Best US online casinos 2026
- Crown Coins Benefits
- Over 208K+ reviews on Trustpilot
- Best sweepstakes iOS app
- 100K CC + 2 SC sign-up bonus
- Crown Coins Review
- LoneStar Casino Benefits
- Social media daily bonus drops
- 100K GC + 2.5 SC sign-up bonus
- Excellent VIP program
- LoneStar Casino Review
- Stake US Benefits
- 2,000+ games from 20 providers
- Stake Original + Exclusive games
- Free Stake.us bonus drop codes
- Stake US Review
- NoLimitCoins Casino Benefits
- Daily free bonuses
- High winning percentage
- Slot tournaments every four hours
- NoLimitCoins Review
- Dorados Benefits
- 5-tier VIP program
- Unique bonus structure
- Over 3,000 games
- RealPrize Benefits
- Enjoy over 700 games
- Excellent loyalty cards program
- Free SC in daily login bonus
- RealPrize Review
- Casino.click Benefits
- Accepts crypto and fiat currency
- Available in 45 U.S. states
- 3 FREE SC with mail-in bonus
- Casino.click Review
- Spree Benefits
- Gold Coin bundles start at $0.99
- Retention campaigns
- Great sweepstakes slot collection
- Spree Casino Review
- Jackpota Benefits
- 700+ online slots
- 48-hour redemption
- Progressive jackpots
- Jackpota Review
- Funrize Casino Benefits
- Generous welcome bonus
- Exciting tournaments and races
- Amazing VIP program
- Funrize Review
- High 5 Casino Benefits
- 1,700+ free slot games
- Free daily rewards
- Authentic brand, made in the US
- High 5 Casino Review
- SweepNext Benefits
- Frequent GC and SC tournaments for slot players
- Free live chat and email support around-the-clock
- Get 20,000 GC + 2 FREE SC on sign up
- SweepNext Casino Review
- Sixty6 Casino Benefits
- Weekly coinback rewards up to 20%
- Free live chat support available
- Spin Fortune Wheel for free daily coins
- Sixty6 Casino Review
- Spinfinite Benefits
- Daily missions for free coins
- Mail-in promo awards 3 FREE SC
- Plenty of ongoing slots tournaments
- Spinfinite Review
- FunzCity Benefits
- 10-tier VIP Club
- City Coin daily login bonus
- Sharp mobile platform with animated icons
- Read FunzCity Review
- Legendz Benefits
- Over 250 slots from 10+ providers
- Exciting live casino powered by Live 88
- First-purchase bonus gives you 100% more coins
- Legendz Casino Review
- Bigpirate Benefits
- Great collection of free online slots
- Free sign-up bonus
- Fun and engaging theme
- Read Expert Review
- Fortune Coins Benefits
- 1,500+ games
- Ongoing promotions and a referral bonus
- VIP program for regular players
- Fortune Coins Review
- Pulsz Benefits
- 75 SC first-purchase bonus
- Daily bonuses and rewards
- Excellent mobile UX
- Pulsz Review
- SpeedSweeps Casino Benefits
- Over 1,300 slots and table games
- Daily Wheel and Faucet bonuses
- Multiple weekly package boosts
- SpeedSweeps Casino Review
What if I am NOT in a regulated online casino state?
Legal real money online casinos are only available in seven states (MI, NJ, PA, WV, CT, DE, RI). If you're NOT in a state with regulated online casinos, see our list of the best sweepstakes casinos (the most popular casino alternative) with our trusted picks from 240+ sweeps casinos.
Alternatively, check out our guide to parimutuel-powered games which are becoming increasingly common across the majority of the United States.
Why DraftKings is the best online casino for April
"DraftKings introduced 'Flex Spins' into the bonus game this month, and the twist has been received well so far. Rather than limit new players to just one (or a few) slots to use their bonus spins on, DK's new welcome bonus lets you spread your 1,500 bonus spins across over 100 different slots.
"I haven't seen a bigger number or that kind of variety anywhere else. Not even close. Among those 100 slots are heavy hitters, too — Cash Eruption, Cleopatra, Huff N' More Puff, Whitney Houston, etc. And if you don't like those, New Game Fridays drops another 15+ new slots into the mix every week."
Best online casinos for real money 2026
Our editors spend hours digging through game menus, comparing bonus terms and testing payment methods to determine which real money online casinos offer you the best gaming experience.
As of April 2026 our editors rate the top 5 as:
- DraftKings Casino - Best for low-budget players, DraftKings Rocket
- BetMGM Casino - Best for exclusive slots, Milestone Rewards
- Fanatics Casino - Best for HD graphics & FanCash
- Hard Rock Bet Casino - Best for 4,200+ games, $5K Hard Rock Trivia
- Caesars Palace Online Casino - Best for Rewards, signature table games
See below for our reviews including bonuses, rewards, and trust ratings. See here for a deeper look at how we rate casinos.
1. DraftKings Casino - Best for low-budget players, Crash games (MI, NJ, PA, WV, CT)
"Originally just an add-on to its top-tier sportsbook and DFS games, the DraftKings online casino is now a destination of its own.
"The DK online casino has a full suite of 2,000+ games now but its signature Crash game, DraftKings Rocket, has been an industry changer.
"The innovation continues week after week with new Crash game variations and slots released every Friday, and there are more low-budget slots and games than virtually every competitor.
"The DraftKings casino app is very smooth for play with a great navigational set up, and the 1,500 Flex Spins usable on 100+ slots is another great innovation that puts players first."
