Legit Online Casinos in the US: Safest Sites for 2024

As the popularity of and demand for online casinos increases, it can be difficult to discern which sites you can trust and which to avoid. We have extensive experience reviewing operators and will walk you through the licensing, customer support, and user experience which helped us to determine the safest online casinos in the US to play at this year.

Common Features of Our Top US Casinos

• Full Gaming Licenses
• Top-End Security Technology
• High Return to Player Rates

Larry M. Grant US Casino Expert

To the Safest Casino More Legal Brands

Most Trusted Online Casinos for USA Players

We have methodically tested all licensed operators and compiled a list of legit online casinos in the US. Each site that we recommend offers great benefits; from game selection to bonuses they are tailored to every individual’s taste and budget, but first and foremost prioritize player safety. Below are the ten most trsuted online casinos:

• Michigan
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia

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Position	US Online Casino	Rating	Bonus Offer	Payout Rate	Casino Games	Bonus Code	Legal In	Secure Link	To The Casino Review	Terms

Each of the brands listed above is fully legal in the US and holds all necessary licenses for each jurisdiction in which it is active. They have also all passed our security checks, meaning that none of them is a scam, instead all are reputable and reliable brands.

If you are looking for a site for a specific purpose or just know exactly what you want to prioritize, we have you covered as well. From the results of our tests, we have picked the most reputable online casinos in different fields. This way, you can choose the site that suits you and your needs best.

Top 5 Legal Casinos

• 🥇 BetMGM PA: Top Online Casino
• 🥈 Borgata NJ: Biggest Game Selection
• 🥉 Stardust NJ: Top Mobile Casino
• ⭐️ Virgin Casino NJ: Most Comprehensive Betting Site
• ⭐️ BetRivers PA: Most Slot Games

Discover the most trusted casinos for specific categories:

🏆 Trusted Bonus Offer	BetMGM NJ
🏆 Reputable Blackjack Site	Virgin Casino NJ
🏆 Safest Roulette Site	bet365 NJ
🏆 Secure Live Casino	Stardust NJ

🏆 Responsive Customer Service	Betway NJ
🏆 Top Licensed Poker Site	Borgata NJ
🏆 Approved Mobile Casino	BetRivers PA
🏆 Best Web Security	Caesars Palace NJ

While each of these may be our pick in a certain category, this doesn’t mean that they are useless in the others. We can say without hesitation that each casino here has a rounded catalog of games and looks after its players well.

How We Determine the Safest Online Casinos

There are lots of factors that you need to consider when you are choosing an online casino in the US. Of course, it is essential to make certain that you are playing on a safe site, but this is not all. The most trusted online casino is the one that scores well across the board and offers you a fun and rewarding experience.

Page contents

• Criteria
• Safety
• Bonus
• Games
• Mobile
• Payments
• Live Dealers
• Laws
• Support

While some of these factors may seem more important than others, each criterion is essential if a site is to give a well-rounded and worthwhile user experience. That’s why only sites that perform well in general will be featured on this page. We only want to bring you the safest online casinos on the market.

Our Top Pick for April 2024

Of course, you may not be looking to only play one type of game and you may not value one factor above all others. In that case, we’d like to recommend a particular site to you. From the results of our extensive testing we have narrowed it down and found a site that ticks all of the boxes. In short, we think that this is the top online gambling site for US players.

As we said before, personal preference is a big factor, so if this site isn’t for you, we suggest that you consider one of the other options on our list of the top 10 licensed operators. In any case, when you are considering joining a new site, have a look to see that it offers the games and types of bonuses that you want to see.

1. Playing at Safe Online Casinos Is Key

It is paramount that you make sure that when you are playing online you are on a safe site. There are numerous online casino scams out there, especially in the emerging US market. However, there are lots of ways that you can keep yourself safe.

