On these pages, you will discover the best guide to online gambling in the USA. Learn how to play slots, poker, or roulette on your PC and smartphone. We'll even show you the top sites where you should register in 2020.

The Internet is home to upwards of 2,800 legal gambling sites—that doesn’t even include the less-than-legal sites popping up daily. Finding the best online casinos within this massive pool of options is further complicated by the ever-evolving gambling industry in the United States. At TechNightOwl, we not only keep track of online gambling legislation nationwide, Read More »Best. The legal US online casinos we recommend, even the ones based outside of the United States, provide a high quality and safe online gambling experience for US players. However, if you are uncomfortable with the fact that these sites are regulated by non-USA government jurisdictions, then perhaps waiting for stateside online gambling in your.

Read on to discover:

• Current US online gambling laws and rules.
• The best online casinos to play legal games in 2021.
• How to earn a welcome bonus when you sign up.

Gambling Laws in the US in 2021

US online gambling has long been overseen by the Wire Act. This aging piece of legislation forbids sports bets made over state borders.

In 2011, the Department of Justice opened the way for individual states to pass their own online gambling legislation. The first online casinos and poker rooms appeared in 2013 when Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware passed internet gaming laws.

Online sports betting was illegal in the US until 2018. That year, the US Supreme Court overruled the 1992 PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act), which had prohibited single-sports wagers online. It opened the way for states to pass their own sports-betting laws. Land-based and online sports betting are now legal in several US states.

However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) recently concluded that the Wire Act extends to other types of online gambling, like casino and poker.

The new ruling is being opposed in court, primarily by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. For now, individual states are permitted to accept online bets as long as they are placed within state borders.

What States Have Legal US Online Gambling?

There is more legal online gambling in the USA than ever. However, the process has been slow, and since 2013, only four states have allowed online poker. A handful of states have also legalized sports betting and online casino games.

Here is a guide to US states that have legalized online gambling or are expected to do so in 2020. We also have a list of states where regulated online gaming could be on the horizon.

New Jersey

• Regulator: NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJ DGE)
• Legal: online casino, online poker, Daily Fantasy Sports, sports betting, lottery & horse racing.

New Jersey was the first state to approve online gambling legislation back in 2013. In New Jersey, there are more than a dozen legal NJ online casino sites, as well as a handful of NJ poker and NJ sports betting websites. You can also bet on horse racing and buy lottery tickets online.

Delaware

• Regulator: Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE)
• Legal: online casino, online poker, Daily Fantasy Sports & horse racing.

The state of Delaware has legalized online poker and casino games. Some DFS is available, and you can bet on the DE Lottery online.

For more information, see the Delaware online gambling guide and the in-depth guide for Delaware online casinos.

Nevada

• Regulator: Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB)
• Legal: online poker, sports betting & horse racing.

Nevada was one of the first US states to legalize online gambling in the USA. However, in 2020, Nevada still only offers regulated online poker and limited sports betting. Online casino gaming is prohibited in Nevada.

Pennsylvania

• Regulator: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB)
• Legal: sports betting, horse racing, online casino, online poker, DFS & lottery.

In Pennsylvania, you can legally go online for Daily Fantasy Sports, sports betting, lottery, and casino games. Online poker has been particularly successful in Pennsylvania, helped by the presence of major brands like PokerStars.

Today, there are a handful PA online sports betting sites and PA online casinos operating in the Keystone State.

West Virginia

• Regulator: West Virginia Lottery (WVL)
• Legal: sports betting & lottery.

West Virginia legalized online gambling in 2019. The West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act makes it legal to play online slots and table games, as well as poker and sports betting. At this point, there are 3 West Virginia online casinos live and more about to launch in the coming months.

Colorado

• Regulator: Colorado Division of Gaming
• Legal: Sports betting, DFS & lottery.

Since Nov. 5, 2019 Colorado has legal online gambling. Today, players can enjoy Colorado online sports betting, DFS and lotteries as well as sweepstakes online casinos and poker sites.

Michigan

• Regulator: Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB)
• Legal: online poker, online casino & sports betting.

In 2020, Michigan will become the fifth US state to legalize online poker. Michigan is also legalizing casino games and sports betting. Only Michigan's brick 'n’ mortar casinos can apply for gaming licenses in the state. Each casino will be allowed to operate one online casino and one online poker room. See the Michigan online gambling guide for more information about what the state offers.

Also see:

Rhode Island

• Regulator: Department of Business Regulation (RI DBR)
• Legal: sports betting.