Ben Pringle, Casino Content Manager
✅ One of few $5 deposit casinos available
✅ Low minimum wagering requirement ($5)
✅ 1,500 Flex Spins bonus usable on 100+ slots
✅ $10,000 DraftKings Daily Turbo Rewards Rocket
✅ New Game Fridays
✅ Great low-budget games
❌ No credit card deposits
❌ No phone support
❌ Few high roller games
| 💰 DraftKings Casino welcome bonus | Bet $5, Get 1,500 Flex Spins |
| 💵 Minimum deposit | $5 |
| 💸 Banking options | PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Play+, e-check, online banking |
| 🕒 Payout speed | 1-5 days |
| 🤩 RTP | 97.3% |
| 🏅 Top feature | Flex bonus spins, $10K Turbo Rewards Rocket |
| 👑 VIP program | DK Dynasty Rewards |
| 🕹️ Most popular DraftKings slots & games | Starburst, Almighty Buffalo Megaways, 5 Treasures, DraftKings Rocket, Cash Eruption, Gold Blitz Ultimate, Huff N' More Puff |
 App Store rating |
4.6/5 ⭐ (80k reviews) |
 Google Play rating |
4.2/5 ⭐ (26.6k reviews) |
| 🌎 Available states | CT, MI, NJ, PA, WV |
| ✅ Last verified | April 2026 |
| 🔗 Key links | DraftKings Casino review | DraftKings Casino promo code |
DraftKings responsible gaming Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (MI/NJ/PA/WV). Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit https://ccpg.org (CT).
21+. Physically present in MI/NJ/PA/WV only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void in ONT. New customers only. 1 per new customer. Opt-in req. Min. $5 in wagers req. Max. 1,500 Flex Spins issued for choice of Select Games. Spins issued as 50 Spins/day upon login for 30 days. Spins are non-withdrawable and expire 24 hours after choosing Select Game. $0.20 per Spin. Game availability may vary. Ends 4/30/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
Terms: casino.draftkings.com/promos
Education Hub: casino.draftkings.com/how-to-play-casino-games
BetMGM's daily free promo is good, but could be better
🔍 BetMGM daily promos need 1x playthrough
"One thing I feel BetMGM does better than most online casinos is their free-to-play daily promos that refresh every 24 hours.
"Still, I think they should have more consistent (and lower) playthroughs. With the Gold Blitz Daily Dash, my bonus has a 10x playthrough (unless I win the max $2,500, then it's just 1x). One of these days I'll pick 5 correct symbols and really test the promo.
"Basically, if you win a $1 casino bonus, you have to bet $10 before that cash becomes withdrawable.
"I prefer Borgata's free-to-play game on the Wizard of Oz: Wicked Witch of the West slot. It's the same premise - match symbols, win a bonus - but the playthrough is only 1x.
"1x is a win for both sides. Players get a prize they can walk away with, and casinos build more loyal customers."
2. BetMGM Casino - Best for Milestone Rewards, 3,500+ games (MI, NJ, PA, WV)
"BetMGM's game variety is hard to beat, with 3,500+ slots from top-tier software providers, MGM exclusives include gems like the Wizard of Oz series, The Price is Right Bonus Wheel and the new Friends: The One With Multi Drop.
"Lion's Share daily jackpots, the MGM Grand Millions and $2M+ progressives should be on your radar, too.
"If you want a trusted brand, plenty of exclusives, great rewards and a no-deposit bonus (or free spins), BetMGM Casino is the place to start."
Ben Pringle, Casino Content Manager
✅ Biggest casino no-deposit bonus in U.S.
✅ 3,500+ slots
✅ Original BetMGM exclusive slots & table games
✅ MGM Milestone Rewards
✅ New Survivor iCasino games based on TV reality show
✅ Lucrative weekly promos for existing players
❌ Bonus credits expire quickly
❌ Limited deposit methods
❌ Slightly slower payouts with some methods
| 💰 BetMGM Casino welcome bonus | 100% Match up to $1,000 + $25 No-Deposit Bonus |
| 💰 BetMGM Casino welcome bonus (WV) | 100% Match up to $2,500 + $50 No-Deposit Bonus + 50 Bonus Spins |
| 💰 Enhanced BetMGM Casino welcome bonus | 100% Match up to $2,500 + 100 Bonus Spins |
| 📟 BetMGM Casino promo code | COVERS1000 |
| 📟 BetMGM Casino promo code (WV) | COVERS2500 |
| 📟 Enhanced BetMGM Casino promo code | CVS2600 |
| 💵 Minimum deposit | $10 |
| 💸 Banking options | Play+, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Apple Pay, Amex, e-check, online banking |
| 🕒 Payout speed | Within 48 hours |
| 🤩 RTP | 98.03% |
| 🏅 Top feature | No deposit bonus, Milestone Rewards |
| 👑 VIP program | MGM Milestone Rewards |
| 🕹️ Most popular MGM games | MGM Grand Millions, Starburst, Excalibur, Buffalo Wilds, Detroit Lions Blackjack, Detroit Red Wings Slingo, Friends: The One with the Multi-Drop, Rakin' Bacon Jackpots Bonus Wheel, The Price is Right Big Bonus Wheel, Wizard of Oz Munchkinland, Wizard of Oz Great and Powerful |
| App Store rating |
4.7/5 ⭐ (114.7K reviews) |
| Google Play rating |
4.2/5 ⭐ (32.6K reviews) |
| 🌎 Available states | Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia |
| ✅ Last verified | April 2026 |
| 🔗 Key links | BetMGM Casino review | BetMGM Casino bonus code |
3. Fanatics Casino - Best for FanCash, HD graphics (MI, NJ, PA, WV)
"There's a lot to like at the new Fanatics Casino (and its brand new stand-alone app) including HD-quality graphics without lag on both platforms.
"On the bonus side you have two good options with a welcome promotion suitable for slots fans or table game players.