Firstly, you can check that the site is legally allowed to operate in your jurisdiction. Any site that markets its services to players in contravention of laws should not be trusted under any circumstances. You can also check to see that it uses respected third-party auditing organizations to test its games and practices.

Security Details

More About:

• 🛡️ Safe Casinos
• ⭐ Laws & Licenses
• 💳 Where is Gambling Legal?
• 🔒 Data Security

In the next sections, we’ll talk about the various things that you can look into when considering a real money casino n the United States. These are the most important security factors that we check whenever reviewing a site.

What Are the Most Secure Online Casinos?

The most important indicator that a site is among the safest online casinos for US players is its gaming license. These are issued by gambling commissions in states where gambling is legal. Without a license, a site is breaking the law if it markets its services to you and therefore cannot be trusted.

However, there are other important factors. All good sites will go above and beyond the legal requirements to make sure that they provide good services to members and look after vulnerable players. There are numerous things that we check when reviewing operators.

Internet security is an absolute must. Hackers love to target sites where money is transferred, which makes gambling websites in the US a target. However, there are lots of ways to protect sites, which all of the top companies employ, making sure that you and your money are safe.

Below, we have a list of some of the best US online casinos. Each of these holds licenses so that they can market their services to customers in America. However, not all hold licenses for all states that have legal gambling, so you need to check that they are legal for your location.

Safe Online Casinos with Valid Licenses:

• BetMGM
• Stardust
• Virgin Casino
• Caesars Palace
• Party Casino
• Borgata
• Sugar House
• Stardust Casino

Best Casino Safety Practices

Most Reputable Casino	BetMGM NJ
Best Technical Security	Stardust NJ
Top Payment Protection	Borgata Online Casino NJ
Best Data Encryption	Betway PA
Verified Payout Rates	Caesars Palace NJ

As you can see from the table above, there isn’t just one site that does everything it can to protect its players. There is a whole heap of licensed and trusted sites that employ all sorts of methods to protect you and your money.

Licensing & Legislation

It may seem like we are emphasizing the necessity for licensing a lot. But that is for a good reason; all legit online casinos must have the correct licenses for each state in which they operate. The requirements vary by state, but each licensing authority ensures the operator is safe and trustworthy.

More states are beginning to legalize online gambling, meaning that there are more licenses to be held. As this continues, we will keep updating this and the states’ pages, so that you have all of the most up-to-date information. On the whole, though, the licenses all look to guarantee certain things:

• License holders must prove that they are not linked to criminal activity
• They must prove that they have sufficient capital and funds
• Player protection measures must be in place
• Licensees must prove that they can verify users’ ages
• They must use independent agencies to test games
• They must use top-end SSL technology to secure the website

Of course, each gambling authority imposes its own requirements, and these will be updated from time to time. These authorities are in constant contact with the casinos themselves so that the players’ best interest is always at the core of any approved online casino.

It’s essential to note that we only review and recommend licensed sites. This is a non-negotiable for our team as your safety is of the utmost importance. Having said that, not all licensed sites are available in each state, meaning some operators may have licenses for only one jurisdiction, while others do for all six.

States Where it Is Legal to Play Online

It can seem a little bewildering in this industry, with all of the legal changes going on in the past few years. States have gone back and forth on decisions to legalize and extend online casino gambling in the United States. Below, we have summarized all of the states that allow some form of online gambling, with info on which allows casinos.

The gambling age is 21 for casino gaming in the United States, despite the fact that some states have made it legal for 18-year-olds to enter and gamble in their land-based establishments. There is no suggestion that this will change anytime soon.

Data Security & Privacy

The second part of ensuring that online casinos are reputable is data security and online protection. For anyone who is used to spending time online, this will be a familiar necessity. There are a couple of ways that you can check the security of a website.

If you click on the padlock symbol in the URL bar, you can see the SSL encryption certificate. If you do not see a padlock symbol, then the site is not encrypted, and you should not share any personal or banking details on it under any circumstances.

