Prior to online casinos, if you wanted to get away for a gambling weekend you would probably book a trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey or Las Vegas, Nevada. Today, legal real money online casinos allow you the comfort and pleasure of gambling from your very own home.
Typically, legal online casinos offer options that are similar to those at retail casinos, as many offer table games, video poker, slots, and poker. In fact, some even offer live dealer games, where games with a real dealer are live-streamed and offer a casino-floor type atmosphere.
Online casinos are frequented by both experienced players and new players. They have broad appeal mainly due to their convenience but also because of the variety of games available. Whether you are an experienced poker player, interested in trying slots, or looking to play table games, online casinos have you covered.
In the past, online gambling was considered taboo, particularly due to the rise of sketchy offshore casinos. However, with more and more states legalizing online gambling and implementing regulations, online casinos are more secure, trustworthy, and more popular than ever.
Real money online casinos allow you to play casino games from any device while making some cash. Which you can withdraw whenever you like! Playing at online casinos for cash is straight.
Best US Online Casino
on Chumba Casino's Website
Available on Web Browser - No Download Necessary
Best US Online Casino
Chumba Casino
4.9
Chumba Casino ReviewSign-up Offer
Purchase Offer
Chumba Casino is available in almost every state and is our editor’s choice for best US online casino. Their unique sweepstakes model gives players the ability to play their favorite online casino games and win real cash prizes.
Pros
Cons
Best US Online Slots
on LuckyLand Slots' Website
Available on Web Browser & Android
Best US Online Slots
LuckyLand Slots
4.8
LuckyLand Slots ReviewSign-up Offer
Purchase Offer
LuckyLand is a favorite online casino among slot players. LuckyLand Slots allows players to win real cash prizes using the sweepstakes online casino model. LuckyLand offers over 50 unique slot games.
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Cons
Best New Jeresy Online Casino
on Golden Nuggets' Website
Available on Web Browser, iOS & Android
Best New Jeresy Online Casino
Golden Nugget Online Casino
4.7
Golden Nugget ReviewNo Deposit Offer
Deposit Offer
Golden Nugget is the very best online casino in New Jersey. It offers live dealer casino games and has over 1,000 casino games. Golden Nugget has an amazing assortment of online slots with many of the same titles as you would find in las Vegas.
Best Pennsylvania Online Casino
on DraftKings Casino's Website
Available on Web Browser, iOS & Android
States Accepted Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia
Best Pennsylvania Online Casino
DraftKings Online Casino
4.7
DraftKings Casino ReviewDeposit Match
DraftKings Casino is one of the fastest-growing online casinos in the United States. DraftKings Casino has live dealer games along with many of your favorite casino games including online slots, blackjack, roulette, and more!
Best West Virginia Online Casino
on BetMGM Casino's Website
Available on Web Browser, iOS & Android
Best West Virginia Online Casino
BetMGM Online Casino
4.6
BetMGM Casino ReviewNo Deposit Offer
Deposit Offer
BetMGM casino is brought to you by the same company that operates MGM casinos across the United States including Las Vegas. BetMGM offers over 100 casino games including slots, blackjack, roulette, and more! All of your Las Vegas favorites are there.
Currently, very few states offer both online casinos and online sports betting. However, online gambling is trending upwards and we expect to see many states jump on board in the coming years. Below we highlight include states that offer both online casino apps and online sportsbook apps. These states include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia.
One form of gaming that is allowed in 49 states is sweepstakes gaming. Sweepstakes casino sites allow players in most states to play online casino games for cash prizes.
Available in: All states except Washington state.
If you don’t happen to live in NJ, PA, or WV your best bet is a sweepstakes online casino where you can play your favorite online casinos for real cash prizes. Sweepstakes poker sites allow players an opportunity play online poker for cash prizes.
Sweepstakes casinos use digital coins instead of real money as currency. Players accumulate digital coins by winning games and can later exchange them for cash prizes. Because sweepstakes casinos are not legally classified as gambling, they are popular among players who live in states that have not yet legalized real money online gambling. The sweepstakes format provides a similar, but legal alternative to the online casino experience.
In order to participate in a sweepstakes casino’s games, you must first buy their coins (or whatever they label as their sweepstakes currency). Your purchased coins typically come with a set number of free sweeps coins. You cannot directly deposit money into an account or withdraw money.
Your purchased coins are valid only for recreational gaming at the sweepstakes casino. Your free sweeps coins can be played on sweepstakes games, and your winnings can then be exchanged for real prizes.
