Illinois Online Casinos 2025 | Legal Guide & Best Gambling Sites

Online casino gambling is not yet legal in Illinois, but there is another way for you to get in on the action: sweepstakes casinos.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll introduce you to the best Illinois online casinos for 2025, provide a full breakdown of the state’s internet gambling laws, and show you how to play all your favorite games online (for real money) in a 100% safe and legitimate environment.

Let’s get started!

Best Illinois Online Casinos – 2025

Sweepstakes casinos (also known as “social casinos”) are the only legal form of online casinos in Illinois. These sites operate using virtual currency, like Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, and they give players a chance to win real money prizes through sweepstakes promotions.

Our team at ATS.io has rated and reviewed 100+ sweepstakes casinos, and here are the top 5 options for Illinois players today:

1. Stake.us

• 🎁 Sign Up Bonus: 250K Gold Coins + 25 Stake Cash on Sign Up
• ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.5/5.0

Coming in at No. 1 on our list is Stake.us. It’s the U.S. sweepstakes version of Stake.com, one of the world’s most popular crypto gambling sites, and it’s pretty easy to see why the site is considered to be one of Illinois’ best online casinos.

Stake.us players will have access to over 1,500 slots and live dealer games from some of the industry’s leading providers: Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, OneTouch, BGaming, and many others.

On top of that, there are about two dozen “Stake Original” games (Plinko, Crash, Mines, etc.), and prize redemptions are paid out almost instantly in the form of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies. Get the full breakdown in our comprehensive Stake.us Casino review.

2. Ding Ding Ding

• 🎁 Sign Up Bonus: 100K Free Coins & 2.5 Sweepstakes Coins
• ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.5/5.0

Ding Ding Ding is another great sweepstakes casino, and despite being relatively new, it’s quickly becoming the go-to option for players in Illinois and many other U.S. states.

For starters, Ding Ding Ding Casino offers pretty much every type of casino game you can think of: slots, progressive jackpots, table games, live dealers, bingo, scratch cards, keno, fishing games, crash games, etc. In addition, the platform offers a user-friendly, reliable mobile app for both iOS and Android devices.

Quick payouts and daily promotions (like login rewards and social media giveaways) are just a few other reasons you might be interested! Learn more in our in-depth Ding Ding Ding Casino review.

3. WOW Vegas

• 🎁 Sign Up Bonus: 1.75 Million WOW Coins + 35 FREE SC
• ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.1/5.0

Next up is WOW Vegas. Are you a fan of slots? Then, this is probably the best choice for you. WOW Vegas Casino offers well over a thousand different online slot games, neatly organized into categories like Classics, Hold & Win, Megaways, and more.

Plus, the site has a great progressive jackpot system that includes four distinct tiers (Mini, Minor, Major, Grand) and offers huge prize potential on any given spin. Special promotions are even offered throughout the week (Magic Mondays, Mega Wednesdays, and Thursday Thrillers, to name a few) to help keep things exciting.

Get the inside scoop in our latest WOW Vegas review! You’ll find out why we consider it to be No. 3 on our list of the best online casinos in Illinois.

4. Sweeptastic

• 🎁 Sign Up Bonus: 30,000 Lucky Coins & 21 FREE Sweeps Coins
• ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.0/5.0

Sweeptastic is another fantastic sweepstakes casino (as its name suggests), and it’s definitely a platform that deserves your time and attention.

You’ll find a massive selection of slots, with north of 1,100 different titles to choose from, and there are plenty of live dealer games available as well: Gravity Blackjack, Auto Roulette, Grand Bonus Baccarat, Crash Live, and more.

New players at Sweeptastic Casino will enjoy a 100% free no-deposit bonus that can be used to play games and win real cash prizes without risking a dime. Have some questions? Find all the answers you’re looking for in our Sweeptastic review.

5. Sportzino

• 🎁 Sign Up Bonus: 220K Gold Coins & 10 FREE Sweeps Coins
• ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.3/5.0

Last but not least, Sportzino rounds out our list of the top 5 Illinois online casinos. Unlike the other sweepstakes sites on this list, Sportzino not only offers free-to-play, casino-style games…they also let you make predictions on a wide range of sporting events!

If you ever want a break from exploring the casino’s 1,100+ game library (slots, fishing games, arcade games, etc.), you can switch over to Sportzino’s “social sports betting” section and place virtual wagers for a chance to win real money prizes.

Check out our in-depth Sportzino Casino review to learn more!

Are Online Casinos Legal in Illinois?

Real-money online casinos are illegal in Illinois. In fact, there are just a handful of U.S. states where online casino gambling is legal: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. And, as it currently stands, the Prairie State is not one of them.

The good news, however, is that there’s reason to believe Illinois will legalize iGaming in the not-so-distant future. Check out our “Latest News” section to find up-to-date information on the state of online casino legislation in Illinois.

