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The 10 Best Casinos Near Chicago
If you're looking for some excitement and want to try your hand at gambling, there are a number of great casinos near Chicago, Illinois where you can put your luck to the test!
In this comprehensive guide to gambling in Illinois, we provide a list of the 10 best casinos near Chicago, Illinois.
From its iconic skyline landmarks to the bustling lights along Lake Michigan, Chicago is one of the most important and entertaining cities in the U.S. With thrilling nightlife, notable history and plenty of culture, this Midwest metropolis had many hidden gems and plenty of places to visit that will give you unforgettable memories.
Chicago, the third-largest city in the U.S. by population, opened the floodgates to casinos in 2011, when the bill SB744 passed, which allowed for casinos to be built in Chicago and surrounding areas. Before that, the only casinos that were allowed in the Chicago metro area were riverboat casinos. In 2019, the state's gaming expansion legislation allowed for six more casinos, which went up to a total of 10 by 2023. Walker's Bluff Casino, which opened in August 2023, contributed $25.3 million to the Rebuild Illinois fund. Each casino is required to contribute one-time fees to the fund within 30 days of opening.
The casinos in the Chicago area blend a sophisticated ambiance with best-in-class amenities, such as dining and entertainment. Beyond that, the casinos featured on this list boast alluring slot games, high-stakes roulette tables, engaging table games, and sprawling poker rooms.
You're sure to find the right gambling experience for you, so read on to explore these terrific gaming establishments.
What are the Gambling Laws in the State of Illinois in 2024?
Gambling has a rather labyrinthine history in Illinois, but currently, casino gambling, riverboat gambling, sports betting, racehorse betting and slots are all legal in the state.
In May 2011, SB744 successfully passed, granting authorization for a Chicago casino and additional casinos in Rockford, Danville, Park City and the Chicago South Suburbs. The approval also extends to the installation of slot machines at O’Hare and Midway Airports. Furthermore, horse racing tracks located in Collinsville, Arlington Heights, Cicero, Crete, East Moline, Melrose Park and the Illinois State Fairgrounds are set to undergo a transformation into land-based casinos, incorporating slot machines at each track.
The Illinois Sports Wagering Act was passed on June 28, 2019 under the state's significant 2019 gaming expansion legislation. This bill legalized online sports wagering at Illinois casinos and horseracing tracks. Since its launch in March 2020, Illinois sports wagering has grown into a prominent player in the U.S. sports wagering market, boasting 13 operating sportsbooks.
Gambling establishments on Indian reservations are regulated by the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and must be in compliance with any other tribal gaming regulations.
Best Casinos Near Chicago for 2024
- Rivers Casino: Top-rated casino for its Premier Poker Room and Sportsbook
- Horseshoe Casino Hammond: Excellent casino for Craps, Sic-Bo and other popular table games
- Bally's Chicago: Popular for Bally's Rewards and generous credits
- Ameristar Casino Hotel: Sprawling game floor with high-limit rooms and sportsbook
- Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa: Renowned for progressive jackpot slots
- Slots of Candy: Our pick for best video slot games and VIP slots
- Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel: Famous riverboat casino with more than 800 slot machines
- Walker's Bluff Casino Resort: Fairly new casino offering 650+ slot games and table games
- Hollywood Casino Joliet: Best option to play penny slots and video poker
- Grand Victoria Casino: Las Vegas-style casino games and promotional giveaways
Review of the Top 10 Casinos Near Chicago
1. Rivers Casino: One-Stop Premium Destination for Casino Gameplay
Get set for an exhilarating experience at this premium Des Plaines-based casino. Get the best casino games and generous promotions. From simple burger joints to fine dining options for a classier bite, such as their Italian cuisine restaurant, you will find the best of cocktails, premium coffee, homemade desserts and pastries at Rivers. Dive into the exciting, lively ambiance found at this premier establishment.
Rivers Casino offers enticing 1,500+ slot machines like Fire88, Wild Wild 7S, etc. Play from 70+ table games, including baccarat, three-card poker, video poker games, craps, roulette and much more. BetRivers Sportsbook also provides the best daily sports odds and a VIP suite for live betting. You can bet on golf, baseball, basketball, soccer and plenty of others. Tune into the hottest promotional offers, like the $250,000 January Jackpot Party, in which new members receive $10 as a free bet or $10 for free slot play, etc. Get 24/7 live chat customer support and make payments via your credit card.
Website: https://www.riverscasino.com/desplaines
Address: 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL, 60018.
Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours, 365 days a year
Pet-Friendly: Only service dogs are allowed under ADA guidelines
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Parking: Complimentary self-parking
2. Horseshoe Casino Hammond: Exciting Slots and Table Games
It's your time to party hard while playing at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, just 28 miles from Chicago. Indulge in tongue-tingling steaks at John Binion Steakhouse, savor the best noodle soup or try their oven-fired pizzas. With 1,800+ slot machines like Buffalo Diamond, Lightning Link, Wheel of Fortune and others along with 60+ table games like blackjack, craps, roulette and others, this casino offers an enchanting and electrifying atmosphere for its players.
