4/13/2022

Casino Online Gambling Legal

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Nevada is one of the few territories within the United States where online gambling and brick and mortar casinos are hosted in-state and operate entirely within the remits of the law. MGM is one of the top names in casino gaming and offers one of the strongest casino apps. Michigan marks its fourth state with legal online casino gaming where they will offer one of the widest varieties of online slots and table games in the state. Legalization Of Online Casinos In Michigan. Throughout the 2000s, California is undergoing a tough legal battle regarding online gambling. Tribal casinos are fighting to retain executive control over the state’s industry and lobbying against statewide regulation. Many experts predict that any bill about online gambling is dead in California until at least 2022. Still, the discussion is. Legal Online Gambling. The 1990s brought internet gaming to Americans, making it convenient to play at home. Online casinos offer all the classics, like roulette, craps, blackjack, poker, slots, and video poker. Only a handful of states have legal online gambling regulated at the state level.

Looking for the best casino site? Online gambling is exploding in the US, and this means there are a ton of legal online casinos to choose from. Naturally, more and more people want to game online. Get the lowdown on the best online casinos in the US right here. Plus, get the best online casino bonuses around!

Top NJ Online Casinos

ReviewNJ CasinoWelcome OfferBonus Code

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BetMGM Casino$25 on the House + 100% Match up to $1000
T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in NJ

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SugarHouse Casino100% Deposit Match up to $250
T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in NJ

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Unibet Casino$10 Free Play + 100% Match up to $1000
T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in NJ

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DraftKings CasinoUp to $500 deposit bonus and $100 in FREE BlackJack credits
T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in NJ/PA/WV

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Virgin Casino$25 at Signup + Up to $100 Cashback
T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in NJ

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Borgata Casino$20 on the House + 100% Match up to $600
T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in NJ

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Tropicana Casino$20 at Signup + Up to $100 Cashback
T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in NJ

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Party Casino100% Welcome Bonus up to $500
T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in NJ

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Resorts Casino100% Deposit Match up to $1000
T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in NJ

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Pala Casino$25 Free + 10 Free Spins & 100% Deposit Bonus up to $500 + 10 More Spins
T & C’s Apply, 21+, Only in NJ

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bet365 CasinoClick Here to See bet365 Casino Bonus

Top PA Casinos

ReviewPA CasinoWelcome OfferBonus Code

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Unibet Casino$10 Free Play + 100% Deposit Match up to $500
T & C’s Apply, 21+, Only in PA

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Hollywood Casino100% Deposit Match up to $500
T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in PA

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SugarHouse Casino100% Deposit Match up to $250
T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in PA

Play For Real Money at These Top Online Casinos

Note, at the moment, most of the best online casinos are only in NJ. That said, many of these top sites are sure to expand to other states soon. In the list below, we've ranked the top 10, not only on the online casinos themselves but how likely they are to open in other states soon. So, check out the best online casinos today!

RankingOnline CasinoGamesBonus
1SugarHouse Casino70+100% Deposit Match up to $250
2Unibet Casino275+$10 Free Play + 100% Match up to $1000
3BetMGM Casino400+$25 Free + 100% up to $1,000
4Virgin Casino200+$25 at Signup + Up to $100 Cashback
5DraftKings Casino75+Up to $500 deposit bonus and $100 in FREE BlackJack credits
6Tropicana250+$20 at Signup + Up to $100 Cashback
7Borgata Casino415+$20 on the House + 100% Match up to $600
8Party Casino50+100% Welcome Bonus up to $500
9Resorts Casino500+100% Deposit Match up to $1000
10bet365 Casino50+Click Here to See bet365 Casino Bonus

Available Online Casinos Bonuses

Casino bonuses are the primary way that popular casinos both incentivize existing customers to keep playing, as well as attract new customers with some pretty exciting welcome offers. Top sites for online casino games often have offers like a spins bonus, often as extra spins. Also, top-rated popular casinos generally offer fast payout for any winnings you might have. And, of course, a solid game selection is essential. When choosing online casino bonuses that work for you, take special consideration into their welcome offers and rewards programs or VIP programs, as some are better for certain styles or wallets!

