
Illinois remains one of the U.S. states that prohibits traditional online gaming. As a result, casino enthusiasts in the Land of Lincoln can only turn to Illinois sweepstakes casinos for their gaming experience.
These sites offer casino-style games legally and entertainingly, allowing players to enjoy everything from slots and table games to bingo and jackpots. My top three sweepstakes casinos are Jackpota, Zula, and Pulszbingo.com. In this review, I’ll break down their pros and cons, highlight their welcome bonuses, and answer some FAQs to help you get started.
If you’re in Illinois craving casino fun online, you might notice traditional online gaming isn’t legal here. However, there’s a workaround that’s both legal and entertaining: sweepstakes casinos. Let me break it down for you.
Sweepstakes casinos operate legally in the state by following Illinois sweepstakes law. These sites operate using virtual currencies – usually Gold Coins (GC) and Sweepstakes Coins (SC). Gold Coins are all about fun gaming. Sweepstakes Coins, on the other hand, can be redeemed for real prizes.
Most sweepstakes casinos offer free GC and SC as a welcome bonus. Moreover, while games on these sites are free to play, if you want to extend your gameplay, you can purchase optional Gold Coin packages, which usually come with free SC as a bonus.
Furthermore, once registered in any of these sweepstakes casinos, you’ll find various games to explore, such as slots, live dealer tables, poker, bingo, slingo, and more.
The three popular sites I’ve tried which adhere to Illinois sweepstakes law to give players the best sweepstakes casino experience are Jackpota, Zula, and Pulszbingo.com. These sites also dub as some of the top Ohio sweepstakes casinos. Each brings all there is to the table: welcome bonuses, many games, and a superb VIP program.
Now, let’s get personal with each.
Illinoisans don’t have to feel left out with Jackpota Casino around. Here, players can enjoy over 700 casino-style games with a generous 7,500 Gold Coins (GC) + 2.5 Sweeps Coins (SC) welcome bonus for a start.
Jackpota clearly is on point with its jackpot promotions. For example, the GC Grand jackpot offers a 200,000,000 GC prize without any opt-in required. Additionally, players can enjoy the Pragmatic Jackpot Play promo by playing one of 10 selected slots, including top picks like Sugar Rush, Gates of Olympus, and Big Bass Bonanza.
About slots, Jackpota delivers an impressive variety, including categories like Hold and Win, Slingo, Jackpot Play, Megaways, Classic, Arcade, and Unlimited Play. Exploring the Unlimited Play category quickly became my favorite activity. With a daily bonus of 1,500 GC, I enjoyed titles like Pragmatic Play’s Candy Stars and Hercules & Pegasus for just 1 GC per spin.
Beyond slots, Jackpota has table games to explore. My daily login bonus allowed me to enjoy classics like Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and Poker and two table games on the site.
Loyal players are also rewarded through Jackpota’s loyalty club program, while those who refer friends can benefit from its rewarding referral program.
Maybe it doesn’t match Stake.us in Illinois regarding welcome bonuses, but Zula Casino delivers to players in this state regardless.
When you sign up, you’re welcomed with a generous bonus of 100,000 Gold Coins (GC) + 10 Sweeps Coins (SC). This promo helps you explore Zula’s impressive game library, which includes Golden Trails of Zula, exclusive jackpots like Blazing Mustang, and exciting new titles like Santa Sphere Hold the Spin.
The games, powered by top-tier providers like Pragmatic Play, Booming Games, and Hacksaw Gaming, come with superb graphics and crystal-clear sound that pulled me in instantly.
I found the daily login bonus of 10,000 GC and 1 SC especially rewarding, as it kept my gameplay going each day. However, what really pulled me in was Zula’s VIP program for loyal players and the slots tournaments available. Those tournaments comprised mega GC and SC rewards that eventually shook my virtual currency balance.
Moreover, when I needed help, Zula’s customer support team came through. From a detailed FAQ section to a contact form and email support, Zula makes it easy to get the assistance you need on its site.
Want bingo and slots? Pulsz Bingo is worth stopping by to play both types of games while also redeeming Sweepstakes Coins for real prizes.
I started with a welcome bonus of 5,000 Gold Coins (GC) + 2 free Sweepstakes Coins (SC), which allowed me to explore its slots, bingo, scratch games, and table games.
