Best Online Casinos for US Real Money Players
The best online casinos for US players have changed a lot in the past 15 years. The online casino industry flourished in America before 2006, when the UIGEA was passed. Since then, fewer online casinos with real money games accept American players. Still, online casinos for USA players remain more popular than brick-and-mortar casinos. They’re convenient, save time and money, and offer more privacy. US online casino gaming is changing, though.
Top Rated Online Casinos Accepting USA Players
Best Online Casinos for USA Players
Finding US friendly online casinos requires you to find the safest legal gaming sites, . Because US online gambling remains largely unregulated, you’ll want to find casino sites with the most solid reputation. USA online players should research sites’ payback rates, along with the withdrawal times.
When searching for the best online casino, make a checklist when searching for the best online casino. American players need a similar checklist to the one players from other countries use, though they also should note whether online gaming is legal in their state.
The list should be long. Searching for the right online casino includes evaluation of sites’ game selection, software, bonuses, and other promotions. This can be a daunting task when you think about the more than 2,500 casinos in existence on the Internet. Online casino reviews are a good source of information that can help you narrow down the choices. Here’s how.
Legality of Online Casinos in the United States
The legality of US online casinos has changed over time. Online casinos first launched in the US in the early-to-mid nineties. They grew in popularity and numbers by the mid-2000s. However, the US Congress passed the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) in 2006, which caused some of the largest online casinos in the world to leave the American gaming market.
US financial institutions and banks no longer processed withdrawals from such sites. Since then, there has been an ongoing struggle to get online casino gambling legalized in various states, some of the strongest arguments being that it will serve as a source of revenue and regulating the industry will protect players.
Still, the UIGEA remains rather confusing more many American players. They fail to get that it criminalizes financial transactions, but not playing online casino games. Presently, Las Vegas and Atlantic City remain hubs for offline gaming at land-based casinos, and the number of online casinos that accept US players is increasing as the use of third party payment processes like eWallets becomes more trustworthy.
Licensed Online Casinos in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
The best USA online casino varies on where you live. States like Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have legalized online poker, while others require consultation: Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Oregon, Louisiana, New York, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Washington is the only state where no form of Internet gambling is allowed whatsoever. Even there, law enforcement doesn’t enforce the ban.
How We Rate Online Casinos
All casino sites are not created equal. Some have superb customer support, while others don’t. Some US-facing online casinos offer significant deposit bonuses, while others have awful bonus offers due to wagering requirements. We pride ourselves on providing players with accurate reviews of the casinos we list.
Best Casinos Online employs reviewers who are avid online casino game players, so you can rest assured the experience you will enjoy when you sign up to a casino through us will be exactly what you expect. Our reviewers create an account at the casino, so they know the relative ease of signing up and funding an account.
US Online Casino Bonuses
Next, they make a real money deposit to see if the casino offers free spins or a deposit bonus and what the wagering requirements are for those casino bonuses. If we tell you a bonus is good, it really is good. Likewise, if you read that a bonus offered by a certain casino will take forever and a day to release into your account that will also be true.
Once an account has been created and a deposit made, our team plays table games and slots to get a feel for how the software runs. They will also play at the casino on a mobile phone or tablet, if this option is available, to see how the casino software works on various platforms.
Finally, our team then cashes out of the casino site and notes how easy the process was and how long it takes to receive their funds, thus completing the cycle. Our online casino reviews are extremely accurate and we are not afraid to highlight any negative points in those reviews.
US-Friendly Mobile Casinos
Mobile devices, which include phones and tablets, have come to offer great opportunities for casino players to enjoying the online gaming experience wherever they are and whenever they want. Many legitimate US casinos are now providing mobile games for money, requiring only that the casino player registers an account and then downloads the games.
These games range from Slots to Blackjack, Poker to Roulette, Baccarat, Bingo, and Video Poker, among many others. Like online casinos, there is no one single best US mobile casino; it depends on the state where you reside.
For mobile casinos, speedy internet is necessary. With an iPhone, iPad, or smartphone running on Android or Windows operating systems, new and exciting online casino games are fully hosted and you can play them instantly through the device’s when browser without first downloading them. The web application is also able to take full advantage of touch-screen technology. Some use QR codes to make signing up easier.
