Illinois Online Gambling (2026)

Illinois is one of the biggest legal sports betting markets in the United States, generating over $11 billion in handle during 2024 alone. The state launched retail sportsbooks in March 2020 and mobile apps just months later, and it permanently dropped its in-person registration requirement in 2022. Nine licensed sportsbook apps now operate in Illinois, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM. Online casinos and online poker remain illegal, but the state’s gambling landscape is still massive: 15+ commercial casinos, more than 40,000 video gaming terminals spread across bars and restaurants, daily fantasy sports, and a state lottery. The Illinois Gaming Board oversees it all, and a 2024 tax overhaul pushed the top sports betting rate to 40% on adjusted gross revenue.

Online Sports Betting in Illinois

Illinois has grown into one of the top three sports betting states by handle, regularly trading spots with New York and New Jersey for the largest monthly totals. That growth happened fast. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the massive gambling expansion bill in June 2019, retail sportsbooks opened at casinos in March 2020, and mobile betting launched by June 2020 after an executive order during COVID-19 suspended the in-person registration requirement.

That in-person signup rule was a sticking point for years. Illinois originally required bettors to visit a physical casino or sportsbook location to create their account before they could bet on their phone. The requirement was suspended repeatedly via executive order, and the legislature finally killed it for good in 2022. Since then, you can download any licensed app, register from your couch, and start betting within minutes.

Licensed Sportsbook Apps in Illinois

Nine sportsbook apps hold active licenses through the Illinois Gaming Board. FanDuel and DraftKings control the lion’s share of the market, but there’s real competition across the board. Here’s who’s operating:

• FanDuel Sportsbook — Largest market share in Illinois, fast payouts, clean interface
• DraftKings Sportsbook — Deepest prop menu, strong same-game parlay builder
• BetMGM — Solid odds, strong parlay insurance promos
• Caesars Sportsbook — Caesars Rewards integration, good for casino crossover players
• BetRivers — Operated by Rush Street Interactive (parent of Rivers Casino Des Plaines)
• ESPN BET — Powered by Penn Entertainment, ESPN brand integration
• Fanatics Sportsbook — Newest major entrant, FanCash loyalty rewards
• Hard Rock Bet — Growing presence with competitive promos
• bet365 — Global giant with strong live betting features

Top Illinois Sportsbooks Compared

The 2026 Illinois Sports Betting Tax Hike

The biggest structural change to Illinois sports betting came in June 2024 when Governor Pritzker signed a tiered tax rate into law as part of the FY2025 budget. Illinois had previously taxed sports betting revenue at a flat 15%. The new structure taxes adjusted gross revenue on a sliding scale, and the top operators — FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM among them — all hit the maximum 40% tier.

The industry reaction was swift and hostile. DraftKings CEO Jason Robins publicly called the tiered system “punitive” and warned the company might reconsider its Illinois operations if the tax burden made the market unsustainable. FanDuel pushed back through lobbying efforts and public statements, arguing the hike would gut promotional budgets that directly benefit bettors through bonus bets, odds boosts, and profit boosts. Industry trade groups like the American Gaming Association echoed those concerns, pointing out that higher taxes leave less room for the marketing spend and sign-up incentives that keep the legal market competitive with offshore books.

Springfield’s counter-argument was straightforward: these are billion-dollar companies operating in one of the country’s most lucrative markets, and they can afford to contribute more to public infrastructure. Governor Pritzker framed the tax hike as a fair trade — operators get access to Illinois’ 13 million residents and massive sports fanbase, and the state gets a bigger cut to fund roads, schools, and capital projects. The debate played out along predictable lines, with operators warning of reduced competitiveness and legislators pointing to the industry’s profit margins.

Despite the pushback, Pritzker signed the budget package with the tiered rates intact in June 2024. The tax applies to adjusted gross revenue (AGR) — total wagers minus payouts — with five tiers: $0-$30M at 20%, $30M-$50M at 25%, $50M-$100M at 30%, $100M-$200M at 35%, and anything above $200M at 40%. Every major operator in Illinois generates well over $200M in annual AGR, so the top players all pay the maximum 40% rate on most of their revenue. The practical impact on bettors remains an open question — operators warned that worse odds and fewer promotions would follow, but competition among nine licensed apps has so far limited any dramatic shift in pricing.

