Best US Casinos Online - October 2021
Discover the best USA online casinos with our expert guide. Learn how to sign up, find great legal casinos where you live, and unearth the best slots and table games. We’ll even show you how to claim your very first welcome bonus and free spins.
Recommended Casino Sites
Secure
Trusted
Verified
Players Also Liked
How We Review Casino Sites for US Players
Nothing beats the thrill of playing at real money casinos. But how do you filter out the lousy online casino websites to leave just the cream?
That’s where our team comes in. Our Gambling.com experts play casino games and do a thorough review of all gaming sites. We test drive the casinos to ensure their bonuses, game selections and customer support pass every check.
Bonus offers
The best online casinos will offer welcome bonuses and a range of ongoing casino deals for regular players. You’ll also be able to join up to a VIP program and earn perks as you play.
Game Variety
Great US online casinos should spread a full range of video slots and table games. Choose from the latest online slots and progressives, or sit down to enjoy roulette and blackjack for a few dollars. The top USA online casinos will also provide live dealer games where you can play against a trained croupier.
Registration Process
How easy is it to open your USA online casino account? We always test out the signup process to ensure it’s quick and easy to complete. Once you’ve signed up, you’re ready to tackle the best games in town.
Mobile App
Real-money casinos will come with a mobile app to allow you to play your favorite games on the move. Install an Apple or Android app and play mobile slots and roulette wherever you are.
User Experience
User experience is all-important at US casinos. Can you navigate the games lobby with ease? Does the games lobby provide enough information and is it easy to filter and search for your favorite titles?
Customer Support & Security
It’s vital that legal casinos offer good customer care for all players. Online casinos will offer expert customer support via live chat, toll-free phone and email. You’ll also be able to contact a care team member 24 hours.
Licensing and Regulation
Online casino websites must be properly licensed within the USA. Each regulated state has its own licensing commission. If a casino is licensed overseas, we will never recommend it to our US readers.
Best Online Casinos US for Slots
We’ve unearthed the very best casinos in the US for slots. From classic slots to progressive jackpots, these casinos offer a wide variety of top titles.
Caesars Casino
Caesars Casino is the online arm of the US gambling giant, Caesars Interactive Entertainment. There are over 600 slots on the Caesars Casino site, many of which can be played in Demo Play mode.
Choose from high-paying NetEnt slots such as Blood Suckers II or go for classic IGT games such as Golden Goddess and Cleopatra.
Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget online casino is one of the oldest and best NJ gambling sites. However, you can now enjoy Golden Nugget’s wide variety of 850+ slots in other US states.
As well as bonus slots from developers such as Bally, IGT and NetEnt, you can also take advantage of over 20 progressives, including Divine Fortune and the exclusive Wheels Go Round Tiger.
Resorts Casino
Resorts Casino has been one of New Jersey’s most trusted online casinos for years. It boasts 600+ top slots from the likes of NetEnt, Bally and WMS. In addition, you can try your hand at over 20 progressive slots, including MegaJackpots Golden Goddess and the popular Konami hit, China Shores.
Best Mobile Casinos in the US
We offer reviews of the top USA casinos for mobile play. Gamble on slots and table games through your portable device and claim a welcome bonus when you download the app.
BetMGM Casino
BetMGM offers a dedicated mobile app for players in multiple US states. Install the app on your Android or iOS device and play over 600 slots and table games. You can even log in and play live dealer games against a human croupier.
Unibet Casino
Unibet is one of the top overseas gambling sites and now offers mobile play in the US. You can download a native sportsbook and casino app direct to your smartphone. Play hundreds of slots and table games, and earn free play or free spins when you open your account.
Caesars Casino
Not only does Caesars provide an established free-play social casino app, it also offers a native real-money app for players aged 21 or over. There are over 500 games to enjoy, plus you can bet on sports through your Caesars Casino app. The native app is available for both Apple and Android users.
Best US Online Casino Promos
The best US casinos will offer free spins and bonus funds just for signing up. You’ll have to meet the strict wagering terms and conditions, of course. However, you can claim some free cash as long as you pick the right deals and play smart.
