You don’t need to wait until the Internet Gaming Act is passed in order to start playing online poker in Illinois. In this guide, we’ll be listing the best platforms that you can use to play this popular card game whilst also benefitting from generous bonuses.
Keep reading to discover the different payment methods accepted and their respective pros and cons. We’ll also explain how you can join one of our featured Illinois online poker sites in under five minutes and how you can play poker on your mobile.
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The Latest Illinois Online Poker News
Here are some of the most recent updates regarding online poker in Illinois:
- 2022 – Even though it was presented in 2021, Bill SB2064 is unlikely to pass this year.
- 2021 – Rep. Bob Rita tables the Internet Gaming Act, SB 2064. If passed, this bill would introduce legal online casino gambling, including online poker in Illinois.
- 2020 – Legal sports betting apps begin appearing in IL and many players hope that poker and casino apps will soon follow suit.
Best Online Poker Illinois Sites
If you’re looking to start playing online poker for real money in Illinois, you needn’t look further than the following sites.
- BetOnline – The Flagship Online Poker Site in Illinois.
- Bovada – One of the Best IL Online Poker Platforms for Mobile Gameplay.
- SportsBetting.ag – A Top Provider of Bitcoin Poker Games.
- Ignition – One of the Best Illinois Online Poker Sites for Newbies.
- Everygame – Enjoy Playing IL Online Poker with Fast Payouts.
Reviews of the Best Sites For Online Poker Illinois Has to Offer
Discover some of the reasons that led our team of experts to select these sites as the best ones for online poker in Illinois.
1. BetOnline – The Flagship Online Poker Illinois Site
BetOnline is a highly successful gambling site that often ranks among the best online sportsbooks and casinos in the country. It’s hardly surprising, therefore, that it also tops this list. Players looking to play online poker in Illinois using BetOnline will be able to enjoy a wide variety of tables, frequent tournaments, and plenty of helpful guides.
By joining this casino today, you’ll be able to use BetOnline promo codes to unlock dedicated poker bonuses. These include matched offers, free roll tickets, and chips. You can fund your account using both USD and cryptocurrencies, and the poker platform is also available for download on Android and iOS devices.
Pros
- Poker tournaments with guaranteed prize pools of $1m+
- Learn how to play poker for free through helpful guides
- Deposit up to $500k at a go with Bitcoin
- Claim generous welcome and ongoing bonuses
Cons
- Extra charges may apply to certain USD payment methods
2. Bovada – One of the Best IL Online Poker Platforms for Mobile Gameplay
Bovada offers one of the largest and best gambling apps in the country and you don’t even need to download any software to use them. Through the mobile-friendly main website, Bovada offers a wide range of poker games and tournaments, including both Texas Hold’em and Omaha variants. Moreover, there are also free resources to help you learn how to play poker online.
There are numerous innovative and exciting features on the Bovada poker platform. If you don’t wish to wait for other players to fold before starting a new round, you should try Zone Poker. Anonymous Tables, meanwhile, keep your identity and your past playing strategy is hidden. In addition to these features, you can use Bovada Casino bonus codes to unlock top rewards.
Pros
- Collect loyalty points every time you place an eligible poker wager
- Customize the look of your poker cards and tables
- Play poker on mobile even if your OS is Windows or Huawei
- Contact support 24/7 via live chat
Cons
- Does not accept Dogecoin
3. SportsBetting.ag – A Top Provider of Bitcoin Poker Games
There are several reasons why SportsBetting.ag is one of the best Bitcoin casinos in the country. This site lets players fund their account with up to $500k in Bitcoin at a time, whilst payouts have a max limit of $100k. Moreover, Bitcoin can be used for all available poker games, including the variety of online poker tournaments available.
However, you don’t need to fund your casino account with Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. You can also deposit funds using a variety of USD payment methods. No matter which currency you choose, you can use SportsBetting.ag bonus codes to get rewarded from your very first payment. Typical bonuses include reload offers, poker chips, and free roll tickets.
