As more states take steps to legalize gambling, real money online casinos are becoming increasingly popular. Players can create an account, claim a welcome bonus, and get started at casino sites in minutes.
Here's everything you need to know before playing at the best real money online casinos in the U.S.
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There's a lot to think about when looking for the best online casino for real money. Consider the site's bonuses and promotions, banking options, payout speed, software, security, and whether the site is optimized for mobile devices. With so many options, you should only sign up for sites you deem high quality.
Most of the best online casinos offer new players generous welcome bonuses in exchange for their business. Bonuses vary from site to site but typically come in the form of free credits and spins.
Here are some notable bonus terms to look out for when registering with a new online casino:
As every casino is different, you must carefully read the terms and conditions of each bonus before creating a new account and making a deposit. Online casinos often attach playthrough requirements to bonuses, meaning you must bet the full amount a specified number of times before withdrawing your winnings.
| Bonus | Description |
|---|---|
| Welcome bonus |
A welcome bonus is only available to new customers and can only be extracted once. Online casinos offer deposit bonuses and no deposit bonuses. We explain the difference between these bonus types below. |
| Deposit bonus |
An online casino may offer a deposit bonus when you add money to your account. For instance, if you deposit $20, the casino might offer you $20 in credits, providing you with $40 in total. Most deposit bonuses come with wagering requirements attached, meaning you need to bet a specific amount of real money before being able to withdraw the winnings gained from your bonus. |
| No deposit bonus |
A no-deposit bonus is one of the most sought-after promotions available from online casinos. As the name suggests, you’re not required to add any real money to your account before extracting the offer. No deposit bonuses are available to new customers and often require a bonus code. Since you don’t need to deposit money into your account beforehand, no deposit bonuses are usually available for relatively small sums of money. |
| Reload bonus |
A reload bonus is offered to existing players who have already deposited money into their online casino accounts. Some online casinos provide reload bonuses as straight-up amounts, while others offer them in the form of percentages. Reload bonuses are an excellent way to maximize your potential winnings at an online casino. |
| Free spins |
Free spins are a popular online casino promotion used for slot games. Free spins often form part of a casino’s welcome bonus but are also awarded to existing customers as part of a site’s loyalty program. Most online casinos stipulate which games you can use the free spins on, so be sure to check the terms and conditions when you see them land in your account. |
| Loyalty bonus |
Online casinos offer loyalty bonuses to incentivize players to continue playing at their sites. However, they’re not available to all members of online casinos and are typically reserved for players who meet certain betting thresholds. Loyalty bonuses usually come in the form of points, which you can then convert into cash and other prizes. Read through your chosen site’s terms and conditions to learn how to qualify. |
| VIP and high roller bonuses |
Some casinos reward players for placing particularly high bets, often in excess of $100 per hand. These players are high rollers and enrolled in the casino’s VIP program. High roller bonuses are usually attached to a person’s initial deposit into their account, but this varies from casino to casino. As part of the VIP club, online casinos provide high rollers with lots of free bets, spins, and a range of other exclusive promotions. |
| Cashback |
A cashback bonus gives players their money back when a bet loses. The cashback is typically given as a percentage of a bet and rarely exceeds 20%. Cashback bonuses are not available for all players and are usually part of loyalty or VIP programs. So, the more you play at a particular online casino, the more likely you are to qualify for a cashback bonus. |
The choice of games at most online casinos is varied and impressive. You can enjoy classic table games, live dealer experiences, and a huge selection of classic and progressive slots. Below, we look at some of the most popular games you can play at legal online casinos in the U.S.
A timeless classic, baccarat has been played at casinos for centuries. Punto Banco and Baccarat Banque are the most common variations, and the aim of the game is to bet on which proposition (bank, player, or tie) will win the next round. Baccarat is easy to learn and a great starting point for anyone new to online casinos.
Universally known as 21, blackjack is a long-standing American favorite. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer to 21 using the cards in your hand. There are so many variations of blackjack for you to enjoy, with the likes of European, multi-hand, and Vegas Strip blackjack proving popular at online casinos.
