The Best Mobile Casino Apps For U.S. Players

In the past decade, there’s been a seismic shift in the way players consume online gambling. Desktop platforms are out, and mobile casinos are in.

A recent report out of Pennsylvania claims that 81.5% of online gamblers use their mobile phone for wagering purposes, compared to just 23.1% for desktop and laptop combined.

In response to this mobile surge, online gambling companies have been quick to update their gambling apps. Today, the best mobile casinos have the same scope as their desktop counterparts.

Read on to learn which brands do the best job with their Android and iOS-powered apps, alongside some insights on how to get started with mobile gaming, how to claim welcome bonuses, and why mobile is better (or not better) than desktop gambling.

Top US Mobile casinos with smartphone apps at a glance

The following are, in our opinion, the best US casinos with a smartphone app:

*The casino app is standalone, but the sports betting app has an integrated casino.

The best real money casino apps: expert opinion

The best real money casino apps have evolved from stripped-down “lite” versions of desktop platforms to fully optimized mobile casinos designed specifically for smartphones and tablets.

The very best products go a step further, offering similar game libraries and the same payout options, game filtering systems, and account management controls found on desktops.

They don’t take up much precious storage space, and lag, crashes, and location service errors are minimal issues at best. They also smartly incorporate the added convenience and security features supported by mobile.

Yet, some online casino operators have done a far better job fine-tuning their apps than others. Here’s a glance at some of the best.

Best mobile game selection: DraftKings Casino

DraftKings

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+ Spin for a shot $1k!

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+ Spin for a shot $1k!

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DraftKings Casino is the only legal U.S. gambling app that has surpassed 2,000 games, a feat it recently accomplished in New Jersey. Although its game libraries are smaller in other markets, they still outperform the competition.

DK achieved its top-dog status through its aggressive new release schedule and a willingness to produce in-house exclusives. Game diversity is also a strong point, as DK offers a healthy dose of jackpot slots, Live Casino games, blackjack variants, and niche games like the exclusive DraftKings Rocket. Its innovations are highlighted by a sitewide opt-in progressive jackpot with a top prize that commonly soars into the millions.

Despite the heavy server load, the mobile app holds up remarkably well, with less lag and geolocation rechecks on mobile than its browser-based software.

The UI also sees some updates, including new sorting options and direct links to promotional leaderboards and Dynasty Rewards. However, integration between the casino and sports betting/DPS apps is limited.

DraftKings mobile casino is available in the five largest U.S. iGaming markets (NJ, PA, MI, WV, and CT), another plus that only FanDuel Casino can also claim.

Best well-rounded mobile casino: BetMGM Casino

BetMGM Casino

100% Deposit Match, up to $1,000 when you deposit at least $10.

Plus, get a $25 Casino Bonus on the house.

100% Deposit Match, up to $1,000 when you deposit at least $10.

Plus, get a $25 Casino Bonus on the house.

CASINOREPORTS

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Players who enjoy variation will feel right at home at BetMGM Casino. The app effectively captures the experience of visiting the MGM Grand by housing casino gaming, sports betting, and poker under one roof. Sans the walking and parking fees, of course.

The mobile casino is impressive, to say the least. It offers up to 1,850 games (market dependent), a staggering 90 exclusives, and a network-wide progressive jackpot that peaks at over $5 million.

Smaller progressives, Must Hits, and a robust Live Casino round out the game lobby, which is neatly categorized and aesthetically pleasing. BetMGM is commonly the first to market with new games, especially popular ports like Buffalo.

Players can change their state on the fly from the Account menu without ever having to leave the app and are only one tap away from the sportsbook and poker room. The mobile cashier is as robust as it is on desktop platforms, offering ACH, PayPal, Play+, credit/debit card transactions, and more. These are just a few of the many quality-of-life features that made the transition.

The main qualm against BetMGM mobile casino is that lobbies and games are slow to load. This is somewhat expected with such a massive casino, but it’ll certainly be a game-breaker for some.

Best mobile casino for iOS: FanDuel Casino

Fanduel

Up To $1,000 Bonusback & 350 Bonus Spins

Plus new daily chance at Jackpots Up To $3000

Up To $1,000 Bonusback & 350 Bonus Spins

Plus new daily chance at Jackpots Up To $3000

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Let’s face it, most mobile casino ratings are deflated by disgruntled gamblers who’ve had a bad run of cards. Yet, despite this, FanDuel Casino still scored 4.8 (out of 5) with iPhone and iPad users. Remarkable.

