If I’m reading correctly, according to this siteonline poker is legal in Illinois. I googled “online poker in Illinois” after watching a documentary and it was in the results. I haven’t heard anything on the news or elsewhere so I’m a little skeptical. Is it for real or is it just some tricky wording that makes it appear that online poker is legal in Illinois?
Why not contact your local or state law enforcement and ask them? Why would you trust us?
Because it’s actually a complicated and fairly interesting topic?
I don’t pretend to understand the legalities involved, but from what I have read the legalities are all a bit murky.
The U.S. Department of Justice claims that all online gambling is illegal under the Wire Act of 1961. This act obviously pre-dates the internet, and many claim that it does not apply to internet gambling. The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Wire Act only applies to non-sports betting. Despite this, the Department of Justice claims that the Wire Act applies to all online gambling, sports or otherwise. Proponents of online gambling take the stance that the Wire Act was not intended for something like the internet, and doesn’t apply at all. The legal issues seem to still be a bit unsettled, with legal precedence being out of line with current DOJ enforcement.
Complicating this, a few years ago, New Jersey legalized some forms of online gambling, which seems to defy the DOJ viewpoint on the matter. Historically, federal law takes precedent over state law, but as we have seen with the legalization of marijuana, it’s not that simple in modern times.
Since New Jersey, several states have legalized some, but not all, forms of online gambling. As far as I am aware, Illinois is not one of those states. Poking around online, I find some sites listing Illinois has allowing online poker, but other sites flat out state that it is illegal in Illinois.
New Jersey, Pennsylvania (my state), and Michigan have all joined together to challenge the DOJ in court. That legal action is still ongoing.
So with all of that, I don’t know how to actually answer the OP, other than to say that Illinois is not one of the states that has recently passed any sort of law permitting online gambling, at least as far as I can tell.
And IL is even murkier.
Currently* it is illegal to be the owner/operator of an online gambling facility in IL, but it is not illegal for a citizen to access a lawful online establishment for online gaming, but it is illegal to access online sports betting (except (maybe) horse racing). and the current^ laws are conspicuously silent on international online gambling. cite
- I keep using the word “currently” because the new Govnor (JB Pritzker) campaigned on legalizing most (all?) forms of online gaming for IL.
Another cite
mc
Yes, it certainly is confusing. I sure do miss my online poker games but I don’t want to take a chance on engaging in any illegal activity so I better hold off till there is a definitive *yes *from the powers that be. Hmmm…might be a while.:dubious:
Thanks for the help guys.
Why though? What do you think is going to happen? A SWAT team bursts through your door because your ISP reported that you wagered a few bucks? I imagine that there is limited to no enforcement of whatever Illinois’ online gambling laws may be, and any enforcement that exists is aimed at the operators of such games, not the users.
Well, the last time the government decided that online poker was illegal they shut down the websites and everybody’s funds were tied up. I had to wait a couple years to get my giant bankroll (LOL about $200) back from Full Tilt Poker.
I can see how that would be a problem 
Now yes! Finally, the law on the legalization of fantasy sports and online gambling in Illinois was passed, it happened during the next session of the Illinois Senate, 42 representatives voted in favor of the law regarding the legal work of the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) regulators and all gambling resources on the network. Now all operators of online gambling and fantasy sports will be required to pay taxes on a progressive scale, therefore, firms that have income over a million dollars will have to pay 5%. But, 7.5% - those companies that earn 1-3 million dollars, while regulators, whose income is from 3 to 8 million dollars, will pay the state 10%, and if more than 8 million dollars, then 15% of their total annual income.
I live in Illinois and am now “blessed” with stupid non-stop ads for “Draft Kings” every time I turn on the television or use the internet. Aaaaaarrrrggggg! I’m ready for somebody to make it illegal again, or at least outlaw their bombastic advertisements! 
Governor Pritzker, faced with a potential bankruptcy of a state, has led the legalization a number of activities during his tenure in an effort to increase tax revenue. Gambling and marijuana being two such changes.
Never trust a cop for legal advice.
BTW, I’m a cop.