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Illinois Online Poker 2024 | Real Money Poker in Illinois
Is online poker legal in Illinois? In this guide, we will navigate the ins and outs of playing poker online in the state of Illinois. This resource will provide you with essential information on the current gambling laws, the best poker platforms, and everything you need to know to enjoy a secure and legitimate online poker experience in Illinois. From offshore sportsbooks to local casinos, we've got you covered with insights into the many options that make online poker accessible to players within the state.
Is Online Poker Legal in Illinois?
Yes, it is legal to play on offshore poker sites in Illinois. To play in Illinois today, there are some very well-known options available. Poker operators like BetOnline and Ignition Poker have been serving Illinois players for more than two decades. The sites are regulated by offshore gambling authorities and have built trust with players across America.
As of the beginning of 2024, the Illinois Gaming Board has not licensed or regulated any online poker operators. This means that the state cannot collect taxes from these sites or assign regulations to the companies, leaving them to obtain licensing from outside Illinois. As the state continues to examine legalized online poker and gambling options, they move closer to a regulated industry, which is supported by most land-based casino and sports betting operators.
The last few years, have presented numerous opportunities for Illinois to join the ranks of legal poker states. Members of the state legislature have examined bills and expanded gambling to encompass online sports betting and video gaming terminals. The only missing components are online poker and casino games. Each year, the likelihood increases that Illinois will legalize these games, as neighboring Michigan collects between $150,000 and $200,000 per month in total igaming revenue.
Top Sites for Online Poker in Illinois
The History of Online Poker in Illinois
When Illinois lawmakers wrote the state’s original gambling laws, they had no idea that computers – much less online poker – would exist in the future. The very first gambling laws in Illinois legalized horse race betting in the 1920s, but it wasn’t until 1974 that the state legalized the lottery. The Riverboat Gambling Act legalized casinos on riverboats in 1990, and the gambling industry has grown fairly consistently since then.
Even when the first online games emerged in the 1980s, there was likely no expectation of poker played online by millions of people around the globe. While Illinois has kept up with its gambling laws more sensibly than other states, it has not yet accepted the reality of online casinos and online poker.
Lawmakers have updated the Illinois criminal code through the years, to legalize some forms of gambling and prohibit others. The current law does state that a person “commits gambling” when…
“…he or she knowingly establishes, maintains, or operates an internet site that permits a person to play a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value by means of the Internet or to make a wager upon the result of any game, contest, political nomination, appointment, or election by means of the internet.”
A violation of that section of Article 28 of the Illinois Criminal Code is a Class A misdemeanor, though there is no history of Illinois authorities arresting or prosecuting anyone who plays poker online. Of course, legislators could enact a new law to exempt poker and casino games, as it did for sports betting.
Illinois Gambling Laws
| Type/Code | Summary |
|---|---|
| State Code Section(s) | 230.ICLS.5-40; 720.ICLS.5.28 |
| Definition of Gambling & Player | Person Commits Gambling: Knowingly plays a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value; or knowingly establishes, maintains, or operates an internet site that permits a person to play a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value by means of the Internet or to make a wager upon the result of any game, contest, political nomination, appointment, or election by means of the Internet. |
| Online Poker/Gambling | Multiple attempts to legalize online poker and casino games have failed in the last decade while Illinois expanded other forms of gambling. The latest attempt at legislation was in 2023, but the bills failed to achieve the required readings to move forward for votes. |
| Live Poker | Live poker is permitted in all of the casinos in Illinois, and the poker rooms offer cash games and tournaments. |
| Casinos | The Riverboat Gambling Act permitted a limited number of fully-functional casinos to operate as riverboats throughout Illinois, and the 2019 gambling expansion legislation expanded the definition of riverboats and authorized a long-awaited casino on land in the Chicago area. |
| Sports Betting | The 2019 gambling expansion bill legalized retail sportsbooks, and mobile and online sports betting for people located in Illinois. Retail options were slow to find success due to the 2020 pandemic casino closures, but online sports betting soared in popularity. |
| DFS | As with sports betting, daily fantasy sports contests were included in the 2019 gambling expansion bill. DFS is now legal in Illinois. |
| Other Forms of Gambling | Horse racing, pari-mutuel betting, bingo, raffles, pull-tabs, charitable gambling, poker runs, jar games, Native American gaming, video gaming terminals. |
Illinois Embraces (Most) Gambling
As mentioned, Illinois long ago authorized betting on horse races, and the lottery became legal in the mid-1970s.
