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Real Money New USA Online Casinos 2020. Online gambling is one of the phenomena that took the whole world by storm. Having spread like wildfire since the first website offering online slots appeared, given the technological appetite of United States citizens, combined with the history of renowned gambling places, it was found that a sudden growth of casinos online in the US to happen. Get ready to play at the best online casinos that payout real money. These trusted sites all have valuable bonuses and stunning game selections. This page looks at how they stack up. Online United States Casinos reviews hundreds of gambling sites to find the best online casinos for US players.We match you with the perfect fit, so you have the best player experience.
After many years in a holding pattern, the United States online casino business began taking big strides starting in 2019.
Once synonymous with New Jersey, the US online casino market has started including new states in recent years. Pennsylvania joined the club in July 2019, followed by West Virginia the following year, and Michigan to come soon.
Best online casinos in the US 2020
The states where you can play online casino games for real money are fairly limited now. There are also sweepstakes casinos that operate in a variety of states around the country that are different from the legal online casinos that you will find in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and eventually Michigan.
Here’s a look at some of the best online casinos in the US:
Expect to see new brands arriving in the near future, too. There are numerous large European operators like Betwaythat have been eyeing the US but have yet to enter the market. For these, it’s probably only a matter of time.
Where can you play legal online casino games in the US?
The list of states with legal online casinos is relatively small currently, but it involves some pretty significant ones:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Delaware
- West Virginia
- Michigan (pending launch)
There are additionally some states with instant online lotteries that somewhat resemble slots. Pennsylvania and Michigan have both iLotteries and online casinos. States which lack conventional online casinos but do have online instant lotteries include:
- Georgia iLottery
- Illinois iLottery
- Kentucky iLottery
- Rhode Island iLottery
- Virginia iLottery
New Jersey online casinos
The first NJ online casinos launched in 2013, and the industry has been growing at a steady clip ever since.
This is easily the best place to play online casino games in the country, with a robust set of choices for gamblers that includes about two dozen online casinos, a number that will continue to grow. Those casinos include extensive game libraries of slots and table games, even including live dealer games that simulate being in a physical casino.
The biggest online casinos in the state are Borgata online casino / BetMGM Casino and the Golden Nugget online casino. Borgata is believed to be the single biggest casino in terms of revenue and wagers taken, while the casinos that operate under the Golden Nugget license generate the most revenue on a monthly basis. (All online casino licenses are tied to land-based partners.)
The 2020 pandemic accelerated an industry that was already growing at a brisk pace, to the point that we may soon see $1 billion in operator revenue per year just from online casinos.
Pennsylvania online casinos
The third state to legalize online casinos, PA got in the game as part of sweeping gaming expansion legislation passed in 2017. PA online casinos launched in 2019.
There are already about a dozen online casinos live in the state, giving customers a fairly robust selection to choose from.
Licenses in the state, like New Jersey, are tied to land-based casinos in Pennsylvania.
Michigan online casinos
Michigan online casinos were legalized in 2019, but are not yet live. They could go live in late 2020 or early 2021.
The state legalized online gambling (including casinos) and sports betting for both commercial casinos and tribal casinos, meaning we could see perhaps dozens of online gambling options in the state.
Delaware online casinos
Delaware was actually the first state to legalize online casinos. But it is a relatively small industry in the state, as it is a monopoly run by the lottery in conjunction with 888.
West Virginia online casinos
West Virginia online casinos began launching earlier than expected, in mid-2020. DraftKings Casino was the first, followed by BetMGM less than two months later. The state may eventually support up to 15.
States that could have online casinos in the near future
There is no state that is imminently legalizing online casino games. But several are at least prospects to do so.
Despite the success of online casino gambling — especially as the 2020 pandemic shut down and limited revenue from land-based casinos — it has been relatively slow to expand. But as the world and gambling companies moves increasingly toward online operations, that is poised to change. US gaming giants like MGM Resorts, Caesars, Penn National Gaming and Boyd Gaming all have varying but serious intentions to make more from online gambling.
Here’s a look at places that might legalize forms of online casino games:
Nevada online casinos
The state already has online poker and mobile sports betting. So it’s not a reach to think online casinos could someday come to the birthplace of legalized gambling in the US.
But it’s more complicated than that. Many of the land-based casinos in the state want nothing to do with online, even though some of the largest companies are pursuing it around the country.
Nevada also still has antiquated regulations on the books requiring online sports betting accounts to be created at a physical sportsbook.
Illinois online casinos
Illinois is the only state on this list that has seriously advanced a bill; legislation that would have allowed Illinois online casinos passed the Senate in 2017. But the issue has not come up since.
