Online Casino Guides

Online casinos are gambling sites that offer a variety of games of skill and chance to users. The most common online gambling games are slots, and table games including video poker, roulette, blackjack, craps, keno, and baccarat. Most US online casinos only have their operations online, but some big-chain land-based operators also offer online gambling as well as online sportsbooks these days.

Online casinos have existed since the internet was in its infancy. The first online casinos were established in the mid-1990s, which paved the way for a massive expansion of the industry in the years that followed. The global online gambling market was estimated to be approximately $72.3 billion in 2021, and it continues to grow. New online casinos have largely evolved hand in hand with the development of the Internet and have incorporated the new opportunities that have come with it, such as online banking, cryptocurrencies, and new gaming technology like VR and AR.

While online gambling is huge in the US, the regulation and taxation of online casinos were very strictly controlled in most states until 2020. But since the dissolution of PASPA, many states have welcomed sports betting and online gambling, giving players more online gaming options than ever before.

Types of Online Casinos

Online casinos are generally divided into different categories based on the way they are played. The best and newest online casinos now offer players multiple ways to access their plaforms, and they offer the most oustanding games collections, bonuses, a wide range of payment methods, 5 star customer service, and a generous loyalty program. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of online casinos available today:

Downloadable Casinos

Casinos that enable users to download the platform to a computer require that the gaming software be installed from the internet or the app store. Typically, download casinos run more smoothly because games are already installed and load super quickly. While most online casinos have excellent security measures in place, illegal online casino software is always at risk of possible viruses or malware.

Instant Play 

Internet browser casinos, or casinos with an “instant play” function, allow users to play without downloading software to a computer. Usually, games work with either Macromedia Flash or Java. Some online casinos also allow gaming via HTML 5.

Mobile Casinos

Online casino games can also be played on a mobile device. Most gambling sites have a dedicated mobile casino app or a mobile-optimized version that formats to the screen of your smartphone or tablet. The user can automatically switch between playing on a computer and playing on a mobile device – there is no need to create a separate account or download any additional software. Check out our real money mobile gambling guide to find the best mobile casinos for iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, and Blackberry.

Bitcoin Casinos

Cryptocurrency casinos have gained a lot of traction in the last couple of years due to their anonymous transactions and speedy payout times. With the rise of payment wallets like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and Ethereum, many gambling sites have seized the opportunity to offer casino games to these users, along with exclusive crypto-only bonuses and promotional deals. These casinos function the same way as an ordinary online casino, but normally, there are no conventional payment options available.

Sweepstakes Casinos

If you live in a US state where online gambling is not legal yet, the chances are you would have heard of sweepstakes casinos. These online gambling sites are legal in all 50 US states and they are a fun way to practice your table game skills. You can find all the same games at sweepstakes casinos as you would at a normal gambling site; the only difference is that instead of depositing real money to play, you deposit cash and then get tokens or virtual coins instead. When you win, these tokens can be traded for other prizes.

Payment Options at Online Casinos

Transferring money to online casinos has been made easy so that users can quickly play and start winning on their favorite games. Almost all gaming sites work by depositing money into your bankroll via debit or credit card, bank transfer, an e-wallet, or another online banking method. Deposits to sites are almost always immediate, but it can take up to several working days before the money can be withdrawn.

US players by far use online banking the most for money transfers, and various payment transfer systems, such as Neteller and Skrill are also highly popular. The payment methods offered by online casinos vary depending on the player's location (place of residence and IP address) and depending on the site itself. In general, a gambling site is considered more reliable if the site offers a wide variety of well-known payment systems.

How to make an online deposit

Making a deposit at online casinos is quick, simple, and convenient. Once you've set up an account and chosen your payment method, head over to the Cashier where you’ll be able to select your deposit amount and redeem your welcome bonus (check to see if your operator charges a minimum deposit and if you need to enter a code to activate your desired bonus). Once the funds have cleared, they will appear in your bankroll, and your welcome bonus will be activated and ready to use immediately.

Note: Before redeeming any kind of casino bonus, we always advise you to carefully read the bonus terms and conditions first.

How to make an online withdrawal

Requesting a withdrawal is just as easy as making a deposit. Head over to the Cashier section, select “Withdrawal,” and choose the desired payment method. Be prepared for the accounts team to verify your identity before they can process your request, as this will save a lot of time and hassle if you have everything ready to present to them beforehand. Again, we ask you to check the terms and conditions before submitting a withdrawal request for any online casino, as many have weekly withdrawal limits and have different timeframes for processing your winnings. The good news is that all the best online casinos won’t leave you waiting any longer than a few working days to start using your winnings.