In 1990, the state took a giant step forward by passing the Riverboat Gambling Act, authorizing casinos on riverboats. It opened an entirely new revenue stream for Illinois, as much of the state is bordered by rivers – the Mississippi, Wabash, and Ohio Rivers. And the Kankakee River runs from the west to the northeast along the top third of the state. The first riverboat opened in Alton just one and a half years after the law passed. The most recent riverboat casino opened in Chicago in late 2023, making for 15 authorized and operational casinos in Illinois at the start of 2024.
Illinois added more gambling in 2009 when the legislature authorized video gaming terminals, also known as VGTs, throughout the state. That part of the gambling industry has grown to offer more than 46,000 VGTs at more than 8,400 licensed locations throughout the state.
Ten years later, Illinois lawmakers considered new revenue streams. As many other states legalized sports betting – some in person and some also online – Illinois wanted a part of that massive industry. It just opened up across the United States in 2018, when the United States Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) per a lawsuit filed by the governor of New Jersey. That monumental ruling prompted lawmakers across America to propose sports betting laws, and Illinois was not left out.
The Illinois Sports Wagering Act of 2019 legalized sports wagering at Illinois casinos, horse racing tracks, and online. Through the third quarter of 2023, Illinois showed more than $2.3 billion in revenue to date. That resulted in sports betting operators paying more than $360 million in tax revenue.
The gambling laws currently allow for “charitable games” per the Charitable Games Act, and poker is often conducted under this section of the code. Poker is one of the 14 games classified as “games of chance,” along with pull tabs, craps, gin rummy, and keno,” and certain organizations can host poker games to benefit a charitable organization.
Illinois Historically Loved Poker
Poker seems to be in the state’s blood.
The history of poker dates back to James Butler Hickok of Illinois, better known in gambling and poker lore as “Wild Bill Hickok.” His death gave a name to the now-famous dead man’s hand – two pairs (aces and eights) – that he held when someone show him during a poker game. Famous gamblers and poker players like Nick “The Greek” Dandalos called Chicago home for much of his life. His legendary and much debated heads-up poker match with Johnny Moss is an important part of the game’s history.
In more recent history, President Barack Obama often recalled his late-night games of poker played during his time at the Illinois Statehouse. Famous author, teacher, and poker player James McManus, an Illinois native, wrote the acclaimed Positively Fifth Street: Murderers, Cheetahs, and Binion’s World Series of Poker about the 2000 WSOP and the death of Ted Binion. He followed that with Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker.
Many of poker’s greatest players got their start in Illinois casinos. Of course, online poker provided the base for players to learn the game during the poker boom, but they also tested their skills in the poker rooms of the state and in neighboring Indiana.
Illinois native Connor Drinan held the top position on the live tournament earnings charts at the end of 2023 with more than $11.7 million to his credit. Mohsin Charania, Aaron Massey, and Gavin Griffin all hailed from the state, and each went on to earn more than $5 million in live tournaments. There was a strong Chicago-area poker community for many years, creating fertile ground for a number of skilled players to hone their skills before traveling the country (and the world) to win poker millions.
Serious iGaming Efforts 2017-2018
Actions in the Illinois legislature in 2017 gave many legal online poker supporters hope that lawmakers were beginning to see the positives of legalizing and regulating online gaming. There was a bill that would’ve done just that for online poker and casino games, which passed the full Senate by a 42-10 vote in May, but the House bill never made it through committee as hearings were canceled at the last minute.
However, online poker remained on the table going into 2018. State Representative Michael Zalewski’s H.479 was still being pushed, and he was confident that the right mix of gambling expansion projects would appeal to most lawmakers.
The tide began to turn shortly after the United States Supreme Court overturned PASPA, allowing New Jersey and all other states to address sports betting as they chose. Supporters of online gambling revised SB.7 to add daily fantasy sports and sports betting to the bill. But, it happened late in the session and too close to its closing date of May 31.
