If you’re looking for the best online casinos in the USA, look no further than GamblingCity, where you’ll find the best US-friendly online casinos available to play at for real money. We’re here to help you discover the perfect online casino for you, offering a fantastic selection of table games, slots, video poker, specialty games, and more. Every one of our recommended sites has undergone our strict review process to make sure it possesses the qualities and features that every gambler deserves.
What Are Online Casinos & How Do They Work?
Online casinos are exactly the same as land-based casinos. The only difference is the games are all played online through a PC, Mac, tablet, or mobile device. In order to access an online casino, you need to set up a player account and make a deposit into your bankroll. Your bankroll is the pot of money you use to place wagers on your favorite casino games, and most online casinos will offer you extra money to wager with in the form of a bonus code when you first sign up.
Once you have registered account and made a deposit, you simply need to find a game that you like, then start playing! If you win or hit a jackpot, the casino will pay out your winnings using the same banking method that you used to place your initial deposit. There is normally a waiting period between 5-7 days for your winnings to arrive in your actual bank account, but some payment methods can see your winnings processed in as little as 3 hours! Once you have received your winnings, you’re then free to use the funds as you see fit.
How to Choose a USA Online Casino
Selecting an online casino is possibly the most difficult part about online casino gaming. Because there are so many different sites to choose from, the amount of choice can feel a bit overwhelming if you’re looking for something on your own. However, with sites like GamblingCity, we take out the hard work of finding a top online casino by reviewing hundreds of sites each week, then publishing our top recommendations here for our readers to see.
There a few things to consider when choosing an online casino, and these all play a huge role in how we carry out our reviews.
Casino License – The first point we check when reviewing an online casino is whether it is licensed and verified by an official gambling authority. It should also be audited regularly by an approved testing facility such as eCOGRA, which ensure the games cannot be rigged or manipulated to produce unfair results. When you’re looking for an online casino, making sure a site ticks both of these boxes is imperative.
Game Variety – There’s nothing worse than signing up to a gambling site, only to find that it doesn’t offer a particular variation of your favorite game. The best online casinos always have multiple versions of popular tables games, plus exotic varieties of specialty games, games of chance like bingo and keno, and hundreds of exciting slot games available.
Security and Compatability – You should also consider important factors such as whether the casino is using high-end security technology like an SSL certificate, along with whether the site is mobile-optimized to work with your computer’s operating system and smart devices.
Bonuses and Rewards – All of the best online casinos run regular promotions to entice new players and reward their existing playerbase. You should ensure that any sites you plan to sign up with offer a welcome bonus, plus ongoing bonus deals, and a VIP rewards program if you’re a high roller.
Customer Service – When you’re playing at an online casino, you’ll want to know that help is available exactly when you need it. The best US online casinos all have means of contact with fully-trained advisors available to answer your questions 24/7. They should be reachable via telephone, email, and live chat.
Payment Options – When you want to make a deposit into your account, it’s essential that you have a range of convenient and easy banking options at your disposal. All of the best online casinos allow players to make their deposits and withdrawals using all major cards, like Visa and Mastercard, plus e-wallets, bank transfer, wire transfer, cryptocurrencies, and in some cases, bank checks.
If you can confirm that a casino meets all of these requirements, you can pretty much bank on it being a reputable site that’s going to give you a great user experience.
Online Casino Strategy & Winning Tips
No matter what kind of casino game you want to indulge in, every game is best played with a strategy. Naturally, some games rely entirely on chance, and therefore you cannot predict what the results will be, let alone use any kind of skill to give yourself a better chance of winning. However, even with games like slots, which are entirely random, using a strategy is still going to help you maximize your chances of seeing a payout.
Below we’ve listed the following tips for playing casino games online, and how you can apply them to any type of game you want to play for real money:
Manage Your Bankroll – When you play casino games online, keeping track of your spending is paramount in preventing losses. Without looking after your budget, you can easily get carried away with your bets and end up chasing losses. This is why, knowing when to stop is also important – if you end up spending more than you can realistically afford, you’re never going to be able to recoup back what you’ve lost.
Practice in Freeplay Mode – The best part about online gambling is the fact that most online casinos allow you to play for free. This is a great opportunity to get familiar with the ins and outs of a game before you start risking your own money. If you’re a beginner, this feature at online casinos is especially helpful.
Utilize Bonuses – Bonuses can come in many shapes and sizes, but what they essentially are is free money granted by the house. Using bonuses helps you conserve the contents of your own bankroll and gives you longer playing time. Make sure you regularly check out an online casinos promotions page to make sure you never miss a deal!
