The number of legal USA online casinos is rising as more states move to regulate gaming for real money. However, there are still opportunities for players to explore casino games in unregulated states. Learn about the laws and regulations related to online casinos in the United States below, and explore our list of carefully reviewed casino sites by state.
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The number of live casino games availableOnline casinos in the USA are regulated at the state level, creating a diverse landscape that’s confusing to grasp, with laws that are constantly evolving and changing in each area. The government has previously relied on outdated federal regulations to try and control the market. But over the last decade, this has changed, and slowly, states are focusing on developing a legal framework to license and regulate local online casinos in the USA and give players safe gambling options.
The federal government has developed several critical pieces of legislation over the last 50 years. Many rules are outdated and require lawmakers to make amendments over the years, with the most important being the DOJ decision to allow states to develop their framework, providing a helpful move that started the growth of legal online casinos in the USA.
Federal Wire Act:
One federal US law that holds great weight for online gambling companies is the Federal Wire Act (1961). The Attorney General Robert Kennedy introduced the act in 1961. Under this legislation, operators risk fines and even imprisonment if they use wire communication facilities to offer gambling services in unregulated markets. While these rules focused on telephone systems and sports betting, before the widespread internet, lawmakers have used broad language to cover internet facilities for online gaming services, including USA online casinos.
Under the Wire Act, businesses operating and servicing customers in a legal gambling state can conduct business without scrutiny. On this federal level, the DOJ maintains that internet gambling remains illegal within the country. In 2002, a court hearing made vital differences, ruling that the act only talks about sports and fails to mention casino or poker gaming. In 2011, the Department of Justice changed its stance, allowing states to begin legalizing services.
PASPA:
Another federal law that helped shape the online gambling sector was the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which they introduced in 1992. It gave Nevada a sports betting monopoly and angered many other states.
The act was abolished in 2018, and states quickly moved to start regulated sports wagering in their region. Since then, the industry has boomed, generating billions in tax revenue and providing safe wagering options for sports fans. The success of this market has been a critical factor in many states' decisions to expand legislation and offer legal online casinos in the USA for gamers.
UIGEA:
After much confusion, the US Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006. This framework focuses on the language that the outdated Wire Act missed and made it illegal for businesses to accept payments for providing unlawful gambling via the internet. It’s important to understand that these regulations didn’t outlaw internet gaming but focused on operators' payment processing abilities.
It included a framework that allowed the Federal Reserve to ban these payments at financial institutions, including the top banks and credit card providers in the USA. It started an exodus of operators from the US market, with many large companies fearing the repercussions of significant fines and imprisonment.
Other Online Casino Legislation:
After this, other bills were introduced by House Representatives in a bid to clarify the differences and pave the path for legitimate local businesses to offer online casinos in USA-regulated states.
The most notable were the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, the Skill Game Protection Act (2007), and the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act (2013). They aim to regulate and tax licensed internet gambling businesses and distinguish skill-based games like poker from the top chance games like online slots.
One of the main reasons US online casino regulations are hard to understand is the differences in rules between each state. With 50 states and varying laws and regulations, it’s pretty challenging for regular players to learn what’s permitted and illegal in America.
The ability of states to create their own rules has led to much confusion and considerable gaps in this growing market. For example, in Hawaii and Utah, all types of gambling remain illegal. In contrast, more progressive states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania gave the green light and now accept all types of online gambling, including poker, sports wagering, and online casinos.
Betting on sports has been the most popular gambling sector to grow. It is available in more US states than online poker and casino gaming. Because of the easy access to online services, many state lawmakers have taken a slow and methodical approach as they examine the results of legal betting within their communities. It means that even after nearly a decade since the introduction of the first legit US online casinos, there are only seven states where players can find locally regulated and safe online casinos on USA sites.
