Illinois Casinos & Gambling Laws
Rachel Elam | January 20, 2020 | Updated on: March 22nd, 2024
Illinois offers a wide diversity of gambling. It’s racing industry is the first to get into the market, and dates back to the Great Depression. The Illinois Lottery was also one of the first in the Midwest. There are several high-end Illinois casinos that offer video lottery. The state of Illinois issued over 1,000 gaming licenses during the year ending March 31, 2014, which is a 11% increase on the previous year. This represents the highest number of gaming licenses issued since the passage of the Illinois Gaming Machine Act in 2003. The state also issued over 4,600 gaming permits, a 1.4% increase on the previous year.
The first gaming license was awarded to Rock-It Gaming LLC, the gaming arm of gaming giant Wynn Las Vegas, Inc. In November 2012, The Gaming Board approved a $100,000,000 incentive program to award up to 1,000 gaming permits in the coming years. The total potential for new gaming licenses and permits is greater than the current amount of active gaming licenses in the United States, with a total of 10,000 pending permits. Casinos in Illinois offer an attractive option to gamblers. They are located throughout Illinois, offer the latest in technology and security, and are often considered safer for customers than other places of entertainment. The only major difference is that the owners of most Illinois casino properties (except racetracks) are also the owners of the state’s racetracks. These casinos operate with the full consent of the State’s Office of the Secretary of State.
Online Casinos in Illinois
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24/7 live chat and telephone customer service
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Play on any mobile and desktop device
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Bitcoin supported
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90% Cost coverage, no annual limit
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Easy, straightforward claims process
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No annual or lifetime limits
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Great selection of casino games
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Wide variety and selection of bonuses
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All licensed vets are covered
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Up to 90% reimbursement
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VetConnect™ 24/7 helpline
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Save 40% for eligible multiple bets
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Great range of RTG slot machines.
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Reliable and experienced gaming operator.
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Networked RTG progressive jackpots.
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Proven fair by TST
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Mobile gaming abled
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Downloadable Android app also available
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Good selection of casino games.
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Generous welcome bonus.
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Accepts US Players.
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Good Selection of Casino Games
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Hosts Varied Live Dealer Games
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Offers Generous Casino Bonuses
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Quick cashouts with Bitcoin
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24/7 live chat and email support
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Play on the tablet, mobile, and desktop
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Good selection of casino games.
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Generous welcome bonus.
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Accepts US Players.
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Great selection of casino games
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Wide variety of casino banking methods
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Available to USA players
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More than 200 casino games
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Bitcoin boost adds 5% in bonus money
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12. Mobile website compatible with all major devices including iOS and Android
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Quality casino games
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Great selection of bonuses and promotions
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No withdrawal fees
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Quick Payouts.
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Easy to earn bonus
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Free Bitcoin payouts and deposits.
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Bitcoin-friendly
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Customer support available
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Live dealer casino games are available
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47. Offers bonuses as high as $777 with a low staking limit
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24/7 live chat, telephone, and email support.
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All USA players accepted.
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Best banking options
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Great customer service
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Top real money games
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A large variety of casino games
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24/7 live chat support
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Instant play games
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Player-friendly bonus.
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Industry recommended casino with a long history of the first-class service.
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6 figures in player cash-outs paid every week.
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Free casino games available
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Top banking options available
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Live dealer games available
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Best VIP program with great benefits.
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Available in instant play and download.
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24/7 support by US phone, live chat, or email.
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A wide range of games on offer
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Established Casino providing top service and security
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Download and on-site games
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Offers a wide variety of slot games.
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High-quality games with big jackpots.
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Accepts US players
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24/7 customer support available
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SSL encryption
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Proven fair by TST
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Proven fair by TST
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Mobile gaming abled
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Downloadable Android app also available
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Offers a wide variety of slot games.
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High-quality games with big jackpots.
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Accepts US players
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Offers a wide variety of slot games.
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High-quality games with big jackpots.
