Legal online gambling is available in all 50 US states, though the patchwork of federal and state online casino laws in the USA makes legality complicated to research. So much misinformation exists online about the US online casino industry right now. Hopefully, our casino guide to legal online gambling will answer your questions and dispel some of the myths.
Keep reading for updates on the latest USA online gambling laws. Beyond that, we provide all of the information you need to choose the best online casinos in the USA. We provide an overview of deposit methods, casino games, an overview of the regulated and unregulated online casinos in the USA, and a how-to guide for signing up at an online casino.
How To Gamble Online In The USA
Gambling online in the United States is easy. Players accept huge welcome bonuses, then pick from hundreds of casino games for their real money play. If you've never played at a casino site, here is a quick guide to playing casino games online.
- Sign Up at a US Online Casino: Do your research or read our reviews, then choose a US-friendly online casino. Register for a player account in 5 minutes or less.
- Make a Deposit: To play for real money, make a deposit using a credit card, debit card, Bitcoin, one of the altcoins, web wallet, or bank wire transfer. Accept the welcome bonus.
- Play Casino Games: Once you've funded your account, pick a favorite casino game and engage in real money play. If you accepted a bonus, remember to clear the wagering requirement.
- Cash Out Winnings: Once you clear the wagering requirement, make a withdrawal request. Go to the cashier page, choose the payout method, and wait for the money to appear in your account.
How We Rate The Top USA Online Casinos
If you're new to US online casinos, you might not know where to start when choosing a provider. Use the following checklist to decide which online casinos are safe and which sites are the best for your needs. Each player has slightly different wants and needs but the following list should be important to all players.
Safety and Security: Choose a site known for keeping transactions and online betting safe and secure. That means 128-bit or 256-bit encryption. The site also must have a reputation for paying withdrawals reliability and on-time. Avoid sites with a reputation for slow payment or no payment. Avoid casinos which aren't licensed in the USA.
Welcome Bonus: The welcome bonus is promotional cash sites offer to players to test-drive their casino. If a player enjoys the casino's games, they keep playing. From a player's perspective, they get free cash to play select games for entertainment and ease of use. The welcome bonus effectively lowers the house edge, giving you a chance to win real payouts without risking your hard-earned money.
Convenient Deposits: Players want to use their favorite payment method, whether it's a credit card, debit card, web wallet, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency. Credit card users want to stack cashback and rewards with the casino bonus. Thus, US players want casinos that support many banking options, especially their favorite one. Our reviews list all banking methods, along with deposit and withdrawal limits for each.
Game Selection: Once technical factors are out of the way, it's all about the games. Many casino sites use multiple software providers to give a maximum variety of slots and table games. We review the game selection, describing the number and type of games available. You'll want to build a checklist of favorite games to compare against a site's game selection.
Mobile Casino Apps: At least 50% of online players are now mobile players. Legitimate online casinos now feature Android and iPhone apps, or the ability to play mobile casino games in a browser without a download. Either way, mobile players will look for sites that support play on Android and iOS devices on 100% of their game selection.
Fast Withdrawals: When it's time to cash out, players want fast and reliable payouts. Crypto users receive fast, secure payouts within a matter of hours. Those who use credit cards, PayPal, or bank wire transfers take several days. Fast therefore is a relative term, but the key factor is knowing that you'll be paid within a reliable time frame.
Customer Service: The best casinos strive to avoid compatibility concerns and tech issues, but play long enough and issues arise. When they do, you want customer representatives who are knowledgeable, helpful, fluent, polite, and available 24 hours a day. Casinos' support staff should have a toll-free phone number, email address, and live chat feature.
Online Casinos Vs Land-Based Casinos: The Pros And Cons
Online casinos are the ultimate in convenience for US gamblers, especially in the age of mobile casino apps and live dealer games. If you're considering a trip to a land-based casino but want to know whether casinos online are a better option for you, here are factors to consider.
| Online Casinos | Land-Based Casinos |
| No travel time or expenses. | Hotel rooms often discounted. Restaurants, shopping, shows on the complex. |
| Play on the go using Android, ioS, or desktop. | Instantaneous payouts. |
| Free welcome bonuses worth thousands of dollars. | Join the slots club for comps. |
| Huge game selection, often hundreds of titles. | Slots, table games, poker room, bingo hall. |
| Free-play game options to learn if you like the game. | No free gaming tables or slot machines. |
| Socialize in the live dealer casino. | Social atmosphere: get out and be seen. |
Where Is Online Gambling Legal In The U.S.?: State-By-State Gambling Guide
- Arkansas: In March 2022, Arkansas legalized online sports betting. Online casino regulation is far off, despite the expansion of land-based gambling in recent years.
