Illinois offers fully-legalized brick-and-mortar casino gaming. The state plays home to over a dozen legal casino locations, from riverboat casinos to brand-new resorts. The best news is that a full range of slots, table games, and jackpot games are available at all Illinois casinos.
IL casinos offer a mix of traditional gaming tables, slots, and now poker. Sports betting was legalized too as part of the state’s move to liberalize the land-based gaming scene.
Many of the top resort operators now run B&M casinos in Illinois, with many more to come. Temporary casinos have sprung up recently as part of larger building developments.
Harrah’s Casino Joliet, located in Joliet, Illinois, is a premier destination for gambling enthusiasts. Since its opening in 1993 as a small riverboat casino with just a few slots and table games, it has grown to become one of the biggest casinos in the state.
The gaming floor space at Harrah’s Joliet is now around 40,000 square feet – enough room to accommodate over 1,000 slot machines and table games from the biggest manufacturers.
In addition to the vast slot machine collection, Harrah’s Casino Joliet offers a variety of other table games, including blackjack, roulette, and craps. There’s also a dedicated poker room for the Hold’em enthusiasts to get their fill of cash games and tournaments.
In addition to the poker room, Harrah’s Joliet offers a new sportsbook, allowing you to place bets on your favorite sports events and cheer for your team.
For those looking to extend their stay, Harrah’s Casino Joliet provides a comfortable and luxurious hotel experience. The hotel offers a total of 200 rooms, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable stay for all guests. Additionally, the casino boasts several restaurants, including the acclaimed Flavors the Buffet and The Reserve Steakhouse where you can indulge in culinary delights.
Customer reviews for both the hotel and casino are consistently positive, highlighting the exceptional service, comfortable accommodations, and thrilling gaming experience. The staff at Harrah’s Casino Joliet go above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels welcomed and satisfied.
To reward loyal patrons, Harrah’s Casino Joliet offers a comprehensive rewards and loyalty program. By participating in this program, you can earn points that can be redeemed for various perks, such as complimentary meals, discounted hotel stays, and exclusive access to special events. Additionally, the casino features happy hour deals, allowing you to enjoy discounted drinks and appetizers during specific hours.
Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Illinois, is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. It opened its doors in 2011 and boasts a vast gaming floor spanning 144,000 square feet – certainly making it the biggest Illinois casino in terms of space.
Inside Rivers Casino, you can find a wide array of gambling options. They include around 1,300 slot machines in total – one of the largest collections at an Illinois casino.
Games range from classic favorites to the latest video slots. WMS, IGT, and Light & Wonder are some of the big-name developers who now grace the gaming floor at Rivers Casino Des Plaines.
In addition to slot machines, the casino offers various table games, such as blackjack, roulette, and poker. You can also enjoy video poker machines like Deuces Wild and Joker Poker.
Rivers Casino often provides a dedicated poker room for enthusiasts looking to participate in live poker games and tournaments. Additionally, there is a Penn National Gaming-powered sportsbook
If you’re planning to stay overnight, Rivers Casino usually offers a luxurious hotel with around 300 rooms.
Customer reviews for both the hotel and casino experience at Rivers Casino are generally positive. Visitors often praise the friendly staff, clean facilities, and enjoyable gaming atmosphere.
When it comes to rewards and loyalty programs, Rivers Casino has its own unique system. The Rush Rewards program will be familiar to you if you know about the best real-money casino apps. However, don’t dismiss the Happy Hour deals that run throughout Rivers Casino’s bars and restaurants.
The Argosy started life as the Alton Belle, a small riverboat that launched in 1991 offering a few hundred slots and table games. The casino changed names as it became permanently moored in the late 1990s.
Argosy Casino Alton now offers several hundred slot machines and table games, in addition to a new sportsbook that operates under the state’s new gambling laws. You can also take advantage of big-money promotions throughout the year, including $100,000 in Free SlotPlay, and the same amount in the casino’s pro football picks contest.
You’ll love Argosy Casino if you like slots. There are now over 800 slot machines on board, including a range of progressives. Blackjack, roulette, and 21+3 round out the table game offerings, although the sportsbook is among Illinois’ best. There are over 35 HDTVs displaying the biggest sports.
Monthly promotions are also the name of the game, thanks to the casino’s deal with Penn National Gaming. You can rack up PENN bonus dollars every time you play for real money at this Illinois casino.