Here are three of the most popular sweepstakes casinos in the US:
Licensed by Malta Gaming Authority, Chumba Casino is arguably the most popular sweepstakes casino on the market. It has a large selection of slot games, blackjack, roulette, and video poker.
New players can take advantage of their no purchase bonus of 2,000,000 gold coins and two sweep coins. Additionally, the casino offers a first purchase deal of $30 gold coin package for only $10.
Chumba Casino is a great option as it offers both slots and table games. Its variety is what makes it a unique sweepstakes casino.
LuckyLand Slots is a sweepstakes casino that specializes in online slot games. It offers 20 different slot games, including Buffalo Rush and Dragon’s Den.
LuckyLand Slots offers new players a no purchase bonus of 10 free sweep coins upon signing up. Also, it has a first purchase offer where you can receive 50,000 gold coins for $4.99 and get 10 bonus Sweeps Coins.
Global Poker is a sweepstakes website that only offers poker games. You can find Jackpot Sit & Go, Texas Hold ‘Em, and Omaha at Global Poker. It offers regular table games around the clock as well as tournaments.
The verification bonus at Global Poker gives new players a free $20 gold coin package. Additionally, its first purchase bonus is 200,000 gold coins for $40 and get 40 bonus Sweeps Coins.
FunzPoints is another sweepstakes site like Chumba and LuckyLand. They are strongest in their offering of online slots. They don’t offer table games, but their slot selection holds its own.
FunzPoints Online Casino offers a no-purchase bonus of $2.50 and an additional bonus match up to $20 on your first purchase.
New Jersey paved the way for regulated online gambling in the US. Since 2013, online casinos and online sportsbooks have been legal in New Jersey as long as gamblers are at least 21-years-old and playing within state lines. New Jersey gamblers can choose from online table games, slots, and sporting betting options for events around the world.
By 2018, nearly all of the casinos located in Atlantic City offered some form of online gaming. Here’s an overview of the top five online casinos in New Jersey:
The Golden Nugget offers over 400 online options ranging from table games, slots, live dealer games, and sports betting. However, there is no online poker.
New players receive a 100 percent matched deposit bonus of up to $1,000. They can also receive a sign-up bonus of $10, which does not require a deposit, using the promo code PLAYBONUS.
Tropicana’s online casino is home to over 140 games, most of which are slots. However, the casino does offer table games including poker, blackjack, roulette, and keno.
New players can register using the promo code PLAY25 and instantly receive $25. Additionally, there is a new player deposit bonus offer of $100 cash back, which is available on their website.
Virgin Casino has hundreds of online casino games to choose from, including slots and table games. It does not offer poker.
New players can use the promo code 30BUCKS to receive a $30 sign-up bonus, which does not require a deposit. Additionally, Virgin offers a $100 cash back deposit bonus, where you can receive cash back based on your potential net losses.
Caesars, which has a presence in New Jersey, PA, and Las Vegas, offers more than 400 online games. The options include several popular slots, poker, and table games.
New players in NJ are eligible for a 100 percent matched deposit bonus of up to $300. In addition, they may obtain $25 worth of free credit with the promo code PLAYFREE25.
In PA, new players won’t receive a sign-up bonus, but they can take advantage of a fantastic deposit bonus that offers a 100 percent match up to $500 with the promo code PLAY500.
Gambling is relatively new in Pennsylvania as the state first legalized casinos in 2004. It took another 13 years for the state to legalize online gambling, which includes online casinos, online sportsbooks, and online poker. By doing so, PA became the fourth state to legalize online gambling, following New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada.
In 2019, two years after formal legislation made online gaming legal, the first online casinos went live in PA. These casinos included popular names such as DraftKings Casino and FanDuel Casino. Today, there are several options to choose from. Below we list some of the top online casinos available to Pennsylvania gamblers.
DraftKings might be known for its Daily Fantasy Sports and sports betting apps, but they’re making great strides in the online casino market. Available now in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, the online casino will also be launching in Michigan. DraftKings Casino launched in Pennsylvania in May 2020. The platform operates under the license of Penn National Gaming, in collaboration with Penn National properties Hollywood Casino and Meadows Casino.
DraftKings offers over 200 different game options, including live dealer games in New Jersey. Live dealer games should be launched in the near future in Pennsylvania.
Visit DraftKings Casino to claim a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,500.
Unibet offers players many game titles to choose from including over 600 slot games along with table games, poker, and live dealer games.
New players are eligible to claim a sign-up bonus of $10 in free play using the promo code UBCASINO10. They can also receive a 100 percent matched deposit bonus up to $500 with the promo code UBCASINO500.