When you’re signing up for your online casino account, you’ll often have to punch in a promo code or make an initial deposit to benefit from the welcome offer. Make sure you’ve got those in mind when signing up for a new account to play your favorite casino games online!

Deposit Bonuses

Casino no-deposit bonuses are about the simplest way to double the size of your wallet when you’re first starting out at the top sites. When you’re creating your real money online casino account, you may need to enter a promo code, or in some cases, a deposit bonus will be automatically added to your online gambling wallet when you make your first deposit.

The best online casinos in the USA have deposit bonuses are usually 100% matches up to a certain amount. For example, if casino bonuses offer a 100% match deposit bonus up to $500, you can deposit up to that amount and get 100% returned to you: a $240 bonus will give you a $440 wallet, for example. Anything over a $500 deposit bonus is pretty stellar in the online gambling world, so take special consideration if you see a deposit bonus in the +$500 range.

Some casino bonuses have wagering requirements, and some are fairer than others. Make sure that the wagering requirements aren’t too astronomically high before signing up with an online casino - it’s important to get the best bonuses for your money.

Free Spins

A free spins bonus or extra spins are offered by popular casinos online in a lot of different ways. One, you may get free spins on virtual slots, easing the sting of a bad roll when playing online. Two, there are sweepstakes promotions and 'Spin the Wheel' promotions on several of the best online casinos that can net you upwards of $1,000,000!

We’ve seen plenty of virtual slots bonus free spins as a weekly promotion or an email-based promotion, but not as a welcome bonus. Make sure you’re signed up with your favorite online casino newsletters to get secret bonuses sent right to your inbox! This will maximize your time playing online casino games.

VIP Program

This is one of the most important things to look for in the best casino apps and sites. Whether they call it a VIP program or a Rewards program, look for your online casino to give you points on every dollar you spend.

In some cases, you can spend those points on cashback rewards, better multipliers, and even complimentary gifts at brick-and-mortar casino resorts like free stays and free meals!

The best casino apps offer rewards programs that work just like their in-person counterparts, and the best among those are the ones that offer real-life benefits. Imagine playing your favorite table games at home from your own smartphone, and winning a free stay in a famed resort destination! Which brings us to the games...


Online Casino Games

Another big consideration to make when choosing your favorite online gambling destination is whether or not they host your favorite casino games! Like it or not, there’s only so much server space in the world, so you may have to make a choice based on whether or not an online casino has, for example, Slingo, your preferred type of Baccarat, etc.

On top of all that, there is a possibility that a casino bonus revolves around your favorite casino game.

Here’s a rundown on what casino games you might expect hosted on your favorite casino apps.

Table Games

Table games are some of the more explosive and exciting game types at any casino, whether online or in person. Now, you can roll the dice or go for La Grande all from the comfort of your smartphone or home computer! (That’s craps and Baccarat slang, if you weren’t clear!)

Take a look at an online casino’s table game offerings before you make your choice. For the most part, however, any good online casino will have at least two roulette types, at least two baccarat variants, and a craps game or two. You’ll also find a few different flavors of blackjack on most of the best online casinos worth investing time in-- most casino games offered include quite a few Blackjack types.

Slots

Slots are where the best online casinos really shine - you’ll often find online slot variants in the hundreds on the best casino apps. Also look for special slot variants like Slingo and special sweepstakes slots, if you’re looking to win big on one spin or you want a different kind of slot experience.

The slots of any online casino app are usually a good litmus test for the rest of the experience. If the website or app’s slots run poorly, don’t appeal to your aesthetics, or just don’t suit your tastes, then it might be time to move on to another online casino of your choosing.

Video Poker

Casino games wouldn’t be what they are without video poker. It’s not your standard sit-and-tap experience like you’d expect from a Vegas haunt, however - video poker online is a totally different story. Explosive graphics, multiple game types, and great multipliers make video poker one of the most fun online casino games.