"The slots bonus is the highest in the industry at 1,000 free spins. And once you're in the game, the Fanatics ONE rewards program makes every wager count towards your dream sports merch."
Ben Pringle, Casino Content Manager
✅ Choice of Casino Credit or bonus spins on sign-up
✅ Fanatics ONE Rewards across both sportsbook & casino
✅ Fast, glitch-free app
✅ Rapidly growing game library
✅ Partnership with WWE
✅ Fast, easy payouts and deposits
❌ Slow to launch full online casino
❌ Limited customer support
❌ Few high roller games
| 💰 Fanatics Casino welcome bonus | Bet $10, Get 1,000 Free Spins on WWE Road To Gold |
| 💵 Alternative welcome bonuses | Bet $10, Get 1,000 Free Spins on Triple Cash Eruption or Wager $30, Get $150 in Casino Credit (casino app only) |
| 💵 Minimum deposit | $10 |
| 💸 Banking options | PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Play+, e-check, online banking |
| 🕒 Payout speed | Within 24 hours |
| 🤩 RTP | 96.7% |
| 🏅 Top feature | No wagering requirements on welcome bonus |
| 👑 VIP program | Fanatics ONE Rewards |
| 🕹️ Most popular Fanatics slots & games | Mega Money Machine, Cash Eruption, Monopoly Money Grab, Gems Inferno Megaways, PayPig, Ultimate Fire Links, WWE Clash of the Wilds, WWE Road to Glory, Triple Cash Eruption |
| App Store rating |
4.8/5 ⭐ (4.9k reviews) |
| Google Play rating |
4.5/5 ⭐ (2.3k reviews) |
| 🌎 Available states | Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia |
| ✅ Last verified | April 2026 |
| 🔗 Key links | Fanatics Casino review | Fanatics Casino promo code |
4. Hard Rock Bet Casino - Best for loyalty rewards, 4,200+ games (NJ, MI)
"Hard Rock Bet Casino is best known for its welcome bonus, huge range of slots (over 4,200) and the Unity Rewards program that can get you a Tesla.
"Frequent big-ticket promotions are always in the mix, too, with 5 Million+ Bonus Spins Giveaway regularly.
"The already huge slots menu expands by 30+ games every week, which puts Hard Rock on the fast track to 5,000+ games in 2026.
"A fresh app lobby with a MyGames widget, real-time game suggestions and easy-to-find promos is another nice improvement."
Ben Pringle, Casino Content Manager
✅ 500 bonus spins on Cash Eruption for new players
✅ 4,200+ slots
✅ Take Off! exclusive Crash game with 2,500x multiplier
✅ Top-rated casino app
✅ $5,000 Live Trivia game show
✅ Unity Rewards Program
❌ Only available in Michigan, New Jersey
❌ Lossback requires at least 10 wagers
❌ Bonus spins expire in seven days
| 💰 Hard Rock Bet Casino welcome bonus | Deposit $10 get 500 Bonus Spins & up to $1,000 Lossback |
| 💵 Minimum deposit | $10 |
| 💸 Banking options | Visa, Mastercard, Play+, PayPal, Amex, Venmo, debit cards, bank transfer |
| 🕒 Payout speed | Within 24 hours |
| 🤩 RTP | 96.2% |
| 🏅 Top feature | Take Off! exclusive crash game w/ 2500x multiplier; $5,000 Live Trivia game show |
| 👑 VIP program | Hard Rock Unity Rewards |
| 🕹️ Most popular Hard Rock games | Mega Moolah, Book of Dead, Cash Eruption, Buffalo Blitz, Hard Rock Highway Megaways, Take Off!, Full Throttle with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Huff N' Even More Puff, Jackpot Carnival Buffalo, Whitney Houston, Hard Rock Horizons, Hard Rock Horror Show, Big Barn Bucks, Piggy Payouts 2, Piggy Riches 3, Kick Drum Cash, Hard Rock Hotstepper, Monopoly Rent Rush |
| App Store rating |
4.9/5 ⭐ (233.2k reviews) |
| Google Play rating |
4.7/5 ⭐ (10.9k reviews) |
| 🌎 Available states | Michigan, New Jersey |
| ✅ Last verified | April 2026 |
| 🔗 Key links | Hard Rock Bet Casino review | Hard Rock Bet Casino bonus code |
5. Caesars Palace - Best for signature table games, Caesars Rewards (MI, NJ, PA, WV)
"MGM Milestone Rewards and Hard Rock Unity are solid, but Caesars Rewards is the top online casino rewards program.
"There's no shortage of excellent games to earn points on, including Signature Caesars Blackjack and Roulette titles, and every bet gets you closer to trips to Caesars resorts across the country."
✅ 2,500 Rewards Credits on first deposit
✅ Exchange Rewards Credits for bonus spins
✅ Caesars Signature Multi-Hand Blackjack Surrender
✅ Highly-rated casino app
✅ Play live slots from Tropicana Casino remotely via casino app
✅ Caesars Rewards can be used across the country including Las Vegas
❌ Limited game show menu
❌ Existing player promos are sporadic
❌ Higher playthrough requirements
| 💰 Caesars welcome bonus | $10 Sign-Up Bonus + 100% Match up to $1,000 + 2,500 Reward Credits |
| 💵 Minimum deposit | $10 |
| 💸 Banking options | PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, PayNearMe, e-check, online banking |
| 🕒 Payout speed | 2-6 hours for fastest methods; within 24 hours for most |
| 🤩 RTP | 97.1% |
| 🏅 Top feature | Caesars Rewards, Signature table games |
| 👑 VIP program | Caesars Rewards |
| 🕹️ Most popular Caesars slots & games | Cleopatra Mega Jackpot, Bonanza Megaways, Wolf Run, Cash Machine, Divine Fortune, Flaming Reels (exclusive), Press Your Luck Whammy Wilds, Triple Coin Treasures, Shamrock Fortunes, NBA Triple Double Power Combo, Caesars Palace Wheel of Wins, Kingdom of Horus, Reign of Anubis |
| App Store rating |
4.4/5 ⭐ (5.9k reviews) |
| Google Play rating |
4.4/5 ⭐ (3.1k reviews) |
| 🌎 Available states | Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia |
| ✅ Last verified | April 2026 |
| 🔗 Key links | Caesars Casino review | Caesars Casino promo code |
Why trust Covers?
