Illinois makes it a gambling crime to operate a game of chance over the Internet. The only exception to this is the Illinois Lottery. The state lottery is permitted to sell lotto tickets on its website. The minimum legal gambling age in Illinois is 21 years for casino and bar video poker patrons. The minimum gambling age is 18 for lottery and horse race betting and 21 for casino-style games. Engaging in unlawful gambling is a class A misdemeanor. Online Gambling in Illinois Unlike most of the other US states, Illinois does address some of the issues of online gambling directly. Illinois Gambling Laws. In 2013, Senator Terry Link sponsored a bill (S.B. 1739) that looked to expand physical gambling hubs in Illinois by doing more than double the current number of 10 gambling locations with iGaming sprinkled in the mix, too. As daily fantasy sports in Illinois is currently a legal gray area, there is no official minimum age, but in practice it is likely to match the state’s gambling age, which is 21 years old. Type of gambling Minimum age Relevant sections of the Act Gambling in casinos or other licensed gambling premises It is illegal to permit any person under the age of 18 to enter a licensed gambling premises. The only exception is licensed family entertainment centres. 18: 46, 47, 48 and 49 Gaming machine (Machine category: A, B1, B2, B3, B3A.

• Video Gambling Illinois

As part of a state funding bill that includes an expansion of gambling, the Illinois House and Senate passed legislation on June 2, 2019, the last day of the legislative session, to legalize sport betting in-person at the state's casinos, racetracks, arenas, and stadiums - such as Wrigley Field.

The legislation also allows online and mobile app-based sportsbooks to operate inside state lines. Governor J.B. Prizker publicly stated his strong support for the legislation and signed the bill into law on June 28.

Illinois launched state-licensed sports betting Monday, March 9, at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. Additionally, Illinois could be poised to become the sports betting capital of the Midwest and is one of the largest markets - at 12.7 million residents - to legalize in-state sportsbooks in the United States thus far.

Between the new state-regulated online and in-person sports wagering opportunities and the sports betting sites operating offshore that have offered services for decades, Illinois residents have no shortage of options when it comes to placing wagers on sports legally.

Is Sports Betting Legal In Illinois?

Now that governor Pritzker has signed SB690 into law, sports betting is legal in Illinois in more ways than one. Prior to the bill's passage, Illinois residents had only been able to legally bet on sports through online sportsbooks operating offshore.

There were and still are no state laws prohibiting online offshore sports betting. The laws recently authorizing state-regulated sports betting simply expand the range of betting options available to sports fans in IL.

IL Sports Betting Bills

On June 2, 2019, the Illinois House and Senate both passed a sports betting bill (SB690) that would legalize sportsbooks to operate in physical locations, such as casinos, racetracks, and sports event venues. The legislation also approved online and mobile betting apps anywhere in the state and provides approval for six more casinos to launch.

The bill received its signature from the governor to become law on June 28. Terry Link, Bob Rita, Omar Aquino, Scott Bennett, Napoleon Harris III, Mike Hastings, Toi Hutchinson, Tony Munoz, Elgie Sims Jr., Steve Stadelman, and Dave Syverson were the sponsors for the passed legislation. You can check the status of other pending state sports betting bills using our bill tracker page.

Sportsbooks For Illinois Residents

Our team of online gambling analysts has put together a list of the best available USA sports betting options offered through offshore sportsbooks. Each one of these sportsbooks accepts Illinois residents and has been doing so for years.

They also provide mobile sports betting apps and live betting capabilities. For readers looking for more information about the online sportsbooks listed below, you can also check out our sportsbook reviews written by industry professionals.

Illinois Sports Betting Details

• Legal Sports Betting: In-state; Offshore
• Launch date: March 2020
• Minimum Sports Betting Age: 21+
• Land-Based: Casinos, Racetracks, Sports Arenas
• Online: Domestic; Offshore
• Mobile: Domestic; Offshore
• In-Play: Domestic; Offshore
• Estimated Revenue: $600M+
• Eligible Operators: Wrigley Field, multiple casinos, and racetracks
• Commission: Illinois Gaming Board
• Licensing Fee: $10 million
• Tax Rate: 15% in IL (17% in Chicago)
• Tax-Funded: State Gaming Fund, Sports Wagering Fund, and Capital Projects Fund

What You Can Bet On in Illinois:

• In-state: The new sports betting bill allows wagering on professional sports teams, in-game wagering, and betting on game prop bets; Illinois-based collegiate sports wagering is prohibited.
• Offshore: As of this writing, offshore sports betting is available to the state's residents. These online sportsbooks offer action on professional, collegiate, and amateur leagues based in the US or abroad. In addition, you can place bets on lines for player, team, game, and event props, among others.

What You Can't Bet On in Illinois:

• In-state: The state's passed sports betting bill does prohibit state-regulated sportsbooks from accepting bets on IL-based college sports.
• Offshore: The offshore sportsbooks recommended on this page do not impose any restrictions for Illinois residents.

Where Can I Bet On Sports In Illinois?

• Online sportsbooks operating offshore legally have their doors open to IL residents 24/7. Illinois has authorized state-regulated betting options for brick-and-mortar, online, and mobile sportsbook gambling.

Sports Betting In Chicago, IL

Chicago is the largest metropolitan area in the state and home to 5 major professional franchises. With the Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB), Chicago Bears (NFL) and Chicago Blackhawks, the city is ripe for betting action. Out of these teams, the Cubs and Blackhawks have been the most successful as of late.

The Cubs recently won their first World Series since 1908, winning the 2016 World Series in seven games. Residents can bet on any of these teams (or all of them) via the sportsbooks recommended on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Sports Betting

Will I get arrested for betting on sports in Illinois?

Illinois residents are not at risk of being arrested for betting on sports as long as bets are placed at offshore online sportsbooks that are operating legally or at any of the state-regulated sportsbooks that are soon to be available.

Are mobile sports betting apps legal in Illinois?

Recently passed legislation does authorize state-regulated mobile sports betting apps. In addition, each of the online sportsbooks you see listed on this page offers a sophisticated mobile sports betting app as well.

What teams can I bet on in Illinois?

There are no team restrictions when placing bets through online offshore sportsbooks. From passed legislation regarding IL sports betting, the state-regulated sportsbooks will not be able to accept bets placed on IL-based college teams.

Are there any local sportsbooks in Illinois?

Not quite yet. The state will see local sportsbooks launch by March Madness 2020. So we do expect local sportsbooks to be available in the very near future.

What is the legal minimum sports betting age in Illinois?

The sports betting bill that received the governor's signature establishes a legal minimum sports betting age of 21. This does conflict with the policies at most reputable offshore online sportsbooks accepting bettors at age 18. The sports betting sites listed on this page expect individuals to be aware of and compliant with their state's gambling age regulations.

Who regulates sports betting in Illinois?

The Illinois Gaming Board provides regulatory oversight for gambling in the state.

Illinois Legislative Resources

Responsible Gambling

We acknowledge the fact that if not played responsibly, gambling on sports can become addictive and lead to having negative effects on your financial situation. We encourage everyone in Illinois to play in a responsible manner, but if you feel that your gambling habits have gotten out of hand, please contact the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling for immediate assistance.Il

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Video Gambling Illinois