Illinois casino apps

With laws potentially passing as soon as 2024, Illinois casino apps will launch the day that online casinos do, and you should be in a position to be ready. Today, we are going to take a look at all things mobile Illinois casino apps, making some assumptions about what to expect based on what we have seen in neighboring states.

By: Johnny Covers

| Last Updated: May 8, 2024

Table of contents

Are casino apps legal in Illinois?
Best Illinois casino apps we expect to launch
Are there any active bills to legalize casino apps in Illinois?
How you will be able to sign up for a casino app in Illinois
Online casino games you will be able to play at casino apps in Illinois
Possible banking options at online casino apps in Illinois
Pros and cons of casino apps vs. desktop online casinos in Illinois
Why should you avoid offshore casino apps?
FAQ

Are casino apps legal in Illinois?

Casino apps are not legal in Illinois, despite retail casino gaming, online sports betting, and online lotteries being legal in the state. When casino apps do become legal in Illinois, they will be monitored and regulated by the Illinois Gambling Board, just as the rest of the legal gambling is in the state.

Legal alternatives to Illinois casino apps

While online casinos in Illinois are not legal, residents in the state can play at social and sweepstake casinos. Instead of real currency, sweepstakes casinos use virtual currency and allow players to earn prizes instead of real cash. Using currency called Sweep Coins, players play these games, which mirror casino games, with no real funds risked as to adhere to state law which prohibits them.

Best Illinois casino apps we expect to launch

While there are no casino apps in Illinois currently that are legal and regulated, we can make assumptions based on Illinois online sportsbook apps currently operating in the state, as well as what we have seen go live in other states. Here are the best-expected casino apps in Illinois when the industry does eventually launch in the Prairie State.

DraftKings Casino App IL	⭐ Best casino app for iOS
BetRivers Casino App IL	⭐ Lucrative rewards program
Caesars Palace Casino App IL	⭐ Extensive casino with loads of slots
FanDuel Casino App IL	⭐ Huge progressive jackpots
BetMGM Casino App IL	⭐ Great mobile gaming experience

DraftKings Casino app Illinois

DraftKings already has quite the presence in Illinois, with a retail sportsbook at the Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field in addition to their DraftKings Sportsbook online. When online Illinois casino apps do launch, fully expect DraftKings Casino Illinois to be amongst the first to market in the state.

DraftKings online casino gaming is currently available in Connecticut, New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, all of which have their sportsbook as well. Customers can go back and forth between the sportsbook and online casino with the same account, a feature that will almost surely be available in Illinois as well.

DraftKings users can also take advantage of their best-in-class Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) options, all of which are available both online and via their top-ranked mobile app.

BetRivers Casino app Illinois

There is no gambling company with a stronger foothold in Illinois than BetRivers Casinos Illinois, as they operate a retail casino and sportsbook, as well as an online sportsbook, all operated by Chicago’s own Rush Street Gaming. As the official partner of the Chicago Bears, the BetRivers Casino Illinois will surely be a hit the minute it launches online in the state.

As part of its online casino offerings in other states, BetRivers offers its customers one of the best customer reward programs in the entire industry. For each wager you make with BetRivers, you earn iRush Rewards points which can be used for a variety of things such as hotel stays, other experiences, and even casino credit. As of early 2024, BetRivers online casino is offered in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia; all of which also offer their online sportsbook within state lines.

Caesars Palace Online Casino app Illinois

Already with two retail casinos and sportsbooks in the state of Illinois at Grand Victoria and Horseshoe Hammond Casinos, Caesars Palace Online Casino Illinois will surely be another casino app that goes live in the state on day one of legalization. It’s not just the two Caesars properties that the parent company, Caesars Entertainment, operates, however. One of their subsidiaries, Harrah’s operates multiple retail casinos in the state as well including Harrah’s Joliet, amongst others.

Today, Caesars Palace Online Casino operates in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, offering residents in those states online gambling in both casino and sportsbook form. In the states where they offered, similar to BetRivers online casino, Caesars Palace online offers its customers a fantasy rewards program for remaining loyal to the brand. Where Caesars Palace Online Casino is legal, the casino app offers all of the most popular video slots, table games, and much more.