The state now has legal online sportsbooks, so the thought that it could take another run at legalizing online casinos at least seems feasible.
Indiana online casinos
Chatter about Indiana online casinos becoming legalized began in 2020. How likely that is is in the eye of the beholder.
But like Illinois, Indiana has a fully open online sports betting industry. The success of markets that have both casino and sports betting (NJ and PA) should start telling a compelling narrative for states like Indiana.
Connecticut online casinos
The state’s tribes have been saying for several years that they want online gambling. But disputes with the state and other gambling interests have held up the legalization of Connecticut online casinos.
Like all states, finding new sources of revenue can be a compelling idea, meaning online casinos in the state will have a shot at passing in the coming years.
Massachusetts online casinos
The commonwealth has been eyeing sports betting and other forms of online gambling for years. It is the home of DraftKings, and that very large online gambling company has been trying to push online casinos over the finish line in recent years.
Every year brings new hope of Massachusetts online casinos and sports betting, but that hope has never been rewarded with action.
Getting started at online casinos in the US
Getting started at an online casino is fairly easy, and generally consists of the same steps no matter what legal casino you are signing up for.
Choosing between desktop and mobile play
Most legal US casinos have both a desktop version you can play in browser, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. You don’t have to stick to just one or the other, but for purposes of signing up, you’ll have to pick one to start with. You can use the same account from every available platform, however.
The advantage of mobile play is that it’s a single download and you can play on the go. Many also have a sportsbook integrated into the same app. The downside is that not every game is ideally suited to a small screen. Simple games like single-reel slots, video poker and blackjack work great on a phone, but for roulette, craps or more complex slots, you might have a better experience on a tablet or desktop. You can find more information on our page of the best real money casino apps for 2020.
On the other hand, playing in your desktop or laptop browser means you have a big screen and don’t need to download the casino software itself. The most obvious downside is having to be at your desk. However, there’s an additional issue, in that you’ll have to download the GeoGuard browser plug-in so that the operator can verify your location.
Fortunately, this is easy, and you’ll be directed to do it during the sign-up process. It’s also the same plug-in for every operator, so once you’ve done it for one online casino, you’re good for all of them!
Downloading an online casino app
Assuming you’re going with a mobile casino app, the process is a little bit different depending on whether you’re using iOS or Android.
Downloading an iOS casino app: Clicking one of our Play Now links or visiting the operator’s download page on iOS will take you to the App Store. From there, it’s no different than downloading any other app. Just tap the “GET” button and confirm with your password or Touch ID.
Downloading an Android casino app: Unfortunately, Google does not allow gambling apps in its store, even legal ones. However, our Play Now links or the operator’s download page will prompt you to download directly. You may need to authorize your device to download apps from “unknown sources.” You’ll find this option under “Security” in the Settings menu.
Signing up for a casino in your browser
For most casinos, you should only be playing in your browser on a desktop or laptop computer, and using a downloadable app for mobile.
If you click on one of our Play Now links, you’ll be taken directly to the casino’s page for new players. Just follow the directions on screen and you should have no problems. You will, however, have to download the GeoGuard plug-in at some point during signup if you don’t have it already.
Registering an online casino account
The next step? Getting your account started.
This involves giving the online casino a number of pieces of information, likely including:
- Name
- Address
- Birth date
- Last four digits of your Social Security number
All of that information is used to verify that you are who you say you are, and that you are of legal gambling age (21).
While you can do all of the above anywhere in the US, you will have to be physically located within the state in order to actually gamble online.
How to deposit at US online casinos
Depending on the state and the individual online casino, you have one of several options:
- ACH transfers: This is generally the easiest way to get money to an online casino Writing an e-check via ACH typically requires three-plus days for funds to clear. Casinos get around this by using a third party (for example, VIP preferred). You go through a simple verification process, then you can instantly transfer money using e-checks.
- Bill pay and bank transfer: Sometimes you can link your bank directly to your online casino account. Note that some banks don’t accept online gambling transactions, whether they occur at legal casinos or not.
- PayPal: The well-known online wallet facilitates online transactions for many online casinos.
- Credit and debit cards: Most online casinos take card transactions for Visa and Mastercard. However, if the underlying bank doesn’t accept online gambling transactions, you will get declined. The options above are usually better.
- Deposit at the casino cashier: Some casinos allow you to hand over cash at the related physical casino.
- PayNearMe: A popular method for moving money around tied to 7-Eleven stores in states.
Legal online casinos vs. offshore gambling sites
There is a big difference between the legal and regulated online casinos in the United States and the variety of offshore sites that serve the US.
