In What States are Online Casinos Legal?
Online casinos fall under different laws than sportsbooks, which enjoy more widespread legality. Currently, online casinos are legal in six US states:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
Gambling at offshore casinos — that is, sites that are licensed outside of the US — fall into something of a legislative gray area. If you’re playing at an offshore casino that’s licensed by a reputable regulator such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, you can rest assured these sites are held to strict standards. However, players won’t have the same legal protections as those playing within the licensed jurisdiction.
How We Review the Safety of an Online Casino
Ensuring players have access to safe gambling sites is a crucial part of our review process. Here are the main features we take into account when recommending the most trusted online casinos for US players.
Licensing
Any safe online casino will be licensed by a reputable regulator. Each of the states that have legalized online casino gaming has its own licensing framework, such as the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. State regulators ensure online casinos meet statutory requirements and keep the industry free from crime.
Auditing
Auditing is the process by which governmental agencies such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement ensure online casinos adhere to regulatory compliance. Auditors ensure the site is appropriately managing its finances, such as keeping players’ funds separate from its own. Published payout percentages are also checked to ensure they’re accurate, and testing agencies are used to ensure all games hosted on-site use a Random Number Generator (RNG).
Security Technology
Security technology is another vital component of safe online casinos. SSL encryption is used to keep internet connections secure and protect customers’ personal data. Licensed online casinos have an SSL certificate to prove their information is encrypted. 128-bit and 256-bit refer to the size of the encryption key used to secure the data that’s being passed through the web server.
Reputation
On a less technical level, the reputation of an online casino also goes a long way. Reputable online casinos that have been operating on a major scale for several years can generally be expected to adhere to safe gambling practises and treat players with respect. This includes offering reliable customer support to help with any queries or issues that may arise.
Game Fairness
Testing agencies such as eCogra and Gaming Labs International work with regulators to ensure casino games offer a fair playing experience. Teams of professionals made up of software engineers and mathematicians test the games hosted on licensed sites to ensure they adhere to the stated Return to Player (RTP) percentage, and that the RNG built into the site’s games produces truly random results.
Trusted Software Providers
Safe online casinos host games produced by trusted and well-established software providers. The likes of NetEnt and Realtime Gaming have been developing slots and other casino games since the 90s, and can be relied upon to deliver games that offer a fair and fun gaming experience.
Responsible Gambling Support
Licensed casinos are required to provide responsible gambling support to players. This includes offering on-site features such as time limits, deposit limits and self-exclusion tools. Players can use these at their own discretion to manage the amount of time and money spent on gambling sites. It is also the casino’s responsibility to monitor players’ activity and flag any potential cases where they’re gambling more than they can afford.
Payment Options
We review the payment options available at online gambling sites to ensure they are reliable and safe to use. The inclusion of major payment providers can itself be an indication that the operator is trustworthy — PayPal, for example, only offers its services to online casinos that have been approved by PayPal.
How to Find and Choose a Safe Online Casino
Here at Compare.bet, it’s our job to bring you the most trusted online casinos for US players. Follow the steps below to find and choose a reliable site that’s right for you.
STEP 1
Browse our comparison list
Begin by taking a look at our list of safe online casinos and use the comparison tools to check out what’s on offer at each site in terms of games and bonuses.
STEP 2
Read our reviews
To get a fuller sense of the strengths and weaknesses of a particular site, read our in-depth reviews, which cover everything from security to payment methods.
STEP 3
Click through to sign up
Once you’re happy with your choice, click the ‘claim bonus’ button to begin the registration process and claim your rewards.