BetMGM Casino
BetMGM is the official online casino of the MGM Resorts giant. It offers a welcome bonus befitting a gambling company as large as MGM. You can claim a 100% deposit match deal up to $1,000. In addition, you’ll receive $25 on the house to use on games of your choice.
WynnBET Casino
WynnBET is a relative latecomer to the US casino scene. However, they are making up for time with some great casino deals. WynnBET will match your deposit every week with an equivalent amount of bonus funds. You can clear your funds on eligible slots and casino games.
BetRivers Casino
BetRivers now operates legal gambling sites in multiple US states. In New Jersey, it operates under the PlaySugarHouse banner, but you can still take advantage of great promotions. Sign up for a 100% welcome bonus deal plus free spins on the biggest slots around.
Best Live Dealer Casinos Online US
Live dealer casinos recreate the thrill of brick-and-mortar gambling on your computer or smartphone. Sit down at the table and play against human dealers using real-life equipment. Most of the best online casinos in the US now offer live dealer action.
BetMGM Casino
BetMGM is one of the hottest online casinos in the regulated US market. It offers a limited range of Evolution Gaming titles, such as American Roulette Live, Infinite Blackjack and Live Baccarat. You can even try out Auto Roulette with a real wheel and no croupier.
BetRivers Casino
BetRivers offers live casino games from one of the industry’s biggest providers: Evolution Gaming. Live dealer titles include Live Blackjack with side bets, American Roulette and Live Baccarat.
Golden Nugget Online Casino
Golden Nugget online casino offers over a dozen top live dealer games. Many games run 24 hours a day but you’ll find full staking and RTP details in the excellent lobby. You can even try out Live Casino Floor Roulette and bet alongside your fellow gamblers at Atlantic City’s iconic Golden Nugget.
Online Casinos in the US that Pay Out the Best
The best US casinos online will guarantee an average payout percentage across all their games. Payouts, or RTPs (Return to Player percentages) are carefully audited by regulatory bodies. Here are some of the top US online casino sites for payouts in 2021*.
BetMGM 98.3% Payout Percentage
BetMGM now offers casino games legally in multiple US states. Many of the casino’s slots pay out over 95%, plus you can find low-edge games such as blackjack and French Roulette.
Tropicana 97.8% Payout Percentage
Tropicana was one of the earliest legal online casinos to launch in the US. It manages to keep up a large average payout due to its healthy supply of high-paying slots and low house edge games such as Classic Blackjack from NetEnt. Tropicana Casino also runs the Community Jackpot promotion where you can share a top prize worth $10,000.
TwinSpires 97.5% Payout Percentage
TwinSpires is one of the newer real money online casino brands to hit the USA. TwinSpires Casino is known for its big selection of high-limit games, and popular slots such as Hell’s Kitchen and Pork Knox. The TwinSpires lobby also boasts some customer-friendly table game options such as French Roulette and Live Blackjack.
*Note that casino payout rates are subject to change. They are correct at the time of publication and will be updated from time to time.
Why Play Real Money Casinos Online?
Nothing can match the fun and excitement of real money casinos. Here are just some of the benefits of gambling for real cash at great online casinos in 2021.
Win Real Money at Home
With online casino sites, you can play for real cash and win jackpots in the comfort of your own home. There’s no need to travel miles to a brick-and-mortar casino and you can even play through your smartphone or tablet.
Choose Stakes to Suit Your Wallet
Most land-based casinos have high minimum bets on slots, roulette and blackjack. However, USA online casinos will let you play video slots, video poker or table games for just a few cents.
Play a Wide Range of Games & Slots
Online casinos give you an enormous choice of video slots and games. Whatever your taste, there’s a game for you. Select old-school Vegas slots or the latest multiway video slots with big bonus round and progressives. You can also try out live dealer games with stakes starting at just a dollar.