Here’s a top-level look at the differences:
- Legality: Offshore online casinos operate in violation of both federal and state gambling laws. There is some disagreement on whether it’s legal to place bets offshore, but you are probably not going to jail if you wager offshore. Still, by using offshore online casinos, you are supporting businesses that are not cleared to do business in the country.
- Safety: With legal online casinos, state governments, regulators and casinos based in the US are in charge of the online casinos. As such, you can be assured that your money is safe and secure with any legal online casino. Because of the legality issue above, there’s no such guarantee that your money is safe at offshore sites. Look no further than the shutdown of several online poker sites in 2011 — causing many poker players to lose a lot of money — when the US cracked down on operators serving Americans.
How can you tell the difference between offshore and legal US online casinos?
Don’t take operators at their word when they claim to be legal, since the offshore sites all claim they’re doing nothing wrong. Many review sites are the same, and may even have “legal” in their name while advertising illegal sites. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to tell the difference between a truly legal site, and an offshore operator making false claims:
- A regulated online casino will feature a “.com” URL. Most offshore sites will feature a different designation at the end of its domain, since .com domains can be seized by the Department of Justice. Sites that feature .lv, .ag and .eu are offshore sites and should be avoided.
- Regulated sites have apps in the App Store. If you’re an iOS user, the surest indicator of a legal casino is that you can download it from Apple’s App Store. Unfortunately, no gambling apps are permitted in the Google Play Store, even legal ones, so you’ll have to download these from the operator and verify their legality other ways.
- You’ll see the name and logo of the state gaming regulator on the site or app. You’ll usually find these at the bottom of the page. Online casinos are regulated on a state-by-state basis, so the regulator should include the name of your state (e.g. “Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board” or “New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement”). Regulators based in foreign countries like Costa Rica or Antigua may not be reputable and have no legitimacy in the US either way, so stay away from the casinos they regulate.
- No Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency. Legal US casinos use US dollars as their sole currency. Thus, any site you see advertising alternative currencies is an offshore. This is especially true for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. The anonymity and lack of legal protection in cryptocurrency transactions makes them unsafe for the casino user and also increases the risk of an online casino being used for money laundering purposes.
What real money online casino games can you play in the US?
You can play just about anything that you would find at a physical casino at online casinos. Almost all online casinos will offer you at least the following:
Slots
Most online casinos put their slots products front and center like their land-based counterparts. They also tend to have a large variety of slots titles on offer, ranging from a few dozen up to 700 or more for the largest and longest-running casinos.
Since you’re playing on a screen anyway, video slots are a natural fit for online casinos. These multi-reel games typically feature fun sounds and animations, various types of bonus symbols and many ways to win, sometimes including bonus rounds.
Depending on where you’re playing, however, you may also be able to find digital reproductions of classic mechanical-reel stepper slots. These single-reel machines are simpler and easier to understand, a good choice for beginners and traditionalists.
Either type of slot can come with fixed pay tables, single-game progressive jackpots, or linked jackpots spanning multiple titles on the same site.
Blackjack
Blackjack is a favorite at the brick-and-mortar casinos, and one of the games which converts most readily to a digital environment. With only a few cards on the table and a few options at a time, it works great even on the smallest mobile screens.
Virtually every online casino offers at least a few blackjack titles. The only exceptions are when a new operator launches with only a handful of slots and no other games. Even in those cases, you’ll see blackjack appear within a matter of weeks, as it’s a high priority.
Typically, online blackjack is played with continuous shuffling. Different versions of blackjack on the same online casino site may have slightly different rules, but in many cases, there are only cosmetic differences between them.
Roulette
Along with blackjack, roulette is one of the two staple table games that no casino would be complete without. It also converts very well to a digital experience. Placing bets can be a bit fiddly on a smartphone, due to the number of options and tiny screen. On tablet or desktop you’ll be just fine, however.
One nice thing about playing roulette online rather than in a casino is that you’ll usually find European Roulette on offer. If you’re not familiar, this means there’s only a single 0 on the wheel, and no 00. That decreases the house edge from 5.3% to just 2.7%, which means better odds for you. Aside from this, the differences between one roulette prodcut and another are mostly cosmetic.
Video poker
Video poker is another casino classic that fits seamlessly into an online casino environment. Receive five cards, pick some to discard and replace, and try to make the best hand you can. It’s a simple game, and fits tidily onto even small screens, at least if you’re playing a single-hand version. The graphics can get pretty small if you’re playing a multi-hand variant, however.
One thing to realize about video poker, wherever you’re playing, is that getting a good return is contingent on knowing the right strategy. It can be one of the most generous casino games if played correctly, but mistakes can be costly. Fortunately, there are ample resources available online to teach you the best way to approach whatever version you choose.
