Online poker has become one of the main training methods for competitive poker players. Players from Illinois have been able to use online poker apps to maximize the experience that they can get through the use of computerized apps. Where they could see a maximum of 20-30 hands a day in brick-and-mortar casinos, they can now see thousands online. They accomplish this because the legal online poker sites that are available to players in Illinois have developed proprietary online poker applications that allow individuals to play multiple hands at multiple tables simultaneously. It has been one of the driving forces in the world of competitive poker and therefore understanding the availability and legalities involved are important.

Legal Online Poker In Illinois

Like the situation with online slot play, there are not too many options for Illinois poker players who wish to play online poker. The only viable option, at this point, is Global Poker. Global Poker is the sister site to Chumba Casino and operates using the same dual-currency system.

That’s why this guide was created. We use this online medium to disseminate knowledge about the federal laws and state gambling laws governing online gambling in Illinois and try to help poker enthusiasts like yourself find the right information to make informed decisions. Below you will find detailed explanations of the legality relevant to online gambling and how it remains legal for most citizens of the United States to participate in. We will also provide information on the standards in quality and game selection that has been set by the industry so you know what to expect from the poker site you choose as a consumer.

Are Online Poker Sites Legal In Illinois?

Yes, it is legal to play online poker in Illinois, as long as you know where to play. Online poker has never been illegal on the federal or state level in Illinois. Despite popular belief, there are multiple legal online poker options available for residents of Illinois. Federally, it is illegal to own and operate a business that provides online poker games that aren’t regulated at the state level. Because most states have chosen not to regulate online gambling at this time, it remains unfeasible to operate a business that provides this type of entertainment within most of the United States.

Instead, these businesses have made their locations within internationally recognized online gambling jurisdictions that can offer the regulation that they require while staying in favor with the world’s largest banking organizations. These offshore online poker rooms are 100% legal for Illinois citizens to appreciate and enjoy as long as they have the proper regulation and find their locations outside of US federal jurisdiction. There are no Illinois state gambling laws that prohibit residents from engaging in licensed online poker.

Illinois is one of the few states that specifically lists circumstances in which casino and poker gambling is permitted. Namely, regulated horse betting, pari-mutuel wagering, bingo, and the lottery are all deemed legal. Gambling with real cash on one of IL’s many riverboat casinos. Delaware online poker. Delaware is the smallest US state with legal online poker, though a liquidity agreement with Nevada does help the numbers. Thee state’s three casinos all operate their own branded skins on a shared 888 Poker network. Pennsylvania online poker.

Legally Licensed Online Poker Sites Accepting Illinois Players

Here you will find a list of sites that we recommend as secure, legitimate and trusted. They all accept players from Illinois and are all great examples of legally licensed and properly regulated online poker rooms that function legally within the American consumer market. They each have third-party customer approval ratings, compliance certifications, and advanced security profiles. They are among the most reputable online poker sits accepting American players.

Other Illinois Gambling Pages

Illinois Online Poker FAQs

What Games Can I Play At Online Poker Rooms?

Any variation of poker you can think of has already been adapted to the digital medium of the internet. When you are browsing the websites, you will see links to download the website’s software or to access a flash, instant play version of their poker room. Most companies hire their own software engineers and create poker software that is individualized to their platforms. These online poker rooms that have developed their own proprietary software are some of the examples of the change that we are seeing in poker playing. Like we previously mentioned in the intro to this guide, these online software applications are making huge changes to the competitive online poker world.

The online poker games that you will see on these applications will range from Texas hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Americana, some different variations of stud poker, and 32 card draw. Some sites will offer some more exotic games, such as HORSE, Caribbean Stud, and others. Each of the games will offer you unique opportunities to enter into tournaments and special events or just the single game. Whether you like to play with high, medium, or low stakes or even in some cases for no money at all (covered in the next section), you will be able to do that. Our recommended poker sites all include instructional material for those players just getting started in the poker arena. Games will be offered from low to high buy-ins and stakes and with a range of competitiveness that feeds the experienced fish and the newbies.

Are Poker Tournaments Available Online?

Legal Us Poker Sites Online

Not only are they available, they are plentiful. There is a wide range of options concerning tournament action. Buy-in range from free to high roller status and some tournament prizes include a seat at a prestigious live event such as the WSOP in Vegas among others. The live qualifiers have been the seeds for WSOP winners, such as Chris Moneymaker. He paid $3 to enter a tournament that ended up giving him a seat at WSOP as a prize. There are a number of promotions associated with the tournament schedule as well. Tournaments typically run 24 hours a day.

Can I Play For Free At Online Poker Sites?

In the world of online poker, free play is hit or miss. Some sites offer it and some don’t. The ones that do usually have an option to toggle the game selection screen on the application from “real money” to “play money”. In these “play money” games you will still be playing poker against other people, you just won’t be playing for real money. This can be extremely helpful for new players looking to learn the digital interface of a new program or veteran players trying out new betting strategies.

There are even a few ways to play for free and yet still win real money. The “Freeroll” tournaments that are commonly available give the player the opportunity to enter into a poker tournament with no entrance fee or buy-in. This could result in profit made from the game without spending any money on the game at all! There are also “no deposit bonuses” at some legal online poker rooms. With these bonuses, you will be provided with free chips and If the wagering requirements are met, you may even be able to keep the winnings.

Are There Online Poker Bonuses Available?

The online poker community that has existed over the last two decades has been in competition for the largest customer base for so long that bonuses and promotion have inevitably become an industry standard. What you will likely see at most top-tier Illinois online poker rooms is what is usually called the “Welcome Bonus”. The website will define a percentage amount of your first deposit (or first series of deposits in some cases) and match it for money for you to gamble with in their poker room. Poker bonuses are awarded differently than casino bonuses in that they are disbursed incrementally rather than in a bulk sum. This means the more you play, the more of your bonus is unlocked and added to your account. You will find that at Illinois online casinos, the bonuses are presented to your account all at once. Always, always read the bonus terms and conditions to ensure you understand what wagering requirements are associated with the promotion.

Illinois Online Poker Bill

Can I Play Real Money Poker Games From My Mobile Phone?

In a fairly recent expansion to the online poker community, you will, in fact, be able to play real-money online poker games from any of your mobile devices. In the past, there were hosting issues with the iPhone’s app store and the Android’s google play store for purely gambling related apps but HTML5 came to its rescue. HTML5 allows programmers to create web apps that are web based and mobile optimized, operating with the use of responsive technology to ensure cross-brand compatibility. This allows programmers to code in the games right to the browser instead of having to make its own standalone app (which you can also find).

What Are the Banking Options?

For deposits, most online poker rooms have the major credit cards, Visa and MasterCard. Various cryptocurrencies are also readily available throughout online gambling platforms including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dash, Litecoin, and Ethereum. Those are the most common deposit methods that seem to be available everywhere but there are several more. The second most common methods are wire transfers from major money-wiring companies such as MoneyGram and Western Union. You may see bank to bank and person to person options with those money transfers most of the time. Then you will often see options to mail your deposit in by check.

For withdrawals, Illinois players will have the option of credit and debit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Ameican Express and Discover Card. Additionally, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dash, Litecoin and Ethereum are often found as a deposit method option at US friendly online poker sites. Wire transfers, Bank Wire Transfers and a physical check are also options.