Sweepstakes Casinos

While you wait for Illinois to legalize real-money online casinos, there’s a great alternative available right now: sweepstakes casinos.

These types of platforms operate legally by being 100% free to use (i.e., no purchase is required) and having players wager virtual currency (e.g., Sweeps Coins) instead of real money.

And the best part? Illinois sweepstakes casinos offer all the same types of games you’d find at traditional online casinos and give players a chance to win cash prizes through promotional sweepstakes contests.

Other Legal Forms of Online Gambling

Looking for more options? Check out the table below for a full breakdown of legal online gambling activities in Illinois:

Latest Illinois Gambling News: A Timeline of Events

How To Play Online Casino Games in Illinois Today

Let’s not waste any more time! If you’re ready to sign up and start playing all your favorite games at online casinos in Illinois, just follow the five steps outlined below!

1. Pick an IL Online Casino: First, choose an online casino that works for you. Remember, traditional gambling sites aren’t yet legal in Illinois, so you’ll need to pick a sweepstakes casino like Stake.us, Ding Ding Ding, WOW Vegas, Sweeptastic, or Sportzino.
2. Create a New Account: Once you’ve made a choice, sign up for a new account on the casino’s website or mobile app. To do this, you’ll just need to provide some basic information about yourself: name, email address, date of birth, state of residency, etc.
3. Make Your First Deposit: Next, it’s time to make your first deposit (or “purchase,” as it’s called at online sweepstakes casinos in Illinois). Choose your preferred method of payment and follow the instructions provided to complete the transaction.
4. Claim Your Sign Up Bonus: Most Illinois online casinos will provide a no-deposit bonus or another special welcome offer to greet new players. Make sure to take full advantage!
5. Play Games & Win Big: Now, you’re all set! Start playing games at your IL online casino. Once you’ve won enough SC, redeem them for real cash prizes. Have fun.

Top 10 Illinois Online Casino Bonuses for May

Do you know the best part about signing up at a new gambling site in Illinois? It’s got to be the welcome bonus.

Online casinos typically provide generous promotions to attract new players, and (in my experience) it’s a good idea to take full advantage of these special deals while they’re still available.

Just make sure to always read the terms and conditions beforehand. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect when it comes to playthrough requirements, eligible games, bonus expiration dates, and more.

Also, to save you some time, I’ve provided a list of the top 10 online casino sign-up bonuses in Illinois for May. Take a look at the table below to find some of the best offers available right now!

In case you’re new to online casinos (or usually just don’t bother with the promotions they offer), I’ve provided a quick breakdown of the most common bonus opportunities you’ll come across.

No Deposit Bonus

A no-deposit bonus will provide bonus cash for you to use right away. As the name suggests, no deposit is required to unlock this type of offer.

Deposit Match

Deposit matches are also pretty common. With these offers, the casino will match a percentage of your deposit with bonus funds. For example, let’s say there’s a 100% deposit match of up to $500. If you deposit $500, then you’ll automatically receive $500 in casino credits.

Losses Back Promotion

“Losses Back” promotions (also known as “Play It Again” promotions) offer a percentage of your losses back over a set period of time. For example, if you lose $50 during the promotion period and the casino offers a 10% cashback, you’ll get $5 back.

Refer A Friend

Most online casinos in Illinois offer a “Refer A Friend” bonus as well, where you earn a reward for bringing new players to the site. For example, you might receive $20 in bonus cash for each friend who signs up and makes their first deposit.

VIP Rewards

Finally, VIP Rewards are designed for loyal players and offer perks like exclusive bonuses, faster withdrawals, and personal account managers. For example, a VIP program may reward you with bonus cash or free spins based on how much you wager. In most cases, the more you play, the better the VIP rewards will become.

How We Rank the Best Illinois Gambling Sites & Apps

Our team at ATS.io only recommends the best of the best when it comes to online casinos in Illinois. We carefully review each site and app, testing them ourselves and making sure the platforms meet our high standards across several important criteria. Here’s what we focus on:

✅ Licensing & Regulation
🎉 Bonuses & Promotions
🎰 Game Selection
💳 Payment Options
📞 Customer Support
📱 Mobile Experience
🔐 Security & Fairness
🌟 User Reviews & Reputation

At the end of the day, we’re here to help you find the best Illinois online casinos that are safe, fun, and rewarding. No matter where you choose to play, we’ve got your back with the info you need to make the best choice possible.

The Future of Illinois Online Casinos: A Look Ahead

Online casinos aren’t legal in Illinois…at least not yet, anyway.

But if you look at how fast sports betting took off, it feels like only a matter of time before iGaming follows. Back in 2018, there was a federal ban on online sports betting in the United States. Fast forward to today, and nearly two-thirds of the country has legalized the activity.

Illinois was quick to adopt sports betting, and with the state already heavily involved in online gambling, real-money online casinos seem to be the next logical step…especially when you consider the benefits like more revenue for the state, new jobs, and safer gambling options for players.