Other games
Some casinos also offer additional types of product. Games that you’ll find at some but not all online casinos include:
- Craps
- Baccarat
- Casino poker (three-card poker, etc.)
- Virtual sports
- Bingo, Slingo, Keno, etc.
- Live dealer games (see below)
- Other miscellaneous games
You can also play online poker in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Delaware, and soon in Michigan.
Types of bonuses available for US players
Although online casinos differ in their software and game selection, possibly the biggest difference between one casino and another is what sorts of bonuses and promotions it offers. If you want to get the best value for your dollars, you’ll want to find a casino whose bonuses are a good fit for your budget and play style.
If you visit a casino’s review page on our site, you’ll find a detailed explanation of the bonuses it offers. There are several different categories of bonuses to consider.
No deposit signup bonuses
Possibly the most appealing bonus is the online casino no deposit bonus offer. Not every casino has one, but many do, usually somewhere in the $25 to $50 range. This might be strings-free cash, bonus money that has to be cleared by wagering it, or credit for specific types of games. Some casinos will let you play with your signup bonus money right away, but require a real money deposit before you can withdraw it.
Risk free play
Another common bonus for new players is a period of risk free play. There will typically be both a time and a dollar limit on this. For instance, a casino might offer to cover your losses up to $200 for the first 48 hours. Thus, if your account balance after 48 hours was $100 less than it began, you would be reimbursed that amount to bring you back up to where you started.
First deposit bonuses
It has become very common in the legal US casino market for sites to offer a 100% match on first deposits. The maximum for this is typically between $250 and $1500.
You’ll be able to be able to bet with the money immediately, but must clear it by wagering a certain amount before it can be withdrawn. The clearance requirements are typically a multiple of the bonus amount, and depend on both the operator and game type.
Reload bonuses
Reload bonuses are the same as first deposit bonuses, but for subsequent deposits. They are less common than first deposit bonuses. They may also have a smaller maximum, a lower percentage match, or be limited time offers.
Loyalty programs
Loyalty programs, also called rewards programs, vary from operator to operator. For online operators which also own land-based casinos, the same loyalty program may apply to both.
There’s considerable variety with these programs, but in general, the way they work is that you earn points by playing, which can be redeemed for rewards. These could be cash bonuses, branded products, hotel stays, restaurant meals, show tickets, etc.
Special offers
Many operators also have various limited-time or periodic promotions and offers. These could be anything from a slots tournament to a game of the week or a limited-time holiday offer.
Depending on how long the offer is good for, it may not appear in third-party reviews such as those on our site. However, operators will have a Promotions page on their site and a similar section of the mobile app to list such offers.
Live dealer casino games
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Live dealer casino products have been available in New Jersey since 2016 and very recently in Pennsylvania. Michigan is expected to get them in early 2021.
Live dealer games are a hybrid experience, bringing a real human dealer to your home or mobile device via live stream. In the US, they’re supplied by Evolution Gaming or its former rival, now subsidiary Ezugi. These companies have studios in Philadelphia and at two Atlantic City casinos.
Blackjack and roulette are the two main live dealer products, though you will find some other games available. Loading a game and placing your bets works much the same as the purely digital versions of these games. However, instead of the result being randomly generated by the computer, you’ll get to watch a flesh-and-blood human shuffle and deal the cards or spin the roulette wheel in real time.
Compared to purely digital games, the main advantage of live dealer is that you get the social experience of interacting with the dealer and sometimes the other players. Although all legal casino games are verified to be fair and safe by the regulator, some players also prefer to be able to see the equipment rather than trusting a digital random number generator. Compared to the real casino experience, the advantages of live dealer play are the convenience of playing when and where you want, and lower betting minimums than you’d see when playing in person.
Sweepstakes online casinos
There are only five states where full, real-money online casinos are legal at the moment. If you live in one of the other 45, all is not lost, however. You have another great option in the form of sweepstakes casinos like Chumba, Funzpoints, or LuckyLand, which let you play for real cash prizes, while not technically being real money sites.
These casinos work almost like the real-money ones, except for a few technicalities they employ to stay on the right side of the law.
Instead of depositing real money to these casinos, you purchase play money, often called “Gold Coins.” The key to sweepstakes casinos is that for every purchase of these play coins you make, you get rewarded with a certain number of “Sweeps Coins,” in proportion to the size of your purchase.
You can then gamble with either type of coin. Playing with Gold Coins is no different from a social casino, i.e. just for fun. However, Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for cash prizes, making them as good as real money from your point of view.