Rhode Island was the eighth US state to legalize sports betting. The move came just months after the US Supreme Court's ruling against PASPA.Sports betting is legal at Rhode Island's land-based casinos but online gambling apps could follow.

Iowa

• Regulator: Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC)
• Legal: sports betting.

Iowa legalized online gambling on sports wagering in May 2019. The first Iowa online sportsbooks and apps went live in August 2019.

Mississippi

Regulator: Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC)
Legal: sports betting.

Sports betting was legalized in Mississippi in August 2018. However, wagers are restricted to land-based casinos like Beau Rivage and Gold Strike.

Tennessee

Legal: Sports betting.

Tennessee now has legal online gambling, even thought the state does not have legal land-based casinos.

What US States are Considering Legalizing Gambling Online?

Since the first US states went legal, others have been trying to follow suit. Various bills are stuck in the quagmire of Senate hearings, but some states could finally legalize in 2020.

New York now has legal brick 'n’ mortar cardrooms, and a 2020 NY online poker bill is imminent. California and Florida also have land-based poker rooms and are tipped to legalize online poker in 2020.

Some states without traditional casinos are considering online sports-betting laws in 2020. This includes Massachusetts. North Carolina, Montana, Illinois and Colorado all legalized sports betting in 2019 but are still debating the details. For now, legalized sports wagering in these states may be confined to brick 'n’ mortar casinos:

• California
• New York
• Florida
• New Hampshire
• Massachusetts
• North Carolina

Browse the Gambling Times’ Casino Game Guides

Become a better player by browsing our guides for casino games. These player guides are great for beginners who want to learn the basics and pros who want to perfect their strategy.

At Gambling Times you can learn more about classic casino games like craps, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, slots, and poker.

Slots: You will find hundreds of slots at the best legal online casinos in the USA. Slots feature a series of vertical reels filled with symbols. You win real cash by lining up matching symbols across the reels.

Roulette: You can also enjoy legal online roulette in regulated US states. Try out American roulette for $0.10 a spin, or hit the VIP tables and put $5,000 on red.

Blackjack: Blackjack is one of the most popular games at legal US online gambling websites. It's easy to play and you can enjoy one of the lowest house edges in the casino. Read up on online blackjack here.

Baccarat: James Bond's favorite game is a staple of most legalized US casino sites. Bet on the Player or the Banker and win if your hand gets as close to 9 as possible.

Craps: Experience the thrill of the Vegas dice game on your PC or tablet. Bet on the outcome of two dice and enjoy safe, legal craps games wherever you are.

Live dealer games: Online gambling in the USA isn't all about taking on the computer. With live-dealer games, you can gamble against a human croupier on roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. Place bets and chat with the dealer using your computer keyboard.

Online Poker in the US 2021

Online poker in the US suffered a huge blow in the mid-2000s. When UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act) hit in 2006, some major sites left the country. Black Friday in 2011 led to the shutdown of even more poker rooms.

Since 2013, some states have been going it alone. New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware led the way, and there is even interstate poker where players from one state can compete against those based in another. In 2019, Pennsylvania became the fourth US state to regulate online poker rooms.

In 2020, you can play legal cash games and tournaments online for real money. You will have to be physically based within the borders of participating states. However, for just a few dollars you can take on players across the virtual felt. You can even play satellites and qualify for major events like the annual World Series of Poker.

Sports Betting and Daily Fantasy Sports Sites

Sports betting: In 2018, the US Supreme Court overturned a 26-year-old law banning bets on individual sporting contests. After PASPA was repealed, several states decided to legalize and regulate sports betting.

Some US states now have legalized online sports betting, where others have regulated sports wagering within land-based casinos.

In addition to professional sports like NFL and NHL, you can bet on college sports like NCAAF (football) and NCAAB (basketball). Not every US state has relaxed the laws on betting on college sports, however.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): Daily Fantasy Sports sites operate in many US states, and it has been made explicitly legal in several areas of the country. In 2020, the industry is dominated by two or three major companies.

In Daily Fantasy Sports, you pay to enter a tournament or contest and create your own team comprised of NHL, MLB or NFL players. You score points based on how well your players do in real life. You win a share of the prizepool by scoring more points than your competitors.

Under UIGEA, DFS isn't considered gambling, and it's likely that even more states will legalize sites in 2020 and beyond.

Gambling Times: Your One-stop Shop for US Online Gambling

At Gambling Times we love everything about online gambling, and we want to share everything we know with you.