At Covers, we only recommend real money online casinos that are licensed and regulated by a state regulatory board. That means all casinos are vetted, approved and monitored for:
- Safe and fair games that meet legally required RTP requirements
- Encrypted and secure personal and financial data
- Proper responsible gambling tools and features
We also consider every online casino's bonuses and promotions, banking options, payout speed, software, customer, and casino app quality.
See below for more on our extensive process and our Covers BetSmart Rating criteria.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers boasts more than 30 years of sports betting experience, and our casino experts have worked in the iGaming industry for decades. Our long-standing relationship with regulated, licensed, and legal gaming sites allows our active community of 20 million users to access expert analysis and recommendations. Covers may receive an advertising commission if you visit a sportsbook or casino betting site via select affiliate links across our site, create an account, and make a deposit. However, no amount of money ensures that an operator will get listed.
New online casinos in 2026
If you're looking for new online casinos in 2026, your options fall into two categories:
- New sweepstakes and social casinos (Non-regulated states)
- New real money online casinos (Regulated states)
If you're in a non-regulated state (43 states), the safest legal alternatives are sweepstakes and social casinos.
Last year there were an estimated 80-85 new sweepstakes casinos launched, although not all are trusted and reliable (or offer a good gaming experience, for that matter).
- See our list of trusted new online sweepstakes casinos for 2026.
Parimutuel-powered game sites like GiddyUp Casino are also becoming more common across the U.S., as their advance deposit wagering (ADW) framework allows for slot-like gameplay without being classed as online casino gambling. No GiddyUp promo code is required to get started with this PPG site.
In regulated U.S. online casino states (NJ, PA, MI, WV, CT, RI, DE, soon-to-be Maine), new online casino launches are limited.
Each state has a set amount of pre-determined licenses that have mostly been filled. Some online casinos do leave the state, though, so that allows for licenses to transfer and a new online casinos can go live each year.
New online casinos to go live last year were:
- Fanatics Casino (NJ, PA, MI, WV)
- Hard Rock Bet Casino (MI)
- Hollywood Casino (WV)
- Monopoly Casino (PA)
See the newest online casinos in each state here:
More top online casinos ranked
See below for our full ranking and quick comparison of the best real money online casinos.
This collection is headed by the best payout online casinos with site-wide RTPs of 97%+. Our rankings also take into account:
- Welcome bonuses
- Ongoing promotions
- Game variety
- VIP programs
- Payment methods
| ⭐️ Rank | 🎰 Casino | 💰 Best for | 🌎 Available states |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | DraftKings Casino | Best for low budgets, innovative games | PA, MI, NJ, WV, CT |
| 2. | BetMGM Casino | Best for exclusive MGM slots and Milestone Rewards | PA, MI, NJ, WV |
| 3. | Fanatics Casino | Best for FanCash, HD graphics, app | PA, MI, NJ, WV |
| 4. | Hard Rock Bet Casino | Best for Hard Rock Unity Rewards | NJ, MI |
| 5. | Caesars Palace | Best for signature table games and Caesars Rewards | PA, MI, NJ, WV |
| 6. | Golden Nugget Casino | Best for low deposit requirements, access to DraftKings | PA, MI, NJ, WV |
| 7. | BetRivers Casino | Best for live dealer games | PA, MI, NJ, WV |
| 8. | PlayStar Casino | Best for free spins | NJ |
| 9. | Bet365 Casino | Best integrated sportsbook | PA, NJ |
| 10. | Horseshoe Casino | Table games, Caesars Rewards | PA, MI, NJ, WV |
| 11. | Bally Casino | Good app and rewards | NJ, PA |
| 12. | FanDuel Casino | Best for casino app, 1x bonus playthrough, and FanDuel exclusive games | PA, MI, NJ, WV, CT (Mohegan Sun) |
Covers Expert Analysis"You don't have to live in a regulated casino state to access a real money online casino, but you do need to be of legal age (21+) and physically within its borders.
"For example, if you live in New York you can cross the border into Pennsylvania or New Jersey and play real money casino games anytime.
"The same applies to Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, Michigan or West Virginia.
"Don't try to beat the system with a VPN — casino geo-fencing systems are advanced and can detect out-of-state IPs easily. Your account will be suspended quickly."