Playing Real Money Casino Games in the United States
Choosing the right casinos USA involves checking that your preferred deposit casino method is accepted. If the methods you prefer are not supported, it can take you a very long time to manage your banking accounts in order to finally fund the casino account.
Best Online Casino: USA Players
Online casino games vary from site to site, but you should always find an online casino that has your favorite table game – or better yet, several variants of your favorite table game. Blackjack is hugely popular online, often with several different variants such as surrender blackjack, multi-hand blackjack and tables with potentially lucrative side bets.
Roulette fans are usually well catered for, as are Casino Hold’em lovers. Some casinos even spread casino table games including Baccarat, Sic Bo, Keno, bingo, poker, and even virtual scratch cards. Check out our reviews to see the games offered by the different American-facing online casinos. That way, USA players can choose the best online casino for them.
Online Casino Deposits
When you make a deposit by going to the banking or cashier page of the casino. Then you select a preferred deposit casinos method from the list of accepted deposits option provided. Next, you specify the amount you wish to deposit. This is regardless of whether it is a table game, or slot games on a RTG slot machine, or anything in between. If you are going to play online at a casino site, you need to know all of these aspects of deposits.
The advantage that online casinos have over their brick and mortar equivalents is they do not need vast areas of floorspace, meaning they can offer a massive selection of real money slot games. You will find traditional three-reel slots, five-reel slots and even progressive bounty slot games at almost every online casino you find in our reviews, the latter making it possible to win vast sums of money from the comfort of your own home.
Banking Methods for US Online Casinos
Other things to look for at deposit casinos, are if the deposits are instantaneous and come free of charge, and how affordable the minimum deposit amount is in relation to your bankroll. The most popular deposit methods for US casinos are American Express (AMEX), MasterCard, Visa, MoneyGram, and Western Union.
If you have difficulty using your MasterCard to deposit to a United States accepted casino, you do have the option of purchasing a prepaid Mastercard through the MypaylinQ service. You should also look into the casino wagering requirements, which will also help you with your deposit bonus (which can be free spins, or real money to use for play, and much more).
Credit Card Deposits
Visa and MasterCard remain popular online casino deposit methods, though they are less common for withdrawals. Many credit card players must use a bank wire transfer or courier cheque to receive payouts.
Web Wallets like Skrill and Neteller
E-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller are also widely accepted. With e-wallets, you fund your wallet from your credit card or by bank transfer before using the details of your chosen e-wallet to deposit and withdraw from the casino. This means you do not have to divulge your financial information to the online casino site.
Bitcoin and Crypto-Currency Deposits
Surging in popularity is the virtual currency Bitcoin. This cryptocurrency can be bought from online exchanges and then used to deposit or withdraw from a US online casino. Cryptocurrency may sound complicated when you first begin using it, but the entire process is quite simple once you get the hang of it. Cryptos are fast, private, transparent, and secure.
Bank transfers are another popular banking option, especially if you are transferring a larger sum of money. The majority of online casinos will allow you to wire money to and from the site, although this option can have lengthy processing times of up to a fortnight, so bear that in mind.
USA Online Casino Bonuses and Promotions
The best online casinos for USA players offer lucrative welcome bonuses and other promotions. With so many online casinos to choose from, sites differentiate themselves by offering a variety of bonuses to all their customers. Keep in mind these factors when choosing bonus offers.
Welcome Bonus: The most common online casino bonus is a deposit bonus for new customers. Just as the name suggests, this is a bonus offered to new customers making their first deposit online at the casino. Most deposit bonuses are based on a percentage of the initial deposit, so a 100% up to $1,000 would mean the casino matches your first deposit 100% up to a maximum of $1,000. In this example, deposit $100 and a $100 bonus is yours, make a $1,000 deposit for the biggest bonus available.
Reload Bonus: Real money casinos often offer you a reload bonus. These are similar to deposit bonuses except they are for customers who have already played at the casino and need to top up their account balance. Reload bonuses tend to be smaller than first deposit bonuses, but are also more frequent.