Lately, a lot of states in the US have legalized online gambling. Some, like New Jersey, now have legal online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites. Others, like Nevada, only have legal online poker.

But the tide of online gambling in the USA is turning toward the player. More states are starting to regulate internet casinos and sports betting. We all look forward to a future where online gambling is legal in the whole of the United States of America.

The Best Gambling Sites in one place

At Gambling Times, you will find reviews on all legal gambling sites, plus you’ll discover guides on where to play. We always do a thorough review of all US online gambling sites. We will never recommend a poor casino or sportsbook.

Here's what we consider when evaluating US gambling sites:

Great games and software: We always check the range of games available at casino sites and poker rooms. You should be able to access a full selection of games at a range of stakes. Games should be provided by major developers who are properly licensed in the US.

Reliable licensing and security: You can now access reputable US online gambling websites that carry proper licenses. Licensed casinos and gambling sites should carry the latest encryption software so that your personal data is safe.

Good customer support: Got a problem? That's when great customer service is essential. You should be able to get 24-hour customer support via live chat, email, or toll-free phone.

Fast and safe banking options: You can fund your online gambling in the USA via cards, e-wallets or bank transfers. The best gaming sites accept a range of safe methods, with limits to suit all budgets.

We always test US casinos, poker sites, and sportsbooks with our own bankrolls. A gambling site will score poorly if its banking is slow.

Mobile apps for easy gambling on the move: You can now play online slots and the best games on the go on your phone or tablet. We download native apps and access instant-play sites via a range of devices to test the game selection and software.

Amazing bonuses every time: You can claim welcome bonuses at all of our top-rated US online gambling sites. As a new player, you can earn free spins or a deposit-match bonus when you use your card or checking account.

Welcome bonuses aren't reserved for US casinos, either. You can also claim promotions at the best poker sites and sportsbooks.

Gambling Sites in the US

There is still no federal law legalizing US online gambling. Gaming laws are passed state by state. Some games will be legal in one state and prohibited in another.

You can refer to our US state guide to view the current legal situation in your own state.

Legal Casinos In United States

Gambling Sites in the UK

A big portion of our readers are located in the United Kingdom, and that’s why we also review and rate UK gambling sites.

If you’re on the hunt for an online casino in the United Kingdom, please browse our UK guide, where we review all of the major online gaming companies.

Online gambling in the United Kingdom is overseen by the UK Gambling Commission. To read more about legal online gambling sites in the UK, please visit the UK Gambling Commission's website.

Other Markets

There are several other markets that have regulated online gambling. In Sweden, online gambling was regulated in 2019 and it looks like more EU countries are going the same way.

US Online Gambling FAQ

Online gambling is legal in a few US states, but the rules change region by region. Some states have legal casinos, poker, and sports betting, while others only have poker or sportsbooks.

In 2020, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania have legal games across the board. These states have legalized poker, sports betting, and casino games. Nevada only has poker and sports betting.

Yes. You can gamble for real cash as long as you are 21 or over.

Yes. Many regulated states in the US have mobile casinos and sportsbooks. You can access gambling sites through downloadable apps or directly through the websites themselves.

Yes. Under most state laws, you must provide photo ID and a utility bill to prove you are over 21. You can deposit cash and play games once your account has been verified.

Yes. Many casinos and poker sites have free-to-play games for registered users.

Yes. Most legal online casinos in the USA have progressive slots that can award millions of dollars in prize money.

Legal US online casinos offer a real-money gambling experience combined with the convenience of mobile gaming. Many of the games seen on the floor of a land-based casino can be found at legal online casinos in the US.

New Jerseystands as the undisputed US leader in online casino gaming. Players in the Garden State enjoy access to some of the world’s best mobile casinos. The platforms include Golden Nugget Casino, DraftKings Casino, FanDuel Online Casino (operating as Stardust in the state), and many others. Michigan launched online casinos in 2021 and is challenging New Jersey’s dominance in the market.

The following states offer legal online gambling:

• Delaware

The Connecticut House of Representatives passed HB 6451 to legalize online gambling. So far, Mohegan Sun Casino has partnered with FanDuel. The popular DFS and sportsbook company will manage Mohegan Sun’s online casino in the state. DraftKings Connecticut is also expected to launch an online casino in partnership with Foxwoods Resort Casino.

List Of States With Legal Online Casinos

Not in one of the above states? You can play at Sweepstakes Online Casinos for real cash prizes.

