Illinois Online Casinos – Top 5 Sweeps Casinos in IL

Sweepstakes casinos offer a fun and legal way to enjoy online gaming in Illinois — even though real-money online casinos haven’t been legalized yet. These platforms give you access to thousands of exciting games, from slots to table games, and the best part is you can play for free using Gold Coins (GC). You’ll also receive Sweeps Coins (SC) through bonuses and promotions, which can be redeemed for real cash prizes or gift cards.

With so many great options available in the Land of Lincoln, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s where we come in. On this page, our experts break down how sweepstakes casinos work, the best Illinois-specific bonuses to claim, the state’s gambling laws, and everything else you need to know to get started.

Best Sweepstakes Casinos in Illinois

Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Illinois?

Yes, sweepstakes and social casinos are fully legal in Illinois. These platforms are permitted because they operate under a sweepstakes model, which allows players to win real prizes without making any purchase. Unlike traditional online casinos—which are not yet legal in the state—sweepstakes casinos do not allow you to wager real money directly. That distinction keeps them compliant with Illinois law.

At sweepstakes casinos, players use two virtual currencies: Gold Coins (for standard gameplay) and Sweeps Coins, which are the only currency eligible for redemption. Sweeps Coins can be earned for free through mail-in entries, daily bonuses, promotions, or included as a bonus with Gold Coin purchases. Once players earn enough Sweeps Coins, they can redeem them for real cash or gift card prizes, typically at a 1 SC = $1 rate.

For more about how these systems work, check out:

• Gold Coins vs. Sweeps Coins

• What Are Social Casinos?

Illinois Online Gambling Laws

Illinois is one of the most active gambling markets in the U.S., thanks to its early adoption of sports betting and long-standing land-based casino industry. However, it has not yet legalized real-money online casinos. Currently, the only types of online gambling permitted in the state are sports betting and sweepstakes/social casinos.

In 2019, the Illinois Sports Wagering Act was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker, with the Illinois Gaming Board beginning to issue licenses in 2020. You can view the full act here:
Illinois Sports Wagering Act – Full Text

Sweepstakes casinos do not require a license from the Illinois Gaming Board, as they are not considered real-money gambling platforms under current legal definitions. That’s what allows Illinois residents to legally enjoy sites like Yay, McLuck, Pulsz, and Mega Frenzy from anywhere in the state.

Although there’s been some momentum toward legalizing online casinos in Illinois—as a way to generate more tax revenue—no bills have passed as of 2025. Legislators are still actively debating the issue.

For more on legality and how these platforms operate, see: Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal?

How To Win Cash Prizes Playing at Sweepstakes Casinos

When you create your Illinois sweepstakes casinos account, you will instantly be given free GC and SC so you can start playing. As you start playing, you will see that you have the option to either wager with GC or SC.

GC are just for playing fun and entertainment. They can not be redeemed for cash. SC, on the other hand, can be redeemed for cash and gift cards. However, not all casinos offer the option to redeem SC for gift vouchers.

A welcome bonus will usually entail a large amount of GC and a smaller amount of SC. And in many cases, the coins you get in your welcome bonus often can’t be redeemed. You also will have to earn a minimum amount of coins before redeeming them is even possible. The minimum varies from site to site, but it’s typically around $20.

Once you pass the minimum, just hit the redeem button, select your redemption method, and wait—most sites process redemption requests in less than three banking days.

Top 7 Best Illinois Online Casinos

We test every sweepstakes casino that launches in Illinois, so to get you started, we’ve recommended below some of our top choices. When it comes to finding the best sweepstakes casino in Illinois, our team of experts works hard, so you don’t have to!

1. Stake.us Casino – Best for Overall Game Selection

Stake.us stands out as a top-tier social casino for Illinois players seeking a vast and diverse gaming experience. With over 1,600 titles available, the platform offers an impressive array of games, including more than 700 slots, 15 live dealer games, 11 classic table games, and 18 exclusive Stake Originals. The slots library is particularly noteworthy, featuring popular titles like Sweet Bonanza, Wanted Dead or a Wild, and Gates of Olympus, all from renowned providers such as Pragmatic Play and Hacksaw Gaming. This extensive selection ensures that players of all preferences can find games that suit their tastes.

What truly sets Stake.us apart is its exclusive Stake Originals – unique, in-house games like Dragon Tower, Pump, and Limbo that offer innovative gameplay and high replayability. These games provide a fresh take on traditional casino offerings, allowing players to experience something new and exciting. Additionally, Stake.us enhances the gaming experience with a user-friendly interface, seamless navigation, and regular promotions, including daily bonuses and challenges, to keep players engaged. For Illinois residents looking for a comprehensive and dynamic social casino platform, Stake.us delivers an unparalleled gaming experience.

