The Best US Casino Sites

This guide to the best USA online casinos provides you with the essential information about hitting the slot reels and roulette wheels on your computer or mobile device. We’ll look into the legality of online casino gaming in the United States, and the ins and outs of setting up your first betting account. You’ll then be all set to browse our ranking of the best online gambling sites and pick the one that’s right for you. Let’s dive in. 

What Makes a Top Casino Site?

• A license from the state’s gambling regulator
• An interface that’s easy to use
• A large and diverse selection of casino games
• An immersive live casino section
• Promos and bonuses that can really boost your betting power
• A rewards program for regular bettors and VIPs
• A mobile-friendly website and, ideally, a dedicated native app
• Clear, concise terms and conditions 
• Access to problem gambling support and in-built prevention tools
• On-point customer service that’s easily available

Online Casino Laws in the USA 

The online casino gaming landscape in the US fundamentally changed after a landmark judgment by the Department of Justice back in 2011. The DoJ decreed that the Federal Wire Act of 1961 only prohibited sports betting, and did not apply to online casino gaming. This gave the green light for states to pass landmark legislation, with Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey quick off the mark in legalizing online gambling.

Other states have since followed suit, with each one carefully regulating its own market. For example, the Division of Gaming Entertainment has oversight in New Jersey, while the Michigan Gaming Control Board manages things over in the Great Lakes State. One general stipulation is that players who want to place wagers at a casino site must be physically located within the state where that site is licensed to operate.

Online Casino Games

All of the best US casinos online come with a smorgasbord of different games, including traditional casino favorites and cutting edge video slots. Here are just a few of the most popular categories you can explore. 

Roulette

You no longer have to venture to Vegas or tread the salt-washed boardwalk in Atlantic City to spin the iconic roulette wheel, because this is now one of the most sought-after online casino games. What’s more, it comes in many forms, with operators providing virtual versions of European, French, and American roulette, along with innovative new takes featuring multiple wheels and other tweaks to the classic gameplay.

Blackjack

Blackjack has been a casino staple for as long as anyone can remember. It’s now going strong online, with random number generator software and detailed graphics bringing the card game to life. The basic thrust of blackjack is familiar to most players – it’s a contest with the dealer to see who can create a hand closest to 21 without going buat. But, as with online roulette, you can also enjoy unique variations that add extra rules, such as being able to trade the cards you’re dealt.

Slots

The best USA online casinos are brimming with slot games, and there’s a title for every taste. Whether you want to keep things simple with online slots that mimic the one-armed bandits of old Vegas, or prefer more complex video slots with colorful themes, rich soundtracks, thousands of paylines and multiplier-packed bonus rounds, you’ll find titles to suit. You can even try for giant prize pots that come courtesy of progressive jackpot games.

Craps

Craps is arguably the world’s most famous dice game, and it’s synonymous with crowds of players cheering and encouraging each other in land-based casinos. Thanks to the wizardry of software developers, craps has also made the transition to the online casino world. While you won’t find virtual versions of the game as frequently as the likes of roulette and blackjack, we’re hoping to see it rolled out more widely as time goes on.

Live Online Casinos

If you really want to replicate the casino atmosphere as much as possible, live dealer titles are for you. Instead of being video game-style recreations of casino games, these involve real, human dealers and croupiers who interact with players via webcam. The outcomes are determined by physical casino equipment, such as playing cards and roulette wheels, rather than software algorithms. Many of the best US casinos online have a host of different live games on the menu, including blackjack, roulette and baccarat. It’s a bit like visiting Las Vegas, only you can do it from the comfort of your couch.

Online Casino Bonuses

One of the most important things we consider when ranking the best gambling sites online is the quality of the bonuses they have on the table. Here are some of the most common types to look for.

Matched Deposits

This promotion will see a casino match some or all of the money you add to your account after signing up. The amount will be capped at a certain maximum amount and will usually be subject to wagering requirements. A typical example of a matched deposit bonus is something like ‘100% up to $250’. In this case, signing up to the site and depositing $50 would give you a total bankroll of $100 to play with.

Free Spins

One of the most common ways that the best USA online casinos try to attract new players is by offering some free spins on slot games. Batches of free spins can also be given to existing members, as a sort of loyalty reward. Just be sure to check the terms and conditions, as free spins are usually only available for selected games and will expire if you don’t use them within a certain time limit.

No Deposit Bonus

You won’t always be expected to pay money into your account to qualify for free spins or credits. Some casinos offer no deposit bonuses, which simply require you to successfully register as a new member. Such bonuses are usually pretty small, and you’ll probably have to deposit money later on in order to fulfil the wagering requirements. As such, no deposit bonuses are probably best thought of as a kind of ‘try before you buy’ deal, rather than a serious way to win money for free. 