USA Legal Online Casino States and their Regulations:
States Working on Passing Online Casino Legislation:
Several states are shifting their stance and moving towards allowing legit online casinos from the USA to operate. They’re taking their time, with many bills stalled during 2023. However, progressive lawmakers have got the ball rolling. These five states are at the forefront and stand next in line to open services for customers to enjoy safe online casinos in the USA.
States where Online Casinos Real Money are Restricted:
Unfortunately, there are still many states where USA online casino gaming remains illegal and no top sites exist. These include Arkansas, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington DC, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Social and Sweepstakes Casinos:
Players residing in states where USA real money online casinos aren’t regulated can still enjoy fun online games on social and sweepstakes platforms. These services are available in most US states, except for a handful of regions. Players can enjoy a wide selection of the top slots and table games, with the ability to win money using free sweep coins.
Currently, the top casino sites with sweep prizes aren’t accessible for residents in Idaho, Kentucky, and Washington, and some operators may restrict gameplay in several other regions, including Michigan and New York. With a lack of regulations in place, most states are open. You can read our social & sweep site reviews or visit the site’s terms and conditions page for the latest information.
Many internationally licensed casinos offer services to those in the USA, and many locals may wonder what the benefits are of playing at locally regulated USA casinos online. We’ve highlighted some main advantages of playing on a legit gambling site that adheres to local state regulations.
✅ Player Protection: Customers can stay safe while wagering online by picking the top licensed and legal USA online casino. These businesses are located in the US and vetted by state gambling regulators during a thorough registration period. Customers can expect certified and fair games, legit payment solutions, and brands which are accountable if anyone makes a complaint.
✅ Responsible Companies: Gambling at online casinos in regulated US states is a safe option, and players can access a range of responsible gambling tools supplied by the company and software providers thanks to regulations. These conditions allow customers to sign up, play their favourite games, and not stress about breaking limits or using a service that doesn’t follow safety guidelines.
✅ Enforced Regulations: Playing at legal USA online casinos offers many benefits, including regulations enforced on the state level. Now, it’s much safer for customers to gamble online at a licensed site, knowing the operator must follow local USA online casino laws, ensure they provide adequate player protection, and be financially stable with enough funds to payout casino wins.
To help our readers find the top legal online casinos in the USA, we’ve prepared a table with links to the gambling regulations in each state. You can use this table to visit your local state page, discover the relevant laws and rules, and view a list of reputable and safe online gaming sites, including real money and top social gaming sites.
To help our readers find the best casinos online in the US, we've ranked our list of top 10 brands this year. Reputable American companies run these sites, which comply with local gambling laws, and are known as the top rated online casino real money sites in the country.
BetMGM is a prominent online casino that launched in 2018 and is open to players in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Operated by MGM Resorts and Entertain, two large and respectable companies, BetMGM ranks as the top online casino site thanks to its strong reputation and fantastic game variety. Enjoy 800+ online slots, multiple progressive jackpots, virtual cards, and live tables.
Players can sign up for BetMGM to play the latest games from IGT, Konami, and NetEnt. The company offers 14 secure payment options with minimum deposits starting at $10. Unlock special bonuses and exclusive MGM reward points to redeem at US resorts and enhance the experience.
Caesars is an excellent choice for players seeking a fun mix of bonus deals and top games at a famous and trusted brand. Established in 2013 by the prominent Caesars Entertainment group, they're currently open to customers in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. They boast a vast collection of 750+ slots, progressive jackpots, and live casino games.
In August 2023, the company introduced the Caesars Palace Online Casino, a standalone product within one account. It features a clean and fresh design, exclusive branded casino games, and enhanced welcome bonus. Sign up for an account through our exclusive link to claim a deposit match up to $1,250 and wager $25 to get 2,500 Reward Credits.
Many players in MI, NJ, PA, and WV seeking the top online casino in the USA will be amazed at the action at BetRivers Casino. The site launched in 2020 and has a growing portfolio with 500+ titles. Users can win by betting on the top online slots, live tables, Slingo, and exclusive Mega Jackpots with prizes reaching the six-figure range.