On top of the state-level increase, Chicago aldermen introduced a proposal in late 2024 to impose a 2% city-level tax on sports betting handle — not revenue, but total wagers placed within city limits. If enacted, this would be the first municipal sports betting tax in the country. Operators pushed back hard, warning that a handle-based tax (as opposed to a revenue-based tax) could make it mathematically impossible to run profitably on certain bet types with thin margins. The proposal stalled in early 2025, but it hasn’t been formally withdrawn and could resurface in future budget cycles.

What Can You Bet on in Illinois?

Illinois sportsbooks cover all major professional and college sports, with one key restriction: you cannot bet on games involving Illinois college teams, and college player prop bets are banned statewide. That means no action on the Fighting Illini, Northwestern Wildcats, or any other in-state college program. Here’s what’s on the board:

• Moneylines, spreads, and totals: The bread-and-butter bet types available on every game. Moneylines pick the winner, point spreads set a margin of victory, and totals (over/under) target the combined score.
• Parlays and same-game parlays (SGPs): Combine multiple selections into a single bet for higher payouts. SGPs let you stack picks from the same game — for example, a player to score 20+ points AND the team to win AND the total to go over.
• Futures: Long-range bets on season outcomes like Super Bowl winner, MVP awards, division champions, or win totals. These are available year-round and update as odds shift.
• Player and game props: Bet on individual performances (passing yards, rebounds, strikeouts) or game events (first team to score, will there be overtime). Available for all pro sports but banned for college athletes in Illinois.
• Live/in-game betting: Place wagers while the game is in progress. Lines update in real time based on game flow. FanDuel and DraftKings offer the deepest live markets in Illinois.
• Pro sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, WNBA, PGA Tour, UFC/MMA, tennis, auto racing, boxing, and more.
• College sports: All games except those involving Illinois-based schools. No player props on any college game regardless of state.
• International and niche markets: Premier League, Champions League, international soccer, Grand Slam tennis, F1, NASCAR, esports (League of Legends, CS2, Dota 2), Olympics, and entertainment/political specials when available.

With over $11 billion in total handle during 2024, Illinois ranks as the third or fourth largest sports betting market in the United States by volume. Only New York consistently generates more handle, while New Jersey and Illinois trade places from month to month depending on seasonal betting patterns. Illinois benefits from the Chicago metro area’s massive population (over 9 million in the MSA), a passionate sports fanbase spread across multiple major professional teams, and strong coverage of Big Ten college athletics. Mobile apps account for roughly 95% of all wagers placed in the state, which puts Illinois’ market structure in line with other mature mobile-first states.

Online Casinos in Illinois

Online casinos are not legal in Illinois. Despite the state’s willingness to expand sports betting, legislators have not passed any bill authorizing iGaming — online slots, table games, or live dealer products. There have been occasional discussions in Springfield, but the powerful land-based casino lobby and video gaming terminal (VGT) industry have resisted any push toward online casino legalization.

Several Illinois lawmakers have introduced iGaming bills over the past few sessions, but none have gained real traction. State Representative Bob Rita, who helped shepherd the 2019 gambling expansion, has spoken publicly about the potential for online casinos but has not championed a standalone bill. The main obstacle is opposition from two entrenched interests: the VGT industry, which operates 40,000+ terminals in bars and restaurants statewide and fears online slots would siphon their customers, and the commercial casino operators, who worry iGaming would cannibalize their table game and slot revenue. Together, those lobbies carry serious weight in Springfield.

That’s a missed opportunity, given how much revenue neighboring states pull in. New Jersey generated over $2 billion in online casino gross gaming revenue during 2024. Pennsylvania topped $1.8 billion. Michigan crossed the $1 billion mark. Even West Virginia, with a fraction of Illinois’ population, runs a regulated iGaming market. Illinois — with nearly 13 million residents and a proven appetite for legal gambling — would likely produce $1 billion or more in annual iGaming revenue within two to three years of launch, based on per-capita comparisons with existing markets.