- Arizona: Online casino betting remains unregulated, so you'll need to play at offshore online casinos. Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law HB 2772 in early 2021, which legalized sports betting in the state's land-based casinos. This allowed 20 sports betting licenses in all.
- California: California lawmakers tried 11 times in a 10 year period to pass an online poker bill, but two groups of tribal casino authorities could not agree on the "Bad Actor" clause that affected PokerStars. Thus, California online gamblers must play at offshore online casinos, poker sites, and sportsbooks.
- Colorado: Colorado has unregulated online casino betting. To prop up its land-based casino industry, Colorado legalized sports betting in May 20202.
- Connecticut: In May 2021, Connecticut passed land-based sports betting, online casinos, and online poker. In October 2021, online gambling became available through the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods websites.
- Illinois: Illinois doesn't regulate online casinos, so residents still play at offshore casino sites. The state did legalize intrastate online and mobile sportsbooks in 2020. Ten riverboat casinos continue to operate, as well.
- Indiana: Indiana launched online sports betting in 2020 for single-state bettors, but online casinos are not regulated by the state. Indiana casino gamblers must play at offshore casino sites.
- Iowa: Iowa dabbled with online gambling legislation in the past few years, but lawmakers never came close to passing it. Instead, the state passed an online sports betting law with remote registration in January 2020. Since then, land-based casinos can host online sportsbooks.
- Louisiana: Like many other states on this list, Louisiana does not have regulated online casinos. It did license five online sportsbooks connected to land-based casinos. On January 28, 2022, those Sportsbooks went live.
- Maryland: Maryland doesn't have licensed online casinos, but Gov. Larry Hogan signed a sports betting law into effect after a 2020 referendum passed. Maryland will have 60 online sports betting licenses, though no sportsbooks have gone live yet. One is set aside for the FedEx Field, the home stadium of the Washington Commanders.
- Michigan: Michigan legalized online casinos, online poker, and land-based sports betting in December 2019. Sportsbooks launched on March 11, 2020, while online gambling launched on January 22, 2021. Michigan also joined the Multi-State Internet Gambling Association (MSIGA) -- known as the Interstate Poker Compact -- on April 12, 2022.
- Mississippi: Mississippi was one of the first states to pass legal sports betting, but it's administered much differently than most states. One sportsbook operates, but players must visit a brick-and-mortar casino to make a sports wager. Online casinos and online poker remain unregulated.
- Montana: Online casinos and poker sites remain unregulated in Big Sky Country at the present. Sports betting is allowed, but it must be done at a physical location through a licensed sales agent.
- Nevada: The Silver State is a weird mix of laws. It has legalized online poker, but it doesn't regulate online casinos. Nevada is part of the Interstate Poker Compact, but only one poker website operates. Online casino players must play at offshore casino sites.
- New Hampshire: New Hampshire features online lottery ticket sales and online sports betting. Otherwise, online gambling is unregulated. New Hampshire residents play at offshore online casinos for real money.
- New Jersey: The Garden State currently has the largest online gambling industry in the USA. Atlantic City casinos and New Jersey horse tracks can launch online gambling portals, including online casinos, poker sites, and sportsbooks. New Jersey is also part of the MSIGA.
- New York: The Empire State has flirted with the regulation of online poker sites in the past, but licensed online casinos don't appear in the cards. New York legalized retail sports betting tied to online and mobile sportsbooks on January 8, 2022.
- Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine continues to talk about legalizing online gambling but nothing has happened as of yet. Ohio did legalize retail sports betting and online sportsbooks in 2021. The law stipulates up to 25 online Sportsbook sites and 40 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks. Liquor license holders can have two sports betting kiosks, though the law has a legal deadline of January 1, 2023 -- so stayed tuned.
- Pennsylvania: In October 2018, Pennsylvania passed an omnibus gambling bill for licensed online casinos and poker sites, land-based sports betting and DFS, video lottery terminals (VLTs), and airport tablet betting. Many believe Pennsylvania will join the Interstate Poker Compact, but it's not happened yet.