Tips for Staying Safe at Online Casinos
While all of the online casinos featured here are safe to use, there are still things players can do to improve their level of security:
- Use a strong password – It’s important to choose a strong password that you don’t use elsewhere, to minimize the risk of hackers gaining access to your account. Using a combination of uppercase letters, numbers and special symbols will make it harder to guess
- Use 2FA and ID – By activating two-factor authentication, your account will be secured if someone tries to log into it using an unrecognized device. A unique code is sent to you to confirm the log in, or report as suspicious. Using Face or Touch ID also makes for more secure logins
- Use a secure network – We’d recommend not using your casino account on public Wi-Fi networks, as these are more prone to hacking
- Beware of phishing – Avoid clicking on links in emails and texts that you don’t recognize, as scammers are known to use this technique to obtain users’ passwords and financial information. A safe online casino will never ask you to hand over your account information in this way
Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling refers to an approach to online casino gaming that demonstrates awareness of its potential harms in order to keep gambling casual and fun. It also refers to the responsibilities of regulators and casino operators to signpost players to available tools and support. In the US, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) offers a free helpline, while many other resources are available at state level. The NCPG site has a map detailing support available in each jurisdiction.
Responsible Gambling Tools
It’s important to also set your own personal rules for gambling responsibly, such as never chasing losses or gambling under the influence. Additionally, there are a range of tools available to help you regulate the amount of time and money you spend, either through your online casino account or with an external partner. Making use of time limits, deposit limits and loss limits is a great place to start, and self-exclusion tools are available if you’d like to lock yourself out of your account for a set period of time.
Safely Claim a Welcome Bonus at a Trusted Online Casino
Once you’ve established that a casino is safe to use, you can trust that their bonuses are what they seem to be. That said, it’s important to be wary of the terms and conditions attached to casino bonuses — these will restrict your ability to cash out any real money winnings. Here are some of the most common welcome bonuses US players can claim at the nation’s top online casinos.
Matched Deposit Bonuses
A matched deposit allows you to claim a helping of bonus credit when you add funds to your account for the first time. The casino will match your deposit at a particular percentage — for instance, a 100% match applied to a $20 deposit would give you an additional $20 in bonus credit.
Free Spins
Free spins are regularly offered in conjunction with a matched deposit welcome bonus, or as a standalone offer. They generally apply to one or two selected slot games and give you the chance to spin the reels for free and still be in with a shout of winning a cash prize.
No Deposit Bonuses
While most welcome bonuses require players to make a deposit in order to claim the rewards, all you need to do to cash in a no deposit bonus is create an account. Since you’re not putting forward any cash, the rewards are typically lower, but claiming a no deposit bonus is nonetheless a great way to try out a site for free.
Low Wagering Bonuses
Wagering requirements are a constant headache for US casino players, requiring you to wager a certain amount of your own cash before any winnings from bonuses can be withdrawn. A low wagering bonus — generally recognized as 20x or lower — can make the process a whole lot easier.
Secure Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
Safe online casinos support a range of payment methods that keep your personal data and funds secure. Here are some of the top trusted banking options you can choose from at online gambling sites.
Visa
One of the largest financial services corporations in the world, Visa is a secure and easy to use option for casino payments. Visa transactions prevent any unauthorized use of your card when making a payment online.
Mastercard
The major alternative to Visa is Mastercard, which also offers a range of debit, credit and prepaid cards. Mastercard also offers fraud protection and works with your bank to process two-factor authentication through its SecureCode service, while Identity Check allows you to pay using Face or Touch ID.
PayPal
PayPal is the most widely used e-wallet in the world and is licensed by regulatory agencies at state level. Using it for deposits and withdrawals means you don’t have to share your bank details with the online casino site, removing an opportunity for hackers to steal your information.
Skrill
Skrill offers many of the same benefits of PayPal and can also be used as an e-wallet or a banking intermediary. Like PayPal, it’s licensed at state level across the US by agencies such as the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the Connecticut Department of Banking.
PayNearMe
With PayNearMe, US players can deposit funds to their casino account using cash. To set it up, simply head to the casino’s cashier page and select PayNearMe. A unique barcode is then generated — take this to one of the 26,000 licensed retail locations nationwide to make the payment in cash. The ability to deposit funds without sharing any bank details or passwords makes PayNearMe a very secure payment option.