Based on per-capita revenue comparisons with Michigan and Pennsylvania — two states with similar demographics and gambling appetites — Illinois could realistically generate $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion in annual iGaming gross gaming revenue if it legalized online casinos. Michigan has roughly 10 million residents and produced over $1.4 billion in iGaming GGR during 2024. Pennsylvania’s 13 million residents generated $1.8 billion. Illinois, with nearly 13 million people, a massive existing gambling customer base, and strong brand awareness from its nine sportsbook apps, would likely land toward the upper end of that range within two to three years of launch.

The revenue argument alone should move the needle eventually. Illinois faces persistent budget pressures, and the state already taxes gambling more aggressively than most. Adding a regulated iGaming market at a 20-30% tax rate could generate $300-$500 million per year in new state revenue without building a single new facility. The question isn’t whether Illinois will legalize online casinos — it’s whether the VGT and casino lobbies will agree to terms that protect their existing business while opening the door to online play.

Online Poker in Illinois

Online poker is not legal in Illinois. No legislation has been introduced to authorize regulated online poker rooms, and the topic rarely comes up in Springfield. Illinois residents who want to play online poker legally need to cross state lines (digitally speaking) — Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey all have regulated online poker rooms, and the multi-state compact between those states means player pools are growing.

While online poker isn’t an option, Illinois does have live poker rooms at several land-based casinos. Hollywood Casino Joliet operates one of the busier poker rooms in the state, running cash games and occasional tournament series. Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin and Rivers Casino Des Plaines also spread poker tables, though hours and game availability vary by season. For serious tournament action, many Illinois players drive to casinos in Indiana (Horseshoe Hammond is a popular destination) where the poker rooms are larger and run more frequent multi-day events. The World Series of Poker Circuit also makes occasional stops in the region.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in Illinois

Daily fantasy sports are legal and well-established in Illinois. The state passed DFS-specific legislation in 2020, giving operators a clear regulatory framework. The big three DFS platforms all operate here:

• DraftKings DFS — Full slate of NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, and NASCAR contests
• FanDuel DFS — Similar contest offerings with single-game and full-slate formats
• Underdog Fantasy — Pick’em and best-ball formats, popular with younger players

DFS is classified separately from sports betting under Illinois law, with its own licensing requirements and consumer protection rules. The minimum age to play DFS in Illinois is 18 (unlike the 21+ requirement for sports betting), though individual platforms may set their own higher age floor.

Land-Based Casinos and Tribal Gaming in Illinois

Illinois has one of the most active land-based gambling markets in the Midwest. The state authorized riverboat casinos in 1990 (the first state to do so), and the 2019 expansion bill added six new casino licenses — including the long-awaited Chicago casino. Today, there are 15+ commercial casinos operating across the state, plus a video gaming terminal network that dwarfs most state casino markets.

Commercial Casinos

Rivers Casino Des Plaines is the undisputed top-grossing casino in Illinois and one of the highest-revenue gaming properties in the entire Midwest. Located just outside Chicago near O’Hare Airport, Rivers generates over $400 million in annual gaming revenue from its 1,100+ slot machines and 70+ table games. It benefits enormously from its location: easy highway access from downtown Chicago and the northern suburbs, proximity to the airport, and no real competition for the Chicago-area market until Bally’s Chicago fully opens. Rush Street Interactive, the parent company behind BetRivers sportsbook, launched its online betting brand from this property.

Beyond Rivers, the rest of the casino market is spread across the state, with properties clustered around the Chicago suburbs, the Quad Cities, and the Metro East (near St. Louis). Most Illinois casinos started as riverboats — the state was the first to authorize riverboat gambling in 1990 — but nearly all have transitioned to land-based facilities over the years. The 2019 expansion bill added six new casino licenses, including Chicago, Waukegan, Rockford, Danville, Williamson County (southern Illinois), and one for the south suburbs of Chicago.

