The Best Real Money Online Casinos For U.S. Players In 2024

Modern real money online casinos have grown as expansive as Vegas strip hotspots and offer numerous benefits you’ll only find in virtual space. 

Game libraries often span thousands of slots, Live Casino, and table games, with betting limits tailored toward casual and high rollers alike. Promotions and loyalty systems are fluid and rewarding, and payouts are honored faster than ever. Most importantly, legal U.S. online casinos provide unparalleled security to protect your identity and funds from malicious efforts. 

Yet, some go above and beyond. For this article, we leaned on our years of experience to find the best real money online casinos. We also cover legality, the sign-up process, how to claim lucrative welcome bonuses, game selection, payment methods, customer service, and more. 

Best online real money casinos for 2024

Our list of the best online real money casinos for 2024 were curated from over 30 options to provide a balance of features, entertainment value, ease of use, and value. They offer generous welcome packages, robust loyalty programs, and ongoing promotions.

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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DraftKings

Play $5, Get $50 Bonus

+ Spin for a shot $1k!

Play $5, Get $50 Bonus

+ Spin for a shot $1k!

CLAIM OFFER CLAIM OFFER

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

CLAIM OFFER CLAIM OFFER

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.

CLAIM OFFER CLAIM OFFER

Caesars Palace Online

$10 sign-up bonus + 100% deposit match up to $1K - slot only

2500 Reward Credits when you wager $25+

$10 sign-up bonus + 100% deposit match up to $1K - slot only

2500 Reward Credits when you wager $25+

WELCOME

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Horseshoe Online Casino

Receive bonus of 100% of net cash losses up to $1,000,

From date of first wager through end of following day.

Receive bonus of 100% of net cash losses up to $1,000,

From date of first wager through end of following day.

CLAIM OFFER CLAIM OFFER

Betrivers

Second chance on first deposit:

Up To $500 Bonusback ($250 In DE)

Second chance on first deposit:

Up To $500 Bonusback ($250 In DE)

CLAIM OFFER CLAIM OFFER

Golden Nugget

Deposit $5+ Get $50 Casino Credits.

Plus 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 in Casino Bonus Funds!

Deposit $5+ Get $50 Casino Credits.

Plus 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 in Casino Bonus Funds!

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Playstar Casino

100% Deposit Match up to $500

+ 500 Free Spins

100% Deposit Match up to $500

+ 500 Free Spins

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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

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Let’s take a look at each in more detail…

BetMGM Casino – Best all-around online 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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BetMGM Casino comes swinging out the gate with an impressive $25 no-deposit bonus and a 100% first deposit match up to $1,000, with only a 15x wagering requirement on slots. 

From there, players will immediately begin earning lucrative MGM Tier Credits and BetMGM Rewards Points on their wagers. The site’s crossover loyalty program will especially resonate with players who frequent MGM retail outlets. 

The game library rivals any MGM land-based property, supporting over 2,200 slots, including 350 jackpot slots. It’s highlighted by BetMGM’s exclusive linked progressive, The Big One, with a Grand Prize that often caps out over $1 million. The casino rounds out its lobby with over 100 digital tables, video poker, and a serviceable Live Casino. 

Deposit options include old standbys like online banking and credit/debit cards. Trendier methods like Venmo and Apple Pay have recently joined them. 

The app isn’t perfect. BetMGM’s smaller promotions aren’t that valuable, and leaderboards are virtually inaccessible to casual players. However, BetMGM often gives customized deposit bonuses to loyal players. These quickly add up. 

The software struggles to handle the load of 2,000+ games, although we credit BetMGM for its smart categorical systems. 

DraftKings Casino – The most innovative online casino

DraftKings

Play $5, Get $50 Bonus

+ Spin for a shot $1k!

Play $5, Get $50 Bonus

+ Spin for a shot $1k!

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The DraftKings Casino lobby is overflowing with games, numbering over 2,500. This includes 

approximately 100 exclusives, including hits like Rocket and several blackjack variants with player-friendly rules. 