Play+
Play+ is a free payment provider that functions as a digital wallet and prepaid card. It’s free to use, and you can use the prepaid card to spend your Play+ balance anywhere a Discover card is accepted. The funds in your account are held in a bank account insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Bitcoin and Litecoin are based on blockchain technology that is inherently secure. Nevertheless, crypto coins should be treated with caution, especially when being used for gambling purposes. Although they offer fast transactions and relative anonymity, they’re yet to be established as a common payment method at licensed casinos. Additionally, their value is more volatile than fiat currencies, so be sure to do your research before using them.
Safe Casino Games
Casino games are only really as safe as you make them — it’s important to employ your own responsible gambling practises. Nevertheless, there’s a lot of fun to be had across a variety of different game types.
Slots
Slots come in a huge variety of themes and mechanics, so players always have plenty of choice. Be sure to research the Return to Player (RTP) and volatility ratings of a game before you play. RTP refers to how much cash is paid back out to players compared to what it takes in over its lifetime. The average is around 96%.
The volatility, or variance, is more noticeable in a single playing session. With a low volatility game you can typically expect smaller but more frequent wins than a high volatility game, where payouts are higher but few and far between. High variance games are considered riskier because you can quickly burn through your bankroll if you’re not careful. Top software providers like NetEnt and Microgaming offer a broad range of slots to suit all tastes.
Table Games
Classic casino table games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat and craps have been enjoyed by gamblers for centuries. Safe online casinos offer different variations in each category — take roulette for example, you’ll have the choice between European, American and French.
US players can enjoy RNG table games in solo player mode, allowing you to take the game at your own pace. Evolution’s First Player games have a ‘Go Live’ feature, so you can start off playing solo and switch to a live format if you feel like mixing it up.
Live Dealer Games
During live dealer games, you’ll be playing alongside other players and guided through the game by a real croupier. The games are live streamed around the world from dedicated studios — the aim is to provide an authentic and social casino experience.
Software provider Evolution is at the forefront of live casino development. Its offering of ultra-realistic table games is tough to beat, and it also offers a range of modern game shows that incorporate elements of slots and even Virtual Reality.
Poker
Poker is the ultimate game of skill when it comes to online casinos. Again, you can play against other players in a live setting and hone your digital bluffing skills. The best online casinos offer different variations, including Texas hold’em, stud and draw poker.
You may have also come across video poker, a loosely related game that’s based on five-card draw. Video poker incorporates elements of slot games as players attempt to form a winning poker hand. Unlike slots, however, there’s a skill factor in that you can swap out cards each round.
Sign Up to a Safe and Trusted US Online Casino
Now you’ve got a sense of how we identify the most trusted online casinos for US players, feel free to go ahead and pick a site from our comparison list. Each one is licensed by reputable regulators and designed with SSL encryption to keep your personal data safe. Once you find a site you like, click the ‘claim bonus’ button to sign up, claim a welcome bonus, and hit the reels.
FAQs
Gambling laws don’t prevent players from accessing offshore online casinos, although access may be blocked in certain states. The best option for safe gambling is to stick to state-licensed sites, but offshore casinos that are licensed by reputable regulators are also safe to use.
Online casinos are required to list their licensing information on their site, usually at the bottom of the homepage. Rest assured, any site recommended here at Compare.bet will be licensed by a trusted regulator.
Safe online casinos offer features allowing players to set a loss limit or deposit limit — you can set it up through the site and it’ll prevent you from spending more once you hit the cap.
There are a variety of secure payment methods offered at safe casinos, from bank cards with Visa and Mastercard to popular e-wallets like PayPal. Check out the different options and choose one that suits your preferences — some players prefer not to share their card details, while others avoid using passwords.
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) offers a free helpline and also signposts users to local support in each state.
