Real Money Online Casinos
If you’re looking for the best legal real money online casinos in the USA, you’re on the right page! There are now 6 states with fully licensed online casinos for real money – New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, and Connecticut – and more could join them soon! These gambling sites offer classic real money casino games, including slots, roulette, blackjack, poker, and more. Most will even throw in a generous casino welcome bonus to get you started! Ready to play for real money in a safe and legal environment? Check out our recommended US online casinos list below, filtered by state.
US online casinos for real money - our top picks!
Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ years of age or older to wager. MI, NJ, PA or WV only. Excludes Michigan Disassociated Persons. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Problem? 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA & WV).
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LICENSED & VERIFIED | REVIEWED BY CASINO EXPERTS | 21+ | T&Cs APPLY | PLAY RESPONSIBLY
LICENSED & VERIFIED | REVIEWED BY CASINO EXPERTS | 21+ |T&C APPLIES | PLAY RESPONSIBLY
LICENSED & VERIFIED | REVIEWED BY CASINO EXPERTS | 21+ |T&C APPLIES | PLAY RESPONSIBLY
LICENSED & VERIFIED | REVIEWED BY CASINO EXPERTS | 21+ |T&Cs APPLY | PLAY RESPONSIBLY
LICENSED & VERIFIED | REVIEWED BY CASINO EXPERTS | 21+ |T&C APPLIES | PLAY RESPONSIBLY
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How did we select our list of real money online casinos?
We selected our list of the top online casinos for real money in the US by carefully considering several factors. The 6 most important aspects were:
At Casinosformoney.com, we believe that player safety and security is paramount. That’s why we only recommend online real money casinos which have a license to operate in your state. These casinos offer the best protections for player funds, as well as secure websites and apps.
One advantage of only choosing legal real money casinos is that they have access to the best game developers. These include NetEnt, Playtech, and Evolution Gaming. We carefully examine each online casino‘s lobby for the widest selection of slots, table, and live dealer games.
Another huge advantage of playing at legal real money casinos is that generous welcome bonuses are usually available. We have done the hard work of checking out which of these online casino bonuses are the most valuable, once all the various conditions are factored in.
We believe that the online casino experience deserves to run as smoothly on your smartphone or tablet as it does on your desktop. We test each of the real money operators in your state for the speed and user experience of their mobile-responsive sites and apps.
One of the most important aspects of playing at a real money casino are the provider’s deposit and withdrawal options. We check each US legal casino for it’s banking methods, as well as their withdrawal times.
When you need support, the best real money casinos will be there to help you swiftly and efficiently. We rate each online casino for their contact methods (email, live chat, phone, and social media) as well as how fast they respond.
Online casinos for real money in the USA – a brief legal history
The legal history of internet casinos in the US goes back 60 years – before the internet was even invented.
Bobby Kennedy’s 1961 Interstate Wire Act aimed to stop the gambling profits of organized crime groups such as the Mafia.
The Wire Act specifically made it illegal to transmit wagers across state and national borders – including by phone or telegraph.
A ruling by the US Court of Appeals stated that the Wire Act “in plain language does not prohibit Internet gambling on a game of chance“.
This decision kickstarted the online casino industry in the US, leading to the rapid rise of sites like Party Gaming. But the party didn’t last very long…
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act cracked down on all forms of internet gambling within the US, including casino games and poker.
The act included prison time for promoting internet gambling, and scared off the majority of poker and casino sites from accepting US players.
Barack Obama’s Department of Justice (DoJ) stated that they would no longer seek criminal charges against online casino players, since the 1961 Wire Act only covered sports betting.
This decision led directly to the legalization of real money online casinos in NJ and DE in 2013.
Trump’s DoJ dramatically reversed its ruling from 2011, and took the position that the Wire Act did apply to online casinos as well as online sports betting.
But by this stage, Pennsylvania and Nevada had joined NJ and DE in legalizing online gambling, and weren’t going to give up the fight that easily.
Yet another legal twist in America’s battle for real money casinos. The Court of Appeal ruled against the DoJ’s 2019 decision that the Wire Act covered online casinos.
But would the Department of Justice appeal against the appeal?
The DoJ allowed the deadline for any appeal to this decision to lapse.
Finally, after 60 years of legal tussles, there was no federal law that prohibited online casinos in the US.
