Illinois Gambling Laws and Age Restrictions
Illinois has some unique distinctions in
the world of gambling. They were the first state to allow the sale of lottery
tickets on the internet – and also the first to have explicit wording in their
books to outlaw online gambling (at least for the operators). Combine this with
a rich history of riverboat gambling and horse-racing, and you have an
interesting background for this detailed look in Illinois gambling laws.
Here’s a quick-fire run-through of the history
of gambling in Illinois, starting with the early racetracks and powering
through to the current debate on internet gambling. After this, there is a
game-by-game run-through of the current laws. Next up you will find some detail
of the wording of the gambling pieces of the current laws – followed by a
summary and look into the future.
Casino Gambling
You can play live casino games at 10
riverboat casinos. These used to need to be sailing before the games could be
played, though since 1999 they are allowed to remain docked. There are also
charitable casino events, which are separately licensed by the department of
revenue. Legal provision was made in 2011 for more casinos, though we have yet
to see these built.
Online Casinos
This is not allowed. Unlike in many states,
online gambling is expressly outlawed in a 2009 act – which makes it an offense
to operate an online Illinois gambling site.
Live Poker
You can find live poker games in the
riverboat casinos, including a full tournament schedule. There is no special
provision for social poker games under Illinois law, though no individual the player has ever been prosecuted for playing in one.
Online Poker
The operation of a gambling site is illegal and
there are no regulated sites. There is some speculation that Illinois could
have regulated online poker sites at some point in the near future.
Sports Betting only on-track pari-mutuel
betting at recognized horse racing tracks is allowed while Lottery Betting is
okay, for the State was the first to take their lottery online back in 2001.
Progressive legislation has allowed
Illinois residents a free choice of many gambling pursuits – and has resulted
in a lot of tax revenues for the State – which has no native tribes to share
this with. The effects of recent laws including Video gaming machines and the
expansion of casinos will be felt very soon – and if this is a success in terms
of taxes, the legislature may be willing to consider further expansions.
Illinois gambling fits the bill for a State
willing to legalize and regulate online poker. Though online gambling
provisions were stripped from the latest bill, it is hoped that successful
implementation of these games in other States will force a re-think at some
point down the line.
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