Likewise, the Live Casino is jam-packed with dozens of Blackjack, Craps, Baccarat, Roulette, Game Shows, and poker games. DraftKings is always among the first to get new Live titles. 

Jackpot slots abound, led by the app’s sitewide opt-in progressive, with a top prize of $1 million or more. Beyond that, there’s a plethora of smaller Must Hit By jackpots, along with some more traditional progressives. 

DraftKings goes big in other respects, too. Its Dynasty Rewards loyalty program has all the depth of a major retail program, rewarding players with everything from exclusive promos to Milestone Rewards, and priority customer support. Top-end players get premium invites to signature events and qualify for hosting and luxurious annual gifts. 

The cashier is busting with payment options, and DraftKings is among the quickest in honoring payout requests.   

Is DraftKings Casino perfect? No. The Play $5, Get $50 welcome bonus is casual-friendly but has a low ceiling. Leaderboard promos aren’t as lucrative as they used to be, and there’s just less overall value compared to a few years ago. 

FanDuel Casino – Best user interface

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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With approximately 1,400 games in New Jersey and even fewer in other markets, FanDuel Casino doesn’t have the depth of DraftKings or BetMGM. Yet, it sufficiently covers all major gaming categories and has enough exclusives like World of Wonka to differentiate itself.

In particular, its Live Casino has expanded rapidly, supporting more tables than any operator sans DraftKings. Highlights include FanDuel-branded Blackjack, Roulette, and Game Shows. 

Daily jackpots give players plenty of short-term thrills, and the burgeoning Arcade section is a nice alternative to traditional gaming. 

When it comes to online casino design, no one can touch FanDuel. The aesthetic is modern and bright, brought to life by streaming videos and eye-popping game icons. Games are organized neatly into sensible categories, with clear markings for New and Exclusive games. Could it use a few more filters? Sure, but the current system suffices. 

All this, and the software practically sings with no noticeable lag or glitching. 

We also admire FanDuel’s welcome package, which consists of 350 bonus spins on the popular Cash Eruption slot and up to $1,000 bonusback on first-day net losses. This promo gives hard-luck players a second lease on life and doesn’t require them to spend hours in front of a screen trying to meet a lofty wagering requirement. 

Yet, FanDuel’s other promos are pedestrian, and its VIP program couldn’t be more vague if it tried. 

Fanatics Casino – Best mobile-only casino app

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.

CLAIM OFFER CLAIM OFFER

Despite its young age, Fanatics Casino has showcased an ability to contend with more established players. 

One benefit of a late launch is that you can learn from the successes and failures of others. Fanatics is almost certainly modeled after FanDuel Casino, and to great effect. The mobile casino interface is exemplary, featuring vivid game icons, smart categorization, and good use of space. 

The Fanatics sports betting app is fully integrated with the casino, but unfortunately, the platform hasn’t launched on desktop yet. 

Fanatics is still catching up in the game department. It offers about 700 titles, ranging from slots to table games, Live Casino, video poker, and Slingo. The Live Dealer lobby is surprisingly rich, spanning 22 unique games and a wide range of minimum bet sizes. Yet, Fanatics notably lags behind competitors in exclusive offerings and jackpot slots.

The promotional menu is also fairly thin. The welcome package has a high ROI but a low upside, awarding new players who deposit $5+ with $50 in casino credits. Beyond that, there’s a daily spin, and that’s it. 

Offsetting these lackluster promotions is Fanatics’ kickback program, which awards FanCash on every wager placed. It’s not a fully realized loyalty system, but it’s better than nothing. 

Caesars Palace Online – Best promotional schedule

Caesars Palace Online

$10 sign-up bonus + 100% deposit match up to $1K - slot only

2500 Reward Credits when you wager $25+

$10 sign-up bonus + 100% deposit match up to $1K - slot only

2500 Reward Credits when you wager $25+

WELCOME

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After some early struggles in the iGaming space, Caesars found its footing with Caesars Palace Online.  