The Bally’s Chicago Casino

The Bally’s Chicago casino project is the biggest gambling story in Illinois right now. Chicago was one of six new casino licenses created by the 2019 expansion bill, and the city awarded the license to Bally’s Corporation in 2022 after reviewing proposals from multiple operators. The original project budget was estimated at $1.7 billion, making it one of the most expensive casino developments in the Midwest. The permanent facility is planned for the former Tribune Publishing Center site near the Chicago River and McCormick Place in the River West neighborhood.

A temporary casino opened at the Medinah Temple in River North in September 2023 to start generating revenue while the permanent location moves through design and construction. However, the temporary venue has underperformed projections. Medinah Temple’s gaming floor is relatively small — around 800 gaming positions — and first-year revenue came in at roughly $100 million, well below the forecasts Bally’s submitted to the city. The cramped space, limited table game offerings, and lack of hotel rooms or major dining options have all contributed to the revenue gap.

The permanent casino is planned as a major mixed-use development with the following components:

• 3,400 gaming positions — slots, table games, and poker
• 500-room hotel tower — full-service accommodations targeting conventions and tourism
• Entertainment venue — live music, shows, and event space
• Multiple restaurants and bars — fine dining and casual options
• Outdoor public spaces — riverwalk access and landscaped plazas

But the project has faced repeated setbacks, and the original $1.7 billion budget has been a moving target from the start. Financing has been a persistent challenge: Bally’s has struggled to secure construction loans at favorable rates in a high-interest-rate environment, and the project’s scope has been revised downward at least once to bring costs in line with what lenders will support. Construction at the McCormick Place/Tribune Publishing Center site has experienced delays tied to permitting, environmental remediation, and design changes. The Bally’s Chicago development is widely considered the biggest casino construction story in the United States right now, and its outcome will shape how other cities approach major urban casino projects.

The target opening has shifted multiple times, with the current estimate landing around 2026-2027. Chicago’s tax terms are also steep — the city negotiated a separate revenue-sharing agreement on top of state gaming taxes, which has raised questions about whether the permanent casino can hit profitability targets. Between the city’s cut, the state’s graduated casino tax (which tops out at 50% for the highest-revenue casinos), and the debt service on construction financing, the path to strong returns is narrow. If Bally’s delivers the full project, it would be transformative for Chicago’s South Loop and Near West Side. If financing continues to stall, the city could face the embarrassment of a stalled marquee development.

Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs)

Illinois operates the largest video gaming terminal (VGT) network in the United States. More than 40,000 VGTs are installed across over 7,000 licensed establishments statewide — bars, restaurants, truck stops, fraternal organizations, veterans’ halls, and other qualifying locations. These machines offer slots and video poker, and they’re regulated separately from casino gaming under the Video Gaming Act, with the Illinois Gaming Board overseeing licensing and compliance.

The numbers are staggering. Illinois VGTs generated over $2.3 billion in annual net terminal income (NTI) during 2024, making the VGT network more profitable than most individual state casino markets in the country. To put that in perspective, the entire VGT network produces more gaming revenue than the total casino industries of most U.S. states. Each licensed establishment can operate up to six gaming terminals, and the sheer volume of locations — from neighborhood bars in Chicago’s suburbs to truck stops along I-80 and fraternal organizations in small downstate towns — creates an enormous aggregate revenue base that is uniquely distributed throughout Illinois communities.

VGT tax revenue is split between the state, local municipalities, and the terminal operators. The state takes approximately 25% of net terminal income, with another 5-6% going to the local municipality where the machine is located. Terminal operators and the licensed establishments split the remainder. This revenue-sharing structure makes VGTs popular with local governments, which see direct cash flow from every machine in their jurisdiction. It also explains the VGT industry’s outsized political influence in Springfield — and why that lobby has been a primary obstacle to online casino legalization. VGT operators argue, with some justification, that online slots would pull customers away from their physical terminals and erode the local tax revenue that municipalities depend on.

