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Online Casinos in Illinois — What’s Legal in 2025?
Illinois is still working toward real-money iGaming, but players have legal choices today. Inside: how social/sweepstakes operate, what’s allowed now, and where to verify what’s next.
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Amex, Bank Transfer, Bitcoin, Cheque, Mastercard, VisaAre Online Casinos Legal in Illinois?
Not yet, but the outlook is active. If you’re researching online casinos in Illinois, you already have legal ways to play while lawmakers consider iGaming.
What’s legal right now in Illinois online gambling
Land-based casinos (21+) overseen by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB).
Licensed sports betting (21+).
Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) at approved venues.
Illinois Lottery (including eligible iLottery features) for 18+ players.
Social & sweepstakes casinos that follow “no purchase necessary” principles (see the next section).
What isn’t authorized (for now)
Real-money online casino sites or apps offering slots, table games, or live dealer to Illinois players.
Where to verify official updates
Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS): 230 ILCS 10 (Gambling Act), 230 ILCS 45 (Sports Wagering Act), 230 ILCS 40 (Video Gaming Act)
Legislative updates (current iGaming bill status)
Who Regulates Gambling in Illinois?
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) is the statewide regulator that keeps gambling in Illinois safe, fair, and transparent. It licenses land-based casinos and sportsbooks, oversees Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs), enforces rules, and runs the Self-Exclusion Program. While real-money online casinos aren’t authorized yet, the IGB is your most reliable source to confirm Illinois online casino laws and track official updates.
Check status
Review IGB Laws & Rules and the list of licensed operators before you play.
Know the framework
The IGB enforces the Illinois Gambling Act (230 ILCS 10), Sports Wagering Act (230 ILCS 45), and Video Gaming Act (230 ILCS 40).
Get help
If gambling is causing harm, call 1-800-GAMBLER or consider the IGB Self-Exclusion Program.
Have a concern?
The IGB provides channels to submit questions or complaints about regulated activity.
💡 Tip
Bookmark the IGB page for announcements, if Illinois moves forward on iGaming, you’ll see it reflected there first.
Social & Sweepstakes Casinos Explained (and why they’re legal to use)
Good news. Even though Illinois hasn’t authorized real-money online casinos yet, you can still enjoy casino-style games today through social & sweepstakes casinos in Illinois. These platforms use promotional rules with no purchase necessary and clear redemption policies, so you can play for fun and, in the sweeps model, potentially redeem prizes. All without placing real-money casino wagers.
Social vs. Sweepstakes
Social casinos: play-for-fun coins; optional purchases for more play; no cash-out.
Sweepstakes casinos: two-currency model (e.g., “Gold Coins” for fun play; “Sweeps Coins/entries” that can be redeemed for prizes if you meet the site’s verification and thresholds).
Coins, eligibility, and prize redemptions
How the Coins Work?
Gold-style coins: entertainment only, non-redeemable.
Sweeps-style coins/entries: can be earned for free (daily bonuses, AMOE, promos) or included as a bonus with Gold-coin purchases; subject to site rules.
Eligibility & Verification
You must meet age and location requirements stated by the platform.
Expect ID verification (KYC) and geolocation checks before prize redemption.
Redemptions & Limits
Review each site’s redemption policy, minimum thresholds, processing times, and any daily/weekly caps.
Prizes are typically redeemed via standard payout methods; processing requires successful verification.
Responsible Play
Set personal limits, take breaks, and use on-site RG tools where available. If gambling is causing harm, seek help.
Where to Verify
Illinois “Prizes & Gifts” law (overview of no purchase necessary principle).
Platform T&Cs: AMOE details, eligibility, and redemption rules.
Reminder: Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) does not license social/sweepstakes sites; it’s your source to verify the status of real-money online casinos.
Will Illinois Legalize Online Casinos?
Illinois keeps the iGaming conversation moving. While real-money online casinos in Illinois aren’t authorized yet, industry observers often point to neighboring Michigan as a working model and note that Illinois already has the structure and systems –land-based casinos, statewide sports betting (since 2019), VGTs, and oversight by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB)– to regulate iCasino if lawmakers advance a bill. Revenue projections vary, but analyses generally suggest meaningful annual tax revenue could follow a regulated launch.