The sprawling game lobby features 1,220 games and counting, an impressive number given the casino’s relatively young age. Traditional slots like Buffalo Chief, Cash Eruption, and Capital Gains dominate the lobby, with a smattering of jackpot slots available. 

On the downside, exclusive games are scarce, although Caesars does have some solid branded games. Also, the Live Casino and table game lobbies could use more fleshing out and are too dependent on Blackjack for our liking. 

Caesars supports a massive, three-legged new player package consisting of a $10 no-deposit bonus, a 100% match up to $1,000, and 2,500 Rewards Credits. The only downside is the rather lofty wagering requirements, 30x on slots. 

Caesars also excels in the area of recurrent promotions. Reload bonuses, Reward Credit multipliers, and giveaways are plentiful, and it seems like every day, there’s a new promo on tap. Players earn valuable Caesars Rewards Tier and Rewards Credits on every wager, merged with their land-based rewards. 

On a down note, the user interface is adequate but unfit for an Emperor. There are too many video graphics and categories, and they bog down the app considerably. 

Horseshoe Online Casino – Most promising newcomer

Horseshoe Online Casino

Receive bonus of 100% of net cash losses up to $1,000,

From date of first wager through end of following day.

Receive bonus of 100% of net cash losses up to $1,000,

From date of first wager through end of following day.

CLAIM OFFER CLAIM OFFER

Horseshoe Online Casino is the newly minted sister site to Ceasars Palace Online, having just launched in October 2024. Yet, in several ways, it’s already improved upon its predecessor. 

The general layout is the same, yet Horseshoe’s color palette is more pleasant. The video streaming feels additive, and the interface is less cluttered and more responsive.

To our surprise, Horseshoe launched with over 1,500 games, or about 300 more than Caesars. In particular, the table games lobby feels far more diverse, covering Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and various carnival games. However, the Live Casino and Exclusives lobbies are still works in progress.

Promotions abound, starting with a new player package that awards a 100% bonus back up to $1,000 to players who incur first-day net losses. Returning players receive their fair share of sweepstakes drawing, deposit bonuses, and rewards point multipliers. 

Like Caesars Palace Online, Horseshoe is intricately tied to the Caesars Rewards Loyalty Program. This is especially useful if you spend any time at retail Caesars outlets. 

Horseshoe launches with myriad depositing methods, including online banking, credit cards, PayPal, and Venmo. 

BetRivers Casino – Largest game library

Betrivers

Second chance on first deposit:

Up To $500 Bonusback ($250 In DE)

Second chance on first deposit:

Up To $500 Bonusback ($250 In DE)

CLAIM OFFER CLAIM OFFER

BetRivers Casino (formerly PlaySugarHouse) is one of the longest-standing online casinos, with roots dating back to 2016. The launch product was heralded as a marvel of innovation. 

Other casinos have since caught up, but don’t have BetRivers’ enormous back catalogue. In New Jersey, you can enjoy over 2,700 titles, including 250 jackpot slots with multiple six-figure progressives up for grabs. 

Other markets have considerably fewer games, especially Delaware, which only supports 700. In fairness, BetRivers is the sole operator in the state. 

BetRivers is a tad lighter on exclusives and Live Casino games than its fiercest competitors but offers unique titles like Single Deck Blackjack.

The site has a welcoming social feel, complete with a chat option, community slot tournaments, and a gamified loyalty program (iRush Rewards) that was recently converted from a monthly to a six-month program. 

It also supports an industry-leading cashier, equipped with over half a dozen payment options and Rush Pay withdrawals, which are instantaneous cashouts. 

Golden Nugget Casino – Best new player bonus

Golden Nugget

Deposit $5+ Get $50 Casino Credits.

Plus 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 in Casino Bonus Funds!

Deposit $5+ Get $50 Casino Credits.

Plus 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 in Casino Bonus Funds!

