Illinois
Gambling Laws 2026

Sports betting is legal in Illinois, one of 36 states where it is, as of May 2026. Commercial casinos are legal, as they are in 24 states, and online casino gambling is illegal. Illinois has a state lottery, and horse racing is legal.

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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Also on Illinois: the full Illinois profile covers taxes, cost of living, crime and schools, and the county map lets you compare every county in the state. For related rules, read the Illinois sex laws guide and the Illinois country music guide.