Features of CoinPoker: Why Play Poker Online in Illinois with Us?
CoinPoker has everything you need for online poker in Illinois. It’s digital currency-friendly for seamless transactions, and the decentralized RNG ensures fair gameplay. Players enjoy rakeback and a wide selection of cash games and tournaments, making it an appealing choice for poker lovers in the Prairie State. Let’s take a look at some of the unique features that set us apart.
Crypto-Friendly
CoinPoker is a modern, crypto-friendly platform for exciting online poker action. Our players enjoy fast and secure transactions with ETH, BTC, MATIC, SOL, USDT_TRON and CHP tokens, all while using the USDT stablecoin as the main in-game currency. In Illinois, purchasing cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a variety of altcoins is not only legal but also streamlined. Residents here have a number of options at their fingertips, with prominent exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken facilitating easy transactions. Additionally, e-wallets such as MetaMask and Ledger Nano provide secure storage solutions for investors and enthusiasts alike. This crypto ecosystem in the state provides great accessibility, without any hassle. This blend of convenience and privacy lets you focus on having fun with your favorite games, making CoinPoker a game-changer for Illinoisan poker enthusiasts.
Decentralized RNG
Our decentralized random number generator (RNG) software changes the game for players of real money online poker in the state of Illinois. It uses input from all players at the table to shuffle the deck, ensuring everything is fair and random. It employs the same cryptographic hash function as the Ethereum network, so you know it’s secure and transparent. By including everyone’s input, our RNG stops any chance of bias. This cool tech makes sure every shuffle is truly random, setting a new standard for fairness in online poker.
Wide Range of Cash Games & Tournaments
Poker players in Illinois can head into a diverse range of cash games accommodating all budgets, from micro stakes to high rollers and everything in between. CoinPoker offers a wide selection of game types and formats, providing options for every poker player. Players can also join a variety of thrilling tournaments, including turbo and hyper options for those who enjoy fast-paced action. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the game, there’s plenty of excitement to be found. Don’t forget to explore our satellites for major events like the Sunday Specials, where you can compete for substantial prizes.
Attractive Promotions & Rakeback
If you’re playing online poker for real money in Illinois, you’ll want to get the biggest bang for your buck. To help you maximize your potential winnings, we’ve created numerous poker promotions to boost your bankroll. You can participate in the Hold’em Daily Leaderboard, which boasts a ₮1,000 prize pool. If you prefer Omaha, come and join the Omaha Daily Leaderboard with ₮1,000 in that prize pool as well. Our Monthly Tournament Leaderboard has a huge ₮15,000 up for grabs. On top of that, we offer an incredible 33% rakeback deal, helping you get more value from every hand you play. If the cards don’t fall in your favor, The Bad Beat Jackpot might just put a smile back on your face.
Large Welcome Bonus
At CoinPoker, we’re thrilled to offer a substantial 150% first deposit bonus up to $2,000 when you play real money online poker in Illinois. Whether you’re from Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, or anywhere in the State, getting started is easy. Just head to the cashier, deposit at least $10, and start playing to generate rake. Your bonus unlocks in 10% increments as you play, requiring you to generate 2x the bonus amount in rake to fully redeem it. You can be playing and redeeming the bonus within a couple of minutes.
Find out more by visiting our Welcome Bonus page.
Poker Games at CoinPoker
CoinPoker offers three poker game variants: Texas Hold ‘em, Pot Limit Omaha, and 5-Card Omaha, giving players a focused selection without overwhelming choices. You can join cash games starting as low as ₮0.02 / ₮0.05 and go all the way up to high stakes of ₮1000 / ₮2000, with plenty of tables in between.
We also host a huge variety of poker tournaments, ranging from freerolls to satellite events leading into major tournaments like The Irish Poker Festival, offering players exciting opportunities to compete and win big prizes online or in person.
It’s convenient and easy to participate using crypto, whether you’re a serious poker player from Illinois or just playing for fun. This setup lets players focus on mastering their favorite games, with the added benefit of smooth cryptocurrency transactions.
5-Card Pot Limit Omaha
The increasing popularity of 5-Card Omaha, also known as 5PLO, in Illinois highlights its unique appeal. Unlike traditional Pot Limit Omaha, this variant deals players five hole cards instead of four. To form the best five-card hand, players must use two of their hole cards combined with three community cards. This extra card significantly enhances the chances of landing a formidable hand. In 5PLO, relying on just two pairs or three of a kind often falls short. If the community cards hint at somebody holding a monster, then pay attention.
Texas Hold ‘Em
Fans of online poker in Illinois recognize Texas Hold’em as the most popular poker variant in recent times. It features four betting rounds where players can bet, bluff, call, or fold based on their hand strength. As each round progresses, additional community cards are dealt, allowing players to assess the strength of their hands against potential opponents. Community cards, five in total, are placed face-up on the table. Players can use between three and five of these cards, in combination with one, both, or even none of their hole cards to form their best possible five-card hand.
Pot Limit Omaha
In Pot Limit Omaha (PLO), each player is dealt four hole cards face down. To form your best five-card hand, you need to use exactly two of your hole cards along with three from the five community cards. Unlike No Limit Hold’em, where you receive only two hole cards, PLO provides more initial options. This complexity enhances strategy since you have numerous ways to connect your cards with those on the table. Success in PLO relies on skilfully combining your hand with the community cards, requiring strategic play throughout the game.
Poker Landscape in Illinois
At the Illinois Gaming Board’s (IGB) first meeting of the year, it was reported that the State and local governments earned more than $1.5 billion in tax revenue from Illinois’ 15 licensed casinos in 2023, underscoring the state’s robust gaming sector.