If you’re used to the old-school 32-bit screens with sticky buttons and unresponsive touch controls, you’ll feel pleasantly out of place with the new, online video poker. We’ve tested most of the varieties of video poker available on the market, and they all share one thing in common: it isn’t your father’s video poker.

If you’re used to the old-school 32-bit screens with sticky buttons and unresponsive touch controls, you’ll feel pleasantly out of place with the new, online video poker. We’ve tested most of the varieties of video poker available on the market, and they all share one thing in common: it isn’t your father’s video poker.

If you are looking for legal live online poker rooms, we encourage you to check out Global Poker as one option. With Global Poker, you can play in tournaments and compete for different sweepstakes prizes.

VegasInsider Capper Poker Series

On Sunday, May 31st at 6 pm EDT (3 pm PDT), VegasInsider, in partnership with WSOP, gave poker fans a chance to compete for a minimum of $1,000 against betting industry experts in Nevada and New Jersey in the VegasInsider Capper Poker Series, sponsored by WSOP. Our May poker tournament brought together VegasInsider’s expert handicappers to go up against you and other online poker fans. Stay tuned for more info on VegasInsider's next tournament!

Live Casinos

If you see a Live Dealer casino game hosted on a popular online casino, that’s a good indicator that the casino site is offering innovative game types on the cutting edge.

What are Live Dealer games? A live-streaming dealer or croupier calls the shots while you play against real people for real cash! A Live Dealer casino brings the action of live casinos right into your home. Or, take them on the go by playing on a top-rated casino app!

Keep in mind that Live Dealer games eat up data and are best played on secure, fast Wi-Fi connections. Like any streaming, you might see hiccups if your connection isn’t the best, but customer service teams are usually quick to refund any bets accidentally made on a stuttering live stream. That’s a rare occasion - for the most part, Live Dealer games are fun to play and run smoothly.


Online Casino Payment Methods: Deposits & Withdrawals

Depositing into your online casino account is usually a pretty straightforward process. Just sign in, go to payments, and choose your deposit method. Here’s a list of commonly accepted payment methods for most online casinos for US players.

  • PayPal
  • VISA
  • MasterCard
  • PayPal
  • E-wallets

When you’re withdrawing from an online casino USA account, you’ll have to endure a bit of a waiting period. Processing times both for the casinos and the bank you’re working with mean it will not be an instant withdrawal process, and you don’t have a wide variety of options available for receiving winnings. However, this is to keep both the operator and you, the player, safe and legal. Here’s a list of common withdrawal methods for online casinos in the USA:

Online Casino Gambling Legal South Africa

  • PayPal
  • VISA
  • MasterCard
  • PayPal
  • E-wallets
  • Checks

Best Online Casinos in the USA: What’s Legal?

Online casinos in the USA weren’t strictly limited on a federal level: there were simply no laws in place that would anticipate the explosion of technology that we’ve seen in the past 20 years. Some casinos (admittedly more common in Europe) even offer bitcoin casino payments.

Simply put, it is up to each individual state to decide whether or not to allow for legal, real money online gambling. States with gambling history like New Jersey were among the first to establish legislation on internet gambling. With the precedent set by the overturning of PASPA, numerous states are either already offering real money casino games, or seriously attempting to do so:

Online Casinos in NJ

Most casino operators in New Jersey already offer a website and a casino app for real money gambling, and the state has had legal online casinos since 2013. Online casinos in NJ, such as DraftKings Casino, are already offering great casino games online. Look around to also find the great selection of online casino promotions to choose from!

Casino online gambling legally

Legal online casinos in NJ are a competitive and busy market, with new operators offering new and welcome bonuses all the time. Some are better than others, and some have wagering requirements, so do your research before picking the NJ online casino that is right for your play style and wishes.

