Gaming law is generally the law that applies to the gaming or gambling industry, including casinos, lotteries, horse racing, dog racing, sports betting, card games, table games, social gambling, bingo, raffles, slot machines, scratch tickets, etc. Gaming law includes state and federal statutes, rules, and regulations—and legal principles from traditional areas of law, such as contract law, administrative law, constitutional law, criminal law, and regulatory law. For example, the federal statute prohibiting illegal gambling businesses is located at 18 U.S.C. §1955.

In Illinois, gaming law is governed by a combination of state statutes and federal law. The Illinois Gaming Board regulates the state's casino gaming, video gaming, and sports wagering. Casinos, horse racing, and lotteries are legal forms of gambling in Illinois. The Video Gaming Act allows licensed establishments, truck stops, veteran and fraternal establishments to operate up to six video gaming terminals (VGTs) per location. The Sports Wagering Act, which was signed into law in 2019, legalizes sports betting in the state. Social gambling among individuals is permitted as long as no one profits from hosting the games, and charitable gaming, including bingo and raffles, is regulated under the Charitable Games Act. The Illinois Lottery is also a significant component of the state's gaming landscape. At the federal level, statutes such as 18 U.S.C. §1955, which prohibits illegal gambling businesses, also apply. However, the state's regulations must be in compliance with federal laws, including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which govern specific aspects of gaming at the national level.