Local Illinois Casinos - Brick-and-Mortar Gambling Venues

Q: Are local casinos open 24 hours?

Most major properties operate 24/7, especially those in the Chicago metro area. Some smaller or newer locations may have limited hours depending on local regulations.

Q: Is smoking allowed inside Illinois casinos?

Smoking policies vary by property. Many locations have designated smoking areas or sections, while others are fully smoke-free.

Q: Are drinks free while gambling?

Complimentary drinks are sometimes offered to active players, but this depends on the venue and level of play. In many cases, drinks are available for purchase instead.

Q: Are there hotels connected to local casinos?

Several properties include hotels, especially newer or resort-style locations. Examples include Wind Creek Chicago Southland and Harrah’s Joliet.

Q: What are typical table minimums?

Minimum bets usually range from $10 to $25, depending on the location and time of day. Higher limits are common during weekends and peak hours.

Q: Are there high-limit gaming areas?

Yes, larger properties often include dedicated high-limit rooms for both slots and table games. These areas cater to higher-stakes players and offer a quieter environment.

Q: Do Illinois casinos offer loyalty programs?

Yes, most properties have rewards programs that track play and offer comps. Benefits can include free play, meals, hotel stays, and exclusive promotions.

Q: Is parking free at local casinos?

Many locations offer free self-parking, especially outside major metro areas. Some high-traffic venues may charge for premium or valet parking.

Q: Are there beginner-friendly games?

Yes, most properties offer low-stakes tables and slot machines that are suitable for beginners. Staff are usually available to explain basic rules if needed.

Q: Are winnings taxed in Illinois?

Yes, gambling winnings are subject to both federal and state taxes. Casinos may issue tax forms for larger wins.

Today, there are 17 land-based gaming destinations operating across the state, all of which are commercial properties. Unlike many other states, Illinois does not have federally recognized tribal gaming facilities, meaning every venue operates under state regulation and oversight.

Across these properties, players can expect to find a wide range of gaming options, including live table games (blackjack, roulette, craps), thousands of slot machines, video poker, and select specialty offerings like keno or electronic table formats. Larger destinations often feature sportsbooks, high-limit rooms, and integrated hotel accommodations, while smaller venues focus on core gaming experiences.

Below, we break down each local venue by region and highlight what you can expect to find on the gaming floor, from game variety and wagering options to overall experience.

We’ll also explore how digital platforms like the sites found at https://onlineillinoiscasinos.com/ can complement in-person play by offering a broader range of game variations, expanded slot libraries, and convenient access for players looking beyond what’s available on a physical casino floor.

Table of Contents

Commercial Casinos

Commercial gaming facilities in Illinois consist of state-licensed casinos and racinos that operate under the oversight of the Illinois Gaming Board. These venues are privately owned and regulated, offering a mix of slot machines, live table games, video poker, and, at select locations, sportsbooks and hotel accommodations. Originally limited to riverboat operations, the state now allows land-based properties, leading to newer, more modern gaming environments alongside long-standing locations.

Today, these facilities range from large, high-traffic destinations in the Chicago metro area to smaller regional venues serving local markets. While all operate within a tightly regulated framework to ensure fairness and compliance, each property varies in size, game selection, and amenities, giving players a range of options depending on their preferences. Below we have broken down the local gaming facilities by region and offer a quick look at the gaming options found at each destination.

Northern Illinois / Chicago Metro

American Place — Waukegan, IL

American Place currently operates as a temporary casino with a modern, streamlined gaming floor. The property focuses heavily on slot play and electronic table games, with limited live table offerings while the permanent resort is under development.

The venue is designed as a preview of a larger future destination and provides a clean, high-tech gaming environment with food and beverage options on-site.

Slots: 1,000+
Table Games: 40+ (mix of live & electronic)
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: ❌

Rivers Casino — Des Plaines, IL

Rivers is one of the largest and highest-performing casinos in Illinois, featuring a dense gaming floor with a wide mix of slots and live table games. It also includes a dedicated poker room and a full-service sportsbook.

Located near O’Hare Airport, the property caters to both locals and travelers, with a strong emphasis on high-volume gaming and premium table play.

Slots: 1,800+
Table Games: 50+
Poker Room: ✅
Sportsbook: ✅
Rooms: ❌

Wind Creek Chicago Southland — East Hazel Crest, IL

Wind Creek Chicago Southland offers a large, newly built gaming floor with a strong mix of slot machines and live dealer table games. The property also includes a modern sportsbook and upscale gaming environment.

As one of the newest gaming venues in the state, it is designed as a full resort destination with hotel accommodations and expanded amenities.

Slots: 1,400+
Table Games: 50+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ✅
Rooms: 250+

Bally’s Chicago (Temporary) — Chicago, IL

Bally’s Chicago operates out of a temporary downtown location with a compact but active gaming floor. The focus is on slots and core table games, along with a sportsbook offering.

The permanent flagship resort is under construction and expected to significantly expand gaming capacity in the future.

Slots: 800+
Table Games: 50+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ✅
Rooms: ❌

Grand Victoria Casino — Elgin, IL

Grand Victoria offers a traditional riverboat-style casino experience with a balanced mix of slots and live table games. The property is known for steady local traffic and a straightforward gaming layout.