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Accepts US players
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Loyalty Program for most consistent players
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The unique and high-quality design of the website
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Good 24/7 customer service
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Loyalty Program for most consistent players
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The unique and high-quality design of the website
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Good 24/7 customer service
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Offers a wide variety of slot games.
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High-quality games with big jackpots.
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Accepts US players
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Accepts bitcoin
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Great customer service
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Free casino games available
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A wide range of games on offer
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Established Casino providing top service and security
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Download and on-site games
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Live dealer casino games are available
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Live chat support is also available 24/7
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Modern website design
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Live dealer casino games are available
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Live chat support is also available 24/7
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Modern website design
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Live dealer casino games are available
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Live chat support is also available 24/7
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Modern website design
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Live dealer casino games are available
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Live chat support is also available 24/7
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Modern website design
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Live dealer casino games are available
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Live chat support is also available 24/7
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Modern website design
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Live dealer casino games are available
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Live chat support is also available 24/7
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Modern website design
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Live dealer casino games are available
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Live chat support is also available 24/7
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Modern website design
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Bitcoin accepted
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Live dealer games are available
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Good 24/7 customer service
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Guaranteed fair gaming
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Employs top-notch technology to protect private data
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24/7 customer support via e-mail, live chat, and toll-free number
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Range of deposit methods.
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Excellent slot gaming games.
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Regular casino promotions.
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Range of deposit methods.
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Excellent slot gaming games.
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Regular casino promotions.
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Range of deposit methods.
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Excellent slot gaming games.
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Regular casino promotions.
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Range of deposit methods.
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Excellent slot gaming games.
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Regular casino promotions.
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Range of deposit methods.
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Excellent slot gaming games.
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Regular casino promotions.
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Win free chips while playing slots tournaments
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Take daily quests and special adventures
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Upgrade to six levels of VIP rewards
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Large Sign-Up Bonus and Reload Bonuses.
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Excellent for recreational and professional players.
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Early odds for most events.
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35. 24/7 support available through live chat, phone, and email
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Proven fair by TST
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Mobile casino also included
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Best VIP program with great benefits.
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Available in instant play and download.
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24/7 support by US phone, live chat, or email.
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Instant play and downloadable casino software.
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A diverse selection of WGS slots
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numerous progressive jackpots with huge jackpots.
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24/7 support by US phone, live chat, or email.
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SSL encryption Secured.
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Proven fair by TST.
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Well Rounded web Casino
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US Players are Accepted
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No Scams or any Complaints
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Huge welcome bonus offers.
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Special 200% bonus offer for Bitcoin users
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Fair staking requirements.
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Variety of RTG gambling Games.
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The great theme of the site.
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SSL encryption technology.
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Collective RTG progressive jackpots.
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24/7 customer support via email, phone, and live chat.
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Strong reputation for good service and fairness.
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Customer support is available 24/7
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Fast Withdrawals
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Mobile Compatible
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49. 24/7 live chat, telephone, and email support.
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All USA players accepted.
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Player-friendly bonus.
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Industry recommended casino with a long history of the first-class service.
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6 figures in player cash-outs paid every week.
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Variety of RTG gambling Games.
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The great theme of the site.
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SSL encryption technology.
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56. Customer support is available 24/7
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Fun and entertaining games offered
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Instant withdrawals
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57. Plenty of Games to Choose From
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Customer support is available 24/7
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58 Diversity of RTG Games
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24/7 support via live chat, email, and toll-free phone
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Secure encryption: Regularly audited by TST
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Various Real-Time Game Games
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24/7 Customer Support Available
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SSL encryption code used
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Bitcoin is accepted.
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Average withdrawal limit.
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24/7 Live chat support.
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Bitcoin accepted
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Average withdrawal limit
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Live chat support is available 24/7
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65. Play instantly without downloading any files
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Excellent customer support
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Bonuses and promotions added weekly
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Instant VIP Benefits
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More than 150 Games Available
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Live Help And 24/7 Support
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Features both bingo and casino games
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Instant-play interface
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Available on most smartphones and tablets
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Mobile-friendly design
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Easy to navigate through the site
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SSL Security Certificate visible
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The casino is Bitcoin-friendly
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The casino accepts players from many countries
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Live dealer games are available
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Instant withdrawals for e-wallets
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Crypto-friendly establishment
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Daily specials
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Proven fair by TST North America Inc
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Fast Withdrawals
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Certified Casino
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Neteller and Bitcoin withdrawals are quicker
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Bitcoin is accepted
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Exclusive promotions
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Offers a wide variety of slot games.