CLAIM OFFER CLAIM OFFER

Now over a decade old, Golden Nugget Casino was the first U.S. online casino to differentiate itself from the pack. However, after being acquired by DraftKings in 2021, it became a lesser clone of an outstanding site. 

Like DraftKings, Golden Nugget has an exemplary game library packed with up to 2,300 slots, Live Casino, video poker, and digital table games. This includes a few dozen exclusives like Rocket and a high-RTP blackjack option that can only be found on the DraftKings network. 

Golden Nugget also has a sitewide opt-in progressive, where players can pay $0.10 – $0.25 extra per hand to qualify for one of four jackpot prizes.

The revamped interface is miles ahead of its predecessor, exuding modernity. There are too many categorizations for our liking, but they don’t prevent the app from humming along. The Golden Nugget Casino app is faster and less bloated than DraftKings. 

Golden Nugget has been fully integrated with DraftKings’ Dynasty Rewards, giving players another option to grind VIP points. Yet, we miss the site’s old promotions. They were far more interesting and diverse, and a big part of why Golden Nugget became so popular. 

The best of the lot is a stellar two-pronged welcome package. New players who deposit $5 or more automatically receive $50 in casino credits with a 1x playthrough. Then, they can claim a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 with a meager 5x turnover on select games. Folks, it doesn’t get much better than that. 

PlayStar Casino – Best online casino you’ve never heard of

Playstar Casino

100% Deposit Match up to $500

+ 500 Free Spins

100% Deposit Match up to $500

+ 500 Free Spins

CLAIM OFFER CLAIM OFFER

PlayStar Casino isn’t a household name and probably lacks the marketing dollars to become one. Yet, we implore New Jersey players to keep it on their radar because it’s just that good. 

The game library is quaint but rapidly growing and includes slots from top providers like Relax, NetEnt, and Hacksaw. The app’s digital table games cover staples like blackjack and roulette alongside niche games like War, Four Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. 

Even more impressive is the Live Casino, which already supports over 20 blackjack tables, with limits ranging from $1 to $5,000. Rounding out the Live lobby are game shows, roulette, poker games, craps, and baccarat.

We’ll concede that the 100% first deposit match up to $500 isn’t exactly awe-inspiring. The 30x wagering requirement on slots is too high, and although roulette contributes to the turnover, it’s only at a 60% rate. However, the package comes bundled with 500 free spins that can be spent on multiple high-RTP slots.

What grabbed us most about PlayStar is its approach to player kickbacks. Through its PlayStar Club loyalty program, you can earn impactful rewards like level-up bonuses, rakeback, and access to headline promotions. Too few sites offer awards directly related to player activity, and we’re glad to see someone break the mold. 

In addition, a second loyalty angle (Star Rewards) empowers frequent depositors to earn $50 gift cards and vouchers. This works out to a minimum 20% kickback, which is unprecedented. 

Hard Rock Bet Casino – Best New Jersey-only online casino

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

The main knock against Hard Rock Bet Casino is that it isn’t available outside New Jersey. The lucky few who can access it are treated to a rich, immersive experience ripe with value. 

Hard Rock relaunched its flagship online casino in 2023, and it’s now home to over 2,200 games across 30 providers. The app is a haven for jackpot hunters, with over 600 jackpot slots and a daily Must-Drop-By progressive. Grand prizes range from mid-four figures to $800,000+. 

Players who enjoy the feel of Live Casino action can choose from over 30 different games, including the brand-new Stock Market Live. Hard Rock also supports 50+ digital table games, far more than most casinos surveyed, with minimum bets starting at just $0.01.

The refreshed interface is eye-popping and well-suited for mobile devices. It’s not blazingly fast, but more glitches are ironed out with each update. 

As seems to be a recurring industry trend, Hard Rock’s promotional menu isn’t as deep as it used to be. Yet, the operator still offers regular slot leaderboards and grants automatic access to its gamified loyalty program, Loyalty Rewards. We wish the loyalty program were annual, as it’s cumbersome to keep climbing through the ranks.

