Gambling in the US

Welcome to GamblingCity! We’re gambling experts with decades of experience in the industry covering everything from land-based casino gaming to gambling online in the USA. We analyze and review online casinos, the legalities and regulations associated with gambling in America, and give you top tips and information for finding and comparing the best sites, games, bonuses, and more.

Gambling Laws in the US

Gambling is heavily restricted in most parts of the US. Apart from hotspots like Las Vegas and Atlantic City, most forms of gambling are considered illegal, particularly when it comes to online casino gaming and sports betting. If you unknowingly gamble in a state where gambling is outlawed, you could face penalties or even jail time depending on the severity of the offense. However, don’t let this put you off, because there are easy ways to tell whether you’re legally permitted to gamble in the US, and that’s by first distinguishing the laws for your state of residence or jurisdiction.

Take a look through our list of gambling laws to help you easily find the rules and regulations relevant to your state or place of residence.  

In most states, gambling laws completely forbid games of chance or games that rely on an element of chance to determine the results. On the other hand, games of skill such as car racing or shooting competitions, are not considered gambling.

Note that even though most strategy-based casino games like blackjack are often dubbed “games of skill” these too still rely on an element of chance because the player never knows exactly what they will get in their hand, or what cards they will be dealt after they have been shuffled. 

Even though most forms of gambling have been completely legalized in states like Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey, it is still highly regulated and restricted in some way. For example, in Connecticut, online gambling is completely legal, but only if you play at tribal-owned online casinos.

Sports betting is one form of gambling that is starting to become more widespread within the US, and a handful of states now have access to daily fantasy sports and sportsbooks. However, in most jurisdictions, casino games, poker clubs, and private betting clubs are still prohibited, and many people aren’t aware of these legal restrictions.

Social casino gaming and charitable gaming are activities that practically all US states allow because they do not cost anything to enter. In addition, the prizes offered are always fixed and cannot be adjusted by the casino or sportsbook that’s offering them. This is why, even if you live in a state where gambling is outlawed completely, you’ll likely find that you can still access a range of social casino gaming sites, state-run lotteries, raffles, and electronic bingo games.

Most Popular Forms of Gambling in the US

Commercial Casinos: These establishments are owned and operated by companies both small and large. Commercial casinos are mostly regulated by state governments, but each state and jurisdiction tends to set different limits on the types of games offered as well as the locations of the casinos which are allowed to operate.

Indian/Native American Casinos: Also known as tribal casinos, these types operate everything from casino games to bingo halls that are federally recognized. They are typically located on Indian reservations and tribal-owned lands and are regulated by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. States are limited to how they can restrict and regulate these establishments due to tribal sovereignty.

Racinos: These venues mix traditional casino gaming with race track betting such as horses or greyhound racing. In most cases, these venues can also operate slot machines and a small number of table games like blackjack, roulette, and poker.

Casino Resorts: Most Las Vegas establishments are considered casino resorts because they are typically attached to some kind of hotel or lodging premises. These large facilities normally include a casino, hotel, shopping mall, spa and wellness center, golf club, restaurants, and other amenities.

Cruise Ship Casinos: Some of the world’s best cruise ships casinos are located in the USA and it’s one of the wealthiest sectors of the industry. It’s estimated that cruise ship casinos generate close to $15 billion in revenue every year for the US and they are a great alternative for people who can’t afford the expensive flights and accommodation in places like Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Some are more luxurious than others, but most incorporate a package deal that allows punters to relax on board while having access to a range of classic casino games and slot machines.

Riverboat Casinos: Riverboat casinos have been around for over a century, and they first originated in Missippi and Ohio when federal laws prevented casinos from being constructed on land. When operators discovered a loophole that would allow them to run casinos on water, riverboat casinos were born, and remain the most popular and dominating casino establishments in places like Louisiana, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. Riverboat casinos offer the same classes of games as commercial casinos, including numerous tables games, and slot machines.

Card Rooms/Mini-Casinos: Card rooms are small venues that function as poker or card game rooms within the premises of a casino. They can also be single establishments that host only card games against players, without a dealer present. You’ll find games like Texas Hold’em, Pai Gow, Chinese Poker, Omaha Hold’em and other popular variants in these types of venues, along with Blackjack and Carribean Stud.

Online Casinos: You can probably guess what these entail. Online casinos are exactly the same as land-based casinos, only the games are played online. The only requirements to play are an account, a deposit, and an internet connection. Even though players are gambling on their computer, tablet, or mobile device, many online casinos now offer live dealer games, which gives people the chance to interact with a real-life dealer through their screen and chat with other players.  