Players cite the game library, welcome bonus, and customer service as strong points, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The fact is, FanDuel mobile casino looks and feels like it was designed specifically for smartphones.

Game icons are big and bright and capture pertinent information like wagering limits without crowding the screen. Titles are filtered into dozens of useful categories, along with a few niche ones like trending slots or the top 10 games in a specific market.

The app was optimized for speed, as games sing along without lag or disconnects. Even the Live Casino transmissions are seamless, which you might expect when hard-wired into a PC, but not over 5G.

At around 1,000 games, FanDuel’s mobile game selection runs about average. But it compensates for this by offering a few dozen popular exclusives, like FanDuel Triple Wild, World of Wonka, FanDuel Football Blackjack, and several FanDuel branded Live Blackjack tables.

Yet, this is not an app without a few confounding flaws. For one, the company’s online sportsbook and daily fantasy products are not integrated into the casino app. Yes, the casino can be accessed from a separate sports betting app, but that’s hardly intuitive.

The second flaw is more of an overarching one. Beyond a vague allusion to VIP Perks, FanDuel doesn’t have a loyalty program. Every other major player offers a monthly program at a minimum, and some have created annual programs with deep ties to land-based casinos.

The absence of a detailed rewards system on a market-leading app is baffling.

Best mobile casino for Android: Hard Rock Bet

Hard Rock Bet

500 Bonus Spins, Plus

100% Deposit Match Up To $1,000

500 Bonus Spins, Plus

100% Deposit Match Up To $1,000

CLAIM OFFER CLAIM OFFER

It’s too bad Hard Rock’s mobile casino is only available in New Jersey because it’s garnered the highest iOS and Android ratings of any legal U.S. gambling app — and rightfully so.

Hard Rock Bet launched in July 2023 as a significant reimagining of the company’s old iGaming app. Like FanDuel Casino, it was meticulously crafted with the mobile end-user in mind. Large game icons, intuitive sorting options, and handy filters are the norm, and there’s no visual clipping, a rarity for gambling apps.

Furthermore, the casino app and sportsbook (available in many more states, including Florida) are fully integrated. Just tap “Sports” and place your bets with a shared bankroll.

The app boasts remarkable speed, outperforming its desktop companion by a wide margin. Moreover, the mobile app comes stocked with over 1,600 slots, 60+ table games, including a few branded exclusives, dozens of progressives, and a diverse Live Casino that supports games from multiple providers.

Hard Rock’s new app also includes a reinvented loyalty program, which is a bit hit-or-miss. The gamified approach to rewards is hip and refreshing, but overall, the program is needlessly convoluted. It’s almost like Hard Rock is trying to mask the poor cashback rates.

Best gambling app loyalty program: PlayStar Casino

Playstar Casino

100% Deposit Match up to $500

+ 500 Free Spins

100% Deposit Match up to $500

+ 500 Free Spins

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PlayStar Casino isn’t exactly a household name, but the young upstart may soon contend against the industry’s bigwigs. That’s because its mobile casino app offers an excellent user experience jam-packed with player rewards.

The app should resonate with beginner or casual gamblers, featuring an intuitive interface that offers quick access to games, promotions, and the cashier. The aesthetic is easy on the eyes, and the lobbies never feel cramped, even on a 5-inch smartphone.

PlayStar has a notably smaller game selection, consisting of about 450 slots, 33 table games, and 10 Live Casino titles, yet there’s enough coverage to satiate most players. The upside is that the app speeds along at a blistering pace, with game loads taking mere seconds. Lag or location-based disconnects are not an issue.

However, the real highlight of PlayStar mobile casino is its loyalty kickback programs. The PlayStar Club is a 5-tiered monthly rewards program that offers scaling benefits to players who climb the ranks, including exclusive bonuses, points boosts, weekly cashback, and custom promos.

In addition, a secondary loyalty program, Star Rewards, offers depositing players who meet a basic small wagering requirement up to 10% back via gift cards. Sure, the program isn’t overly flashy, but who cares when it’s this rewarding and accessible?

Best new mobile casino: Fanatics casino

Fanatics Casino

No code necessary deposit bonus:

Deposit $5 or more, you'll get $50 in Casino Credits.

