Illinois, with its bustling cities and diverse population, is indeed one of the most promising markets for poker tournaments in the country. Boasting a rich poker tradition with a sizable community of poker players, both amateur and professional, the state’s casinos and poker rooms are never short of poker tournaments and cash games to host and this fall will be no different.
The Prairie State has already hosted several major tournaments, which have served as a focal point for both the professional poker community and enthusiasts to interact with each other. These poker tournaments create a vibrant atmosphere that fosters camaraderie, healthy competition, and a sense of community among players.
Plus, they offer considerable economic benefits to the host city, including increased tourism, hotel bookings, restaurant patronage, and revenue from the event itself, often in the form of buy-ins and sponsorships. The upcoming poker events in The Windy City are likely to capitalize on these factors, creating a memorable experience for participants and contributing significantly to the local economy.
Which tournaments can Illinois punters look forward to?
What we cover
The WSOP makes its way to the Grand Victoria Poker Room in Elgin
The renowned World Series of Poker Circuit will be held at the Grand Victoria Poker Room in Elgin from November 9 to 20. The WSOP Circuit at Grand Victoria Casino will feature a main tournament along with numerous ring events. Some of the events include the $600 NLH Event 2, which will kick off the series.
The $600 NLH Event 2 is scheduled to take place between November 9th and 12th and will offer a guaranteed prize pool worth $250,000. Another event that poker lovers can look forward to includes the $400 NLH Senior’s Event 4, which will kick off right after the $600 NLH Event on November 12th.
As the name suggests, the $400 NLH Senior’s Event has been specifically designed for senior players. It comes with a guaranteed prize pool of $100,000. The seniors event will be followed by a $400 NLH Monster Stack, scheduled between November 14th and 16th. This event guarantees $100,000 in prizes.
Lastly, there will be the $1,700 NLH Main Event that comes with a guarantee of a substantial guaranteed prize pool of $750,000. As the pinnacle of the tournament, this event will draw the most established poker players in Illinois, each vying for the coveted title and a share of the impressive prize money.
The Windy City Poker Championship Club on Thanksgiving Day
The WSOP Circuit at Grand Victoria Casino will be followed by the Windy City Poker Championship, which is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day. The poker championship club has organized a series of events. However, please note that while the club will take a break on Thanksgiving Day, the poker action will be in full swing the day before, the day after, and throughout the entire weekend.
Cash games will be available every day at noon throughout the Thanksgiving weekend. With a range of buy-in options and game formats, there will be something for every poker player, making this series a must-attend event for the local poker community.
Horseshoe Hammond resumes regular schedule
After the recently concluded WSOP circuit series in October, the Horseshoe Hammond has since resumed its regular schedule. The resort has organized weekly tournaments that include the $120 NLH each Tuesday, the $220 NLH: on Wednesdays, as well as the $120 NLH on Thursdays.
The state of online poker in Illinois
However, please note that when it comes to online poker tournaments, Illinois has some legal complexities regarding online poker for real cash. The good news is that several online casinos in Illinois operate under a model that allows poker players to take part in games for virtual currency or non-cash rewards.
These platforms utilize a sweepstakes model where players purchase virtual currency or chips, play poker games, and can win prizes or rewards. These prizes are typically exchanged for cash or merchandise, which allows the state to bypass the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and the Interstate Wire Act which have both created significant legal hurdles for online poker operators in the state.
Players in Illinois and other states where online poker for real money is restricted can participate in these sweepstakes’ poker sites legally. However, players need to understand the legal nuances and ensure they are playing on platforms that comply with state and federal laws. But as more and more demand for online poker has grown in Illinois, the state could debut multi-state online poker as soon as 2024.
If real-money poker games are legalized, the Land of Lincoln might soon emerge as the biggest player in the online poker arena. With 2 bills in the Illinois General Assembly that could legalize online poker, the 6th-most populous state in the country is on the verge of becoming an online poker powerhouse, trailing only behind Pennsylvania.
The 2 bills, HB 2239 and HB 2320 have been in the limelight for the past couple of months. Both HB 2239 and HB 2320, collectively known as the Internet Gaming Act, propose the legalization of online poker and online casino gaming within Illinois. If approved, an unspecified number of qualified licensees would be allowed to operate up to three skins for online casinos.
Both HB 2239 and HB 2320 also encompass the state’s land-based casinos and racetracks within the definition of qualified licensees. These bills have never been more important as Illinois looks to scale its already thriving gambling market. When approved, the 2 bills will enable the state to join multijurisdictional gaming compacts like the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).
Final Thoughts
With the possibility of becoming the second-largest state for real-money online poker in 2024, Illinois is on the brink of a significant milestone. The legalization of online poker in Illinois could have substantial economic and social implications. The state stands to benefit from increased tax revenues, potential job creation in various sectors, and enhanced tourism, especially from poker enthusiasts.
Plus, joining multijurisdictional gaming compacts would bolster Illinois’s online poker ecosystem, creating a vibrant and competitive market. As the legislative session progresses, all eyes are on Illinois to see if it will usher in a new era for online poker enthusiasts, both within the state and across the nation.