Enjoy the Best Promotions
You can access some top casino promotions when you play for real money. Play online casino games and earn loyalty points which can be redeemed for real cash. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy regular reload bonuses, free spins on new releases, or join a slots leaderboard challenge.
Try Free-Play Before You Buy
The best online casinos will let you test out games for free before you commit real cash. Try a new slot or an unfamiliar table game and see if it’s worth risking your own hard-earned bankroll.
US Casino Apps vs. Desktop Playing
All good US online casinos offer a mobile app that lets you play slots and games on the go. Install a native app through the casino or visit the App Store or Google Play. You’ll need a recent smartphone to access games, but playing is as easy as logging on and tapping on your favorite titles.
| Mobile Casino Apps | Online Casino Desktop Play |
Funding Your US Casino Online Account
You can fund your account at the best online casinos via a wide range of banking options. Use an approved US debit card or load a prepaid card if one is available. Always be aware of any fees that your bank or the casino may charge.
In addition, you will be able to make withdrawals from your online gambling account back to your checking account or e-wallet. Processing can take a few days and fees are normally waived.
- Credit Cards:Some US online casinos accept credit card payments, but different states have different laws. Use your AMEX, Visa or Mastercard to make safe and instant deposits but be prepared to pay a cash advance fee every time you load up.
- Debit Cards:Debit cards such as Discover, Visa and Mastercard are safe to use and limits can be quite high. However, some US banks still won’t approve online gambling deposits so it’s important to check before you transfer money.
- PayPal:PayPal is one of the most widely accepted e-wallets at US online casinos. With PayPal, you can store funds in a single virtual wallet and transfer them to casinos of your choice. There’s no need to share debit card information with the casino as all transactions are made through your secure PayPal account.
- Play+ Prepaid Card:Many top US online casinos issue their own prepaid card for gambling purposes. Apply for a branded Play+ card and load it with funds to use on your favorite slots and casino games. Best of all, it gets around the problem of declined debit card payments: a major issue at even some regulated gambling sites. You can also make withdrawals using your Play+ card. Visit a participating ATM and withdraw cash any time of day.
- NETELLER:NETELLER is another established e-wallet that was set up with online gambling in mind. With a single digital NETELLER wallet, you can store USD and transfer funds to real money online casinos. Fees are generally low and you’ll never have to divulge your private card details to the casino.
- ACH/e-check:An e-check provider such as VIP Preferred is a safe way of transferring cash direct from your checking account. Make transactions at the best US online casinos and leave the debit cards in your wallet.
- Online Bank Transfer:Online bank transfers are also a safe way of moving cash to and from your casino account. As long as you have the casino’s bank details, you can log into your own online bank account and make a payment instantly.
Other Payment Options at US Online Casinos
There are a few good alternative payment methods to use at the top real-money online casinos. Some rely on cash in person, which can be a great option if you don’t want to pay online.
Some casinos let you pay in person at the cage. That’s great if you live close to the partner casino. Just rock up and make a cash deposit at the casino cage. Your funds will be deposited into your online gambling account within 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can make cash payments at your local 7-Eleven by using PayNearMe. Deposit up to $500 in cash and provide your online casino account details. It’s as easy as that.
Top Games at Online Casinos in the US
The best online casinos spread an eye-watering range of games. The variety is oftentimes much wider than you’ll find at a brick-and-mortar casino too. In addition, minimum stakes can be very low, as little as $0.01 a spin.
But there’s still enough action for the high rollers. Many of the best online casinos in the USA will offer VIP rooms where you can play for up to $5,000 a hand.
Online Slots
Slots dominate the lobbies at real money online casinos. You’re bound to find way more online slots at casinos than any other game. Choose from classic 3-reel slots like you’ll find in your nearest casino, or test your mettle on the big-money progressives. In between, there are the latest branded games from NetEnt, High 5 Games or SG Gaming that are filled with bonus features and great graphics.
Jackpot Slots
Any self-respecting online casino in the USA will have at least a few progressive jackpot slots. Progressives are linked jackpots that increase the longer they go unclaimed. Jackpots can be triggered at random or by playing a special bonus game. In some cases, progressive jackpots can eclipse the million-dollar mark.
