Best Illinois Online Casinos (Updated for August 2025)

Are there real money online casinos in Illinois?

Illinois doesn't have licensed and regulated real money online casinos in 2025 but it does allow sweepstakes casinos, which work on virtual currencies but offer cash prizes.

All are legal in Illinois under sweepstakes law, and never require a purchase to play.

You can also claim casino bonuses from sweepstakes casinos. These are the top sweeps casinos currently accepting players in Illinois:

Covers expert analysis

While Illinois waits for online casino legalization, sweepstakes casinos are a very popular option alongside the familiar VGTs (video gaming terminals) you'll find at bars and restaurants across the state. It's no surprise people in Illinois like action, either. Illinois has 16 very busy live casinos and a booming sports betting industry, but VGTs are the biggest source of gaming tax revenue in the state with approx. 50,000 VGTs bringing in $1B in revenue in 2024 alone. 

Ben Pringle, Casino Content Manager

Top Illinois sweepstakes casinos

Social and sweepstakes casinos are a good alternative while Illinois waits for legal real money online casinos.

Sweepstakes casinos run on virtual currencies — called Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC) — which hold no monetary value. GC are used to play for fun, while SC can be redeemed for gift cards or various cash prizes. 

See below for the top Illinois online sweepstakes casinos in 2025:

1. RealPrize Casino IL - Best for free coin bonuses

Covers Verdict

RealPrize is a comparatively new player in the sweepstakes casino game (launched in 2023) but has grown its player base quickly with above-standard bonuses and a growing 550+ slots library. If you follow RealPrize on Instagram, you'll be the first to hear about new game and bonus code drops.

Who it's for

RealPrize casino delivers when it comes to bonus drops for both new and existing players. The game menu is a work in progress but new titles arrive often. The RealPrize app is now available via the casino only, but you can access the whole game list on your phone with any web browser. 

Covers BetSmart Rating: ⭐ 4.2/5

Bonuses and promotions	⭐ 4.3/5
Banking and payout speed	⭐ 3.8/5
Software and games	⭐ 4.1/5
Security and trust	⭐ 4.4/5
App experience	⭐ 4.1/5

Player reviews  

Editor's note: Player reviews may be edited for clarity. 

"I enjoy playing games on RealPrize.com. I frequently engage on social media to earn free SC, in addition to the daily free SC. I have had an excellent experience with RealPrize.com so far."

- Nicole Orman, Trustpilot user

RealPrize at a glance

💰 RealPrize welcome bonus	2.1 Million GC + 82 FREE SC + 1,000 VIP Points
🤑 RealPrize no-deposit sign-up bonus	100,000 GC + 2 FREE SC
💸 First-purchase bonus	Spend $35, get 350,000 GC, 70 free SC + 700 VIP points
📟 RealPrize promo code	No code required
💵 Coin bundles price range	$3-$100
🏦 Purchase methods	Visa, Mastercard, instant bank transfer, Skrill
🎁 Redemption methods	Prizeout, instant bank transfer, credit/debit card
🕒 Redemption speed	0-1 days
🤩 RTP	96.72%
🏅 Best Feature	Big daily log-in bonus
👑 VIP program	Real Prize Loyalty Cards
🕹️ Most popular games	Treasure Mania, Gates of Olympus, Panda's Fortune, Cash Pig, Sugar Rush
App Store rating	N/A
Google Play Store rating	N/A
❇️ Trustpilot ratings	4.3/5 ⭐ (3.3K reviews)
⛔️ Restricted States	CT, DE, ID, LA, MD, MI, MT, NJ, NV, NY, RI, WA, WV
✅ Last verified	Aug. 23, 2025

RealPrize Social Casino

What we like

550+ games: RealPrize has over 550 slots plus six live dealer games, which are very rare for a sweepstakes casino.

Generous free coin bonuses: The RealPrize sign-up bonus, daily log-in bonus and refer-a-friend bonus are all above industry standard.

RealPrize Loyalty Cards: Get exclusive game access and daily promotions with frequent play. Social media is also a great follow for bonus drops.