Caesar's Entertainment is the official license holder. Try your luck at betting on your favorite sports like auto racing, MMA, boxing, etc., or bet on video poker games. Get amazing promotional offers like Caesar's Rewards, a 5x-tier credit multiplier, or a rewards credit up to a whopping $10,000.
Website: https://www.caesars.com/horseshoe-hammond/casino
Address: 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond, IN, 46320
Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours, 365 days a year
Pet-Friendly: No
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Parking: Valet Parking (Platinum Guests: $7, and Other Guests: $10)
3. Bally's Chicago: A Hotspot for Casino Rewards and Table Games
Bally's Chicago casino made $3.1 Million for the city last year, and December 2023 was their highest-grossing month. It is not only popular among locals and foreigners alike, but it is also home to mesmerizing gourmet dishes, premium cocktails, a wonderful environment and, of course, a bevy of innovative games.
The casino offers 56 live-action games and 800 slot games. From Huff More Puff to Fortunes Money Coins and live blackjack, craps and roulette tables, you will get everything at this U.S. State Authority-regulated casino. It offers the best promotional offers $25 for slots and $25 for table bets to new members. Get $200 as the match offer, tier match cards, etc. Bally Rewards are offered to Pro, Star, Superstar, and Legend players according to their betting and qualifying points earned.
Website: https://casinos.ballys.com/chicago/casino.htm
Address: 600 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Pet-Friendly: No
Wheelchair Accessibility: No
Parking: Free parking (over 100 rewards points at partner garages)
4. Ameristar Casino Hotel: Get Set for Action With PENN Play Rewards
This East Chicago-based hotel is 22 miles away from the downtown area, and ESPN Inc. licenses it. Experience the exciting games, relax at premium spa facilities, and earn an exclusive $200 dining credit. Devour lip-smacking St. Louis-style ribs, Atlantic salmon, New York strip steak and savory desserts.
Get the best sports real-time odds, over/under, and point spread bets at their Sportsbook center. High-roller betting options are available for more than 1,000 slot machines and 42 live table games. You can bet with one cent or place a $100 bet. Jackpot Carnival is the hottest slot game, and their Baccarat room is never shy on action. Promotional offers include a PENN wallet deposit bonus win of up to $100, a 30% discount to veterans and military personnel, etc. Email or call the casino for any support, and get support within 24 hours.
Website: https://www.ameristareastchicago.com
Address: 777 Ameristar Boulevard, East Chicago, IN, 46312
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Pet-Friendly: No
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Parking: Available
5. Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa: Experience Fun With Exclusive BOYD Rewards
Immerse in the relaxing spa or enjoy dining at a lakeside kitchen or at Blue Chip's ravishing steakhouse. The ambiance is electrifying at this casino, which is located in Michigan City, Indiana, just 59 miles away from Chicago.
Play popular classic slots like 88 Fortunes, 777, Double Diamond, etc. with progressive jackpot wins of up to $35,000. Try your luck at popular table games and electronic table games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Mississippi Stud Progressive, Lucky Extreme and Lucky Ladies, among others. Table games are already adding $10 billion to the revenue in the U.S. For exclusive fun, pick FanDuel Sportsbook, which is famous for five betting windows, ten self-service kiosks, twenty-two live bet television screens, and two sports tickers.
Website: https://bluechip.boydgaming.com
Address: 777 Blue Chip Drive, Michigan City, IN, 46360
Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours, 365 days a year
Pet-Friendly: No
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Parking: Free
6. Slots of Candy: Heaven for Video Slot Machine Gaming
This Cicero-based casino resort goes by its motto: Play, Win and Repeat. Slots of Candy is perfect if you are in a partying mood, as this casino's ambiance reflects great fun and high-quality music. Try out their signature cocktails, mixed drinks and frozen drinks, alongside famous wine and beer and top-shelf liquor shots. Feel fresh with music from the 70s, 80s and 90s that are sure to keep you entertained.
Talking about gambling, you can always call the casino to reserve your booking for playing VIP slot machines. The casino offers video slot machine gaming with the best-in-play slot promotional offers. Beyond that, there are prize giveaways and cash raffles on Fridays that start at 7:00 p.m.
Website: https://slotsofcandy.com/play-win-repeat-1
Address: 1942 South Cicero Avenue, Cicero, Illinois, 60804
Hours of Operation: 3:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Pet-Friendly: No
Wheelchair Accessibility: N/A
Parking: Reservation-based
7. Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel: Thrilling and Unforgettable Table, Slot and Sportsbook Gaming
If you are looking forward to an unforgettable experience and wish to explore the enthralling Chicago nightlife, then Harrah's in Joliet should be your go-to place. They have sophisticated rooms and a chic dining space with the best cocktails in town, and they are a perfect wedding venue too. Ignite the thrill with 100% action while you play at this regulated and NYSE-listed casino, whose license holder is Caesar's Entertainment, LLC.