Craps is a dice game that's just as popular online as it is in brick-and-mortar casinos. Your job is to bet on the outcomes of a pair of dice, and you can face off against a dealer or other players. Ultimately, craps is an excellent game if you want to mix things up a little.
Thanks to recent technological advances, online casinos now offer immersive live dealer games. You can play the likes of blackjack and baccarat with real-life dealers instead of relying on computer-generated tables. Live dealer experiences add a whole new dimension to online gaming and stand out at most online casinos.
One of the most widely played card games in the world, poker is a game of both chance and skill. Online, you will find multiple variations of the mainstream card game like Texas hold 'em and Omaha. There are casino versions, too, including Three Card Poker and Casino hold 'em. The goal in all poker games is simple enough: To hold a better hand than your opponent, or at least convince them that you do.
Roulette, named after the French word for ‘little wheel,’ is a game of pure chance that involves players betting on where they think a ball will land when spun on a roulette wheel. There are multiple versions for you to try, with European, American, and Double-Ball roulette attracting many players online.
Online slots are exceedingly popular and extremely fun. Players can spin for a chance of winning huge progressive jackpots at most online casinos. While casinos often boast their own titles, many sites also provide access to the top slot games, giving you hundreds of titles at your fingertips.
Many online casinos also feature online U.S. sportsbooks, allowing users to place wagers like moneylines, point spreads, and Over/Unders (totals) on their favorite sports and teams without leaving the platform.
Most legal gambling states feature long lists of licensed and regulated online casinos. The following casino apps knock it out of the park with industry-best platforms, exclusive games and bonuses, and quick, reliable payouts.
| Online casino | Mobile app | Software | Sportsbook |
|---|---|---|---|
1. FanDuel Casino |
Yes | Evolution, IGT, NetEnt, Scientific + more | FanDuel Sportsbook |
| 2. BetMGM Casino |
Yes | IGT, NetEnt, Playtech + more | BetMGM Sportsbook |
| 3. BetRivers Casino |
Yes | Microgaming, NetEnt + more | BetRivers Sportsbook |
| 4. Caesars Casino |
Yes | IGT, NetEnt, Scientific + more | Caesars Sportsbook |
| 5. Betway Casino |
Yes | Evolution, Microgaming + more | Betway Sportsbook |
Not all U.S. online casinos are created equal. Some sites are unlicensed, unregistered, and operating illegally. Ensure you thoroughly research an online casino's credentials before signing up and sharing your personal information.
At Covers, we only recommend the best and most trusted iGaming websites. Here’s how we rate and review each real money online casino using our PlaySmart™ system:
Covers has been a trusted source for sports betting and online gaming for over 25 years. Reputable media outlets turn to Covers for expert analysis and gambling information.
Currently, online casino gambling is legal in six U.S. states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Many states are due to vote on legislation relating to the legalization of sports betting in 2022, but it remains to be seen whether online casino gambling will be rolled out in further states in the near future.
Delaware online casinos
Yes. Online casinos that operate legally in the United States pay out real money.
All legal casino apps pay out real money. Some of the most popular casino apps include BetMGM Casino, FanDuel Casino, and Betway Casino.
Provided you have registered at a legal online casino, you will find that all the games on the site — from classic table games to progressive video slots — all pay out real money.
All of the online casinos mentioned in this guide are worth a look.
All of the real money online casinos we recommend are legitimate websites. You should always check the registration details of an online casino before signing up. Check that it is licensed and registered to operate, and look elsewhere if you are unable to find more about a site’s registration details.
Based on their PlaySmart™ Trust ratings of 4.9/5 stars, BetMGM Casino and FanDuel Casino are the most trusted online casinos in 2022.
Licensed online casinos offer you a fair chance of winning, as is the case with brick-and-mortar casinos. Provided you sign up with a legitimate site, you have a chance of winning real money.
Jeff Watters is a content editor at Covers. Before pivoting to sports betting in 2021, the well-traveled Nova Scotian and Atlanta Braves fanatic spent time writing about education, software, and NHL prospects.
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