Guide to Casino Gambling in the US
Bonus1 reviews online casinos and brings you the latest bonuses and promotions. This guide is an introduction to online gambling in the US, explaining the regulations and laws applicable to your jurisdiction. Continue below to discover the right casino for your needs, and expert insights by our dedicated team.
List of legal US online casinos
• BetMGM
• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• Borgata
• Caesars Palace
We only work with legal casino sites in the US. Our list is curated to include licensed gambling sites that have been rated highly by our experts and users. We regularly update our bonus list to bring you fresh deals and new opportunities.
Disclaimer: Bonus1 might receive an affiliate fee when you play at online casinos we advertise. Nonetheless, our assessment criteria and review process are nevercompromised by financial interests, and objectivity is maintained at all times.
US gambling laws
Online gambling was deemed illegal at the start of the century and US players had to rely on offshore online casinos for their enjoyment or visit gambling hotspots like NJ or NV. Players often got swindled by online casinos and there was a general displeasure with the current situation.
A huge turn took place in 2012, when a NY court ruled poker as a game of skill instead of luck-based. Fast-forward to 2018, PASPA got overruled and the right to legalize and regulate online casinos and sports betting was passed to the states.
Since then, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Connecticut, and West Virginia have legalized online casinos. Operators must partner with a physical casinoand acquire a license by every state they want to operate in. The fees and general process are costly, which is why only a handful of online casinos operate in each. The level of services is outstanding, though.
On the other hand, online betting sites are legal in 20+ states, and horse racing and daily fantasy sports in even more. Casino players can enjoy gaming at sweepstakes and social casinos in 40+ states too.
Official gambling bodies in the USA
We expect more US states to legalize online casinos in the future. For now, you can rely on Bonus1 or the iGaming authority of your state to spot legal online casinos in your area.
• NJ Casino Control Commission – New Jersey
• PA Gaming Control Board – Pennsylvania
• MI Gaming Control Board – Michigan
• CT Gaming Division – Connecticut
• WV Lottery Commission – West Virginia
• DE Gaming Enforcement – Delaware
How to spot legit casinos in the United States
The best way to stay safe while gambling is to only play at casinos we have approved. Our team follows a rigorous review process and an expert rating system to highlight the strong and weak areas of every online casino we promote. We do not even consider unlicensed or illegal casinos, so you can tick this box off when choosing a casino from our top-lists.
Areas we look at include bonuses and promotions, safety, transparency, reputation, company details, gaming options, wagering requirements, customer support, appperformance, and user experience. Each area is carefully assessed across sub-categories and our reviewers put every feature of the casino to the test.
In reality, most online casinos share similar elements:
• 1,000+ games
• First deposit bonus and a couple of weekly promotions for existing users
• Mobile compatibility
• Around-the-clock customer support through live chat or email
• SSL encryption
• Deposit limits and exclusion options
Areas that take a casino to the next level include native apps, no deposit bonuses, partnerships with 20+ iGaming studios, networked tournaments, progressive jackpots, phone support, and other extras.
One thing you should never neglect is to ensure the casino holds an official license fromthe body regulating online gambling sites in your location. For example, never play at US online casinos that are not licensed by the respective state (i.e., the NJDGE for New Jersey online casinos).
US online casinos to avoid
The iGaming market is extremely saturated. Backyard casinos operating without an official license are all over the internet.
Telltale signs include support for cryptocurrencies, Curacao or other offshore iGaming licenses, hidden owners or managing companies with offices outside the country, obscure games that haven’t been tested by local commissions, and more. Our blacklistincludes an ever-growing number of illegal online casinos you should avoid like the plague.
Having said that, some international online casinos hold decent reputations among players and have operated without problems for years. Although we don’t work with any such gambling site, it is important to differentiate between online casinos that operate offshore but treat players with respect and pay without problems; and those that never respond to player requests, disappear when you file a withdrawal request, and constantly have you upload extra documents to pass verification.
So that we don’t ever compromise your safety, though, we exclude both categories and only deal with locally licensed operators. If any problem arises with them, you can take the case to the licensing authority and reach a resolution without added stress.
Playing at US online casinos
You must be 21+ to begin playing at US online casinos. The first step is identifying a legit casino – don’t worry, we have you covered. Use our links to visit the official site. If we provide a promo code, copy/paste it into the registration form to unlock an exclusive bonus.
Signing up involves sharing a few personal and address information, such as your full name, age, home address, mobile number, etc. Online casinos ask for verification documents to double-check the information so that they don’t let underage or non-qualified users access their services.
When you complete the registration and verification procedure, you can visit the lobby on any desktop or mobile device. The majority of recommended casinos also have native apps for Android and iOS users. You can find links to the respective stores on their websites or search for them directly in your app store.
After you have spotted a game that interests you and are logged in, you must either activate a no deposit bonus or make a first-time deposit. Online casinos support a plethora of banking options with instant payment times; they include bank cards, online bank transfers, mobile wallets, digital wallets, and prepaid vouchers. The payment limits are flexible, too, so don’t stress about the amount of money you must commit to begin playing at online casinos.
After your casino balance is positive, simply click to launch a game, set your bet level, and have fun!
Features most US gambling sites share
The iGaming industry has been steadily developing since the 1990s. The original online casinos were powered by a single gaming studio, like Microgaming or RealTime Gaming, and supported credit card payments only. Of course, playing on the move was out of the question, and support took days to respond.