No code necessary deposit bonus:

Deposit $5 or more, you'll get $50 in Casino Credits.

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Fanatics may be the new kid on the block, but thanks to its strong brand recognition and stellar mobile product, it’s already making waves. Despite just launching in 2023, the mobile sportsbook and casino are available in nearly every legal state market.

Fanatics mobile casino is the epitome of design, featuring lavish graphics, a highly accessible layout, full sportsbook integration, and speed, speed, speed. The focus on mobile is so strong that Fanatics has yet to release a desktop platform.

At present, the slot selection is small, supporting just 215 games. However, we expect this to grow dramatically in the coming months. Fanatics does a better job with its Live Casino product, which boasts 21 games spanning blackjack, roulette, game shows, video poker, poker games, and baccarat. The digital table and card lobby also hold up well, highlighted by the exclusive Fanatics Blackjack, which can be played for $1 per hand.

Players earn FanCash on every casino wager, and while the cashback rate isn’t as generous as it is for sports bettors, 0.2% cashback on slots isn’t a bad deal — especially considering the high RTP of online slots.

What are the best mobile casinos for live dealer games?

The best mobile casinos for live dealer games attract players who enjoy the convenience of mobile play but prefer more social, interactive gaming experiences.

Evolution has a near monopoly on the U.S. Live Dealer market, so you won’t see a ton of game variation from app to app. However, some apps have adapted more games, offer more tables, and support longer hours and more diverse betting limits than others. Several have improved their streaming services to the point where they rival desktop connection quality.

Here’s a list of some of our favorites:

Which US States have legal mobile casinos?

Mobile casino expansion has been slow going in the U.S., with only seven states currently offering legal options:

Of these, New Jersey supports the most real-money gambling apps (30), followed by Pennsylvania (22), Michigan (16), and West Virginia (10). These are by far the most established markets, offering players generous access to recognizable mobile casino brands like BetMGM, Fanatics, and Caesars and the most opportunities to claim remunerative welcome bonuses.

Due to gaming law restrictions, the Connecticut market is notably smaller. Currently, only FanDuel and DraftKings are operational in the Constitution State.

Delaware works with a single operator (BetRivers), which operates three similar casino skins, one for each land-based casino gaming partner.

Likewise in Rhode Island, where Bally’s has a monopoly over iGaming. Bally Casino is the only mobile option.

The prospect of further expansion is growing brighter, especially in states like New York, where the accelerated growth of mobile gaming in nearby jurisdictions is difficult to ignore.

What to look for in a gambling app

Our expert team has thoroughly vetted all mobile casinos listed on this page. We rate apps using a strict set of criteria, then curate our findings into a digestible list designed to help players find the best apps for their dollar.

In the spirit of full transparency, here are the factors we examine when judging mobile casinos: legality, the game selection offered, the user interface, compatibility & performance across devices, available bonuses & promotions, cashiering options, and the variety of compatible devices:

Legality

All legal and licensed casinos must abide by strict operational procedures enforced by a gaming regulatory body.

The benefits of legal mobile casinos vs. their unregulated counterparts are innumerable and make for a much safer and more secure playing environment. Legality has also paved the way for more viable cashiering methods, like PayPal.

At a minimum, mobile casinos must implement safeguards that protect players against identity theft and fraud. Regulations also mandate that games are thoroughly tested for fairness and that the operator provides responsible gambling controls. Player funds must be held separate from operational accounts, ensuring that payout requests are honored swiftly.

The best legal gambling apps also use mobile technology, such as Touch ID, Face ID, and 2FA, to provide an extra layer of security.

Game selection

Mobile game libraries are almost always smaller than their equivalent desktop platforms, but the best mobile casinos port over 90% of their titles.

These days, the average game count is roughly 800 in New Jersey, about 600 in Michigan, 500 in Pennsylvania, and at least a couple hundred in other markets. Anything more than this is a plus.

Mobile game libraries should also cover all the most popular formats, including slots, progressives, table games, Live Casino, video poker, and Slingo. Niche features like Must Hit progressions, Slot Tournaments, Instant Win scratchers, and exclusive titles are worth extra credit.

User interface

In-app features like advanced filtering, easy access to promos and the cashier, and sportsbook integration should be the norm.

Some mobile casinos go a step further, sorting games into dozens of handy categories and incorporating info like progressive amounts, wagering limits, and video previews into game icons.

