Where Can I Play Texas Holdem in Illinois?

Poker is one of the most popular casino table games that is the main attraction in every casino. However, since the situation in Illinois is a bit delicate in terms of laws and regulations, people are a bit confused on where they can play Texas HoldEm poker.

Although there are plenty of casinos in Illinois, online gambling is still illegal here. This means that playing Texas Holdem online is out of the question, unless you want to use an offshore gambling website which operate in the legal grey area.

Illinois has made countless attempts over the last couple of years to legalize online casino gambling, but each time lawmakers failed to make an agreement. This means that there are a couple of options for poker enthusiasts.

You can either go to a physical casino (there are plenty of casinos in Chicago), play something like sweepstakes, local poker clubs, at your home, or at official tournaments.

Let’s dive deeper and find out where the best place to play Texas HoldEm poker is in Illinois.

Riverboat Casinos

Chicago is the best place to go in Illinois if you want some poker action. But why riverboat casinos? Well, there is a strange law that only allows casinos to operate on water (don’t ask why).

This means that there are plenty of boats turned into casinos that remain dockside. Almost all of them offer traditional slots, blackjack, roulette, and of course Texas HoldEm.

There are 17 functional casinos in Illinois, and more than 9,000 licensed video gaming locations.

So, if you want to play some poker, the first and best choice is to go to an actual casino.

If you’re near Chicago, the riverboat casinos are your go-to for Texas Holdem action. Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, just 40 miles west of downtown, runs 20 tables with No-Limit Holdem cash games at $1/$2 and $2/$5 blinds, plus weekly tournaments on Wednesdays and Sundays with buy-ins from $115 to $170.

Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, 14 miles from downtown, is another heavyweight, boasting 22 tables and a rep for loose, action-packed $1/$2 games. Tournaments here, like the $150 Deepstack, draw big crowds.

Charity Poker Events

If you are not in it for the money, you should consider playing at charity poker events. Many such events are organized in Illinois, and they are designed to be as close to the real thing as possible. The money made in the tournaments goes to a good cause.

Organizations like Chicago Charitable Games (CCG) host many tournaments and cash games at various locations.

Yes, you won’t make money in the process, but at least you’ll have some fun.

Online Texas Hold 'Em Poker

Although online gambling is still not legal in Illinois, nobody can stop you from registering on third-party offshore online gambling websites. Yes, you won’t get into trouble, however, you have to understand that you are not covered by the state if something goes wrong.

This means that you should only choose a reputable operator with years of experience.

If you want to check some of the best operators for casino games and sports betting in Illinois, check the link below: youbet.com/states/illinois/

Central Illinois Tournaments

Despite the lack of physical casinos, this doesn’t mean that playing poker is out of the question. There are many official poker tournaments (not for charity) organized in Illinois, like the Independent Sports Club of Central Illinois, which hosted a Texas Holdem Tournament this year with a $150 buy-in.

So, if you want to have some fun but still earn some money, maybe you should consider playing at a tournament.

Local Poker Clubs

If you want something more private and you are not really a person who likes to socialize in big tournaments, then local poker clubs are the next best thing. Illinois is home to plenty of private poker clubs, and many people play poker at home.

But how are they legal? Well, most of these clubs operate as charity events just to stay legal, which means that you have to be 18+ and consider donating some of your winnings (which they often do).

If this sounds like your vibe, check for local poker clubs nearby and shoot them a message saying that you want to enter.

Navigating the Legal Landscape

Illinois loves its poker, but the legal sides worth a quick note. Live poker at licensed casinos like Rivers or Bally’s is fully regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board, with 88 tables statewide.

Charity poker events, like CCGs, are legal under state charity gaming laws, supporting 501(c) organizations.

Home games are a gray area—fine if private and no rake’s taken but publicizing them can draw heat.

Online poker’s trickier: as of 2025, no regulated real-money sites exist, though bills like HB 2239 are pushing for legalization. Stick to licensed venues or charity events, and you’re golden.

It is only a matter of time until online casino gambling becomes fully legal in Illinois, and until then, these are the best alternatives.