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Online Gambling in the US: Top Gambling Sites for September 2024

Online Gambling in the US
Sports Legal Since 2018
Daily Fantasy Legal Since 2011
Casino Legal Since 2013
Poker Legal Since 2013
Lottery Legal Since 2009

The Best Online Gambling Sites by State

Online gambling is best when played with a sense of security. At Online-gambling.com, we exclusively review licensed operators with tried and tested offers. When ranking the best online gambling sites, we also consider mobile compatibility, available payment methods, game libraries, and customer service. Get started below with our updated list of the top operators in the US:

  • Secure
  • Trusted
  • Verified
Last updated: August 20, 2024

Online Gambling Sites in the US

United States
Arizona Colorado Connecticut Illinois Indiana
Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland
Massachusetts Michigan Nevada New Jersey New York
North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Tennessee Virginia
West Virginia
US Gambling Sites Welcome Bonus Bonus Code Legal In Site Rating Secure Link Terms
BetMGM 100% up to $2,500 +$50 Free Play & 50 Free Spins
Not Needed
100% Excellent
21+. T&Cs apply.
DraftKings Casino Play $5, Get $50 in Casino Credits
Not Needed
99% Excellent
New customer offer. Wager $5+ on Casino w/in 7 days of accepting the offer to get $50 Casino Credits for select games that are non-withdrawable, single-use, have no cash value, and expire in 7 days (168 hours). Promotion valid between 5/14/24 at 12:00 AM Eastern Time (ET) and 7/14/24 at 11:59 PM ET. 21+. Full T&Cs apply.
Betway Up to $1,000 Casino Bonus
Not Needed
98% Excellent
21+. T&Cs apply.
Caesars Palace Online Casino Up to $2,500 Deposit match
IGCA2500
97% Excellent
21+. T&Cs apply.
Golden Nugget Deposit $5, Get $50 in Casino Credits
Not Needed
95% Excellent
21+. T&Cs apply.
Pokerstars Casino 100% up to $600 First Deposit Bonus
STARS600
92% Excellent
21+. T&Cs apply.
Borgata Online Casino 100% up to $1,000 + $20 Free
Not Needed
92% Excellent
21+. T&Cs apply.
bet365 Casino 100% up to $1,000 New Player Bonus
Not Needed
91% Excellent
21+. T&Cs apply.
Hard Rock Casino 500 Free Spins+ 100% up to $1,000
Not Needed
90% Excellent
Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply.
Stardust 100% up to $100 + 200 Spins on First Deposit
Not Needed
89% Very Good
21+. T&Cs apply.
John Isaac, Editor at online-gambling.com
John Isaac

John Isaac is one of the editors at online-gambling.com. He is an expert at card games, such as blackjack and poker. In addition, he writes about the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets.

Why You Can Trust Online-gambling.com
  • We devote hours to researching gambling laws. We follow every change to legislation across all states so there is no speculation about the legality of each website we review.
  • We monitor all the latest developments in the US gambling industry. We only source information from authoritative news outlets such as the New York Times and Washington Post.
  • We have years of experience evaluating gambling sites, creating strategy guides, and writing operator reviews. Our online blackjack guide is one example of the free resources available to you.

Our Top 10: How Each Operator Ranks

Slot machine, playing cards and the US flag

Types of Online Gambling in the US

Legal types of gambling vary in each state. Some don’t permit any such activities, while others have fully legalized online casinos, sportsbooks, poker, bingo, and daily fantasy sports (DFS). In the following paragraphs, we’ll discuss each one in more detail.

State-by-State

Every state has different laws on gambling [1] as well as varying approaches to regulating the industry. Therefore, it’s worth looking into what’s allowed in the specific area you’re in. If you find a website offering a service that you know is illegal in your state, then you should avoid it at all costs, as it’s likely an offshore operator.

Since there are no legal online gambling sites to cover the demand for such activities, these black-market operators step in to fill the void. While they may seem like a good deal, it’s best to stay away. This is the only way to protect yourself from fraud, non-payment, and identity theft.