You may then redeem bonus bucks for real cash or SlotPlay to use on machines of your choice. It’s just like playing and winning at online casinos for real money.
Billed as “the best Illinois casino near Chicago,” Hollywood Casino brings all the expertise of Penn National Gaming to the state. The casino overlooks the Des Plaines River, while Chicagoland Speedway is just a short car ride away.
The gaming floor at Hollywood Casino spans a vast 50,000 square feet, providing ample space for excitement and entertainment. You’ll find yourself surrounded by a plethora of slot machines, including popular titles such as Raging Rhino and Buffalo Gold.
In addition to slot machines, the casino also boasts a variety of table games, including classics like blackjack and American Roulette. Though there are only around 20 table games, there is a high-limit section aimed at VIPs.
For poker enthusiasts, Hollywood Casino Hotel Joliet features a dedicated poker room where you can test your skills against fellow players. Additionally, if you’re interested in sports betting, the casino offers a state-of-the-art sportsbook where you can place wagers on your favorite teams and events.
When it’s time to unwind, the hotel offers comfortable and well-appointed rooms for a restful stay. With a range of room options to choose from, you’ll find the perfect accommodation to suit your needs. The hotel also features a variety of restaurants, catering to different culinary preferences, ensuring that every guest’s taste buds are satisfied.
Customer reviews for Hollywood Casino Hotel Joliet have been overwhelmingly positive, with guests praising the friendly staff, clean and spacious rooms, and exceptional service. The casino’s rewards and loyalty schemes provide additional perks and benefits for frequent visitors, allowing you to make the most out of your gaming experience.
The Grand Victoria Casino is one of Illinois’ original riverboat casinos, opening its doors back in 1994. It may have changed hands since then via several takeovers and mergers, but the Grand Victoria continues to provide excellent gaming across its 30,000-square-foot gaming floor. Plus, you get to enjoy the beautiful Fox River after a night’s gambling.
One of the main attractions of the Grand Victoria Casino is its extensive gaming floor. Visitors can try their luck at a variety of table games, including blackjack, roulette, poker, and craps.
For those who prefer slot machines, the casino boasts a vast selection of both classic and modern games, providing endless opportunities for fun and potential winnings.
In addition to the gaming options, the Grand Victoria Casino offers several dining choices to suit various tastes. From casual dining at the Indulge Show Kitchen Buffet to upscale experiences at Buckingham’s Steakhouse and Lounge, visitors can indulge in a diverse range of culinary delights. The casino also features a variety of bars and lounges, perfect for enjoying a drink and socializing with friends.
Furthermore, the Grand Victoria Casino hosts live entertainment events regularly, adding an extra layer of excitement to the overall experience. From live music performances to comedy shows, guests can enjoy a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere while taking a break from the gaming action.
The casino also takes pride in its commitment to responsible gaming. It offers resources and assistance for individuals who may need support in managing their gambling habits, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all patrons.
There are now over a dozen Illinois casinos spread around Chicago and further afield. New casinos now jostle for space with older riverboat casinos.
| Casino Name | Address | City | Phone Number |
| Harrah’s Joliet Hotel & Casino | 151 N. Joliet Street, Joilet, IL 60432 | Joliet | 1-815-740-7800 |
| Rivers Casino Des Plaines | 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018 | Des Plaines | 1-888-307-0777 |
| Argosy Casino Alton | 1 Piasa St, Alton, IL 62002 | Alton | 1-800-711-4263 |
| Hollywood Casino & Hotel | 777 Hollywood Blvd, Joliet, IL 60436 | Joliet | 1-888-436-7737 |
| Grand Victoria Casino | 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 | Elgin | 1-847-468-7000 |
| Hollywood Casino Aurora | 1 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506 | Aurora | 1-630-801-1234 |
| Par-A-Dice Hotel-Casino | 21 Blackjack Blvd, East Peoria, IL 61611 | East Peoria | 1-309-699-7711 |
| Harrah’s Metropolis | 100 E Front St, Metropolis, IL 62960 | Metropolis | 1-618-524-2628 |
| Hard Rock Casino Rockford | 610 N Bell School Rd, Rockford, IL 61107 | Rockford | 1-779-269-9010 |
| The Temporary by American Place Casino | 4011 Fountain Square Pl, Waukegan, IL 60085 | Waukegan | 1-773-477-9515 |
| Casino Queen | 200 Front St, East St Louis, IL 62201 | East St. Louis | 1-618-874-5000 |
| Golden Nugget Danville | 204 Eastgate Dr, Danville, IL 61834 | Danville | 1-217-271-8200 |
| Bally’s Quad Cities (formerly Jumer’s Rock Island) | 777 Bally Blvd, Rock Island, IL 61201 | Rock Island | 1-309-756-4600 |
| Bally’s Chicago Medinah Temple (temporary) | 600 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 | Chicago | n/a |
Smaller riverboat casinos in Illinois don’t cover a lot of ground. However, riverboat casinos that became permanently moored, and newer brick-and-mortar destinations, cover a lot more space. New temporary casinos, such as Bally’s at Medinah Temple and Hard Rock Casino Rockford, will be among Illinois’s largest gaming sites when they are completed.
