If you’re new to the online gambling scene, knowing where to start isn’t a walk in the park. From understanding current regulations to learning how to gamble online safely, there’s a lot to unpack. Not to mention the details of individual casino games, promotions and bonuses that are available to players.
On this page, we share our expert team’s top five US online gamble operators, as well as all the key information you need to know to ensure maximum safety in your gambling experience.
Top Online Gamble Platforms We Endorse for US Players
Our team has successfully identified today’s best online gamble destinations for US players, from undertaking a thorough research and vetting process. All sites on this page are fully endorsed by our experts, with all payment processes and game types played-through to ensure the most in-depth review possible.
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Online Gambling Guides
Top 5 USA Sites For Online Gambling
Below, you’ll find key facts about our top 5 USA online gambling recommendations for players wanting to enjoy their free time playing their favourite casino games. Each site has its own key features and bonuses, and we describe all the important information you need to know in making your decision of which casino to choose.
DuckyLuck – Best Casino Game Selection
If you’re the type of player that loves an extensive choice of games and trying new titles, DuckyLuck is definitely the online gambling spot for you. Featuring over 500 casino games, including live dealer options and innovative video slots, DuckyLuck effortlessly caters to a wide variety of tastes – without compromising on safety and security.
Our team was particularly impressed with the transparency here, with a very detailed FAQ page and plenty of licensing information available. DuckyLuck currently holds a Costa Rica license with SSL encryption throughout the site. Their welcome bonus is incredibly generous, too, offering new players a whopping 500% match deposit bonus up to $2,500 and 150 free spins. And if you’re using crypto, you can expect a 600% match bonus.
Wild Casino – Most Impressive Welcome Offer
Sign up to Wild Casino, make your first five deposits, and you’ll receive a welcome package worth up to $5,000 plus additional 125 free spins. We were hugely impressed with this bonus as it’s hands-down one of the best we’ve seen across the entire US online gambling scene.
However, Wild Casino still has plenty more to offer other than its welcome promotion. Two live casino sections can be found here, with options ideal for both beginner players and experienced high-rollers. Plenty of tournaments are available to join, too, including dedicated blackjack and poker rooms. While perhaps geared slightly more toward more seasoned players, Wild Casino is still a great option if you value bonuses and enjoy gambling on live dealer games.
Ignition – Best for Poker Tournaments
If poker tournaments are your preferred type of online gambling, Ignition Casino is definitely worth considering. Established back in 2016 and, like DuckyLuck, Ignition holds a reputable Curaçao license. Multiple tournaments are available throughout different times of the day and if you ever want to try your hand at something else, you have over 400 slot titles to browse and choose from.
Virtual sports betting is also a prominent feature at Ignition, featuring a good selection of markets. While not as extensive as some other online gambling sites our team has investigated, the Ignition sportsbook offers various racing and match sports with some live streaming options.
Bovada – Industry-Leading Sportsbook
Over 300 casino games are available at Bovada, including table games and slots. However, that’s not the real star of the show here. Bovada has undoubtedly one of the best sportsbooks across the entire USA online gambling market, featuring over 20,000 markets to place bets on.
From major league football tournaments to soccer to baseball to horse racing, there’s virtually not a single sport not available at Bovada. You’ll find consistently competitive odds, as well as frequent live streams of the most popular games. Whether you online gamble across the Bovada sportsbook or enjoy their casino games instead, there are no withdrawal fees throughout. Our team was especially impressed to see this, as the lack of fees is present across both Bovada’s desktop and mobile versions.
Roaring 21 – Great Customer Support
Established in 2018 and holding a license under the Government of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan, our team describes Roaring 21 as a solid all-rounder. Featuring a varied selection of casino games (including video poker, slots and table games), we were especially impressed with the quality of software providers available here. All games loaded quickly with sharp graphics, and the entire site is easy to navigate with few glitches.
