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Best Online Casinos & Real Money Gambling Sites in the U.S - April 2024

Look no further than the Philadelphia Inquirer’s collection of the best online casinos to wager with.

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Scroll down to learn all about the best online casino sites to use in 2024. (Credit: Getty Images/iStockPhoto).
Commercial Content, 21+ Scroll down to learn all about the best online casino sites to use in 2024. (Credit: Getty Images/iStockPhoto).Read moreZolnierek / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Inquirer is here to take you through all of the best online casinos and real money gambling sites to use when playing casino games online in the USA in 2024, ranking each of them and going over exactly what you to expect when using them.

The Best Online Casino Sites - April 2024

More on the Best Online Casino Sites


Online Casino In Focus

Due to how many fantastic online casinos are in the industry today, the Inquirer has decided to give fair representation to all by rotating which one earns a spotlight as our online casino in focus each day.

Caesars Palace Online Casino

Caesars Palace Online Casino stands out as a highly impressive and robust virtual gaming platform, delivering an exceptional user experience.

With a notable presence in numerous physical casinos nationwide, its online market influence has experienced rapid expansion in recent times. Users can enjoy an extensive selection of video poker, table games, slots, and jackpot slots.

The overall appeal is further heightened by a diverse array of ongoing customer promotions, solidifying Caesars’ position as one of the premier online casinos in the United States.


The Best Online Casinos in the USA

1. BetMGM Casino

  1. NJ, MI, PA Only

  1. WV only

Boasting one of the best sportsbooks in the U.S., BetMGM’s Casino is a similarly stellar offering.

A generous new customer promo is yours when you sign up, with you able to get a $1,000 deposit match and $25 on the house when using the BetMGM Casino bonus code INQUIRERMGM.

If you’re located in West Virginia, the offer you get is a heightened $2,500 deposit match, $50 on the house, as well as 50 free spins.

BetMGM has a substantial amount of slots, table games and variety games, with jackpot and megaways slots very popular with users.

MGM is one of the biggest brands in the U.S., and there isn’t a better choice out there than BetMGM Casino.

2. Caesars Palace Online Casino

Caesars Palace Online Casino is a really impressive and strong online casino, and provides users with a great experience.

With a number of physical casinos across the country, its presence in the online market has grown rapidly in recent years.

A great range of video poker, table games, slots and jackpot slots are available for users.

Their Caesars Palace Online Casino promo code for new customers gives a deposit match worth up to $2,500 and 2,500 reward credits with promo code PIBONUS2500.

You also have a second option you can choose instead using code PHILLYLAUNCH for a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 plus $10 on the house.

These are accompanied by a great variety of existing customer promotions, things that make Caesars one of the best online casinos in the U.S.

3. bet365 Casino

Although bet365 is available to play in 8 states, with Colorado, New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and Louisiana. Their online casino could expand to other states as time goes on.

Their welcome offer is absolutely fantastic, and is redeemable with the use of promo code INQUIRER and clicking this link. New users get a new player bonus of up to $1000 as long as wagering requirements are met.

Despite being more known for their sportsbook, bet365 has lots of original slots games, a diverse market of poker ad blackjack games, and more.

For being a newer casino to the scene, bet365 also has a good number of promotions such as their weekend reload bonus.

4. FanDuel Casino

In terms of existing customer offers, FanDuel is one of the best real money online casinos around, with the FanDuel Casino bonus code also proving to be highly generous to new players.

Like DraftKings, FanDuel runs one of the best Fantasy Sports Betting sites out there, and have moved into the sportsbook and online casino world through the years.

The selection of slots is great, with a variety of jackpot slots being one of the standout points to the online casino. Combined with a healthy welcome bonus of a $1,000 play it again bonus and $20 in site credit, FanDuel makes for a strong online casino.

5. DraftKings Casino

DraftKings is one of the most prominent brands in the entire betting world, with their online casino doing a good job of being a respectable platform in their own right to accompany their sportsbook.

If you’re a new user in WV, MI, NJ, or PA, you can click here or the offer module above to begin the process of earning $35 in casino credits in addition to receiving a 100% deposit match up to $100.

You’ll see that DraftKings has a good selection of games and promotions for returning players. Their loyalty program is also top notch if that’s something you’re into.

6. PlayLive Casino

PlayLive boasts a generous range of ongoing customer promotions for both new and existing customers to get involved, allowing you to get the most out of your money when playing its online casino games.

PlayLive’s welcome offer proves to be strong, while the range of games also allow for a huge level of variety when playing at this real money online casino.

