Ready to shout a virtual “All in”? We’ve got some good news then – our team played thousands of hands to bring you the best Illinois online poker sites.
The most stand-out IL poker platform turned out to be Black Chip Poker, thanks to its dedicated poker bonus, feature-rich poker app, and anonymous tables.
Read on to see just how well Black Chip Poker stacks up against the other nine poker powerhouses.
Is Online Poker Legal in Illinois?
There are still no sites that offer legal online poker in Illinois with an in-state license, but there are many excellent out-of-state options available.
You can explore numerous reputable online poker sites with an overseas license that offer a wide range of games, generous bonuses, and secure transactions. So check out our top recommended IL poker sites to find the best alternatives for playing poker online safely.
Best Illinois Online Poker Sites
| 🥇 Best overall | Black Chip Poker |
| 🃏 Top pick for anonymous tables | Ignition |
| ⚽️ Tons of Knockout Tournaments | Bovada |
| 💸 Unique types of cash games | BetOnline |
| 🚀 Best for crypto poker | BitStarz |
| 🔝 Top pick for 7-card stud | America’s Cardroom |
| 🤓 Great tools for new players | SportsBetting.ag |
| 🎁 200% match bonus | Everygame |
| 🎰 Tons of casino poker games | mBit Casino |
Heads up about our links! Adblock might get confused so please disable it if you have any issues.
Read on to find out more about each site’s tournament offering, cash games, casino-style poker games, and bonuses for new players.
1. Black Chip Poker – Best Illinois Online Poker Site Overall
Pros:
- $2,000 welcome bonus
- Easy-to-use poker app
- Hosts regular tournaments with huge prizes
- Part of Winning Poker Network
- Excellent banking options
Cons:
- Homepage is a bit cluttered
- Mobile experience could be better
Leading our list of the top online poker sites in Illinois is Black Chip Poker – as its name suggests, this online casino is all about poker. As part of the Winning Poker Network, BCP offers users the highest traffic, regular tournaments, generous bonuses, and so much more.
Real Money Poker – 4.95/5
Black Chip Poker boasts a rich collection of cash poker rooms featuring Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Hi/Lo games ripe for all manner of bankrolls.
You’ll also find a nice collection of tournaments, including Sunday Warmup, Lunchtime High Roller, Million Dollar Sundays, The Double Deuce, and Freerolls — plus plenty of specialized and seasonal tournaments throughout the year.
BCP apps are available for both MacOS and Windows devices – you can download them in just a few clicks form their website.
Welcome Bonus – 4.9/5
New and existing players will have access to a variety of bonuses here.
Once you sign up and make your first deposit, you are eligible for a welcome bonus of up to $2,000. To activate this offer, you’ll need to make a deposit of at least $25 – no bonus code required.
Banking Methods – 4.95/5
Back Chip Poker supports various banking options – whether you prefer using fiat or cryptos, it’s got you covered.
Among the supported banking methods are Bitcoin, Person 2 Person, various e-wallets, and credit/debit cards. The banking conditions are very comfortable – if you are using crypto, you can deposit as little as $10 or up to $25,000.
2. Ignition – Best Illinois Poker Online Site with Anonymous Tables
Pros:
- $3,000 welcome bonus
- Weekly freerolls
- Anonymous tables
- Fast-seat cash games
- Zone Poker feature
- Tons of tournaments
- $100,000 GTD weekly tournament
Cons:
- Bonus split between poker room and casino
- Low weekly limits on fiat withdrawals
The Ignition Casino poker app is a thing of beauty, giving you access to a wide range of Hold’em and Omaha cash rooms, cut-throat tournament play, and one of the best welcome bonuses in the business.
Real Money Poker – 5/5
Ignition offers a robust selection of real money online poker games, including Omaha, Hi/Lo, and Texas Hold’em format cash games.
We found a mix of 6 and 9-seat format tables with table limits low enough that even casual players should feel comfortable but with plenty of high-stakes options to keep the high-roller crowd smiling.
Among the wide range of features built into the Ignition Poker app is what they call “Zone “Poker,” which is a nice little setting that instantly moves you to a new table the moment you fold your hand, letting you increase your hands-per-hour by an impressive amount.
The app also hosts a wide range of engaging tournaments, including Sit & Go Jackpot tournaments, Knockout tourneys, and weekly freeroll tournaments for crypto players.
All of this is handled on Ignition’s fully anonymous tables, ensuring that nobody can use annoying HUDs to track your playstyle and take advantage of your weaknesses — lending to a much fairer experience overall.