BetRivers became popular thanks to their convenient banking options and commitment to providing fair bonus promotions, including cashback and deposit matches with low rollover. These deals ensure customers can enjoy their favorite games and quickly cash out winnings with bonus codes.
Betway has a long-established history in online gambling and a strong presence in European sports betting. The company launched in 2006 and opened up in the USA in 2021. They now run a licensed real casino online for players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, with more states expected to open soon.
Betway Casino customers can explore the lobby to play 500+ exciting games, including top real-world casino games by Evolution Gaming, virtual table games, and some of the top online casino slots. There are ten progressive jackpots to get lucky on, and it would be great to see them grow this range.
Unibet is a famous international betting company that started in 1997 and has grown its US presence since 2018. Their online casino is open in NJ and PA and features fun no deposit deals, welcome bonuses for new players, and an excellent choice of 650 games. Sign up for the chance to win on classic and new slots, jackpot games, and Evolution Gaming professional dealers.
Some unique features of Unibet Casino are their Game of the Week promo, with free spins available to players who try the latest featured slot. At the same time, their Casino Booster promotion offers a $5 free chip for table game fans on the weekend.
PokerStars became an international giant by dominating the online poker world, with millions of players enjoying their card games. In 2019 the PokerStars Casino entered the United States market with operating licenses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They now run a popular gambling site packed with exclusive bonuses, the latest casino game releases, and a PokerStars VIP Rewards program.
Their game portfolio is limited compared to other brands in our online casino USA list. However, customers can find their usual favorites, with 13 types of Evolution live tables and over 270 slots from multiple game studios. Players can use eight banking options to deposit and withdraw, and can browse the lobby for several progressive jackpots, with prizes reaching six figures.
DraftKings started its journey in 2012, offering Daily Fantasy Sports services to US customers. Their licensed casino is now open for players in Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. DraftKings ranks well among online casinos in the United States due to its incredible library of 1,100+ games and choice of 10 payment methods.
Jackpot fans will feel at home at DraftKings Casino, with 120 titles linked to growing prize pools. These jackpots are available across table and slot games, and top prizes currently reach over $2,000,000. This incredible variety is one of the main reasons they consistently rank among the top casinos online in America.
Golden Nugget Casino is a leading US operator established in 2013. They accept 11 payment methods and have 1,390+ different games for New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia players. Their range provides excellent variety, with 50+ jackpots, 50 table games, and 1,300 slots.
The lobby is easy to navigate, with custom tabs displaying the top online casino categories like Diamond Cash, LuckyTap, Jackpots, Megaways, and Scratchers. Golden Nugget Casino runs various yearly promotions for extra value. Players can earn cash bonuses, spins, and other perks through exclusive deals, Game of the Week, Golden Club Rewards, and Weekly Leaderboard races.
Established in 2013 and operated by Entain and MGM, the Borgata Casino offers USA casino players the opportunity to play games online and win real cash NJ, MI, and PA customers can earn loyalty points for exclusive rewards at MGM and Borgata Resorts in the US.
Play some of the best casino games in America, including 16 live tables, 130 table games, 115 jackpots, and 2150 slots categorized in different sections. The site accepts 13 payment options, and PayPal cashouts at Borgata are processed within one day, offering fast withdrawals for lucky winners.
The Tipico Casino launched in 2020 and has become a leading destination for NJ players hunting for the top games at online casinos for real money. The game lobby has an old-school feel, although it's nice to see Tipico arrange the games into neat categories and themes. The filter option lets customers pick games from 17 themes and 13 software providers, including Big Time Gaming, Evolution, and NetEnt.
They accept 13 banking methods and feature 500+ branded slots, jackpot games, fast-paced slingo titles, professional dealers, table games, and steppers. While other sites have a more extensive portfolio, US players will appreciate the unique range available to play at Tipico.
When choosing a top online casino, it's important to consider specific criteria to ensure that you pick the right option for you. We've done all of the legwork so that players can select one of the sites from our list of online casinos by US state above, but it's still important to perform your own due diligence.