Pros
- One of the best online poker in Illinois site for high rollers
- Offers a very good selection of ongoing poker promotions
- Downloadable poker apps for PC and Mac
- A selection of tournaments, including a $1 million windfall
Cons
- Does not offer as many poker variants as other top sites
4. Ignition – One of the Best Illinois Online Poker Sites for Newbies
Ignition is one of the top online poker casinos in the country and is also available in Illinois. This site is ideal for all sorts of players, including absolute beginners. The platform offers an extensive collection of free video tutorials, cheat sheets, strategy guides, and practice tables to help players transform from newbies to pros.
If you don’t really need the practice and are eager to play online poker for real money in Illinois, you’ll find Ignition Casino bonus codes that you can use to unlock generous rewards. You can use your bonuses on eligible poker tables and tournaments. In addition, the site also offers a live dealer version of online poker, better known as Super 6.
Pros
- Offers Jackpot Sit & Go’s with 1,000x prizes
- Provides a feature-rich, mobile-friendly poker platform
- Includes less popular variants, such as Omaha Hi-Lo
- Generous poker bonuses from your first deposit
Cons
- No credit card withdrawals are allowed
5. Everygame – Enjoy Playing IL Real Money Online Poker with Fast Payouts
Everygame is one of the fastest payout casinos in the US. If you fund your account using cryptocurrency, you should receive withdrawals within just one hour. Moreover, crypto payouts are free, and this allows you to keep more of your poker winnings. The poker site also accepts USD payments, but payouts with these can take a few days.
Beyond scoring highly on payout speed, this Illinois poker site provides some of the best rewards in the State. You can use Everygame bonus codes to receive bonuses with every deposit, and you can also claim no deposit bonuses through the loyalty program. In addition, Everygame offers a fixed rakeback rate of 36% on eligible tables.
Pros
- Poker tournaments are available daily
- No extra fees on any deposit methods
- Play poker on mobile using the main website
- Collect loyalty points for every real poker wager
Cons
- A limited choice of USD payout options is available
Frequently Asked Questions about Illinois Online Poker
Can I legally play poker online in Illinois?
Is online poker legal in Illinois?
What is the most legit online poker site for Illinois?
What is the best online poker site for beginners in Illinois?
More on Gambling in Illinois…
Learn about all types of online gambling in Illinois in our expert guides below:
- Illinois Sports Betting
- Illinois Real Money Online Casinos
- Illinois Online Gambling
- Illinois Sports Betting Apps
Comparing Online Poker Real Money Illinois Sites
Top sites offering online poker in IL provide a range of useful and exciting features and bonuses. Below, you’ll be able to compare the most significant ones and choose the sites that best match your preferences.
Poker Room Poker Bonus Freerolls Casino Poker Qualifiers Live Poker BetOnline 100% up to $1,000 ✅ 16+ ✅ ✅ Bovada 100% up to $500 ✅ 4+ ✅ ✅ Sportsbetting.ag 100% up to $1,000 ✅ 10+ ✅ ❌ Ignition 150% Up to $3,000 ✅ 6+ ✅ ✅ Everygame 200% up to $1,000 ✅ 1+ ✅ ❌ Is Online Poker Legal in Illinois?
At the moment, online poker in Illinois is not legal. This means that it is illegal for an online poker operator to be based in the State or to seek an operating license. The only way to play online poker in IL right now is to join offshore online casinos. Since these operators are based outside of the US, they fall outside of the scope of the State’s gambling laws.
The good news is that a bill introducing legal online poker in Illinois is being discussed by legislators. Unfortunately, it’s unclear if or when the bill will be passed. In the meantime, in addition to top online casinos, residents can visit land-based casinos to play poker.
Whilst it is sufficient to be 18 years in order to gamble in Illinois, you must be 21 years or over to visit a land-based establishment.
Illinois Poker Laws
Illinois online casinos and poker rooms are not allowed to operate within the State. This is why we have only listed safe and reputable offshore sites in this guide. Land-based casino gambling is slightly better supported by authorities, and there are currently nine land-based casinos across the entire State.