Land-based vs Online Casino Gambling

Pros of Online Gambling

Ease and Convenience – With instant access to so many fantastic games and bonuses from a few clicks of a button, conveninece is possibly the number one reason why people gamble online. They have the chance to win money anytime, anywhere, whether they are commuting to work, waiting in line, or have a spare few minutes at the office – pretty much all online casinos are mobile-optimized, allowing players to play their favorite games whenever the feel like it.

Bigger Rewards and Incentives – Compared to land-based casinos, online casinos usually offer much bigger and better rewards to online players. This is mostly because they don’t need to account for overheads such as staff salaries, building and maintenance costs, and machine repairs; therefore they can provide more valuable bonuses, regular giveaways, and other great gifts that give player players more bang for their buck.

Wider Variety and More Choice – While land-based casinos are often limited in the variants and choice for players at their establishments, online players have much more variety. These include multiple variations of blackjack, poker, and other table games, along with exotic vareities that aren’t common in land-based casinos such as Sic Bo, Aces & Eights, and Multiplayer games. Online gambling sites also offer hundreds of unique and exciting slot machines, and sometimes the ability to bet on sports.

Privacy and anonymity – Thanks to online casinos, players don’t even need to leave the privacy of their homes to indulge in some first-class gaming action. People can often feel overwhelmed by the number of people playing at land-based casinos, and the pressure to socialize can be quite daunting for the introverted gambler. But with internet-based gambling, it’s just you vs the computer, and the best part is you can still interact with other players if you want to by opting for live dealer games.

Cons of Online Gambling

Lack of Social Atmosphere – If you are someone who loves the social aspect of land-based casinos, online gambling can be a difficult transition. Even though you have the chance to chat to other players and a human dealer via live dealer casinos, it’s never quite the same as having a drink with your fellow punters at the bar or blackjack table in your local casino.

Easier to Get Carried Away – Research and studies indicate that gamblers are at a higher risk of unplanned expenditure when they play online. Unlike physically taking money from your wallet or buying chips at the cashier in a land-based casino, online players are required to top up their bankroll electronically, and if they are playing games like slots, for example, where it’s easy to place bets mindlessly, this can lead to quick losses and spending more than you originally set as your budget.

Pros of Land-Based Casinos

Memorable Experience – A night out at the casino is often an extremely memorable and enjoyable experience – especially if you’ve won! The bustling sounds of people around you, the lights, bells and whistles of the machines, and the general atmosphere can be really captivating and it’s something that online casinos cannot physically replicate, no matter how hard they try.

More Thinking Time – Even though you’re not under pressure to place quick bets when you play online, the same goes for playing in land-based casinos when it comes to being able to think about your decisions. When you’re absorbed in a game, you’ve got time to carefully think through your strategies while keeping track of your budget. If you realize you don’t have the capacity to continue playing, it’s easy to just walk away or head to an ATM to get some more cash.

Economic Contribution – When a gambler chooses to play at their local casino, they are making a significant contribution to the economy as a whole. By playing at land-based venues, you’re helping to cover the costs of staff salaries, the environmental practices that the casino is responsible for, and the portions of money that the venue donates to charity and the tax office to help fund local projects like schools, construction of new homes, and other great causes.

Cons of Land-Based Casinos

Lack of Variety – As land-based casinos are physically limited by their gaming floors, there are only so many machines and tables they can fill the space with. This means that there is less game variety compared to online casinos, whose servers are the only restriction they have on space – which are practically infinite. Also, online casinos have the means to offer new and regular releases, so you can always count on something fresh and exciting to play each month.

No Free Gaming Options – Anyone who visits a land-based casino is there to play for real money. Most casinos won’t let you even enter unless you spend money on expensive drinks and table reservations beforehand. This is where online casinos are superior in the sense that all games are available to play in demo mode without any risks or costs associated with them.

How to Gamble Online

Learning how to gamble online is simple and straightforward. The first step is to pick a reputable online casino game that offers the type of games you want to play. Some are better than others, which is why we recommend always reading up on casino reviews on sites like ours before you register. Nevertheless, here are the steps for gambling online below:

Sign Up – Create a real money player account by clicking on the “sign up” tab of your chosen online casino. Enter a few personal details such as name, age address, and other key information.

