Author:
Ashley
Last Updated:
09/09/2023
Topic:
US States
Experiences:
CA born, casino expert
Topic:
US States
Experiences:
CA born, casino expert
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Table of Content
- Who is this article suitable for? – All IL betting and casino fans
- The legal history of sports betting and online casino gaming in Illinois – What are the current rules?
- Editor’s recommendation – The best sports betting operator for users in Illinois
- Five tips for a secure and fair gambling experience in Illinois – Keep these in mind
- What do we look for when evaluating operators for Illinois residents? – Our criteria
- Finding the right operator for you – Top tips
- Here are our favorite IL casinos
- Conclusion – Finding the best IL gambling apps
- Great IL bonuses you don’t want to miss out on
- IL online casino apps FAQ
Who is this article suitable for? – All IL betting and casino fans
Gambling options vary from state to state. Just because New Jersey residents can use IL casino apps, it does not mean that residents of other states can legally use the same IL online real money casino operators. Luckily, online betting is legal if you reside in Illinois, so if you live in the Prairie State you have a number of casino apps available to you.
Whether you are brand new to gambling apps or consider yourself a casino pro, there is always something new to learn about gambling apps. That is why this guide is suitable for all online casino players – you can pick up new tips, refresh your knowledge or even discover new gambling apps available to you.
The legal history of sports betting and online casino gaming in Illinois – What are the current rules?
Gambling in Illinois was first legalized in 1927 due to the increasing popularity of horse racing in the state. Over the years, lotteries and riverboat casinos also became legal in the state. In fact, Illinois was the first state in America to legislate a state lottery, when a law was passed in 1974. In the early 21st century, it also became legal to install video game terminals in bars, truck stops, and restaurants in the state.
In 2015, the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel began to offer fantasy-based sports betting across the United States. Whilst there were initial objections from Illinois lawmakers, they gradually relaxed their stance. By 2019, online sports betting became legal in the state, opening the market up to some of the biggest operators in the country.
BetRivers became the first major operator to be licensed for online sports betting in Illinois. Subsequently, major players such as William Hill and PointsBet have also been approved in the state, meaning that gamblers have a wide range of operators to choose from.
Unfortunately, online casino gambling is still not legalized in Illinois, meaning that state residents wishing to play casino games, need to visit one of the ten riverboat casinos that are docked within Illinois. Whilst the situation is permanently under review, it seems unlikely that Illinois-based online casino gambling will become legal in the near future.
There are a couple of important additional regulations relating to gambling in Illinois – you are not permitted to bet on any Illinois college sports teams, nor can you bet on any non-sports-based activities (such as reality tv or politics).
Editor’s recommendation – The best sports betting operator for users in Illinois
We are delighted to announce that our recommendation for the best online sports betting operator in Illinois is DraftKings.
DraftKings were the first operator to be fully licensed in Illinois, and they have gone from strength to strength in providing secure, fair, and entertaining sports betting for state residents.
The first aspect of DraftKings that makes them stand out from the crowd is the fantastic design of their mobile app. Not only does it look superb, but navigation is extremely easy and you can find the markets and selections you are looking for in no time at all.
The range of betting options is another impressive aspect of DraftKings. There is an excellent range of pre-match markets, as well as extensive in-play markets that cover a wide range of sports and events.
However, the key ingredient that makes DraftKings such a great operator is the fantastic welcome bonus available to players in Illinois. You can receive a bonus bet of $50 just for signing up to the site, plus your first deposit will receive a 20% match up to $1,000 in site credits.
It all adds up to a superb online betting experience, and one that is fully deserving of our editor’s recommendation.
Five tips for a secure and fair gambling experience in Illinois – Keep these in mind
Whether you are using IL casino apps or trying out the latest Illinois gambling apps, secure and fair gambling is paramount to your experience. With that in mind, here are our five expert tips for a secure and fair gambling experience in Illinois.
What do we look for when evaluating operators for Illinois residents? – Our criteria
We only recommend the very best gambling apps for residents of Illinois. So the big question is, what specifically do we look for when assessing operators? Here’s a short guide to three of the key areas we assess:
Security
As we mentioned above, being secure is fundamental to your online sports betting experience. Our operator reviews fully assess the licensing and encryption at every gambling app. We want to give you peace of mind that the operator you are using is legal and secure.