- Online poker laws: Online poker in Illinois is not legally permitted, so the only way to play safely is to join offshore sites that fall outside of these laws.
- Offline poker laws: Playing poker at permitted land-based casinos is allowed, but there are only eight such establishments.
Can I Play at an Offshore Poker Room from Illinois?
When you access any of our featured sites for online poker in Illinois, the site will check that you are physically in the US. Whilst you don’t need to be in Illinois to use most sites, access might be blocked in some states. In any case, a VPN should allow you to sort out any location issues easily.
To keep players safe and adhere to their operating licenses, all featured sites require you to register an account prior to placing a deposit. Before requesting a withdrawal, you will also need to verify your account by providing a government-issued ID and other documentation.
Legal Poker Sites vs Offshore Poker Sites
As Illinois residents are hopeful of the introduction of legal poker sites, their only safe option right now is to use offshore poker sites. How are these types of poker casinos different?
A legal poker site is one that is licensed by the State. For such a platform to exist, the State must first legalize online poker. On the other hand, offshore poker sites are ones that are based and oftentimes licensed in foreign countries. These sites are able to accept players from the US and support payments in USD.
How can I tell the Difference between a Legal and Offshore Poker Site?
You should easily be able to identify a legal and offshore poker site by scrolling to the bottom of the website. In the site’s footer, you should see a seal of approval from the licensing authority along with other licensing details.
Should legal online poker in Illinois be eventually introduced, licensed sites would likely feature details of their Illinois Gaming Board-issued licenses. Similarly, licensed offshore sites, including Bovada, show their licensing information accordingly.
It is important to remember that not all offshore sites are licensed. However, it is always best to use licensed poker sites, such as BetOnline, in order to play in a secure environment.
Online Poker Safety & Fairness – Who Regulates Legal Poker Sites in Illinois?
Both poker site regulators and reputable operators support responsible gambling. To help players keep gambling fun, top operators dedicate one or more pages of their websites to responsible gambling.
By visiting these pages, you’ll find helpful resources and self-check questionnaires. You will also find instructions regarding setting voluntary limits on your gambling activity. These limits could be set on session times, total losses, or even total deposits.
If you are in need of additional assistance, these pages also include links to charities and professional organizations. You can also speak to a customer care representative to get further guidance.
Offshore Poker Sites in Illinois – Are Offshore Poker Sites Safe for Illinois Players?
Even though they are not based in Illinois, our featured offshore sites adhere to global industry-standard practices to safeguard their platforms. Numerous security measures and protocols are used to protect users and funds, including encryption algorithms and firewalls.
Playing online poker in Illinois using our recommended sites is safe and permitted. Since these sites fall outside of State laws, players should find no legal difficulty to play with real money.
Staying safe whilst gambling online is very important. There are numerous steps that you can also take to protect yourself, including choosing long and unique passwords to access your account. You should also use payment methods that are not linked to your main bank accounts.
These include cryptocurrencies, eWallets, and several other options that are supported by the best Vanilla Visa casinos.
Ring-fencing is a common process in states that have legalized online poker. Players in a ring fence are only allowed to play with others within the same group. This would mean, for example, that those playing online poker in Illinois would only have access to other IL players.
In some cases, multiple states join together and create a larger ring fence. As yet, since online poker in IL is not yet legal, there are no plans to introduce ring-fencing.
Perks of Ring-Fencing Player Pools
The main advantage of ring-fencing is that operators can be confident that all players within a pool are subject to the same rules and laws. This makes administration and compliance tasks easier for the poker site provider, and can even lead to faster payouts and more efficient communication.
Drawbacks of Ring-Fencing Player Pools
There are many disadvantages to ring-fencing for poker players. Since shared player pools are much smaller than the number of users of top offshore casinos, tournament values and player bonuses are smaller. Moreover, players in a poker ring fence don’t get access to the same variety of players, and this affects their overall experience.
How to Play in Illinois Online Poker Sites
It only takes a few minutes to create an account and start playing online poker in Illinois. In the following tutorial, we’ll show you how to do this and claim your first bonus using BetOnline.