Best Online Casino Bonuses In The US

Golden Nugget Casino

Visit: Golden Nugget Casino and claim a 100% match bonus up to $1,000 + $30 free site credit

Golden Nugget’s online casino platform stands as the gold standard in the US mobile casino market. Golden Nugget Atlantic City launched the site in New Jersey in 2013.

The Golden Nugget mobile platform has stood as one of the most popular online casinos in the US for most of its existence.

Golden Nugget online casino offers an unparalleled game menu. The platform presents New Jersey players with more slots, video poker, and overall game options than any US legal online casino.

Sign-up offers at Golden Nugget online casino include a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,000 and a $30 no-deposit bonus.

Golden Nugget online casino debuted a Michigan platform in January 2021. The brand is also available in New Jersey and will eventually expand into Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Best slot games at Golden Nugget Online Casino: 88 Fortunes is one of Golden Nugget’s top-rated casino games. Offers free spins and wilds.

FanDuel Casino (Stardust In NJ And PA)

Visit: FanDuel Casino and claim a risk-free day up to $1,000

Mirroring the efforts of DraftKings, FanDuel’s US legal gambling offerings include an online casino platform. FanDuel Casino first launched in Pennsylvania in January 2020.

FanDuel Casino operates in Pennsylvania in partnership with Valley Forge Casino Resort. Immediately upon its debut, FanDuel Casino established itself as one of Pennsylvania’s most popular online casinos. FanDuel also launched in Michigan in January 2021. The casino app is also available in New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia. FanDuel CT will also launch in Connecticut in September.

Table games at FanDuel Casino include blackjack and multiple versions of roulette. These games represent some of the platform’s most popular game choices.

New players are eligible for a $1,000 risk-free day upon registration.

Best Slot Games at FanDuel Online Casino: FanDuel is always offering new slot and table games. Try Triple Red Hot 7s Free Game – one of its most popular slot games.

BetMGM Casino

Visit:BetMGM Casino and claim a 100% match bonus up to $1,000 + $25 free site credit

The BetMGM platform debuted as a project from Roar Digital. Roar Digital operates as a joint company between MGM Resorts and GVC Holdings.

BetMGM online casino debuted in New Jersey in September 2019. The platform operates under the license of Borgata Hotel Casino, an MGM-owned retail property in Atlantic City.

BetMGM is also available in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan.

BetMGM Casino has one of the best reputations when it comes to its selection and variety of online slots and table games. In NJ, BetMGM, along with other casino skins under the Borgata license, hosts the biggest progressive slot jackpot among US online casinos. Known as “The Big One,” the jackpot links to a network of slots with jackpots that can reach over the $3 million mark.

Sign-up bonuses at BetMGM include a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,000 as well as a $25 no-deposit bonus for registering an account.

Best Slot Games At BetMGM Online Casino: BetMGM offers dozens of slot games and is always adding new games. Some of its most popular offerings fall under its “Exclusive Games.” Bison Fury and Aztec Gold are among its most popular.

DraftKings Casino

Visit:DraftKings Casino and get a 100% match bonus up to $2,000 + $60 sign-up bonus + $25 free with $5 deposit

DraftKings’ continued expansion into the US legal gambling industry includes the DraftKings Casino platform. DraftKings Casino debuted in New Jersey in December 2018, marking the company’s first foray into online casino gaming.

True to the brand, DraftKings Casino offers unique sports-themed versions of blackjack and roulette among its selection of games.

New players at DraftKings Casino can unlock $85 in casino credits with a $5 deposit using Bonus.com’s exclusive link above. Also available is a 100% deposit match bonus up to $2,000 plus $10 in free credit. The bonus requires a 10x playthrough.

DraftKings Casino operates in New Jersey as a licensed partner of Resorts Digital Gaming. A Pennsylvania platform launched in May 2020, partnered with Hollywood Casino. They launched in West Virginia with Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. In Michigan, DraftKings Casino operates as a license partner of Bay Mills Casino and Resort. A DraftKings Connecticut Casino will also launch in September in the Nutmeg State.

Best Slot Games At DraftKings Casino: DraftKings is always adding new slot games to its variety of games. 2 Tribes is one of its most popular.

WynnBET Casino

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WynnBet’s welcome promo is one of the more exciting new options in online casino gaming.

The WynnBET Casino is currently available in Michigan and New Jersey. You will find a great selection of slots and table games at WynnBet. In New Jersey, you’ll find over 200 slot games and 32 table games.

