Illinois
Gambling Laws 2026

Illinois has a dense commercial casino market and a fully legal sports betting system. The state has 16 licensed commercial casinos, with the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines generating some of the highest gaming revenue of any single casino facility in the country outside Nevada and New Jersey. The Chicago metro area has multiple options within reasonable driving distance. Sports betting became legal in 2019 and launched in 2020, with mobile betting eventually going live without requiring in-person registration.

A Chicago casino was authorized in the 2019 expansion law and has been in development, with construction progress tied to financing and regulatory approvals. The lottery has operated since 1974. Arlington International Racecourse ended in 2021 when the property was sold to the Chicago Bears for a potential stadium site.

For residents, Illinois offers substantial legal gambling options. Mobile sports betting is fully accessible without visiting a casino first. You are within an hour of a major casino if you live in the Chicago area. Online casino gambling remains illegal, which is the main gap compared to states like New Jersey or Michigan. The Illinois market is competitive and all major national sportsbook operators hold licenses.

Chicago area has multiple commercial casinos. Sports betting legal since 2020. Rivers Casino in Des Plaines is busy.

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More on Illinois

• Illinois Department of Natural Resources
• Illinois
• Illinois Department of Public Health
• Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation
• Illinois Department of Revenue
• Home Page • Illinois State Board of Elections
• IDOT Home - Illinois.gov
• The Official Website for the Illinois Secretary of State
• Illinois
• Illinois General Assembly - Home Page