Use a Strategy Chart – If you want to play table games like blackjack or poker, using a strategy chart is a great way to assess the potential outcomes and moves you can make within a game. You can also look at using online simulators, which are mock games that prompt you to make the correct decision when a certain hand or result comes up.
Stick to a Limit – Just like managing your bankroll is important, so is setting a limit to your spending. If you notice that you’re hitting a cold streak and haven’t had any wins for a while, don’t be afraid to call it a day or come back later after taking a breather. You’ll thank your future self for it, and your wallet!
Free vs Real Money Online Casinos
There are some big polarities between free online gambing and real money casino gaming. The biggest difference being that free gambling doesn’t allow you to win any money. That being said, there are some huge advantages to playing casino games online for free and some disadvantages to playing for real. Below we’ve outlined the differences for both:
Free Casino Gambling
- Lets you practice games without time limits
- Allows you to get used to how casino games work
- Helps you curate a optimal strategy
- There are zero risks to your bankroll
- You’re unable to earn bonuses or casino rewards
- You can’t win real money
- It’s not as exciting as playing for real cash
- Sometimes you are limited on game variety
Real Money Gambling
- Unlimited access to casino games
- Entitles you to earn bonuses and other incentives
- Incredibly exciting and enthralling
- Interact with other players and live dealers
- Opportunity to win huge sums of money
- Puts you at risk of losing money
- You have to be quick with your decisions if playing with others
- Easy to chase losses
- Highly addictive and can lead to problem gambling
Online vs Land-Based Casinos
Even though gambling online and gambling in a land-based casino both have thier perks and are highly entertaining, there are still some major differences between the two. The main one is obviously the fact that online casino gaming involves playing from your computer or mobile device; whereas, gambling in a land-based casino requires you to be physically present in a venue and paying with physical chips or money. Below are the other differences between gambling online and gambling in a real-life casino establishment:
Online Casino Gambling
- Play anytime, anywhere from your Mac, PC, tablet, or mobile device
- Choose from hundreds of thousands of different games
- Earn exciting casino bonuses and rewards such as cashback and comp points
- Play from the privacy of your own home
- Choose from a wide range of deposit options other than cash or cards
- Enjoy new and popular releases every month
- Choose from multiple different variants of your favorite games
Real Money Casino Gambling
- Soak up the social atmosphere of land-based casinos
- Play on real tables with real players, dealers, and croupiers
- Receive your winnings on the spot – no waiting around for a transaction to process
- Earn free chips and free drinks while you play
- Choose tables with higher limits or stick to low-stakes games
- If the casino is a resort, you can enjoy the many other amenities within the establishment
Online Casino Laws
Each state in the US has its own specific laws and regulations in place for online casino gambling, and some of them are more strict than others. It’s highly important to remember that the rules for each state may also differ depending on factors like your age and origin. Below, you’ll find all of the conditions in place for gambling online in each state where online gambling is legal.
Nevada – Under the Nevada Gaming Control Act, which has overseen all things casino-related in the state since 1959, gambling is constituted as playing games that include cards, cubes, and any mechanical or electrical machinery or devices in exchange for money, credit, cheques, and property. The only form of gambling that is not legal here is lotteries. The most popular games you’ll find include table games like roulette, blackjack, poker, craps, baccarat, and slot machines. Horse racing is restricted but still legal and online gambling and poker rooms are also allowed.
West Virginia – The Mountain State considers any form of sports or casino betting in return for a prize or reward a misdemeanor. All activities in West Virginia are regulated by the Lottery Commission and the only games that are allowed are state lotteries, horse racing, poker, bowls, chess, and some other online activities. Anything that includes dice, card, or coins (including slot machines and keno) is illegal.
Colorado – Gambling activities in Colorado are regulated by both the Colorado Gaming Division and the Colorado Gaming Control Commission. The state does permits online casino gaming but it is heavily regulated by the government. The games you can expect to play here are slots, bingo, craps, roulette, and blackjack. Sports betting, online poker, and online casino games are strictly forbidden.
Delaware – Since 2016, Delaware has been regulated by the Division of Gaming Enforcement, and the state has some of the most rigorous online gambling laws in the country. The games that are permitted are blackjack, licensed poker games, slots, bingo, on-track racing, a few table games and lotteries. Every other form of gambling is deemed illegal.