Bonus Terms and Conditions 

Betting bonuses can really enhance your casino experience, but they will come with some strings attached. It’s important to check the terms and conditions so you know what the bonus expiry date is and whether certain games are off-limits. For example, you might not be able to use some matched deposit bonuses to play live dealer games.

The amount you can win using your bonus is usually limited, so you probably won’t be able to rake in any gigantic progressive jackpot returns. Then there are the wagering or playthrough requirements, which tell you how many times you have to bet the value of your bonus in order to cash out any winnings as real money. Being clear on these conditions ensures you can make the most of your bonus and will help prevent any frustration later on.

Best US Online Casinos

We’re always looking for the best US casinos online – here’s just a handful of the operators that have really impressed us. 

BetMGM

BetMGM lays out a very attractive welcome bonus: a 100% up to $1,000 matched deposit deal, plus $25 in free play credits. This is a nice little no deposit bonus that comes with an incredibly player-friendly 1x wagering requirement. There’s a huge range of games here, including popular slots like Feather of the Nile and Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, plus live dealer options like blackjack and baccarat.

BetRivers

BetRivers is another big-name casino brand with a solid welcome bonus on offer. Here, you can get a deposit match of 100% up to $250, with a mere 1x wagering requirement. This should put you in a great position to try out the wealth of games on offer, which include progressive jackpot slots like Divine Fortune and Mercy of the Gods. You can also enjoy RNG versions of table games like American roulette and Texas Hold’em poker, while the famous iRush Rewards program will let you rack up loyalty points and unlock bonus perks as you play.

DraftKings

DraftKings is probably best known for sports betting, but it’s certainly bringing its A-game to online casino gambling. One of the distinctive aspects of DraftKings is the array of sports-themed titles, such as Basketball Blackjack and Touchdown Roulette. There’s a rich range of slots to enjoy as well, not to mention live dealer games like poker and roulette. Your bankroll will also be significantly boosted by the 100% up to $2,000 matched bonus, with up to $50 in free play credits also up for grabs. 

FanDuel

Just like DraftKings, FanDuel is synonymous with sports betting in many players’ minds, but it’s also got a formidable casino offering to consider. Customers can look forward to a galaxy of games, including Megaways slots where the numbers of symbols on the reels change with each spin, potentially giving you more chances to win. There’s a great spread of table and live dealer games to choose from, and the best thing is you can try everything out risk-free. Any money you lose within your first 24 hours on the site will be refunded in bonus credits, up to a maximum of $1,000.

SugarHouse

The SugarHouse online casinos are sister sites with BetRivers, and offer the same matched deposit bonus of 100% up to $250, complete with the 1x playthrough requirement. SugarHouse is among the few casinos offering online craps – specifically, First Person Craps, a game that utilizes immersive graphics to make the action feel as real as possible. There are also top slots like Spartacus and Monopoly Big Spin, as well as the chance to play live dealer games like poker and roulette.

Best Mobile Casino Apps

One of the major pros of betting online is that you don’t have to travel all the way to a casino to enjoy real money games. Thanks to mobile casino apps, you don’t even have to be at your computer. While it’s perfectly possible to use your browser to access the mobile-optimized websites of casinos like FanDuel and BetRivers, we do recommend downloading native apps if you can. 

Available for both Android and iOS devices, apps bring great user experience and convenience. Tailor-made for your operating system, a mobile casino app will let you jump into your favorite games without having to fire up the browser. You can make deposits and withdrawals on the move, and activate push notifications so you won’t ever miss out on the latest promotions. 

Banking Options

Bettors in the USA today can choose from a wide array of banking options at online casinos. Bear in mind that some sites will offer more than others, and withdrawal time frames will vary depending on the casino and the banking method.

• Credit and debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard 
• PayPal and other e-wallets 
• ACH/eCheck
• Online banking
• Play+ prepaid cards  
• PayNearMe
• Cash deposits and withdrawals at a land-based affiliate casino

How to Sign Up to an Online Casino

Getting started at an online casino is a cinch. Just follow these simple steps.

Ready to get Started at the Best USA Online Casinos?

Hopefully, this guide has offered a few insights into online betting in the US, and some tips on how to find the best US casino sites of all. If you’re looking to get started now, check out Compare.bet’s expert reviews and see what sites and bonus deals are on offer in your state.

See our references & visit related external links

Please note that Compare.bet is not responsible for the content of third-party websites.

1. Slate.com – ‘National debate: legalization of Internet gambling’
2. Reuters.com – ‘Nevada: first state to legalize online poker’
3. Ballotpedia.org – ‘Delaware: first state to legalize online gambling’
4. NJ.com – ‘New Jersey: online gambling FAQs’