If you are a poker player who lives in PA, look no further than PokerStars Casino. The site offers a wide range of poker games including Omaha, Stud, Razz, and more.
When you sign-up, you can claim a sign-up bonus for $30 in free play (without having to deposit) by entering the promo code FREE30. The deposit bonus at PokerStars is 100 percent matched up to $500 on your first three deposits, for a total of maximum of $1500. Even better, you can get an additional bonus of 100% matched up to $500 on your second and third deposits to use on slots.
This means that the total amount available to players in bonus credit exceeds $2500.
Sugarhouse is both a retail and online casino in Pennsylvania. Its online casino includes bingo, video poker, slot games, table games, and a sportsbook.
New players can use the promo code PLAY250 to claim Sugarhouse’s 100 percent matched deposit bonus up to $250.
FOX Bet is an up-and-coming online sportsbook available to sports bettors in Pennsylvania. It offers lines on all major sports leagues along with various bet types, including prop bets, future bets, parlays, and more. You can also wager sports live as the game unfolds in real-time.
Currently, FoxBet offers two bonuses to new players in PA. The first bonus is a $500 risk-free bet for the sportsbook. Essentially, your account will be credited with your wager amount (up to $500) if your first bet is not a winner. The second bonus is a 100 percent match on your first deposit up to $500.
FanDuel has been legal in Pennsylvania since 2019. Its online sportsbook offers lines on all major sports as well as live sports betting.
There is a solid new player bonus available to Pennsylvania casino bettors at FanDuel. It offers a risk-free 24 hours up to $200, allowing players to try out the site without losing any money.
In December 2019, Michigan’s governor approved a law that fully legalized online gaming in the state, which includes both online casino gaming and online sports betting. The first 8 online casino apps launched in Michigan in January 2021.
Check out our full guide to Michigan Online Casino Apps.
Michan marked the second Golden Nugget Online Casino launch in the US, after its earlier launch in New Jersey. Michigan players have access to one of the widest selections of slots and table games as well as access to sports betting through the same app.
Visit: Golden Nugget Michigan to claim $30 Free Play + $1000 Deposit Match Bonus with code SHARP10
BetRivers might not be as well known in casino gaming as MGM or Golden Nugget, but they are making great strides in online gambling across the US. With online sportsbooks launching across the US, Michigan was the third state with a BetRivers Casino app. Currently, BetRivers operates in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey under the SugarHouse Brand.
Visit: BetRivers Michigan to claim a 100% deposit match bonus up to $250 with a 1x playthrough.
The Mountaineer State is one of the next in line to fully legalize online gambling. In 2018, the state approved a bill to legalize online casinos, sportsbooks, poker rooms, and live sports betting. This includes online casino websites powered by existing land-based casinos as well as sports betting sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel.
State officials in West Virginia took longer than expected to develop rules and regulations. The first online casino in West Virginia, DraftKings, launched during the summer of 2020. BetMGM Casino launched shortly after. More are expected we head into 2021.
BetMGM’s online casino has over 400 online games to choose from, including over 300 online slot games. In addition to the slots, video poker, and table games. Operating in West Virginia in partnership with the Casino Club at the Greenbrier, BetMGM has a promising future in West Virginia.
BetMGM offers a 100 percent matched deposit bonus up to $1,000.
Visit BetMGM to claim a $1000 bonus offer.
Currently, there are a couple of states weighing the option of legalizing online gambling within their borders. With West Virginia having launched online casinos in 2020 and Michigan launching in 2021, it is unclear at this point whether others will join the list. Online sports betting is expanding a lot quicker than online casinos and poker.
It is possible that some states, like Colorado, Illinois, or Indiana, could see attempts to legalize online casinos after seeing the success of online sports betting.
Online casinos use bonuses as a tactic for player acquisition and player retention.
In order to reap the full benefits of a casino bonus, you must fulfill playthrough requirements or the terms and conditions. Playthrough requirements, or wager requirements, are quite standard across all the different types of bonuses. They require you to wager a multiple of the no deposit bonus, which usually depends on the amount of the bonus (e.g. 5x, 10x, 20x, etc.)
Nevertheless, there is likely a bonus out there tailored to your gaming interests. In short, we highly recommend that you take advantage of casino bonuses. Below we discuss the differences between them.
A no deposit bonus is a type of bonus that requires no upfront investment from the player. Effectively, upon a player’s registration, the casino provides a small amount of free money for testing games. However, there may be restrictions for what games you’re allowed to play.