To stay safe playing at the best casinos online, it's essential to only sign up to sites with licenses in the United States. Each state decides the gambling laws within their region. Local gaming commissions like the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement are responsible for licensing and regulating websites within their jurisdiction. Other states with licensed casinos include Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, with state boards regulating local activities.
A welcome bonus is the first promotion available to new players after registering for an account. It's typically a deposit match offer and may include free slot spins. For example, a US online casino may offer a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 + 200 free spins, and players could receive an extra $1,000 bonus cash and 200 free slot spins by making a $1,000 deposit.
One of the most important areas to review in an online casino is its game variety. With many excellent choices now open in the US, players have the luxury of choosing a casino site with the most games and diverse titles for top entertainment. You can read our reviews to see how many games each site offers, and what types of titles are available before signing up.
Each site can vary in its payment methods for deposits and withdrawals. It's important to consider when signing up for a new casino account, and you should pick an online casino site that accepts the payment options you have access to. By choosing a site with multiple payment options, depositing and cashing out becomes a simple process with no headaches. Popular United States casino banking options include Bank Transfers, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, Venmo, PayPal, Play+, Cash at Cage, and PayNearMe.
To consider a brand one of the top online casino sites, it must have unique features that set it apart from its competitors. Savvy brands feature exclusive VIP loyalty programs to enhance the gaming experience and allow customers to earn bonus cash, free spins, and special rewards. Other unique site features include in-depth game filters, casino races and tournaments, cash giveaways, and rewarding seasonal promotions and bonus codes.
In the 21st century, wireless gaming is becoming increasingly important. The leading online casinos in the United States understand this new world is on the move and design their websites to work cross-platform on various devices. Many brands take this further by developing custom apps for Android and iOS, ensuring an even smoother and more realistic experience. The games software studios supply are developed with HTML5 and work on many device types.
Playing real money online casino games involves deposits and withdrawals, and security and support are two essential criteria to review on any casino site. The top licensed sites feature updated Secure Socket Layer web connections to protect customer data and privacy. The payment methods are integrated with secure gateways and protected by advanced firewalls and anti-fraud systems for ultimate security. If anyone has issues, customer support is easily accessible via chat, with many operating 24 hours a day.
Here at Gambling.com, we are committed to bringing you all the latest information about the most popular online casino sites in the USA. We also like to shine a spotlight on those that stand out which is incredibly difficult in such a competitive landscape. Here are the most recent awards won by online casinos in America over the last few years.
🏆Casino Operator of the Year 2022 & 2023: BetMGM Casino (EGR North America Awards)
🏆Casino Operator of the Year 2021, 2022 & 2023: BetMGM Casino (SBC Awards North America)
🏆Casino Operator of the Year 2022: FanDuel Casino (Global Gaming Awards)
The casino sector can be split into sub-categories to help players identify the best types of real money online casinos suitable for their gaming style. Discover the different types of online casinos in the United States below.
New Online Casinos – While there are only a limited number of regulated states in the US to gamble online, we’re always looking for new online casino sites to add to our list of recommendations.
Mobile Casinos – The top US online casinos are also mobile responsive, and many have dedicated casino apps to make playing on the go easier.
Best Payout Casinos – By choosing the best payout online casino sites that host games with the highest overall RTP you can increase your chances of walking away a winner.
Fastest Withdrawal Casinos – When you want your casino winnings quickly it helps to choose the fastest payout online casino known for processing withdrawals as quickly as possible.
Social Casinos – Players in non-regulated states can still enjoy real online casino games by playing at a social casino where it’s possible to play for tokens.
Sweepstakes Casinos – You’ll find that Sweepstakes casino sites are similar to their social counterparts, except it can be possible to exchange your virtual winnings for real prizes.
