The only states with laws directed towards online wagering are Michigan, Illinois, Louisiana, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, Indiana, Nevada, New York, New Jersey and South Dakota.
Live casino gambling, including live poker, is allowed on 10 riverboat casinos, while IL online casinos are expressly outlawed. Residents can on-track pari-mutuel bet at horse tracks as well as play the state lottery online. Sports betting has also been recently legalized but is not online yet and locations are awaiting license approval.

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Illinois
Is Online Gambling Illegal In Illinois Right Now
Is Online Gambling Illegal In Illinois Government

In Illinois, gambling contracts are void ab initio under common law and the Illinois Criminal Code. However, certain contracts that relate to gambling are permitted under the strict oversight of various regulatory agencies, pursuant to State statutes such as the Illinois Video Gaming Act, the Illinois Gambling Act and the Illinois Horse Racing Act.

Casino Gambling: Legal
Tribal Gambling: Not Legal
Poker: Legal
Horse Racing Betting: Legal
Dog Racing Betting: Not Legal
Lottery: Legal
Daily Fantasy Sports: Not Legal
Charitable Gaming: Legal
Social Gambling: Not Legal
Online Gambling: Not Legal

Illinois is sometimes referred to as a microcosm of the United States, meaning their behavior reflects the average American. And based on the numerous betting options that are offered to their residents, we can assume that Americans love gambling.

While Illinois isn’t the Wild West of gaming, they do offer plenty of riverboat casinos and lottery retailers.

The Land of Lincoln hasn’t always been this liberal with regard to gaming. But they’ve gradually loosened regulations since the 1970s, when their state lottery and horseracing industry were created.

The big reason for the change of heart is that politicians grew tired of seeing tax dollars pour into Indiana casinos. And the end result is that the Prairie State now offers more than enough gambling options for its residents.

One thing that surprises us, though, is that Illinois is one of the few states to ban online gaming. We’ll discuss this later, but let’s first look at their gaming industry along with important laws you should know about this state.

With a population of 12.88 million, Illinois has plenty of people to support its thriving gambling industry. And this includes the Illinois State Lottery, which generates over $2.8 billion in ticket sales every month.

After prizes and retailer commissions are paid out, 24% of this amount, or approximately $670 million, goes into the Common School Fund. This is a tremendous amount when compared to most other states, and it plays a big role in maintaining and upgrading Illinois’ school facilities.

The other big source of gaming revenue is the state’s riverboat casinos, which earn over $1.4 billion per year. The state features 10 riverboat casinos, with the largest concentration in counties surrounding the Chicago area.

Illinois taxes their casinos more heavily than any other state. Based on annual casino revenue, the tax rate starts at 15% ($25m annual) and goes up to 50% ($200m or more).

Compare this to Nevada, which charges a flat 7.75% tax rate (includes 1% fees).

Despite the high taxes, this hasn’t discouraged the industry since most of the riverboat casinos are still successful. This has in turn helped make Illinois one of the most successful states in terms of gambling revenue.

Age Requirements: 18 for lottery; 21 for casinos
Approximate Annual Gambling Revenue: $4.8 billion
Approximate Annual Gambling Taxes: $1.6 billion
Number of Commercial Casinos: 10
Number of Racinos: 0
Number of Tribal Casinos: 0
Casino Regulatory Body: Illinois Gaming Board
Lottery National Rankings: 7th

Transition to Legal Status of Gambling

While the bulk of Illinois’ gambling revenue comes from the lottery, they also feature a sizeable casino industry.

Their largest casino is Hollywood Casino Joliet, which has nearly 1,200 slot machines and 20 table games. The second-biggestcasino is Par-A-Dice Hotel, which also features over 1,150 slot machines and 21 table games.

Their minimum gambling ages are similar to most other states, with 18 being the minimum lottery age and 21 being the minimum for riverboat casinos.

Legal Status of Gambling in Illinois

Illinois’ criminal code begins with a lengthy section in Article 28 that defines illegal gambling. Here’s an abridged version of what gambling types are listed as illegal under Sect. 28-1:

Playing any “game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value.”
Betting on any game, contest, or political race.
Possessing or owning a book or instrument used to keep track of bets and wagers.
Selling pools upon the result of any game, contest of skill, or political race.
Operating an unapproved lottery.
Transmitting information as to wagers via radio, telephone, or telegraph, including info on betting odds or changes in betting odds.

We’re not lawyers, but our translation from the Illinois criminal code is to avoid bookmaking and/or betting on anything outside of licensed casinos or lotteries. Unfortunately, this also means that private gambling is illegal, even if it’s just a low-stakes game with your friends.

Of course, Illinois carves out a number of exceptions, including riverboat casinos, pari-mutuel betting, pull-tabs, lottery tickets, scratch-offs, and charity bingo & raffles.

One other part of the criminal code worth highlighting is what the state deems to be an illegal gambling device. Here’s the definition via statue 28-2 (a):

“A ‘gambling device is any clock, tape machine, slot machine or other machines or device for the reception of money or other thing of value on chance or skill or upon the action of which money or other thing of value is staked, hazarded, bet, won or lost; or any mechanism, furniture, fixture, equipment or other device designed primarily for use in a gambling place.”

Exceptions for what’s not a gambling device include:

A “coin-in-the-slot operated mechanical device played for amusement” that doesn’t offer money or right to receive money as prizes.
Vending machines “by which full and adequate return is made for the money invested” and doesn’t include an element of chance.
A crane game that awards toys and novelty prizes worth less than $25.
“Redemption machine” featuring skill-based activities like bowling, rolling, shooting, or throwing a ball. Only novelty prizes or non-cashable tokens can be awarded, with prizes being worth less than $25.
Video game terminals at licensed truck stops, fraternal establishments, or any other business in accordance with the Video Gaming Act 9230 ILCS 40/1 et seq.].

Overall, Illinois’ restricted forms of gaming and illegal gambling device definition follow a commonsense approach.

Casino (Riverboat) Gambling

Suncruz casino jacksonville fl. In 1990, Illinois passed the Riverboat Gambling Act, becoming the second state to allow such gaming.

This act also created the Illinois Gaming Board, which determines who receives riverboat casino licenses. In 2012, they awarded the 10th and final license to River Casino Des Plaines.

The primary motivation for passing this legislation is that lawmakers wanted to boost river towns, which were struggling in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Another reason is that the state didn’t want their residents pouring tax dollars into Iowa riverboats.

An original stipulation of this law is that the boats had to be cruising while patrons were gambling. But this rule was changed in 1999 so that riverboats could still offer gaming when docked. Casino restauration saint etienne.

Another stipulation is that no riverboat gambling is allowed in Cook County (Chicago), which is meant to protect the horseracing industry here. Nevertheless, several riverboat gaming venues have cropped up in surrounding counties.

Senate Bill 1793 sought to increase the number of riverboat casino licenses, but then-Governor Pat Quinn vetoed the matter.

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Illinois