Since sports betting was legalized in 2019, both in-person and online betting have become super popular. New casinos are popping up, especially around Chicago, adding more excitement to the scene. The state lottery is still going strong, bringing in lots of money for schools and other public services. Overall, Illinois is quickly becoming a hotspot for all kinds of gambling. Poker has played an integral role in this success.
The poker scene in Illinois has undergone significant growth, boasting a vibrant community of players who enjoy both live and online play.
Chicago stands out as a poker hub, hosting numerous poker rooms and events that attract players from across the state and beyond. Popular venues in casinos such as Rivers Casino Poker Room in Des Plaines, Hollywood Casino Poker Room in Aurora, and Harrah’s Poker Room in Joliet contribute to the city’s thriving poker culture.
Key tournaments in the state include Grand Victoria Casino’s Deep Stack event held on the first Saturday of every month, while The Horseshoe Casino in Hammond hosts $5,000 and $10,000 guaranteed No Limit Hold’em tournaments on Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Some esteemed poker players from Illinois including Jordan Griff. He is renowned for his skill and success on the poker circuit, including a notable achievement at the 2024 WSOP by reaching the Main Event final table. Mohsin Charania, known as ‘chicagocards1’ online, is another prominent professional from Chicago, celebrated for his numerous cash finishes and a WSOP bracelet win in 2017. He ranks second on Illinois’ all-time money list, behind Connor Drinan, who has amassed nearly $12 million in live tournament earnings.
While all this is happening, there’s also a lot of talk about making sure people gamble responsibly and get help if they need it. We encourage anybody from Illinois who may have a problem with gambling to visit the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling.
Can You Play Online Poker for Real Money in Illinois?
Real-money online poker isn’t legal in Illinois right now – and shares a rather similar legal landscape to that in Ohio. But if you’re from the Prairie State and love poker, you can still get in on the action at top offshore poker sites. Offshore poker sites operate outside U.S. law and Illinois state regulations. They aren’t overseen by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), so they don’t have to follow the state’s gambling rules.
That said, residents of Illinois can legally play live poker in casinos and poker rooms. There’s also the legal option of sweepstakes online poker, where you play online to win prizes that can be redeemed for cash.
Apart from this, those living in the state can legally engage in sports betting, horse betting, and enjoy the excitement of riverboat casinos. You can find more information regarding the legalities of gambling in the 2019 Illinois Gambling Act.
The state’s evolving gambling regulations promise a dynamic future for online poker in Illinois. The Illinois General Assembly has made attempts in the past to regulate online poker, but they could not go through.
However, the momentum for a full-scale legalization is slowly building, with many calling for the state to join a gaming compact like the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). Such an agreement would allow Illinois to share its player pool with other states, thereby creating a larger market.
Some lawmakers are pushing for a regulated market for real money online poker in Illinois, potentially implementing it by 2025 – provided the respective bills are passed.
Taxation of Poker Winnings in Illinois
In Illinois, the taxation laws surrounding poker and online poker winnings are structured to primarily adhere to federal guidelines. For live poker, winnings are subject to federal income tax, with Illinois not imposing additional state-level taxes specifically on these earnings. Similarly, online poker winnings are also subject to federal income tax requirements, while Illinois does not levy state-specific taxes on such earnings.
The state’s focus on taxing gambling operators rather than individual players means that poker players can enjoy their winnings without immediate state tax obligations beyond federal mandates. It’s advisable for players to maintain thorough records of their poker activities, including wins and losses, to accurately report their income come tax season. Seeking advice from a tax professional knowledgeable in gambling income can ensure compliance with both federal and state tax laws, providing peace of mind for players navigating the complexities of poker taxation in Illinois.
How to Play Poker Online in Illinois?
Looking to play online poker in Illinois? Getting started with CoinPoker is a snap:
- Sign up and Get Ready: Begin by creating your account on CoinPoker.
- Download the App: Access the CoinPoker app on your device.
- Deposit Funds: Add funds to your account to start playing.
- Join Cash Games and Tournaments: Explore a variety of cash games and tournaments available on CoinPoker.
- Start Playing: Dive into online poker action.
When you’re ready to play, here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect when you join a table and begin to play the most popular poker variation – Texas Hold’em:
- Pre-Flop Stage: The game starts with the small blind, placed by the player to the dealer’s left, and the big blind by the next player, setting the initial bets. Each player receives two face-down cards, starting with the small blind.
- Flop: Three community cards are dealt face-up on the table. These cards are shared among all players to help create the best possible five-card poker hand. Another round of betting follows the Flop.
- Turn: The third stage introduces another community card called the Turn.
- River: The fourth stage reveals the fifth and final community card. This card plays a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the hand, leading up to the Showdown.
- Showdown: The final betting round concludes as all players reveal their cards. The player with the strongest five-card hand wins the pot.
Don’t forget that we offer Omaha variations of poker as well. Check out our Poker Games page for more information on those.
CoinPoker offers an easily accessible platform for players to experience the excitement of online poker in Illinois firsthand. With fast deposit options via cryptocurrency, you’ll be immersed in the action right away.
Play Online Poker in Illinois
Alright, poker fans, ready to step up your game and play at the best online poker site in Illinois? CoinPoker’s got everything you need for a top-notch online poker experience. From Chicago to Champaign or anywhere in The Land of Lincoln, we’ve got seamless gameplay, exciting tournaments, and quick withdrawals—all backed by blockchain security. Join the action now and see why CoinPoker is making waves in Illinois.