Make Your Deposit – Once you’ve set up your account, you’ll then be asked to select your preferred banking method. Most online casinos accept all major debit and credit cards, plus e-wallets like Neteller, bank wire, wire transfer, and in some cases bank check. Once you have selected your preferred option, head over to the cashier and enter the minimum deposit amount or more.

Claim Your Welcome Bonus – All of the best online casinos offer a fantastic welcome offer or package to first-time players. This can be in the form of a no deposit bonus, a match bonus on your first few deposits, or something even better like free spins to use on a variety of slot games. Once you have your code or link from the casino, enter it into the required field, and it should be credited to your bankroll immediately.

Choose a Game – Once your bankroll is topped up and ready to go, navigate the casino game lobby, choose from hundreds of amazing casino games, load one up through your computer or mobile device, and start playing for free or for real money!

Free vs Real Money Gambling

Pros of Free Casino Gambling

Better Understanding and Knowledge – Playing for free gives you the opportunity to practice and get to know the rules and dynamics of a game before you start risking your own money. As you get more familiar with how a game works, you’ll feel more confident when you do start playing for the real deal and be able to better assess the gameplay and make more calculated decisions.

No Risks Involved – When you play casino games for free, there are zero risks to your bankroll. As a result, you can play for as long as you like without dealing with pressure from the casino or other players.

No Registration Required – Many online casinos do not require you to make an account in order to test out their games. This means you don’t have to waste any time with long registration procedures and can delve straight into the action of any game you want to play.

Cons of Free Casino Gambling

No Bonuses or Rewards – If you’re not investing any money into playing games at online casinos, unfortunately, you will not be entitled to earn any rewards or promotional offers. These are incentives only possible if you are playing for real cash.

Limited Variety – Even though many online casinos have a wide selection of free games available, sometimes you might find that your favorite variant of a game is not available to play unless you’re placing real money wagers. Plus, you may not be entitled to play extra bonus rounds or second screen events in some slot games, particularly progressive slots.

You Can’t Win Real Money – This is the biggest and most obvious disadvantage of playing casino games for free. If you happen to strike that big jackpot, you’re going to feel pretty disheartened when you know you can’t claim it. If it’s a game like Mega Millions, where the chances of winning are 1 in several million, knowing that you can’t claim the prize is a hard pill to swallow.

Pros of Real Money Gambling

Bonuses and Rewards – Real money players are entitled to regular bonuses and top promotions from online casinos. These can include everything from free gifts, to cashback, comp points, or VIP giveaways such as rooms upgrades, free vacations, and meal vouchers.

Fun and Thrilling – Nothing beats that adrenaline rush you get when you’ve landed a big win and know that every cent you’ve earned is yours to keep. When you play games for free, you might strike a jackpot, but you won’t be able to claim it.

More Gaming Options – Playing for real money gives you more access to games and other great gaming options that you wouldn’t otherwise get if you played for free. You’ll also get to choose from the latest and hottest game releases as soon as they come on the market.

Tournaments and Competitions – If you play for real money, you’ll also get the opportunity to take part in exciting tournaments like poker games and slot competitions. These games can house some amazing prizes and rewards and give you the chance to test your skills against other players.

Cons of Real Money Gambling

Potential Risks – Naturally you are always at risk of losses when you gamble for real money. This can also lead to chasing losses if you’re not careful and can leave you much worse off than before you started.

Problem Gambling and Addiction – As gambling is compulsive in nature, it’s very easy to become addicted to playing these games. Some players have risked their mortgages, cars, and other possessions in order to fuel their habit.

Real Money Online Gambling Tips

Whether it’s in a land-based casino or online, playing casino games for free certainly has its advantages, but most gamblers are in it for the money. And we don’t blame them! Being able to win a life-changing sum of cash is something that everyone wants, and therefore, if you want to give yourself the best chance at winning, our advice is to thoroughly research every game you want to play, practice for free, manage your bankroll, and utilize bonuses in order to get the most out of your bankroll. For additional info, check out our real money gambling tips page for expert strategies and advice.

Benefits of Online Gambling

Playing games online is a great alternative to playing at land-based casinos. You can expect a much wider selection of games in comparison to land-based venues, and more often than not, the jackpots are bigger as well. This is because online casinos can afford to set their prizes higher because they have fewer outgoings than the big venues in places like Vegas.

This also means online players can expect bigger and better bonuses, more banking methods to choose from, higher limits, smaller wager requirements, and faster withdrawal times. On top of this, online gambling allows players to play remotely from their table or mobile device, meaning they can gamble wherever they are, whenever they want.