The other thing that you can do to check the security of an operator is to have a look at the website’s footer. In this, you should be able to see the logos of various organizations and companies. Look for the logo of one of the security companies above to put your mind at ease before playing online.

We know that it can sound boring but making sure that you are on a trustworthy site and not dealing with a scam operation is essential. Ultimately, you will be sharing sensitive information and playing real money casino games when you are at online gambling sites USA.

2. Payouts: Return to Player Rates

Payout rates, also known as return to player rates (RTP), are an important part of online casinos USA. The figure, which is usually expressed as a percentage refers to the amount of the gambled money that returns to the player base over an extended period. This means that it is theoretical and does not guarantee an individual player a certain return.

It can, however, be useful in showing that games and sites more generally are fair and not unduly weighted against the players. The higher the percentage, the better. If you look at it a different way, games with high RTPs have low house edges.

Legal online casinos that payout all make the RTP rates of their games clear and visible to their players. This is essential in demonstrating transparency. The audits should be carried out by independent agencies, of which there are numerous respected examples. The most famous are eCOGRA and Gaming Labs International.

You may see that we have used payouts and return to player rates interchangeably. This is because in this context they mean the same thing. However, payout can also refer to individual wins, whereas RTP cannot. For example, if you win a hand of blackjack at one of the most trusted online casinos for USA players, you can expect the payout to be 1:1, whereas the RTP or payout rate could be 99%.

The thing to remember above all else is that the return to player rate is not a guarantee of your earnings or how you will fare during a session or even your lifetime at a game. It is an expression of the return to all players over an incredibly extended period of time. As such, it is simply a useful tool to see that a game is fair.

3. Available Casino Games

Casino games are the reason that we play online, which is why it’s so important to have a look and check that any site that you consider is chock-full of popular modern titles from top software providers. So, let’s have a look at the legit online casino games, from video slots to live games and beyond.

As you can see above, there are lots of gaming options that you can consider. Whatever your budget or whichever type of game you enjoy, it’s easy to find a great selection. All of the most popular and respected operator sites have hundreds of products to choose from, across all of the following categories:

• Online Slot Machines – Video slots, classic slots, jackpot slots
• Roulette – American roulette, European roulette, French roulette, 2-ball roulette
• Blackjack – classic blackjack, Spanish 21, Pontoon
• Baccarat – classic baccarat, Punto Banco, Dragon Tiger
• Casino Poker – Texas Hold’em, Casino Hold’em, 3 Card Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker
• Craps – classic RNG varieties
• Sic Bo – classic RNG varieties
• Live Casino Games – blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, money wheel, sic bo
• Lottery Games – lotto games
• Arcade Games – Snakes and Ladders, beat the lotto, retro games
• Instant Wins – scratch cards, raffles

This is not an exhaustive list and, of course, each site will have a totally different selection. Some focus mainly on slots while others go for a much more rounded offering. Once again, it’s all about what gives you the chance to play your favorite games.

Approved Slots

As we mentioned above, online slots are the most popular casino game, and you will find that the vast majority of the titles in any given library will be made up of classic and video slots. This means that you have a lot of choices when it comes to online slots to play for real money.

You will notice that there are three distinct types of slot games: classic, video, and jackpot. While the jackpots may be fairly self-explanatory, it’s worth mentioning that the progressive jackpots can grow quickly and end up being in the millions.

The difference between classic and video slots is that the former sticks with traditional gameplay and graphics while video slots are more innovative and use themes and gameplay features to spice things up.

Where Can you Play Starburst?

BetMGM

5/5 Stars

The Safest Casino to Play Starburst

• Top Atlantic City Brand
• Top Quality Games Library

Visit Casino

When you are selecting a real money online gambling site for USA players, it is worth considering the return to player rates, as these can have an impact on your returns. Though it is always worth remembering that these are purely theoretical and cannot be relied upon as assurances of a certain return during your sessions.

