Are Slot Machines Legal in Chicago?
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Illinois is a gambling hotbed. There are 10 riverboat casinos, 2 commercial casino proposals and video gaming terminals. The age of gambling is fluctuating.
The Illinois Riverboat Gambling Act was enacted in 1990 to legalize riverboat gambling in open water outside Cook County. In 1999, state law allowed them to be permanently docked and in 2005, they were allowed to install game consoles and table game seats. They charge $ 2 or $ 3 to patrons as admission. The venues had to close for two hours a day and limit business hours. Video game law passed in 2009 allowed VLT at approved retail stores, truck stops, veteran and sibling facilities.
Illinois has more VLTs than Nevada. However, none of them are within Chicago's city precincts. The main rule permitting Riverboat Casino was that you could not enter Cook County. Cook is the most populous county in Illinois and the second most populated county of the United States.
There are several casinos in Illinois that are within a few minutes drive from Chicago. Grand Victoria Casino Elgin is 42 miles west of downtown Chicago, Hard Rock Casino Rockford 89 miles northwest of Chicago and Hollywood Casino Aurora 42-45 miles southwest of the city. Rivers Casino Des Plaines is 20 miles north of Downtown Chicago but 30 miles south of it.
Argosy Casino Alton is 158 miles south of Peoria, across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. East St Louis Casino Queen is 165 miles from Peiaor, and Fara’s Metropolis is 167 miles southeast of St., Louis, Missouri. Rock Island Jumpers Casino and Hotel is 101 miles northwest of Peeoria. Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino is 3 miles north of East Peora.
There are no legal slots in Chicago, but gamblers in Cook County can find them online. New technology allows them to get corrections during their daily commute to work or at home. There are also no restrictions on internet access to these gambling sites in and around Chicago.
Online casinos are legal in Illinois, even though physical slots are not. Slot machine enthusiasts in and around Chicago may not have easy access to onshore casinos. They can play their favorite casino games by visiting the online casino of their choice.