Senate Bill 7 became bipartisan, with several Republican and Democratic sponsors: Senators Terry Link, Dave Syverson, Mattie Hunter, and Donne Trotter; and Representatives Robert Rita, Rita Mayfield, Chad Hays, and Litesa Wallace. The proposal included articles for the “Fantasy Sports Act,” “Internet Gaming Act,” and “Sports Wagering Act.” Notably, the bill lacked details about tax rates, licensing, and the regulatory framework.
One of those sponsors, Rita, then took an opportunity in the summer of 2018 to announce two hearings to discuss gambling expansion for Illinois. The inaugural event took place in Chicago on August 22. It was more than four hours of debate featuring members of joint committees. The main topics included discussions on new land-based casinos and expanding the numbers of video gaming terminals.
The second hearing in early October was held in Springfield and focused heavily on sports betting.
Sports Wagering Act of 2019
In the summer of 2019, a massive gambling expansion bill passed through the legislature after months of negotiations and discussions. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed it into law. It included the legalization of video gaming terminal (VGT) establishments, five new casinos in Illinois, a mega-casino in Chicago, a new racetrack, slot machines, and table games in racetracks (making them racinos), and sports betting.
The 2019 gambling expansion led to quick movement to implement the new sectors. Sportsbetting took center stage, launching the first retail sportsbooks at two casinos in early 2020. Just weeks before the global pandemic shut down all land-based gambling operations. That made room for the online sportsbooks to launch first, and BetRivers was the first to do it. By the end of 2020, there were four more online sports options online. As venues began to reopen, retail sports betting locations opened as well.
Sports betting has proven a good move for Illinois. The state recorded more than $18.6B in handle in 2022 alone. That translated into $1.4B in revenue, out of which the operators paid more than $232.6M in taxes.
It’s fair to say that igaming got left behind. Without requiring it to be included in the 2019 gambling expansion bill, online casino games and online poker faced a long road.
More iGaming Efforts 2021-2023
Illinois State Representative Robert Rita did introduce an igaming bill in 2021, but it failed to advance. But in 2023, some new advocates entered the scene. Illinois State Senator Cristina Castro introduced SB1656, the Internet Gaming Act, alongside companion bill HB2239 filed by Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. in the House. The bills contained the following provisions:
- Each casino could partner with an online gambling operator and offer up to three skins.
- Online operators would pay a 15% privilege tax to the Illinois State Gaming Fund.
- Emergency rules would be mandatory to license and launch igaming as soon as possible.
The bills did garner some momentum after their introduction in early February. The Senate bill had its first reading quickly and moved to the Assignments Committee and then the Executive Committee. The House bill made it through the House Rules Committee and then the Gaming Committee. Governor J.B. Pritzker was aware of the bills and had previously supported gambling expansion.
Everything was on track until it wasn’t. Both bills returned to their initial committees in April, with no hearings and no signs of life.
According to most analysts, igaming is all but certain to become a state-regulated entity in Illinois in the next few years. As states around it legalize igaming and states like Michigan show the fiscal possibilities, Illinois is sure to legalize online poker and online casino games.
Online poker players will now hang their hopes on the 2024 legislative session.
Illinois Online Poker Updates in 2024
As the 2024 year began, one of the 2023 bills emerged from its coma. The Internet Gaming Act (SB1656) sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro woke up on January 10, 2024, as it was reassigned to the Executive Committee. It is no coincidence that Castro chairs that committee.
The companion Internet Gaming Act on the House side, sponsored by Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr., may be reassigned in January as well.
The bill(s) under consideration:
- The Internet Gaming Act will legalize licensed internet gaming licenses to approved providers.
- “Internet game” is defined as any gambling game, including poker, table games, and slot machines, and will allow for gaming tournaments.
- Operators will pay $250,000 for a license and $100,000 for license renewals.
- There will be a 15% privilege tax on adjusted gross gaming revenue, which will go to the State Gaming Fund.
IL Online Poker and Gambling Facts: Objective Sources
ICGA. The Illinois Casino Gaming Association is a trade group representing the interests of many of Illinois’ casinos. The group’s site provides valuable research material for those interested in the Illinois gambling industry.
