Is Online Gambling Legal in Illinois 2026? Let's Dive In!

The Illinois online gambling timeline – Al Capone, Covid, and rejection.

The Past

When we discuss any form of gambling surrounding Illinois, mutters of Al Capone and the 8 Chicago Black Sox players who were bribed at the famous 1919 World Series will fill the air. However, the Illinois gambling scene has changed vastly since then, with Riverboat casinos legalized in the early 90s and sports betting in Illinois coming to fruition in the summer of 2019.

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The Present

March 9th, 2020, at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, saw the first sports betting wager placed. This was a $100 wager on the White Sox to win the AL pennant at +1600.

The Illinois sports wagering bill hosts a few interesting provisions for any bettors who prefer to place wagers online. Firstly, it has made it difficult for Illinois online gambling sites to obtain a license due to the fees associated with them. It also required in-person registration from all retail clients and a ban of larger online sportsbooks for 18 months. In turn, this meant that any Illinois sports betting fans would not be able to take advantage of the industry-leading Borgata bonus. The only positive for sports betting fans was the chance to place a wager at their chosen sports stadium – providing they could afford to obtain a license, that is!

It looks as though 2020 altered plans for everyone around the globe, including the Illinois sports wagering bill. Due to Covid restrictions, the in-person registration provision was suspended, allowing new online sports betting customers to sign-up for their chosen sportsbooks online.

The Future

A push to legalize online casino gambling has had its latest setback in 2021. Lawmakers attempted to pass an online casino bill earlier this year. However, despite their efforts, little discussion was held surrounding the possibility.

It appears the next proposal will be put forward in 2022. However, Senator Cristina Castro believes 2023 would allow for more time to gather support and, ultimately, be a better time to discuss the possibility of online casino gambling coming to the state of Illinois.

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Things to consider before enjoying the Illinois gambling experience – Sportsbooks, pari-mutuel wagering, and age restrictions.

Is online gambling legal in Illinois?

According to section 28 of the State Code, it is illegal for residents of Illinois to carry out unlicensed internet gambling operations. Any one looking to set up an online casino business will be shut down immediately. However, the code fails to offer any form of punishment to those who participate in illegal activity.

Sports betting in Illinois is legal, provided those placing wagers are above the legal gambling age of 21. Anyone placing wagers on a legal sportsbook in Illinois will need to pass a sufficient KYC process by providing photo identification and proof of residence.

For players looking to take part in pari-mutuel wagering, bingo, or lotteries, the legal age is 18.

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What can I place wagers on?

When looking specifically at online sportsbooks, we at Betastic aim to provide a comprehensive look into the markets offered by the top online Illinois betting sites.

Home to the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Bears – two of the most iconic teams across the NBA and NFL – you can rest assured that Illinois’s online sports betting market will have all the major sports covered. For those of you who are after a lesser-wagered sport, such as international tennis, volleyball, or cricket, be sure to read through our operator reviews and discover a platform that can accommodate your preferences.

Where can I place wagers?

Residents and visitors to Illinois can take part in a varied selection of legal gambling. For those who are interested in retail gambling, residents can hand to any land-based casino or sportsbook and place wagers on slots, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, NFL markets, NHL markets, and plenty more, provided they are over the age of 21.

Complimenting retail sportsbooks, users over the age of 21 can also place wagers through online sports betting platforms.

Anyone over the age of 18 is legally allowed to participate in pari-mutuel wagering across horse racing markets, enjoy charitable bingo, and try their luck at lotteries. Illinois is still very much a haven for the retail client, although online usage has been on a positive upward surge since 2020.

How do I know who the best Illinois sports betting operator is?

Here at Betastic, we offer an honest review of all legal operators in the state of Illinois. Our industry experts have spent many years creating the perfect checklist in order to put key attributes of every legal US platform to the test.

When visiting the Betastic site, take a trip to our dedicated operator review section. Here, you will find a great selection of operators fighting for the title of best Illinois sports betting site. You will also find lots of key information to help decide whether this is the platform for you, including the markets available, the payment methods provided, bonuses and promotions you can expect, and much, much more.

Will I need to pay tax?

Unfortunately, those looking to enjoy some wagering activity in Illinois will be required to pay tax. Currently the state tax percentage in Illinois sits above the national average at 15%. However, the higher tax percentile played a significant part in the legalization and introduction of sports betting in Illinois – a small price to pay to become the 15th state to legalize sports betting across the US. For any bettors who strike it lucky and manage to profit over the $600 threshold, you will be required to declare your winnings and pay both federal and state tax. Whether you have won at home or on your travels, you will need to itemize your winnings. This includes highlighting where, when, how, who, and what you won!

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Conclusion – Perks of the legal gambling age in Illinois

The Illinois online gambling world is suited to those with a daily fantasy sports, lottery, or sporting interest. However, for those of you who love your online slots, greeting live croupiers, or making new friends at the blackjack table, it appears you could be waiting until 2023.

There aren’t many places in the US where you can be 18 and enjoy the excitement of online bingo, lotteries, and pari-mutuel wagering. With the prospect of online casino games just a few years away, we would advise all of our readers to have a quick read through our Bet365 review to discover a reputable site that hosts all online gambling options under one roof.

Illinois Online Gambling FAQs