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All of the Illinois State online poker site bonuses mentioned on this page are subject to change at any time, should any of them be of interest to you please visit the respective Poker sites website for full terms and conditions of any bonus listed.
Online Chicago Poker Rooms in IL
Get the latest list of online poker sites for players from Chicago, Illinois. You’ll find the best online poker bonuses, games, and tournaments in one place.
Last Updated on November 27, 2024 by 
Fact checked by
People living in or near Chicago have plenty of options for playing poker.
Namely, the whole Chicagoland area is home to around a dozen land-based poker rooms.
On the other hand, online poker is not legal in Illinois, which leaves Chicago players with two options — to go to a state with legal online poker, like neighboring Michigan, or try their luck on one of the many offshore poker sites that accept US players.
The overview below will show you the best online and land-based poker rooms in Chicago.
Best Online Poker Sites in Chicago, IL
Chicago players don’t have any home-based options for online poker, but many offshore poker sites accept players from Illinois.
Choosing the right offshore poker room is easier said than done, as not all of them offer a quality poker-playing experience, and some are downright dangerous for people to play at.
That’s why our team of poker gurus has spent plenty of time digging deep through every corner of the internet in search of platforms that are safe, feature a decent selection of games and tournaments, offer worthwhile bonuses, promise a good mobile poker experience, and possess other qualities any decent poker room should have. Here are their recommendations.
My list of the best poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2025:- 100% Legal & Licensed
- Verified Bonus
- Mobile Friendly
- Advertiser Disclosure
Kindly be aware that some links on Top 10 Poker Sites are affiliate links, for which we may earn a commission. Find out more on our terms & conditions
- Must be 18+ to participate.
# 1 Poker Site
Regulated by 
- 100% First deposit bonus
- Top 3 in US player traffic
- Great selection of games
- Banking through cryptocurrencies
Payout speed 1-3 days
Deposit options
+10
+10
Exclusive bonus
100% up to $1000
18+. T&Cs Apply
# 2
Regulated by 
- Increased Poker Crypto Bonus $1500
- Exclusively for US players
- Many Payment Options
- Rich Player Traffic
Payout speed 1-3 days
Deposit options
+4
+4
Exclusive bonus
100% upto $3000
18+. T&Cs Apply
# 3
Regulated by
- Recreational Player Traffic
- Get a 200% Match on Your Initial Deposit
- Wide Tournament Selection
- High-Quality Games
Payout speed 1 - 5 days
Deposit options
+9
+9
Exclusive bonus
200% upto $1000
18+. T&Cs Apply
Displayed 3 of 8 rooms
Is Online Poker Legal in Illinois, IL
Illinois has recently made huge steps toward legal online gambling with the introduction of the 2019 Illinois Gambling Act, which made sports betting legal in both online and retail forms across the state.
However, this act specifically targeted sports betting, so online poker and other online casino games remain officially illegal. Other regulated gambling options in Illinois include horse racing, charitable gambling, and the lottery.
Does this mean you can’t play online poker in the Prairie State? Well, not quite. While online poker is not officially legal, there are also no specific mentions of online poker sites in the legislation. This means that offshore poker sites accepting Chicago players are not specifically illicit.
It is important to note that Illinois law highlights that running a website offering games of skill or chance is illegal. Still, there is generally no punishment for players accessing and playing real-money poker on those websites. There’s also the fact that the state’s legislation makes it legal for players to take part in a game of skill or chance that doesn’t require a buy-in, effectively meaning that poker freerolls are legal.
To sum it up, you won’t find any Chicago-or Illinois-based online poker rooms since state law doesn’t allow them. That said, you can try playing your favorite poker games on offshore poker sites without worrying about any legal ramifications.
That said, just because an offshore poker site might accept you as a US player, it doesn’t mean you should join it without checking whether it’s safe and reliable. Many offshore poker platforms can scam you by delaying payments, rigging games, and misusing your sensitive information.
That’s why you should stick to our recommended offshore poker sites, as we’ve spent a lot of time making sure they are legit.
Laws & Regulations In Illinois
Here’s more info on the gambling laws of Illinois:
Selecting a Good Online Poker Room
Online poker rooms might look similar to an untrained eye, but the truth is that only a handful of poker sites are worth joining.
While we urge you to pick a poker platform from our list above, we understand that you may want to look for a quality poker site yourself. That’s why we’ve created this mini guide that covers all the things you need to check to make sure that a particular online poker room is right for you.
Licensing and Security
Just because a poker site is not licensed in Illinois, it doesn’t mean you should disregard legal regulations altogether. If a website doesn’t show any information about licensing, it’s a serious red flag, and it’s best to avoid it.
Meanwhile, you should check how the site uses players’ information and what it does to protect it. A good poker platform must implement high-level encryption, two-step verification, and other systems and practices to ensure your sensitive details remain protected.