Blackjack
Online blackjack looks and feels like the real-life casino favorite: try to reach 21 without going bust and beat the dealer’s total in the process. You can win 3/2 for a natural blackjack too. Plus, many top online casinos spread interesting blackjack variants with side bets and special rules.
Roulette
Online roulette is easy to play and most of the big game developers provide at least one variant. Try familiar American Roulette with its 00 pocket or go for a lower house edge in European Roulette and French Roulette. The beauty of online roulette is that you can play at very low stakes – perfect for the casual gambler.
Video Poker
Most of the video poker games at USA casinos are provided by IGT. Select your stake and get dealt five cards. It’s up to you to hold or change cards to try to make the best 5-card poker hand. The better your hand, the more you win. You can even bag a jackpot by hitting a Royal Flush when playing the maximum stake.
Baccarat
Baccarat is easy to play and offers one of the lowest house edges around. Bet on which hand — the Banker or Player — will have the highest hand total closest to 9. You can also win on the Tie. Baccarat is offered in computerized and live dealer forms.
Craps
Craps is known across US casinos for its party atmosphere and big gambling action. Online, you get to be the shooter and roll the dice to determine the Point. Then, bet on which numbers will be rolled next. You can even play in Demo Mode to get accustomed to the rules first.
Novelty Games
Most online casinos offer a selection of alternative games. Keno is the casino favorite that pays out when you match as many numbers as possible. Also, look out for instant-win "scratchers" and fast bingo games where you can win a jackpot for filling the full house.
Casino Bonuses to Look For
The best real money casinos will offer a steady stream of bonuses and promotions. Start off with a welcome bonus, then follow up with a reload bonus, bonus spins or VIP program. The top gambling sites will keep you up to date with the latest deals so you don’t miss a thing.
Welcome Bonus
A welcome bonus is reserved for new signups and tends to be the biggest deal in town. Just open your account and make an initial deposit to claim the promotion.
The casino will match your deposit with bonus funds which you can use on eligible video slots and table games. You can unlock any winnings – plus the bonus cash itself – as long as you meet the casino’s wagering requirements.
Free Spins Bonus
Many welcome bonuses at online casino websites include free spins on slots. Use your free slot spins on a nominated slot and claim your winnings as long as you meet the wagering terms. Free spins are normally given at set stakes, so the total you can claim can be fairly small.
No-Deposit Bonus
Some US online casinos award a little free-play cash for you to use before you make a deposit. Use your free cash on eligible games of your choice and wager your winnings a few times over before releasing them.
Reload Deposit Bonus
A reload bonus normally follows an initial welcome bonus. It guarantees a deposit match of around 25–50%, and the maximum deposit amount will be limited. However, if you’re experienced in working off deposit match bonuses these deals are recommended.
Loyalty/Reward Programs
All good online casinos will run some sort of loyalty scheme. You accrue player points every time you gamble on slots and table games. The more points you earn, the higher up the loyalty ladder you can climb.
You can also redeem points for cash or enjoy benefits such as faster cashout times. You may also be able to get access to a personal manager who can award bespoke promotions.
Understanding Playthrough Requirements
Most casino bonuses will feature some sort of wagering requirements. These are the conditions you must meet in order to unlock any bonus cash plus your winnings.
For example, imagine a casino is offering a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,000 with a 50x wagering requirement. That means the casino will match your $1,000 with $1,000 in bonus funds. To unlock your free $1,000 plus winnings, you must first gamble $50,000 (50 x $1,000).
In addition, casinos will apply eligibility rates to certain games. For instance, slots may contribute 100%, while table games and video poker may only contribute 20%. You need to factor this in when deciding which games to play.
Online Casino vs. Land Based Casinos
The US now boasts the best in online casino betting and land-based casinos. However, only a handful of states offer both. So, which should you go for and what the benefits of land-based casinos vs online casinos?
