Illinois is an exciting state for enjoying sports, specifically in Chicago, with plenty of fans eager to follow the local teams as well as engage in legal sports gambling opportunities. Chicago has seen some dominant sports franchises in the Chicago Bulls (Michael Jordan era), Chicago Cubs (just won the World Series) and the Chicago Blackhawks. The Chicago Bears have also made their mark in the Mike Ditka era, but are currently undergoing a rebuilding process. These four local teams make for some interesting betting options.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Illinois

Illinois is one of a few states with laws that specifically addresses Internet gambling and online poker. In 2009, Illinois revised its definition of a gambling offense to include the following provision: Section 28-1 (12). It does not in any way state that it is illegal for a player to participate in gambling online! Another reason why some people may think it is illegal is the confusion of the Federal Wire Act which is related to sports betting and does not apply to whether online blackjack is legal since they are considered different forms of gambling.

Illinois residents have the option to bet on these local teams, though there are rules and regulations that must be adhered to in order to legitimately and security enjoy this type of gambling entertainment. This guide will show you how Illinois residents can start placing sports bets both legally and safely. Once you’re knowledgeable on the legal status of Illinois sports gambling, you’ll be placing bets in no time.

Is Sports Gambling Legal in Illinois?

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Illinois

We would have to say both yes and no. It really depends on where you are placing your sports bets. State based sports betting is not legal in Illinois. There are not state licensed bookmakers to visit, and federal laws have made sure it stays that way. The good news is that there are no state or federal laws that prohibit Illinois residents from participating in sports betting at licensed and regulated sportsbooks located outside of United States borders. This means that it is not illegal for US residents in Illinois or most other states to bet on sports at legally sanctioned sportsbooks such as the ones listed in this guide.

Most Reputable Illinois Online Sportsbooks

Limiting your betting action to only those destinations that are legally licensed, regulated and operating legally within the industry is imperative for accessing a safe, secure and high quality online betting experience. This list of recommendations includes only the most legitimate, trusted and legally sanctioned sportsbooks that accept Illinois residents. We have personally vetted each of them and remain registered bettors at each destination as well.

US Gambling Laws That Govern Sports Betting in Illinois

When it comes to US based ports gambling, you will find this type of betting is only legal in Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon. These states had functioning sports gambling operations before PASPA was passed in 1992 and were therefor rendered exempt from the restrictions outlined in this law. What’s PASPA? It’s the law of the land, known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. This law effectively makes land based sports gambling illegal in 46 states.

There is also the Federal Wire Act, which prohibits all US based online sports betting across the country. In 2011 The DOJ issued a formal opinion that clarified that the Federal Wire Act only applies to online sports betting, and does not apply to US based online casino or poker gambling. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) provides regulatory oversight for gambling related transactions, and is directed solely towards gambling business owner / operators and payment processors such as US banks and credit card companies.

You may be asking yourself, ‘How am I supposed to gamble online if federal laws make it illegal?’—A fair question, but there is one key detail to take note of. PASPA, the Federal Wire Act and the UIGEA bill only apply to US-based gambling. This means that only gambling within the confines of the US borders is illegal. The online sportsbooks that we recommend to Illinois residents are all offshore, meaning they are out of the jurisdiction of the PASPA, Federal Wire Act and UIGEA. Our recommended sportsbooks are all legally licensed and regulated, so you can rest assured that you won’t be breaking any laws by placing bets with them.

Popular Sports Teams to Bet On in Illinois

As previously stated, Chicago is the center of all the sports action in Illinois. The Windy City hosts a team in all four major professional American sports leagues. The Chicago Bears are currently the quietest of the four teams, having a losing record for the 2016-2017 season. They’ve had their share of injuries this season and are looking for a solution to make a strong comeback in the 2017-2018 season.

The Chicago Cubs just won the World Series, a notable feat considering their last World Series victory was 108 years ago. The Cubs will look to maintain their place at the top once the new MLB season kicks off, so this team will be one to keep an eye on as they look to defend their championship. Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox are a much quieter team and will look to fight the Cubs for the rights to be called the best team in Chicago.