Welcome Bonus – 4.9/5
This online poker Illinois site offers new players a generous welcome bonus that should be enticing to both poker enthusiasts and slots fans alike.
New players making their first deposit using Visa or Mastercard can enjoy two 100% match bonuses, each valued at up to $1,000. The first bonus is available for use in the poker app, gradually being released to you through playing online poker room games and tournaments.
The second bonus is earmarked for Ignition’s impressive collection of slots and table games and comes with a stellar 25x wagering requirement attached.
Even better is that if you use crypto for making that first deposit, both bonuses will be boosted to a whopping 150% match worth up to $1,500 each instead — with identical terms and wagering requirements to what we outlined above.
Banking Methods – 4.8/5
Like all the best poker apps, Ignition accepts a mix of fiat and crypto banking options, letting you load up your account using Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Tether.
The casino also accepts MatchPay transactions, letting you transfer money through Zelle, Venmo, and even CashApp.
3. Bovada – Top Online Poker Real Money Illinois Site for Tournaments
Pros:
- 100% match up to $500
- $1.5 million in tournament GTDs
- Knockout and bounty tournaments abound
- Quick-Seat system
- Zone Poker
- 24/7 support
Cons:
- No e-wallet payment options
- Welcome bonus could be bigger
While Bovada might be more well-known for being one of the premier Illinois betting apps, it deserves a lot of recognition for its excellent real-money poker app.
We found plenty of exciting cash games and tournaments – and the whole platform is surprisingly easy to navigate, making it a breeze to find the perfect game in just a few clicks.
Real Money Poker – 5/5
This IL online poker site serves up a comfortable mix of Texas Hold’em and Omaha, skipping Stud and Draw games entirely. The Quick Seat system ensures easy table access, putting your perfect poker game within easy reach (a few simple clicks at most).
You’ll also find a ton of great tournaments, with emphasis on the bounty-based Knockout style tournaments. These are some of our favorite games due to the added thrill of knocking another player out of the competition and claiming their bounty for your own.
Welcome Bonus – 4.8/5
New players can get a 100% match up to $500 when they use the PWB500 promo code while making their first deposit. This bonus keeps it simple.
Instead of rollover requirements, the bonus unlocks $5 at a time as you play cash games and accumulate Poker Rewards points. Keep in mind that you will only have 30 days to clear the whole bonus, however. Any of the bonus that hasn’t been unlocked in that time will be forfeited.
Banking Methods – 4.7/5
Players can load up their Bovada accounts by depositing with Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Tether.
All methods are fairly fast in terms of payout speed, but if you want to avoid transaction fees, we recommend you stick with one of the forms of cryptocurrency.
4. BetOnline – Best Online Poker Site in Illinois for Cash Games
Pros:
- 100% match up to $1,000
- Excellent poker bonus variety
- Bad beat jackpot feature
- Weekly leaderboards
- $150,000 Sunday Majors
- Bad Beat Jackpot bonus
Cons:
- Most bonuses are for sports betting
- Fees on fiat transactions
BetOnline is another all-in-one online casino in Illinois that manages to juggle an excellent sportsbook, a surprisingly deep online casino game library, and one of the best poker sites for Illinois players.
Real Money Poker – 4.8/5
While we’re not as big a fan of BetOnline’s poker app as we are of Ignition’s, it still manages to be slick and modern without being too unwieldy to navigate.
Both hardcore poker fans and their more casual counterparts should find plenty of action thanks to BetOnline’s massive collection of poker tables serving up No Limit Hold’em and Omaha cash games.
The tournament selection doesn’t disappoint either, with plenty of Sit & Go and Knockout tournaments as well as special Windfall and Mystery Bounty tourneys available.
Much like the cash games, these tournaments come in a wide variety of price points, ensuring that no matter how thick your bankroll is, you’ll find a tournament just right for you.
Welcome Bonus – 4.7/5
Using the POKER1000 promo code will unlock a generous 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,000. You’ll be able to unlock this bonus at a rate of $5 for every $50 you earn in rake playing cash games, making this a fantastic opportunity to get some extra playtime in.
We’re also huge fans of the newly revamped Bad Beat Jackpot bonus BetOnline offers, which gives players part of a jackpot prize when their good poker hand gets beat by an even better one (the minimum requirement is to lose with Aces full of Kings).
We’re not fans of losing, but if we have to, we want it to come with this offer attached.
As one of the best Illinois sports betting sites, it also features dedicated sportsbook bonuses.