What we don't like

No App Store: The RealPrize app is only available via the social casino itself, not via the App Store or Google Play.

Limited customer support: Customer support at RealPrize Casino is weak. The FAQ page isn’t very intuitive and live chat/phone support aren’t offered yet. 

Be sure to check out the Real Prize bonus code page for the latest offers.

2. Crown Coins Casino IL - Best for weekly tourneys and challenges

Who it's for

Crown Coins is great for online slot fans with classics, Megaways, Cascades and progressive jackpots from some of the industry’s best software provider. Crown Coins Casino is also  generous when it comes to bonuses for both new and existing players with a progressive daily login bonus that starts at 5,000 CC.

Covers BetSmart Rating: ⭐ 4.4/5

Bonuses and promotions	⭐ 4.1/5
Banking and payout speed	⭐ 4.3/5
Software and games	⭐ 3.7/5
Security and trust	⭐ 4.7/5
Mobile experience	⭐ 4.5/5

Player reviews  

Editor's note: Player reviews may be edited for clarity. 

"Crown Casino is most definitely my favorite place to game. The selection of games is amazing, quick redemption, free coins on a daily basis, special free coins at least once a day, awesome promotions, and big wins. Check it out y'all, you will be glad you did!"

- Cristina “Lexx” Baggett, Trustpilot User 

"Love Crown Coins Casino! Customer service is high quality , and although I'm still waiting on my redemptions, they have been great. Large, and popular games are offered for great entertainment! Highly recommend this site!"

- Jamie Hughes, Trustpilot User 

Crown Coins Casino at a glance

💰 Crown Coins welcome bonus	Up to 800% More Coins! Free Wheel & Plinko Worth Up to 225 SC
🤑 Crown Coins no-deposit sign-up bonus	100,000 CC + 2 FREE SC
💸 First-purchase bonus	40 SC + 800K CC + 1 spin on the wheel for $15.99 or 75 SC + 1.5M CC + 1 spin on the wheel + 10 Plinko drops for $24.99
🔐 Crown Coins daily login bonus	5,000 CC
📟 Crown Coins promo code	No code required
💵 Minimum coin bundle price	$1.99
⚡Instant sign-up	Apple, Google, Facebook, Email
🏦 Purchase methods	Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Apple Pay, Online Banking, American Express, Skrill
🎁 Redemption methods	Prizeout, instant bank transfer, credit/debit card
⚠️ Prize redemption coin minimums	50 SC
🕒 Redemption speed	24-48 hours
🤩 RTP	N/A
🏅 Best feature	Tournaments
👑 VIP program	Crown VIP Club
🕹️ Games providers	Pragmatic Play, Slotmill, Relax Gaming, Hacksaw Gaming, Playtech, Rubyplay, Playson, Skywind
App Store rating	4.8/5 ⭐ (38.2K reviews)
Google Play Store rating	N/A
❇️ Trustpilot rating	4.7/5 ⭐ (78.1K reviews)
⛔️ Restricted states	{{partner-data/crowncoins/restricted-regions/us}
✅ Last verified	August 2025

Crown Coins Casino

What we like

450+ games from top providers: Crown Coins has top slot games from Pragmatic Play and others, including Sugar Rush, Joker Jewels, and Big Bass Bonanza.

Free sign-up bonus: The Crown Coins no-deposit sign-up offer plus multiple first-purchase bonus offers to help boost your coin balance instantly.

iPhone app: Crown Coins has a downloadable iPhone app which has a 4.8 out of 5 rating on the App Store.

What we don't like

No Android app: Crown Coins has yet to release an Android app (Check out McLuck or Hello Millions if you're on a Samsung).

Slots only: It'd be nice to see Crown Coins add some table games or live dealer options. If live dealer games are what you're into, Hello Millions and PlayFame each have 10+ games. 

3. LoneStar Casino - Best for social media drops, slots

Covers Verdict

We like LoneStar Casino a lot for its easy-to-claim no-deposit bonus of 100,000 GC and 2.5 free SC, as well as the community of social casino players that has quickly built up. If you purchase additional coins the 200% first-purchase bonus is great value. The game library is ideal for slot fans, but does lack table games. Live dealer titles and more table games would be welcome.