FanDuel Casino app Illinois

In 2022, FanDuel opened up a sportsbook at the home of the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls, the United Center in downtown Chicago. Though it is still waiting for its gaming license, it operates at the United Center in the form of a sportsbook lounge that is open before and after games for fans to enjoy a full-scale bar and restaurant and a great game viewing experience.

As of early 2024, FanDuel online casino operates in Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, five states where the best-in-class FanDuel Sportsbook also is in operation. Boasting one of the best sports betting mobile apps in the industry, the same app will be able to be used to access FanDuel Casino Illinois when it goes online.

Similar to DraftKings, FanDuel is an originator in the DFS space, founded in 2009 as the first legit DFS company in the United States. Similar to their DFS offerings, the FanDuel online casino continues to expand its offerings each year, as it now includes table games, video poker, as well as video slots from the best gaming operators in the country.

BetMGM Casino app Illinois

Currently operating an online sportsbook in Illinois, BetMGM Casino Illinois will likely be a player in the Illinois casino app industry early on as well. Currently, the BetMGM online casino is legal in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, BetMGM online casino has parlayed its success in the brick-and-mortar casino industry directly into its online offerings.

Similar to the other online casinos on our list, BetMGM Casino Illinois will offer all of the same games including video slots and table games. BetMGM Rewards is the loyalty program that they offer, giving customers points for every bet placed in their retail casinos, online casinos, and sportsbooks. With their large casino and resort presence, the BetMGM Rewards points can then be used on stays, as well as perks when you are playing in their casinos (retail and online).

Lastly, BetMGM also has a strong mobile product and will be one of the best Illinois casino apps available when it launches in the Prairie State.

Are there any active bills to legalize casino apps in Illinois?

Yes, there are two bills currently active that could legalize casino apps in Illinois, in addition to online poker. Senate Bill 1655 (SB1655), which is a companion to House Bill 2239 (HB2239), both were introduced in February 2023 and have until January 2025 to pass before expiring.

HB2239, which is Illinois' Internet Gaming Act, is now being reviewed by the Housing Gaming Committee which is reviewing 10 other bills in the process. SB1655, which is the Senate version of the same bill, is still being reviewed by the Illinois State Senate as well. Both of these bills cost a license fee of $250,000 in addition to a tax rate of 15%, both of which would go back to the state’s revenue line.

When Illinois casino apps do go live in the state, Illinois online gambling fans all across the Land of Lincoln will be rushing to sign up for them. You’ll want to know how to sign up for a casino app in Illinois on day one, so we’ve put together a quick step-by-step instruction on how to do just that.

Choose the Best Casino Bonus: With the launch of casino apps, ILBetting.com will have all of the best Illinois casino bonuses ready at the tip of your fingers. Be sure to head back here and click the “Get Bonus” link at the Illinois online casino app of your choosing.
Choose Login Credentials: The Illinois casino app will ask for your desired login credentials such as username and password. They also might ask for your email, which will be tied to your account indefinitely.
Enter Legal Information: Next, the Illinois casino app will ask for your legal personal information, such as first and last name, home address, phone number, and the last four digits of your social security number.
Agree to Terms: Once the Illinois online casino operator has your information, you’ll be asked to agree to all of the set forth privacy policies and terms and conditions. At this time, you’ll also be asked if you’d like to register for other notifications from the casino such as marketing and rewards emails. Check all the boxes that are applicable.
Deposit Funds: Because they will be monitored by the Illinois Gaming Board, each casino app in Illinois will offer dozens of payment methods to deposit and withdraw money. Choose the payment option that best suits your needs, and deposit the money. If you do choose to take advantage of one of the welcome promotional offers, make sure your deposit is in line with the terms and conditions.

Online casino games you will be able to play at casino apps in Illinois

Based on the online casinos available in other states, including those neighboring Illinois, we can make some assumptions about what to expect when they launch in the Prairie State. Let’s take a look at the online casino games you will be able to play at casino apps in Illinois when the day comes.