Banking Methods – 4.8/5
Blockchain enthusiasts will be happy to see that BetOnline accepts over a dozen different forms of crypto, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Avalanche, Binance, Cardano, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, Ripple, Shiba Inu, Solana, Stellar, Tether, Tron, and USDCoin.
This real money online poker Illinois site also accepts a few more traditional payment methods, including credit cards and bank transfers, but some of these have fees and lower payout limits.
5. BitStarz – Best Online Poker Illinois Site for Crypto
Pros:
- 5 BTC welcome package
- Various casino-style poker games
- Over 4,000 slots and table games
- Crypto withdrawals in minutes
- Weekly Table Wars tournaments
Cons:
- No poker tournaments
- Live poker games are geo-restricted
A hallmark of the crypto casino world, BitStarz Casino’s inclusion on this list should surprise no one.
Sure, it doesn’t have classic cash games or multi-table tournaments, but this award-winning Illinois online gambling site makes up for it with a massive 5 Bitcoin welcome package, speedy payout times, and a handful of casino-style poker games.
Real Money Poker – 4.7/5
Within BitStarz’s massive 4,000+ casino game collection, poker enthusiasts can explore various Texas and Casino Hold’em variations from several great software providers.
We also found a few stellar video poker games like Jacks or Better and Bonus Deuces Wild, as well as a few other exciting poker table games.
To make things even more interesting, BitStarz hosts a weekly Table Wars tournament where players compete for part of a €10,000 prize pool. There’s no entry required — you just have to play table games to qualify.
Welcome Bonus – 4.8/5
New players will have access to a sign-up bonus of up to 1 BTC plus 180 free spins – in total, this welcome package goes up to 5 BTC.
Your first deposit will get a 125% match up to 1 BTC plus 20 spins every day for 9 days. The second and third deposits will each get a 50% match (one for 1 BTC and the other for 2 BTC), while the fourth deposit will get a 100% match up to 1 BTC.
You can claim a bonus using a cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin, but the value will be lower.
Did you know? It’s also one of the best poker sites in New York.
Banking Methods – 4.7/5
While BitStarz does accept credit card payments, its crypto-centric design makes blockchain-based payments the preferred choice.
You can deposit using Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Dogecoin, Cardano, Binance Coin, Tron, and Tether.
Payments are simple, secure, and super fast. Most crypto withdrawals process in just a few minutes, which is great for players who are lacking in patience.
Top Real Money Online Poker Illinois Sites – Our Ranking Criteria
Real Money Poker Games
From casual video poker titles to high-stakes poker tournaments, we’ve made sure to bring you a massive list of exciting poker sites in Illinois to ensure at least one of them offers the experience you are looking for.
Welcome Bonus
Every Illinois poker site worth a darn understands the importance of a good welcome bonus — and you’ll find that every casino on this list gets it. Not all bonuses are created equal, however, so make sure you choose one that has the right bonus-to-terms balance that suits your needs.
Banking Methods
All the bonuses in the world won’t do you any good if you can’t make a deposit. So we’ve ensured that each casino on this list accepts a wide range of trusted payment options, so you should have little trouble finding one that will take your money. Many of our top picks are Bitcoin poker sites that accept various cryptos.
Why is Black Chip Poker the Best Website for Illinois Poker Players?
Black Chip Poker has become the go-to choice for a great many Illinois players looking for exciting online poker action.
Offering fast-paced poker against real opponents, the app ensures an authentic poker experience from end to end, thanks to its multitude of thrilling tournaments, innovative features, and great traffic.
BCP blows the competition out of the water and is a fantastic online poker platform for casual and serious players alike. It also features a generous welcome bonus of up to $2,000!
Besides, Black Chip Poker was also our top pick for online poker in California – so it’s pretty much a great choice for players from all states.
Illinois Online Poker – FAQs
What is the Best App for Playing Poker in Illinois?
| 🥇 Best overall | Black Chip Poker |
| 🃏 Top pick for anonymous poker tables | Ignition |
| 🔝 Best for Knockout Tournaments | Bovada |
| 💸 Top pick for cash games | BetOnline |
| ₿ 5 BTC welcome package | BitStarz |
We found that Black Chip Poker Casino is the best real-money online poker app in Illinois. From the generous bonuses to the quick-seat cash rooms, Black Chip Pker has too many features to ignore.
Can I Play Online Poker in Illinois?
Yes, you can play online poker in Illinois using any of the online casinos listed above. We recommend Black Chip Poker, but any of the Illinois online poker sites reviewed in this article would be a fantastic choice for most players.