2. Crown Coins Casino – Best for Over $60K Jackpots

Crown Coins Casino is a standout choice for Illinois players seeking substantial jackpot opportunities. The platform features nearly two dozen progressive jackpot slots, with popular titles like Big Bass Bonanza, Crown of Fire, Gates of Olympus, Sugar Rush, and Joker’s Jewels. At the time writing, each of these games boasted progressive prizes over 60,000 Sweeps Coins (SC), offering players the chance to win significant rewards.

Beyond its impressive jackpots, Crown Coins Casino provides a user-friendly experience with a generous welcome bonus of 100,000 Crown Coins and 2 free Sweeps Coins upon registration. The platform operates legally in most U.S. states, including Illinois, under sweepstakes laws, allowing players to enjoy games without risking real money. With its combination of substantial jackpots, quality game selection, and accessible gameplay, Crown Coins Casino is an excellent option for players aiming for big wins.

3. Jackpota – Best for Winning Progressive Jackpot on ANY Slot

Jackpota offers Illinois players a unique opportunity to win one of four progressive jackpots—Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand—on any spin, regardless of the game or bet size (it costs just 0.10 SC per play to qualify). This feature sets it apart from other social casinos, where jackpots are typically tied to specific games. The Grand jackpot starts at 200 million Gold Coins and grows with each play, while the Sweeps Coins jackpot begins at 100,000 SC, providing players with substantial prize potential. With over 1,000 slot titles available, including popular games like Big Bass Bonanza and Sugar Rush, every spin holds the possibility of a life-changing win.

New players at Jackpota receive a generous welcome bonus of 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins (AKA 25 free chances to win the site-wide progressive) upon registration, with no deposit required. Additionally, daily login rewards of 1,500 Gold Coins and 0.2 Sweeps Coins help keep the gameplay engaging. The platform also hosts weekly tournaments with prize pools reaching up to 2 million Gold Coins, adding a competitive edge to the gaming experience. For Illinois residents seeking a social casino that combines extensive game variety with the thrill of winning progressive jackpots on any slot, Jackpota delivers an unparalleled experience.

4.Mega Frenzy – Best for Fast Cash Redemptions

Mega Frenzy  has become a top pick among Illinois sweepstakes casino players, thanks to its clean design, quick prize redemptions, and strong no-purchase welcome offer. New users in Illinois receive 30,000 Gold Coins and 10 Sweeps Coins completely free when they sign up—no payment or deposit required. It’s an easy way to start playing across a library of 300+ games, including slots, jackpots, and live dealer tables.

What really sets Mega Frenzy apart for Illinois users is its fast and reliable cash redemption system. Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for real cash via bank transfer, and many players report payouts within 24 hours—far quicker than the industry average. The process is simple, with a minimum redemption of 75 SC for cash prizes. (Note: gift card redemptions are not currently available.)

Illinois players also get access to daily Mega Wheel spins, which can award bonus coins, extra spins, or exclusive rewards. The Hype Club VIP program adds more value for frequent players, offering tiered perks like boosted wheel rewards, personalised promotions, and priority service.

Although its total game count is smaller than some competitors, Mega Frenzy prioritises quality, speed, and simplicity, making it ideal for Illinois players looking for fast redemptions and a friction-free sweepstakes experience.

5.McLuck – Best for Live Dealers & Jackpots

McLuck Social Casino is one of the top choices for Illinois sweepstakes casino players who want premium games, real-time dealer action, and huge jackpot opportunities. New users in Illinois can claim a no-purchase welcome bonus of 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins, letting them try the platform without spending a cent.

What makes McLuck stand out in Illinois is its exceptional live dealer suite, which is among the largest in the U.S. sweepstakes space. Powered by ICONIC21 and Playtech, the platform lets you play blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and more via live stream—bringing the full casino feel right to your screen.

Beyond that, Illinois users get access to massive progressive jackpots, rotating tournaments, and a highly-rated mobile app available on both iOS and Android. First-time buyers also get a major value boost: 80,000 GC and 40 SC for just $9.99, which is a 150% bonus compared to standard rates.

The VIP Loyalty Club at McLuck rewards frequent play with Mega Wheel spins, bonus coins, and custom promos. Redemptions are easy—10 SC for gift cards or 75 SC for cash, with cash typically processed within 3 to 5 business days via bank transfer or PrizeOut.