Games and Tournaments
Always pick a poker site that features your favorite game. Texas Hold’em and Omaha are present on the majority of offshore poker platforms, but the same can’t be said for variants like 7 Card Stud or Razz.
If you like taking part in tournaments, make sure the poker room features enough freerolls and satellites and that the tournament prizes are at a satisfying level.
Rake and Player Traffic
The differences in rake between poker sites can seem minor, but the amount can pile up over time — the lower the rake, the better.
On the other hand, the higher the player traffic, the easier it will be for you to find opponents and play at desired limits.
Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses are among the biggest advantages of online poker rooms as opposed to their land-based counterparts. Most poker sites welcome players with a deposit bonus, but you should always check its terms and conditions to see if the offer is actually worth the trouble.
A good poker room will also offer periodical promotions and have a loyalty program of sorts that gives players a set of long-term benefits.
Banking Options
Another thing to think about before picking an online poker room is how you’re going to deposit and withdraw funds from your account.
Since banks can sometimes block payments from gambling sites, it’s best to avoid using wire transfers and credit and debit cards. Luckily, plenty of offshore poker rooms accept alternative payment methods like e-wallets and cryptocurrencies.
Apart from available options, pay attention to things like deposit and withdrawal limits, withdrawal frequency, processing times, and fees.
Device Compatibility
It’s best if a poker operator has both downloadable software and the instant play option, so you can choose how you want to play online poker.
If you’re a mobile user, check whether the operator features a poker app and, if not, how functional the mobile browser website is.
Customer Support
Ideally, if you choose a good online poker site, you will never have to contact its customer support.
But that’s rarely the case, as you’ll likely have questions regarding your account management, bonuses, payments, and potential issues you may encounter.
That’s why selecting a poker room with responsive 24/7 support is imperative. It should be easy to contact the agents via live chat who’ll resolve your problems in minutes.
Benefits of Playing Online Poker
Unlike online poker, land-based poker is legal in Chicago, so why would you risk and play over the internet? Here are a few valid reasons:
- Convenience — It’s much easier to log in to your online account than to go to a local cardroom every time you’re hungry for some poker action. Unlike some land-based casinos, online poker rooms are open 24/7.
- Bonuses — Promos are a great way to receive extra funds, and they’re exclusive to online poker rooms.
- Wider choice of games and tournaments — While poker rooms in the Chicago metropolitan area offer plenty of options, the choices are always wider when playing online.
Famous Poker Players From Chicago, IL
Here are a few notable poker pros born, raised, or residing in the Windy City:
- Mohsin Charania — Winner of the 2017 WSOP $1,500 No Limit Hold’em tournament
- Barry Greenstein (pictured)— Winner of three WSOP bracelets and two WPT titles
- Connor Drinan — Number 1 on the all-time Illinois money list with over $11 million in career earnings
- Aaron Massey — Winner of six WPT and WSOP Circuit events with career earnings of over $5 million
Land-Based Casinos With Live Poker
The Chicago and Hammond areas are currently home to ten poker rooms. Check the table below for more information about each.
| Name | Address | No. Poker Tables | Tournaments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rivers Casino Des Plaines | 3000 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018 | 22 | No |
| Chicago Charitable Games | 7900 S. Oketo Ave., Bridgeview, IL 60455 | 16 | Yes |
| Play Poker Chicago | 1026 East 9th Street, Lockport, IL 60441 | 8 | Yes |
| Central Illinois Charitable Games | 807 E. Southline Rd., Tuscola, IL 61953 | 13 | Yes |
| Wind Creek Chicago Southland | 17300 S Halsted St, East Hazel Crest, IL 60429 | 10 | No |
| Windy City Poker Championship | 2701 170th Street, Hazel Crest, IL 60429 | 9 | Yes |
FAQs
Is online poker legal in Chicago?
Online poker is not officially legal anywhere in Illinois, but due to the vagueness of the law regarding offshore poker platforms, players from Chicago can join those sites without fearing prosecution.
Are there any land-based poker rooms in Chicago?
While land-based poker rooms can’t operate directly in the city of Chicago, you can find around ten poker rooms in the Chicagoland area.
What games can I play on poker sites in Chicago?
Online poker rooms accepting Chicago players usually feature limit, pot limit, and no limit Hold’em and Omaha games.
Is it wise to withdraw from a poker site using a credit card?
While offshore poker sites usually accept credit cards, American banks can block the payments. That’s why you should opt for alternatives such as e-wallets and cryptocurrencies, which are also readily available at offshore poker rooms.
Do offshore poker sites have bonuses for Chicago players?
Yes, they do. Once you create an account and place a deposit, you can expect to get a welcome bonus, but always read the terms and conditions first to understand how that promotion works.