Best Slots Games at WynnBet: WynnBet offers a whopping 200+ online slots on its New Jersey platform. Divine Fortune is among its most popular. If you get enough of the slot games, you can try your hand at Live Dealer games.

Stars Casino

Visit: Stars Casino PA to bet $1 and get a $50 Instant Casino Bonus

Poker players know the PokerStars brand as the world’s biggest online poker site, so fans of that site will enjoy Stars Casino. It features over 200 slots as well as live casino games like infinite blackjack.

BetRivers Casino

Visit:BetRivers Casino and claim a 100% match bonus up to $250

BetRivers might not have the same brand recognition as other online casinos, but it is quickly expanding across the US. That’s because its sister brand, SugarHouse, is a better-known online casino option while BetRivers sportsbook is best known as a sportsbook in several states. In fact, it’s often one of the first apps to launch in states legalizing sports betting.

BetRivers Casino is available in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. It’s available in New Jersey under the SugarHouse brand. The welcome bonus is a 100% deposit match up to $250. The rollover requirement is just 1x as well, which is phenomenal. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Best Slot Games At BetRivers Online Casino: BetRivers has several slot options available. Captain Gains and Cash Volt are two of its most popular games. It also features classics like Monopoly.

Caesars Casino

Visit:Caesars Casino and 100% match up to $300 in New Jersey; 100% match up to $500 in Pennsylvania; risk-free first 24 hours up to $200 with bonus code SHARPCZR in Michigan

Caesars Atlantic City stands as one of the most iconic properties on the East Coast. Caesars Online Casino offers an online gaming experience that lives up to the Caesars name.

Caesars Online Casino launched in New Jersey in 2013, operating under the Caesars Interactive license. The online platform offers one of the most robust slot selections available at any legal US online casino.

New players at Caesars Casino can take advantage of a 100% match up to $300 in New Jersey and a 100% match up to $500 in Pennsylvania.

The Caesars Casino new player bonus is different depending on which state you’re playing from. See above for details.

Unibet Casino

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The Unibet brand established itself as a powerhouse in the international online gambling industry before moving into the US market. Unibet Casino launched in New Jersey in June 2019, as a license partner of Hard Rock Atlantic City.

Unibet launched a second online casino for Pennsylvania players in November 2019. Unibet Casino operates under the license of Mohegan Sun Pocono for the Pennsylvania platform.

The game selection at Unibet Casino includes progressiveslots, videopoker, and table games. Games like Micro Stakes Blackjack offer action for even the most conservative of bankrolls.

New players at Unibet Casino can unlock a 100% deposit match bonus up to $500, as well as a $10 sign-up bonus.

Best Slot Games At Unibet Online Casino: Unibet has enough casino games to keep you busy for a lifetime, but its always adding new options. It has exclusive games like Spicy Meatballs and Joker Maxima.

Other Legal Online Casino Bonus Offers

SugarHouse Casino

Visit:SugarHouse Casino and claim a 100% match bonus up to $250

SugarHouse is a “skin” of BetRivers in Pennsylvania, so the two online casinos are the exact same in every way except the name, logo, and a few aspects of the color scheme.

However, SugarHouse is available in New Jersey, not BetRivers. And the New Jersey version has exclusive gaming options that the Pennsylvania version doesn’t offer. For example, SugarHouse Pennsylvania has five blackjack variations while SugarHouse New Jersey has about a dozen.

But both have live dealers, hundreds of slots, and the 100% signup bonus up to $250 with just a 1x rollover.

Tropicana Online Casino

One of the first online casinos to launch in New Jersey, Tropicana Online Casino debuted in the Garden State in November 2013. The platform is licensed to its parent property, Tropicana Atlantic City.

Games available at Tropicana Online Casino include many of the same selections enjoyed by players at Tropicana Atlantic City.

Tropicana Online Casino offers a unique “community jackpot” promotion. Anyone playing on the site at the time the jackpot hits could be eligible for a share of the prize.

Bonus offers at Tropicana Online Casino include an up to $100 cash refund plus a $25 deposit bonus.

What Kind Of Bonuses Are Generally Available At Legal Online Casinos?

Risk-Free Day And Loss Rebate Bonuses

Several legal online casinos offer new players the chance at a rebate on losses for a short period after sign-up.

FanDuel Casino, for instance, presents new players with a $1,000 risk-free day offer. After making an initial deposit, players unlock a rebate on up to $1,000 in losses incurred during the first 24 hours playing on the site.

