Best sites by category

Discover our top five recommended online casinos for real money. Choose a site by best feature, Casino.org rating, or state availability.

1. Caesars Palace Online Casino - Best for loyalty rewards

Pros

? Unique rewards program with over 60 million members

? Highest win rate (97.63%) of our top picks

? Largest welcome bonus on our shortlist

Cons

? 70% of our top casinos payout quicker

Learn more about the Caesars Palace promo code or read our full Caesars Palace Online Casino review.

Caesars Palace Online Casino tops my list for two main reasons; games and rewards. Caesars Palace boasts over 1,000 games from 20+ software providers. For context, the average real money casino offers around 15 providers. I also love the Caesars Rewards scheme. It gives you valuable rewards like bonuses and discounts on Caesars' hotel stays.

User review: "The bonuses and promos at Caesars Casino Online are pretty good. They totally met my expectations and added to the fun." - Feeling_Yak7183 - Reddit user, January, 2024

Editor's take: Caesars Palace Casino Online scores 4/5 and 4.5/5 in the Play Store and the App Store. This is very positive, yet some users complain that the casino's customer support is slow. To avoid this, I recommend using the Live Chat service when possible. It isn't 24/7, however, which is an oversight.

Casino.org rating: 4.4/5 ?

2. BetRivers - Best for slots players

Pros

? Get winnings quickly with a low 1x wagering on bonuses

? Higher than average (1,400+) number of real money slots

? Instant withdrawals via Play+

Cons

? 4/10 of our top picks have bigger welcome bonuses

Learn more about the BetRivers promo code or read our full BetRivers casino review.

BetRivers stands out to me as the best real money casino for slot players. This is because it boasts over 1,400 slots from great providers such as NetEnt and IGT. The win rate is slightly lower than Caesars Palace at 96.96%, but this is still above the 95% average. An amazing 100+ jackpot slots, however, affect this. They have lower return to player rates (RTPs), bringing the overall rate down, but offer amazing real cash opportunities.

User review: "BetRivers is a solid choice for newbies and pros alike. The promos and game options are definitely awesome." - karmaahmad - Reddit user, January 2024

Editor's take: BetRivers has an average score of 3.2 across the Play Store, App Store, and Trustpilot. Unfortunately, you can't separate casino and sportsbook reviews. Here, players complain of poor odds and limited markets. As mentioned, the slots and table game sections are expansive, so I wouldn't worry.

Casino.org rating: 4.8/5 ?

3. BetMGM - Best for welcome bonuses

Pros

? Most generous no deposit bonus of $25

? Lower wagering requirements than other top casinos (1-15x)

? $50 refer a friend bonus

Cons

? Fewer table games (approx. 60) than other sites

Learn more about the BetMGM promo code or read our full BetMGM casino review.

Head to BetMGM if you want a great value, generous welcome bonus. The wagering requirements are lower than most US casinos too. Set at 1x for the no deposit bonus and 15x for the match bonus, clearing them is very realistic. I love the variety of slots and live games, though there is a limited selection of table games. Making up just 2% of the lobby, it's below average.

User review: "It's my favorite place to gamble. Love the variety of slots. Fast payouts. I've been using them for 2 yrs now and never had a problem." - Tiffany Brad - Google Play Store review

Editor's take: Unfortunately, players in the UK have skewed the BetMGM Trustpilot page. In the US, however, the casino has a rating of 4.2/5 in the App Store and 4.5/5 in the Play Store. This is impressive, given that over 243k users have submitted a rating. Some users dislike the verification process. They also complain that you can't wager if you go out of state. For me, this shows that BetMGM is diligent and complies with US gambling laws.

Casino.org rating: 4.1/5 ?

4. Golden Nugget - Best for game variety

Pros

? Wider range of software providers (25+) than most US casinos

? Larger than average referral bonus of $500

? 15+ bespoke in-house games

Cons

? Slowest average payout speed of our top casinos

Read our full Golden Nugget casino review.

I am very impressed with the number of games available at Golden Nugget casino. Most US casinos have around 800 games, but Golden Nugget doubles this with over 1,400. These come from 25+ software providers, including big names like IGT and NetEnt. You can also play slots from independent developers like AGS and Aruze, or try exclusive titles developed in-house. There are over 50 jackpot games too, which is way above average. All this amounts to a huge, varied, and distinctive games library that's also easy to navigate.