- Rhode Island: Online gambling remains unregulated, so residents play at offshore online casinos. Rhode Island added retail sports betting in 2019, so bettors can make wagers at the Twin Rivers Casino complex.
- Tennessee: Tennessee doesn't have regulated online casinos and poker sites, so players gamble at offshore gaming sites. As of November 2020, Tennessee has online-only sports betting.
- Virginia: In January 2021, Virginia passed online sports betting. Real money online casino and poker betting takes place at offshore gambling sites.
- Washington DC: Players in the District of Columbia must play casino games and poker events at offshore online casinos and cardrooms. Bettors can make sports bets in two different ways. One, they can use the mobile sports betting apps Gambet from the DC Lottery. Two, they can enter licensed sportsbooks.
- Washington State: Unlike most other US states, the State of Washington strictly bans online gambling, perhaps because it is a global center of the online gaming industry (Steam/Valve, Twitch, Popcap, etc). Residents should be careful when playing online casino games for real money.
- West Virginia: Since the late summer of 2019, bettors in the Mountaineer State can make mobile sports bets. Five land-based casinos also launched online casino games in July 2020.
- Wyoming: Players in the Equality State must play casino games online at offshore gaming sites. Since late 2021, sports bettors could make online wagers at the state's licensed online sportsbooks.
US Online Casino Payment Methods
US online casino players have a wide variety of banking methods. Here is a quick rundown of the broad categories. If you use crypto payments in other online transactions, we recommend choosing Bitcoin or another crypto. They are safe and fast, while casinos offer the biggest bonuses for crypto deposits.
Credit Card Deposits: The best online casinos support Visa and MasterCard deposits. American Express and Discover Card are not universal, but you'll find them at many US online casinos. Credit cards, prepaid cards, and gift cards with the Visa, MasterCard, and Amex brands also work.
Bitcoin Deposits: Because of blockchain technology, Bitcoin is the fastest, safest, most private, and yet most transparent way to fund your casino account. Cryptocurrencies like Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Dash provide similar security.
Ethereum Deposits: Ethereum is a later cryptocurrency that's become popular for deposits at US online casinos. It works faster than Bitcoin and the ability to execute smart contracts.
Web Wallets: Neteller and Skrill are prominent e-wallets that many US online casinos support. Web wallets cost a fee, but provide an additional layer of security and privacy for US players.
PayPal: The official electronic payment method of Ebay is also a deposit option for players enjoying the best USA gambling sites.
Bank Wire Transfers: If you wish to move money from a casino to a bank account, use bank wire transfers. These cost a fee and take a bit longer, but are a secure method for depositing and withdrawing casino funds.
Eco Card Deposits: EcoPayz partners with MasterCard to give MasterCard and Maestro users their own e-wallet service. Eco Card deposits give credit card and debit card users an additional layer of protection.
Peer-to-Peer Services: At some casino sites, players can use peer-to-peer payment services like MatchPay and Person2Person to fund their accounts. MatchPay is important because it helps players transfer funds from Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, and CashApp.
Online Casino Games: US Players' Favorites
Play long enough and Americans will encounter many exotic online casino games. Most of the sites we recommend feature a core of traditional casino games. They also feature lottery and raffle-type games in their specialty games sections. Here is a rundown of the casino games you'll encounter.
- Online Slots: Many online players focus on the number and quality of slot games. Most US online casinos have two or more slot providers, so they offer between 150 and 400 different slot titles. These include 5-reel slots, 3-reel slots, licensed games, progressive slots, and slots with hot drop jackpots.
- Online Blackjack: Blackjack is on the other end of the spectrum. Many US casino sites have European Blackjack, Perfect Pairs, Vegas Strip Blackjack, and Pontoon. Some have newer versions like Zappit Blackjack and Pirate Blackjack.
- Online Roulette: Most casinos offer European Roulette and American Roulette. Many also have French Roulette, the game with the French-language wagers.
- Online Baccarat: The most popular Asian casino game is a staple in US online casinos. Baccarat has a low house edge and no strategy requirements. The online version plays like Mini-Baccarat, since the software deals the cards.
- Online Craps: The world's most popular dice game also has good odds, if you choose the right bets. If you can't find craps in your favorite casino, try Online Sic Bo - a Chinese dice game with slightly worse odds.
- Online Keno: The specialty games section often features Keno online. This is the Chinese 80-ball lottery game with jackpots between $100,000 and $1 million.