Casino Bonuses and Promotions

As you would expect, online casinos that offer the best payouts are ones that will welcome you with irresistible bonuses, in addition to the traditional welcome pack. It is important to read the specifications of each promotion to find out how to activate it and what you need to do to withdraw money from your player account, if applicable. For example, many online casinos offer free spin bonuses, but before you can withdraw your winnings, you need to fulfill the wagering or playthrough requirements first. Always check the terms and conditions before claiming any type of casino bonus.

Safety and Fairness

All legitimate online casinos must have an official gaming license issued by an official regulatory body in order to operate legally. The reliability of the gaming site can be assessed on the basis of the licensing country, e.g. Curacao, Costa Rica, Gibraltar, Malta, UK. Players should easily be able to find this information at the bottom of the homepage, or in the About Us section of any legit gambling website.

In addition to being licensed, the best and most reputable online casinos will have complex security measures in place to prevent any unwanted attacks, data leaks, or other malicious activity that both the operators and users may be susceptible to. Security includes encrypting the site with a 128-bit SSL encryption certificate and using Random Number Generation software to prevent the game results from being manipulated or tampered with.

Online Casino Guide: Game Collections

A big advantage players enjoy exclusively at online casinos is the wide range of game categories and variants available on a single platform. These options are accessible from both your computer and on your mobile, and sport the most amazing graphics and sounds to keep you truly immersed in the gameplay.

The best operators have portfolios that consist of hundreds of new and classic games created by the world’s most prestigious iGaming providers. These games come in the most fascinating themes and feature bonus rounds and prizes that turn your gambling sessions into an unforgettable experience.

Here’s what you can expect to play at all of Gambling City’s top recommended casino sites:

 

Table Games

Roulette – Online roulette is a classic online casino game that’s very popular among bettors around the world. If you have a dynamic personality and you are not intimidated by challenges, then you might like this type of game because it’s based on pure luck! The goal is to predict where the ball will land on the reel and if your selection is correct, you win! Take your pick from European roulette, American roulette, Multiplayer roulette, and even live dealer roulette games!

Video Poker – If you know how to play traditional poker, video poker will probably come quite natural to you. The basic rule in the virtual environment remains the same: obtain the best hand, and you win! The winning combinations are royal flush, straight, straight flush, full house, four-of-a-kind, three-of-a-kind, two pairs, one pair, and a high hand. If you have played poker before, the same strategies and knowledge of the traditional game can be applied just as effectively in the online environment, so don't hesitate to use them! The most popular types of online video poker are: Texas Hold'Em, Three Card Poker, Omaha or Stud, each with unique and exciting features! Check out the games on our recommended sites and give them all a go for free!

Blackjack – Blackjack online, also known as 21, is a real delight if you have a good sense of observation. The goal is to collect a hand with a total value of 21, or a value that’s higher than the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21. The Ace is worth one point or 11, (your choice); and jacks, queens, and kings are all valued at 10 points. The moves for online blackjack are the same as they are for the classic game, i.e. you have the option to: hit (ask for a card), stand (sit still), split (split one hand into two hands), double (double bet). In some online blackjack variants, you also have the option to surrender, which means to stop after the first set of cards has been dealt.

Baccarat – A favorite of the legendary James Bond, baccarat is a game that’s similar to blackjack, with the main difference being that the goal is to reach a value of 9 without going bust as opposed to 21. As for the playing cards: 2 to 9 keep their base value, tens and face cards count for nothing, and the Aces are worth one point. The most interesting part of online baccarat is that you can bet who you think will win the hand: the player, the banker (dealer's hand), or a draw! There are no specific strategies you can apply to baccarat, (given that the entire thing is based on luck), but you’re sure to have a great time regardless!

Lottery Games

While you can’t purchase tickets for your state lottery at online casinos, the services offered by these sites give you the chance to try your luck on some fantastic lottery-style games that can see you land some enormous prizes and jackpots. The biggest perk to these games is being able to watch the numbers being drawn live and finding out if you won in just a few minutes. Usually, lotteries have 49 balls, but depending on the variant, the number can differ considerably (for example, Lucky 6 has 48 balls, bingo has 5, and online keno has 80). A certain number of balls is drawn, and you can usually bet between 6 and 20 numbers on a ticket.

