IL · 2 of 5 products legal online
Online gambling in Illinois: what is legal
Illinois has licensed online sports betting for players aged 21 and over since June 2020, with in-person registration scrapped in March 2022 and a per-wager tax added from July 2025. The Illinois Lottery sells draw-game tickets online to players aged 18 and over. Online casino games and online poker are not legal. The Gaming Board and Attorney General have sent more than 60 cease-and-desist letters to online sweepstakes and casino sites.
Checked 15 Oct 2026 against the state regulator, statutes and the sources listed for each product. Laws change; we update this page when they do.
Product by product
- Online casinos
Not legal online
Not legal; the IGB says Illinois law prohibits internet gambling sites.
- Sports betting
Legal and licensed21+since 2020-06
Legal online since June 2020; remote registration since March 2022; per-wager tax from July 2025.
Reported by Legal Sports Report: Illinois (updated 2 Oct 2026)Sports betting in Illinois
- Poker
Not legal online
Regulated online poker is not legal.
Reported by Legal Sports Report: online casinos and poker (updated 14 Oct 2026)
- Lottery
Legal and licensed18+since 2012
Illinois Lottery sells draw-game tickets online.
- Sweepstakes casinos
Not legal online
No ban statute, but the IGB and AG sent 60+ cease-and-desist letters to online sweepstakes gaming sites.
Regulator and help
Free, confidential help
1-800-426-25371-800-GAMBLER (listed by the Illinois Gaming Board and Illinois Lottery)
National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-MY-RESET (call or text, 24/7).
Illinois Gaming Board Self-Exclusion ProgramLimits, self-exclusion and a two-minute self-checkRecent changes
1 Jul 2025
Per-wager tax on sports betting operators took effect (25 cents per bet on the first 20 million bets a year, 50 cents after). Legal Sports Report: Illinois
Illinois: quick answers
Is online casino legal in Illinois?
No. Online casino is not legal in Illinois. Not legal; the IGB says Illinois law prohibits internet gambling sites.
Is online sports betting legal in Illinois?
Yes. Online sports betting is legal and regulated in Illinois (since 2020-06). The minimum age is 21. Legal online since June 2020; remote registration since March 2022; per-wager tax from July 2025.
Is online poker legal in Illinois?
No. Online poker is not legal in Illinois. Regulated online poker is not legal.
Is buying lottery tickets online legal in Illinois?
Yes. Buying lottery tickets online is legal and regulated in Illinois (since 2012). The minimum age is 18. Illinois Lottery sells draw-game tickets online.
Is a sweepstakes casino legal in Illinois?
No. A sweepstakes casino is not legal in Illinois. No ban statute, but the IGB and AG sent 60+ cease-and-desist letters to online sweepstakes gaming sites.