Online Casinos in PA

PA has had legal online casinos for a few years, but bureaucratic and financial issues prevented the market from really taking hold. That storm seems to have cleared, and now we’re seeing more Pennsylvania legal online casinos throw their hats into the ring.

If you’re looking for an online casino PA, take special note of the different bonuses and rewards programs available for each. There aren’t many national brands yet establishing online casinos in PA just yet, but we expect MGM to be among the first big national chains to operate in Pennsylvania.

Illinois Online Casinos

Illinois is one of the US states that hasn’t yet legalized online operators, but is expected to in the near future. With the legality of sports betting taking a 180-degree turn in 2018, Illinois tracks and casinos are already looking to put online sportsbooks on the market.

This sets a precedent for the future of online operators in the Prairie State. In addition to the market opening up for online sports betting, we’re seeing new casinos pop up in previously forbidden areas in Illinois, namely a casino in the Chicago metro area.

We’re seeing a new, relaxed attitude towards gambling in Illinois, and we’re hoping that the online casino revenue being pulled in by other states is an incentive to Illinois lawmakers to make real money online casinos a reality very soon.

Indiana Online Casinos

With the passage of HB 1015, Indiana lawmakers cleared the way for casinos to offer online and in-person sports betting. What this means, of course, is that it isn’t a long stretch towards offering online operators in Indiana!

As with Illinois and other states, we’re seeing a more favorable attitude towards online operators as a source of revenue in the Hoosier state and elsewhere (at least in the lower 48).


Online Casino Apps

Whether you’re a casual gambler or looking to break into the pros, these best casino apps are a great way of getting a full casino experience without having to leave the house.

The best online casino apps have to hit three benchmarks: easy to use, fun to use, easy to manage. Fun and ease of use are all up to the interface and game designers, so make sure to play the free versions of your favorite casino games before you download.

Most online casinos in the USA will allow you to play free-to-play versions of their casino games to get a feel for them.

Casino App Interface

In addition to the feel of the games, get a good idea of how the interface works by checking out the screenshots for your favorite casino apps on the website or the App Store. This is a great way of finding out if the color scheme is pleasing and easy to read, or if you’re going to miss out on a hand because you’re too busy squinting at your phone to bet.

Casino Quality & Reputation

An online casino that is easy to manage has a few features: good customer service and well-explained payment options. If you find yourself at all confused by the payment options listed on an online casino FAQ, perhaps take a look at the other options or refer again to our guide.

When you’re spending your hard-earned money on an online casino, it should be clear where that money’s going, and you should have a quick line to customer service in case you have any questions. That’s why we prioritize sites that have 24/7 live chat options, because it’s such a convenient and quick way to manage your online casino account.

With these considerations in mind, just download the app that feels the most fun to you. Every casino app on the market is thoroughly vetted by the local state Gaming Board, so you can be sure that you’re not getting scammed.

In all cases, you will have to provide your social security number and enable location services or geotagging through a plugin on your device - this is standard legal practice for all real money online casinos.


US Online Casinos FAQ

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions regarding online casinos in the US:

How do casino apps make sure I am legally gambling?

All online casino apps are licensed by state game boards. This requires them to check your social security number and location, whether using location services on your phone or a geotagging plugin on your browser.

You must be physically present in the state of your choice and 21+ in order to legally gamble online in that state.

Is online gambling legal in my state?

At the moment, online operators are legal in quite a few states. Online operators, however, are only fully legal in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In Nevada, you can play online real money poker through the World Series of Poker app, but this is the only option for Nevadans looking to do any kind of casino gambling online for real money.

Is it safe to deposit money on a casino app?

Depositing your money on an online casino app is perfectly safe. Every transaction is made through a secured online ACH transfer, credit card, or other insured means. Every casino app on the market is secured and managed by a Gaming Board or Gambling Commission, which again means that the public and the operator are both protected against fraud.

What is the best and safest online casino?

Any legal, US online casino should be safe and secure thanks to state-level regulation. Plus, current technology ensures that activity is monitored. Likewise, top sites offer robust customer service, meaning that if you have an issue, there is someone on hand to help.