Online Slot Machines

Online slots are a favorite of many gambling enthusiasts. The variety and layout of these games is colossal at online casinos, and you’ll rarely find a gambling site that offers less than 100. The slot themes you can choose from include everything from movies and music to history and mythology. Take your pick from 3-reel slots, 5-reel slots, and online slots with giant progressive jackpots.

Regardless of the type of slot you choose, the natural objective is to win. However, it can’t go unsaid that video slots offer the most vibrant graphics and sound elements that will take you to another world. This is why they are the most popular casino games online and in land-based casinos. In addition, many video slots have special features that complement the stories like bonus rounds, extra symbols, mini jackpots, free spins, multipliers, and other rewards to really spice up the action. Some of the top games in this category that have made history include Sizzling Hot, Book of Ra, Mermaid’s Pearls, Banana Jones, and Starbust.

Live Dealer Games

We can't miss out the online Live Casino option you’ll find at our top recommend sites. Here, you can play poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and more, all with professional human dealers, in real time! Thanks to the help of modern technology and high-performance software, you can now play and interact with both the dealer and other players via a live video stream and chat box. This is the closest thing you’ll get to playing in a land-based casino, so don’t be afraid to go all in!

How to Register at an Online Casino

The real fun begins once you’ve opened a real money online player account. Doing so allows you to easily deposit money, place bets, and increase your chances of winning thanks to being rewarded with a welcome bonus and other great casino promotions. Here’s a breakdown of how to register with and get started with an online casino.

You must be at least 18 years of age in order to legally gamble online in the US. Before you register, ensure you meet this criteria and make sure you agree with the imposed terms and conditions. If you’re happy to proceed at this point, follow the below steps to complete signing up:

 

• Navigate the registration or “Sign Up” tab.
• Fill in a few personal details i.e., name, surname, a valid e-mail address, date of birth, physical address, as well as a username and password.
• Select your preferred banking method
• Verify your account
• Head over to the Cashier to make your deposit
• Redeem your welcome bonus
• Start playing!

 

Check Gambling City’s Casino Guides and Reviews

We’ve put together a handful of useful USA online casino guides you can flick through for finding out more about online casinos and selecting one that’s ideal for your playing needs. Don’t be afraid to look through our individual online casino reviews as well to make sure you only sign up with sites that are safe, fair, and only offer nothing short of a first-class, real money gambling experience.

 

FAQ

Should I play at more than one casino?
This is entirely your choice. Some players prefer to stick to one online casino; whereas, others like to have two or three accounts if their main casino does not offer all the types of games they want to play – or not as many bonuses as they would like to see. Plus, you might already be a VIP for one casino and not willing to spend as much at other sites. In these cases, it is perfectly reasonable to have another account elsewhere, however, if none of these scenarios are the case for you, it may be better just to stick to one for the sake of simplicity.

Can I play at online casinos for free?
Sure you can! All of the best gambling sites let you practice games for free. Using this option is a great way to enhance your knowledge of a game and build some confidence and skill before you do play for real money. Just note that you cannot play live dealer games for free, and unless you make a real money deposit to play games, you will not be entitled to claim bonuses and promotions. This is why it’s always better to eventually transition to playing for real money.

How do I make a deposit into my casino account?
Making a deposit and a withdrawal at online casinos is easy and takes a matter of minutes. Just head over to the cashier and select your payment method and deposit amount, then the funds shall be credited to your account immediately. All of our recommended sites allow you to fund your bankroll using all major credit and debit cards, cryptocurrencies, bank transfer, e-wallets, wire transfer, and some also accept bank checks.

Do online casinos charge fees for deposits or withdrawals?
Generally, you will never be charged for making a deposit at online casinos. However, depending on your method and payment service provider, you may be charged a fee from their end. You can always be sure that legitimate online casinos will never charge you for making deposits, but if there are any other types of fees, the operator should have these listed for you to see before you make a transaction.

Why do online casinos need my personal data?
Licensed online casinos only use your personal data for the purposes of verifying your identity, as this is required by law. They also store your details to prevent occurrences of fraud, money laundering, and to easily resolve problems with your account should anything go wrong with payments, withdrawals, redeeming bonuses, or in case there is any suspicious activity happening on your account. You can rest assured that your details are 100% secure when you play at the best online casinos, and you don’t ever have to worry about them being leaked to unwanted third parties.