Top Pick for Roulette

Roulette is one of the oldest games still being played in casinos and has remained a casino staple right around the world. Indeed, for some, the sight of a shining roulette wheel is almost inextricably linked with casinos and gambling. Its popularity and spread mean that there are lots of contenders for the best online roulette casino.

Any operator worth its salt will carry at least a dozen or so different automated roulette games, with American Roulette, European Roulette, and French Roulette all offered as standard. While we support patriotism, we do urge players to avoid playing American variants as the house edge is much higher because of the addition of the double zero pocket.

Which Is the Most Trusted Casino for Roulette?

Stardust

5/5 Stars

The Safest Casino for Roulette in the US

• Lots of Table Games
• Evolution Gaming Live Suite

Visit Casino

Most automated or random number generated (RNG) roulette titles boast RTPs of 97% and over. If you see a game with figures much below this, we recommend that you look elsewhere. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a scam, there’s also no need to play games that are unduly weighted against you as a player.

Secure Blackjack Sites

Along with roulette, blackjack is one of the most beloved casino games around. Its popularity has meant that it holds a central place in any online gambling library. As such, the options to be found at USA online casinos are superb.

While the setup of the game doesn’t allow for as many different features as slots, or even as many different variants as roulette, there are still some interesting choices out there. In particular, blackjack is well suited to side bets.

Which Is Best Legal Casino to Play Blackjack?

Virgin Casino

5/5 Stars

The Safest Casino for Blackjack

• Lots of Payment Methods
• Hundreds of Quality Games

Visit Casino

One of the biggest appeals of this type of game is the RTP, with games typically having payout rates over 99%. As such, if you are all about the numbers, blackjack is the game for you.

Progressive Jackpots

We have mentioned these games before as jackpots are a type of slot game, but they are often given an independent tab in real money online casinos so that you can find them easily. A progressive jackpot is a slot game that has an in-built jackpot prize that increases as players place wagers.

• MGM Grand Millions – Play at BetMGM NJ
• Cleopatra – Play at BetRivers PA
• Age of the Gods Jackpot Slots – Play at Party Casino NJ
• Mega Moolah – Play at Caesars Palace Online Casino NJ
• Divine Fortune – Play at Stardust NJ

There are jackpots from a large number of top software developers, each putting their own styles and themes into this format. Also, there are various features included in many of the games on top of the big prize.

Some of the most popular jackpots include Mega Moolah, Jackpot Giant, and Mega Fortune, though these are by no means the only options. There are top games from NetEnt, Evolution, and Playtech that are all worth considering if you want to play for a massive top prize.

Live Dealer Games

In recent years, live dealer games have gone from strength to strength with their popularity following the same trend. These slick products let you play games in real-time with croupiers dealing to you via live stream all in real-time. And there’s no need for you to leave your house or even your bed to play.

The main appeal of these titles is the combination of the classic casino atmosphere with the convenience and ease of online casinos USA. On top of this is the sheer variety and high-end quality of the games themselves, which seem to get better with every passing year, meaning that they are a firm favorite with our team.

There are lots of different games that you can play in live casino suites, with all of the classic table games being covered. All good live online casino sites USA will offer blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, and a good selection of other options.

You will also find that most sites offer wide table limits across various tables, meaning that players of all budgets can enjoy this type of gameplay. For high rollers, there are exclusive Salon Privé tables, with huge maximum bets. For other players, you can often start at $1 a hand.

Other Online Casino Games

As if this wasn’t giving you enough choice, there are also a number of other great games that you can play at US online casinos. Choose between the likes of keno, bingo, lottery games, and scratch cards.

Many of these options are hugely popular, with completely different gameplay setups than in the more traditional casino games. However, the return to player rates are usually much lower than in roulette, blackjack, or even slot games. As such, they are perfect for a change, but may not be the best option for all of your gambling.

4. Making Deposit & Withdrawals

While we all just want to get online and start playing at US online gambling sites, ultimately, you will have to make payments to and from the site. So, it’s important to know that you can use familiar and trusted payment options when making deposits and withdrawals from your operator’s website.