Hard Rock offers a strong welcome bonus, a 100% first deposit match up to $1,000 with a 20x playthrough requirement plus 500 free Triple Gold spins.

Are real money online casinos legal in the US?

In the U.S., real-money online casinos are legalized and regulated at the state level, resulting in a patchwork of individual state laws and regulations. The Federal government has not legalized online gambling in any capacity.

If anything, it has imposed severe hurdles to online casino legalization. In 2006, it passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which explicitly forbids financial institutions from accepting payments related to unlawful Internet gambling. 

In addition, the Federal Wire Act of 1961 bars businesses from accepting bets via wire communication across state lines. However, in 2011 the Department of Justice interpreted the law as only applying to sports betting. This opinion effectively paved the way for states to legalize online casinos, lotteries, and poker.  

Worth noting was that the Wire Act opinion was rescinded in 2018, only to be reinstituted in 2021 by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. 

We say “patchwork” because each state has different laws and regulations regarding online casinos, which include licensing fees, taxation, authorized operators, game testing requirements, and the number of iGaming “skins” permitted. 

Which states allow online casinos?

Seven states have legalized and rolled out online casinos:

States have taken a much more cautious approach to online casino legislation than internet sports betting, which has been legalized in 30+ states. Only Massachusetts, New York, and a few others are expected to entertain the issue during the 2025 legislative session. 

Online casino industries are regulated by official state gaming or lottery commissions. For example, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) oversees operations in New Jersey. 

If you’re looking for information regarding online casino law and licensed operators, you’ll usually find it on the regulator’s website. Alternatively, visit any of the state-by-state online casino pages on this site. 

In short, New Jersey has the most amenable and robust online casino market, with approximately 30 active operators. Pennsylvania is next in line with 21, followed by Michigan (15). From there, there’s a steep dropoff. West Virginia has nine active operators, Connecticut has two, and Rhode Island and Delaware have just one. 

How to find and sign up at the best real money online casinos

Finding the right online casino may seem daunting. Yet, it’s a fairly straightforward process once you know where to look. 

If you’re uncertain about your legal options, our state pages provide clear answers to help resolve any confusion.

It’s worth noting that you must be 21+ to sign up for online casinos. However, you don’t have to reside in a state with legal online casino options. You only have to be geolocated in a legal state to wager real money. 

Best real money casino bonuses and promotions

The best real-money casinos lure players with attractive new player packages and keep the good times rolling with recurrent promotions and deep player loyalty programs. 

Here’s a quick overview of the promotions you should expect to find:

Welcome bonuses

Welcome bonuses are a catch-all for any bonus offered to new players. Unless you’re a VIP, these are probably the most high-value bonuses you’ll receive from the casino.

New player bonuses come in several different flavors. They may be no deposit bonuses, first deposit matches, free spins bonuses, lossback offers, or a combination of the above. 

You’ll generally want to max out these offers, as they can be serious bankroll builders. 

No deposit bonuses

As the name implies, a no-deposit bonus is a bonus you receive from the casino without depositing funds. Think of it like casino free play.

Some casinos only offer free play to new players, but the best operators regularly award it to loyal customers. 

Like most other bonuses, no deposit bonuses are subject to a wagering requirement, but it’s usually fairly low. 1x is the most common threshold. These bonuses will expire if you don’t use them, so check the terms for an expiration date and plan accordingly. 

Deposit match bonuses

A deposit match is still the most common bonus offered to new players. You can identify them by their unique format: XXX% match up to $XXX. 

For instance, if a casino awards a 100% first deposit match up to $1,000, then players who deposit $100 will get a $100 bonus, players who deposit $500 receive a $500 bonus, and so forth. However, if you deposit $2,000, you’ll still only get a $1,000 bonus because that’s the cap.

All deposit match bonuses have wagering requirements, ranging from very good (10x or less) to poor (more than 30x). The lower, the better.

