For several years online casino gambling had been exclusive to New Jersey and Delaware but in 2019, the US online casino market began to take huge strides in tandem with the legalization of online sports betting.
The US online casino market now includes the likes of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan.
If youâre looking to get in on the action, youâve come to the right place. Weâve meticulously tested the best online casino sites and apps available in the US and created a list of our recommendations, complete with expert reviews to help you find your ideal online casino. If you want to learn more about legal online casinos in the US, weâve got the lowdown on that too. Read on for all you need to know, including which states you can play in and what to consider when comparing the top online casino sites.
Is Online Casino Gambling Legal in My State?
Online casino gambling is currently legal in a handful of states including:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Delaware
- West Virginia
- Michigan
Online Casino Legality in The US
The legality of online casino gambling varies from state to state as each state legislature is responsible for implementing their own regulatory framework, rules and licensing processes. Here is how the legality of online casino gambling looks in states where the activity is currently permitted:
Online casino in New Jersey
Online casino gambling in New Jersey has been legal for a number of years and on 26 November 2013, a new bill for online gambling received approval from the New Jersey legislature and the stateâs senator, Governor Chris Christie. New Jerseyâs online casino market went live towards the of 2013 and is now the largest online gambling market in the US. The Garden State is home to some of the largest online casino brands including BetMGM, PartyCasino, SugarHouse, Borgata Casino, Caesars, Harrahâs, and Golden Nugget.
Online casino in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvaniaâs legislature legalized online casino gambling in 2017 with the passage of a wider gambling expansion package that included lottery, casino, fantasy sports, sports betting, and poker. It wasn’t until 2019 when Pennsylvaniaâs online casino market went live with the launch of three online brands including PlaySugarHouse, Hollywood Casino, and Parx. Several operators including Unibet, PokerStars, and BetMGM have since launched their online casinos in the Keystone State.
Online casino in Delaware
Delaware was in fact the first US state to legalize online casino gambling in the entire US, however, the stateâs online casino industry is quite small compared to other states. In Delaware, the state lottery has a monopoly on the online casino market which is run in partnership with 888.
Online casino in West Virginia
Online casino gambling in West Virginia was legalized in 2019 after the state legislature approved legislation for online gambling. West Virginia’s online casino market went live in mid-2020 with the launch of DraftKings Casino. Two months later BetMGM launched its online casino product in the Mountain State.Â
Online casino in Michigan
Michigan legalized online casino gambling in December 2019 along with land-based and online sports wagering. The state delayed the launch of online gambling operations for several months but on 22 January 2021, Michiganâs online casino and sports betting market went live with the launch of eight online casinos including DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.
Online Casino Games
Online casino sites in the US offer a variety of different games meaning there is something for everyone. Slot games are among some of the most popular games due to how easy it is to play a quick game. However, there are plenty of other games available to US bettors including:
- Stepper slots
- Poker
- Blackjack
- Craps
- Keno
- Roulette
- Baccarat
- Let it ride
- Live dealer games
- Video poker
- Bingo
- Slingo
- Virtual sports
- Scratchers
Bonuses
If youâre looking to get the best bang for your buck, youâll want to find an online casino with bonuses and promotions that are a good fit for your play style and budget.
Here are some of the most common bonuses and promotions you are likely to come across at the best online casinos in the US.
First deposit bonuses
Most, if not all, US online casino sites will offer a bonus for customers making their first deposit at the site. These can vary from site to site and can include bonuses such as 100% matched deposits where the casino will match your initial deposit, giving you some extra money to play with, and other bonuses such as free spins on certain slot games.
In most cases, you will need to fulfill certain wagering requirements before you can withdraw the bonus funds credited to your account.
Reload bonuses
Operators also offer deposit bonuses for existing players. These are called reload bonuses. Theyâre essentially the same as a first-time deposit bonus but are commonly far less generous.
Risk-free play
One bonus that is becoming more and more popular in the US casino space is a period of risk-free play. These are mainly offered to new players and will see the operator cover the losses of a new player for either a set amount of time or up to a certain amount of cash.
For example, an online casino may run a promotion that will cover your losses up to $100 for a 24 hour period. If after the initial 24 hours your account is down by $50, these funds would then be reimbursed as bonus credit taking your wallet back up to the amount you started playing with.
No deposit sign up bonuses
Some of the most appealing online casino bonuses are the no deposit signup bonuses which do not require a customer to deposit funds to redeem a bonus. While not every casino offers a no deposit bonus, the ones that do usually offer a sum between $25 and $50.
Make sure to double-check the terms and conditions as these bonus funds may have wagering requirements, game restrictions, and a cap on winnings attached.