Slots, jackpot slots, video poker and table games are all offered in abundance with PlayLive, making it an excellent choice to side with when choosing your online casino site.

7. Borgata Casino

Borgata’s online casino site boasts a very professional and user-friendly design, with you able to navigate through the plethora of games with ease.

The Borgata Casino promo code allows you to claim just over $1,000 in bonus funds to use on their range of casino games, plus $20 extra, with a strong helping of current customer offers also available every week.

Bingo, poker, slots, table games and video poker are all offered with Borgata casino, an impressive selection of games, nearly all of which will be available 24/7.

8. Bally Casino

Bally Casino’s welcome offer is a generous one, and is one of the best no deposit welcome offers in the industry with their $50 being rewarded upon registration with the Bally Casino promo code. You’ll also get your first $100 in net losses back as site credit.

That only begins to cover how well-rounded Bally Casino is. They have great reviews on the Apple App Store and they have regularly updated promotions that are as strong as any online casino.

You’ll find a large bounty of slots, table games, and live dealer games to go along with a reliable 24/7 customer support team.

9. Golden Nugget Casino

When it comes to the sheer amount of games on offer, very few come close to Golden Nuggets, as it impressively boasts over 1,000 casino games and continues to grow.

The majority of these come in the form of slots and table games, with the wide selection of jackpot slots on show also being one of the stronger points.

The Golden Nugget online casino bonus code sign-up offer and daily promotions are also great. Thy offer a deposit $5 Get $50 in Casino Credits offer in MI, PA, NJ, or WV.

If you’re in MI, WV, NJ, or PA, click the bottom offer module or here to sign up with Golden Nugget Casino.

Golden Nugget is one of the most well-known casino brands out there, with physical casino chains operating across the country.

10. betParx Casino

One of the newer entries in the online casino world is betParx Casino, who are a very popular brand in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Its enormous selection of games makes the online gambling site one of the best.

Popular table games such as roulette, blackjack and craps are all available in many varieties, with poker being represented as well.

Additionally, you can utilize the betParx Casino welcome offer and code INQUIRERMAX to play up to $1,000 on your first 24 hours stress risk, with those funds being paid back to you in casino credit.

11. Hollywood Casino

The final entry on our list is Hollywood Casino, which is one of the most popular online casinos in Pennsylvania.

Although they’re only able to be signed up with in PA, this is a casino worth signing up for and one that’ll continue to improve as PENN pours more resources into the brand.

Hollywood Casino has an impressive live dealer selection and more promotions for returning customers than many of the names on this list.

Their welcome offer is also a unique one, as it comes in the form of two deposit matches on your first two deposits up to $251 each.

12. Fanatics Casino

The newest online casino to join the mix is Fanatics Casino, and you can sign-up for their product by clicking this link in MI, PA, or WV. The sign-up bonus you’ll get is 250 free spins after you complete your first deposit of at least $5.

As time continues, expect to see more promotions from this casino and their overall product continue to improve. While they currently trail competitors with lots of more experience, they’re a name to keep an eye on.

5. DraftKings Casino

DraftKings is one of the most prominent brands in the entire betting world, with their online casino doing a good job of being a respectable platform in their own right to accompany their sportsbook.

If you’re a new user in WV, MI, NJ, or PA, you can click here or the offer module above to begin the process of earning $100 in casino site credit. As for how you get this promo, you just need to play $5.

You’ll see that DraftKings has a good selection of games and promotions for returning players. Their loyalty program is also top notch if that’s something you’re into.


Online Casino Gambling Legal States

While bettors are able to visit real-life casinos in many different states across the country, online casinos are not as rich in supply in as many states. So far, only six states have legalized online sites, with these states being:

  1. New Jersey

  2. Connecticut

  3. Delaware

  4. Pennsylvania

  5. Michigan

  6. West Virginia

In order to wager at online casinos in these states, you must be 21 or older, and within state lines.

It is expected that in the coming months more states will legalize online casinos, as the introduction of online gambling sites has been successful.

All of these aforementioned states have a strong range of online casinos to sign-up for, with the best PA online casinos able to be found here.


Online Casino Gambling: States Coming soon

If you are located outside one of the six legal online gambling states, it is not all bad news. There are states working toward legalizing online casinos:

State
Illinois
Current Situation
Bill Introduced
State
Massachusetts
Current Situation
Gambling sites set for launch by end of 2023
State
Lousiana
Current Situation
Bill Introduced
State
New Hampshire
Current Situation
Bill Introduced
State
New York
Current Situation
Bill Introduced
State
Indiana
Current Situation
Expected to launch soon
State
North Carolina
Current Situation
Moving towards legalization

With the growing popularity of online casinos, it would not be surprising to see more states join this list, as more states look to legalize online gambling sites.