What makes all of this legal is that technically, no purchase is necessary to obtain Sweeps Coins. Each sweepstakes casino operator offers you the opportunity to obtain a tiny amount of Sweeps currency by requesting it in writing, by mail. The amount you’ll get that way isn’t worth the time or effort of sending a letter, but it’s good enough to make these casinos qualify as legal sweepstakes and not illegal gambling under the law.
Responsible gambling for online casino players
Legal online casinos are fun, convenient, and safe in terms of game integrity and security of funds. However, they carry unique risks in terms of the potential for problematic gambling habits, above and beyond gambling in person.
Losing a small amount every day or every week might feel different from losing the equivalent amount in a single visit to a brick-and-mortar casino. And yet, the impact on your bank account is the same either way. Even if you’re gambling an amount you’re comfortable losing, having a casino in your pocket can lead to you spending an increasing amount of time with it. If gambling is taking time away from other things you want to do, it might be time for a break.
Legal casinos are required to monitor their players for signs of problem gambling habits, and check in or intervene if there are too many red flags. However, it’s important that you be honest with yourself as well, and make sure you’re happy with the amount of time and money you’re spending on gambling.
If you’re not, then the good news is that help is available. Here are just some of the resources for problem gambling in the US.
- Nationally: Gamblers Anonymous (visit site for phone numbers) or National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700)
- Delaware: Delaware Council on Gambling Problems, Inc. (1-888-850-8888)
- Michigan: Michigan Association on Problem Gambling (1-800-270-7117)
- New Jersey: Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ (1-800-GAMBLER)
- Pennsylvania: Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania (1-800-GAMBLER)
- West Virginia: The Problem Gambler’s Help Network of West Virginia (1-800-GAMBLER)
Online casino frequently asked questions
Here are some common questions about online casinos in the US.
How old do I have to be to bet at online casinos?
The age to gamble online in all the states that have legalized online casinos is 21.
Can I bet at online casinos anywhere in the US if I started an account in a state where it is legal?
No, state laws mandate that you must be physically located in the state. Geolocation technology will verify where you are to a high degree of accuracy if you are on the border of a state with legal online casino gambling.
Do I have to pay taxes on my online casino winnings?
Yes. All gambling wins are taxable in the US. However, technically this is net winnings only over the course of the year. If you track your losses as well, you can deduct those from your winnings, though you can’t write off gambling losses against other taxes owing.
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For the most part, it’s up to you to track your net win or loss and pay taxes if you’re ahead at the end of the year. However, legal casinos are required by law to withhold taxes on any video poker or slot machine win of $1,200 or more. If you’ve lost some or all of that money back, you may be eligible for a refund when you file your return, assuming you track and report your losses.
Table games won’t usually withhold taxes unless you win a bet that pays 300-1 or more, and amounts to more than $600.
How big can the US online casino industry get?
That answer is depends entirely on how many states legalize it.
When New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan all reach maturity, there could be up to about $3 billion in annual gross gaming revenue generated by just those states. They account for less than 10% of the country’s population, so scaling up to all 50 states could mean $30 billion or more.
Realistically, however, some states are more likely to legalize than others, and we won’t see all 50 any time soon. For practical purposes, the biggest opportunities for growth are New York and California. Either would represent a massive increase in the size of the market.
Can I link my casino rewards account to my online casino account?
This is up to individual operators. However, as a general rule, retail casinos and casino chains usually extend their existing loyalty programs to whatever online products they offer. Conversely, companies that operate predominantly online tend to have their own loyalty programs, and don’t share them with their land-based partners.
Examples of rewards programs that combine both online and in-person play include:
- Caesars Total Rewards
- MGM M life Rewards
- Parx Xclub
There are exceptions, however. For instance, BetRivers has separate rewards programs for its physical and online casinos, called Rush Rewards and iRush Rewards respectively.
Who can I contact if I have a complaint or a question?
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For most complaints and questions, the best place to start it going to be the casino operator themselves. Check their website for a contact page, which will give you a form, an email or a phone number. Most operators also have a Twitter account, though the person running it can likely only answer very simple questions and may refer you back to the contact page.
If you can’t get a satisfactory response from the operator and you’re playing with a licensed, real money casino, then your next stop is your state’s regulator. Here is the relevant contact info depending on where you live:
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- Delaware State Lottery Office: Contact form or 302-739-5291
- Michigan Gaming Control Board:[email protected] or 313-456-4100
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement: [email protected] or 609-984-0909
- Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board: [email protected] or 717-346-8300
- West Virginia Lottery: [email protected] or 1-800-982-2274 or 304-558-0500