An essential part of playing at the best casino sites online is choosing an appropriate payment method. Our reviews feature up-to-date information to help readers decide which site has the payment options they use. Discover the most popular ways to deposit and withdraw winnings securely from the United States this year.
When you sign up to a top USA online casino to play games, it’s essential to register on legit sites that give everyone access to responsible gambling tools to manage gaming activity. These platforms follow local state regulations and legal procedures by offering legit services, account limits, age and location verification, and easy access to professional help.
Playing the top online USA casino games is an exciting experience that provides excellent entertainment and the chance to win big prizes. However, it’s essential for each player that the gaming remains fun and safe. By setting gaming account limits, players at online casinos in the USA can ensure they don’t blow through all their money, stick to budgets, and limit the amount they wish to deposit, bet, or lose. These limits are essential for customers aiming to stay in control and enjoy stress-free entertainment.
It’s one of the most critical factors that separate safe gaming sites from offshore operators. Players at unlicensed or non-locally regulated brands may not have access to the same suite of tools. It can be pretty easy for them to go over their budget, run out of money, and end up in stressful situations. We only recommend the top USA online casinos that follow all local regulations and provide responsible gaming tools for users to set their limits.
The top USA casino online sites understand that some players may get too attached to gaming, face complex issues, and require professional help at some stage. They make it easy for customers to find out how to contact external support and help organizations and other resources to help learn strategies, tips, and techniques to combat problem gambling.
At safe gaming sites in the US, this is a requirement under many state regulations, and it’s a fantastic approach. We know how important it is for customers to learn how to play responsibly and stay safe, and we recommend anyone with issues to seek professional help. It’s a free and easy step that can help many improve their situation, learn to take breaks, set limits, and enjoy other aspects of life that are more important.
The software provider that an online casino chooses to partner with is one of the most crucial aspects of that casino's identity. Beyond determining site functionality, the games available at a given casino is also affected by who they work with.
The federal government considers online casino gaming illegal. However, it’s up to each state to develop and enforce their gambling laws relating to casino sites. Currently, seven states in the USA permit online casinos to operate legally. While 40+ states allow access to safe social and sweepstakes casino sites as an excellent alternative for gamers.
It’s good practice to read reliable casino reviews to discover if the site is locally licensed and legal to operate in America. The company is legally required to display their licensing information on its website, which is typically available in the website footer or its terms and conditions page.
Online regulations relating to casino gaming are constantly changing, and each year, politicians in different regions campaign to make USA online casinos legal. Currently, gaming at real money online casinos is regulated on the state level and legal for Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia residents.
Numerous offshore licensed casinos accept customers from the USA. However, these aren’t safe or legal options for local players. Under state laws, players must join safe and locally regulated online casinos in the USA. These US-based platforms follow local regulations, provide adequate player protection and fair casino games.
Customers can deposit and withdraw funds from a USA online casino site using various payment methods. Many online brands partner with land-based operators and accept Cash at Cage transactions and convenient and fast online payments, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Skrill, Neteller, Play+, and PayPal.
The IRS has made its stance clear about USA online casino winnings under Topic 419, requiring all residents to include their gambling winnings in their annual federal income tax return with Form W 2-G. Players may deduct gaming losses and be required to pay tax on the final amount.
Suppose you sign up to play the top USA online casino games with a licensed and regulated state operator. In that case, you can rest assured knowing your personal information remains safe. These companies operate in a legal environment, follow US data protection & privacy laws, run secure SSL protected websites with safe payment gateways.
Regulated online casinos in the US operate in states that have finalized their online gaming laws, permit operations, and outline the criteria, licensing, and rules for platforms. Unregulated sites can include offshore casinos that don’t adhere to US law or social/sweep sites which aren’t officially regulated under many state laws.
The top legal USA online casinos provide responsible gamin tools to help protect customers, set limits, and control their wagering. Regulators ensure sites give these options for players to remain safe, with the ability to set deposit, wager, and loss limits, session timers, reality checks, self-exclusion, and simple access to gambling help.
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