Example:BetMGM offers new players $25 upon signing up and does not require a deposit.
You most certainly cannot claim a bonus and cash out immediately. Casinos enforce certain terms and conditions, such as a playthrough requirement, before you can cash out. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a high maximum as typically no deposit bonuses are no larger than $50. However, some casinos do offer sizable no deposit bonuses from time to time.
A deposit or match bonus is a type of bonus in which a casino matches your deposit amount. Typically, you will see the bonus advertised as a 100 percent match (meaning they will match your deposit dollar for dollar) and up to a certain amount (e.g. up to $500 or $1,000). However, sometimes casinos offer less than a 100 percent match, so be sure to read the terms carefully.
Example: FOX Bet offers a 100 percent deposit bonus of up to $500. So, if you were to deposit $200, FOX Bet would match your deposit with another $200 for a total fund of $400.
If you see a casino advertising a risk-free bet, it is willing to refund you a portion of your losses almost exclusively in the form of free play or credit.
Many land-based casinos used to implement this practice for high rollers who would bet big and often. Online casinos are a bit more generous in the sense that they typically offer rebate offers to anyone but the stakes are quite low. For example, you will likely find a 10 percent rebate bonus available meaning you will receive 10 percent of your losses back.
VIP or loyalty programs are very common at online casinos. The way each casino structures its VIP program or qualifications varies. However, typically you can sign-up for a casino’s VIP program and earn points by wagering, playing certain games, and taking advantage of promotions.
Earning VIP points oftentimes means you can redeem prizes and offers at the casino. All-in-all, VIP programs are a way for online casinos to retain players by keeping them happy.
Example: At DraftKings, you can use your VIP points on free bets, merchandise, and enter contests to win tickets to a professional sporting event.
Today’s online casinos rival land-based casinos in almost every category. A typical online casino offers blackjack, table games, slots, video poker, a live dealer casino, and a handful of other games.
The main difference between a land-based casino and an online casino is that online casinos are way more convenient. In other words, you don’t have to travel to a casino, arrange to stay overnight, pay premium prices for food and drinks, etc.
Furthermore, online casinos tend to have lower minimum bets, better paybacks, and overall compete with land-based casinos in terms of games available and varieties.
If you walk into a brick-and-mortar casino, you will most likely see several players sitting at the many blackjack tables. It shouldn’t come as a surprise as blackjack is the most popular table game.
You can also play blackjack at online casinos, and most online casinos make it a point to offer several different varieties. In addition to Six-Deck blackjack you may find Super 21, Zappit, European, Single-Deck, Double-Deck, Face Up, Perfect Pairs, and Shut ‘Em Up blackjack.
Online blackjack tends to have more lower-limit games ($1 or $5 minimums versus $10 to $25 at casinos). Additionally, most players can play faster and play more hands per hour online versus at a physical table. These are just a few reasons why you may enjoy playing online blackjack.
In general, online slots function the same as they do in land-based casinos as they both use a random number generator (RNG) to determine the outcome of each spin. The game selection is also relatively equal.
Typically, online slots offer lower limits relative to land-based casinos and don’t offer as many high-limit options. However, you may enjoy playing online slots more as you can most likely faster.
If you’ve visited a land-based casino, you’ve likely seen progressive slots such as Wheel of Fortune and Megabucks as they are two of the most popular progressives. Like land-based casinos, online casinos offer progressives.
Progressives are very much the same online as they are at brick-and-mortar casinos. However, playing online does allow you to play faster and the experience is accessible from just about anywhere.
There is a wide variety of online progressives, including Wheel of Fortune, Treasure Island, and dozens more. If you are looking to play progressives online you won’t be hard-pressed to find options.
Essentially, live dealer games at online casinos bring the casino floor to you in the comfort of your own home. Rather than playing table games that use a RNG you have the option to stream live dealers who play out hands in a controlled setting live on a real game table.
It’s a great way to experience a live casino atmosphere without having to travel. You can chat with the dealers, tip them, and also chat with other players at the table. Additionally, many online casinos have live dealer games with lower limits relative to the minimum bets at land-based casinos.
In general, video poker is one of the most popular games at casinos and it’s no different at online casinos. Nowadays, the majority of online casinos offer at least a few different video poker games.
Playing video poker online is essentially the same as playing at a casino. The screen layout is virtually the same, the game is digital, and many of the graphics are similar as well.