With a 96.78% average RTP, sleek mobile UX, and best-in-class live dealers, McLuck is a smart pick for Illinois players looking for immersive and rewarding sweepstakes gameplay.

6. Spinfinite Casino – Best Gamified Experience

Spinfinite Casino offers Illinois players a uniquely gamified social casino experience that blends engaging gameplay with a structured rewards system. The platform features a seven-tier VIP program, starting at the Blue level and progressing through Bronze, Silver, Gold, Black, Platinum, and culminating at Diamond. Players earn “Stars” by participating in games, purchasing Gold Coins, and redeeming Sweeps Coins for prizes. Accumulating Stars unlocks new tiers, each offering enhanced rewards and exclusive missions.

Beyond the VIP program, Spinfinite keeps players engaged with daily login bonuses, themed missions, and regular tournaments. These features provide opportunities to earn additional Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, enhancing the overall gaming experience. The platform’s user-friendly interface and mobile compatibility ensure that players can enjoy their favorite games seamlessly across devices. For Illinois residents seeking a dynamic and rewarding social casino, Spinfinite delivers an experience that goes beyond traditional gameplay.​

7.Pulsz – Best for Variety & Daily Free Bonuses

Pulsz is a top-tier choice for Illinois sweepstakes casino players, especially if you want a packed game library and generous free daily bonuses. New users in Illinois can claim a no-purchase welcome bonus of 5,000 Gold Coins and 0.3 Sweeps Coins, giving you a risk-free way to explore the platform right away.

Illinois players can access over 1,000 games, including Megaways slots, scratch cards, bingo, blackjack, and poker. There are no live dealers here, but both the mobile app and browser version offer smooth and easy gameplay, no matter your device.

One of Pulsz’s most rewarding features is its escalating daily login bonus, which increases the longer you stay active—up to 2.4 SC per day after 21 consecutive days. Combined with seasonal promotions, leaderboard contests, and frequent email bonuses, there’s always something fresh to check out.

When it comes time to redeem your winnings, cashouts start at 100 SC, while gift card redemptions are available from just 10 SC. Redemptions are processed via bank transfer or Skrill, and a six-tier VIP program keeps the perks coming the more you play.

For Illinois players who want an active, daily-play experience with tons of variety, Pulsz is an easy recommendation.

What Makes a Sweepstakes Casino the Best in Illinois?

Now that you have seen our top five Illinois sweepstakes casinos, here are some reasons that you should consider playing at these sites.

Fairness and Legitimacy

With no legal online casinos in Illinois, many players turn to shady offshore sites that can have unfair games and rip you off. You do not need to worry about this when you play with Illinois sweepstakes casinos. These are well-known brands, many of which are licensed and based in the United States.

Game Selection

The best Illinois online sweeps casinos have thousands of games to choose from. You can play slots, table games, and live dealer casino games. If that’s not enough, many casinos also have scratch games, bingo, and other unique types of games.

Win Potential

While they are not technically real money casinos, you can win cash prizes playing at Illinois social casino sites. We’re not talking about small prizes, either. You can win tens of thousands of dollars playing jackpot slots or high-stakes table games.

Here are the best payout sweepstakes casinos.

Cash Prize Redemption

If you get lucky and win playing at Illinois sweepstakes casinos, you can redeem your virtual currency for gift cards or real money prizes. Unlike offshore sites, this process is super simple at sweepstakes sites, and you will not have to fight your bank over it.

Free Sweeps Coins

Illinois sweepstakes casinos are entirely free to play. You will be awarded free SC and GC just for creating your account. After that, you can rack up even more free coins via daily rewards, loyalty programs, and other existing customer promotions.

Here’s more on how we rate sweepstakes casinos.

Illinois Online Casino Games

The biggest benefit of Illinois sweepstakes casinos is that you can play thousands of games safely and for free. Here are some of the most popular types of games you will see at social casinos in Illinois.

Slots

Online slots are by far the most popular casino games in Illinois. If a casino has 1,000 games, at least 900 of them will probably be slots. With so many games available, you will have tons of classic three and five-reel slots along with modern games with unique bonus buy features, scatter paylines, and other recent innovations.

Illinois sweepstakes casinos are also a great place to play progressive jackpot slots. These games have a prize pool that grows as more people play. If you end up the lucky winner, you could bring home thousands of dollars.

Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the classic casino games. It’s you versus the dealer one-on-one. Whoever gets closer to 21 without going over wins. You can play this great at all the best Illinois sweepstakes casinos. You won’t just find classic blackjack, as many sweepstakes casinos offer live dealer versions of the game as well as many other variations.