Where possible, we recommend that players consider using PayPal at online casinos, as this service is fast, easy and trustworthy. It also allows users to make transactions without sharing bank details with the operator, adding an extra layer of security to the process.

Another option that is becoming more readily available is to pay with bitcoin. Of course, using this cryptocurrency, while fashionable, is not that easy, since very few sites accept it as a payment method. However, we expect that the online casino bitcoin options will only multiply over time.

How to Make a Deposit

Making real money deposits at casinos online in the United States is extremely easy. Once you are a member of a site, all you have to do is go to the cashier, select your payment method, and follow the instructions. As you’d expect, it is in the interests of the operator to make the process smooth and straightforward.

To help you out though, we’ve created this step-by-step process just to make things as clear as possible for you. Remember that each site will differ slightly in how things are laid out, but this simple guide should still keep you right.

• 1. Sign into your account and go to the cashier
• 2. Select your chosen payment method and enter the amount desired
• 3. Confirm your payment account details or card details

Also bear in mind that certain operators and some payment methods charge a percentage or flat fee for any transactions. In general, the most trusted online casinos keep these fees to an absolute minimum, but it is worth having a look at the terms and conditions for paying via PayPal, credit cards, etc. in advance.

Withdrawing Winnings

In general, withdrawals from casinos online in the United States are just as easy as making deposits. There are a couple of things to note, however, so we’ll take you through them. The main thing to think about is that different methods will have different processing times.

If you are using bank transfers, then you may have to wait up to seven business days before you receive the funds. However, eWallets and credit cards are usually quicker than this. To make a withdrawal, follow these simple steps:

• 1. Log in to your casino account and go to the cashier
• 2. Choose which payment method you wish to use
• 3. Enter your desired amount and provide all necessary details

As you can see, the process for withdrawals at legal online gambling sites is the same as for making payments to an operator. Keep in mind that some methods have fees for transactions. Read on to find out more.

Transaction Fees

As we said above, transactions sometimes have fees imposed, either by the operator itself or by the payment service provider. For the latter, there is nothing that can be done by the operator, and these will be standard across the industry. However, some sites choose to add fees on top. These can be as much as 3% or so, which is certainly worth knowing about in advance.

It is worth noting that fees are not an unavoidable thing. The best real money online casinos that payout USA do not add charges. This means that you can easily avoid fees if you do a little research. All that is required is that you check the payment terms of any site you are considering and decide accordingly.

5. Legit Casino Bonuses

If you have ever played at a USA casino before, you will know that you can usually get a welcome bonus just for signing up as a new member. This is one of the highlights of iGaming, with dozens of great operators aiming to entice you with their new player promotions such as a bonus code, deposit bonus, free spins, and more.

There are different types of bonuses to consider. Most will match your deposit up to a certain limit (deposit bonus), giving you bonus funds to play with. These offers can give you a few hundred dollars in bonus funds. Another option is giving you free spins on popular online slots.

With so much choice, it is important to know what to look for when comparing a deposit bonus, bonus code, or free spins deals, otherwise, you could end up feeling a little lost. The top online casino bonuses are those that give generous benefits without attaching over-the-top terms and conditions. The key factor is the wagering conditions, which tell you how much you will need to wager in order to complete the terms.

Overall, you must read the full terms and conditions of a sign-up bonus (welcome bonus), bonus code, deposit bonus, free spins bonus, or any other online casino offer, before you accept it. This will give you a proper understanding of what is involved and will save you from disappointment later on, as well as help you to avoid situations where you feel pressured to bet more than you had planned.

Wagering Requirements & Game Contributions

While there are several things that you need to look at in bonus terms, wagering conditions, and game contribution rates are probably the most important. When you receive bonus funds, these are not withdrawable until you have completed what is known as the wagering requirement or playthrough condition.