Here at VegasInsider, our favorite online casinos are BetMGM Casino and Virgin Casino in New Jersey. For Pennsylvania, we love Unibet Casino, hands down!

How do I make deposits and withdrawals on a casino app?

Depositing into your online casino app is generally an easy and straightforward process. In some cases, you’ll be able to use PayPal, but Visa and Mastercard are generally always accepted. In addition, you can deposit into your online casino account using a secured bank transfer or through eCheck.

Withdrawing from your online casino account is just as easy, but it can take some time. Bank transfer times and casino processing times must be taken into account, so it’s important to be patient. Most casino withdrawals must be done using an eCheck, physical check, or PayPal. In some occasions, you’ll be able to use a debit card or prepaid casino card, but cash and credit transactions are unlikely.

Can I set betting limits?

Yes. Every virtual casino in the US offers a “cooling off” period in its Responsible Gaming section. If you feel you need to take some time away from playing or if you need a bit of assistance, contact your online casino’s responsible gaming service or a customer service representative for more information.

Some online operators also offer deposit limits. Check the “Payments” or “Banking” section of your online casino for more information.


Legal Online Sports Gambling

There may be different laws involved for each state when looking for legal online sports gambling. Check out our Sportsbook Directory for information on where sports betting is legal, our sportsbook reviews, and bonus codes for when you sign up.


The Best Online Casinos in the USA - Final Thoughts

It’s a hectic market, and there are new online gambling operators coming on the market every day. We hope this guide has educated you not only on casino bonuses and how to start an account with your favorite internet casino, but how to make informed choices on where to begin.

As always, casino bonuses and rewards programs are a good indicator of how an operator treats its users. In addition, taking a look at the interface, user experience, and customer service options is a great way to evaluate if an online casino is right for you.

Check back with us for more info on the latest in casino news, odds and tips! What are you waiting for? Start playing today!

We've compiled this legal online betting guide for US players arranged by state, to provide accurate and up to date information on the legal online gambling status and gaming options available within each US state. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive state gambling directory which will empower players with the information to make informed decisions about online gambling.

This state-specific data will include a look at the state laws governing online gambling opportunities from online casinos, online poker, to online sports betting.

Each individual state is approaching the legalization of online gambling differently, thus it is necessary to detail lawfully available state-licensed options, and sanctioned licensed offshore online gambling opportunities. We also address some of the most commonly asked questions about gambling in each state and provide some helpful resources for players to access. This information can only be covered in depth within each of the state pages we offer, which you can find listed within this guide.

Is Online Gambling Legal In My State?

To avoid confusion, we have marked US states which offer state-regulated gambling options in the table below with a check mark. At this moment in time, eight US states have legalized and regulated online gambling in some form. For example:

Online Poker & Casinos:

  • Delaware - Online Poker and Online Casino gambling
  • Nevada - Online Poker
  • New Jersey - Online Poker, Online Casinos
  • Pennsylvania - Online Poker, Online Casinos
  • West Virginia - Online Poker, Online Casinos

Online Sports Betting & Fantasy Sports

  • Illinois - Legalized Online Sports Betting**
  • Indiana - Offers Online Sports Betting
  • Iowa - Offers Online Sports Betting
  • Massachusetts - Fantasy Sports Allowed
  • Mississippi - Online Allowed At Casinos Only
  • Montana - Legalized Online Sports Betting**
  • Nevada - Online Sportsbooks State-wide
  • New Jersey - Online Sportsbooks State-wide
  • New York - Allows Fantasy Sports And Domestic Sports Betting
  • Oregon - Offers Online Sports Betting
  • Pennsylvania - Offers Online and Domestic Sports Betting
  • Rhode Island - Offers Online and Domestic Sports Betting
  • Tennessee - Offers Online Sports Betting Apps
  • West Virginia - Online Sports Betting Allowed State-wide

** Legalized but Pending launch

Online Lottery:

  • Georgia - Online Lottery Allowed
  • Illinois - Online Lottery Allowed
  • Kentucky - Online Lottery Allowed
  • Michigan - Online Lottery Allowed
  • Minnesota - Online Lottery Allowed
  • New Hampshire - Online Lottery Allowed
  • Pennsylvania - Online Lottery Allowed

Is Licensed Offshore Gambling Legal In My State?