Step 1: Join BetOnline by Registering an Account
Visit the BetOnline main website and select ‘Join Now’ to get started. You’ll be asked to enter your personal and contact details in the form provided as well as to accept the poker site’s terms and conditions.
Step 2: Confirm that You’ve Entered the Correct Email Address
By the time you’ve completed registration, you should receive an automated email from BetOnline. In this email, you’ll be asked to confirm your email address by clicking on the link provided. Do this in order to complete this step and move on to your first deposit.
Step 3: Place Your First BetOnline Deposit
BetOnline lets you fund your account using USD or any of the 15 supported cryptocurrencies. To place a deposit, simply visit the ‘Cashier’ page and click on the logo of the payment method that you wish to use. Enter the amount that you wish to deposit and any applicable promo code. Following the on-screen instructions to complete your first deposit.
Step 4: Start Enjoying Playing Poker with Real Money
Once your funds have reached your account, you should find that your welcome bonus has been added. You’re now ready to play your favorite poker games for real. Use the navigation menu to select your favorite table or tournament and follow the on-screen instructions to place your first online poker wager.
Making Deposits & Withdrawals at Illinois Poker Sites
Whilst playing online poker in Illinois, you can fund your account using a variety of convenient payment options.
Crypto at Poker Sites
Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ripple, and other top cryptocurrencies are great ways to fund your account without sharing your main banking details. Apart from offering faster and cheaper transfers, the best Ethereum casinos also offer overall better rewards for crypto deposits.
eWallets at Poker Sites
If you’re intent on paying with USD, eWallets provide a secure and mobile-friendly way to pay without linking your main bank accounts. Some of the top eWallets, including PayPal and Skrill, may be indirectly available through MatchPay or similar financial services.
Traditional Payment Methods
Debit/credit cards, payment vouchers, bank transfers, and other traditional payment methods remain popular options at most top poker sites. Whilst being familiar and easy to use, these options may not be available for both deposits and withdrawals, so you may need two options instead.
Online Poker Site Bonuses Available for Illinois Players
There are numerous casino bonuses available from our recommended Illinois online poker sites. In addition to providing great value, many of these offers also include reasonable terms, including wagering requirements.
Match Deposit Bonuses
All our featured sites for online poker in Illinois will match the value of your first and subsequent deposits with a certain amount of bonus cash. This amount is a percentage of your payment. A 100% match, for example, provides you with an equal amount of bonus cash, effectively doubling the value of your deposit.
No Deposit Bonuses
From loyalty programs to short-term promotions, there are several ways to receive no deposit bonuses. These offers have one characteristic in common, no deposit is needed to receive them. Instead, you simply need to complete a simple task. This could also include referring your friends.
Free Roll Tickets
Throughout the month and year, our featured online poker sites organize tournaments featuring prize pools of $1 million or more. In many cases, these tournaments require participants to pay an entry fee. However, with free roll tickets, this fee is eliminated, allowing players that have this bonus to take part for free.
Playing on Illinois Poker Apps & Mobile Sites
Top USD and Bitcoin casino apps let you play this popular card game using your smartphone or tablet. Whilst some providers offer downloadable apps, all our recommended casinos feature a mobile-friendly main website that is accessible across devices.
Mobile Poker Apps – Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- You can play poker online quickly
- All you need to start playing poker with an app is an Internet connection
- Certain bonuses are only available on poker apps
- The full range of poker games and tournaments is available on apps
Cons
- Downloadable apps would normally only work on Android and iOS systems
- It can be difficult concentrating on poker games in noisy outdoor environments
How to Download Poker Apps or Software
- Visit BetOnline using your mobile browser and select the appropriate operating system.
- Agree to download the BetOnline poker app and install it.
- Once installed, you should find the app on your app’s menu.
- Tap the app to launch BetOnline and start playing poker on mobile.
Tips for Playing Online Poker for Real Money in Illinois
Keep these tips in mind the next time you play online poker for real money in Illinois.