The top sweepstakes sites have many popular blackjack variations, including European Blackjack, Atlantic City Blackjack, and Speed Blackjack.

Roulette

One of the most thrilling casino experiences possible is placing your bet and watching the roulette wheel spin to see if you’ve made the right prediction. You can get this same experience playing roulette online at Illinois sweepstakes casinos.

Like with blackjack, social casinos have classic roulette along with fun variations like Turbo Roulette and Multi-ball Roulette.

Live Dealer Games

Nothing beats gambling in person at a brick-and-mortar casino, but that’s not always possible. Live dealer games allow you to get a similar feel right from the comfort of your home.

Unfortunately, not all Illinois sweepstakes casinos have live dealer games. A lot do, though, so if you like live dealer poker, live blackjack, and other live casino games, you will find plenty of options in Illinois.

Fish Shooting Games

Fish shooting games allow you to shoot at fish in a fun underwater setting. They remind us a lot of those old-school deer hunter arcade games. Unlike those games though, you can win real money playing fish table games. You simply pay for each shot and if you get the right fish, you could win big.

More Games

In addition to the main types of games we have covered here, you will also find scratch cards, video poker, and baccarat offered at most top sweepstakes casinos. Some will also have slingo and unique crash games like Aviator.

Types of Promotions at Illinois Online Casinos

Casino promo codes allow you to play your favorite games for free with the chance to win big. All sweepstakes casinos in Illinois will give you free coins as soon as you sign up in the form of a no-deposit welcome bonus. That’s just the start of the promos you can claim.

Many top social casinos offer daily rewards that you can claim just by logging into your account every day. These rewards take the form of free coins, free spins, and even gift cards for some special occasions. Here is our complete list of daily login bonuses.

In addition, refer a friend bonuses, loyalty programs, and tournaments are other great ways you can earn free coins at Illinois sweepstakes casinos.

Should You Play Online Casino Games in Illinois?

If you’ve gotten this far into this guide and are still on the fence about playing at online casinos in Illinois, we really think you should give a sweepstakes casino a try. You can sign up for all of our top Illinois social casinos for free. They are also safe and have hundreds of great games.

If you sign up and look around through the games library, you are sure to find a game that you love.

Responsible Gaming Resources in Illinois

If you or a loved one are experiencing signs of problem gambling, help is available through the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG). ICPG provides confidential support, self-assessment tools, and access to self-exclusion programs, ensuring that all interactions remain completely anonymous.

In addition to state-level resources, national support services such as 1-800-GAMBLER and Gamblers Anonymous offer 24/7 assistance for those seeking guidance and recovery options.

Gambling should always be a form of entertainment—if it’s becoming a problem, don’t hesitate to reach out for free and confidential support.

Illinois Sweepstakes Casino FAQs

Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Illinois?

Yes, sweepstakes casinos are legal in Illinois. The state has not legalized traditional, real-money online casinos, but social casinos are completely fine. This is because sweepstakes casinos use virtual currency instead of real money. You can play with GCs and SCs. These can be redeemed for real money prizes.

What are the best sweeps sites available in Illinois?

Our team tests every Illinois sweepstakes casino based on strict criteria. We will look at welcome bonuses, ongoing promotions, game selection, payment methods, customer support, mobile gaming, and more. We list on this page our top choices based on each criterion, so simply check out our recommendations and find the one that’s best for you.

What types of bonuses can I claim at sweeps casinos in Illinois?

All top social casinos in Illinois give you the chance to claim a welcome bonus. Typically, these are no-deposit bonuses, so all you need to do is sign up to claim them. After that, you can claim daily login bonuses just for logging into your account. Refer a friend, first purchase promos, and free spins are other popular bonuses available at sweeps casinos in Illinois.

Can I play at Illinois sweepstakes casinos on my mobile?

Yes! Most top sweepstakes casinos –including WOW Vegas and Chumba Casino– have dedicated casino apps that you can download on the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. Sites that don’t have apps almost always have mobile casinos that you can access on your smartphone’s mobile browser (Google Chrome, Safari, etc.).

Why should I play at Illinois sweepstakes casinos?

Illinois sweepstakes casinos give you the chance to play top-quality casino games for free. You can also earn real money prizes. Since there are no legal Illinois online casinos, social casinos are a safer alternative to offshore sites and other unlicensed options. And if you collect enough Sweeps Coins, you can redeem for a cash prize or gift card.