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Contrary to that, real-money online gambling is still illegal. That is why players need to wait for a more favorable legal climate before they can play in live casinos online in Illinois.
Until then, they can try their luck in sweepstakes online casinos. Another option includes offshore casinos, as they are yet to be regulated by IL law.
Are Live Casinos Legal in Illinois?
Online gambling is not legal in Illinois, including live dealer games. Legal forms of gambling in the state include horse racing, commercial or riverboat casinos, social and sweepstakes casinos, state lottery, online sports betting, and daily fantasy sports.
Live Casino Laws
Illinois gambling history dates back to 1920, when the state first legalized horse betting. The Prairie State was the pioneer in offering a state-run lottery, introduced in 1974. The following year, the board passed the Horse Racing Act, bringing more regulation to the industry.
Illinois was also one of the first states associated with riverboat gambling. Such casinos were approved in 1990 after the passing of the Riverboat Gambling Act, and Illinois issued 10 riverboat gambling licenses. This Act gave the green light to commercial casinos as long as they were on the water. The casino boats had to enter the water every two hours during their first decade of operation. In 1999, a change in the law permitted the riverboats to stay at the docks.
Since 2012, Illinoians have been able to purchase lottery tickets online. Whereas in 2019, Governor JB. Pritzker signed a bill that legalized online sports betting.
Unfortunately for live gaming aficionados, this bill didn’t include anything about online casinos and gambling. Thus, players will have to stick to legal options such as social and sweepstakes casinos, commercial and riverboat casinos, or try their luck in one of the offshore sites.
All gambling establishments, online and land-based, are regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. Whether you want to play live casino games at brick-and-mortar or offshore sites, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the following laws:
- Illinois Riverboat Gambling Act, Chapter 230
- Illinois Compiled Statutes sec. 720, art 28 — Gambling and related offenses
Best Live Dealer Casinos in Illinois
Even though the Prairie State doesn’t have state-regulated online gambling, players can join an overseas site and play live dealer games.
Interestingly, they can also head to any land-based casinos if they look for a legal alternative. We’ll discuss both in great detail below.
Online Live Casinos in Illinois
According to the latest gambling news, online casinos are still deemed illegal. Operating a site within state borders is strictly prohibited. The only legal online gambling options include:
- Slots
- Online lottery
- Sports betting
- Social and sweepstakes casinos
- Daily fantasy sports
Social and sweepstakes casinos have been the only option for players who want to play casino games online legally. These operators use two types of currency: gold coins and sweeps coins. The former allows you to play free games, and the latter can be used to play real money games since they are won, not purchased.
Since online gambling hasn’t been legally addressed, this creates a loophole allowing some people to believe that playing on offshore sites shouldn’t be considered illegal. Even though unlawful gambling is a class A misdemeanor, no player has ever been prosecuted.
Maybe online licensed casinos don’t exist in the Prairie State, but that doesn’t mean that live casino fans don’t have other options.
Numerous offshore live casinos operate outside the state but accept residents from Illinois. These sites hold licenses from reputable online gambling jurisdictions, making them trustworthy and reliable.
Aside from excellent game selection, these casinos offer rewarding bonuses and an authentic live casino experience.
Land-Based Casinos With Live Cameras in Illinois
We have already spoken about riverboat casinos as a legal gambling form in Illinois. These mobile casinos are similar to their land-based counterparts, except they must be on the water to comply with the law. Their facilities also need to be outside of the Lake Michigan area unless the area has a population of at least three million. Since 1999, they have been permanently moored at the docks.
Currently, there are only 10 of them, and they are a mixture of riverboats and land-based casinos.
In terms of game selection, riverboat casinos are on par with land-based casinos. These gambling destinations offer various live casino games, including blackjack, baccarat, slots, and even live poker.
Furthermore, these venues go beyond the gambling floor as they are often hotels featuring restaurants, bars, gift shops, and other amenities.
Harrah’s casinos in Metropolis and Joliet, Hollywood casinos in Joliet and Aurora, Casino Queen, and Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin are some of the most popular land-based gambling venues in Illinois.
How to Register for Online Live Casinos in Illinois?
To play live dealer games, you’ll need to register regardless of the site you choose. However, the registration process is a breeze, and you need to follow our step-by-step guide. Here’s the rundown:
Pick an operator from the list we have provided. They all offer live dealer games, so you can’t go wrong with whoever you select.
Hit the Register or Sign-up button.
Follow the instructions by providing your name, email, and address.
Create a strong password.
Click on the email you received from the casino to verify your account and complete the registration process.
Log into the account.
Go to the Cashier and deposit the desired amount of money.
Now you are ready to pick any game you like and have fun.
Popular Live Dealer Casino Games in Illinois
When it comes to live dealer games in social casinos, the choice is currently limited to blackjack only. On the other hand, live dealer enthusiasts can visit any of the brick-and-mortar venues or riverboats. These establishments have popular live casino games on offer, including:
- Live Blackjack
- Roulette Live
- Live Baccarat
- Craps Live
- Poker
In fact, poker is probably the most popular among them, as you can find multiple variations of this casino classic. Players can enjoy Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, Spanish 21, and High Card Flush.
Another option available to Illinoians is offshore casinos. Many of them accept people from Illinois and are home to a slew of live dealer games. Besides the live games mentioned above, some casinos even go the extra mile. They feature multiple variations of classic live games and game shows, such as Monopoly Live, Dream Catcher, Sweet Bonanza, and many others.
Useful Guides for Illinois Players
Illinois online casinos can be challenging to understand, especially with all the laws that govern their use, so here are some excellent, easy-to-read, in-depth guides to get you started.
Conclusion
Although legalizing online gambling is still a pipe dream, live gaming aficionados still have some options. Fortunately, players can enjoy their favorite pastime by joining one of the offshore gambling sites we have recommended.
We have scoured the internet to compile a list of top-notch operators offering a wide selection of live games from renowned software providers. So, take your pick, and good luck!
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