- Learn basic bankroll management – Before you play your first poker chip, decide your budget for the session and learn basic management rules to spread your funds effectively.
- Boost your bankroll with a bonus – The best sites for online poker in Illinois offer a variety of offers and bonuses that can boost your bankroll with free cash and poker chips.
- Always read the rules and terms – No matter whether you’re playing a new poker variant or claiming your welcome bonus, always remember to read the terms and conditions.
- Unless you’re a pro, stick to low stakes – The best way to enjoy an online poker session is to end it with some cash left. Low-stakes tables give you this opportunity and are just as much fun.
- Download the mobile app if possible – Some of the leading Illinois poker casinos offer downloadable apps. By downloading them, you may become eligible for exclusive offers and rewards.
Playing Online Poker vs Poker Live in Illinois
There are several advantages of using online poker sites instead of playing the game in person. Even though there are a few land-based establishments in the State, few of these offer any poker tables and most could be a significant drive time away. Online poker sites are open 24/7 and you can access them instantly from your desktop or mobile.
Top Illinois poker casinos, including BetOnline, offer a variety of exciting variants. Using an intuitive interface, you can switch from one table to another in a few seconds. Land-based casinos do not offer as many varieties of games, and switching between one and another is certainly less convenient.
Since online poker sites attract a greater number of players from across the US, they afford to offer higher-value player bonuses and guaranteed tournament prize pools. In addition, players can play their favorite poker variants whilst keeping cheat sheets and other handy guides next to them.
Live Poker in Illinois – Casinos With Poker Rooms
The selection of land-based casinos in Illinois is not great. However, there are some facilities that offer poker rooms and other casino games. Here are the overall best three.
Rivers Casino Des Plaines Chicago
- Address: 3000 S River Rd, Chicago IL 60018.
- Opening hours: All day.
Rivers Casino Des Plaines Chicago is the largest land-based casino in Illinois, with over 147,000 square feet of gaming space. Within this large space, there are only about 10 poker tables available, and these offer a variety of variants. These include Missippi Stud and Caribbean Stud.
Jumer’s Casino and Hotel
- Address: 777 Jumer Dr, Rock Island IL 61201.
- Opening hours: All day.
The Jumer’s Casino and Hotel offers a much smaller facility than the number one land-based casino in Illinois. Across its approximately 43,000 square feet of floor space, visitors will be able to sit at 6+ poker tables and even participate in cash tournaments.
Hollywood Casino Joliet
- Address: 777 Hollywood Blvd, Joliet IL 60436.
- Opening hours: All day.
The Hollywood Casino Joliet offers a decent number of poker tables where visitors can enjoy Tri Card as well as Missippi and Caribbean Stud. There are also a limited number of poker tournaments held throughout the year, though this casino is best known for slots.
Famous Illinois Poker Players
Illinois is the birthplace or residence of a surprising number of successful poker players. Here are three of the most famous and successful ones.
- Connor Drinan – Based in Chicago, Drinan has won over $11.5 million from poker games and tournaments. Whilst he ranks 1st in the Illinois All Time Money List, he’s 1,246th on the Global Poker Index Ranking.
- Mohsin Charania – Born and raised in Illinois, Charania has won just over $6.5 million from poker so far. His Global Poker Index Ranking is 15,537th but ranks 2nd on the Illinois All Time Money List.
- Gavin Griffin – Griffin has just recently surpassed the $5 million mark from poker. The young player ranks 3rd in the Illinois All Time Money List and was once ranked 38th on the All Time Money List.
The Best Site for Online Poker in Illinois
Whilst all our featured sites offer a great poker-playing experience, BetOnline is the overall best casino. You can join this site in just a few minutes and begin to enjoy the variety of poker tables and tournaments using your favorite digital device.
By joining BetOnline today, you can claim a generous sign-up bonus that boosts the value of your first deposits. Once you’ve exhausted this offer, you can look forward to an almost never-ending list of bonuses and rewards.
Sergio Zammit
Sergio Zammit
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