Illinois Gambling History

Illinois has a long and colorful gambling history that stretches back well before legalization. From the state’s pioneering role in riverboat casinos to its modern status as a sports betting powerhouse, here are the key milestones.

The Riverboat Era (1990-2009)

1990: Illinois passes the Riverboat Gambling Act, becoming the first state in the country to authorize riverboat casinos. The original law allowed up to 10 licenses, with boats required to cruise on Illinois waterways during gaming hours.

1999: The Video Gaming Act is signed into law, authorizing video gaming terminals in licensed bars, restaurants, truck stops, and fraternal organizations. Implementation takes several years, but it eventually creates the massive VGT network operating today.

2009: A capital bill includes casino expansion provisions, but implementation stalls amid political complications and the conviction of Governor Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges.

The Expansion Era (2012-2019)

2012: VGTs begin operating across the state. The network grows rapidly, eventually surpassing 40,000 machines in thousands of establishments.

June 2019: Governor Pritzker signs the massive gambling expansion bill (SB 690), the most significant gambling legislation in Illinois history. The bill legalizes sports betting, creates six new casino licenses (including one for Chicago), authorizes slot machines at racetracks, and expands VGT limits. This single piece of legislation reshapes the entire state gambling landscape.

Sports Betting and Beyond (2020-Present)

March 2020: The first retail sportsbooks open at Rivers Casino Des Plaines and Argosy Casino Alton.

June 2020: Mobile sports betting launches after Governor Pritzker issues an executive order suspending the in-person registration requirement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 2022: The in-person registration requirement is permanently eliminated by the legislature, clearing the final barrier to fully mobile-first sports betting in Illinois.

• September 2023: Bally’s Chicago temporary casino opens at the Medinah Temple in River North, giving the city its first-ever legal casino.
• June 2024: Governor Pritzker signs the tiered sports betting tax into law as part of the FY2025 budget, raising the top rate from 15% to 40%.

Illinois Gambling Laws and Regulations

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) is the regulatory body overseeing all gambling activity in the state. The IGB licenses casinos, sportsbooks, video gaming operators, and terminal locations. It also handles enforcement, investigations, and the statewide self-exclusion program.

Tax Rates by Gambling Vertical

Sports betting tax revenue flows into the state’s Capital Projects Fund and the Sports Wagering Fund. The Capital Projects Fund supports infrastructure spending — roads, bridges, public buildings — while the Sports Wagering Fund covers the Illinois Gaming Board’s regulatory costs. Casino taxes support a mix of state and local funds. Each host municipality receives a share of its local casino’s tax payments, which often amounts to millions per year for towns like Des Plaines, Joliet, and Aurora. The Illinois Lottery, which predates all other legal gambling in the state, directs its profits to the Common School Fund, which supports K-12 education statewide.

In total, Illinois collected over $800 million in tax revenue from all gambling verticals in FY2024 — a figure that includes sports betting, casinos, VGTs, DFS, and the lottery’s contribution to education. The 2024 sports betting tax hike is expected to push that number significantly higher in coming years, particularly as the tiered rates fully apply to operator revenue. Governor Pritzker has pointed to gambling taxes as a key tool for funding capital projects without raising income or property taxes, and further tax increases on gambling verticals remain a possibility if state budget pressures continue.

Revenue Allocation

Each gambling vertical sends its tax revenue to different state funds. Sports betting taxes flow primarily into the Capital Projects Fund, which finances infrastructure improvements — roads, bridges, public buildings, and transit projects — across Illinois. A portion also supports the Sports Wagering Fund, which covers the IGB’s regulatory and enforcement costs. Casino tax revenue is split between the state and the host municipality where each casino operates, providing direct funding to cities like Des Plaines, Joliet, Aurora, and Rockford. VGT revenue supports local governments through the municipality’s share of net terminal income and also contributes to the state Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund, which helps sustain Illinois’ horse racing industry.