Games icons should be formatted for smartphones, which means no clipping, and touch controls should be consistent across games.

Most importantly, the UI should be designed so players can seamlessly transition between desktop, tablet, and mobile phones without feeling overwhelmed.

Compatibility & performance

Web-optimized mobile platforms are glitchy and slow, and don’t hack it anymore. Instead, look for mobile casinos with a dedicated app for Android- and iOS-powered devices. Apps should be compatible with current and previous operating systems, dating back five versions.

They also shouldn’t take up excessive space. About 300 MB on iPhone/iPad and 150 MB on Android is acceptable for apps with 1,000+ games. A single app should cover all legal markets, allowing players to use the same software, login info, and bankroll regardless of location.

No one expects mobile casinos to respond as quickly as desktop platforms, but the differences should be negligible. If anything, geolocation errors should be exceedingly rare, thanks to advances in smartphone location services tech.

Touch and swipe controls should work as expected when browsing the lobby or playing games, Live Casino transmissions should have low latency, and games must load reasonably fast. Broken games, lag, and disconnects are all signs of a poorly designed gambling app.

Bonuses & promotions

Some casinos used to offer mobile-only bonuses, but unfortunately, those days have passed.

However, desktop and mobile casino users should receive the same promotional and bonus opportunities. If they don’t, it’s a major red flag.

New player bonuses should be easy to understand and provide strong player value. If the terms and conditions are laden with game restrictions and oppressive wagering requirements, then it’s not a good bonus.

Furthermore, mobile casinos should offer a revolving door of recurrent promotions, spanning reload bonuses, free spins, refer-a-friend bonuses, and leaderboards. At a minimum, the mobile casino must have a monthly loyalty program that offers a decent return on investment. Annual programs with deep ties to land-based casinos are typically better but can often be difficult to understand.

Cashiering

Legal mobile casino payment options have greatly expanded in recent years, so there’s no excuse for operators not to provide at least 5 or 6 deposit options.

A bare-bones cashier will offer credit/debit card, PayPal, Play+, and 1-2 forms of eCheck (ACH) deposits. Yet the better apps offer Venmo, Apple Pay, PayNearMe, Gift Cards, and cash at the casino cage.

Deposits must be processed instantly, and payout requests should be honored within 1-3 business days without hassle. Some mobile casinos have recently improved and will process PayPal, debit card, and ACH transactions nearly instantly.

Compatible devices

Android (70.7%) and Apple’s iOS (28.5%) account for over 99% of the worldwide mobile market share. So it follows suit, that nearly all mobile casinos offer an Android and iOS app, and that’s it.

Originally, Google did not permit real-money gambling apps in its Google Play store but reversed its stance in March 2021. Today, players should have no issue downloading legal U.S. gambling apps from Google Play and the App Store.

System requirements vary from casino to casino, but here’s a sampling of current compatibility:

The main drawback of iOS-powered mobile casinos is that they’re significantly larger than Android, about 3x on average. However, good iOS apps are easier to develop, mainly because they’re only built for the technologically superior iPhone and iPad.

On the other hand, Android powers several different smartphone and tablet brands. Samsung is the most popular but only has a 31% Android market share as of 2024. Not to mention, Android gambling apps have only been accessible via Google Play for a few years, meaning devs didn’t focus on them as much. Instead, web-optimized apps were prioritized.

So while Android mobile casinos are catching up to Apple, there’s still a gulf, which may explain why iOS apps tend to be better rated.

Signing up for mobile casinos

The registration process for mobile casinos isn’t much different than for desktop, the main difference being that you’ll need to download and install software:

Mobile casino games for real money

For the most part, mobile casinos offer the same real-money games as browser-based platforms, just with added tweaks that optimize them for smaller screens and mobile controls.

These include slots, progressive slots, live casino games, and classic table games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. You’ll also find other table games and video poker options that round out the experience for mobile players.

Slots

Mobile slots use tap controls that better simulate land-based casino environments than their desktop equivalents. There’s just something about spinning slots with a mouse and keyboard that feels off.

They also come stocked with added conveniences like Auto Play, volume controls, and a wider range of bets, ranging from about $.20 up to $20, $40, $100, or more.