- Online Bingo: Bingo is the most popular charitable gambling game, but it’s also featured in many US online casinos.
- Online Scratch Cards: The specialty games section also features online scratch card games. These are like the scratch-off lottery games you'd buy in a convenience store. In online casinos, they play much like an online slots game.
- Live Dealer Games: Most US casino sites now feature live casino games. A real dealer rolls the dice, deals the cards, or spins the wheel. The game is recorded and live-streamed to your computer. Live Blackjack, Live Roulette, and Live Baccarat are the most common games.
Brief Information On Legal US Online Gambling
- Sports Betting: Since a May 14, 2018 ruling by the US Supreme Court, individual US states have the right to legalize sports betting. Land-based casinos now host sportsbooks, if the local state allows it. Online sports betting is also legal (if a state approves), but only if it's handled in one single state. Interstate online sports betting remains illegal. Over 20 US states now have legal sports betting.
- Casinos: Commercial casinos and tribal casinos operate throughout the United States. 18 US states have commercial casinos, 6 others have riverboat casinos, and 31 have tribal casinos. Six US states also have legal online casinos. In the other states, players must gamble online at offshore online casinos.
- Poker: Poker is played at land-based casinos and local poker clubs throughout the USA. Most big casinos have a poker room. Only 7 US states allow legalized online poker. Card players in most other states must play at offshore online cardrooms. Private poker games are left to the individual US states.
- Lottery: At present, 45 US states have lottery betting. Each of these states have its own state lottery. They also are members of the two multi-state lottery associations: Powerball and Mega Millions. Only Alabama, Nevada, Utah, Hawaii, and Alaska don't have lottery games.
- Horse Betting: 39 of 50 US states have legalized pari-mutuel betting at horse tracks. Since the 1978 Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978, race tracks can broadcast their races to other tracks and accept betting (called simulcasting). Since then, many states have added off-track betting venues -- called OTBs.
- Charitable Gaming: 46 states have charitable gambling, though the type of allowed gambling differs greatly between states. Charitable bingo is most common, but also raffles, pull-tabs, poker nights, millionaires clubs, and pickle games are also popular. Hawaii, Utah, Arkansas, and Tennessee are the only states without charitable gambling.
USA Federal Gambling Laws
One reason that US gambling laws are so complicated and confusing is the fact that federal gambling laws are confusing. Players must navigate state and federal gambling laws, due to the Dual Sovereignty clause of the US Constitution. Specifically, three federal laws have a major effect on US online gamblers: The Wire Act, PASPA, and UIGEA. One of those laws no longer applies.
- 1961 Wire Act: Made it illegal to make interstate sports bets over the telephone lines. Used by the FBI to go after organized crime for decades. Later used as a model for the UIGEA, which went after illegal online sportsbooks.
- 1992 PASPA: Law which made it a federal crime to make sports bets in 46 US states. Four states had existing sports betting laws grandfathered in: Nevada, Montana, Oregon, and Delaware. In 2018, the US Supreme Court ruled these exemptions were unconstitutional, due to the Commerce Clause of the US Constitution. Since then, over 20 US states have legalized sports betting.
- 2006 UIGEA: Designed to make illegal over the Internet the same forms of gambling that the Wire Act made illegal for phone lines. Since then, the debate has been on what was illegal under the wire act: just sports betting or also casino gaming and poker. Currently, the DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel says UIGEA affects interstate online sports betting, but not online casinos or online poker sites.
Legal US Online Casinos
A handful of US states have legal online casinos. By "legal", we mean that states license certain online casinos themselves, then regulate, audit, and tax those sites. Many unregulated gaming sites also exist. These sites are regulated and audited by offshore online regulatory agencies. For now, let's take a look at the states with legal US online casinos.
- New Jersey: Since 2013, New Jersey has had legal online casinos through world-famous Atlantic City casinos like Borgata, Golden Nugget, and Sportsbook. They partner with top online casino operators.
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania began launching licensed online casino sites through its land-based casinos in 2019. Operators like Parx Casino, SugarHouse Casino, and Hollywood Casino also operate legally.
- Michigan: Michigan launched legal online casinos in 2021 and 2022. Top MI casinos include MGM Detroit, Greektown Casino, and MotorCity Casino.
- West Virginia: Starting in July 2020, West Virginia land-based casinos began launching legal online casino sites. Hollywood Casino Charles Town is a top operator.
