Can You Bet Online In Illinois

Professional sporting events may still be few and far between under wide-ranging coronavirus restrictions, but as of Thursday, sports fans in Illinois can bet on games online. The issue is that bettors can sign up online (you can claim $1,000 in sign-up bonuses here), but must place their first bet at DraftKings at Casino Queen in East St. — more than four hours southwest of Chicago. After activating in person by placing a bet on Casino Queen’s WiFi, bettors can wager entirely online. Online and mobile sports betting have now launched in Illinois through the BetRivers app and mobile sports betting platform, which is the online betting partner for the Rivers Casino in Des Planes. Additionally, there are numerous international online betting platforms that are legally accessible for all Illinois sports bettors.

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 Illinois online gambling in 2021, 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.

Illinois Sports Betting Handle And Revenue

Of the many ways to gamble in Illinois, legal sports betting is one of the newer avenues to gamble. Despite launching sports betting in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic it was still a successful launch for the activity as only four states had a higher sports betting handle than Illinois in 2020. Still, eclipsing $1 billion in that time, online sports betting was a driving factor for generating such a large handle in a short amount of time.

Live NFL Betting in Illinois

Even if the Chicago Bears game has already kicked off this doesn’t have to prevent bettors from still placing bets on the spread, moneyline, or player props. Live betting has made its way to Illinois and has shown that it’s here to stay becoming one of the most popular ways to bet on sports. Bovada, BetOnline, and MyBookie are three sports betting sites that have in-game betting odds on both their desktop and mobile sites. As the action unfolds the live betting odds will shift giving bettors the most up-to-date odds to bet on any NFL game no matter which point of the game it’s at.

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 things of value utilizing 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 several ways since the repeal of PASPA on a federal level.

While this makes it seem like only those who 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 Illinois! The most recent change in status came when the first online sportsbook launched by BetRivers on June 18, 2020, which was only a few months behind the first land-based sportsbook which opened on March 9th, 2020. Now Illinois boasts a full-fledged land-based and online legal sports betting system. For any other changes to the law refer to the Illinois Compiled Statutes.

Betting on the Kentucky Derby in Illinois

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.

Gambling Sites That Accept Illinois Residents

Online sports betting is somewhat new to the state of Illinois and there are numerous options to choose from. Sports betting was made available to Illinois residents in March 2020 with the first land-based sportsbooks opening. The first legal online sportsbook in Illinois didn’t launch until June 2020 and since that day sports betting operators have wasted no time in claiming a space in the burgeoning market. With so many online sports betting options for Illinois sports bettors to sift through we’ve done some research and have compiled a list of recommended online betting sites for anyone residing or visiting the Prairie State.

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?

Online sports betting became legal in 2019 with and a little less than a year later the first legal online sportsbook PointsBet launched in Illinois in June 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, Illinois residents have five digital retail sportsbooks and also a plethora of offshore online sportsbooks to choose from which means online sports betting is legal in every corner of Illinois.

Article: Is online sports betting legal in the USA?

Are Sportsbooks Safe In Illinois For Online Wagering?

Illinois residents 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 its efforts on catching those who provide gambling opportunities to its 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.

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.

Does Illinois Allow Online Gambling

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?

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.

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.

Future Outlook of Online Gambling In Illinois

Now that Illinois has legalized in-person and online sports betting, their legal gambling industry is expected to flourish as more and more Americans begin to normalize the activity. Expect to see even more legal gambling operators entering Illinois in what could cause some companies to branch out into other sectors of the gambling industry as well. As 2021 goes on expect them to continue to build on the growing gambling industry with iGaming and sports betting leading the way as the top money makers for lawmakers in Illinois.

Illinois has become one of the most pro-gambling states in the country, and following the repeal of the federal law that had prohibited states from legalizing sports betting, lawmakers got to work and began the process that would allow them to present a sports betting bill before the state legislature.

In addition to the status of sports betting in Illinois, we want to provide you with information on the current sports betting laws in the state and where adults who are over the age of 18 can wager at online sportsbooks in the Land of Lincoln.

Top-Rated Online Sportsbooks For 18+ Illinois Bettors

Can you bet on sports at age 18 in Illinois?