Players sometimes find US gambling laws confusing at both federal and state levels. The short answer for Illinois is: you do have legal online options today (lottery, licensed sportsbooks, approved horse-race wagering, and social & sweepstakes casinos that use “no purchase necessary” promotions). What’s not authorized (for now) are real-money online casino sites/apps offering slots, table games, or live dealer to Illinois players.
💡 Also note
Illinois law addresses unlicensed operation of online casinos; offshore casino sites are outside IGB oversight, so stick to state-licensed options and clearly disclosed social/sweepstakes platforms.
2019
Illinois passes the Sports Wagering Act; online sportsbooks expand under IGB oversight.
2021–2022
Lawmakers introduce iGaming proposals; no enactment. Industry panels discuss Illinois as a likely candidate.
2023–2024
Debate continues; additional proposals surface without passing.
2025-2025
Internet Gaming Act — HB3080 (104th General Assembly, 2025–2026).
Bill snapshot
Current proposal: Internet Gaming Act — HB3080 (104th General Assembly, 2025–2026).
Status: 3/21/2025 — House: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee.
Regulator if passed: Illinois Gaming Board (IGB)
Headlines to summarize: The Internet Gaming Act would allow eligible operators to offer state-regulated iGaming with up to three branded skins and a 25% tax on adjusted gross internet gaming revenue directed to the State Gaming Fund. The framework mandates 21+ age checks, KYC and geolocation, and responsible-gaming tools such as self-exclusion, deposit/spend limits, and a statewide RG database. “Internet game” covers slots, table games, poker, and live dealer, while sports wagering remains outside the Act under the Sports Wagering Act.
Minimum Age & Taxes
Even though real-money online casinos in Illinois aren’t authorized yet, age and tax rules still matter for legal products (lottery, sportsbooks, VGTs, horse racing) and for reporting winnings.
Minimum Gambling Age in Illinois (By Product)
Product
Minimum age
Notes
Land-based casinos
21+
Age checks on the gaming floor
Sports betting (online & retail)
21+
Licensed operators only
Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs)
21+
At approved locations
Lottery / iLottery
18+
Eligible online services via official channels
Horse racing (on-track/ADW)
18+
Through approved providers
Taxes On Gambling Winnings, At a Glance
Item
Illinois Rule
State income tax rate
Flat 4.95%
State withholding
Applies in certain cases
Federal taxes
Separate from state
Record-keeping
Keep win/loss records
💡 Quick reminder
Taxes apply to winnings from legal gambling and may apply to prize redemptions depending on circumstances. Always link to IDOR and IRS pages for details.
Responsible Gambling in Illinois (Helpline & Self-Exclusion)
Help is available—confidential, 24/7. If gambling stops being fun, use the resources below.
Illinois helpline
Text and chat options available via the state campaign site
Self-Exclusion & tools
Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) Self-Exclusion Program: statewide program to exclude yourself from casino/VGT/sports wagering environments.
On licensed platforms, look for time-outs, deposit/spend limits, and account-history tools.
Online Casino Illinois FAQ
Are real-money online casinos legal in Illinois right now?
State that IL does not authorize real-money online casinos; point to IGB and current law summary.
What bills could legalize online casinos in Illinois?
Name/describe the current bill’s key elements (licensing, tax headline, skins); note status/date.
What’s the minimum age to gamble in Illinois (by product)?
Confirm 21 for casino/sports; 18 for lottery; show citations.
Can I use “sweepstakes” or “social” casinos in Illinois?
Explain “no purchase necessary” principle and typical redemption model; advise checking site T&Cs.
How do sweepstakes coin redemptions typically work?
High-level overview (coins, verification, prize redemption), not endorsing any brand.
Are offshore online casinos legal in Illinois?
Clarify that only licensed operators are legal; offshore sites aren’t regulated by IGB.
How are online casino or sports betting winnings taxed in Illinois?
State 4.95% flat income tax; mention withholding thresholds; federal taxes separate.
What responsible gambling resources are available in Illinois?
Provide helpline and self-exclusion entry points.
Does Illinois have any tribal casinos?
Explain no tribal casinos operating in IL; note 2024 recognition and land-in-trust news.
Are Illinois casino apps legal?
Clarify that casino apps for real-money iGaming aren’t authorized yet; sports-betting apps are legal under 230 ILCS 45.
Can I play Illinois Lottery online?
Yes for eligible players 18+; residency/age verification; official channels only.
What’s the difference between video gaming terminals (VGTs) and online casino games?
Define VGTs (retail locations) vs. online casino (not authorized).