- Delaware: Since 2013, Delaware has had legal online casinos. Three racetracks -- Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington Racecourse -- each have their own gaming portal.
- Connecticut: In 2021, Connecticut legalized online casinos. At present, Mohegan Sun operates a site under its own name, while Foxwoods partners with a famous online gaming brand.
Picks by League
Today's Matchups
Betting Tools
Legal Online Gambling FAQ
Is it legal to gamble online in the USA?
Yes, though the USA has complicated online gambling laws. While most US states don't regulate online gambling (besides online sports betting), those same states don't charge, prosecute, and fine individuals who play online for real money.
States focus legal resources on operators who accept real money online players, but not residents who enjoy gaming in the privacy of their own homes. The real question is finding trustworthy and reputable online gambling sites.
Can you gamble real money online?
Yes, you can. The sheer number of real money online casinos makes choosing the best gambling site the real dilemma. Some US states have regulated online casinos, while many others have unregulated casino sites.
For that reason, it pays to do your research and pick the honest real money online casinos that ensure fairness and safety through white hat policies.
In what states is online gambling legal?
Seven states have regulated, licensed, and taxed online gambling sites: New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Nevada, and Connecticut. The other US states require players to gamble online at offshore casino sites.
Players won't be prosecuted for playing at those sites, though they won't have consumer protections. Read online casino reviews and pick trustworthy gaming sites with solid reputations.
Are there any legal gambling sites?
Yes, though the list of legal gambling sites changes from state to state. New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia have regulated online casinos. Those five states plus Nevada have regulated online poker sites.
The other 44 states have unregulated online casinos and poker sites, though more states are legalizing and regulating gaming sites every year. Connecticut is close to having regulated online gambling.
Can you play at online casinos in the US?
Yes, you can. The question is whether you're playing at licensed US online casinos or unlicensed offshore online casinos. Don't play at the offshore sites, because you won't have the consumer protections you would in the regulated market.
If you play at US online casinos, you'll be able to use the favorite payment methods for most Americans: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and PayPal.
Is it safe to play USA casinos online?
Yes, but only if you play at regulated USA online casinos. Americans can sign up and play at offshore sites, but they won't have legal protections if the offshore sites refused to pay out winnings.
If you play at those sites licensed in the US, that danger doesn't exist. Like any other US business, the casinos must follow US law.
What is the best online casino in the USA?
The best online casino for USA players is any site that's licensed by US state regulators. Only a handful of US states have licensed and legal online casinos, so most Americans won't have access to those sites.
The states with legal online casinos are Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, and (soon) Connecticut. Licensing by US agencies means people play with legal protections and self-exclusion laws. The sites must be fair, safe, and secure, which is the first consideration any player should have.
Which online casinos are legit in the USA?
The licensed online casinos are the legit sites. Again, these exist only in a few US States but provide the ultimate in safety and fairness for players. If you gamble online and win, you only won if the operator pays out winnings.
Look for online casinos licensed by the Michigan Gambling Control Board, the Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the West Virginia Lottery, the Delaware Lottery, or the Connecticut Gaming Division.
What is the safest online casino USA?
Any of the licensed online casinos in the USA. Various casino sites use different software, so the game selection will be much different. All use world-famous software providers, so you might like one site's games more than another.
At the same time, any licensed USA online casino is going to have high safety standards. In that way, all of the various licensed US online casinos tie for number one.
Can You Win At Online Casinos?
Absolutely. Most online casinos operate like any other business. Because of the house edge, they can expect to make a profit over time. Their success depends upon marketing through big deposit bonuses and other promotions, along with building a reputation for safety, fairness, reliability, and fun.
The best online casinos maintain a small house edge, so players have a fair shot at winning any given session. Don't expect to make a living playing at online casinos, but certainly expect to win your fair share of sessions. Everything else is the price of entertainment.
What Is The Best Game To Play At An Online Casino To Win Money?
If you want good odds of winning money, then play blackjack or video poker. These are the games with the lowest house edge, so the chances of winning are good. Both require the use of strategy to get those good odds, so you'll need to learn basic strategy.
If you don't want to learn strategy, then the casino games with the best odds are baccarat or craps. In these games, you'll want to learn which bets have the best odds, but otherwise, they require no strategy.
Players who want to win big money should try online slots, scratch cards, and Keno. These games typically have a higher house edge but offer big jackpots for the Sportsbooks. You won't win as often, but you have a chance at a life-changing jackpot.