For example, a player signing up for an account at FanDuel Casino can deposit $1,000, and wager the $1000 at the casino. If the player’s account is at $0 after a 24-hour period, FanDuel Casino will award a rebate of up to $1,000.

The rebate only applies to net losses on the first deposit. If a player deposits $1000 and has a $150 balance after 24 hours, the rebate is $850. If the player’s balance is higher than $1000 after the 24-hour period, no rebate applies.

Deposit Match Bonuses

At many online casinos, a player’s first deposit makes them eligible for bonus money matching a certain percentage of the deposit. These deposit match percentages can equal anywhere from 20% to 100% of the first deposit.

However, it’s crucial to keep in mind the rollover requirement, which applies to both the deposit and bonus amount.

For example, if you use a 100% welcome bonus with a 10x rollover and deposit $100, you’d have $200 in your account. But you would need to wager $2,000 before you could withdraw.

That’s why we so highly recommend BetRivers Casino and SugarHouse Casino. While the welcome bonus is 100% up to $250 (rather than the $1,000 offered by BetMGM and others), the rollover requirement is 1x.

If you deposit $250 and have $500 in your account, you just need to bet through it one time. Whatever is leftover is yours to withdraw.

No-Deposit Bonuses

Some online casino platforms award free betting credits just for registering for a new account.

Golden Nugget Casino is one platform offering such a bonus. New players start with $30 in free bets just for signing up with the site.

Types Of Games Available At Online Casinos In The US

Slots And Video Poker

Much like their land-based counterparts, virtually all online casinos present a game selection menu dominated byslots.

Many of the same slots enjoyed on the floor of retail casinos can be found at legal online casinos. These include five-reel multiway win slots and classic three-reel slots.

New Jersey online casinoslike Golden Nugget Casino, Mohegan Sun Online Casino, and SugarHouse Casino offer hundreds of different slot variants. The library of slots at legal online casinos expands regularly.

Many different versions of video poker can be played at legal online casinos as well.

Progressive Jackpot Slots

Progressive jackpot slots offer some of the biggest potential payouts found at legal online casinos. These grand prizes can sometimes reach in the seven-figure totals.

The Big One

The Big One network of slots offers the biggest progressive jackpot found at legal online casinos in the US. This series of slots, found at Borgata, BetMGM, and PartyCasino in New Jersey, all link to a progressive jackpot that sometimes goes over $3 million.

Divine Fortune

Divine Fortune finds a home at many legal online casinos in the US and offers a grand jackpot that can reach above six figures.

Resorts Casino, Mohegan Sun, Caesars Casino Online, and many other platforms host the Divine Fortune progressive slot.

Table Games

Players looking for table games can find plenty of action at legal online casino sites. Blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and Three Card Poker represent just some of the table games available on mobile casino platforms.

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games offer the best of mobile gaming, combined with the live casino experience. These games allow online players to interact with a real-life dealer through live stream.

Human dealers oversee live dealer games from a physical table at a secure studio location. Live dealer versions of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and other casino games can be found at many mobile casinos.

Can I Gamble Legally In My State?

Online Sweepstakes In The US

While online gambling for real money is only legal in a few states at the moment, most states in the US offer online sweepstakes sites.

Sweepstakes casino sites operate legally in most of the US. These platforms offer US players the opportunity to play online casino games and online poker for real cash prizes. In states without regulated online casinos, sweepstakes sites are the best option for players looking for an authentic casino gaming experience online.

Best Sweepstakes Sites In The US

Chumba Casino, and its sister site, Global Poker, sit atop the list of legal sweepstakes gaming sites in the US. Both sites are owned by European company VGW Holdings. Players in 49 states can access Global Poker and Chumba Casino. Only Washington state outlaws sweepstakes gaming sites.

Games At Sweepstakes Sites

Chumba Casino offers more than 60 different slots, including progressive jackpot slots with seven-figure grand prizes. The Chumba Casino game menu also includes blackjack, video poker, and roulette. Global Poker runs cash games, multi-table tournaments, and Jackpot Sit N Go tournaments at a variety of stakes. Global Poker’s availability across the US makes it one of the highest-traffic online poker sites in the country.

In most US states, sweepstakes casino platforms present the best opportunity for players to enjoy the online casino experience. Sweepstakes sites like Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Funzpoints legally operate in virtually every US state except Washington.

See our comprehensiveGuide To Sweepstakes Casinos In The US.