Players will find everything from steppers to video slots, bonus buys, and Megaways on mobile, all completely optimized for smartphones. Mobile tech has advanced to the point where nothing is lost in translation, with games featuring the same vibrant graphics, animations, and bonus features players are accustomed to.

Progressive slots

Progressives come in all sorts of flavors on mobile casinos. Standalone progressives like Divine Fortune by NetEnt, where each wager contributes to a massive jackpot prize, are a good jumping-off point.

Moving up the ladder are linked progresses like The Big One on BetMGM, a series of slots with several shared jackpot prizes. DraftKings mobile casino has recently taken this concept to a new extreme by offering a networkwide linked progressive with a top prize that swiftly grows into the millions.

Some mobile casinos also offer Must Hit or Must Go progressives, with jackpot prizes that must hit by a certain amount or before the end of the day. These smaller jackpots hit much more frequently and provide an extra dimension of excitement.

Live casino

A few years ago, Live Casino on mobile was a novelty. Now, it’s standard, with mobile casinos offering the same wide selection of games that they do on browser-based platforms, with controls fully optimized for mobile.

Live game libraries are growing quickly, and now even smaller ones include an assortment of Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Game Shows, and poker games. Larger brands spread up to 20+ blackjack tables during peak hours and also dabble in more niche games like Video Poker, Craps, and Sic Bo.

Just be sure to be located in a spot with a stable connection, as Live Casino games are streamed in real-time. Mobile casinos offer some disconnect protection, but losing WiFi can hinder your experience.

Blackjack

The best mobile casinos offer an abundance of blackjack games. Traditional games typically have better rules than land-based casinos, with double on any two, double after splits, dealer stands on soft 17, and 3:2 payouts on blackjack being the norm. Some go a bit further and offer surrender or single/double deck games.

Several blackjack variations have also popped up, including Bet The Set, Spanish 21, 777 Blazing Blackjack, and Blackjack Xchange. Overall, DraftKings, Golden Nugget, and Bally Casino have the strongest and most diverse mobile blackjack offerings.

Players will be pleased to know that the minimum betting limits are often $1 or less. And no one will chastise you for using a basic strategy card.

Roulette

Behind blackjack, roulette is the most common table game. Like digital blackjack, mobile roulette games tend to have a lower house edge than brick-and-mortar games.

Sure, you can play American Roulette (double zero), but why bother when nearly every mobile casino offers European and French Roulette, which have about half the house advantage?

Roulette betting limits are almost laughably cheap, as low as $0.10 on select titles. Players will also find a healthy dose of roulette variants that couldn’t easily be replicated live, like 100/1 Roulette, Double Ball Roulette, and Double Bonus Spin Roulette.

Baccarat

Mobile baccarat is slowly picking up in popularity. Now, players can enjoy games from IGT, Evolution, NetEnt, and a few branded titles.

Players willing to shell out $25 a hand on DraftKings High Limit Baccarat can even give their cards a digital squeeze. For the rest of us normies, baccarat minimums are usually around $1 a hand.

Mobile players can also try their hand at several side bets like Perfect Pairs and 3 Card. Just be warned that the house edge on these wagers is significantly higher. We’re talking about a 1 – 1.25% house edge on the main game vs. 5 – 15% on side wagers.

Other table games

Some mobile casinos stick to the basics, while others take shots on less common table games. Expect to find these games on the better mobile casinos:

Video poker

Video poker options tend to be limited on mobile casinos, and the games require precise taps.

Most apps have roughly 9 single-line variations, including Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, and Double Double Bonus. Multi-line games, Ultimate X, and MultiStrike are less common because it’s difficult to jam multiple hands onto a smartphone screen.

Paytables range from pretty awful to stellar, with the best mobile casinos offering full-pay tables with optimal returns of over 99%.

Benefits of mobile casinos vs desktop platforms

Although most gamblers prefer mobile casinos over desktop platforms, each format has distinct advantages.

For mobile casinos, they are:

Benefits of desktop platforms

Desktop/laptop casinos have their fair share of advantages too:

Mobile casino welcome bonuses

All legal U.S. online casinos offer the same welcome bonuses on desktop as on mobile. However, the offers themselves vary significantly in type and quality.

Generally, mobile casino bonuses fall into one of three buckets:

It’s worth noting that most casinos only count slots toward their bonus requirements. Table games, Live Casinos, and video poker either don’t contribute at all, or only contribute at a much lower rate.