Loyalty schemes
Loyalty schemes, which may also be referred to as loyalty programs or rewards programs, can vary between operators. Some online operators that also operate land-based venues, such as BetMGM, may integrate their online and land-based loyalty programs together.Â
The rewards on offer vary from operator to operator and allow you to redeem points earned through play for a variety of rewards which may include cash bonuses, hotel stays, branded products and other rewards.
Payment Methods
Online casinos in the US accept a variety of different payment methods for making deposits and withdrawals, which means thereâs an option for everyone. However, it is worth noting that as each state regulates online casino gambling differently, some options may not be available in all states.Â
Hereâs a look at the payment methods you can expect to find at most US online casinos.
| Payment Method |
Payment Type |
Deposits |
Withdrawals |
| Visa |
Credit/debit card |
Yes |
No |
| Mastercard |
Credit/debit card |
Yes |
No |
| PayPal |
Online wallet |
Yes |
Yes |
| PayNearMe Cash |
Cash deposit at select retail stores |
Yes |
No |
| Neteller |
Online wallet |
Yes |
Yes |
| Online bank transfer |
Bank transfer |
Yes |
No |
| Cash at a casino cage |
Cash |
Yes |
Yes |
| Safekeeping |
Account transfer |
Yes |
Yes |
| Wire transfer |
Bank Transfer |
Yes |
Yes |
| VIP Preferred |
Online checking |
Yes |
Yes |
| Play+ |
Play+ prepaid card |
Yes |
Yes |
Making a Withdrawal
If you manage to win some cash playing at an online casino, youâll probably want to cash in on your returns. So, when youâre picking out an online casino, youâll want to check out the accepted withdrawal methods, as these will also vary from site to site. You should also read up on withdrawal limits and processing times â some take a little longer than others, depending on your chosen banking option and who youâre betting with.
Itâs also important to review the actual withdrawal process. At some casino sites withdrawing is simple, but others have more stringent processes. For example, some operators require you to go through a lengthy security verification process before cashing in your winnings. This process is designed to verify your identity. Verifying the identity of users ensures that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way and minimises the chances of underage gambling taking place.
Wagering Requirements
Certain US casino bonuses require players to complete wagering requirements before they can convert a bonus reward into real cash. For instance, when redeeming a spin bonus on a slot game you may be required to wager any winnings at least 20 times before you can withdraw any profit. These are designed to limit your chances of earning withdrawable cash using bonus funds awarded by the casino.
Minimum deposits
Youâll usually need to deposit a minimum amount before you can claim a casino bonus or promotion. While the minimum deposit will vary from casino to casino and at some sites, you may even come across a no deposit casino bonus. This means you wonât need to deposit anything to claim a bonus reward.
Mobile Casino Apps
In states where online casino gambling is legal, most operators also operate mobile casino apps. Mobile casinos are currently live in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Michigan and West Virginia.Â
If you want the convenience of betting when youâre on the go, youâll probably want to check out the mobile casino apps on offer to see which offers the best experience.
Virtually every online casino offers a mobile-optimised version of their site which can be accessed through a web browser. These are usually called âweb appsâ. However, we think native apps are a better option. They offer push notifications to keep you in the loop with the latest promos and are more convenient, never more than a few taps away from your home screen.Â
Customer Service
When looking for the right online casino for you it may be worth checking out the level of customer service available.Â
Need to get in touch with your chosen casino? Some online casinos offer 24/7 hour customer support via phone, email and live chat, which is handy in case you ever have a question or query that needs resolving.Â
However, not all sites have such a comprehensive offering, so if the availability of customer support is important to you, itâs best to get a feel for this before you make a deposit.
Signing up at an online casino
- Compare casinos
Thereâs no need to scour the web in search of the top US online and mobile casinos. You can find them all right here on our list of the best US casinos. Browse and compare to find your ideal casino, and donât forget to check out our expert reviews for all the inside information.
- Sign up
Once you find the right casino for you, simply follow our link to the sign up page and create your account. Youâll be required to provide personal and contact details such as name, email, address and date of birth, but the exact sign up process varies between sites and states. Make sure to check whether you need to opt in or enter a promo code when signing up in order to bag the welcome bonus.
- Deposit
Be sure to read up on minimum deposit limits and processing times, then head to the cashier page, select your preferred payment method and enter in your chosen amount. Once youâre happy, hit confirm and youâre good to go.
- Bet
Once your deposit is processed, your funds will be added to your account and you can find some casino games to play. Whether it’s slots, baccarat or blackjack youâre looking for, thereâs bound to be a variety of games on offer. Good luck!
Play at an Online Casino Today
Now that youâre all caught up on the US online casino market it’s time to sign up and try your luck. Check out our carefully curated list of the very best online casinos, where you can easily compare the top US casinos. Compare, sign up and start betting today!
