These operators use two types of currency: gold coins and sweeps coins. Social and sweepstakes casinos have been the only option for players who want to play casino games online legally. The only legal online gambling options include: Operating a site within state borders is strictly prohibited. We’ll discuss both in great detail below.Īccording to the latest gambling news, online casinos are still deemed illegal. Interestingly, they can also head to any land-based casinos if they look for a legal alternative. 720, art 28 - Gambling and related offensesĮven though the Prairie State doesn’t have state-regulated online gambling, players can join an overseas site and play live dealer games. Illinois Riverboat Gambling Act, Chapter 230.Whether you want to play live casino games at brick-and-mortar or offshore sites, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the following laws: Thus, players will have to stick to legal options such as social and sweepstakes casinos, commercial and riverboat casinos, or try their luck in one of the offshore sites.Īll gambling establishments, online and land-based, are regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. Unfortunately for live gaming aficionados, this bill didn’t include anything about online casinos and gambling. Pritzker signed a bill that legalized online sports betting. Since 2012, Illinoians have been able to purchase lottery tickets online. In 1999, a change in the law permitted the riverboats to stay at the docks.

The casino boats had to enter the water every two hours during their first decade of operation. This Act gave the green light to commercial casinos as long as they were on the water. Such casinos were approved in 1990 after the passing of the Riverboat Gambling Act, and Illinois issued 10 riverboat gambling licenses. Illinois was also one of the first states associated with riverboat gambling. The following year, the board passed the Horse Racing Act, bringing more regulation to the industry. The Prairie State was the pioneer in offering a state-run lottery, introduced in 1974. Illinois gambling history dates back to 1920, when the state first legalized horse betting.

Legal forms of gambling in the state include horse racing, commercial or riverboat casinos, social and sweepstakes casinos, state lottery, online sports betting, and daily fantasy sports. Online gambling is not legal in Illinois, including live dealer games.

Another option includes offshore casinos, as they are yet to be regulated by IL law. Until then, they can try their luck in sweepstakes online casinos. That is why players need to wait for a more favorable legal climate before they can play in live casinos online in Illinois. Contrary to that, real-money online gambling is still illegal.

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