Online Gambling by State

Arkansas
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California
Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida
Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana
Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine
Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi
Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire
New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota
Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island
South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah
Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin
Wyoming
US State Online Sports Betting Online Casino Daily Fantasy Online Poker Online Lotto
Alabama Not Legal Online Sports Betting AL Not Legal Online Casino AL Legal Daily Fantasy AL Not Legal Online Poker AL Not Legal Online Lotto AL
Alaska Not Legal Online Sports Betting AK Not Legal Online Casino AK Legal Daily Fantasy AK Not Legal Online Poker AK Not Legal Online Lotto AK
Arizona Legal Online Sports Betting AZ Not Legal Online Casino AZ Legal Daily Fantasy AZ Not Legal Online Poker AZ Not Legal Online Lotto AZ
Arkansas Not Legal Online Sports Betting AR Not Legal Online Casino AR Legal Daily Fantasy AR Not Legal Online Poker AR Legal Online Lotto AR
California Not Legal Online Sports Betting CA Not Legal Online Casino CA Legal Daily Fantasy CA Not Legal Online Poker CA Not Legal Online Lotto CA
Colorado Legal Online Sports Betting CO Not Legal Online Casino CO Legal Daily Fantasy CO Not Legal Online Poker CO Legal Online Lotto CO
Connecticut Legal Online Sports Betting CT Legal Online Casino CT Legal Daily Fantasy CT Not Legal Online Poker CT Not Legal Online Lotto CT
Delaware Legal Online Sports Betting DE Legal Online Casino DE Legal Daily Fantasy DE Legal Online Poker DE Not Legal Online Lotto DE
District of Columbia Legal Online Sports Betting DC Not Legal Online Casino DC Legal Daily Fantasy DC Not Legal Online Poker DC Legal Online Lotto DC
Florida Not Legal Online Sports Betting FL Not Legal Online Casino FL Legal Daily Fantasy FL Not Legal Online Poker FL Not Legal Online Lotto FL
Georgia Not Legal Online Sports Betting GA Not Legal Online Casino GA Legal Daily Fantasy GA Not Legal Online Poker GA Legal Online Lotto GA
Hawaii Not Legal Online Sports Betting HI Not Legal Online Casino HI Not Legal Daily Fantasy HI Not Legal Online Poker HI Not Legal Online Lotto HI
Idaho Not Legal Online Sports Betting ID Not Legal Online Casino ID Not Legal Daily Fantasy ID Not Legal Online Poker ID Not Legal Online Lotto ID
Illinois Legal Online Sports Betting IL Not Legal Online Casino IL Legal Daily Fantasy IL Not Legal Online Poker IL Legal Online Lotto IL
Indiana Legal Online Sports Betting IN Not Legal Online Casino IN Legal Daily Fantasy IN Not Legal Online Poker IN Not Legal Online Lotto IN
Iowa Legal Online Sports Betting IA Not Legal Online Casino IA Legal Daily Fantasy IA Not Legal Online Poker IA Not Legal Online Lotto IA
Kansas Legal Online Sports Betting KS Not Legal Online Casino KS Legal Daily Fantasy KS Not Legal Online Poker KS Not Legal Online Lotto KS
Kentucky Legal Online Sports Betting KY Not Legal Online Casino KY Legal Daily Fantasy KY Not Legal Online Poker KY Legal Online Lotto KY
Louisiana Legal Online Sports Betting LA Not Legal Online Casino LA Legal Daily Fantasy LA Not Legal Online Poker LA Not Legal Online Lotto LA
Maine Not Legal Online Sports Betting ME Not Legal Online Casino ME Legal Daily Fantasy ME Not Legal Online Poker ME Legal Online Lotto ME
Maryland Legal Online Sports Betting MD Not Legal Online Casino MD Legal Daily Fantasy MD Not Legal Online Poker MD Not Legal Online Lotto MD
Massachusetts Not Legal Online Sports Betting MA Not Legal Online Casino MA Legal Daily Fantasy MA Not Legal Online Poker MA Not Legal Online Lotto MA
Michigan Legal Online Sports Betting MI Legal Online Casino MI Legal Daily Fantasy MI Legal Online Poker MI Legal Online Lotto MI
Minnesota Not Legal Online Sports Betting MN Not Legal Online Casino MN Legal Daily Fantasy MN Not Legal Online Poker MN Legal Online Lotto MN
Mississippi Legal Online Sports Betting MS Not Legal Online Casino MS Legal Daily Fantasy MS Not Legal Online Poker MS Not Legal Online Lotto MS