How to Find the Best Online Gambling Sites in the US

Finding a top US gambling site to play at is no easy task. There are thousands of different sites to choose from, after all. That’s why we spend time carefully reviewing sites every week to make sure our readers have plenty of legal and reputable choices.

Our rigorous review process has been perfected to cover the need-to-know details about casinos, including the game selection, bonuses available, payment options, limits, withdrawal times, security and software, and other key information that are necessary for players.

However, if you would rather go down the route of looking for a gambling site personally, here are our top tips for finding a site that’s suitable for your taste, style, and prefrences:

Check They Are Licensed – The first and utmost important piece of advice we can give you is to first check that any site you plan to play at is licensed and verified by an approved gambling authority. There are horror stories of players who have signed up to a rogue online casino and been scammed out of their winnings, or duped when it comes to claiming a bonus. Always check this information first and read up on feedback from players who have registered with a site previously.

Make Sure the Site is Optimized – If you want the freedom of being able to gamble on the move, you’ll want to make sure that the gambling site has a mobile casino, application, or that it’s generally compatible with your tablet and devices. The last thing you want is to register, only to discover that you have to be glued to your computer screen for hours on end in order to play your favorite games.

Read the Terms and Conditions – All reputable casinos will have an extensive T&Cs page detailing the policies for playing at their site. This will include information regarding wagering requirements, bonus terms, payment times, withdrawal limits, and other legal information. If you can’t find any terms and conditions on a gambling site, we highly suggest you avoid it at all costs because this means they may not accept liability for anything that goes wrong.

Make Sure They Have Bonuses – Practically all online casinos have a promotions page where players can check out the latest offers. As a newly registered player, you should always be offered a welcome bonus if you’re looking to play for real money. This is how casinos get new players to sign up, so if you can’t find anything on the site, or you do not get offered a bonus as soon as you’ve made a deposit, get in touch with them to find out why.

Test the Customer Service – Speaking of getting in touch, customer service is very important when you’re a player at an online casino. If the advisors aren’t competent or trained to answer your questions concerning your account, the games, or anything else related to how the casino operates – this should be a big red flag. The customer service team at any top online casino will be friendly, attentive, and helpful regardless of your query. Also, the casino should have multiple channels of communication for getting in touch, including an email address, 24/7 telephone number, and a live chat system.

Try Out the Games First – All of the best online casinos let players try their games out for free before they need to make a deposit or hand over any money. This is great for testing out the games and whether you like them in general, but there is another reason to do this when you’re looking for a site to play at, and that is to test the overall functionality of the software. If the games you’re playing appear pixelated, glitchy, or take a long time to load, take this as a sign that you’re going to have a terrible experience as a registered player. The colors should be vivid and defined, the sounds sharp and pleasing to the ear, and the gameplay should always work seamlessly regardless of what device or system you use to play.

What We Do at GamblingCity

We are GamblingCity pride ourselves on our knowledge and expertise of all things gambling-related, however, our mission is to help players and our readers make informed decisions about choosing the best online gambling sites that will bring them value, security, and the highest degree of entertainment. We don’t compromise on any of these factors in our reviews, and we aim to keep players and gamblers updated with the latest news, trends in the industry, and important things to consider whenever they are looking to gamble online and in land-based casino venues.

FAQ

What is considered gambling in the US?
Any activity that requires a person to bet money in for the chance to win a prize.

Can I legally gamble online in the US?
This depends on your age and place of residence. In most US states, gambling is prohibited, but there are a few where certain forms are legal. We advise checking the requirements for your state or jurisdiction for clarification.

Do gambling sites cheat?
It’s not unheard of. There are sites out there that exist purely to dupe players out of their hard-earned money. This can come in the form of rigging their games to produce unfair results, promoting bonuses that are misleading or unclear, or not paying out when they are supposed to. However, all reputable online casinos will never cheat players, and all of them use Random Number Generation software to ensure every outcome in a game is fair and unique.

Is it safe to gamble online?
As long as you play at reputable sites like the ones we review here, yes.

Is online gambling honest?
Overall, yes. But again, there are sites out there that are renowned for being dishonest and unfair to players.

Why should I play on legal gambling sites?
Because legal gambling sites are properly regulated and hold themselves accountable for any wrongdoings. Offshore casinos and illegal betting sites are not.

How big is gambling in the US?
Gambling is a multi-billion dollar industry in the US. There are thousands of land-based casinos throughout the country, and even more online. Remember, gambling encompasses sports betting, social gaming, lotteries, poker rooms, and other forms, not just casino games!