If I’m right, and Illinois legalizes online casino gambling in the near future, here are a few of the platforms you can expect to gain access to:

Should You Play at Offshore Casinos in Illinois?

If traditional online casinos aren’t available in Illinois, should you just play at offshore casinos instead? My answer: absolutely not. Here’s why:

Offshore casinos are gambling sites that operate outside the jurisdiction of Illinois and the rest of the United States. They’re typically based in countries with less strict gambling regulations, which means they don’t have to follow the same rules as legal, regulated casinos when it comes to fairness and security.

While some Illinois players choose to use offshore casinos, there are real risks to consider:

1. No Payment Guarantees: If they refuse to pay out winnings, you may have no legal recourse.
2. Unverified Game Fairness: Without oversight, there’s no way to confirm that the games aren’t rigged against you.
3. Security Concerns: Your personal and financial information could be at risk of theft or misuse.

If you want a safer alternative, I’d recommend sweepstakes casino sites. This type of online casino offers a legal way to play in Illinois and gives you a chance to win real cash prizes with no purchase required.

Online Casino Gambling in Illinois’ Neighboring States

If you’re planning a trip out of state or just wondering how the online gambling laws compare in states across the Midwest, we’ve got you covered. Check out the in-depth guides listed below for a closer look at iGaming options in Illinois’ neighboring states:

• Indiana Online Casinos
• Iowa Online Casinos
• Kansas Online Casinos
• Kentucky Online Casinos
• Michigan Online Casinos
• Minnesota Online Casinos
• Missouri Online Casinos
• Nebraska Online Casinos
• North Dakota Online Casinos
• Ohio Online Casinos
• South Dakota Online Casinos
• Wisconsin Online Casinos

Illinois Land-Based Casinos: A Quick Overview

Looking to switch things up? In addition to online casinos, Illinois is home to well over a dozen land-based casinos and riverboat casinos. These in-person gaming facilities are licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board and are located in Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, Rockford, and many other cities across the state.

Let’s take a quick look at some of Illinois’ most popular gambling destinations:

Harrah’s Joliet Hotel & Casino

• 📍 Address: 151 N Joliet St, Joliet, IL 60432
• 📞 Phone Number: (815) 740-7800

Harrah’s Joliet is a docked riverboat casino set on the Des Plaines River in Downtown Joliet (about 40 miles southwest of Chicago).

Owned by Vici Properties and operated by Caesars Entertainment, the casino has been open since 1993 and currently serves as a 24/7 gaming playground with hundreds of the hottest slots, classic table games, and plenty of opportunities to try your luck and win big. 

Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino

• 📍 Address: 21 Blackjack Blvd, East Peoria, IL 61611
• 📞 Phone Number: (309) 699-7711

Par-A-Dice Casino is located on the Illinois River in East Peoria, and it opened all the way back in 1991. The riverboat casino offers over 550 slot machines and 18 table games, including blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, and more.

In addition, the casino is home to FanDuel Par-A-Dice Sportsbook, where sports fans can place straight bets, parlays, teasers, and many other types of wagers on all their favorite sports and leagues.

Rivers Casino Des Plaines

• 📍 Address: 3000 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018
• 📞 Phone Number: (847) 795-0777

Jointly owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated and Rush Street Gaming, Rivers Casino Des Plaines is a premier gambling establishment located in Des Plaines, Illinois. It is situated near the Des Plaines River, offering a scenic backdrop for visitors.

Rivers Casino Des Plaines is home to Chicago’s hottest gaming action and features a 78,000-square-foot casino floor with over 1,500 slots and a wide range of table games.

Responsible Gambling: Tips & Resources for Illinois Players

Gambling should always be fun, not stressful. When you’re spinning the reels on your favorite slots or enjoying classic table games like blackjack and roulette, it’s important to stay in control and play responsibly. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while playing online:

1. Set a Budget for Yourself: Before you start playing, decide exactly how much you’re comfortable spending. Then (and this is the most important part), stick to this amount no matter what.
2. Take Breaks Every Now & Then: It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re having fun, so make sure to step away from the screen now and then. If you’re feeling frustrated or chasing losses, that’s a sign to call it a day.
3. Use Responsible Gaming Tools: Most online casinos in Illinois offer certain features like deposit limits, reality checks, and self-exclusion options. These tools are there to help you play safely…don’t hesitate to use them!

If gambling is becoming more stressful than fun, just remember these two things: 1) You’re not alone. 2) Help is always available. Here are some great resources:

• Illinois Problem Gambling Helpline: Call 1-800-GAMBLER or text “ILGAMB” to 833234 for confidential support 24/7.
• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): Visit www.ncpgambling.org for resources, screening tools, and live chat support.
• Gamblers Anonymous: Find support meetings near you at www.gamblersanonymous.org.

Illinois Online Casino FAQs