Michigan – Gambling has been illegal in Michigan since the 1930s, and the laws are even stricter now than they were back then. The Michigan Control Board is the entity that governs all forms of gambling in the state and the games that are permitted include blackjack, craps, poker, roulettes, and other table games, plus slots. Sports betting was also legalized in December 2019.
Indiana – The regulator for gambling in Indiana is the Indiana Gaming Commission and has been since 1933. Riverboat casinos are highly popular in the state, but land-based casino gaming is strictly forbidden. The only activities players can partake in are horse racing, on-track racing, lotteries, charitable games and Class II gaming.
Illinois – Gambling has been legal in Illinois since the 1920s, albeit, back then the laws were more relaxed than they are today. The Gambling Act of 2019 is what governs all activities in the state and riverboat casinos are regulated under the Riverboat Gambling Act of 1990. There are only 10 casinos in the state that are legally permitted to operate.
Pennsylvania – The Pennysylvania Gaming Control Board oversees all gambling in the state of Pennsylvania. The laws in place are incredibly strict, and anyone caught gambling illegally can face fines of up to $10,000. Permitted games include horse racing, bingo, poker games, casino games, lotteries, and sports betting. Video poker machines are strictly forbidden.
New Jersey – Gambling has been outlawed and reinstated several times in New Jersey. Home to the world-famous Atlantic City, all gaming activities here are regulated by the Division of Gaming Enforcement. Despite the constant to and throw with state lawmakers, all forms of gambling were legalized in New Jersey in the last few years, but only within the confinements of Atlantic City. The only games that are prohibited are wagers on collegial sports.
Illegal Online Gambling States
Unfortunately, not all states in the US are lucky enough to have legal gambling options. In a lot of places, regulation is difficult and there simply isn’t enough money to fund casinos and mandatory treatment programs for gambling disorders. Nevertheless, below are the states where gambling is entirely prohibited.
Utah – The Beehive State has no regulators for gambling, therefore any activities associated with it is banned completely. The main reason for this is that the state is heavily populated by Mormons and gambling goes against their religion.
Hawaii – Most people in Hawaii believe that gambling disrupts the positive atmosphere and aura of the island. They also believe it attracts unwanted visitors; therefore, residents have consistently voted against legalization.
Online Gambling Available to Players in the USA
Below are a few niche online markets available to US players. At one point, many states banned these gambling activities, but most have now made them legal.
Online Sports Betting – Most US states have now legalized sports betting. Prior to 2021, only Nevada allowed for betting on sports, and many states soon followed suit after catching on to the huge revenue potential it generates. There are hundreds of great online sportsbooks available in the US – feel free to check a few out that we recommend here.
Online Horse Racing – There are 39 US states where legal online horse race betting is permitted. The individual constitutions do not specify whether it’s legal or not; therefore, it is considered a legal form of gambling that’s safe to do under the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978.
E-Sports – Nevada and New Jersey fully permit Esports, and it’s also available in the following states: Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington DC, Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, and Delaware, however, it is more strictly regulated in these places compared to Nevada and New Jersey.
Lotteries – 45 states have made lotteries legal including the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Mississippi was the latest state to legalize lotteries in 2018.
Online Bingo – Multiple sites offer online bingo, but it is not legal to play in every state. There are 10 states that prohibit online bingo, which are Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, Michigan, Oregon, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Washington.
Online Poker – Besides the WSOP network in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware, every US state has their own laws in place for online poker. Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia also legalized online poker in the last few years, and there are several offshore sites that offer this type of gaming to US players, however, because they aren’t federally regulated by any entity in the US, we wouldn’t advise taking your chances with these sites.
Online Slots – Online slots come under generic online casino gambling, which means that it’s not legal in all US states yet. However, playing free slots at social casinos is fine, and every state is reviewing its gambling laws every year, which means real money slots may well become permitted in the near future.
Finding the Best Legal Online Casinos
With the internet being inundated with casino sites, finding a decent one to play at is no easy task. That’s why we always recommend doing your research on a site before you sign up. Check that the site is licensed before you place any kind of deposit, and don’t be afraid to try out a few games beforehand so you can get an idea of how smooth the software works on your devices and whether the casino offers all of the games you want to play.
Our advice is to always read up on what other players have said about a casino site too, as that way you can gauge the type of experience they had when it comes to payouts, what bonuses they were offered, and the level of customer care they received.
If, after all of this, you’re still looking for a top legal online casino to play all of your favorite games, check out our list of top recommendations to find sites with the latest and hottest game collections, bonuses, and payment options, and other great features. All of our casinos have undergone our stringent review process to make sure they are an ideal fit for US players.