Illinois residents have long enjoyed the ability to place wagers on their favorite teams and games through an array of online sportsbooks. From betting on Cubs games or White Sox predictions, all can be done legally via gaming board-regulated sites that provide bettors with safe gambling experiences.
The Gaming Board is an Illinois regulatory and law enforcement agency that oversees all aspects of casino gambling, video gaming and sports betting in Illinois. Its Administrator and civilian and sworn agency staff are accountable for running day-to-day operations of the Gaming Board in order to guarantee safe and fair gaming experiences for all participants in Illinois gaming activities. Their task includes creating an environment of integrity, transparency and trust throughout Illinois gaming by comprehensive regulation and enforcement activities pertaining to gaming activities.
Illinois offers various gambling activities, from sports and horse racing to casinos and riverboat gambling, however its casino industry has suffered since 2008 when smoke-free casino regulations were implemented in surrounding states. As a result, Illinois casino operators are resisting opening an Illinois online gambling market.
Despite these difficulties, Illinois lawmakers have attempted to pass legislation that would permit their residents to engage in online casino gaming; unfortunately none of these bills has managed to gain enough support through the legislative process; nonetheless online gambling advocates remain hopeful that Illinois will eventually legalize these types of games.
Though Illinois residents cannot access fully functional online casinos, they do have access to daily fantasy sports (DFS). DFS activities are fully legal in Illinois and offer bettors the chance at real money prizes through daily fantasy leagues (DFL). Furthermore, licensed sportsbooks allow betting on professional sports teams.
Illinois offers residents of all ages an assortment of lottery games that can be enjoyed across its borders, from multi-state draws such as Mega Millions and Powerball to state specific lotteries like Lucky Day Lotto and Keno Megaways. Residents also have access to numerous scratch-off and jackpot games online.