Join Roaring 21, and you can claim a 100% match bonus up to a huge $4,000 across your first two deposits. And that isn’t a shared bonus, either – you’ll receive the bonus in full for both deposits, not halved. But, the main feature that really stood out to us here was their stellar customer support. We were never left waiting long for a response, and every single person we spoke to was helpful and considerate in their support. This makes Roaring 21 a great choice for newcomers who may need a helping hand.
What Is Online Gambling?
Let’s start with the basics. Gambling online refers to the act of placing monetary wagers on games of chance (or strategy) over the internet. Some sites where people can online gamble include online casinos, poker, sports betting and even lotteries are considered to be a form of USA online gambling.
Most sites offering this service will require you to create an account and make deposit payments. The best online gambling operators will offer a variety of different payment methods for you to choose from, and your deposits are what you will use to place your bets.
Any winnings you accumulate will be stored in your online account as funds you can withdraw.
What Are the Different Types of Online Gambling in the US?
As mentioned, online gambling in the US can vary from poker to online slot games to sports betting. The sheer volume of options offers a hugely diverse range of experiences to players, allowing them to expand their iGaming knowledge and try new things.
In fact, many players who frequently visit physical casinos often find themselves gambling online, too. Its convenience and variety is simply unmatched! Here are some of the most popular types of online gambling many US players enjoy:
Online Casinos
As their name suggests, online casinos strive to offer the same types of games as a physical casino would. These include classic table games like roulette and blackjack, slots and poker, as well as bonuses and promotions. Today’s best online casinos offer thousands of different games from top software providers, offering fast loading speeds and cutting-edge graphics.
Many online casinos also offer live games featuring a dealer streamed in real-time to replicate playing in a physical casino. This game type is a firm favorite among avid casino fans, as it allows players to experience a live dealer from the comfort of home.
Sports Betting
From football to soccer to baseball, top-quality sports betting sites will feature a huge range of markets to choose from, as well as competitive odds and live streaming. As expected, sports betting is a type of online gambling that’s hugely popular with avid sports fans and offers a huge range of flexibility.
Players can even place pre-arranged bets for games set to happen in the future and can enjoy high-quality live streams of various sports. Many sports betting sites also offer tips and advice, which is ideal for newcomers to online gambling in the US.
Poker
One of the most classic games synonymous with online gambling, poker is a routinely popular choice that requires both skill and strategy to win big. Whether on a dedicated poker site or at an online casino offering poker, multiple types of poker are often available. These include Texas Hold’Em, Omaha Poker, and 7-Card Stud.
Poker tournaments are a big feature across many online gambling platforms and are especially popular among high rollers. You’ll join a specific online poker room and play against other players, giving you the chance to put your strategy into real-time action. Poker is considered one of the most strategic table games when compared to options like roulette. This means it’s always recommended that newcomers practise and learn different strategies before joining real tournaments.
Is It Legal to Gamble Online in USA?
At the time of writing, you can gamble online in USA because it is considered technically legal. However, there’s greater nuance to the situation than that, with the status of online gambling being officially governed by a mix of both federal and state laws.
While the Federal Wire Act of 1961 initially restricted online gambling, a 2011 Department of Justice opinion clarified that it only applied to sports betting. As a result, this allowed individual states to make their own decisions regarding other types of online gambling. States including Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Delaware have legalized online casinos and poker, while sports betting is now legal in over 30 states following a 2018 Supreme Court decision that overturned the federal ban.
However, sports betting still faces stricter regulations due to concerns over match-fixing and addiction, but it has still seen rapid growth regardless of these concerns. As we look ahead, the ability to gamble online in USA is expected to continue expanding, with more states likely to legalize and regulate it, driven by increasing public demand. However, regulatory challenges around consumer protection and responsible gaming are likely to remain key issues for the industry’s future, meaning the future of US online gambling still hangs in the balance.
Online Gambling vs. Offline Gambling: Key Comparisons
There’s no denying that to gamble online and visiting a physical casino are two very different things. They both have their own distinctive pros and cons, with certain players likely to be suited to one over the other.