This is the number of times that you must wager the value of the funds received before they become real money that you can spend and withdraw as you like. Anything under 40x the bonus amount is standard and reasonable.

As an example, let’s take a deposit bonus with a 100% match up to $100 with a playthrough of 40x. If you pay $100 and receive the full amount offered, you will then need to wager at least $4,000 to complete the bonus.

As you can see, the playthrough requirement massively affects the generosity of a bonus. If you change the terms to 20x or 70x, the difference would be huge. Also, bear in mind that if you do not complete the playthrough requirements by the time limit stated in the terms of the deal, all bonus funds will be forfeited from your account. This is standard across the industry.

The other thing to look at before you accept a bonus is what the game contribution rates are. This is because many games are excluded from bonus wagering and others only contribute at a reduced rate. Slots tend to count 100% towards playthroughs, while blackjack and roulette may only contribute 5% or 10%.

Low contribution rates effectively multiply the playthrough requirements, so if you want to play table games, it is recommended to look for a bonus that is designed for your preferred games. With everything, think about your budget and whether the terms and conditions of a bonus offer suit your wallet and playing habits. Do not let a promotion pressure you into playing and betting more than you want to.

All of that being said, we are big fans of online casino bonuses USA. There are lots of great options on the market, with creative and innovative promos being launched all the time. We just want to urge all of our players to make sure that they understand a deal before signing up for it.

Trusted Promotions

There is more to casino offers than welcome bonuses and free spins, though. There are also ongoing deals that can give you a boost at your regular site. In many ways, these are more important than new player offers, as you can only avail yourself of these once. Here are some legit online casino promotions:

Every 21st of the month, you can get $300 FreePlay in Multihand Blackjack at 888casino.

Play for your piece of the Lion’s Share Daily Jackpots worth thousands of dollars.

The PartyCasino Daily Click Card promotion gives away something special to players every day.

As with welcome bonuses, there are multiple types of promotions for existing members at US gambling sites. These range from deposit matches and free spins offers to tournaments and prize draws. You can find all of the following and more at legal online casinos for US players:

• 100% deposit match bonus
• 50% deposit match bonus
• $10 free play
• $20 free play
• 10 bonus spins
• 20 bonus spins
• 50 bonus spins
• Slots tournaments
• Prize draws
• Raffles

Casino promotions generally change over time. Some sites do have ongoing deals that will remain in place for a year or more, but you can normally expect sites to rotate promos each month, meaning that there’s always something new. If you’d like to keep up with the newest deals, make sure to check out our guide to the best bonuses in the US.

As with welcome bonuses, you absolutely should always read the terms and conditions before you accept any online casino offer or opt-in. This will reduce the chances of you regretting taking part. Especially where wagering conditions are involved, it is well worth your time and effort.

6. Safe Casino Apps to Play on the Go

As exciting as desktop casinos are, modern players are not limited to their monitor to play online. Any reputable online casino is also made available on mobile and tablet. You can play all of the most popular types of games from the comfort of your smartphone.

Some operators choose to create downloadable apps, building everything from scratch to suit small screens, while other opt for optimizing their existing sites for all device types, effectively creating an online casino app. If you have an Android or Apple device, either option is open to you, but apps are rarely available for other brands.

The Best Mobile Casino App for 2024 for iOS and Android

BetRivers

500+ Mobile Games

To the Casino

Most mobile casino USA apps are now available on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, but this is not universal yet. For a long time, both companies did not want gambling apps to be advertised. If you download from outside of the store, make sure you do so directly from a trusted operator site.

Whichever one of the top online casino options you choose, we do not doubt that you’ll find a large library of popular games to play, all of which are well-suited and designed for cell phone and tablet screens. The improvements just keep coming in the mobile casino market.

7. Software Developers

There are dozens of top software providers on the market, creating exciting and interesting products for players to enjoy. You may have heard of NetEnt, Playtech, and Evolution, but it is also worth keeping an eye on smaller companies like Yggdrasil, ELK Studios, and FELT.