While the above-mentioned states offer regulated online gambling, they still maintain the option to utilize licensed offshore online options. Nearly all US state residents, except those from Washington or Connecticut, can legally access licensed offshore online gambling platforms to play online casino games, poker, or bet on sports.

This is because no state laws in these other 48 states specifically prohibit or allow it - thus operating in a technical grey area, it is still considered safe to use because it is not likely these states will draft and pass legislation to specifically affect domestic access to licensed offshore gaming.

What Is The Minimum Online Gambling Age in the US?

There is no one minimum gambling age in the US as this is set and regulated by each individual state. The minimum gambling age within each state is affected by various factors such as game selected and licensor. By this, we mean state-regulated online gambling options require domestic players, whether residents or visitors, to abide by the state's minimum gambling age for that form of gambling on land within the state's borders.

However, licensed offshore online platforms which offer casino games, poker, and sports betting can lawfully accept players who are at least 18 years of age or older. These licensed offshore online sites also offer players much more in the way of bonuses and perks and the platforms we recommend are all extremely reputable.

U.S. States Where You Can Legally Gamble At 18 And Up

Below you can learn more about the minimum legal online gambling age by state in the USA.

AL Offshore Yes:18IL Offshore Yes:18NE Offshore Yes:18SD Offshore Yes:18
AK Offshore Yes:18IN Offshore Yes:18NV Offshore Yes:18SC Offshore Yes:18
AZ Offshore Yes:18KS Offshore Yes:18NH Offshore Yes:18TN Offshore Yes:18
AR Offshore Yes:18KY Offshore Yes:18NJ Offshore NoTX Offshore Yes:18
CA Offshore Yes:18LA Offshore Yes:18NM Offshore Yes:18UT Offshore Yes:18
CO Offshore Yes:18ME Offshore Yes:18NY Offshore Yes:18VT Offshore Yes:18
CT Offshore NoMD Offshore Yes:18ND Offshore Yes:18VA Offshore Yes:18
DE Offshore Yes:18MA Offshore Yes:18NC Offshore Yes:18WA Offshore No
FL Offshore Yes:18MI Offshore Yes:18OH Offshore Yes:18WV Offshore Yes:18
GA Offshore Yes:18MN Offshore Yes:18OK Offshore Yes:18WI Offshore Yes:18
HI Offshore Yes:18MS Offshore Yes:18OR Offshore Yes:18WY Offshore Yes:18
ID Offshore Yes:18MO Offshore Yes:18PA Offshore Yes:18
IA Offshore Yes:18MT Offshore Yes:18RI Offshore Yes:18

Online Gambling Laws in The United States

Gambling laws can be a rather complex topic these days as there are several US federal gambling laws to account for such as the UIGEA, and the Federal Wire Act, as well as, several individual state gambling laws. The reason for this is because the United States DOJ has said that states have the authority to determine their own destiny concerning both land-based and online gambling.

Live Gambling Online Casino

Afterward, several states moved forward with legalizing some forms of online gambling for their region. Multiple other states are currently in discussions amongst themselves regarding the possibility of embracing this virtual gaming platform in their own territories. As discussed earlier and from what can be read from our laws page, US players outside of WA and CT are permitted access to multiple licensed, certified, and regulated online gambling sites hosted outside of the United States. This is a nice alternative for those players not located in a state with its own regulated form of domestic online gambling.

Online Gambling Casino Sites Free

States With Pending Online Gambling Legislation

US States That Offer Domestic Sportsbooks

Legal States For Online Gambling

US States With Passed Sports Betting Legislation (Pending Launch)