Ben Pringle, Casino Content Manager
Best online casinos for real money compared
Here's how the best online casinos for real money compare on key features:
 BetMGM Casino |
 Caesars Casino |
 Fanatics Casino |
 Hard Rock Bet Casino |
 DraftKings Casino |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⚖️ Compare | |||||
| Welcome bonus | 100% Match up to $1,000 + $25 No-Deposit Bonus | $10 Sign-Up Bonus + 100% Match up to $1,000 + 2,500 Reward Credits | Bet $10, Get 1,000 Free Spins on WWE Road To Gold | Deposit $10 get 500 Bonus Spins & up to $1,000 Lossback | Bet $5, Get 1,500 Flex Spins |
| Promo code | COVERS1000 |
COVERSLAUNCH |
No code required | No code required | No code required |
| RTP | 95.7% | 97.1% | 96.7% | 96.2% | 97.3% |
| Fastest payout speed |
2-6 hours |
2-6 hours |
Within 24 hours | Within 24 hours | 2-6 hours |
| Minimum deposit | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 | $5 |
| Banking options | Play+, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Apple Pay, Amex, e-check, online banking | PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, PayNearMe, e-check, online banking | PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Play+, e-check, online banking | Visa, Mastercard, Play+, PayPal, Amex, Venmo, debit cards, bank transfer | PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Play+, e-check, online banking |
| Number of games | 3,500+ | 3,000+ | 1,200+ | 3,650+ | 2,000+ |
| Customer support options | 24/7 live chat; email + phone 11am-8pm | 24/7 live chat | Email support | 24/7 customer support | 24/7 live chat |
How many real money casino bonuses can I get?
All of the best online casinos in the U.S. offer welcome bonuses when you register a new account and make your first deposit.
Bonuses vary from site to site but typically come in the form of:
- Free casino credits
- Cash back from losses in your first 24 hours
- Deposit match bonus
- Free or bonus spins
Once you've become a regular casino player, bonuses will continue to be offered in the form of:
- Reload bonuses
- Bet & Get bonuses (E.g., bet $25 on a particular game or slot and get a $5 bonus)
- Rewards points and comps
- Sweepstakes contests, Leaderboard challenges, and prize draws
See our online casino bonuses page for a deeper breakdown and what to look out for when registering with a new online casino. See more on no deposit bonuses in legal casino states here:
How to sign up at an online casino
The registration process is generally similar at all our recommended casinos, and can be completed within a couple of minutes. We've outlined how to sign up to an online casino below:
- Select your preferred online casino, and decide whether you want to play in your browser or via a dedicated online casino app.
- We recommend downloading a few apps to test out each for game selection, navigation, ongoing promos, and special features.
- Check the 'Cashier' tab to see if the banking options match the best and most convenient options for you.
- In states with legalized online casino apps, you’ll be able to register via a secure and encrypted process.
- Enter your personal information, including address, email, date of birth, and phone number.
- Confirm your identity and location, and you’ll be approved within minutes.
- Choose your welcome offer.
- If applicable, enter our bonus code when prompted and opt in to your promotion as needed.
- All of the top casinos offer welcome bonuses to new users, including no-deposit and deposit match bonuses, casino credit for losses in your first 24 hrs, bonus spins, and more.
- Choose your preferred banking method to fund your account.
- Deposits are completed instantly, and you’ll typically be given plenty of options.
- Credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, Play+, Skrill, and PayPal should all be available payment methods.
What are the best real money casino apps in the U.S.?
Fanatics Casino app
The top U.S. online casinos all have real money casino apps you can download directly via our links once you've registered your new account.
Fanatics Casino is an up-and-comer, having just released a newly-expanded casino app in NJ, MI, PA, and WV. The new app has a better layout and much bigger suite of casino games.
The BetMGM app and Hard Rock Bet Casino app are both rated highly by players in every state and offer the biggest collection of games — over 3,000 each.
If you've tried the BetMGM app in the past and been indifferent, you'll appreciate the upgrades. See here for our full breakdown of the best online casino apps.
Benefits of playing at real money online casinos
Among other things, online casinos can offer bigger game selections and exclusive casino bonuses not found at live casinos.
Some of the main benefits online casinos players enjoy include:
Play at real money casinos anywhere within a legal state's borders (NJ, PA, MI, WV, DE, RI, CT). Multiple welcome bonuses and ongoing daily and weekly promos. Enormous selection of casino games — thousands of slots, dozens of RNG table games (and variations) and hosted live dealer games for an authentic casino experience. Very low barrier to entry for new players. Minimum deposits start at $5 and stakes for slots run as low as $0.10. Faster pace of play and no wait time for seats to open. No cost or need to travel to a live casino but you can still accumulate rewards and comps to use at casino resorts.Real money US online casino news & updates
The number of U.S. states with legal online casino gambling is up to eight after Gov. Janet Mills approved iGaming in Maine early in 2026.
With four online casinos expected later this year, Maine is still a small market compared to Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, which all have 10+ real money online casinos.
Several more states, including Massachusetts, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland and Georgia are also expected to legalize online casinos in the not-too-distant future to boost state revenues.
Stay up to date with real money U.S. online casino updates below:
- Washington, D.C. might be on the leading edge of future iGaming legislation in the U.S. with a new bill that tries to kill two birds with one stone: legalize real money online casino and ban dual currency casinos at the same time.
- DraftKings has upped the game for bonus spins again. Originally upping its bonus spin slot selection to 100+ games, the first in the industry to do so, DraftKings has boosted its new-player bonus spin offer to 1,500 total bonus spins. You can now claim up to 50 bonus spins on log in daily for your first 30 days at DraftKings Casino.
- March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, an initiative from the National Council on Problem Gambling. This year's theme is "Caring Communities, Stronger Futures," with the primary focus to increase awareness of the tools available to treat problem gambling and emphasize the need for a community-driven approach to really tackle the problem.
- Both New Jersey and Pennsylvania are easily on track to shatter the $3B mark in revenue in 2026. Early returns from January and February have both states well on the way, with Pennsylvania clocking two consecutive $300M+ months and NJ close behind.
- BetMGM has reported its online casinos paid out over $122 million in progressive jackpots last year. Notable wins included $997,341 on Independence Pays in NJ and $897,928 on Bison Fury in Michigan. All told Michigan players collected $42.6 million in jackpots, NJ players $23.5 million, PA players $29.7 million and WV players $5 million.