If you opt to play video poker online, you may find that casinos offer more game types. That is because online casinos do not have to worry about the space that the game machine is taking up, whereas land-based casinos do. Additionally, playing online is more convenient, less distracting, and you can find lower limit games (e.g $0.01).
Along with slots, table games are the main staple at every online casino. Table games at online casinos are very similar to games found at land-based casinos. You will likely find versions of blackjack, roulette, craps, three card poker, pai gow poker, and others at online casinos.
Because there are no physical tables, online casinos have the luxury of offering more tables for individual games along with different varieties of games. For example, a land-based casino typically offers six-deck blackjack and perhaps one or two tables of double-deck. But online casinos offer those options and then some.
Additionally, online casinos offer tables with lower limits compared to land-based casinos. Another difference between land-based casinos and online casinos is that online casinos use RNG’s for their games unless, of course, you are playing a table game via their live casino.
You may enjoy playing at online casinos more as there are no distractions, long waits for a seat at the table, and you simply have access to more variety.
There are many reasons why some gamblers prefer online casinos over retail casinos. Online casinos, for example, offer a measure of convenience. If you’re bored at home or looking to switch up your sports betting routine, why not log into your favorite gambling website and put down a few dollars for a chance to win big?
Some experts contend that gamblers are actually more likely to take home winnings from an online casino in comparison to a brick-and-mortar location. Higher rates of competition online and a lower overhead cost translate to payouts that can exceed 95%.
Gambling online from a remote location is not only a comfortable (and highly customizable) experience, it’s also a great decision for practical reasons.
The same games that you’d find at retail casinos are often available online and you can play for free or for real money. The big difference is that online casinos, because they tend to target the same demographic pool, must compete vigorously to attract new players. This means players can enjoy sizable bonus offers, additional wagering options, and greater bet size flexibility that they wouldn’t necessarily receive in person.
In short, online casinos are safe and fair. However, due to the online gaming space being so popular there are many offshore online casinos popping each year vying for space in the market. It’s important to ensure the online casino you plan to visit is legal in your state and not operating without a license. Below are a few of the top reasons why legal online casinos are safe and fair.
Each casino who wishes to operate in America must adhere to regulations outlined in each state where online gaming is legal. These regulations are written by local lawmakers and require online casinos to be licensed.
Because of these strict regulations, you should be confident that any legal online casino was carefully vetted by local governments and successfully met all the requirements, including gaming licenses.
Every casino game that is developed and made available at legal online casinos must be tested to ensure it is fair and functions properly. There are several third-party companies responsible for testing games so you can rest assured that each game has been thoroughly tested.
In the event that you cannot resolve an issue directly with the online casino, you can opt to use a regulator to help you navigate a dispute. For example, the state of New Jersey offers a form that you can access on the Office of Attorney General’s website which helps you jumpstart the process with a regulator and the overall investigation. In general, it’s rather simple to find a regulator or more information on your state’s process should you need it.
Another reason why you should feel confident gaming at online casinos is the fact that they offer accessible customer service agents 24/7 via phone, email, or live chat. You should not have any trouble contacting support should you need to ask a question or file a complaint.
The fact that major banking institutions allow you to transact with online casinos is another reason why you should feel confident that playing online is safe and fair. Many banking institutions have safeguards in place if they feel a merchant is fraudulent, and that is not the case with legal online casinos.
We ensure each casino we list on our site is trustworthy and a viable option for you to game at. Below are a few factors we consider:
In the US, each state is responsible for making its own laws regarding online gaming. If your state doesn’t allow online casinos yet, this likely means your local lawmakers haven’t introduced a bill for its legalization.
Legal casinos ask for your SSN because if you win they will need to report the amount for tax purposes. Additionally, they ask for your SSN to protect your identity and account as each person’s SSN is unique to them. Should you ever need to recover your account, your SSN can help you verify your identity.
In the US, the federal government and the state government both have the ability to regulate online casinos. Currently, there is no clear cut federal law prohibiting online casinos. Therefore, the bulk of the regulation occurs at the state level.
You can deposit funds into online casinos using credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover. PayPal and other e-wallets are also often accepted as methods of payment.
Yes. The bonus portion of any deposit bonus is free money given to you as a result of your deposit. However, in order to cash out your potential winnings, you must adhere to the deposit terms and conditions, which typically requires you to wager a certain amount before you’re eligible to withdraw.
No. You cannot withdraw money from online casinos in-person. You can withdraw funds via check, PayPal, and sometimes wire transfer.
Yes. It is 100 percent safe and secure to play online. However, you should only play at online casinos that are licensed and regulated by your state.