Online poker and blackjack were not approved during the May parliamentary session after the Illinois House and Senate introduced online gaming charges in 2021.
While these issues remain relevant in the future, legal online poker or casino games will not be available in Illinois in the near future.
Illinois poker players can take comfort in the fact that both the House and Senate bills include provisions for casinos. This means that casinos should not be excluded if Illinois were to enact a comprehensive virtual gaming package in the future.
Although there is limited information in the bills specifically regarding poker, we do have some insight into what the landscape of online poker in Illinois may entail if it is eventually legalized.
What are the Illinois bills’ opinions of virtual blackjack?
Although both bills are quite similar, HB 3142 received more discussion in the House than the Senate bill.
Poker falls under the classification of an “internet game” according to HB 3142, along with table games, slot machines, and other forms of gambling.
The bill notably includes live dealer versions of casino games, such as poker, that are simulcasted.
The legislation also contains federal provisions that could lead to online poker partnerships with New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware.
The House bill allows the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) to enter into agreements with other countries to facilitate online gaming, such as online poker. By combining player pools, individuals would have the opportunity to compete with players from different regulated states.
Users can also connect Illinois players’ accounts with accounts registered in other states.
For example, if an Illinois resident plays at Golden Nugget casino online, they can also play at the same casino in New Jersey without creating a new account.
Who are the online poker players available in Illinois?
The bill permits 39 skins and three tracks for each game. It is possible that not all providers will be available in Illinois, but there will still be plenty of options for people to choose from.
Operators will find the invoice to be very accommodating, with the lowest tax rate on gaming profits being only 12% for states with existing online casinos.
If online casinos and poker games were to become legal in Illinois, it is possible that the final income level could exceed 12%.
What & rsquo, the newest poker room in Illinois?
Three of Illinois’ ten gambling establishments feature poker rooms: Jumer’s Casino & Hotel, Hollywood Casino Aurora, and Grand Victoria Casino Elgin.
The Grand Victoria and Hollywood Aurora poker rooms are now open for reservations.
The poker room at Jumer’s is still closed, possibly due to Bally’s recent acquisition of the property.
For those who are curious, the Harrah’s Joliet poker room officially shut down in October 2020.
The current state of affairs is that Illinois currently has more poker game rooms. It is possible that there will be even more in the future.
Earlier this year, Rivers Casino presented an $87 million expansion proposal to the IGB, which includes plans for a 22-table poker room. Today, the casino is holding a job fair for dealer positions.
In addition to permitting six new casinos in Illinois, the 2019 gaming bill also includes provisions for the inclusion of poker rooms in any of the new establishments. The casinos are set to be located in the following regions:
- Rockford
- Waukegan
- Danville
- County of Williamson
- neighbourhoods in the southern
- Chicago
Play Illinois is keeping track of all the latest news on Illinois casinos and poker rooms, ensuring you stay up to date on every reopening development.