How to Choose a US Online Casino

There are choices aplenty when it comes to online casinos, with each having many generous offers, brilliant games and exclusive promotions.

As there’s a lot to consider, we’ve broken it down for you to understand the most important aspects of picking your preferred real money online casino site.

Variety of Games

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an online casino is the variety of games available.

Obviously, the more choices you have to play, the better, with some casino sites offering as many as 1,000 different games for you to enjoy.

Smaller online casino sites will offer many of the same games, around 200 to 300, not providing the variation that others do.

Most online casinos will offer the most popular casino games, so if you’re after a specific game, it’s worth taking a look around to see which online casinos offer your chosen games.

Deposit/Withdrawal Methods

While it’s not always easy, generally the best online casino sites will accept a wider range of deposit and withdrawal options and are more trustworthy.

Most online casinos will accept debit cards, with a few e-wallet options. It is also important that an online gambling site has an easy deposit process.

The best online casinos will allow you to deposit your money within minutes.

The choices available at the best online casinos are as follows:

  1. Debit Cards

  2. PayPal

  3. Bank Transfers

  4. Skrill

  5. E-Checks

  6. Cash

  7. Neteller

It is worth considering your preferred deposit method when choosing an online casino, as not all casinos offer the same methods of payment.

Sign-Up Offers

We cannot stress enough the importance of welcome offers at online casinos, as it is often how the best online casinos separate themselves from the competition.

It also provides you with a fantastic start to your online casino experience, giving you free spins, bonus funds, or even a little extra balance to play with.

The most common types of sign-up offers are as follows:

  1. Deposit-Match Bonus

  2. No Deposit Bonus

  3. Free Spins

  4. Bonus Bets

  5. Free Bonus Funds

Many of the welcome bonuses have requirements, so it is often important to research and read the terms and conditions of welcome offers. Some of the questions you might ask are:

  1. Does my bonus have wagering requirements?

  2. Do my bonuses have expiry dates?

  3. What games can I use my bonus funds on?

  4. Am I eligible for a bonus?

  5. What is the maximum amount you can win with bonus funds?

Existing Promotions

All of the best online casinos will offer some sort of welcome offer, but not everyone offers existing promotions.

Many of the best online gambling sites will provide their existing costumes with rolling incentives, bonus funds, free spins and much more.

It’s important to research which online casinos offer the best existing customer promotions, as they can really boost your playing experience.

Loyalty schemes

Many of the best U.S. online casinos will have loyalty schemes, which look after their existing players while attracting new customers.

Rewards can be earned by simply wagering on various slots and table games, such as blackjack and roulette, with the quality of these rewards increasing the more you wager.

Points-based and tier-based schemes are the two most common types of loyalty schemes you will come across.

Points-based schemes are geared towards players that wager frequently. Players achieve points depending on how often they play and how much they wager.

The points earned from this can then be converted into rewards, with these often being cash, free bonuses and free spins.

Tier-based schemes see players move through tiers based on how much they wager as well as how often, with the rewards improving as players move through the tiers.

If you’re a regular player at online casinos, it is worth researching the best VIP/Loyalty schemes out there, to get the most out of your time spent playing.

Safety and legality

As online casinos have not been around for very long, it is understandable to be concerned about depositing your money into a brand new account and signing up.

However, we can assure that all of the casino sites mentioned in this piece are fully legal and licensed in the states in which they’re operational, meaning you won’t have anything to worry about when signing up and depositing funds.

All licensed casino sites in the U.S., those mentioned in this piece, have strict rules and regulations to follow to ensure nothing happens to your money, so any funds you deposit into your account will be in safe hands.


Tips for New Online Casino Players

As online casino sites have not been around for very long, and can differ from real-life casinos, there are a few things to remember if you’re new to the legal online gambling world.

Do Your Research

While our list has ranked the best online casinos, there will always be a different casino best suited for each player. All of the online casinos mentioned in this guide are among the best in the U.S.

If you’re a dedicated slots player, you may want to look for the online casino which has the highest slots payout, or the greatest range of slots available.

Likewise, if you prefer table games such as roulette or blackjack, you will want to consider the online casinos which offer the best payouts, minimum stake requirements and choices of games to play.

Stick to games you understand well

As online casinos have risen in popularity, so too has the number of new games and slots available to play. It’s always a good call to play the games you’re familiar with, instead of trying to play the games you do not understand.