Different game formats contribute differently to the turnover. Slots usually contribute 100%, but some high-RTP options may not contribute at all. Live Casinos, digital table games, and video poker usually contribute at reduced rates or 0%. 

Casinos may offer deposit match bonuses to returning players, but they’re usually smaller, like 50% match up to $50. 

Lossback (insurance) bonuses

Lossback offers are surging in popularity. Think of them as a second lease on life. 

The casino will track your net losses for some time, usually 24 hours, and you’ll get a portion refunded as cash or casino credits. Cash is better, although the credits usually only have a 1x playthrough requirement. 

For example, a 50% lossback up to a $50 bonus offer will award a $25 bonus to a player who ends the promotional period with a $50 net loss. 

Insurance bonuses show up in new player packages and recurring promotional schedules. 

Free spins

It’s not uncommon to find free spins packaged with welcome bundles or as standalone promotions. 

The premise is simple. The casino awards free spins to be played on specific games, usually set to a low denomination. Winnings are allocated as cash or casino credits with a modest playthrough. 

Free spins will expire, so make sure to check the terms.

Bet & Get

Bet & Get is a relatively new promotional format tailored more toward casual and budget-conscious players. 

Players who wager a small amount, usually $5 or $10, will receive a larger casino bonus, usually between $25 and $100. This bonus only has a 1x playthrough, making it relatively painless to withdraw. 

The high return on investment of Bet & Gets is attractive, yet the ceiling on these bonuses is low compared to deposit matches.

Leaderboards

Leaderboards are among the most common recurring promotions. Players earn points by fulfilling criteria set by the casino, and if they obtain a high-ranking position, they win a bonus. The top finisher usually gets a significant four- or five-figure prize. 

The problem with leaderboards is that they heavily favor hardcore players. This is because points are usually correlated to wagers. Some casinos level the playing field by limiting how many points you can earn each day. 

Game of the week

Some casinos spotlight their new or most popular games through a Game of the Week promo. Players who place enough real money wagers on these games will receive small bonuses with modest playthrough requirements. 

Refer a friend

Don’t sit on referral promotions, they’re among the most rewarding promos outside welcome packages. 

Players who give their unique referral link to friends will receive a meaty bonus, so long as the referred person meets some basic requirements, like creating an account and making an initial deposit.

Some online casinos award bonuses to both the referral and the referred. 

Loyalty rewards

Once you’ve worn out your welcome bonuses, loyalty programs will be the best way to earn kickbacks.

For each wager you make, the casino will award you a certain number of points, which will be applied toward your loyalty status and may even be redeemable for bonuses and other prizes. 

The higher you climb the ranks, the more amenities you’ll unlock, ranging from exclusive promos to expedited withdrawals, personal VIP hosts, special gifts, point multipliers, and much more.  

It’s worth noting that casino loyalty programs vary widely in quality. Some only support monthly programs with minimal rewards, whereas others are akin to annual retail programs, showering their VIPs with unique benefits. 

If you frequent land-based casinos, consider joining an online casino that lets you apply online points to your retail status. Good choices are BetMGM and Caesars Palace Online, which have fully integrated loyalty programs.  

Real money casino games available

Online casinos have soared past their original goal of creating a gaming experience that parallels land-based casino floors. Modern apps have more games than the Bellagio, including slots, a diverse selection of table games, Live Casino, video poker, and other formats that can only be found online. 

Slots

Slots dominate online casino libraries, comprising about 90% of their portfolio. 

Formats range from old-school steppers to video slots, Megaways, jackpot slots, and progressives. Many modern slots feature bonus buys, where players can pay to bypass the base game and get straight to the good stuff. 

Online casino slots are provided by dozens of high-profile game manufacturers, including NetEnt, IGT, Konami, Everi, High 5, Konami, Aristocrat, White Hat Gaming, and Relax. 

The best real-money online casinos feature a healthy mix of casino floor classics like 88 Fortunes and Cleopatra alongside online-only games like Divine Fortune. You’ll find that online slots have higher RTPs and a larger range of bet spreads than similar live games.