Though the table game selection is limited to Texas Hold’em and Multihand Blackjack, it made me appreciate how the site caters to a broad range of players. As for the slots, Buffalo Hold and Win and Sugar Rush became instant favorites; I played them with just 50 GC and had a good time. Other discoveries included Mines and HiLo, which felt like a throwback to my Clubs Casino review.
Being a bingo-first site, Pulsz features six bingo rooms with varying entry fees (60 to 6,000 GC) and prize pools to scoop. Don’t miss Route 66 Bingo, which costs no GC to enter. Prize pools across these rooms range from 36,000 GC + 12 SC to 5,003,700 GC + 1,003.20 SC.
For loyal players, the VIP program offers six tiers, starting at Bronze and climbing up to Royal Diamond.
Here’s a quick overview of how each of these sites compare in terms of welcome bonuses:
Illinois Sweepstakes casino | Welcome bonus |
---|---|
Jackpota | 7,500 GC + 2.5 SC |
Zula | 100,000 GC + 10 SC |
Pulsz Bingo | 5,000 GC + 2 SC |
With a wide array of games and bonuses up for grabs, getting into Illinois sweepstakes gaming sites like Jackpota, Zula, or Pulszbingo.com can feel a bit overwhelming without the proper guidance. Hence, I’ve put together my top tips to help you make the most of these sites:
All the top three sweepstakes sites in Illinois above have games, from slots to bingo, slingo, and jackpot games. I ensured I had a mix of every category of the game on Zula and did the same thing for Jackpota and Pulsz Bingo. Switching between these options keeps things fresh and interesting.
Tournaments and challenges are not reserved for seasoned players alone. As a new player or a beginner, play the qualifying games repeatedly before joining a tournament, then proceed to gather as much GC and SC as you can. One of my best moments on Jackpota was joining a slots tournament, which rewarded me with thousands of GC.
I’ll admit I was excited when Pulsz Bingo’s VIP program rewarded my loyalty with bigger bonuses. Jackpota’s VIP perks also impressed me with personalized offers. If you’re a frequent player, tapping into these programs can significantly enhance your experience.
Sure, every player wants to accumulate as many GC and SC as possible for maximum gameplay, but at some point, it becomes easy to lose track of time. Therefore, check out these sites’ responsible gaming features to balance your gameplay. For instance, Pulszbingo.com offers tools to manage your time so you can enjoy the fun while you’re in control.
When I hit the 50 SC mark on Zula, I knew it was time to redeem my rewards for a prize. Redeeming your SC ensures you get the most out of your gameplay. Therefore, don’t hesitate to verify your details and begin a redemption process when you meet the criteria.
Although traditional online casinos aren’t currently allowed in Illinois, players can still enjoy the best sweepstakes games in Illinois at top-rated sweepstakes casinos. Among the best in the Prairie State are Jackpota, Zula, and Pulsz Bingo, each offering an exciting mix of casino-style games and generous welcome bonuses for Illinois players.
For those eager to play casino-style games for free while possibly redeeming rewards for real prizes, these options provide a great starting point while following Illinois sweepstakes rules.
If you’re in Illinois, some top sweepstakes casinos you can sign up for include Jackpota, Zula Casino, and Pulszbingo.com. These sites fully comply with Illinois sweepstakes law, offering an alternative for players who can’t access traditional online gaming.
New players on Jackpota receive 7,500 GC + 2.5 SC, Zula Casino offers 100,000 GC + 10 SC, and Pulszbingo.com offers 5,000 GC + 2 SC. These bonuses give players a great start, allowing them to explore the game libraries without any initial GC purchase.
Following sweepstakes laws in Illinois, all three sites operate on two virtual currencies: Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. Gold Coins are used purely for entertainment, while Sweepstakes Coins can be used to play sweeps games and collect SC, which are redeemable for real prizes.
Yes, each of these casinos offers a VIP program to reward loyal and active players. These programs often include exclusive bonuses and personalized perks to get more out of your gameplay experience.
Yes, Jackpota, Zula Casino, and Pulszbingo.com feature a variety of jackpot games where players can accumulate Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins while enjoying their favorite titles.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.