By playing online games you know well, you’ll know how to win, as well as how the game itself works.

If you come across any games you are unfamiliar with, but want to play them, then its best to research them, play with any bonus funds, or in demo play in order to understand the ins and outs of the game.

Set Your Staking Limits

When wagering online, it’s always important to set your limits before playing, as this’ll help you to win money in the long run, without losing too much at the start.

Bigger stakes mean increased pressure, and new gamblers can be susceptible to common mistakes that the more experienced player will have learnt to avoid, such as:

  1. Chasing your losses

  2. Losing money you don’t have

  3. Gambling with impaired judgement

  4. Not playing within your bankroll

Setting a losing limit is a good call before playing, keeping you in check while being able to keep track of your wins and losses.

Don’t Chase Losses

Perhaps one of the most important rules to live by when gambling online, it’s always important to remember to never chase your losses, and maintain composure when playing online.

Even the most experienced online casino players will have suffered losing streaks in the past, something that will happen on occasion no matter how good you are.

Use On The House Casino Games and Demo Play

While not all online casinos offer this, it’s always a good idea to play any on the house games that your online casino site has to offer to familiarize yourself with the games themselves and how the site operates as a whole.

Top online gambling sites offer you the chance to try out their games on the house before playing for real money.

Doing this will allow you to see which of the games you are unfamiliar with you are wanting to play, and help to rule out those that you don’t like.

Making the Most of Sign-Up Offers

All of the best online casinos in the U.S. will have a healthy sign up offer in order to get the most bang for your buck. It’s always important to take advantage of these welcome offers, and any existing offers that are available

No matter what promotions are offered to you, whether this be $10 in bonus funds or 20 bonus spins on a selection of slots, we always recommend using these in case you end up winning big.


Most Popular Online Casino Games

Poker

Poker is arguably the most famous casino game you can play.

The best casinos for U.S. players will offer a video poker section and a separate online poker site that runs parallel to the main online gambling site.

Video poker can be played both offline and online, against both the house and other players, with this requiring just a basic level of poker knowledge to succeed in.

There are many variations of video poker, meaning you’re spoilt for choice on which table to sit on.

If you’re more serious about playing poker, online poker is a great way to show your skills against other players.

Online poker involves a higher level of skill, while video poker depends entirely on the cards you have been dealt.

The most common vacations of poker found are available at most online casinos, such as Texas Hold ‘Em, Casino Hold ‘Em, Five-Card Draw and many more.

Slots

Slot games are one of the most fun games to play when it comes to online casinos, with every online casino boasting a wide range of slot games.

The best casinos will have a number of different types of slots on offer for users to play:

  1. Classic Slots

  2. Five-Reel Slots

  3. Progressive Slots

  4. Mega-Spin Slots

  5. Multi-Payline Slots

The best online casino sites out there will also possess slots that are styled with different themes, ranging from sports styled slots, as well as entertainment and seasonally themed slot games.

Many of these slots have amazing jackpots available, with loads of new offers and promotions coming up week by week.

Roulette

Perhaps the most popular table game, Roulette offers many outcomes for people to bet on. With plenty of variations of roulette, there is no shortage of roulette tables for bettors in the USA.

Roulette wheels contain 38 numbers, with players able to bet on single numbers, red or black, odd or even and many other options. Roulette is entirely up to chance, with certain strategies more beneficial than others.

Blackjack

One of the most notorious casino games, blackjack sees you trying to get cards that add up to, or get as close to, a score of 21 as possible.

With many variations of blackjack available, it is easy to understand and fun to play online.

Many of the bigger online casinos will offer plenty of variations of blackjack, with sports themed, seasonally themed, as well as many popular culture referenced blackjack games.

There is no doubt that there will be a blackjack game for you.

Baccarat

One of the most common card games in casinos, Baccarat is available to play at all the best online gambling sites.

In Baccarat, every player, including the dealer, will be dealt two cards face up, with the objective being to get to as close to a value of nine as possible.

If you’ve bet on the player to win, you will double your money if you win. If you bet on the dealer and they win, you’ll get 95% of what you wagered originally.

Baccarat is a relatively easy game to play with generally simple rules, making it a popular game for those that don’t want to endure the drama and stress of poker.

Craps

Less popular than Blackjack and Roulette, but still just as fun. A common dice game in real life, there are a number of variations of craps available at online casinos.


Online Casino FAQs

Are online real money casinos legit?