The diversity of developers is a great thing for players as this leads to much more choice. Each of the best-rated online casinos carries games from multiple providers, creating massive and varied catalogs of titles.

The other great thing about this setup is that it allows many companies to specialize. Many of the top companies only create slot games and focus their efforts on innovative features, while others branch out and make table games that keep the classics interesting.

scams.infoTo the Top Casinos!

There are dozens of top software companies, releasing wonderful products across all of the game categories.

US Casino Expert Larry M. Grant

The one niche that is fairly separate is live casino gambling, which is dominated by Evolution Gaming. This company has won multiple awards over the years and is the undisputed market leader. It has a studio in New Jersey, from which it beams high-quality live streams.

8. Responsive Customer Service

Nobody wants to run into problems when gambling online, and we don’t foresee that you’ll have many problems if you are playing at one of the best online casinos in the US. But it is always good to know that support is there if you need it.

In general, you can get in touch with operators using live chat, email, and phone calls. We tend to find that live chats are the easiest way to talk to customer service, with this option often offered around the clock, 24/7.

• BetMGM
• Stardust
• Virgin Casino
• BetRivers
• Caesars Palace
• Party Casino

Some sites can charge for phone calls, but in general, they are free. You can always find this information on contact pages. In our experience, USA online casino customer support is always excellent, with friendly agents who are more than happy to help with even small queries.

If you have any more general questions, you can always check out our FAQ section below where we answer the most common questions from our readers.

9. Responsible Gambling

As the casino gambling market continues to open up for US players, more and more licenses are being granted to operators across a wider range of states. It’s a slow process, and it can be difficult to get clear answers on when more legal jurisdictions will exist. You can rely on us, however, to only recommend sites in states where online casinos are legal.

As well as holding the necessary licenses, it is important that operators do their part and support responsible gambling organizations. These include the gambling authorities, testing agencies, and charities that work to support problem gamblers.

To obtain a gaming license, some stringent checks must be carried out. These include background checks of all management, a full financial audit to make sure that the company can back sufficiently high levels of wagers, and ongoing monitoring of player protection and responsibility standards. All of this is to ensure that all licensees are secure online casinos.

The thing to know as a player is that, if a site holds the correct licenses, and is recommended by us, it has gone through a lot of testing and has proven itself to be well worth your trust and your time. Even better news is that there are lots of sites that manage this, so you have a great deal of choice.

Free Play vs. Real Money Casinos

Many of you may have already played at sweepstakes casinos, which allow you to play gambling games with sweeps coins. While these sites are often labeled as free casino sites, they do still require a purchase to play the games. With the rise of legal US online casinos, there seems little reason to continue playing at them, but let’s have a look at the pros and cons.

Below you can learn about what you can expect to find if you play at sweepstakes casinos and online casinos for real money. To us, there are two reasons why you should always play at legit online casinos: they are licensed and regulated – which means you are well protected – and the incomparable potential for cash winnings.

While sweepstakes casinos are not illegal, they do make use of loopholes in the sweepstakes laws of most states. This does not mean that you cannot trust them outright, but it does raise some pretty brightly colored red flags in our opinion.

Online Casinos vs. Land-based Operators

If you have played at land-based casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or elsewhere, you will know of the benefits that come with playing in person. You may not be so familiar with what is great about real-money gaming sites in the United States. So, let’s have a look at the similarities and differences.

In many ways, the games that you can play are very similar. Online slots function in much the same way as land-based machines, though there is a lot more variety and more intricate features. Automated table games follow the same rules, while live casinos blur the lines between the two even more, bringing the atmosphere and live croupiers of normal casinos to your living room.

While playing at home will never be the same as going to a fancy casino in person, there are lots of things that make it even better. Online casino sites never close for US players, allowing you to bet whenever you like. Table limits are usually wider and there are certainly more games available in the first place.