Illinois Gaming Board. The state gaming board's official site is the authoritative source for legal and regulatory details regarding gambling in Illinois. Get information on meetings, measures, help with problem gambling, self-exclusion, and a wealth of statistical information at the IGB website.
ICPG The online home for the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling is a central location providing access to a 24-hour helpline, speakers, and resources for educators, families, and players. The ICPG opposes the expansion and regulation of poker laws in the industry.
Famous Illinois Poker Players
There are several points at which the history of poker and Illinois intersect. One example is the story of Illinois native James Butler Hickok, better known in gambling and poker lore as “Wild Bill.” Hickok’s death gave a name to the now-famous “dead man’s hand” – two pairs, aces, and eights said to be held by the lawman when someone shot him during a poker game.
Another example comes in the colorful tale of Nick “The Greek” Dandolos, who called Chicago home for much of his life. Dandolos was part of the mythic (and much debated) match-up with Johnny Moss. Cited as the template for the World Series of Poker. A final and more modern illustration of the shared history between poker and Illinois is author and poker player Jim McManus, who lives in the state.
The plethora of live poker rooms in Illinois has allowed poker players to flourish in Illinois through the years. The state’s most famous players garnered most of their experience online.
More and more poker players are making their way into the professional realm. Especially with the availability of offshore online poker sites and live poker tours like the Mid-States Poker Tour and WSOP Circuit that make their way to and around Illinois. While the top of the Illinois rankings remains much the same as in years past, new names are beginning to knock those familiar names down a few notches.
Connor Drinan, however, maintains his spot atop the Illinois chart, though, as he continues to do well in live tournament poker. His career in poker began online prior to Black Friday. From that point forward, live poker became his strong suit, so to speak. He won the Florida State Poker Championship in 2011 for $378K. He also went on to win several events on the European Poker Tour through the years. Then he made final tables of major tournaments from Europe to the US and finally won his first WSOP bracelet online in 2020, followed by another one at the Las Vegas WSOP in 2021. All of it has contributed to more than $11.5M in earnings thus far.
Many other names in the top 10 have been in the poker game for years – Mohsin Charania, Gavin Griffin, Aaron Massey, and Kevin Saul. Others are making their way from a later starting point.
The top 10 Illinois live poker earnings through March 2024, according to the Hendon Mob, are:
- Connor Drinan $11,591,377
- Mohsin Charania $6,577,497
- Aaron Massey $5,386,755
- Gavin Griffin $5,094,711
- Ryan Tosoc $4,980,800
- Jason Wheeler $4,558,449
- Ravi Raghavan $4,291,421
- Kevin Saul $3,748,144
- Brandon Shack-Harris $3,577,353
- Chris Moore $3,571,429
All Poker and Gambling Laws by State
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Illinois in the News
Several States Considering Online Poker in 2024
As 2024 got underway, state-regulated online poker in the United States with the same number of participating states as the
Illinois Online Poker and iGaming Bills Fall Apart
Illinois has tried to expand its gambling industry in many ways. In 2019, the state’s governor approved a casino right
Illinois iGaming and Poker Bill Could Get Committee Hearing
Illinois has more gambling options than most states in the Midwest. While long confined to riverboats, it became relatively easy
FAQ
The state does not regulate their own poker sites, however, our reviewed sites are perfectly safe, secure and legal for players from the US to utilize.
Players in the state must be 21 or over to play at online poker rooms.
As long as the player is 21 years of age and within state lines, players will have no issues playing online.
No. Poker players in Illinois will have to venture out and explore other online poker options, as Pokerstars does not let residents in Illinois open up accounts.
Yes! All online casinos offered for poker players in Illinois offer a variety of bonuses, including; welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses, and other weekly promotions.
Sources & Citations For This Article on Illinois Online Poker
- Illinois Casino Gaming Association
- Illinois Alliance on Problem Gaming
- Illinois Self-Exclusion Program
- Illinois Council on Problem Gambling
- Illinois General Assembly: (720 ILCS 5/28-1) (from Ch. 38, par. 28-1)
- National Council on Problem Gambling (Illinois)
- Official State Website
- Laws/Code of Illinois
- Illinois Legal Guide
- Illinois Gaming Board
