Bill SB1656 would require users to register in person over the first six months of online casino legalization, while the other two would allow players to join online casinos on the day they become legal.
These three new online casino bills still have to make it through the House Rules Committee and Senate Assignments Committee before they become laws.
Online casino sites that may come to Illinois
Once online casino games reach legal status in Illinois, there will be plenty of big-name operators looking to set up shop there. Here are a few we expect to establish themselves right out of the gate.
FanDuel Casino Illinois
From their beginnings as a daily fantasy football platform, FanDuel has become a one-stop-shop for sports bettors and online casino enthusiasts everywhere. Their partnership with BetFair Casinos paved the way for FanDuel to dive into the online casino industry.
FanDuel Casino is currently available in four states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia. Online blackjack, poker, craps, and baccarat are all available through FanDuel Casino.
DraftKings Casino Illinois
Founded in 2012, DraftKings is one of the most recognizable brands in the Illinois sports betting and online casino ecosystem. As of 2023, DraftKings’ online casino is operational in five states: Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Connecticut. It’s also legal for players in Ontario, Canada.
DraftKings provides their players with all the classic casino games we have become accustomed to, along with exclusive games found only at DraftKings.
PointsBet Casino Illinois
PointsBet launched their first online casino product in Michigan back in May of 2021. Since then, they’ve established themselves in three additional states: Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New Jersey.
PointsBet offers a wide range of casino games, and their app features the trademark aesthetic of their sportsbook. Now that they have been acquired by Fanatics, there will be changes, and we will monitor the situation and share relevant news as it develops.
BetRivers Casino Illinois
After a successful run as an online sportsbook, BetRivers expanded their operation to include online casinos as well.
With a retail casino already in place in IL at River Des Plaines Casino, we’re sure their online casino will launch in the state once it becomes legal.
Online casino games in Illinois
Generally speaking, there are too many online casino games to go over all of them in depth.
Each online operator offers classic casino games, like slots, blackjack, poker, and roulette. However, some sites have their own unique games that can only be played through their app or website. These games are often exclusively online, meaning they aren’t typically available at retail casinos.
Here’s a quick rundown of all of the online casino games we expect to be available to IL users.
Slots
For better or worse, slots are usually the first game most players go to when they visit casinos. Mostly because it’s the easiest game to pick up; the learning curve for slots compared to games like blackjack is almost non-existent.
Slots almost always provide great visuals as well to keep players enticed to spend more money. Luckily, the chances of anyone losing a substantial amount of money playing slots are pretty slim, unless you stick around a little too long.
There are also free-to-play slots at most casinos, so if you are looking to stimulate the senses a bit without wagering anything, free slots are a great option.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a popular casino game with several variations tied to it. You’ll typically find different versions of the game with every casino you visit. Some of the most popular include mini-baccarat, chemin de fer, and baccarat banque.
Online casinos have experimented with each version of the game, and most operators offer a unique baccarat experience.
Blackjack
Blackjack, sometimes referred to as 21, is a staple at every retail casino. If you’re a regular blackjack player at your local casino, transitioning to the virtual setting can be a little jarring.
Not being able to see the dealer or your fellow players is admittedly off-putting at first, but it’s important to remember that all licensed online casinos ensure that every card game is fair.
Your strategy from in-person to online blackjack may differ a bit, but the virtual iteration still offers the same excitement and competitiveness as the retail experience.
Poker
Another classic, poker is the game most people think of when they picture casinos. It also requires the most skill and strategy of any casino game out there.
However, giving it a go in a virtual setting can be an effective way to get the basics down before you start playing with high rollers.
In regards to online poker, there are a ton of variations between operators. The rules for each iteration can differ slightly as well, so always take note of the guidelines before diving in.
Roulette
Unlike poker and blackjack, there isn’t much strategy involved with roulette. It’s a game of chance more than anything else.
The goal is to predict where the ball will land once the dealer spins the wheel. You can choose a specific location, or just pick the color it lands on. The payout usually depends on how specific the location you’ve chosen is.
Craps
Playing craps is fast-paced, exciting, and all you need is a pair of dice. Or, in this case, virtual dice.
If you’ve played craps at a physical location before, you should have no issue picking it up on mobile devices or online.
Different types of bonuses that could come to Illinois online casinos
The major draw that separates online casinos from retail casinos is the multitude of bonus offers online operators extend to their customers. These promotions are very similar to those found in sportsbooks.
Before utilizing every promotion in sight, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions tied to each promo. These terms are typically different for each casino.
Here’s a look at the most common promotional offers from online casinos, along with the basic information associated with them.