Who is it for?

LoneStar is a perfect Sweeps Coins casino for casual online slots fans. The 440+ games on the menu are primarily slots with a solid range of game providers, mechanics, and themes. There's room for expansion, though, and as LoneStar matures we'll see the game's catalog grow. Follow LoneStar on social media to take advantage of their free SC giveaways.

Covers BetSmart Rating: ⭐ 4.1/5

Bonuses and promotions	⭐ 4.4/5
Banking and payout speed	⭐ 3.7/5
Software and games	⭐ 4.1/5
Security and trust	⭐ 4.3/5
Mobile experience	⭐ 3.9/5

Player Reviews  

Editor's note: Player reviews may be edited for clarity. 

"I've recently added Lonestar sweeps casino to my list of favorite nightly platforms that I peruse. It's fun and the slots are pretty loose. They are quick to reply via messenger with courteous and friendly customer service. So far they get ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! Try em!"

- Nikki Laird, Trustpilot user

"I always feel gambling sites out! I will take the small daily rewards they offer. And spend a few weeks trying different slots and video poker games. To test the return to player! Well it's out of this world on lonestar! The comments on social media are positive! So I would give them 6 stars 🌟 But they only give u 5 on the scale! Great Job with this one!!!"

- Timothy Clark, Trustpilot user

LoneStar Casino at a glance

💰 LoneStar Casino welcome bonus	225,000 GC + 52.5 FREE SC + 250 VIP points
🤑 LoneStar Casino no-deposit bonus	100,000 GC + 2.5 FREE SC
💸 First-purchase bonus	125,000 GC + 50 FREE SC + 250 VIP Points for $24.99
🔐 LoneStar daily login bonus	5,000 GC + 0.30 FREE SC
📟 LoneStar Casino promo code	No code required
💵 Coin bundles price range	$2.99-$99.99
🏦 Purchase methods	Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex, Skrill, Apple Pay
🎁 Redemption methods	Bank Transfer, Skrill, Gift Card
⚠️ Prize redemption coin minimums	45 SC for gift cards or 100 SC for a bank transfer
🕒 Redemption speed	Within 24 hours
🤩 RTP	96%
🏅 Best feature	Social media giveaways
👑 VIP program	LoneStar Casino VIP
🕹️ Game providers	4ThePlayer, Octopus Global, Swintt, Kalamba Games, Pragmatic Play, Jini Studios, Reel Riot, Rogue, Slotmill, Booming Games, Evoplay, Relax Gaming, Fantasma, Gaming Corps, Red Rake, No Limit City
App Store rating	N/A
Google Play Store rating	N/A
❇️ Trustpilot ratings	4.5/5 ⭐ (876 reviews)
⛔️ Restricted states	CT, DE, ID, LA, MD, MI, MT, NJ, NV, NY, RI, WA, WV
✅ Last verified	August 2025

What we like

Social media giveaways: LoneStar is very active on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) interacting with players and running contests and giveaways.

No deposit bonus: The welcome bonus of 100,000 GC and 2.5 free SC is both generous and easy to claim.

LoneStar VIP: LoneStar’s VIP program hands out tangible rewards from boosted login bonuses to private customer support.

What we don't like

No live casino: LoneStar has no live dealer games, and its selection of virtual table games is pretty limited too.

Limited live chat: To access live chat support, you must first achieve Gold VIP status.

 For more information, check out our full LoneStar Casino review. Check the LoneStar Casino promo code page for more ongoing promos.

Illinois online casino updates for 2025

Illinois has proven to be one of the most lucrative U.S. states for online gambling, bringing in $9.74 billion in sports betting handle in its first year.

The appetite for Illinois real money online casinos runs as deep as the state's pizza, but even so, legalization has been slow to take shape.

Se below for the most relevant Illinois online casino updates in 2025:

August

• Setting the stage for what could be a powerhouse iGaming brand in Illinois, PENN Entertainment's $185 million Hollywood Casino Joliet opened this week with 189,000 sq. ft of gaming space including 1,000 slots and 43 table games.