Tips for Playing Safe

If you are new to this industry, we have some tips to help you play for real money at online gambling sites. These are not schemes or tricks to guarantee wins. There is no way to beat the system. But you can guard against silly decisions and work to reduce the house edge on games.

The following list of online casino USA tips is designed to help you out when playing as well as help you avoid scams and untrustworthy sites. It’s not an exhaustive list of everything that you need to know, but it covers some of the most important things to remember.

• Tip 1: Only play at trusted sites – This sounds simple but involves making sure that any site you use is fully licensed and endorsed by a source like ourselves that you trust. Also, have a look for fairness certificates from the likes of eCOGRA.
• Tip 2: Play high RTP games – All games should display their return to player rates. If they don’t, you shouldn’t trust them. Playing games with high payout rates means that you are reducing the house edge.
• Tip 3: Set yourself a budget – Once you are playing, it can be all too easy to go chasing losses and to get carried away. This can lead to you making rash decisions. So, set a budget and always stick to it.
• Tip 4: Be polite in live US casinos – Follow the golden rule and treat staff and other players as you would want to be treated. Any rudeness, swearing or harassment will result in you being banned from the site.
• Tip 5: Don’t split 10s – In blackjack, it seems like a good idea to split 10s, as it gives you two goes at getting a blackjack. However, simple math and statistics show that it is never beneficial.

The main thing is to make sure that you are playing at approved online casinos. No matter how diligent you are with everything else, if you aren’t playing at legal sites, then you will run into difficulties. That’s why we will never recommend dodgy sites to you, no matter how good they seem in other respects.

There are lots of other things to learn that may help you when playing at USA online casinos so remember to check back for regular updates.

History of Gambling and Online Casinos in the US

There is a long and storied history of gambling in the US. From riverboat casinos to the luxury and glamor of the top-end resort casinos that dominate Las Vegas, there’s lots to talk about. Let’s have a look at the most important and famous events and developments from the past.

There have been gambling games played in America since well before Independence. They were favored by many colonizers and settlers. Lotteries dominated the scene – at one point, there were 392 lotteries across the 13 colonies – but card games were also popular.

Horse racing was the most popular gambling pastime of the rich in the South, though this was largely interrupted by the Civil War. From this point on, gambling was restricted and often existed largely in major cities like Chicago, where casino gambling and crime went hand in hand.

In more recent times, Las Vegas and Atlantic City have grown into world-renowned gambling havens, Native American reservations have become heavily associated with casinos, and there is now the rise and extended legalization of USA online casino sites. Far from the Wild West and gangster days of gambling crime, we are in a reputable and regulated age for gaming.

The Future of Casino Sites in the US

The first thing to say is that the future looks bright for online casinos in the USA. With more and more states opening up their gambling laws and allowing greater numbers of casino sites, the industry will only continue to grow.

With a larger industry comes greater competition. Up until now, there haven’t been many sites based in the US, so players have had to rely on foreign sites. While these are the best in the world and will always compete with American casinos, it will only benefit players to have the choice of sites that are aimed solely at them.

FAQ

To close out this roundup of the safest online casinos, we wanted to take a moment to answer some of the most common questions. We hope that these help you out and give you the info that you need to play safely and with confidence.

🤔 Which are the most trusted online casinos for USA players?

It's always hard to give a definite answer to this question. The most legit online casino varies across games and player interests, and there isn't a single most trusted online casino. Fortunately, there are many secure sites to choose from, and we've included a top pick in our updated list of reputable brands.

🤚 Which states offer legal online casinos?

Currently, online gambling is not legal in all states. However, more and more states are choosing to legalize online gambling. Read our dedicated section to learn about the legal states and which products they offer.

🤑 Are all online casinos rigged?

No, the legal online casinos that we recommend are not rigged. Each of the operators we review are required to use independent testing agencies, which monitor games and player protection measures. Find out more about casino safety protocols above.