- Efforts to legalize Maryland online casinos are picking up again, with two new proposals to legalize online casino and online bingo.
- Here comes the DraftKings "super app." What's a super app? A single app where you can access all of DraftKings products, including the online casino.
- If you aren't already aware, March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month across the U.S. What does that entail, exactly? Alongside all active efforts to reduce problem gambling, PGAM aims to increase public awareness of the tools, treatment and recovery services available to players and to encourage health care providers to screen for problem gambling. Check the PGAM calendar for a full month of programs planned including conferences, AMAs and more in various states. If you struggle with problem gambling, find effective tools and reach out to support providers as listed here.
- Is 2026 the year real money online casinos really break through in the United States? With the surprise approval in Maine to kick the year off, new (or reintroduced) bills to legalize online casinos are in play in Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia. Few are likely to pass, but momentum is building.
- Speaking of online casino revenue, according to the Q4 report from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, the two fastest growing brands in the space are Fanatics Casino and Hard Rock Bet Casino. Fanatics grew its gross gaming revenue 175% in Q4; Hard Rock clocked in at 158% growth. FanDuel Casino, BetMGM Casino, Caesars Palace Casino, and DraftKings Casino all showed positive growth as well.
- Online casino revenue in the three biggest casino states (Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) has never been higher. Which means, of course, everyone wants a bigger cut. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to increase the marginal tax rate on revenue above $185m from 28% to 36%. NJ already bumped its rate to 19.75% (from 15%). PA's rate is already 54% for online slots.
- Now that Maine is officially the 8th state to legalize real money online casinos, the race to become no. 9 has picked up some steam. And, in fact, Virginia has already pulled into the early lead. After Bill SB118 was passed by the Senate General Laws Committee, it's now on to the Senate Finance Committee. As it stands now, VA's five live casinos will each have the opportunity to partner with three online casino providers for a total of 15 legal VA real money online casinos.
- Caesars Entertainment just paid out the highest online jackpot in its history. The lucky winner, who played a $30 spin on MegaJackpots Cash Eruption on Caesars Palace online casino in New Jersey, hit for over $1.2M. The massive bonus is just four months on the heels of two other MegaJackpots Cash Eruption jackpots that hit for over $1.1 million combined.
- We're barely two weeks in 2026 and six more states (Virginia, Florida, Maryland, Maine, Indiana, Mississippi) have already introduced bills to ban sweepstakes casinos. As we know, Maine also simultaneously passed real money casino legislation. So does it bode well for those states (and more who passed anti-sweeps bills last year) to push for iGaming legislation this year, too? As the Magic 8 Ball might say, 'signs point to yes.'
- Does Maine joining the ranks of legal online casino states bode well for an expansion of iGaming in the U.S. for 2026? Well ... maybe. Several states that have bandied about online casino regulation in previous years are at it again - notably Sen. Joseph Addabbo re-submitting an online casino bill in New York and Virginia forming a new Virginia Gaming Commission. Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Georgia and North Carolina are all looking for ways to plug holes in state budgets, and the billions they can bank from legalized iGaming can fill those holes quickly. Stay tuned for what could be a year of big moves in the U.S. casino space.
- 2026 has kicked off in grand fashion for the U.S. iGaming industry as Governor Janet Mills officially approved real money online casino gaming in Maine. The bill will officially pass into law this month to make Maine the eighth state in the U.S. with legalized iGaming, Four real money online casinos including DraftKings and Caesars Palace are expected to go online later in the year.
- If you're looking for high-value online casino promos over the Holidays, Caesars's $5 Million PrizeFest might top the list. Running until Jan. 11, 2026 you can access daily rewards, weekly giveaways and leaderboards, Prize Ball draws that guarantee $5,000, a $100,000 grand prize and boosted rewards on featured games. Caesars Palace online casino is available in NJ, PA, MI and WV.
- Golden Nugget Casino has shifted its welcome bonus for new players for the Winter season. On until Jan. 11, 2026, the Golden Nugget welcome bonus now offers a Mystery Spin worth a possible $100,000 plus 250 bonus spins on Huff N' Puff slots. The minimum you can win on the Mystery Spin is $10 and the bonus spins are 25 daily for your first 10 days after you register a new account. Full details on the Golden Nugget bonus code page.
- A DraftKings Casino player in Michigan has just hit the largest jackpot in online casino history. The unnamed player turned a $0.20 spin on the ultra popular Huff N' Even More Puff slot into an eye-watering $22.4 million. The previous record high jackpot, of $9.28 million, was also hit on DraftKings earlier this year. If you want to give it a go yourself, the progressive jackpot has been reseeded at $5.7 million and is open for playing now on DraftKings.
- One of the other reasons DraftKings is considered a hot stock (see below) is their perpetual innovation that makes a great app even better. The latest is a dedicated iGaming platform (sportsbook, casino, DFS, predictions) entirely in Spanish. If you currently use the DraftKings app and want to flip over to Spanish, it will flip automatically when you select the Spanish setting. if you're a new customer, you can download the Spanish app directly.
- If you're looking for an investment opportunity for 2026, MarketBeat thinks there are seven online casino brands to bet on due to their "record high trading volume." Those brands? DraftKings, MGM, Penn Entertainment (Hollywood Casino), Red Rock Resorts (STN Play), SuperGroup (Jackpot City), Melco Resorts (Asia), and Rush Street Interactive (BetRivers).
- While real money sports betting is set to arrive in Missouri on Dec. 1, Missouri riverboat casinos are making money hand over fist. with 11 of 13 casinos posting revenue increases year-on-year. Will MO legislators take the hint and add real money online casinos in the near future?
