We are experts on the subject of online poker, and after carefully reviewing the legal landscape in the United States, we have concluded that online poker for real money is perfectly legal for almost all citizens as long as they're above the minimum age for gambling in their jurisdiction (18+ in most parts of the country). Many players who are living in the new usa casinos 2020 are looking for a online casino websites and they wonder about the where is online poker for real money legal in USA. Online poker is very easy to be strained about the real side of the US legal side, but really no need. Advantages of Playing Online Poker in Illinois. You will now be able to play online Poker not only on your computer or laptop, but thanks to lots of the above named and listed Illinois Poker sites now offering mobile Poker sites you can log on from anywhere in the US State or Illinois and play Poker for free or for real money on your cell phone or any type of mobile device! Information on how to play poker in Illinois, including an interpretation of the laws, info on home games and online poker and where to find legal games. US Poker Site 2020 Poker Site Reviews.

Illinois is one of the stingiest states when it comes to gambling. Aside from brick and mortar casinos, all forms of gambling is illegal. This includes games of chance, and games of skill. For more details on how to play poker in Illinois, read on.

Recommended Illinois Poker Site

What Are the Laws for Playing Poker in Illinois?

Illinois doesn’t single poker out in their laws.

However, their stance on gambling is clear. It’s illegal, and both games of skill and games of chance are included. So long as something of value is being wagered, it’s against the law.

What Are the Consequences of Being Caught?

If it’s your first time offense, the consequences of being caught gambling is a class A misdemeanor and some fines.

For subsequent (repeat) offenses, or something more extreme as running your own mini-casino, videogame terminal or running a betting operation, you could face felony charges.

Illinois is one of the few sites that that doesn’t care for gambling and enforces it. I have an example of this below. The bottom line is that you don’t really want to test them. The state of Illinois does enforce their gambling laws.

Can You Play Online Poker in Illinois?

No — given how strict their laws are, this shouldn’t come as a shock to you either.

You’d be lucky to find a poker site still running in the USA that accepts signups from players in Illinois anyway. From my experience, states that have stricter gambling laws are usually banned from these sites. You won’t be able to create a new account, and if you are able to, you’ll only be able to play free money games, assuming the account isn’t shut down shortly after creating it.

If you do manage to find a site that will accept new real money accounts from players in Illinois, I’d be weary of depositing there anyway. They could very well be the next target for the DOJ, or they’ll up and close shop overnight, or both.

Are Home Games Legal?

Home games are only legal if you’re not gambling aka you can’t play for real money.

Here is a good example of what can happen if you do anyway. Again, it’s merely a misdemeanor and fines if you do, but that’s your call whether it’s worth the risk or not.

Is Poker Spread in Illinois’ Brick and Mortar Casinos?

Yes, there are several casinos in Illinois that provide poker games. Here are some of the larger casinos and the games they currently offer.

The Hollywood Casino (Aurora) – The Hollywood Casino spreads 5/10, 10/20, 15/30 and 20/40 limit and 1/2 no limit seven days a week starting at 9:30 AM. They have bad beat jackpots that can be as high as 6 figures. There is also a Hollywood Casino in Joliet.

Harrahs – Find tournaments running for around $60. They also run WSOP circuit tournaments.

Jumer’s Casino and Hotel – Jumer’s runs tournaments Sundays through Wednesdays with buy-ins ranging from $40 to $80. They also spread cash games.

Poker Leagues in Illinois

There are a couple of poker leagues in Illinois. Keep in mind that no league should have a fee to enter — they should all be free, otherwise they’re against the law. Here is some info about the leagues currently running:

Deepstacks Poker League – Compete for prizes and promotions like buy-ins to local tournaments or WSOP events.

Chicago Charitable Games – A weekend poker tour that supports local causes.

The law in the State of Illinois as it relates to gambling is quite clear. In some states, whether or not the present law applies to playing poker, or in particular, playing poker online may be subject to at least some interpretation, however the law of Illinois speaks very plainly on the subject:

“Section 28-1. Gambling.
(a) A person commits gambling when he or she:
(1) knowingly plays a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value, unless excepted in subsection (b) of this section;
(2) knowingly makes a wager upon the result of any game, contest, or any political nomination, appointment, or election” (1)

So subsection (1) would be the one that applies to poker, including online poker, as if you reside in Illinois and you are playing online poker for money then you are clearly playing a game for money.

What about the exceptions contained in subsection (b)? Well the list is a rather long one, but none of it includes playing poker unless it is at a charitable event or is specifically sanctioned by the state, which would exclude all forms of online poker since online poker is not currently sanctioned and regulated.