From greater convenience to a higher choice of games, there are plenty of reasons why someone would choose to gamble online instead of visiting a land-based establishment. But that doesn’t mean physical casinos don’t still have their place in the gambling scene. Here are our top reasons to try online gambling when compared to offline alternatives.
Online Gambling
- Impressive convenience. Players can enjoy a huge range of games without having to leave home.
- Online gambling is more accessible, allowing players to enjoy their favorite games at any time of day or night.
- Incredibly user-friendly, as players can access games via simple browsing categories or using specific search terms.
- Players don’t have to sit at home to enjoy online gambling. Mobile optimization allows for gaming when on-the-go using smartphones or tablets, adding an extra layer of convenience for users.
- Many bonuses and promotions are available, especially for newcomers. These include free spins, welcome match bonuses, free tournament entries and more.
Offline Gambling
- While physical casinos may offer a greater atmosphere than sites, the choice of games is almost always less.
- Some land-based casinos are open 24/7, but not all of them, meaning players are inevitably restricted by their opening hours.
- If visiting a casino they’re unfamiliar with, players may have to waste time walking around and searching for the games they like.
- Games can only be played at the physical location of the casino.
- While some land-based casinos may offer incentives and promotions for players, the amount offered isn’t as high or varied as online gambling operators.
Free Gambling Online USA Games and Where to Play Them
Free gambling online USA is also another option for US players. One of the main ways to do this is via a social casino, which are considered legal in all states. Social casinos offer casino-style games like slots, roulette, and poker, but without the need to wager real money. Instead, players use virtual coins to place their bets.
Various promotions and casino bonuses also enable players to enjoy games for free. Rewards such as free spins offer players a specific amount of spins they can use on certain slots, and match bonus promotions match a player’s original deposit by a particular percentage. Essentially, this provides you with ‘free’ money to play with.
However, it’s important to note that many of these bonuses may require a minimum deposit amount unless you’re claiming a no-deposit bonus. In this case, simply signing up to the casino is the only requirement.
Finally, ‘demo mode’ is another method. As the name suggests, this allows you to get the full experience of playing the game without involving real money bets. Most online casinos offer demo mode across their entire portfolio, allowing players to not only play for free but also try new titles to test the waters without committing their own money.
What Are the Most Important Features of Safe Gambling Online?
Many players often ask themselves one key question: is gambling online really safe? The answer is absolutely yes, providing you’re playing at reputable and licensed sites.
However, this isn’t the only factor to be aware of. There are plenty of other elements to consider when evaluating whether a website is somewhere you’d want to gamble online. Before signing up for somewhere new, you must take into account the following features:
Privacy
Top-tier security and privacy measures couldn’t be more important when online gambling. You only want to play at sites that guarantee none of your personal or financial details will be accessible to third parties. This provides essential peace of mind that your sensitive information will always be safe.
2FA authentication
In today’s ever-complex online age, passwords often aren’t enough to keep third parties and hackers at bay. Today’s most secure online gambling platforms will offer a second layer of security, often sending you an email or SMS with a private code to enter to confirm your identity.
Anti-fraud policies
If third parties are somehow able to access your personal or financial data, this opens players up to potential fraud. Extra security measures to act against fraud are, therefore, essential for safe gameplay.
Third-party auditing
Unfortunately, there are some real money online casinos out there that aren’t licensed and utilize unfair practices. Look for evidence of third-party auditing, as this showcases that an external organization has checked the casino to ensure fair play is administered throughout.
Transparency
From withdrawal speeds to responsible gambling procedures, transparency is a vital part of online gambling safety. Only join sites that feature extensive ‘About Us’ and ‘FAQ’ pages, as this will deliver all the key information you need.
Encryption
This goes hand-in-hand with prioritizing safety and security. In addition to your personal details remaining uncompromised, specialist encryption software will also ensure any monetary transactions are completely secure.