- Is Massachusetts now the betting favorite to be the 8th state in the US with real money online casinos? The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies had a hearing to discuss a bill that would authorize Massachusetts' current licensed casinos to offer iGaming at a 15% tax rate on revenue to fund education, local aid and responsible gambling. Advocates of the bill say people in Massachusetts are currently gambling on illegal online casinos with no consumer protections and no tax revenue collected for the state. Licensed online casinos in Massachusetts, on the other hand, would bring in roughly $200 million in taxes, conservatively. Legislation would also ban dual currency casinos, otherwise known as sweepstakes casinos.
- Tax rates for online gambling operators vary across every legal betting state, for both sports betting and casino. Pennsylvania currently has some of the highest rates for both (36% for online sports betting; 54% for online slots) but due to a looming budget deficit is throwing around a potential increase - at least for sportsbooks. Online casinos, with a lower 16% tax rate for poker and table games, may be at risk of an increase in the near future as well.
- The immediate upside to Democrat Mikie Sherrill becoming the new New Jersey Governor? That smoking ban for Atlantic City casino may be closer to reality. It also brings, perhaps, a greater chance for casinos to be built outside of AC, and a possible increase in the tax rate for online gaming.
- Americans have always loved to gamble. And according to the newest research from the America Gaming Association (AGA), they're participating in it more than ever - especially in its legal forms. Among the more illuminating numbers from their research: 57% of adults gambled in some form last year; over 50% visited a casino last year; 74% support legal sports betting; 90% say casinos have a positive impact on the economy.
- Influencer-driven gambling content on YouTube has exploded in the last few years with hundreds of casino content creators new and old trying to gain traction. While some of the most popular streams, eg. Brian Christopher or Vegas Matt, are entirely above board with slots play at well known live or online casinos, plenty of streamers gamble on illegal, offshore casinos. As of Nov. 17, however, YouTube has drawn a new line. Creators will "no longer be allowed to upload online gambling content with real-money value unless the sites are verified by Google." All gambling-related content will also have tighter age restrictions to 18 or older.
How we rate US real money online casinos
There's a lot to think about when looking for the best real money casino online, so we've tried to provide some clarity around how we rate casinos.
We recommend licensed and regulated online casinos with the guidance of our Covers BetSmart Rating criteria. We consider a site's bonuses and promotions, banking options, payout speed, software, security, and whether the platform is optimized for mobile devices. With so many options, you should only sign up for sites you deem high quality.
Here is a deeper dive into the categories we assess during our real money online casino reviews:
Bonuses and promotions
Welcome offers and reload bonuses should be generous and easy to access. We also consider loyalty promotions and other rewards when analyzing online casino real money promos.
Banking and payout speed
Not all U.S. online casinos for real money support the same payment methods or payout winnings at the same speed. The best online casino operators offer multiple banking options and pay out winnings within one to two days.
Software and games
We look for casinos that use software from the likes of NetEnt, Microgaming, and Evolution to provide a broad selection of classic and innovative table games and slots.
Security and trust
We take the security of real money operators extremely seriously. Our recommended U.S. online casino sites are legal and licensed in their respective states.
Mobile experience
Most customers want to play online casino games on the move. The best online casino real money websites and apps are optimized for iOS and Android mobile devices, easy to navigate, and responsive.
Customer support
We recommend casinos that check privacy policies to ensure data protection is a priority and also offer customer-centered services. This includes easy access to fast and friendly customer support via different platforms (email, live chat, or telephone).
What are the risks of using illegal casinos?
Sweepstakes casinos aside, real money online casinos in the United States fall into two distinct categories:
- Legal online casinos (Only in seven states, partnered with a live casino and licensed, regulated, and monitored by the state's gaming authority)
- Illegal offshore casinos (Unlicensed, unregulated online casinos that operate from jurisdictions outside the U.S.)
Legal online casinos (eg. BetMGM, Caesars, Hard Rock Bet, DraftKings, etc) are heavily regulated and monitored extensively to ensure:
- Games are always fair
- Financial transactions are secure
- Personal data is encrypted
- Proper customer support is available
- No false advertising is allowed
- Funds can not to frozen or confiscated arbitrarily
- Responsible gambling tools and support are provided
Risks of offshore casinos
Offshore casinos are not regulated or monitored by any U.S. gaming authority. They may be "licensed" by an outside jurisdiction, such as Curacao or Gibraltar, but they do NOT operate according to U.S. law.
That means they are rife with questionable business practices and risks, among them:
- Non-payment of winnings
- Arbitrary confiscation of bonuses or account funds
- No dispute resolution process
- Non-existent customer service
- Risk of account closure
- Criminally low return-to-player rates
- Unfair games and odds
You will never be fined or charged for playing from within the United States on an unlicensed casino site, but you are at risk of being scammed when using an offshore casino.
We keep tabs on these unregulated operators with our online casino blacklist, while here are some of the most aggressive offshore casinos to avoid:
| Offshore casino | Verified complaints & compliance issues |
|---|---|
| Bovada | Withdrawals withheld, accounts disabled, jackpots withheld, no response from support or verification, keeping deposits |
| BetOnline | Delayed payments, blocked accounts, games glitching during free spins, violation of policy, not paid for winning hands, changed bonus terms, confiscation of winnings |
| Ignition | Failing to pay out winners; revoked bonuses; sister site to Bovada, see above complaints |
| BetUS | Delayed winnings, cancelled payouts, excessively complicated withdrawal process, glitchy play |
| BetWhale | Excessively slow payouts, unfair games, unresponsive to complaints, huge bonus clearing requirements |
Covers Expert Analysis"I strongly advise new players to make sure their chosen iGaming platform has the state and RG logos before signing up. Whether it's Caesars, PlayStar, or FanDuel, I know all of my banking transactions are safe and secure. Should a problem arise, there is a customer support team ready to help.