So basically, if the State of Illinois does not approve it specifically, it is illegal under state law, which applies to all forms of unauthorized gambling, not just poker.

I have read some people say that while state law does prohibit the setting up of gambling sites on the internet, it doesn’t specifically address whether playing on such internet gambling sites would be illegal. However, given that any gambling in Illinois that is not officially sanctioned is illegal, and gambling online surely consists of gambling, and this is definitely not state sanctioned, then it is very clearly not legal at all.

As is the case in other states though, just because playing online poker is against the law, this does not stop a lot of people from doing it, and they don’t worry about this as long as the law isn’t being enforced, and it’s not being enforced in any state right now, including in Illinois.

Illinois Online Poker Prospects

Illinois is the fifth most populous state in the United States, with a population of almost 13 million people. So this represents a very large potential market and could expand tax revenue in the state at a level that exceeds states like New Jersey and Nevada.

So with this money on the table, and given the fairly progressive attitude that the state has toward gambling, in 2013 a bill was presented that not only expanded the allowable number of casinos in the state, but also contained provisions to allow online gambling , including poker, to be legalized as well. (2)

The online gambling part of the bill ended up being stripped away during the debate that ensued, and eventually the entire bill became scrapped.

So there are two main issues here, expansion of casino gambling and expanding into regulating online gambling, and while the two may occur together, there may be more resistance to online gambling and that may take longer. There also may be more resistance to online gambling in general than there may be to just offering online poker as some states have done, although so far the focus has been on online gambling, and it’s true that this would provide more of the needed tax revenue that is being sought.

It may be a year or two before we see online gambling being regulated here, but there seems to be a strong enough will to see it happen to make Illinois one of the leading prospects in getting a bill passed in the foreseeable future.

Live Poker in Illinois

Fortunately, for those who crave live poker, there is a fair bit of action in and around the State of Illinois as far as live table action goes. A lot of this is centered around the Chicago area, but live poker rooms exist in other parts of the state as well, in addition to a good amount not far away in neighboring states such as Indiana, Iowa and Missouri.

Within Illinois itself, there are a total of seven poker rooms: The Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin (12 tables), Harrah’s Metropolis Casino in Metropolis (4 tables), the Hollywood Casino Joliet in Joliet (5 tables), the Par A Dice Casino in East Peoria (5 tables), Harrah’s Joliet in Joliet (8 tables), the Hollywood Casino Aurora in Aurora (15 tables), and Jumer’s Casino in Rock Island (6 tables). (3)

So in spite of these poker rooms all being on the smaller side with most being very small, with five of the seven containing a half a dozen tables or less, there still are opportunities out there, although nothing really beats the convenience of playing poker right in the comfort of your own home, and fortunately, no online poker room that offers play to residents of the United States has a problem accepting players from Illinois.

Online Poker In Illinois

Online Poker Real Money Usa Legal Illinois Unclaimed

Given that people in Illinois can choose to play at any site accepting Americans, here is our two top picks for you if you live in Illinois and are up for some online poker, which you can start enjoying right now in fact if you wish:

• Ignition Poker is an excellent place to play these days, especially with a great mix of real money traffic and bonuses. In fact, they offer a massive welcome bonus of 100% of your first deposit up to $1,000. They also give you a free $5 chip to use at their casino, which features hundreds of slots, table games and more.

• America’s Cardroom is another of our top picks who warmly welcome residents of Illinois, and they also feature some great poker action at any time of the day or night, whenever you are ready they are, as well as all of their players who are just waiting for you to join in on the fun. New depositors receive a match of their first deposit in bonus cash, to the tune of up to $1000 in free money.

References

(1) Illinois Compiled Statutes, 720-5 Article 28-1

(2) Illinois Online Poker Laws

(3) All Live And Online Poker Rooms In Illinois

#1 Editor's Choice All-in-One Gambling Site: BetOnline.ag

BetOnline.ag is one of the most reputable online poker sites that still cater to United States players and ALL grinders worldwide. Claim your 100% poker bonus and/or FREE $25 sports bet!

• New players can earn up to $1,000 in bonus cash on their 1st deposit.
• Ridiculously crisp software and graphics - no lag whatsoever online or on your mobile device.
• Super easy to deposit on - #1 credit card acceptance rate ANYWHERE; Cryptocurrency also accepted!
• 24/7 live support, VERY FAST payout speeds and built-in sportsbook and casino.
• $25 FREE BET available and other perks you can use at their online or LIVE DEALER casino.

Online Poker Real Money Usa Legal Illinois Lottery

EDITOR'S NOTE: BetOnline welcomes players from ALL 50 states and from ALL OVER THE WORLD w/ limited restrictions.