Immerse yourself in the wonderland with 800+ popular slot machines like Cash Machine, Dancing Drums, and Treasure Ball. Play 20+ table games such as Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, etc. From Ultimate Texas Hold'em Poker to 3-card poker, you can enjoy over 150 video poker games. Their promotional offers include Double Reward credits, Free Casino Play Cash, Caesar's Rewards and more.
Website: https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-joliet
Address: 151 N. Joliet Street, Joliet, IL, 60432
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Pet-Friendly: No
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Parking: Free
8. Walker's Bluff Casino Resort: Lively Entertainment, Modern Slots and Sportsbook
The Illinois Gaming Board certifies this newly opened casino on the outskirts of the Chicago region in Carterville. It offers amazing hotel amenities, a thrilling party atmosphere, fine dining options and a sports lounge.
Choose from over 650 slot machines and 14 table games, and bet on the best sports odds at their sports lounge. You can use their Resorts Club card and win $250 in free slot play too. New members get a 100% match bonus and a $3,000 welcome bonus when they enter and register with the casino.
Website: https://www.walkersbluffcasinoresort.com/index.html
Address: 777 Walker's Bluff Way, Carterville, IL, 62918
Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours, 365 days a year
Pet-Friendly: No
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Parking: Yes
9. Hollywood Casino Joliet: Action-Packed Casino Gameplay Hollywood Style
When in doubt, play like James Bond! This quote comes alive as soon as you step into this Joliet-based and ESPN Inc.-licensed casino. Enjoy modern amenities and private event spaces in this Hollywood-style casino, with fine-dining options such as a steakhouse as well as a standard American-style burger at the 99 Hops House. This casino's VIP Lounge is accessible to VIP members.
Choose to play 1,100+ video slots, progressive jackpot slots, reel slots and video poker machines. Sports bettors can bet on a variety of sports like basketball, baseball, rugby, boxing and plenty more. Wagers offered included parlays, match-ups, props and in-play betting, among others. You can choose from 18+ table games by choosing action-packed blackjack, roulette, craps etc. Get bonuses such as PENN Heroes benefits for military personnel, a $15,000 jackpot party bonus, a Legends Play offer for 50+ older players, etc. For assistance, call 24/7 the casino's number and make payments via PENN Cash Credit Cards.
Website: https://www.hollywoodcasinojoliet.com
Address: 777 Hollywood Blvd., Joliet, IL, 60436
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Pet-Friendly: No
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Parking: Valet parking and free self-parking
10. Grand Victoria Casino: Strike Hard whilst Lucky on the River
A perfect riverboat casino destination with chic ambiance based in Elgin, for which Caesar's Entertainment holds the license. The casino opened in 1994 and made $143.2 million in revenue in 2021. Pep up your mood at their award-winning restaurant by trying a rich, hearty steak, a hot pizza slice along with other great American dining options.
Enjoy the luxurious casino atmosphere while playing 700+ slot machines, 25 table games and betting on your favorite sports with the Caesar's Rewards card. Choose your favorite casino games like roulette, craps, blackjack, three-card poker, Texas Hold 'em and more. Get promotional offers like a $200 high-hand promotion, Reward Credit Multiplier, 50 for 50+ and Jackpot Frenzy, among others.
Website: https://www.caesars.com/grand-victoria-casino
Address: 250 S. Grove Avenue, Elgin, IL, 60120
Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours, 365 days a year
Pet-Friendly: Only service animals are allowed
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Parking: Yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gambling legal in the state of Illinois?
Yes, gambling is legal in the state of Illinois. For up-to-date details on gaming laws for the state visit the Illinois Gaming Board website.
Why does Illinois have so many riverboat casinos?
Until the early 2010s, land-based casinos were illegal in the state of Illinois. As such, riverboat casinos were the only way for gambling enthusiasts to scratch that itch until the monumental expansion of gambling laws starting in 2011 and continuing in 2019 with the state's gaming expansion legistlation.
Are there resources available in Illinois for problem gamblers?
Yes, Illinois has a robust system in place for those that need help curbing their dangerous gambling habits. Contact Chicago Gamblers Anonymous at (855) 222-5542 or the national hotline at (888) GA-HELPS (888-424-3577). Beyond that, people can add themselves to the problem gambling registry by calling the IGB at 1-877-YOU-QUIT (1-877-968-7848) (for Illinois residents) or (312) 814-8832 (non-Illinois residents).
Choose these Top Chicago Casinos When Vacationing in the U.S.!
These 10 top-notch Chicago-based casinos are sure to provide a world-class experience if you're looking for a fun and exotic night out in the Midwest. Of course, when picking a casino to visit, do extensive background checks, read online reviews, ask questions and carefully read each casino's bonus terms and conditions to ensure you're fully aware of what you're getting into. Always check your local areas gambling laws before visiting a casino. Happy gambling!