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High-quality games with big jackpots.
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Accepts US players
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Proven fair by TST
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Mobile gaming abled
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Downloadable Android app also available
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Quick cashouts with Bitcoin
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24/7 live chat and email support
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Play on the tablet, mobile, and desktop
Popular Casino Games
Some Illinois casinos allow patrons to gamble on a machine and win a certain amount of money for each dollar they spend. Some casinos, such as the Illinois Riverboat, also offer table games such as blackjack. The rules of the casinos in Illinois can be complicated, but they are generally in line with federal laws.
Illinois Gambling laws
As of January 1, 2016, Illinois’ gambling laws have been amended to expand online gambling. The legislation was passed in March 2015 and came into effect on January 1, 2016. Illinois casinos run under the Riverboat Gambling Act, which was passed in 1990. These boats were then required to be on the water. They had to leave the dock for about two hours in the first ten years of their operation.
Bingo operatives must be charities. A $200 fee for an annual license is also required. The supreme prize per contest should be $500. The supreme prize pool in a day is $2,250. Illinois makes it a crime to run a game of chance online. The only omission to this is the Illinois Lottery. The state lottery is allowed to sell lotto tickets on its website. The minimum legal bookmaking age in Illinois is 21 years for casinos and the bar video poker patrons. Racing and Lottery have a minimum gambling age of 18 years.
How Web Gambling Will Be Implemented
The state of Illinois has introduced online gaming regulations for both “slot machine” and “blackjack” casinos. The two types of casinos will be regulated separately. The “slot machine” casinos are subject to the same type of federal regulation as casinos currently operated by other states. The new rules include limits on the number of machines that can be operated simultaneously and other restrictions.
The new rules also impose additional requirements for gaming machines that differ from a similar bill that failed to pass in the Illinois Legislature in 2011. The new law will also include “age verification,” a system where the operator verifies the age of players before allowing them to gamble. The law will also require the state to have a licensing system.
Illinois Racetracks
- Arlington Park – Arlington Heights
- Balmoral Park – Crete
- Duquoin State Fair – Duquoin
- Fairmount Park – Collinsville
- Hawthorne Race Course and Suburban Downs – Stickney
- Maywood Park – Melrose Park
List of Illinois Casinos
| CASINO | SIZE | ADDRESS | WEBSITE |
| Argosy Casino – Alton | 1,100 Slot Machines | 1 Piasa Street | www.argosyalton.com |
| Casino Queen – East St. Louis | 1,100 Slot Machines | 200 South Front Street | www.casinoqueen.com |
| Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin | 1,100 Slot Machines | 250 S. Grove Ave. | www.grandvictoriacasino.com |
| Harrah’s Casino – Joliet | 1,188 Slot Machines | 151 N. Joliet St. | www.caesars.com/harrahs-joliet |
| Harrah’s Metropolis Casino | 1,145 Slot Machines | 100 East Front Street | https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-metropolis |
| Hollywood Casino – Aurora | 1,160 Slot Machines | 49 W. Galena Blvd. | www.hollywoodcasinoaurora.com |
| Jumer’s Casino – Rock Island | 1,100 Slot Machines | 777 Jumer Dr. | www.jumerscasinohotel.com |
| Par-A-Dice Casino – East Peoria | 1,100 Slot Machines | 21 Blackjack Blvd. | www.paradicecasino.com |
| Rivers Casino – Des Plaines | 1,050 Slot Machines | 3000 S. River Rd. | www.riverscasino.com |
More States Gambling Guides
- Alabama
- Arizona
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- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
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- Montana
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- Nevada
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- South Carolina
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