Avoiding scams
If you fail to confirm any of the above on a site you’re looking at, it could be a scam. Always be on your guard and be vigilant in looking for warning signs that a site may not be as legitimate as it first appears.
How to Gamble Online Responsibly
While online gambling platforms have a responsibility to protect their members, responsible gambling practices should also be taken seriously by players too. Gambling should never be relied on to make money; it should be seen as a form of fun entertainment and nothing else. Below are our top tips on how to ensure you’re always gambling responsibly:
Set Limits
Whether time limits or money limits, setting firm boundaries for your online gambling activity is key. All reputable sites will offer this, with advice from their customer support team if needed.
Track Activity
When you’re having fun playing your favorite games, it’s easy to lose track of time. But, this can be detrimental in the long-run. Try setting a timer each time you start online gambling, with an alarm once you’ve reached your time limit.
Know When to Walk Away
If you start to feel increasingly frustrated while online gambling, this is a surefire sign that it’s probably time to walk away. When winnings aren’t going your way, it can often be tempting to continue trying your luck but try to avoid this if your funds are running low.
Use Tools to Control Your Gambling
Whether physical online timers are next to use while playing or setting boundaries within the site itself, make sure to utilize any tools available to you. If you need any advice on how and when to set your limits, contact the site’s customer support team, who will be happy to help.
Always Stay Informed
Staying in-the-know about new responsible gambling tools is a hugely important part of playing safely. It’s also important to be self-aware of your own habits and to seek out more information if you feel things are getting out of hand.
Seek Support If Necessary
This has been a running theme throughout all of our responsible gambling points – and for good reason. All reputable gamble online USA spots will have a dedicated customer support team, with many available 24/7 to offer expert advice and support.
Gamble Online Safely – How to Choose an Online Gamling Operator
Our team meticulously tests each online gambling operator we come across. We leave no stone unturned, ensuring we provide our readers with the most comprehensive and up-to-date reviews possible – with safety and security being at the top of our list.
However, while there’s no denying how important security is, there are a number of other elements that are crucial to having a positive USA online gambling experience. The specific categories we investigate include:
What Is a Quality Online Gambling Bonus?
Bonuses and promotions are hugely important for both new and regular players. They’re a great way for an online gambling operator to encourage new members to join and thank regular players for their loyalty.
A high-quality bonus will always be generous, with fair wagering requirements. A tell-tale sign of a site that doesn’t prioritize its players is a bonus that appears great on the surface but is tarnished with colossal requirements and unfair time limits. So, we always check the terms and conditions of each bonus we play-through to not only qualify transparency but ensure fairness is always present.
What Specific Gambling Options Are Available?
Having a wide range of online gambling options is a huge part of having a positive experience. This not only provides players with new things to try but also ensures a site that caters to a variety of tastes and preferences – which is crucial for building a positive membership community.
Popular USA online gambling options include classic table games like roulette and blackjack, modern video slots, poker, sports betting, bingo and lotteries. The wider a site’s portfolio, the better, and it’s something we always prioritize during our review process without compromising on quality.
Why Is Choosing a Trusted and Secure Gambling Operator So Important?
This is arguably the most crucial factor when choosing a new site for online gambling in the US. Security and trustworthiness should never be overlooked, with reliable sites typically offering similar features that are easy to spot.
These include SSL encryption, a fully reputable gambling license and a strong commitment to responsible gambling. A 24/7 customer service team is also a hugely positive factor, allowing players to access help and support no matter what time of day or night they choose to gamble. A variety of contact methods should be available too, including phone, email and live chat.
What Are the Benefits of Safe and Fast Banking Methods?
Secure payment and withdrawal methods go hand-in-hand with the essential security needed for safe online gambling. We always look for a variety of banking options able to cater to multiple player preferences, as well as efficient processing speeds and maximum fairness in terms of fees.