The Chicago Bulls currently sit 8th in the Eastern Conference of the NBA. If this were the start of the postseason, then the Bulls would’ve secured the last playoff spot. Seeing as there is still much more basketball to be played, the Bulls will be trying to climb the rankings. Featuring key players like Dwayne Wade, Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo and more, the Bulls are an interesting team and could shake things up in their conference.

The Chicago Blackhawks have been making waves over the past several years, winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. Their surge in trophy winning capabilities has propelled them to NHL infamy and they are considered one of the strongest teams in the league.

NFL Teams in IL

NBA Teams in IL

MLB Teams in IL

NHL Teams in IL

FAQ’s About Betting On Sports

What Are My Options For Funding My Offshore Sportsbook Accounts?

There are plenty of options for Illinois residents when it comes to depositing funds in your account. Most sites offer a variety of choices such as wire transfers, credit/debit cards, cashier’s checks, money orders and even Bitcoin. If you aren’t familiar with Bitcoin, it’s an online currency that can be converted to cash and makes for faster money transfers.

How Can I Access My Winnings From A Sportsbook Located Outside of the US?

Receiving your winnings is a simple process, but the options for receiving your winnings depends on the site and in some cases, how you deposited your funds. If you deposit money into your account using Bitcoin, you may only be able to withdraw money using Bitcoin as well. The withdrawal policies depend on the site you use. All sites offer the option of a check by courier, and most will also offer money transfer options as well.

Are Offshore Betting Sites Secure?

Yes. The betting sites we recommend are legally licensed, regualted and operated, and provide advanced security features in order to provide a safe online betting experience. We only recommend sites that have worked to establish a trustworthy reputation for professionalism. The sites we recommend have been around for at least 10 years and have a history of customer satisfaction to show for it.

Are There Any Incentives Available to Illinois Gamblers?

Indeed there are. All of these sportsbooks offer what are called ‘bonuses’, which are essentially free money for you to gamble with. Most sites offer bonuses just for signing up, though the bonuses don’t stop there. There are seasonal bonuses, loyalty bonuses and even promotional bonuses. As long as you keep up to date with new bonuses as they come out, you’ll be sure to have plenty of incentives to keep betting. Keep in mind that all bonuses come with rollover requirements, sometimes referred to as wagering requirements, so be sure to read the terms and conditions.

Are There Rules About Paying Taxes On My Gambling Winnings?

Gambling winnings are technically taxable income. If you don’t report your winnings, you could face prosecution for tax evasion. The best policy regarding this is to consult a local tax specialist to see what your options are. In many states residents must report gambling winnings over a specific minimum amount, and this figure varies from tax season to tax season in many cases.

Is It Possible To Place Bets From My Mobile Phone?

These sportsbooks that we recommend for Illinois residents have a mobile app to compliment their website. These apps are designed to work across all devices, so you shouldn’t have any issues when using them on your phone or tablet. Customer service is a huge component of these sportsbooks and these apps are just another way of making things as convenient as possible for the customer.

Are There Any Sports Teams in Illinois That Have A Shot At Winning A National Title in 2016/2017?

The Chicago Blackhawks are a team that could be in the running for another Stanley Cup. However, competition in the NHL is fierce, especially come Playoff time. The Blackhawks will look to reclaim the title and will be a solid bet going forward.

The Bulls are currently sitting 8th in their conference, but they have shown the strength, skill and determination of a Playoff team. Ultimately, the Cleveland Cavaliers are their toughest obstacle in reaching the Championship game, but don’t expect the Bulls to go down without a fight.

Once the MLB season starts, the Cubs will be hoping to defend their title as World Champions. It’s incredibly difficult to repeat championships in modern sports, but perhaps after 108 years of not winning, the Cubs will try and keep that victory train rolling.

Home» US Poker Laws » State Laws » Illinois Poker Laws

Relevant state code: 18-3801 et seq.; 54-2501 et seq.

