TYPES OF CASINOS IN ILLINOIS
Originally, all casinos in Illinois were on riverboats. Later, some were actually land-based, such as the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Jumer’s in Rock Island, and the Casino Queen in East. St. Louis.
These land-based casinos all qualified as being riverboats because they were built over a shallow pit that is filled with a few inches of water. All other riverboat casinos in Illinois are either on actual riverboats or docked barges. They all remained docked and do not set sail.
In June 2019 a gambling expansion bill was passed that allowed all casinos to move inland, plus it allowed for some new land-based casinos. See below for more details.
Shown below is a list of all casinos in Illinois. Click on a casino name to see a page of detailed information about that particular casino.
- American Place Casino
- Argosy Casino Alton
- Bally’s Chicago
- Bally’s Quad Cities
- Draft Kings at Casino Queen
- Golden Nugget Danville
- Grand Victoria Casino
- Hard Rock Casino Rockford
- Harrah’s Joliet
- Harrah’s Metropolis
- Hollywood Casino Aurora
- Hollywood Casino Joliet
- Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino
- Rivers Casino – Des Plaines
- Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort
- Wind Creek Chicago Southland
Want to See a Map of all casinos in Illinois?
Visit our Illinois casinos map page to see a detailed map showing all casinos in that state.
Illinois Casinos Details
Illinois was the second state to legalize river-boat gambling. Riverboat casinos began operating in Illinois in late 1991, with the launching of the first boat: The Alton Belle.
There are seven casinos near the popular metropolitan city of Chicago, Illinois. See our Chicago casinos section for more details, as well as details on some casinos located in Indiana that are just a short drive from Chicago.
All Illinois casinos are non-smoking, and for the most part, all offer video poker, blackjack, slots, roulette, craps, and three-card poker. Some casinos in Illinois also offer baccarat, mini-baccarat, poker, let it ride, Caribbean stud poker, Mississippi stud, Ultimate Texas hold‘em, pai gow poker, and four card poker. The minimum gambling age is 21, and Illinois gaming regulations do not allow casinos to provide free alcoholic beverages.
Illinois Sports Betting
Sports betting is available at Illinois casinos and it was first launched on March 9, 2020. Be sure to check each individual casino’s listing page to see if it offers sports betting. The minimum age for sports betting is 21.
Slot Machine Payback Percentages at Illinois Casinos
By state law, Illinois casinos must release all payback percentages on electronic gaming machines to the public. Just click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for all Illinois casinos.
Planning a visit to Illinois casinos?
For more information on visiting Illinois casinos, or general tourism information, contact the state’s Bureau of Tourism at (800) 226-6632 or www.enjoyillinois.com
Also, be sure to download the FREE American Casino Guide app for your Apple or Android, smartphone or tablet. The app has maps to let you know which casinos are near you anywhere in the U.S., detailed information on each of those casinos, turn-by-turn directions to all casinos, plus much more! For more details on the FREE app, just go to americancasinoguidebook.com/casinos-near-me.html
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TOP THINGS TO DO IN ILLINOIS
Illinois is located in the heartland of the United States. Throughout the state, you are going to find many places to visit, from exploring prehistoric Indian settlements to visiting the serene Anderson Japanese Gardens. Some of the best things to do in Illinois are listed below.
Enjoy breathtaking views of the state from a Skyscraper
You are going to enjoy spectacular views where you can see about 50 miles over four states and Lake Michigan just from the top of the Willis Tower Skydeck. The Skydeck is located 1,353 feet above the ground and it features The Ledge, which is a glass floor that extends outward from the side of the building. Be sure to check it out if you are searching for a more thrilling experience. Another great place you can go if you want to see the city from above is 360 Chicago which can be found in the John Hancock Building. You can try out the glass-walled observation deck or enjoy amazing views from the Tilt which is a glass enclosure that tips you out for a look down from 1,000 feet above street level.
The closest casino to this attraction is Rivers Casino – Des Plaines.
Get educated at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Illinois is known as “The Land of Lincoln” and this museum in Springfield offers tourists the chance to learn more about the history of Abraham Lincoln and also Illinois history. The museum was officially opened in 2005 and its collections have been a work in progress for over a century. The 200,000 square foot complex includes an archive, library and a museum. It is the largest Presidential Library in the country and features presentations, galleries and interactive “you-are-there” experiences.
The closest casino to this attraction is Argosy Casino Alton.
The closest casino with a hotel to this attraction is Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino.
Have fun at Millennium Park & Cloud Gate
Millennium Park is a 24.5-acre park that can be found in downtown Chicago, near Lake Michigan. Cloud Gate at the center of the park is a 110-ton polished steel sculpture, commonly referred to as The Bean. The highlight of the park is the Crown Fountain which is a unique modern interpretation of the ancient gargoyles that make use of the projected images of the Chicago citizens. Make sure you visit the Lurie Garden which is a four-season garden and is open to the public for free. The garden also hosts many special events throughout the year. The best thing about the park is that it is centrally located, and you can easily visit some of the top tourist attractions in Chicago from here.
The closest casino to this attraction is Rivers Casino – Des Plaines.
Visit Lincoln Park
This Chicago park stretches for about six miles along the shore of Lake Michigan and it is the biggest park in the city. The highlight of the park is the Lincoln Park Zoo also known to be among the oldest of its kind in the country. The zoo houses many mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Some of the animals that you will find here are African lions, lemurs, red pandas, two-toed sloths, and polar bears. You should also make sure to visit the Lincoln Park Conservatory where you can discover exotic tropical plants in four huge greenhouses including ferns, orchids, and palms. Some of the other attractions at the park are the Chicago History Museum, a beach, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
The closest casino to this attraction is Rivers Casino – Des Plaines.
Go sightseeing at Dana-Thomas House
This house was built by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902 and represents one of his early, large scale Prairie-styled houses. It is well preserved and can be found in Springfield. This 35-room, 12,000-square-foot structure is now a museum and you can explore it by taking a guided tour. The highlight of the building is its original Wright art-glass doors and windows.
The closest casino to this attraction is Argosy Casino Alton.
The closest casino with a hotel to this attraction is Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino.
Explore Starved Rock State Park
This park is located southwest of Chicago on the Illinois River and it is popularly known for its magnificent canyons and waterfalls. There are over 13 miles of hiking trails that you can explore to get to some of its more scenic areas. You can also go on a guided hike which is a great experience. The wilderness area offers numerous recreational opportunities including horseback riding, fishing and boating on the river, camping, picnicking, and winter sports.
The closest casino to this attraction is Hollywood Casino – Aurora.
The closest casino with a hotel to this attraction is Harrah’s Joliet.
How many casinos are in Illinois?
There are currently 10 casinos located in Arizona. • Argosy Casino Alton • Casino Queen • Grand Victoria Casino • Harrah’s Joliet • Harrah’s Metropolis • Hollywood Casino Aurora • Hollywood Casino Joliet • Jumer’s Casino & Hotel • Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino • Rivers Casino – Des Plaines
What is the gambling age in Illinois?
In Illinois, the minimum gambling age is 21.
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