How Sweepstakes Casinos Work

Platforms like Chumba Casino operate legally as sweepstakes sites. Sweepstakes games at Chumba Casino offer prizes in the form of “Sweeps Coins,” which can be redeemed for cash prizes.

This business model allows the games at Chumba Casino to legally operate as mini-sweepstakes games. Direct real-money deposits aren’t permitted at sweepstakes casino sites. But players can acquire and purchase Sweeps Coins in various other ways.

Chumba Casino operates play-money games, using “Gold Coins” as currency, in addition to the Sweeps Coins Games.

Gold Coins packages are available for purchase and with some Gold Coins packages Chumba Casino awards an amount of Sweeps Coins as a gift. Sweeps Coins are used in sweepstakes casino games and later redeemed for cash prizes.

Sweeps Coins can also be obtained for free through mail-in and social media offers.

Sweepstakes casinos operate legally in 49 US states and Washington DC. Only Washington state outlaws sweepstakes casinos.

How Can I Gamble Online In The US?

iOS Mobile Devices

Nearly all legal US online casinos can be downloaded as mobile apps for iOS devices. These apps optimize the playing experience for the iOS device. They also offer the convenience of playing from anywhere within the borders of a legal online casino state.

Owners of an iOS device can find mobile casino apps at the App Store. Players located in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states with legal online casinos can find all of these free apps available in those states.

Android Devices

Most legal online casinos are available as Android apps as well. Like their iOS counterparts, Android apps are free to download and present a gaming experience optimized for mobile devices.

The Google Play Store used to ban real-money casino apps. However, legal online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker apps can now apply for inclusion in the Google Play Store. If it’s not available in Google Play, you can download the Android app directly from the online casino’s website.

Desktop

The simplest way to access and play at a legal online casino is directly through a desktop browser. Playing on a desktop device doesn’t offer quite the same mobility as iOS or Android apps. But it allows players to enjoy full access to online casinos with no download required.

Registering For An Account At A Legal Online Casino

New players can sign up at an online casino through a quick process via mobile devices or a desktop browser.

At DraftKings Casino, for example, new players can signup on its homepage to start the registration process. A menu then appears where players can choose a username and provide a valid email address.

The next step requires documentation of first and last name, date of birth, residential address, and last four digits of a social security number.

After submitting this information, DraftKings Casino sends a mobile verification link through text message or email. Once that link is verified, players must download geolocation software that allows DraftKings Casino to verify that the player is within the borders of a state in which it legally operates.

With personal details and geolocation verified, new players can then navigate to the cashier, deposit funds, and begin playing.

What Deposit And Cashout Options Are Available At Legal Online Casinos?

ACH/eCheck

Virtually all legal online gambling sites accept ACH/eCheck as a method for both deposits and withdrawals.

When used for deposits, this method drafts an electronic check (eCheck) from a player’s bank account and pushes the check through an Automatic Clearing House (ACH). This clearing process happens instantaneously. If approved, the funds immediately become available for play at the online casino.

ACH/eCheck deposits are occasionally stopped by the issuing bank. They go through successfully around 80 percent of the time.

Debit/Credit Cards

Like ACH/eCheck, most online casinos accept debit and credit cards as a deposit method. This method can’t be used for withdrawals, however.

Debit and credit card deposits come with one of the highest rejection rates among all deposit options, but when successful immediately make funds available for play. Credit card deposits can sometimes carry cash advance fees from the issuing bank.

PayPal

Many mobile casino platforms accept PayPal as a method for both deposits and withdrawals. The deposit process takes a few extra steps compared to other methods. But PayPal deposits offer a nearly 100% acceptance rate.

Players with a valid US PayPal account can use this method at numerous legal online gambling sites.

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards are issued directly by an online casino, and function as a gift card that allows funds to be loaded on a player’s balance.

With this method, players can load a prepaid card with funds using ACH/eCheck, debit card, PayPal, and various other ways.

Casino Cage Deposit

Deposits and withdrawals can also be made directly at the casino cage of a retail property that operates an online casino.

At Golden Nugget Casino, for example, deposits and withdrawals for the online casino could be made by visiting the land-based Golden Nugget Atlantic City property.

The History Of Online Casinos In The US

US laws allow states to offer legal online casino gambling on an individual basis. Delaware became the first state to legalize online casinos in 2012, followed by New Jersey in 2013.