Most casino apps support linked progressive jackpots with prizes soaring into the six- and seven-figure range and smaller Must Drop By jackpots that hit more frequently. 

Some casino apps have taken progressives to the next level. For instance, DraftKings Casino players can turn nearly every slot into a progressive via an opt-in fee. 

Blackjack

Blackjack is by far the most common online casino table game. You’ll find dozens of single-deck, double-deck, and shoe games with extremely favorable player odds. 

It’s much easier to find rules like surrender, 3:2 payouts on naturals, and dealer stands on 17 online than live. 

Online casinos offer dozens of variants, some of which only exist in virtual space. They include 777 Blazing Blackjack, Blackjack Xchange, Match the Dealer, Four 20s Blackjack, and more. 

All this, and most Blackjack games, have side-betting options. However, stick with the main game to retain a 99.5% or higher RTP. 

Roulette

Due to its simplicity and relatively good odds, roulette has grown to become one of the most popular online casino games. 

Whereas live players may have to fork over $10 – $15 a round for the “luxury” of playing American Roulette, the best real-money online casinos offer single-zero variations like European and French Roulette, with minimum bet sizes of $1 or less. You also don’t have to jump over other players trying to get a bet down. 

Lately, online casinos have begun offering interesting new twists on roulette, like Double Bonus Spin Roulette, 100/1 Roulette, and Double Ball Roulette. 

Baccarat

Baccarat is another land-based casino staple that has also grown popular online. Players enjoy its simplicity and excellent odds, with Banker bets returning nearly 99%. 

Most online casinos only offer a few Baccarat games that typically follow traditional Punto Banco (commission-based) rulesets. However, online baccarat can be played at considerably lower stakes online compared to live. 

Other table games

In recent years, online casinos have broadened their table games lobbies to include Craps and a variety of so-called “Carnival Games.” Expect to find at least some of the following at your favorite hotspot:

All of these titles offer favorable rules and low minimum bets, typically starting around $1. 

Live Casino

Live Casino games combine the comforts and convenience of online gambling with the social feel and pace of a live casino floor. Real dealers use physical devices like cards, dice, and wheels to determine outcomes, but all betting is handled digitally, and games are live-streamed to your preferred playing device. 

From humble roots, Live Casinos now encompass more games than land-based casino floors. Old staples like Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps, and poker games sit alongside online-only game shows and innovative variations of traditional games. 

The main knock against Live Dealer games is that the rules are less player-friendly than their digital counterparts. That, and the minimum bets for seated Blackjack games are up considerably. 

Video Poker

Video poker isn’t the highlight of most online casino lobbies. Yet, the best apps provide a decent array of single-line and multi-line games across numerous variants, such as Jacks or Better, Double Double Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker Deluxe, and Joker Poker. 

The format has evolved slowly, with apps only recently adding Multi-Rise, Ultimate X, and Progressive Jackpot Video Poker. Yet, online casinos are more prone to offer wider denominations and full-pay tables than land-based casinos. 

Other gaming formats

Real money online casinos have adopted a few niche formats over the years, including:

Payment methods at real money online casinos

Top-tier real money online casinos now offer upwards of a dozen viable payment and payout methods, ranging from traditional to niche. 

Depositing funds is streamlined and quick, with low minimum thresholds of $5 – $10 and most methods supporting instantaneous transactions. Withdrawal speeds have increased significantly, and it isn’t uncommon for returning players to receive funds within 1-2 business days. Some real money online casinos will even process withdrawals instantaneously. 

Here’s an overview of the most common cashiering methods you’ll find:

It’s worth noting that many transactions, including Trustly ACH and PayPal, are conducted behind secure banking portals. This means you’ll log in directly to your account from the vendor’s website, and all your sensitive information will be hidden from the online casino. 

Mobile compatibility and casino apps

Nearly every real money online casino is available as a mobile app for Android– and iOS-powered devices. We recommend downloading them from the Google Play or Apple App Store, as they’re superior to mobile browser platforms. 