Located along the Fox River, it maintains a classic Midwest casino feel with dining and entertainment options.

Slots: 1,100+
Table Games: 30+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: ❌

Hollywood Casino Aurora — Aurora, IL

Hollywood features a mid-sized gaming floor with a strong emphasis on slots and a core selection of table games. A new land-based facility is under development to modernize the experience.

The casino caters primarily to regional players and offers a branded Hollywood-themed environment.

Slots: 1,000+
Table Games: 25+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: ❌

Hollywood Casino Joliet — Joliet, IL

Hollywood operates as a riverboat-style property with a gaming floor focused on slots and traditional table games.

The casino is positioned near major highways, making it accessible for Chicago-area players seeking a quieter alternative to downtown options.

Slots: 1,000+
Table Games: 25+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: ❌

Harrah’s Joliet — Joliet, IL

Harrah’s Joliet offers a well-rounded gaming experience with slots, table games, and a small but active poker room. The venue emphasizes Caesars Rewards integration and consistent table play.

Located along the Des Plaines River, it combines a classic riverboat setup with hotel accommodations.

Slots: 1,100+
Table Games: 30+
Poker Room: ✅
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 200+

Northwest / Western Illinois

Bally’s Quad Cities — Rock Island, IL

Bally’s Quad Cities provides a compact gaming floor with a mix of slots and table games, catering to the regional Quad Cities market.

The property includes a hotel and sportsbook, making it a full-service but smaller-scale casino destination.

Slots: 900+
Table Games: 25+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ✅
Rooms: 100+

Par-A-Dice Casino — East Peoria, IL

Par-A-Dice offers a traditional riverboat gaming experience with a solid mix of slots and table games.

It is closely connected to a hotel property and serves as a long-standing gaming option in central Illinois.

Slots: 900+
Table Games: 20+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 200+

Central / Eastern Illinois

Southern Illinois

Argosy Casino Alton — Alton, IL

Argosy provides a classic riverboat gaming setup with a focus on slot machines and core table games.

It primarily serves the St. Louis metro east market with a straightforward, no-frills gaming experience.

Slots: 900+
Table Games: 20+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: ❌

DraftKings at Casino Queen — East St. Louis, IL

DraftKings at Casino Queen features a gaming floor with slots and table games alongside a prominent sportsbook branded by DraftKings.

The property is positioned as a sports betting hub for the St. Louis area, combining casino play with a strong wagering focus.

Slots: 1,000+
Table Games: 25+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ✅
Rooms: 150+

Harrah’s Metropolis — Metropolis, IL

Harrah’s Metropolis offers a smaller, more regional gaming floor with slots and table games, catering to southern Illinois and nearby states.

The property includes a hotel and maintains a quieter, destination-style atmosphere.

Slots: 600+
Table Games: 15+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 200+

Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort — Carterville, IL

Walker’s Bluff is a newer property with a modern gaming floor featuring slots and table games in an upscale setting.

The resort includes a hotel, event space, and entertainment offerings, making it a growing destination in southern Illinois.

Slots: 700+
Table Games: 25+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 150+

Racinos

Racinos in Illinois combine horse racing with limited gambling options, typically centered around sportsbooks and electronic gaming terminals rather than full game room floors. Unlike commercial gaming venues, racinos do not offer live table games, focusing instead on pari-mutuel wagering and sports betting.

Commercial Racinos

FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing — Collinsville, IL (Racino)

FanDuel Sportsbook & Racing combines horse racing with a large sportsbook facility and electronic gaming options. Traditional table games are not a focus.

The venue emphasizes sports betting and racing rather than a full casino experience.

Slots: 250+ (electronic gaming)
Table Games: ❌ (electronic only)
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ✅
Rooms: ❌

Oversight & Regulation

Local casinos are regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), which oversees all aspects of commercial gambling in the state. The IGB is responsible for licensing operators, employees, and vendors, as well as enforcing strict compliance with state laws designed to ensure fair play, financial transparency, and public safety.

The state originally required casinos to operate as riverboats, but legislation now allows land-based venues and expanded gaming, including sportsbooks. The state imposes detailed regulations on everything from game integrity and surveillance to anti-money laundering practices and responsible gaming programs. Gaming establishments are also subject to graduated tax rates on gaming revenue, making Illinois one of the more tightly controlled and highly taxed gaming markets in the United States.

Gambling Age Requirements

In Illinois, gambling age requirements vary depending on the type of wagering activity, but overall, the state maintains relatively strict minimum age limits to ensure responsible participation. Most casino-style gambling and sports betting require individuals to be at least 21, while some lower-risk activities like lottery and horse racing allow younger participants.

Casinos (slots & table games): 21+
Sports betting (online & retail): 21+
Video gaming terminals (bars, truck stops): 21+
Poker rooms: 21+
Offshore Gambling Sites: 18+
Horse racing (pari-mutuel wagering): 18+
State Lottery: 18+

Local vs. Offshore Gaming Options

Local gaming venues in Illinois offer a controlled, in-person experience with a standardized selection of games such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and craps. These properties are heavily regulated, which ensures fairness and security but also limits how many variations of each game can be offered.

Offshore platforms, by contrast, operate online and typically provide a much broader range of online game types and variations, including international formats, live dealer options, and niche or experimental games that aren’t commonly found in physical locations.