Today, the recommended online casinos provide an extremely high standard of service that guarantees the following:
• Safety: Digital gambling sites host important information players share with them, including banking and personal details. To approve an operator, they must safeguard those with advanced SSL encryption software as a minimum. A valid and active local iGaming license is another non-negotiable criterion a casino must meet.
• Transparency: The company behind the casino, terms of service, business address, founder, gambling help, and eligibility criteria must be clearly visible onthe online casino site and easy to understand. If we spot unclear clauses or unfair rules, we lower the casino’s rating and raise caution.
• Bonuses: The welcome bonus or package must include a first (or more) deposit bonus that boosts your money at a 100% or higher rate. Free spins and no deposit bonuses also help achieve higher bonus ratings. Low wagering requirements, no max winning caps, high max bet, varied game eligibility, and reasonable qualifying deposit underpin the casino’s welcome bonus true value. Promos for existing users that casinos often extend are referral programs, VIP schemes, tournaments, reload bonuses, and weekly free spins. Regular cashback and birthday bonuses are other perks you might encounter.
• Games: The bare minimum is 1,000 online casino games. In most cases, the lobby is 90% packed with slot machines. Live and virtual table games, scratchcards, keno, jackpots, game shows, and instant-win games are also widely available. The quality of games and variety of features depends on the companies behind them. Top-rated casinos rent games from 20+ studios that are licensed to operate in the country; major brands include Big Time Gaming, Evolution Gaming, NetEnt, Games Global, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, and Nolimit.
• Support: Live chat is the gold standard for casino customer support. Bots might initiate the dialog but access to real agents is a prerequisite for us. Email support, FAQs, a Help Center, and a contact form are the main alternatives to resolve problems or ask for help at casinos. Phone support is also provided by some online casinos, but not all.
• Compatibility: Most of our readers play casino games on mobile. All approved online casinos are fully compatible with smartphones and tablets, and the user experience is identical to the desktop or laptop casino. Native apps might also be available for installation via the website or by visiting the virtual app stores and searching for the casino brand.
• User Experience: All main categories are one-click away from the menu, the games can be filtered by provider or category, and access is instant via all devices and browsers. Registration, verification, and payments go through instantly or within 24 hours.
• Responsible Gaming: Deposit, spending, and loss limits with customizable settings can be manually activated. You have the option to take a break or self-exclude from the casino at any point. Casinos also include links to responsible gambling bodies and support groups.
Areas that help operators stand out from the crowd include a distinctive theme, competitive bonuses, lenient wagering requirements, unique payment options or limits, and above-board customer services. You should consult our casino reviews and pay attention to the aspects that matter most to you, knowing that Bonus1-approved operators universally provide the above features.
Bonus1 helps you play casino games with an edge
We don’t just review casinos and their bonuses at Bonus1. Our team shares game guides, news stories, editorial pieces, banking method insights, and more. You should bookmark our site or sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest posts from our authors.
US online casino news
Watch this space for the latest developments in the market. We never fail to share legal iGaming developments, major new game releases, gambling awards, and events. Staying on top of the latest happenings can help you discover new bonus opportunities and games with unique features while staying in the know about upcoming iGaming regulations.
Reviews of US casinos
We work around the clock to review all legal online casinos in the US and secure exclusive welcome bonuses for our readers. You can find our expertly written reviews of US casinos by our local editorial team and see what they experienced playing there. Check back regularly to never miss out on new no deposit bonuses or time-sensitive contests.
Responsible gambling in the United States
Gambling responsibly goes beyond finding a safe and legal online casino. While most of our work revolves around this aspect, we regularly share posts to help you effectively manage your casino bankroll and stay in control of your gaming.
Further, the online casinos we promote, and our RSG page, include links to local support groups and contacts for gambling help. To stay on top of your gaming, we recommend proactively utilizing deposit and session limits at gambling sites. Self-exclusion is the ultimate step to abstain from gambling. US players can also utilize the following responsible gambling bodies to manage their gaming or ask for help:
• 1-800-GAMBLER
• NCPG
• RGC
Frequently Asked Questions about online gambling in the United States
What is the minimum gambling age in the US?
The minimum gambling age at US online casinos is 21 years old.
Are online casinos legal in the US?
Online casinos are regulated on a state level in the US. Legal casinos must be licensed by the body responsible for regulating online gambling in each state. Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are the only US states where online casinos are currently legal.
Who regulates gambling in the USA?
The Federal Government has passed the responsibility of online casino regulation to the states. Each state has the right to set the legal parameters of online casinos, and currently, only 6 states have legalized them.
Are there any restrictions at US online casinos?
Online casinos in the US must abide by the laws set by each state to be legal. Online casino legal states require operators to apply for a license and renew it every year, they must partner with iGaming providers licensed in their state, and more. Geolocation and verification checks are essential at US casino sites, too.
Which online casino has the best bonus for US players?
At Bonus1, we regularly update our list of online casino bonuses, and the best depends on your needs. Check out our reviews and see our expert assessment of every bonus at the operators we tested.
How to verify my casino account?
Online casinos verify their players’ identities right after registration. You might need to upload an ID or Passport, an official document showing your registered address, a screenshot of the banking method used, the last four digits of your SSN, etc. You will usually be asked to share the above before your first withdrawal, depending on the operator and jurisdiction.
What payment methods do US casinos support?
US online casinos process transactions via debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.), online bank transfers (standard, Trustly, VIP preferred, etc.), prepaid cards, eWallets (Skrill, Venmo, PayPal), mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), or cash at the associated casino.