Now states were free to decide the legal situation of online casinos.
Which states currently allow legal online casinos?
As of 2021, seven states have legalized some form of online gambling in the US, with 6 of them allowing a full set of real money online casino games.
New Jersey online casinos were the first to be legalized – and the state’s real money niche is the largest by market size. The Garden State has of course been a gambling mecca for decades thanks to the resort town of Atlantic City and it’s iconic boardwalk. It’s great to see that it has fully embraced the legal online gambling trend.
Pennsylvania’s real money casino market is second in size to New Jersey’s. The Keystone State is fast catching up, however, thanks to large metro areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania’s strategic position stretching from the I-95 corridor to the shores of Lake Erie attracts many out of state patrons in search of legal online casino action.
The Michigan online casino market boasts all of the big gambling names, as legal real money operators are attracted by the significant potential of the Great Lakes State. The Detroit Metro area is home to some of the most recognized land-based casinos in the US, and Michigan residents have enjoyed gambling online since Christmas 2019.
West Virginia is the smallest state to have legalized online gambling so far, but the residents of the Appalachians have taken to real money casinos in a big way. Four land-based racinos (as well as one resort hotel owned by Gov. Justice) can each award 3 skins to online casino providers to operate in the Mountain State.
Connecticut is the most recent state to have legalized real money online casino gambling in the US, with both sportsbook and casino going live in October 2021. It already seems to be popular among Connecticut online gambling fans, as well as New Yorkers who cross the state line to place a wager on the web. Right now, only FanDuel (through a Mohegan tribal skin) and DraftKings are allowed to offer online casino in CT.
There are currently 3 licensed online casinos in Delaware, all of which are tied to the 3 racinos in the state: Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway. In a rather unusual arrangement, these 3 legal real money casinos are all operated by the same partnership of 888 and Scientific Games (owner of Bally and WMS). Unfortunately, that means a narrower range of slot and table games for residents of the Diamond State.
The other state to have legalized some form of real money online gaming is Nevada, but only online poker is currently legal in this state. There are proposals from the Nevada Gambling Control Board (NGCB) to expand the online vertical to slots, tables games, and sports betting. Predictably, these proposals face opposition from the land-based casinos operating out of Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City. It will be interesting to see how that pans out in 2022.
How do I sign up at a US online casino?
As we just saw, legal real money casinos are quite new to the US – and many customers don’t know to sign up with them. But don’t worry – our 6-step guide will help you join any real money operator with ease. Please take into account that every casino is unique, so some steps might be slightly different.
First, check out our list of the best online casino sites. Choose the one with the best bonus offer and decent choice of games, and click the PLAY NOW button to go to the site.
You will then be taken to a simple page to sign up with the real money casino. This page comes with a special tracking code that will make sure that you receive the correct bonus.
Then you will complete your registration details, including unique identifying information about yourself. This may include your email, username, password, and SSN number.
If you are lucky enough to find a real money online casino with a no deposit bonus, this is the stage where you will receive it. It’s a small sum of money and/or free spins, just for signing up.
For a more generous online casino welcome bonus, you make your first deposit. This will be matched by the real money site to a certain percentage, up to a certain amount.
Once your first deposit is credited to your account, you can then enjoy all the benefits of real money casino games. Choose from slots, roulette, blackjack, and more!
Real money casino bonuses at legal US gambling sites
The best part of joining online casinos are the bonuses! Here are some of the main kinds of bonus offers available to US casino fans.
Real money welcome bonuses
Every licensed US online casino in our list above offers lucrative matched bonuses when you make a first deposit. For example, a 100% matched welcome bonus up to $500 would mean that if you deposit $100, the real money casino would match it with another $100. If you deposit $500, they will match it with another $500. Sounds like fun? You bet it is!
Online casino free spins
Another popular offer at many online casinos is to offer new customers a few free spins on a game they would like to promote. You will often find these free spins offers alongside the welcome bonuses. This bonus is an excellent way to discover a new slot game you haven’t tried yet, and pays out real money to US players when they win.
Real money no deposit bonus
It is the dream of many bonus hunters to find a legal online casino that actually lets you win real money after receiving a no deposit promotion. And yes – a few do exist. Just keep in mind that these bonuses tend to be small in size ($20 is a typical amount), and come with heavy wagering requirements. But let’s face it – you can’t really lose with no deposit promos.