The best mobile apps provide an experience that’s just as enjoyable as playing on desktops yet smartly compartmentalized for different smartphone and tablet devices. 

They should incorporate touch controls and be relatively free of geolocation errors, lag, and software glitches. Game icons should “snap” to the screen, and players should have multiple filtering options. Account management features should be hidden behind conveniently placed menus. 

If the casino also offers online sports betting, it should be integrated with the casino app, and funds should be shared between the two verticals.  

One red flag is if an app has significantly fewer games than its desktop platform. That isn’t the issue it used to be, but some mobile casinos have yet to port over some of their most popular games.

All real money casino apps are free to download.

Security and trustworthiness of real money casinos

Regulated and legal real money casino apps offer far more safeguards and security features than offshore sites. These are designed to help protect your identity and funds. 

You can usually tell if a site is regulated because it’ll have a stamp of approval from a recognized state gaming regulatory body on its homepage, like the NJ DGE. If not, just scroll to the bottom of the screen to view a site’s licensing information. 

Online casinos protect personal information via SSL technology and provide players with additional tools to safeguard their accounts, such as 2FA (two-factor authentication).

In addition, all new registrants must undergo extensive Know Your Customer checks. This allows casinos to verify customer identities, protect against fraud, detect potential risk factors such as compulsive gambling, and prevent minors from gambling. 

Furthermore, regulations mandate that online casinos hold customer funds in separate accounts, distinct from operational funds. This ensures that casinos will be able to honor all payout requests. 

Lastly, thanks to services like Trustly, players can conduct transactions from secure bank portals hidden from the online casino. 

Tips and strategies for playing at real money casinos

If there’s one piece of advice we can offer new players, it’s to only play at licensed and legal real-money online casinos. 

Beyond that, our experience on the felt has taught us the following valuable tips:

Real money casino customer support

Customer support teams are your direct line to the online casino. It’s important to pick casinos with knowledgeable, responsive agents who are preferably on call 24/7. 

In addition, the best real money online casinos have deep knowledge bases that provide clear and actionable answers to common queries and are constantly being updated. 

For tougher questions, the three primary ways to contact customer support are typically:

Don’t read too deeply into Trustpilot reviews because they’re often flooded with players complaining about their bad run of luck. However, you may find some useful clues about the quality of a casino’s support team. 

Responsible gambling at real money casinos

Real-money online casinos provide an array of responsible gambling initiatives. As a baseline, they have useful links to resources like the National Council on Problem Gambling and Gamblers Anonymous. 

They’re also mandated to support responsible gambling tools to help players control their habits before they spiral. At a minimum, they include:

We highly encourage players to take advantage of these tools before betting, as that’s when you’ll make the most informed decisions regarding your monetary and time budgets.  

If these tools aren’t effective, players can take more drastic measures. A cooldown allows players to effectively shut down their account for a predesignated period, usually between 3 and 30 days. 

Self-exclusion is the most drastic step, as it effectively bars you from gambling on any state-regulated online casino for 1 year, 5 years, or a lifetime. You may also be excluded from the online casino’s land-based partner, although that varies on a case basis. 

If you suspect that a gambling problem may be brewing, we recommend reading through a list of problem gambling warning signs to see if you you’re potentially at risk. 

Conclusion

Before registering for a real money online casino, think about your goals. If it’s just to have fun, consider casinos with vast game libraries loaded with your favorite titles. If value is the name of the game, then you’ll want casinos with high RTP gaming options, frequent promotions, and robust VIP programs. 

Regardless, do your homework first. The recommended casinos on this page are a good starting point, and by claiming their sign-up bonuses, you’ll receive a healthy bankroll boost. 

Throughout your gambling journey, it’s critical to remember two things. The first is to gamble responsibly by harnessing responsible gambling tools. The second is to always choose legal and licensed online casinos, as they’re the safest and most secure gaming options.