July

• Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says to expect real money online casinos in Illinois sooner rather than later as the state tries to raise revenues for their chronic budget deficits. 

June

• The new Hollywood Casino Joliet, which replaces the current riverboat casino, will be open for business on Aug. 11, six months ahead of schedule.

May

• Time is running short for Illinois to make progress on a bill to legalize online casinos before the current legislative session ends May 31.

March

• Illinois legislators are considering legalizing online gambling to combat a possible budget deficit.

Will Illinois get legal real money online casinos in 2025?

Covers expert analysis

In 2025, likely no, but things look drastically improved for 2026. Attorney General Kwame Raoul told the National Council of Regulators from Gaming States that Illinois will likely move real money online casino legislation forward in 2026 to combat its chronic budget shortfalls. The need to drive more revenue is already playing out on the legal sports betting side, with Illinois imposing a new tax this year on each individual bet placed. Booming numbers for states that have legal online casinos and the latest projections for sports betting revenue for 2025 should continue to turn heads in Illinois and we may finally, at long last, see real progress towards iGaming licensing next year.

Ben Pringle, Casino Content Manager

Can I play DraftKings Casino in Illinois?

Not yet, at least for real money. Until online casinos are legalized in Illinois you can only play DFS games or bet on sports at DraftKings.

You can still sign up and create a DraftKings account in Illinois and use the online casino when you're visiting other states (MI, PA, NJ, etc) where legal US online casinos are accessible.

Don't try to use a VPN to play on DraftKings casino from Illinois either - casino geo-tracking and compliance is sophisticated, and your account will be blocked and closed quickly.

Can I use BetMGM Casino in Illinois?

Same deal as DraftKings. You can bet on sports with the BetMGM sportsbook (and betting app) but real money casino games are still unavailable in IL. Check the current BetMGM sportsbook promo code here.

Benefits of playing at Illinois sweepstakes casinos

Illinois has 10 live casinos but online sweepstakes casinos offer a unique gaming experience with several benefits. These are the primary reasons casino players in Illinois like to take their action to sweepstakes casinos: 

Hundreds of real casino slots and table games for free (or for chance to win cash prizes)

Simple sign-up process with automatic welcome bonuses of free coins and Sweeps Coins

Plenty of competitive entertain options including slots tournaments, leaderboards and unlocking premium games

Quick and convenient redemption methods

Daily log in bonuses and social media bonus drops with free sweeps coins

New and unique casino games you can't find at live casinos (Fish Games, Plinko, etc.)

How to start playing at Illinois sweepstakes casinos

New casino players can start gaming with any sweepstakes casino by following these simple steps: 

Most popular online casino games in Illinois

Sweepstakes casinos offer many games you’d see at traditional casinos, including slots and table games, but do not require a real-money deposit to play.

Here's a closer look at some of the most popular games you can play: 

Game type	Description
Slots	Real money online slots and free online slots are a staple of the iGaming industry, as they are a favorite among seasoned bettors and newbies alike. Just spin the virtual reel to earn prizes. McLuck Casino offers top slot titles. House edge from 2% to 10%.
Blackjack	Blackjack is a 52-card table game where you compete against the dealer, attempting to get the closest to 21 without going over. Check out Pulsz Casino for the best blackjack games. House edge from 1.5%.
Poker	As synonymous with gambling as Nevada, poker is an iconic casino game where you try to get the best five card hand for a lucrative payout. We recommend Stake.us for a unique online poker experience. House edge from 1.5%.
Roulette	Roulette is an accessible online casino table game for bettors of all skill levels, as you just bet where a ball will land on a spinning 37-slot wheel. LuckyBird.io is our pick for solid roulette games. House edge from 1.5%.
Baccarat	Baccarat has three potential outcomes — win, lose, or tie — depending on if you or the banker has the higher score. House edge from 1.5%.
Craps	Craps is as simple as it gets, as you just have to roll a pair of dice and try to land a seven or eleven. Look into BetRivers.net social casino for top crap games. House edge from 1.4% to 5%.
Live dealer	Live dealer games are the best of both worlds, as they bring an authentic casino experience to the comfort of your home. You can play popular games with professional live dealers and other real players. Check out Casino Click for immersive live dealer options. House edge is game-dependent.