Land Based Casino vs. Online Casinos: Pros and Cons
A big debate looms over which is better: land based or online casinos? The answer is subjective; however, its safe to say, online casinos are taking the lead.
Land Based Casinos
| Pros | Cons |
| Very sociable experience | Many allow smoking |
| Onsite restaurants & bars | Lower RTP on all games (average 85%) |
| Shows & live performances |
Online Casinos
| Pros | Cons |
| Great bonuses and promotions | Lacks the real-life casino setting |
| Larger game selection | Can feel like a solitary experience |
| Higher RTP on all games (average 95%) | |
| You can play anywhere |
Play At the Top Online Casinos in the US Now
You can get started right away with the best online casinos in 2021. Access legal and regulated casino sites in multiple US states and play slots, roulette and blackjack games. You can even claim a welcome bonus plus slot free spins when you open your account.
States With Legal Online Casinos
Online casinos are now perfectly legal in many US states. Some states even offer a mix of legalized online sports betting and poker alongside casino games. Remember, you can join up with regulated online casinos anywhere in the USA. However, you will have to be located within those states to be able to log in and play games for real money.
Michigan
Michigan joined the party with legalized online casino gambling back in 2019. In one fell swoop, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put pen to paper on blanket gaming laws regulating casino games, poker and sports betting. Some of the biggest casino players are already making inroads into the regulated market in MI.
New Jersey
New Jersey was the first US state to legalize online casino games. The home of Atlantic City now boasts some of the best internet gaming anywhere in the US. Join up with major players such as Golden Nugget and Borgata and make deposits in person at partner casinos in AC.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania legalized casino gambling back in 2017. It’s now legal to log on to a licensed PA casino and play slots and table games. Plus, many of the state’s biggest gambling players such as BetMGM, Caesars and Unibet are open for business.
West Virginia
West Virginia officially started regulating online casino sites in 2019. At the same time, WV legalized sports betting and online poker. Some of America’s largest operators wasted no time in opening online casinos, including BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel.
Delaware
Delaware was one of the first US states to legalize online casino games. However, since Delaware passed its first laws in 2013, the industry had been slow to move on. Most of the state’s regulated gambling sites are run by the same operator – 888.
US Casino Regulation
The USA still has no federal law legalizing online casino gaming, so it’s come down to individual states to pass their own laws. New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware were the early pioneers back in 2013 with a mix of online poker and casino games. Since then, several other states have joined the party.
While individual state laws differ slightly in regards to casinos, there are some clear similarities. Online casinos must be partnered with an existing brick-and-mortar casino or racino, if one exists. Plus, gamblers must be aged 21 or over to open an account and be physically located within the licensing state.
Under each state gaming law, gaming commissions or state lotteries are responsible for issuing licenses and ensuring due diligence.
References
Casino News and Strategy Articles
Casino Knowledge Articles
Popular Casino Software
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.
FAQ
What is the best online casino in the United States?
You can now play casino games at dozens of great legal online casinos in the US. The best gambling sites such as BetMGM, Golden Nugget and BetRivers offer hundreds of slots and provenly fair table games.
What states allow online casinos?
There are around half a dozen US states which have legalized online casino gambling. New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia offer great legal casino sites boasting slots, table games and big promotions.
Can I play real money casino apps in the US?
Yes! Download a native app direct from the App Store or Google Play Store and start playing regulated mobile slots or table games. You can also make deposits using your own mobile phone bill.
How do I know if a US casino online is safe?
Real-money casinos in the US must be licensed by an approved gaming commission. They will audit slots and games and encrypt data with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) technology.
What is the best casino game for new players?
New players should start by playing easy-to-learn games with a low house edge, such as European Roulette and blackjack.
Casino News and Strategy Articles
Contributors
Hi, I'm Ron Fritz
"Three decades covering online gaming, news and sports. My expertise is government and legislation, breaking down the latest online gambling industry developments to keep you in the know."
- Gambling legislation
- Online casinos
- Gambling industry
Reviewer since July 2019