Promo code bonuses
Some online casinos promote their brand using promo codes. These are strings of characters that the customer enters during the registration process, to unlock their bonus. Such codes are pretty common on ecommerce sites, so it’s good to see them used by casinos. A weird fact about promo codes is that customers enjoy using them more than the actual gifts!
Which real money games can I play at a legal US online casino?
The recent changes to the legal landscape in the US means that licensed online casinos can offer a wide range of games in their lobbies – and all can be played for real money! Below are 3 of the most popular.
Real money online slots
Slot games are one of the mainstays of brick-and-mortar casinos – and the same is true of online casinos too. These fun games suit gamblers of any experience level, and can be played for real money at all the casinos above,
Online blackjack for real money
Blackjack is one of the most popular card games, as it balances skill, luck, and one of the lowest house edges. At US online casinos, you can play several versions of the game of 21 for real money, including live dealer blackjack.
Online roulette for real money
Playing roulette online is just as much fun as in a land-based casino. At the recommended legal casinos on our list you can play this glamorous game for real money in several modes, including live roulette with a dealer.
Online casino banking methods in the US
The best real money casinos want to make it easy for you to deposit and withdraw funds. Here are some of the more common methods.
The most popular options for US casino customers are:
• PayPal
• Credit Cards (VISA, MasterCard, Amex)
• Debit Cards
• Other e-Wallets such as Skrill
• Bank Transfers
• Cash at Cage (at a land-based venue that is linked to the online casino)
Some of the more popular withdrawal options for US real money online casino fans include:
• Bank Transfer
• Checks
• Cash at Cage
*Please note that withdrawals need to be reviewed and approved by the casino of your choice, which can lead to delays of around 48 hours.
It is important to note that every casino will accept different banking methods, as well as minimum and maximum deposit limits. We recommend to read our detailed reviews of each real money casino before choosing!
Why you should avoid unlicensed online casinos
Here at Casinosformoney.com, we are well aware that there are plenty of unlicensed, off-shore casinos that offer real money games, and who target players in the US. Why should you avoid these operators? There are several good reasons why you need to keep away from them…
Problems in withdrawals
If you are looking to play at a real money casino, it’s safe to assume that at some point, you intend to withdraw your money. But illegal casinos don’t always make it easy for players to take their money out.
We have heard of cases where some casinos have difficulty paying out player funds in a timely manner – or even refusing to pay at all!
This may be due to problems that these unlicensed casinos have with their banking partners, or it could just mean that they are lawbreakers. We advise you to avoid these kinds of operators and stick to the licensed real money casinos above.
Misleading bonus information
The best legal real money casinos in the US have no reason to hide their bonus terms and conditions from you.
But that isn’t always the case with unlicensed casinos who have been blacklisted by State and Federal authorities. In our experience, many of these sites do not make it clear that each bonus has some set of wagering requirements and expiry date applied to it.
When you choose to play at a casino that is illegal in the USA, you risk forfeiting your bonus funds thanks to unclear and hard-to-find information. And no state or federal authority will be there to fight your corner!
Zero concern for responsible gambling
Every state of the US that has legalized online gambling has set in place a strict set of regulations with regards to responsible gambling.
These include the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, and Michigan Gambling Control Board. On a federal level, the National Council on Problem Gambling offers counseling, treatment, self-help, and support groups.
But when we visit the websites of illegal casinos – there is no reference to any of these organizations – and indeed, very little encouragement for customers to play responsibly.
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Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ years of age or older to wager. MI, NJ, PA or WV only. Excludes Michigan Disassociated Persons. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Problem? 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA & WV).
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Your Questions Answered
The future of real money online casinos in the US
The licensed online casino market in the USA has grown in a fairly steady manner since it was legalized on a federal level.
That said, it has lagged behind sports betting, with 13 states legalizing sportsbooks, and only 4 of those also giving the green light to real money online casinos at the present time.
However, we suspect that this will change in the next couple of years, once states see the seasonal nature of sports betting. After all, online casinos produce tax revenues even when there is no NHL or MLB on the calendar.
We certainly hope this will be the case, as we believe that all American citizens deserve the right to play online casino games for real money in a safe and regulated manner.