Illinois offers gamblers a diverse array of regulated gambling options. The trade-off is that Illinois takes a very dim view of unregulated gambling, meaning a very strict approach to enforcing such gambling and a very broad definition of what activity can be classified as gambling:

Section 28-1
(a) A person commits gambling when he:
(1) Plays a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value

Note that the definition explicitly includes games of chance and skill. In Illinois, the act of the wager is apparently the primary violation, so the question of whether or not a game is governed by skill or chance is largely moot. The statutory definition goes on to include a variety of specific actions that would also be considered illegal under Illinois law, including: Wagering on political races, pools and unregulated lotteries. There are several exceptions that we'll discuss below.

Coupled with this far-reaching definition are fairly severe penalties for players and operators. Individuals who simply participate in games can face misdemeanor charges; those who run the game, advertise the game or otherwise facilitate illegal gambling can face misdemeanor to felony charges, and repeat offenses trigger harsher charges.

What Gambling is Legal in Illinois?

Several forms of gambling are regulated or licensed by the State of Illinois. The state administers a lottery and permits pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing at approved facilities. Illinois also allows riverboat gambling; riverboat casinos in Illinois can offer a full range of casino games including poker.

There is no explicit exemption in Illinois law for social gambling.

Illinois does allow a wide variety of charitable gambling to be provided by license-holders. Charitable gambling events may only offer roulette, blackjack, poker, pull tabs, craps, bang, beat the dealer, big six, gin rummy, five card stud poker, chuch-a-luck, keno, hold-em poker, and merchandise wheel. Charitable gambling in Illinois is overseen by the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Can I Legally Play Real Money Poker in Illinois?

If you're playing poker at a licensed charitable game or in a riverboat casino, you don't have any problems. However, individuals playing poker for real money in any other setting in Illinois may technically be in violation of state law.

Remember, the law in Illinois makes no distinction between games of chance and games of skill. Additionally, case law in Illinois (People v Mitchell, 1983) has concluded that Texas Holdem falls under the state's definition of gambling. Finally, with no explicit exemption for social gambling on the books in Illinois, even private games and home games could potentially be subject to criminal enforcement action.

With that said, authorities in Illinois seem to have little interest in pursuing charges against individual players. A recent example: A 2012 raid on an illegal poker game in Champaign, IL resulted in charges against the operators of the game, but no charges for participants.

What About Online Poker? Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in Illinois?

Illinois is one of a few states with laws that specifically addresses Internet gambling and online poker. In 2009, Illinois revised its definition of a gambling offense to include the following provision:

Section 28-1(12)
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.

Note that the provision applies specifically to operators and not to individuals using online sites to gamble. That aside, many would argue that current Illinois law de facto prohibits individuals from playing poker at an Illinois poker site or otherwise gambling online, as it generally prohibits any form of wagering that is not explicitly permitted by law.

Illinois Gambling Laws: Fun Facts
There is no tribal gambling in Illinois.
Riverboat gambling is allowed on 'any navigable stream' in Illinois - except for Lake Michigan.

Illinois has offered select lottery tickets for online purchase since at least 2001.

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Illinois Government

Illinois Online Poker Laws: Recent News

Illinois made online gambling news early in 2012 when two residents were charged with running an online gambling business.

In May of 2012, State Senate President John Cullerton caused a stir by introducing legislation to regulate various forms of online gambling, including poker. Cullerton's legislation failed to meet a procedural deadline in late May, essentially killing the bill for the time being.

Will Illinois Regulate Online Poker Soon?

Many would have considered Illinois something of a dark horse in the online poker regulation race prior to Cullerton's surprise bid, but the state now must be considered as a more serious contender than most. Favoring regulated online poker in Illinois: The state already offers lottery over the Internet, and the population concentration of Chicago alone could provide a viable player pool.

Working against regulated poker: The state is currently engaged in a bit of an internal battle over land-based gambling expansion, and pushing through both that expansion and an aggressive move into online gambling at once could prove politically difficult.

With all of those factors considered, we conclude that there is a reasonable chance of Illinois regulating online poker within the next three years.