Chicago's Best Casinos

🏙️ In the City

Bally's Chicago — the city's first downtown casino — puts casino gaming in the heart of Chicago for the first time in history.

🚗 Illinois Suburbs

Five casino properties within 40 miles of downtown — Rivers Des Plaines, Hollywood Aurora, Harrah's Joliet, Hollywood Joliet, and Hollywood Elgin.

🌉 Indiana Border

Three major casino properties just across the state line in Hammond, East Chicago, and Gary — 20-30 minutes from the Loop.

For the first time in Chicago's history, the city has a casino it can call its own. Bally's Chicago made history when it opened in September 2023, bringing legal casino gaming into the city limits for the first time after decades of political debate and neighboring suburbs capturing Chicago's gaming dollars.

The current facility features hundreds of slot machines and dozens of live table games, bringing Las Vegas-style gaming to one of America's greatest cities. Bally's Corporation is developing a permanent landmark casino resort that will make Bally's Chicago a major entertainment destination — a flagship property worthy of the city's status.

🏙️ Staying in the City

Best for: Hotel guests, downtown visitors, no-car travelers

Bally's Chicago is your play. It's the only casino inside Chicago city limits — walkable or a short rideshare from most downtown hotels. No car needed, no interstate required, no state-line crossing. Chicago's casino, right in the city.

In the city · No drive required

🎰 Want the Full Resort

Best for: Day-trippers, players who want 1,100+ slots and full dining

Rivers Casino Des Plaines is the answer. A 20-minute drive from downtown (or quick shot up I-90), Rivers is Illinois' top-grossing casino for a reason — massive floor, top-tier dining, serious gaming environment. Near O'Hare, easy to pair with a flight day.

~17 miles NW · 20-minute drive · Near O'Hare

🌉 Cross the Indiana Line

Best for: Players chasing Caesars Rewards, poker rooms, Midwest-scale gaming

Horseshoe Hammond is the classic Chicago-area casino play — Midwest-scale gaming, strong Caesars Rewards, solid poker room, and just 20 minutes from the Loop. Ameristar East Chicago and Hard Rock Northern Indiana offer alternatives nearby with their own distinct atmospheres.

Hammond IN ~20 min · East Chicago ~25 min · Gary ~30 min

✅ ILLINOIS SPORTS BETTING IS FULLY LEGAL

Illinois legalized sports betting in 2019 and launched mobile and retail sportsbooks in 2020. Illinois residents and visitors can legally place bets on professional and college sports from any mobile device, anywhere in Illinois. All major national sportsbook operators are licensed and available.

⚠️ ONLINE CASINO ≠ SPORTS BETTING

Illinois has legal sports betting — but does NOT have legal online casino gaming. You can legally bet on sports via mobile apps in Illinois. You cannot legally play online slots, blackjack, roulette, or live dealer casino games online in Illinois. These are two different types of gaming with different legal status. Illinois has only authorized sports betting, not online casino gaming.

DraftKings Sportsbook

✅ Live in Illinois

Illinois' leading sportsbook by handle. Full mobile betting, same-game parlays, live in-game wagering.

FanDuel Sportsbook

✅ Live in Illinois

Competitive with DraftKings for top spot. Strong promotions, NFL and NBA focus, excellent mobile app.

BetMGM Sportsbook

✅ Live in Illinois

MGM Resorts. Strong casino brand entering sports. BetMGM Rewards integration with MGM properties.

Caesars Sportsbook

✅ Live in Illinois

Caesars Entertainment sportsbook. Caesars Rewards points on bets. Strong presence at Illinois retail locations.