Illinois: online casino, sweepstakes and sports betting law
In Illinois you can bet on sports online with a licensed sportsbook, but there is no legal online casino. The Gaming Board says state law bars websites that offer gambling. Sweepstakes casinos are in its sights as well: in February 2026 the Board and the Attorney General sent over 60 cease-and-desist letters, aimed at unlicensed casino and sweepstakes sites.
ILยทPage updated 18 Oct 2026
Real-money online casino
Banned
Banned. The Illinois Gaming Board says state law forbids running websites where people can gamble, and that offering games of chance online for money or prizes breaks Illinois criminal law.
- Illinois Gaming Board press release, 5 Feb 2026 (illinois.gov, primary source)
Last checked 18 Oct 2026
Sweepstakes casinos
Restricted
On 5 Feb 2026 the Gaming Board and the Attorney General sent over 60 cease-and-desist letters. They went to the operators of online casinos and sweepstakes sites, and each one told the operator to block Illinois residents or stop giving prizes to Illinois users, and warned of civil or criminal penalties.
- Illinois Gaming Board press release, 5 Feb 2026 (illinois.gov, primary source)
Last checked 18 Oct 2026
Online sports betting
Live
Online sports betting is legal with a sportsbook that holds a license under the Sports Wagering Act. The Gaming Board publishes the list of authorized books.
- Illinois Gaming Board: authorized sportsbooks (igb.illinois.gov, primary source)
Last checked 18 Oct 2026
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the sources and the state regulator before you play. You must be 21 or over to play real-money casino games. See our responsible gambling page.
New slots seen in Illinois
No sightings logged for Illinois. We track casino lobbies only in states where real-money online casino is live. See the new slots calendar for every release, or try the free demos.