Online casinos debuted in both states in November 2013. Since then, New Jersey’s online casino industry has developed into a robust market, with more than 20 different platforms available.

Pennsylvania became the next state to legalize online casinos, doing so in October 2017. Mobile casino platforms started to launch in the state in July 2019. West Virginia followed suit, legalizing online casinos in 2019.

The first online casino launched in West Virginia in the summer of 2020. Michigan became the latest state to debut online casinos in January 2021.

Legal online casinos operate under the license of retail casinos. Gaming regulation agencies like thePennsylvania Gaming Control Board(PGCB) and theNew Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement(DGE) oversee online casinos in their respective states. In West Virginia, the West Virginia Lottery Commission regulates all iGaming.

Players located within state borders in each legal online casino jurisdiction can access mobile casinos in those states.

Michigan was the latest state to join the US mobile casino market. Michigan passed online gambling legislation in December 2019 and the first online casino apps launched on January 22, 2021.

Legal Online Gambling Sites Versus Illegal Online Gambling Sites

State-regulated online casinos are owned by land-based properties, using licensing agreements with technology partners.

These partnerships allow for trusted gaming brands like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Betfair to operate legal online casinos in collaboration with legal retail casinos. Golden Nugget Atlantic City, for instance, operates Golden Nugget Casino, StarDust/FanDuel Casino, SugarHouse Online Casino, and BetAmerica in New Jersey.

This legal union of retail and online casinos ensures that players can enjoy secure legal online gambling. Playing at a state-regulated online casino offers the same level of safety as playing at a legal retail casino.

Other retail casino operators behind online platforms include Caesars Entertainment, Parx Casino, Resorts Digital Gaming, and Borgata.

These brands stand as some of the biggest and most trusted names in the legal gambling industry. They each operate online casinos with a keen interest in player safety. Players at legal online casinos can count on prompt payouts, fair games, and the security of personal information.

Why Avoid Illegal Gambling Sites

Government agencies like the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) and the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) assure that state casino industries operate with transparency, accountability, and security of player funds and personal information. Depositing money at a legal online casino site offers players the security of knowing those funds can be withdrawn safely at any time.

Offshore or illegal gambling sites do not operate with this same obligation to player safety. These platforms aren’t regulated by any US governing body.

Depositing money on these sites can be a risky proposition, as illegal gambling sites have no obligation to allow for the withdrawal of funds.

Legal Online Casinos FAQs

Yes. Federal law allows states to individually determine their stances on legal online gambling.

New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania each allow for legal mobile casinos.

State regulatory agencies oversee all state-regulated, legal online casino platforms.

No. Only New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan currently offer legal online casinos.

Apart fromsweepstakes siteslike Chumba Casino, any platforms offering online gambling outside of these five states operate illegally.

The legal minimum age for playing at an online casino is 21 in all states with legal mobile casinos. This age matches the minimum age for gambling at a retail casino in these states.

Yes. Nearly all legal online casinos are available as apps for iOS and Android mobile devices.

iOS users can find online casino apps in the App Store, while Android users can download the apps directly from an online casino’s website.

Players using mobile devices must be located within the borders of the state offering a legal gambling site when playing.

Deposit options at legal online casinos include ACH/eCheck, PayPal, debit cards, credit cards, prepaid cards, and casino cage deposit.

Other ways to deposit include PayNearMe, wire transfer, and eWallets like Neteller and Skrill.

Yes. Legal online casinos are owned by retail casino brands like Golden Nugget Atlantic City and Caesars Entertainment. Player funds at legal online casinos are just as safe as they are when playing at a legal retail casino.

Secure withdrawal methods at legal online casinos include ACH/eCheck, prepaid cards, PayPal, eWallets, casino cage withdrawal and check by mail.

Some of these methods, like eWallet withdrawals, can involve fees.

Yes. Legal mobile casinos use high-level encryption to ensure the security of customers’ personal and financial information.

Extra security measures, like two-step verification, can be added at player request.

Retail casino companies operate legal online casinos in collaboration with licensed technology partners.

Unibet Casino in New Jersey, for example, operates as a licensed partner of Hard Rock Atlantic City. New Jersey law permits retail casinos to operate multiple online platforms.

Yes. Many legal online casinos in New Jersey and Pennslyvania offer live dealer versions of blackjack, roulette, and other table games. Live dealer games also launched in Michigan in late July 2021.

Is Online Poker Legal In Us

Live dealer games feature a human dealer overseeing the game at a physical table. The dealer and the table are located in a secure studio.