Enforcement and Oversight

The IGB maintains an active enforcement division that conducts regular audits of casinos, sportsbooks, and VGT operators to ensure compliance with state gaming regulations. The Board can issue fines, suspend licenses, or revoke them entirely for violations ranging from underage gambling failures to financial irregularities. The IGB also manages the statewide self-exclusion program, investigates complaints from bettors and casino patrons, and coordinates with law enforcement on criminal matters related to illegal gambling operations. All licensed sportsbook apps are required to implement geolocation verification, identity checks, and responsible gambling tools as conditions of their operating licenses.

How to Start Betting in Illinois

Getting started with sports betting in Illinois is straightforward. Since the in-person registration requirement was eliminated in 2022, you can sign up from anywhere in the state. If you’re new to sports betting, here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Choose a licensed sportsbook app — Pick from FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, Fanatics, Hard Rock Bet, or bet365. Check our best betting sites page for current rankings.
2. Download and register — Download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Create your account with your name, date of birth, email, and last four digits of your SSN (standard identity verification).
3. Verify your identity — The app will verify your identity and age (21+). You may need to upload a photo ID.
4. Enable location services — Geolocation must confirm you’re physically in Illinois before you can place any wager.
5. Deposit funds — Most apps accept debit cards, online banking, PayPal, Venmo, and other banking options. Minimum deposits are typically $10-$20.
6. Claim your welcome bonus — Activate the new-user promotion. Read the terms and conditions (T&Cs apply), including any wagering requirements.
7. Place your first bet — Find your market, set your stake, and confirm. Start small while you learn the interface.

Responsible Gambling in Illinois

With nine sportsbook apps, 15+ casinos, and 40,000+ video gaming terminals, gambling is more accessible in Illinois than almost anywhere else in the country. That access makes responsible gambling practices even more important. If betting stops being fun, it’s time to step back.

Illinois offers several tools and resources to help you stay in control:

• Self-Exclusion Program: The Illinois Gaming Board runs a statewide self-exclusion list. You can ban yourself from all casinos and sportsbooks for 5 years, lifetime, or until you petition for removal.
• Deposit Limits: All licensed sportsbook apps allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits.
• Cooling-Off Periods: Most apps offer temporary account suspension options (24 hours, 7 days, 30 days).
• Problem Gambling Helpline: Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) — 24/7, free, confidential.
• National Council on Problem Gambling: Visit ncpgambling.org for additional resources, screening tools, and local support groups.

The statewide Voluntary Self-Exclusion program deserves special attention. Administered by the Illinois Gaming Board, it covers all licensed casinos, sportsbooks (both retail and mobile apps), and video gaming terminal locations. You can enroll in person at any IGB office or through the Board’s website. Two options are available: a 5-year exclusion period or a lifetime ban. During the exclusion period, you are prohibited from entering casino gaming floors, placing wagers through any licensed sportsbook app, and playing VGTs at any licensed establishment. If a self-excluded person is found gambling, any winnings are confiscated and donated to the state’s problem gambling treatment fund. After a 5-year exclusion ends, you must actively petition for reinstatement — the ban does not lift automatically. Lifetime exclusions are permanent and irrevocable.

Beyond the self-exclusion program, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) provides problem gambling treatment services through a network of licensed treatment providers across the state. IDHS funds counseling, outreach, and recovery support programs for individuals and families affected by gambling addiction. These services are available regardless of whether someone has enrolled in the self-exclusion program, and many providers offer confidential assessments at no cost. Between the IGB’s self-exclusion infrastructure and the IDHS treatment network, Illinois maintains one of the strongest state-level problem gambling support systems in the country.

How Illinois Compares to Neighboring States

Illinois sits in the middle of a region with mixed gambling laws. Some neighbors have gone further with online casino legalization, while others are still catching up on sports betting. Here’s a snapshot of how Illinois stacks up against the states on its borders:

The biggest takeaway: Illinois charges by far the highest sports betting tax rate among its neighbors. Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Kentucky all tax at flat rates well under 15%, while Illinois’ top tier sits at 40%. Operators have warned that the high tax rate may lead to worse odds for bettors, as sportsbooks adjust their margins to protect profitability.

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Gambling