| Casino Name | Gaming Space |
| Rivers Casino Des Plaines | 144,000 square feet |
| Hollywood Casino Aurora | 53,000 square feet |
| Hollywood Casino & Hotel Joliet | 50,000 square feet |
| Harrah’s Joliet Hotel & Casino | 40,000 square feet |
| Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel | 42,000 square feet |
| Grand Victoria Elgin | 30,000 square feet |
| Harrah’s Metropolis | 25,000 square feet |
| Hard Rock Casino Rockford | 37,000 square feet (up to 64,000 square feet) |
| Golden Nugget Casino Danville | 41,500 square feet (TBD) |
Most of the best Illinois casino sites offer over 500 slots and games. The big brands like Rivers Casino (Rush Street) and Harrah’s (Caesars) tend to spread the largest number. A total of 500–700 slot machines is a standard count, in addition to 20–40 table games per casino.
| Casino Name | Number of Games |
| Rivers Casino Des Plaines | 1500+ |
| Hollywood Casino & Hotel Joliet | 1200+ |
| Hollywood Casino Aurora | 1100+ |
| Harrah’s Joliet | 900+ |
| Grand Victoria Elgin | 900+ |
| Bally’s Quad Cities | 850+ |
| Harrah’s Metropolis | 720+ |
| Hard Rock Casino Rockford | 650+ |
| Golden Nugget Casino Danville | 550+ |
Not all Illinois casinos have hotels attached, particularly some of the older riverboats that can accommodate gaming only. Here are some of the best options for casino-hotels in Illinois.
| Casino Name | Number of Rooms |
| Harrah’s Joliet | 200+ |
| Hollywood Casino & Hotel Joliet | 100+ (+80 RV sites) |
| Bally’s Quad Cities | 300+ |
| Harrah’s Metropolis | 250+ |
| Hard Rock Casino Rockford | 250+ (TBC) |
| Golden Nugget Casino Danville | 100 (TBC) |
Illinois casinos spread an enormous selection of slots, table games, and video poker across their floors. Sportsbooks are now legal in the state, as is poker.
You can find Texas Hold’em games at all the top Illinois casino locations that have poker. It’s the next best thing to playing at Illinois poker sites.
Slots dominate the gaming floors at all Illinois casinos. It’s just like playing at Illinois online casinos but you get to see the lights and gameplay up close. Progressives are also offered by most of the top IL casinos.
Look out for slot-themed promotions at some of the top casinos in the state. Daily drawings, prize giveaways, and loyalty points are offered at some casinos, such as Harrah’s Joliet. You can also pick up reward credits when you play the most popular slot machines.
American Roulette is the main game at most Illinois casinos. You’ll know about the US gambling laws by state that list all permitted games in Illinois. Unlike some other states, it’s perfectly legal to try roulette for real money. However, you’ll find it hard to play lower-edge games like European Roulette in an Illinois casino.
Classic blackjack isn’t the only game in town at a good Illinois casino: you can choose between games with side bets (e.g. 21+3) and progressive games. It’s a little like playing against the house online live dealer casinos, except you will have to find space at the table before you play.
Dice games like classic American craps are permitted in Illinois. You can play the game at some of the larger Illinois casinos.
Be the shooter and set the point, then bet against the dice to win a payout. Always be aware of responsible gambling before you hit the tables.
Anyone who’s of the right gambling age will know all about video poker. It’s the easy-to-play version of Five-Card Draw that you play on an electronic gaming terminal. Make a royal flush and you will win the set jackpot according to the paytable. Variants include Deuces Wild and Bonus Poker, each carrying a range of different prizes.