Can You Win Real Money Playing Poker Online?
Yes, it is entirely possible to win real money by playing online poker. Illinois has a ton of great options for cash games, multi-table tournaments, and even some exciting real-money online casino games.
Which Illinois Poker Site Offers the Best Bonuses?
Black Chip Poker offers our favorite poker bonus, with new players getting up to $2,000 in bonus cash for the tables.
After that, we recommend checking out BitStarz’s 5 BTC crypto welcome package, which is broken up over four deposits and comes with 180 free spins.
Top 5 Best Online Poker Sites Illinois – Quick Comparison
Black Chip Poker: This is the best poker site in Illinois overall. It features regular tournaments with exciting prizes, high-traffic poker rooms, and a generous welcome bonus of up to $2,000.
Ignition: Our #2 Illinois poker site offers cash games and tournaments, anonymous tables, and the fast-paced Zone Poker option that moves you straight to a new table when you fold. Your first deposit can earn you up to $1,500 in poker bonuses.
Bovada: More than just a good sports betting site, Bovada offers a poker app that we like nearly as much as Ignition’s. You’ll find plenty of Hold’em and Omaha tables, knockout tournaments, and an easy-to-use interface. New players will get a 100% match up to $500 to start.
BetOnline: A fantastic, competitive poker app perfect for cash game action. New players can get up to $1,000 in bonus cash on their first deposit and take advantage of cool features like Bad Beat Jackpots and Royal Flush Bonuses.
BitStarz: This award-winning crypto site for real money online poker in Illinois has over 4,000 games, including some of the best Casino Hold ‘Em and video poker titles you’ll find anywhere. We’re also big fans of the 1 Bitcoin sign-up bonus that comes with a side of 180 free spins.
Fun fact: You can use most of these sites to play online poker in Florida!
How to Get Started at the Top Illinois Poker Sites
Ready to start playing real money online poker in Illinois? To take some of the pressure off of figuring out how to get started, we’ve put together an easy step-by-step guide to creating an account at Illinois online poker sites.
Choose a Poker Site
- Choose a poker site from our list or head to Black Chip Poker – our top pick
- Click “Play Now”
- Wait for the form to load
Create an Account
- Fill out the form with your name, phone number, date of birth, and ZIP code
- Create a password and agree to the terms and conditions
- Click “Register” to finish
Verify Your Account
- Check your phone messages for a code
- Copy and paste the code in the appropriate field
- Click ‘Verify’ to proceed
Claim Your Bonus & Start Playing Online Poker
- Click the “Rewards” link under the hamburger menu
- Choose your preferred bonus from the “Bonuses” tab
- Select your payment method and follow the instructions
- Once you complete the transaction – you are ready to play poker online!
How to Play Online Poker in Illinois – Tips & Tricks
Choosing the right site to play online poker in Illinois can be tricky with so many options available. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of questions to help guide you through the process of weeding out the bummers.
How do you like your poker?
Are you crazy about Hold’em? Do you need the thrill of big-pot tournaments? Or are you just looking for a simple casino game of five-card-draw poker?
No matter what you want, being able to answer this question is key to finding the right Illinois poker site for you.
What does your ideal bonus look like?
The best online Illinois poker sites offer generous welcome bonuses to bring new players in, so it’s a good idea to know what a great bonus looks like to you.
Do you need a massive deposit match offer and are not worried about stiff rollover requirements? Or are you more interested in simple rakeback bonuses that require little effort on your part?
Determine what you want first – and then find a poker site that will accommodate you.
What are other players saying?
Pull a quick internet search to see what other players are saying about where you’re planning to set up an online poker account. This is a great way to peel back the curtain and get an idea of how the poker site treats its clientele.
If you’re traveling often, then you also may want to check this guide that outlines Ohio’s best poker sites.
Ready to Play Online Poker for Real Money in Illinois?
Now you know everything there is to know about how to play online poker in Illinois — or at least you know enough to make an educated decision about where to play.
We feel that Black Chip Poker is the overall best pick thanks to its generous poker welcome bonus, feature-rich poker app, and the sheer number of tables and online poker tournaments ready and waiting for you.
No matter where you play, however, just remember to focus on having fun and always wager responsibly.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling comes with its fair share of risks, and it’s important to recognize that when using online gambling sites.
All gambling sites on this page are 21+ only. Check your local laws to ensure that online gambling is legal in your jurisdiction.
If you have a gambling addiction problem or anyone you know does, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. In addition, the following free gambling addiction resources can be of help:
