learn more about how operators handle complaints, how easy the site is to use, what sort of games and sports you can expect to encounter and how happy users are with the way their personal data has been handled.
Stay local
Using operators in your own area helps to ensure you are abiding by the current rules and legislation surrounding online gambling in your state. While you cannot currently play legal online poker in Illinois, there have been many sportsbooks and online casinos springing up in recent years since the laws changed. Check that the site you are considering accepts players from your region and that they are fully licensed and regulated before you sign up. Staying local is also handy for beginners, as it offers the opportunity to learn how to play or what types of wagers to make on a site that speaks your language.
Look for security measures
Features such as encryption ensure your data will be protected when you enter the site. The most common things to look out for are website addresses that start with “https” and the lock symbol displayed at the start of the URL bar.
Terms and conditions
Take some time to read and understand the terms and conditions of becoming a member before signing up to any online gambling website. This will let you know how your information will be used and how funds are managed as well as the rules to the games you will be playing
Set boundaries
Make rules for yourself before you start to play, such as limits on daily spending. Many websites will let you establish limits and send notifications if you are about to exceed them, to help you manage your bankroll and prevent overspending
What do we look for when evaluating operators for Illinois residents?
We take our operator reviews extremely seriously, whether they are casinos, sportsbooks or soon to be established Illinois poker sites. We use a range of criteria to evaluate each operator so you can start playing safe in the knowledge that the site is secure as well as fun.
Welcome bonuses
Welcome bonuses are one of the most attractive things about signing up for a new online sportsbook or casino. We identify the best signing bonuses in your area for you and let you know the terms and conditions before you start to play
Gaming range
Nobody wants to go through a sign-up process only to find the specific sport or game they wanted to play is not available in their state, such as online poker Illinois. We look at the range of games and events on offer and detail them for you
Live betting
Our reviewers take the time to check out features such as live betting to determine the quality of the site
Security
Security is an important part of peace of mind when gambling online. Our expert reviewers look for key security measures such as encryption, insurance and data protection before recommending any new site
Licensing
When evaluating operators for a particular state, we dive into the legislation for that state to ensure any recommendations we make are operating legally and are fully licensed, such as checking "Is online poker legal in Arizona or Illinois?".
The best sites currently available
Finding the right operator for you
No matter how highly rated an online casino or sportsbook may be, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best Colorado online casino for one person may not suit another. You want to find the operator that best suits your specific needs and preferences, which is why reading reviews at CaptainGambling can be the best place to start. Our experts lay out everything you need to know about each operator before you sign up, so you can be sure that everything you want to see is featured on the site you choose.
Do you look for perks and bonuses?
If you’re a fan of perks, bonuses and promotions to add value to your betting experience, you want to look for operators with VIP clubs and loyalty programs as well as welcome bonuses.
Do you like to see the action as it happens?
If you’re into live action, operators that provide live betting on sports games and live dealer games in the online casino and poker room may be the ones to choose.
What games do you prefer?
If there is one specific sport or type of game that you prefer, you will want to look for a site that specializes in that area and provides plenty of options. However, if you like to try your hand at a lot of different games then an operator with more variety will be your cup of tea.
Conclusion - Looking forward to online poker in Illinois?
Online poker Illinois has not quite reached the point of becoming legally available, although several casino operators are in the process of applying for licenses, similar to online poker Indiana. You can play sweepstakes poker for real money in Illinois at several sites but will have to wait a little longer before legal online poker comes to Illinois. However, since 2020, it has been legal to place sports wagers online and gamble in licensed casinos across the state. You can check out reviews at CaptainGambling and use the state search facility to discover some of the best sportsbooks and real money gaming sites in operation in Illinois today.
⛅ Will online poker ever become legal in Illinois?
Every state has its own laws around gambling, and that includes online poker. We at CaptainGambling.com take a deep dive into what’s legal and what’s not in each state, including a look at the best poker sites in Colorado, so take a look to find out more!
🏧 Can I win real money by playing sweepstakes poker online?
Sweepstakes poker is often offered as an alternative to real money poker in states such as Illinois, where online real money poker is illegal. The rules may vary depending on the site – find out more about sweepstakes poker and online gambling in Illinois at CaptainGambling.com.
💵 Can I play poker for money in Illinois?
Whether you can win money by playing poker online is a common question for residents of the state. Across the US, real money poker can only be found in the states that have passed legislation to make it legal. However, there are states where it’s a gray area. Check out our guides to learn all about the legal status of online gambling in each state, including whether online poker real money Iowa is an option.
💻 Is real money online casino gambling legal in Illinois?
Illinois recently legalized online sports betting, but can you roll the dice for real money winnings at online casinos in the state? Our informative guides will tell you everything you need to know about what you can do now, and what you’re going to have to wait patiently for.
In some states where certain types of online gambling aren’t yet legal, residents may be looking for outside options. It’s always a risk signing up with an operator that isn’t licensed in your state, and it might even be illegal to do so where you live. But fear not, you won’t make a misstep if you read our guides before making a move![/faq-item ]
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
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