Bingo in Illinois: Laws, Licenses & Online Bingo (2026 Guide)

Is bingo legal in Illinois?

Yes, for licensed nonprofits. The Bingo License and Tax Act (230 ILCS 25) lets qualified religious, charitable, fraternal, veterans, labor and educational organizations run bingo once they hold a license from the Illinois Department of Revenue.

The same department handles pull-tabs and jar games and “charitable games” licenses for casino-night fundraisers, so a parish or VFW post often deals with one agency for its whole gaming program.

Illinois is unusual among Midwest states in having no tribal casinos at all. Its riverboat and land-based casinos are commercial, regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board, and focus on slots, tables and sports betting rather than bingo.

How old do you have to be to play bingo in Illinois?

You need to be 18. Illinois law bars anyone under 18 from playing bingo or helping conduct a licensed game.

That differs from the casinos, which are 21+. A 19-year-old can play at the church hall but not on a casino floor.

Can you play online bingo for real money in Illinois?

No. Illinois has legal online sports betting and an online lottery, but lawmakers have not authorized online casino games, and bingo licenses cover games played in person.

The Illinois Gaming Board’s position is that offering games of chance for money or prizes over the internet without a state license violates Illinois criminal law. Our online bingo guide explains which kinds of apps are safe to use. Worried about your play? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER any time.

Are sweepstakes bingo sites legal in Illinois?

We rate them restricted. Illinois has not passed a sweepstakes-specific ban, but regulators have declared these sites illegal.

On February 5, 2026, the Illinois Gaming Board, working with Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office, sent cease-and-desist letters to 65 online casino and sweepstakes operators. The letters told them to block Illinois residents or stop awarding prizes to Illinois users, and warned of civil or criminal penalties. Reports since then indicate many brands kept serving the state anyway, so you may still see them, but they are operating against the regulator’s explicit position. That raises the risk of frozen balances or sudden exits. Read our sweepstakes bingo explainer before you buy coins.

Where can you play bingo in Illinois?

At licensed charity games. Catholic parishes in the Chicago area, American Legion and VFW posts, Knights of Columbus councils, Moose and Elks lodges and volunteer fire departments run most of the state’s weekly bingo, often alongside pull-tabs.

We haven’t listed individual halls because schedules change often and we couldn’t confirm current sessions from official sources. Ask your local parish or veterans post, or check community calendars. If you want a casino bingo hall, the nearest are in neighboring states such as Indiana and Wisconsin.

How to run a charity bingo game in Illinois

Illinois has a well-worn licensing path. In outline:

1. Confirm eligibility. Your organization must be a qualifying nonprofit with a track record in Illinois. Groups with recent felony convictions among key members, or a prior revoked license, are ineligible.
2. Choose a license. IDOR offers a regular annual bingo license and a limited license for occasional events. Fees are modest, but check the current amounts on the application.
3. Respect the prize caps. The statute limits prizes to $500 per game and $2,250 per bingo day, with narrow exceptions.
4. Staff with members aged 18+ and keep records of receipts, prizes and expenses.
5. File returns and pay the tax. Licensees report gross proceeds to IDOR and pay the bingo tax on time.

For prize ideas and volunteer planning, see our bingo fundraiser guide. Adding pull-tabs? Our pull-tabs guide explains how the tickets work.