User review: "I've been happy with Golden Nugget for a long while, their daily and weekend bonuses were great." - Tim Rownan - Reddit user, February 2024

Editor's take: Existing players are generally happy with Golden Nugget casino. The app scores an average of 4.5/5 from iOS and Android users. Although we don't have many insights from browser users right now, the design is very intuitive; I love the search function.

Casino.org rating: 4.7/5 ?

5. DraftKings Casino - Best for exclusive games

Pros

? The most banking options (15) of our top casinos

? Higher win rate than 60% of our top casinos

? 40+ exclusive DraftKings games

Cons

? Lowest welcome bonus of our top casinos

Learn more about the DraftKings promo code or read our full DraftKings casino review.

DraftKings is often regarded as one of the best casino brands to play at, and I have to agree. It stands out from the crowd by offering thousands of games. This includes over 40 DraftKings exclusives, such as NBA Slam Dunk Roulette, Playboy Diamonds, and Loki's Luck. I also love that the upper betting limits are higher than most US casinos. Lunar New Year Baccarat, for instance, has a $65,250 max bet limit.

User review: "DraftKings is the best, period. Their layout is the simplest of the other similar apps, and it is an overall great experience." - Caleb Doyon - Google Play Store review

Editor's take: DraftKings has a low Trustpilot score, though this comes from very few reviews. In this case, I don't find the user reviews credible. Players complain of rigged games, yet DraftKings boasts audit reports from trusted sources. These prove the games are fair and that the advertised RTP rates are correct.

Casino.org rating: 4/5 ?

Real money casino bonuses

Our best online casinos for real money in the US all offer generous bonuses, although these come in different shapes and sizes. Learn about the most popular real money bonuses below. c

Casino bonuses come with wagering requirements. This means you will need to play through your winnings a certain number of times before you can withdraw them. At US casinos, wagering requirements of around 35x are average, but they can be as small as 1x.

?? Editor's insight: I prefer casino bonuses with low wagering compared to a high bonus amount as I tend to play with lower stakes. Maximize your bonus by picking ones that match your style.

13th September 2024

Popular types of real money games at USA casinos

Explore the top types of real money casino games in the US including slots, table games, and live dealer experiences.

Compare casino games - RTP, house edge, & popular titles

When you're playing casino games to win real money, some stats are important. To maximize your chances of winning real cash, look at the game's return to player rate (RTP) and house edge. The higher the RTP, and the lower the house edge, the better.

To make things easy, we've listed the average payout rates of popular casino games below, along with the best real money titles.

The easiest US casino banking methods

At the top real money casinos, we like to see familiar US payment methods. This means credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and pre-paid cards. Both depositing and withdrawing cash should be painless and secure.

Take a look at the table below to decide which payment method is right for you.

Popular US payment method guides

Getting started at a real money online casino in the US is easy, you just need to follow a few simple steps. We've highlighted them here:

Play real money games like a pro with our expert’s tips

Head of Casino.org, Hannah, shares her top tips for playing online casino real money games. With over 5 years experience in the US casino industry, she knows everything you need to look out for.

• Pick licensed sites with KYC verification

  Playing at licensed sites is the only way to stay safe at real money casinos. This is because there is legal recourse in place should anything go wrong. In the past years, I've seen a rise in offshore casinos and anonymous casinos. I don't recommend either. They allow you to circumvent identity verification through payment methods like cryptocurrencies. This might sound appealing, but remember that verification keeps both you and the casino safe from financial crime.
• Always check game stats

  When you're playing for real money, game stats matter. I always check the RTP of the game, the max win amount, and the volatility/risk. This lets me make better decisions with my cash. For example, low-volatility real money games allow me to play for longer with a small budget, as they offer frequent wins.
• Track progressive jackpots in real time

  Several websites allow you to follow progressive jackpots. You can see the average jackpot win amount, the average time it takes for the jackpot to drop, and recent wins. With this data, you can work out whether the jackpot is likely to drop soon. Of course, it's not an exact science, but I like knowing anyway.
• Use our free games to practice