Payments
The list of accepted payment methods varies from operator to operator. If your preferred payment method is not one of the more common ones (such as debit or credit cards), then it may not be accepted by all operators. Not only do our reviews assess the accepted payment methods at each gambling app, but we also look at withdrawal speeds and any associated fees.
Range of markets
All online sports betting operators in Illinois will offer markets for major leagues such as the NFL and NBA, but if you are looking to place a wager on a more obscure sport or a minor overseas league, then you might find that your options are more limited. Our reviews will also tell you about the range of markets available at each operator.
Finding the right operator for you – Top tips
Finding the right sports betting operator for you requires careful consideration. It is a very personal decision, so to help you out, here are three key questions you need to ask yourself:
Are you an in-play bettor?
Do you like to place bets whilst the action is taking place? If so, then live streaming should be near the top of your checklist when assessing operators. That means looking for sites that only have a wide range of in-play markets, but also comprehensive live streaming options.
Are you loyal to one site?
Some gamblers like to play at a variety of sites, whereas others prefer to just stick to one operator. If you are in the latter category, then it makes sense to look for sites that offer loyalty schemes. These schemes reward returning players via a points system. When players reach specified levels of points they can convert their points into bonus bets or cash. The specifics of loyalty schemes vary from site to site, but they are all aimed at encouraging players to return.
When do you place bets?
This may sound insignificant, but if you are the type of player who places bets late at night, or very early in the morning, you need an operator with round-the-clock customer service options. That way, you can instantly resolve any issues, without having to wait hours for an operator to become available
Here are our favorite IL casinos
1.
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Stake.us Social Casino Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Stake.us Review
*****
T&Cs apply, 21+
Highlights
2.
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
Wow Vegas Social Casino Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
Wow Vegas Review
*****
T&Cs apply, 21+
Highlights
3.
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
High5Casino Social Casino Bonus
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
High5Casino Review
*****
T&Cs apply, 21+
Highlights
4.
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins
Fortune Coins Social Casino Bonus
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins
Fortune Coins Review
*****
T&Cs apply, 21+
Highlights
5.
Day 4: Spend $25 or More Today to have a chance to win 50,000 LC + 50SC. 3 Winners, 3 Prizes
Sweeptastic Social Casino Bonus
Day 4: Spend $25 or More Today to have a chance to win 50,000 LC + 50SC. 3 Winners, 3 Prizes
Sweeptastic Review
*****
T&Cs apply, 21+
Highlights
Conclusion – Finding the best IL gambling apps
As you can see, it is important to have a broad overview of the best gambling apps online casinos Illinois has to offer before you start using them. You need to assess the app, make sure that the operator is secure and explore the range of markets available to you.
Of course, the best way to ensure you find the right sports betting operator for you is to read our reviews. They will give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about sports betting apps and are essential reading for gamblers of all experience levels.
Great IL bonuses you don’t want to miss out on
1.
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Bonus Code
****** Stake.us Bonus Code
*****
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bonus Details
Type:
Bonus
Cashable:
yes
Requirements (WR):
3x Deposit
2.
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
Bonus Code
****** Wow Vegas Bonus Code
*****
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bonus Details
Type:
Welcome Bonus
Cashable:
yes
Requirements (WR):
–
3.
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
Bonus Code
****** High5Casino Bonus Code
*****
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bonus Details
Type:
Welcome Bonus
Cashable:
yes
Requirements (WR):
–
4.
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins
Bonus Code
****** Fortune Coins Bonus Code
*****
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bonus Details
Type:
Bonus
Cashable:
yes
Requirements (WR):
–
5.
Day 4: Spend $25 or More Today to have a chance to win 50,000 LC + 50SC. 3 Winners, 3 Prizes
Bonus Code
****** Sweeptastic Bonus Code
*****
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bonus Details
Type:
Bonus
Cashable:
no
Requirements (WR):
–
IL online casino apps FAQ
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