"For example, one time I was supposed to receive bonus spins after depositing with BetMGM. When I didn't get them, I messaged customer service, and the issue was resolved in under 24 hours. If I were to have similar issues with BetWhale or Bovada, I doubt it would have been resolved as both brands have reputations for being unresponsive.
"You can see a list of approved online casino operators posted on the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, and Michigan Gaming Control Board websites. Like at land-based casinos in all three states, you know you're gambling on a site that's being closely monitored by state regulators."
Bill Gelman, U.S. Casino Expert
Which states have legal real money online casinos?
Currently, real money online casinos are legal and available in seven U.S. states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
Maine recently joined the list as the 8th state to authorize legal online casinos, which are expected to be live by the end of 2026.
US state online casino guides
What are the best real money casino games?
The selection of games at most U.S. real money online casinos is varied and impressive.
You can enjoy classic table games, a huge selection of traditional and progressive slots, and live dealer casinos. Below, see the most popular and best online casino games you can play at legal U.S. online casinos:
| Game type | Description |
|---|---|
 Slots |
Spin reels and match symbols for a chance of winning huge progressive jackpots. Most casinos boast a wide range of free online slots and slot games that pay real money. House edge from 2% to 10%. |
 Blackjack |
Also known as 21, the objective of blackjack is to get closer to 21 than the dealer using the cards in your hand. Variations include European, multi-hand, and Vegas Strip blackjack. House edge from 1.5%. |
 Poker |
The aim in poker is to hold a better hand than your opponent, or at least convince them that you do. Variations such as Texas hold 'em, Omaha, Three-card poker and Casino hold 'em are available online. House edge from 1.5%. |
 Video poker |
Video poker, a fun alternative to classic poker, is a fixed-odds online casino game based on a five-card draw. House edge from 0.5% to 5%. |
 Roulette |
Roulette involves betting on where you think a ball will land when spun on a roulette wheel. European, American, and Double-Ball roulette are just some of the most popular variations. House edge from 1.5%. |
 Craps |
Craps is a dice game where you bet on the outcomes of a pair of dice, and you can face off against a dealer or other players. House edge from 1.4% to 5%. |
 Sic bo |
Sic bo is a fast-paced game played with three dice. Strictly a game of luck, every roll of the dice results in a win or loss on any bet. House edge from 2.7%. |
 Live dealer |
Immersive live dealer casino games allow you to play the likes of blackjack and baccarat with real-life dealers instead of relying on computer-generated tables. House edge is game-dependent. |
 Baccarat |
Punto Banco and Baccarat Banque are the most common variations of Baccarat, and the aim of the game is to bet on which proposition (bank, player, or tie) will win the next round. House edge from 1.5%. |
 Lottery |
Games of chance such as keno, bingo, and scratch cards are available on real money U.S. casinos and social casinos, while traditional lotteries are available on dedicated online lottery sites. |
| Live game shows |
Popular games shows like CrazyTime or Deal or No Deal hit the sweet spot between the real casino vibe, with a live host and spinning wheels, and TV game shows. The betting formats are simple, the games are bright, social and entertaining, and little skill is required to play. |
More online casino bonus & promo codes
Real money online casinos always extend promo codes and bonuses to bring in new players. We've put together a list of offers from the most trusted online casinos below.
These promo pages show you all the bonuses available at each casino (including those available to existing players) as well as a breakdown of the terms and conditions for each offer:
Responsible gambling in the US
At Covers, we take responsible gambling seriously. Counselling and helplines are available to anyone affected by problem gambling across the U.S., with nationwide and state-specific resources accessible 24 hours a day.
Visit the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) for more information and support in your state, while Gamblers Anonymous offers a safe space for people to share their experiences and work through issues with help from the community.
Gam-Anon is a self-help organization giving assistance to those directly impacted by a compulsive gambler, while GamTalk is a moderated online forum where users can discuss topics with others in a similar situation.
Gambling helplines
| Organization | Phone number |
|---|---|
| Gam-Anon | 718-352-1671 |
| Gamblers Anonymous | 855-2CALLGA |
| GamTalk | N/A |
| National Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-800-GAMBLER |
Many legal online casino operators also allow players to set account restrictions or limits on themselves. Often, players can set deposit limits or join the self-exclusion list.
Covers Expert Analysis"FanDuel tops the list of online casinos developing new responsible gambling features. The FanDuel MySpend tool, launched early this year, lets online gamblers in both the casino and sportsbook track every dollar they spend and deposit by hour, day, week, or month.
"You can see your deposit history, your complete betting history on FanDuel, set limits for deposits and bets, and self-exclude yourself from doing either for an extended period of time. If casino operators are serious about responsible gambling, these are the exact sorts of measures required and FanDuel is leading the way with continued RG initiatives."
Ben Pringle, Casino Content Manager
Best US online casino sites FAQ
All of the online casino sites we recommend are safe and regulated, but be sure to check each operator's individual licenses if you are unsure of a site's legitimacy.
The majority of online casinos that operate legally in the United States pay out real money. There are numerous operators across multiple states which offer real money slots, table games, and live dealer options where you can win real money. If you are located in a state that does not allow online casino gambling, you can play at sweepstakes casinos and redeem virtual currency for cash prizes. Social casinos exist purely for entertainment and do not pay out real money or give out cash prizes.
All our featured casinos have fast payouts and are known to process withdrawals within a few hours. You can also check the Return to Player (RTP) percentage of each game to give you an idea of how much a particular title pays out before placing your bets.
All of the real money online casinos and sweepstakes 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.