Table Games: All of the popular table games you can play at retail casinos in Illinois will be available online as well, such as blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and much more.
Video Slots: The most popular type of online casino game, video slots work just as online slots do, with all of the most popular gaming operators in the country on their sites.
Jackpots: A jackpot is just a form of video slot but with much bigger prize pools and a grand prize offering. Jackpots are also a form of progressive slots, with bigger payouts every time someone plays and doesn’t win.

Possible banking options at online casino apps in Illinois

Because they will be backed by the Illinois Gaming Board, online casino apps in Illinois will offer a variety of payment methods for deposits and withdrawals. Let’s take a quick look at all of the possible banking options at online casino apps in Illinois to expect.

Venmo: The popular payment processing site mobile app Venmo will be accepted at online casino apps in Illinois, offering quick and free transactions both on and off the app.
PayPal: The payment processing website PayPal will also likely be available at online casino apps in Illinois, offering customers another free and fast option for transacting funds.
Online Banking: Major banks such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo will allow for direct connection with online casino apps in Illinois, and customers will be able to use their online banking logins for full integration.

Pros and cons of casino apps vs. desktop online casinos in Illinois

As with anything, there will be plenty of pros and cons of casino apps versus using desktop online casinos in Illinois when they do go live in the state. Let’s take a look at a few of both as we prepare you for the legalization of Illinois casino apps set to launch in the coming years.

Pros

Convenience: Online casino apps offer customers the convenience of playing their favorite games on the go, from wherever they are within the state of Illinois.
Comfort: Unlike a desktop computer which requires you to use a larger device, mobile casinos offer you the ability to play directly from your mobile device or tablet.
Exclusive bonuses: Some Illinois casino apps will offer exclusive promotional offers for mobile users, designed to entice customers to download the mobile apps.

Cons

Performance: Just like video games, online casinos tend to operate faster and more fluidly on desktops than they do on mobile apps.
Lack of ability to multitask: When you are using a casino app on your phone, that’s the only thing you can do. While using a desktop online casino, you can multitask doing other things.
Gaming variety: For some Illinois casino apps, there won’t be all the variety that there is on the desktop site. This can include particular video slots that are only available on the desktop versions.

Why should you avoid offshore casino apps?

You should avoid offshore casino apps at all costs, for a number of reasons. Here are a few of the most important reasons you should avoid offshore casino apps, and instead wait for legal online casinos in the state of Illinois.

No jurisdiction: As the title suggests, all offshore casinos' servers and offices are located offshore of the United States, and as such, the U.S. can not help if something illicit is done with your funds.
No regulation: With no regulation, offshore casino apps have no legal responsibility to honor payments or other transactions done when operating on the site. Conversely, such as is the case in Illinois with the Illinois Gaming Board, legal U.S. operators are backed by state regulators.
Payment options: Because offshore casino apps fall outside of United States jurisdiction, the companies that operate payment companies will not work with them. Instead, offshore casino apps often rely on volatile payment options such as cryptocurrencies.

FAQ

Are casino apps available on both the App Store and Play Store?

Yes, casino apps are almost always available on both the App Store (iOS devices) and Google Play Store (Android Devices), and download within seconds of initiating the install.

Will casino apps be regulated in Illinois?

All casino apps will be regulated in Illinois once legislation is passed, as the Illinois Gaming Board will monitor, license, and regulate the industry.

Will every online casino have a mobile app in Illinois?

Yes, every legal online casino that launches in Illinois will have a mobile app, likely for both iOS and Android devices.

Can I use sweepstakes casino apps in Illinois?

Yes, sweepstakes casino apps are already currently legal in the state of Illinois and provide gamblers with a way to get in on the action with play tokens.

Author Details

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers is a sports betting expert and author at IL Betting. With nearly ten years of experience in the field, he has gained a reputation for his adept handicapping skills. Throughout his career, Johnny has contributed his knowledgeable perspectives to several well-known sports and betting publications, including All-In Magazine, Blitz Predict, FantasyPros, Betting Pros, Sportsbook Review, Golf Monthly, and OddsChecker.