All the online casinos in this piece are 100% legal and licensed in the states which they operate. It is necessary to check whether or not online casino gambling is legal in your state before you sign-up and deposit.

How do I deposit at a real money casino?

The best real money online casinos will accept a variety of payment methods. Debit cards are accepted at most places, with E-wallets such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill are also widely accepted.

The exact processes for depositing and withdrawing will be different from one casino to the next, but they are generally quite straightforward.

Are online casino games rigged?

All the licensed online casinos use a Random Number Generator to determine the outcomes of all games.

The technology used in an RNG is fair and unpredictable, giving out random results every time a bet is placed.

Online casinos use a Return-to-Player percentage, with this percentage usually being between 95% and 97%, meaning they will pay out between 95-97 cents per dollar wagered.

Can online casinos be trusted with my information?

All of the online casinos mentioned in this piece are completely trustworthy, and will keep your information secure and safe.

Financial information and personal details are very secure, with the latest encryption technology being used to prevent hackers from stealing your details.

What is a wagering requirement?

A wagering requirement represents the amount of times you have to play with a bonus before you’re able to withdraw any of the winnings from your account.

You will usually come across wagering requirements when it comes to taking advantage of sign-up offers such as no-deposit bonuses and deposit-match bonuses.

For example, if you’re given $100 with a 10x wagering requirement, you’ll need to play $1000 worth of eligible games before you’re able withdraw any winnings gained from your bonus funds.

It’s always important to check if any sign-up offers or promotions have wagering requirements attached to them to ensure you know exactly how to withdraw any winnings from them.

How much money can I win from an online casino?

Most online casinos will have a maximum payout you can win when it comes to their slots.

This information can be found easily on the online casino site.

Jackpot slots won’t have a maximum amount that can be awarded, with the maximum payout for these types of slots changing depending on how much money is wagered for each, as well as how often the jackpot total is won.

The majority of online casino sites won’t have an absolute maximum amount you can win in total, however they will have a maximum amount you can win on select games, meaning there is a limit to the amount you can win.

What are Live Casino Games?

Live casino games are often shown via a live streaming video link, with you able to see both the table of whatever game you’re playing and the dealer via this stream.

You are able to wager on these live tables via your online casino’s site or app, with you also often able to communicate with the dealers via a live chat.

These games include Live Roulette, live blackjack, live poker and many more live options. If you enjoy visiting real life casinos, they’d definitely be for your, with the best live casino sites listed here.

What Software Do Online Casinos Use?

All of the online casinos in the USA will use the best software for their slots and games, with the most popular softwares being:

  1. PlayTech

  2. Real Time Gaming

  3. Microgaming

  4. Aristocrat

Caesars, Unibet Casino and 888 Casino all use PlayTech, using their high-quality graphics and fast loading games. PlayTech is the most commonly used software, and is used in a lot of the best online casinos.

Can I play online casino games on my mobile phone?

If you prefer to play on your mobile phone, then mobile sites and apps are offered by some of the best online casinos.

FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings all have great Casino specific apps, with other online casinos offering mobile apps too, with the best casino apps being found here.

Online casinos will often have a combined balance, meaning you can use your balances to wager on sports, as well as on the casino.

What Customer Service Options are Available?

All of the best online casinos will have different customer service options available that you can use to contact them regarding any queries or questions you may have.

A few of the online casinos offer 24/7 help, meaning if you’re stuck or are needing help then there will always be someone available. The following methods are more commonly available at the best online casinos:

  1. Live Chat

  2. Email

  3. Phone Number

  4. FAQs

The best casinos will offer all of these options to their users, with the information on how to contact them via these means being easily accessible via their online site.

How long does it take for an online casino to payout?

This all depends on which online casino you’re with, as each casino will have different withdrawal methods available for you to use.

In turn, this also depends on which withdrawal methods you’re using to take your winnings out of your account as well, as each method will come with a different withdrawal time.

Most withdrawal times will transfer your winnings to your bank account within 24 to 48 hours, however some methods, such as a check, can take days.

However, rest assured no matter which method you use, you will always be given your winnings paid out in full.

What are the best online casino games to make money on?

The amount a casino game will pay out all depends on what the Return to Player Percentage (RTP%) for each game.

All slots and table games will come with their own RTP%, with games such as Blackjack boasting some of the highest RTP% you’ll come across at all casinos.

Some of the best online casinos will declare the RTP% for their games on their site, while you may have to do your own research in order to find out the RTP% for some of the other games.

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The Inquirer is not an online gambling operator, or a gambling site. We provide this information about sports betting for entertainment purposes only.