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In Illinois, the term “social casino” may seem like an odd pairing of words, but it actually refers to locations where you can play casino games for fun without betting real money.
Illinois has a total of 11 casinos, some of which are located in the Chicago region. If you’re a gaming enthusiast in the Prairie State, chances are you can find a local casino nearby with the help of someone familiar with the area. But there are also times when you might prefer a gaming option that allows you to stay home.
Social casinos provide a practical alternative until online casinos become legal in Illinois, allowing players to enjoy a variety of casino games such as slots, table games, and poker while competing against other users.
If you’re interested in learning about the top social casinos, keep reading. We will walk you through how social casinos work, how to play, and the various bonus offers available for depositing funds into your account.
Best social casinos and sweepstakes sites for 2025
Are sweepstakes sites legal?
It is understandable if you have doubts about the legality of participating in casino-style games for cash rewards in Illinois as the idea may seem too good to be true.
Despite falling under the category of sweepstakes sites, social casinos still adhere to the law. The majority of states allow their residents to participate in sweepstakes games, even when direct gambling is prohibited.
FunzPoints Casino is a social gaming platform where you can enjoy playing games and have the chance to win real cash prizes.
Are social casinos legal in Illinois?
Social casinos, such as Chumba and Luckyland Slots, are completely legal and allow you to enjoy casino-style games. You can play slots and blackjack for free on these websites and even earn FREE Sweeps Coins which can be exchanged for cash prizes in sweepstakes games.
What is a sweepstakes game?
To be considered a sweepstakes, operators must abide by specific rules. Failure to follow these rules could result in the site or promotion being labeled as gambling, which may result in legal consequences. As such, all legitimate sweepstakes operations, including social casinos, must adhere to the same basic guidelines.
The first rule of a sweepstakes game is that participation should be free of charge.
Sweepstakes contests like McDonald’s Monopoly or the PCH Prize Patrol always have a disclaimer stating that participants do not need to make a purchase in order to enter. This requirement is not a gesture of generosity from the organizers, but rather a necessary step to allow everyone the opportunity to participate without spending money, and to ensure compliance with regulations.
One conclusion drawn from this is that one should not be able to improve their chances of winning through buying something. Therefore, sweepstakes should not use a preferred entry system that benefits customers who spend money.
The second rule of the giveaway states that the person running the sweepstakes must fulfill the promise of awarding the prize. It is not permitted for the organizer to hold a contest and then cancel the prize because of low participation or a change of mind.
The third rule specifies a specific time frame for the giveaway. This means that a general plan to give out prizes at a later date is not sufficient. The website must clearly state when participants will receive their prizes.
One of the most remarkable aspects of sweepstakes is the authenticity of the envelopes received from Publishers Clearing House or American Family Publishers (including Ed McMahon). These companies truly do award money to individuals, and there is no cost to enter. However, the chances of winning are very slim.
I hope you’ve seen how you can still play your favorite casino games online, even if your state doesn’t allow real money gambling. Hopefully, in the future, there will be more opportunities for online gambling in Illinois, with legislators pushing for it.
On the other hand, social casino sites are a viable option.