Currently, Illinois residents and visitors can wager at domestic sportsbooks or via mobile betting apps. Domestic sports betting were legalized in 2019 and launched in 2020, However, these sports betting avenues in IL are limited to gamblers that are 21 years of age or older. 18+ sports bettors can place a wager with an international betting site because there is no law prohibiting the act as long as it is legally licensed and located offshore, such as the sites found on this page.

Is it legal to bet at 18+ online sportsbooks in Illinois?

No, domestic sports betting options are only available to those that are over 21 years old. It is only legal to bet on sports online at the age of 18 in Illinois if you wager at licensed offshore online sportsbooks operating online. Illinois law does not apply to jurisdictions other than its own, and 18 and over online sportsbooks are not allowed to operate inside state lines at this present time.

Are sports betting sites safe for Illinois residents?

If you choose any of the sports betting sites that we’ve vetted and approved, then there is no doubt that both your personal and financial data is safe and secure. The Internet is a dangerous place and scammers lurk around every corner every single day, which is why we want to provide the sites where you can safely and legally bet on sports if your 18 and up in Illinois.

What changes to federal law have impacted Illinois sports betting?

Illinois lawmakers prepared for the eventual repeal of PASPA by drafting and discussing bills as early as January 2018. Now that the Supreme Court has overturned the federal law, sports betting states are free to legalize sports betting operators within their jurisdiction.

18+ State-Licensed Sportsbooks in Illinois

At this time, there are is only one state-licensed sportsbook located anywhere in the state of Illinois that allows residents and visitors to place wagers on sports, and it is limited to 21+ gamblers. Domestic sports betting is expected to expand, but it has been a slow crawl thus far.

Illinois College and Professional Sports Teams

Illinois is home to numerous college and pro teams that bettors from the state and around the country will immediately recognize at the online sportsbooks. Below you’ll find a complete list of all of the colleges with at least one team competing in NCAA Division I and all of the franchises with teams in a major professional sports league, which are all located in Chicago, Illinois.

NCAA Division I Teams:

• Bradley Bears: Missouri Valley (Peoria)
• Chicago State Cougars: WAC (Chicago)
• DePaul Blue Demons: Big East (Chicago)
• Eastern Illinois Panthers: Ohio Valley (Charleston)
• Illinois Fighting Illini: Big Ten (Urbana-Champaign)
• Illinois State Redbirds: Missouri Valley (Normal)
• Loyola Ramblers: Missouri Valley (Chicago)
• Northern Illinois Huskies: MAC (DeKalb)
• Northwestern Wildcats: Big Ten (Evanston)
• Southern Illinois Salukis: Missouri Valley (Carbondale)
• SIUE Cougars: Ohio Valley (Edwardsville)
• UIC Flames: Horizon (Chicago)
• Western Illinois Leathernecks: Summit (Macomb)

Major Professional Sports Teams:

*All the Illinois pro teams are located in Chicago

• Chicago Bears: NFL
• Chicago Blackhawks: NHL
• Chicago Bulls: NBA
• Chicago Cubs: MLB
• Chicago Fire: MLS
• Chicago Sky: WNBA
• Chicago White Sox: MLB

Can I Bet Online In Illinois

Legal Minimum Gambling Age in Illinois

Can You Bet Online In Illinois

The legal minimum gambling age requirement in Illinois is 21 years old to play at the slot machines, table games, sportsbooks, and in poker rooms at land-based riverboat casinos located throughout the state.

Other Forms of Legal 18+ Gambling in Illinois

If you are at least 18 years of age and are located anywhere in Illinois, then you can legally gamble on bingo, lottery, dog and horse racing, and in the form of pari-mutuel wagering.

Additionally, the online sportsbooks we recommend also allow Illinois players to play at their online casinos and poker rooms at age 18 but since the minimum age requirement of Illinois is 21 years old, we recommend following the law of your state, even though there has never been anyone charged with unlawfully gambling online at the age of 18.

How To Bet Online In Illinois

Additional Resources

Can You Bet On Horses Online In Illinois

If you or someone you know lives in Illinois and is currently having difficulty or is possibly suffering from problem gambling, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling for immediate help.