Free Spins: Some casino offers involve free spins for slot games. You may have to make another deposit or enter a bonus code to receive the free spins. The free spins may be limited to a specific slot machine, but this will be detailed in the terms and conditions; pay attention to them.
Wagering Requirements: Bonuses have what are known as wagering requirements, sometimes called playthrough requirements. These are put in place to prevent money laundering and to protect the casino from those who gamble online in an attempt to abuse the bonuses offered.
Wagering requirements vary greatly from casino to casino, so make sure you are aware of what is expected of you. As an example, a casino may offer a bonus with 30-times wagering requirements. This means you have to place wagers worth 30x the bonus amount before you can withdraw the bonus or any winnings derived from that particular bonus. Our reviews will highlight the playthrough requirements.
Cashing Out Winnings from a US Online Casino
The best US casinos are those that offer quick or instant payouts. The first step in the process, for most casinos, involves completing a fax back form. This is a verification form that serves as a casino security feature, as the casino is able to confirm you are who you claim to be. This online form is very easy to complete. You simply log in and request it at the cashier or chat with support and request it via email. When sending it back, you also send a copy of photo ID, proof of address, and copy of credit card. Completion of the ID process means you can now request an online withdrawal.
MoneyGram and Western Union are the fastest cashout methods for US players; they are almost instant payments, taking only a few days for the request to be fully processed. Checks are also a popular online option although they can take even two weeks to be delivered to your address.
Currency Options for USA Players
All sorts of currencies are accepted by online casinos around the world, but the United States Dollar (USD) is the most widely accepted. Online casino players in the United States can look for those sites whose primary form of currency for deposits and withdrawals is the USD. For online players outside the US, they can opt for these online casinos when they prefer their transactions being processed in USD.
U.S. Online Casino FAQ
Why do I have to verify my identity?
All casinos will ask you to submit some identification to comply with the terms of their license. This is a standard procedure for customers around the world, not only Americans. Some may ask to see your passport or government issued ID, others may ask for a photo of the credit card you are depositing with. Check with the casino’s customer support team for more details.
Is it legal to play online casino games in America?
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) only applies to financial institutions and not the customers themselves. If the online casino is listed on this site, you are able to play at it while residing in the United States.
How do slot machine companies promote their products?
Slot machine companies offer promotions when they want to promote a product. This includes exclusive, seasonal, and milestone bonuses for frequent players. Bonus offers apply both to brick-and-mortar and online casinos.
Casinos place slot machines in prime locations in the casino, often near the entrance, event centers, the restrooms, or the cashier cage. While the slot manufacturers don’t make that decision, they offer incentives to casino management for good product placement on the gaming floor.
Finally, slot machine companies promote their latest gaming machines at conventions and trade shows around the globe. The annual Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas in early October and the ICE Gaming convention in London each February are two examples where gaming companies have promotion booths and displays.
Do online casinos have a customer support team?
Things rarely go wrong with online casinos but you have the peace of mind that they all have a dedicated team of customer service agents waiting to provide assistance should you need it. Most commonly, this support is offered via email, with Live Chat becoming more popular as you get to type your query in real time. Others have a free telephone number you can call and speak to a customer service representative.
How long will it take to receive my winnings?
The time to receive your winnings varies between casinos and the method you are using to withdraw from. All casinos will have a processing time of between 24-72 hours before they start the ball rolling. Then it is up to the different card issuers, e-wallet providers, or your bank. Industry standards seem to be around 48-hours for credit cards and e-wallets, instant for Bitcoin, and up to 15 days for bank transfers and checks. Again, these times differ greatly and are not set in stone.
Are online casinos safe and fair?
While there are no doubt some unscrupulous online casinos out there on the internet, all the casinos you read about on Best Casinos Online have been full researched and tested by our team. Major online casino operators use software provided by some massive companies who have been in business for decades; you do not last long in this industry if you gain a poor reputation.
Look for casinos that have software provided by the likes of Microgaming, Real Time Gaming (RTG), Playtech, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Scientific Games and NYX Gaming among others as these are huge, legitimate companies.