Popular methods include traditional cards, e-wallets, wire transfers and cryptocurrencies – which are continuing to increase in popularity. Encryption software should always be present across both the deposit and withdrawal processes to make sure all transactions are secure at all times.
How to Gamble on the Go – Mobile Online Gambling
Mobile gambling has become increasingly important as it offers unmatched convenience and flexibility, allowing players to gamble anywhere via their smartphones or tablets. This inevitably appeals to modern players who lead busy lives but still want to enjoy on-the-go entertainment.
The rise of mobile casinos with high-quality graphics, fast loading times, and user-friendly navigation enhances the overall experience, making it just as seamless as gambling online using a desktop. Advanced technology also ensures secure transactions and privacy, giving players confidence that their personal data is always kept safe. As a result, mobile gambling has quickly become the preferred choice for many, with two main methods of doing so.
Mobile Optimized Sites for Gambling Online
It’s a common misconception that a site needs a dedicated app to be optimized for mobile gambling, but this isn’t the case. Many top sites are specifically tailored for mobile devices, with responsive touch-screen design features and innovative page re-sizing for smaller screens.
This browser optimization allows players to enjoy their favorite type of gamble online without spending time downloading an app, offering something that’s instantly compatible with multiple device types.
Online Gambling Apps
While sites optimized for mobile browsers can be very impressive, having a dedicated app is often considered a more robust and reliable option. And as most casino apps can be downloaded for free and very quickly, frequent players shouldn’t find this too much of an imposition.
Apps also offer more features designed to increase their user-friendly nature. These include push notifications, a faster login process and personalized bonuses and promotions. In-app security is also likely to be higher, offering greater protection for your personal details.
Additional reading resources
FAQ
Can I gamble online for real money?
Yes, online gambling delivers the exact same chances to win money as you’d expect when visiting a physical casino or sports betting establishment. You’ll have the opportunity to make deposit payments that you can then use to place your bets, with the added convenience of not having to leave home. You can also enjoy online gambling at any time of day or night without being restricted by opening hours.
Is online gambling legal?
Yes, online gambling is technically considered legal in the US, but this isn’t necessarily applicable to all states. Online gambling US is regulated on a state-by-state basis, with each being able to make their own decisions as to whether online casinos and sports betting are legal. Currently, online gambling and poker are legal in a few states, including New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Can US players gamble online?
Technically, yes. But this is heavily dependent on which state you’re residing in. If you reside in a state where online gambling isn’t considered legal, you may have to rely on offshore sites instead. However, you can also enjoy the option of social casinos that allow you to gamble online without using real money. Instead, you use virtual gold coins to place your bets.
Is there a gambling app that pays real money?
All dedicated apps from reputable online gambling operators will function in exactly the same way as on a desktop – meaning that you can play with real money and withdraw real winnings. These apps allow you to wager your funds on options such as casino table games, video slots, poker and sports betting, with secure encryption throughout. It’s a common misconception that gambling apps aren’t as secure as desktop sites, but this isn’t the case.
Can I gamble on my phone for real money?
Yes, you can gamble on your phone for real money. Whether a dedicated app or accessing the site via your mobile browser, you can both deposit and withdraw real funds. You should have the same payment methods available as you’d experience on a desktop. It’s not just your smartphone you can gamble with real money on, either. Other portable devices, such as tablets, are equally compatible.
What is a bonus in online gambling?
A gambling bonus is a promotion offered by online casino sites or sportsbooks to attract new players or give back to existing ones. Common bonuses include welcome promotions, which match your first deposit up to a specified percentage, free spins or free rewards such as cash. Many online gambling platforms also have VIP schemes, offering extravagant bonuses to their most loyal and regular players.
How do I gamble online safely?
To gamble online safely, make sure you only use licensed and regulated platforms. The site you choose must show evidence of encryption software to guarantee secure transactions and should offer players the opportunity to set personal spending or time limits to help with responsible gambling. We always prioritize safety and security when reviewing online gambling operators, meaning you can fully trust any names we recommend on this page.