  When a new game or slot launches, I always play the demo version first. Casino.org offers you thousands of free games and we update the library often. Free games give me a risk-free chance to get to grips with bonus features, game cadence, and other unique elements.
• Employ table game strategies

  If I'm playing blackjack or roulette, I use basic strategies to optimize my returns. This may be the basic blackjack strategy or the Martingale roulette strategy. Although game results are random at real money casinos, strategies help you cut the house edge.
• Sign up to casino newsletters and enable notifications

  Real money casinos love rewarding regular players. To stay up-to-date with promotions, I always opt-in to email newsletters. Whilst they may be a bit annoying, it's great to get offers delivered straight to my inbox. I also enable notifications on casino apps - the only thing I check more often than my email is my phone!
• Try out new payment methods

  I always advise players to use the payment methods they feel most comfortable with. That said, shopping around goes a long way too. If you feel confident trying a new method, look out for cashback on card deposits, or refer-a-friend bonuses with e-wallets like Skrill.

1. 1
   Have a budget you can stick to – Always bet only what you can afford to lose. Having a budget allows you to enjoy your game knowing you’re within limits, and to know when to stop.
2. 2
   Take regular breaks – Having a few days or weeks off allows you to stay fresh. It also helps you to think clearly whenever you’re wagering money on casino games.
3. 3
   Never chase your losses – It’s a false economy to try to bet harder to recoup losses. Enjoy the game for what it is, and when your budget’s up, it’s time to stop.
4. 4
   Be in the right frame of mind – Never play when you’re tired, emotional, or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. It’s important that you're in the right frame of mind to play responsibly and enjoy the game.
5. 5
   Know the odds – Understand exactly where your game sits in the risk scale and what returns a win might offer you (or potential losses).
6. 6
   Seek help if you need it – Various organizations can help and advise you if your gambling begins to be a problem for you.

Problem gambling support in the US

We’ve noted some of the most popular organizations that can help with information and support, should you or a loved one need help with problem gambling.

• Gamblers Anonymous: GA offers group and individual support in person, by phone, and virtually. You can find meetings throughout the US and in most states.
• National Council on Problem Gambling: The National Problem Gambling Helpline can help to connect you with resources in your area. There are 27 contact centers, each covering all 50 states.
• 1-800-Gambler: The National Problem Gambling Helpline can help to connect you with resources in your area. There are 27 contact centers, each covering all 50 states.
• GamTalk: GamTalk is a community of people who aim to share and understand problem gambling issues. They offer community chats and resources to help with gambling addiction. Joining is free and completely anonymous.

Latest legal gambling updates in the US

Below you can find information on the states most likely to legalize real money online casinos in 2024. We'll update this list with any bill movements.

• Arkansas: Arkansas has seen some clear efforts to legalize online casino gambling. The chief marketing officer for Saracen Casino Resort has allegedly asked to appear before the Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC). This is to see what movement can be made for 2024, though no bill has been drafted yet.
• Illinois: Two bills have seen movement in Illinois: SB1656 and HB2239. Illinois Representative Edgar Gonzalez Jr. is the sponsor of the latter bill. It's likely that nothing will come of either bill until 2025.
• Iowa: The 2023 bill HSB227 is still currently active in Iowa. There have been few updates on the future of the bill, and it's looking highly unlikely we'll see online casinos legalized in Iowa for 2024.
• Maine: State Rep. Laura Supica put forward bill LD1777 that would have permitted the tribes to align with operators like DraftKings. The bill did not pass, however, and the House was defeated by a vote of 74-71 in April 2024.
• Maryland: The latest Maryland online casino bill headed to the Senate on March 14, 2024. However, it sparked debate and sadly did not appear on the General Assembly’s agenda this year. There have been no further updates.
• New York: New York has always teased the idea of legal online casinos. Sen. Joseph Addabbo has been the main champion for this including his latest bill, S8185. We're holding out hope that it could sneak into the budget as 2024 continues, but it's looking unlikely.

References

• Illinois bill updates - Illinois General Assembly
• Iowa bill updates - Iowa Legislature
• Maine bill updates - Maine Legislature
• New York bill updates - NY State Senate