Of the 40–50 table games offered by the largest IL casinos, roulette and blackjack form the bulk of the options available. However, you can still try your hand at some interesting table games that pit you against the house. Three-Card Poker and Four-Card Poker are generally offered alongside at least one variant of baccarat. Mississippi Stud is available at many of the riverboat casinos too.
The law on riverboat Illinois casinos only changed in 1999, a few years after the Riverboat Gambling Act was passed. Where before they had to keep moving constantly along a waterway, the rule change meant that casinos could become permanently moored. Some of the 11 IL land-based casinos on rivers merely resemble the old steamer boats but are now firmly on land.
| Name of Riverboat Casino | Address |
| Grand Victoria Casino Elgin | 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 |
| Par-A-Dice Hotel & Casino | 21 Blackjack Blvd, East Peoria, IL 61611 |
| Argosy Casino Alton | 1 Piasa St, Alton, IL 62002 |
| Rivers Casino Des Plaines | 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018 |
| DraftKings at Casino Queen East St. Louis | 200 Front St, East St Louis, IL 62201 |
| Hollywood Casino Aurora | 1 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506 |
There are currently no Indian casinos in the state of Illinois. However, several Native American tribes in Illinois have been vying for contracts on new casinos since the Rebuild Illinois Act of 2019 was passed.
Up to six new Illinois land-based casinos were slated to be built in locations like Chicago, Rockford, and Waukegan. So far, a new Golden Nugget casino in Danville and a Hard Rock in Rockford (owned by the Seminole Tribe) have opened their doors with temporary structures.
Casino gambling in Illinois is tightly regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. They ensure that all casino games are fair across the state, but that also covers the way that taxes are enforced.
The Illinois tax rate on gambling winnings is around 4.95%. However, it’s important to note that you can’t usually write off gambling losses when you complete your tax return. That’s an important difference with some other states.
So, whether you’re playing casino games, or betting at Illinois online sportsbooks, you’ll need to keep accurate records. Don’t forget that casinos will withhold larger winnings too for federal tax if you win over $600 (or 300x your stake). That applies when playing the Illinois State Lottery.
Riverboat casino gaming has been legal since the 1990s. In 1999, floating casinos were allowed to be permanently moored. Some of the largest Illinois casino sites are now riverside properties that have been recently expanded.
You must be 21 or over to enter IL land-based casinos to place bets. Since UIGEA, most online gambling has been illegal, but you can now place bets at regulated online sportsbooks.
No. Illinois is one of a handful of US states that has restricted smoking at casinos. Illinois is also smoke-free at charitable gambling facilities that provide bingo games.
Yes, pari-mutuel wagering is permitted in The Prairie State. It’s overseen by the Illinois Racing Board, and betting is allowed in person at racetracks like Hawthorne Racecourse or at OTB (Off-Track Betting) facilities spread across Illinois.
No. There are no greyhound racetracks in Illinois, nor is simulcast betting permitted at OTBs around the state.
Illinois has legalized sports betting in recent years, and that covers online and mobile play, too. You can also access Illinois betting apps wherever you are in the state.
There are over a dozen brick-and-mortar casinos and riverboat casinos in Illinois. New B&M casinos are being built, with some temporary locations now up and running. Major operators include Harrah’s and Hollywood Casino.
Yes, charitable games like gin rummy are legal in Illinois. You must pay a $400 license fee to run a non-profit charity game. 14 games are allowed, including poker, keno, and roulette.
A riverboat casino in Alton, IL, was the first legal casino to go live following the Riverboat Gambling Act of 1990. Under the law, riverboat casinos had to move up and down waterways, though the rules were relaxed in 1999.
Yes, parking is free at most Illinois casino locations. Valet parking is also offered by the larger Illinois B&M casinos.
The State of Illinois collected nearly $2B in total revenue for gambling for the year 2022. Casinos added around $360M in tax to the state coffers.
Yes. Up to six new casinos are due to be built and completed by 2026. Some temporary new casinos have already been constructed in Danville, Chicago, and Rockford.
Yes. There are a variety of charities in IL that assist problem gamblers. These include the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, which has a problem gambling screener on its website. It’s a self-administered test to evaluate your gambling behavior.
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