Sports betting

Legal Illinois sports betting launched in 2020, allowing Prairie State bettors to register and wager with several of the industry's best and biggest online sportsbooks, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, and Caesars Sportsbook. New to IL's sports gambling scene? Sign up today to score a wide variety of lucrative Illinois sportsbook promos, which are all available via dedicated Illinois sports betting apps. 

List of all Illinois live casinos

Illinois has a wide range of brick-and-mortar and riverboat casinos with an enormous selection of slots, table games, and poker.

Here are your current Illinois retail casino gambling options in 2025:

Latest Illinois gambling news

How we rate and review casino sites

We use our Covers BetSmart Rating system to thoroughly review every Illinois online casino. The rating system evaluates operators on six key factors, compiling a score for each aspect and online casino reviews overall. Below is a brief outline of how we rate online casinos in 2025: 

Bonuses and promotions

Enticing casino bonuses and promotions — from an easy-to-claim welcome offer to an online casino no-deposit bonus — are the best way to draw in new users to a sweepstakes operator and provide instant value for online casino Illinois players. 

Banking and payout speed

We look for fast payout casino sites that offer a wide range of banking options, including credit and debit cards, e-wallets, cryptocurriencies, and bank transfers.

Software and games

The best online casino Illinois players can access should offer a wide selection of games to enhance the virtual gaming experience. We identify and prioritize online casinos that offer titles from the industry's best software providers, such as IGT and NetEnt. 

Security and trust

Covers treats online security with the utmost importance, ensuring every Illinois online casino we suggest is licensed and equipped with modern data protection measures to safely store your personal and financial information.  

Mobile experience

Having a user-friendly sweepstakes casino app will skyrocket an operator up our rankings. Illinois online casino players should not have to compromise while gaming on the go and should be able to access their favorite sweepstakes casino via a dedicated mobile app or a mobile-optimized website. 

Customer support

We test every customer support communication channel a sweepstakes casino offers to ensure they are knowledgeable and responsive, no matter the severity of the issue. We give extra points if the operator has 24/7 live chat and a phone line. 

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Is online casino gambling legal in Illinois?

Though Illinois lawmakers have considered authorizing real money online casinos in the past, under current state laws, they remain off-bounds. For now, social and sweepstakes casinos, which operate on virtual currencies that hold no monetary value, are the only IL iGaming option in 2025. 

Currently, seven U.S. states have licensed and regulated online casinos: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

Gamblers north of the border should check out our online casinos in Canada or our Ontario online casinos pages to read about the best betting options in the Canadian market.

Illinois bettors can register with the industry's top betting sites to score the best sportsbook promos in 2025. Use our legal U.S. sports betting tracker page to see the next operator to land in the Prairie State. 

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests operate in Illinois' legal grey area, but you can sign up and claim the exclusive Thrillz Sportsbook promo code, Betr Picks promo code, ProphetX promo code, and ParlayPlay promo code today.

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Responsible gambling in Illinois

Problem gambling is a serious issue for many people. Illinois has various available programs, resources, and services to assist anyone struggling with gambling issues in 2025. 

The Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, the Illinois Gaming Board, and the Illinois Department of Human Services provide access to gambling counselors and therapy, as well as tools to help combat problem gambling. The state also operates a free, voluntary self-exclusion program. 

The National Council on Problem Gambling provides assistance nationally and is accessible 24/7 via phone (1-800-GAMBLER), text (800GAM), or live chat. You can choose to remain anonymous when inquiring about services, which are also free of charge.

Affiliate Disclosure: Covers boasts more than 25 years of sports betting experience. Our long-standing relationship with regulated, licensed, and legal gaming sites allows our active community of 20 million users to access expert analysis and recommendations. Covers may receive an advertising commission if you visit a sportsbook or casino betting site via select affiliate links across our site, create an account, and make a deposit. However, no amount of money ensures that an operator will get listed.