Missouri Not Legal Online Sports Betting MO Not Legal Online Casino MO Legal Daily Fantasy MO Not Legal Online Poker MO Not Legal Online Lotto MO
Montana Legal Online Sports Betting MT Not Legal Online Casino MT Not Legal Daily Fantasy MT Not Legal Online Poker MT Not Legal Online Lotto MT
Nebraska Not Legal Online Sports Betting NE Not Legal Online Casino NE Legal Daily Fantasy NE Not Legal Online Poker NE Not Legal Online Lotto NE
Nevada Legal Online Sports Betting NV Not Legal Online Casino NV Not Legal Daily Fantasy NV Legal Online Poker NV Not Legal Online Lotto NV
New Hampshire Legal Online Sports Betting NH Not Legal Online Casino NH Legal Daily Fantasy NH Not Legal Online Poker NH Legal Online Lotto NH
New Jersey Legal Online Sports Betting NJ Legal Online Casino NJ Legal Daily Fantasy NJ Legal Online Poker NJ Legal Online Lotto NJ
New Mexico Not Legal Online Sports Betting NM Not Legal Online Casino NM Legal Daily Fantasy NM Not Legal Online Poker NM Not Legal Online Lotto NM
New York Legal Online Sports Betting NY Not Legal Online Casino NY Legal Daily Fantasy NY Not Legal Online Poker NY Legal Online Lotto NY
North Carolina Not Legal Online Sports Betting NC Not Legal Online Casino NC Legal Daily Fantasy NC Not Legal Online Poker NC Legal Online Lotto NC
North Dakota Not Legal Online Sports Betting ND Not Legal Online Casino ND Legal Daily Fantasy ND Not Legal Online Poker ND Not Legal Online Lotto ND
Ohio Legal Online Sports Betting OH Not Legal Online Casino OH Legal Daily Fantasy OH Not Legal Online Poker OH Legal Online Lotto OH
Oklahoma Not Legal Online Sports Betting OK Not Legal Online Casino OK Legal Daily Fantasy OK Not Legal Online Poker OK Legal Online Lotto OK
Oregon Legal Online Sports Betting OR Not Legal Online Casino OR Not Legal Daily Fantasy OR Not Legal Online Poker OR Legal Online Lotto OR
Pennsylvania Legal Online Sports Betting PA Legal Online Casino PA Legal Daily Fantasy PA Legal Online Poker PA Legal Online Lotto PA
Rhode Island Legal Online Sports Betting RI Not Legal Online Casino RI Legal Daily Fantasy RI Not Legal Online Poker RI Legal Online Lotto RI
South Carolina Legal Online Sports Betting SC Not Legal Online Casino SC Legal Daily Fantasy SC Not Legal Online Poker SC Not Legal Online Lotto SC
South Dakota Not Legal Online Sports Betting SD Not Legal Online Casino SD Legal Daily Fantasy SD Not Legal Online Poker SD Not Legal Online Lotto SD
Tennessee Legal Online Sports Betting TN Not Legal Online Casino TN Legal Daily Fantasy TN Not Legal Online Poker TN Not Legal Online Lotto TN
Texas Not Legal Online Sports Betting TX Not Legal Online Casino TX Legal Daily Fantasy TX Not Legal Online Poker TX Legal Online Lotto TX
Utah Not Legal Online Sports Betting UT Not Legal Online Casino UT Legal Daily Fantasy UT Not Legal Online Poker UT Not Legal Online Lotto UT
Vermont Legal Online Sports Betting VT Not Legal Online Casino VT Legal Daily Fantasy VT Not Legal Online Poker VT Not Legal Online Lotto VT
Virginia Legal Online Sports Betting VA Not Legal Online Casino VA Legal Daily Fantasy VA Not Legal Online Poker VA Legal Online Lotto VA
Washington Not Legal Online Sports Betting WA Not Legal Online Casino WA Not Legal Daily Fantasy WA Not Legal Online Poker WA Not Legal Online Lotto WA
West Virginia Legal Online Sports Betting WV Legal Online Casino WV Legal Daily Fantasy WV Legal Online Poker WV Not Legal Online Lotto WV
Wisconsin Not Legal Online Sports Betting WI Not Legal Online Casino WI Legal Daily Fantasy WI Not Legal Online Poker WI Not Legal Online Lotto WI
Wyoming Legal Online Sports Betting WY Not Legal Online Casino WY Legal Daily Fantasy WY Not Legal Online Poker WY Not Legal Online Lotto WY

Casino Gambling

Online casinos are legal in only six US states, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware. Players from these regions can enjoy a range of games, including slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, live dealer tables, and more. New Jersey online casinos were the first to go live in 2013, legally dodging federal legislation by having digital-first operators work off existing Atlantic City licenses.

2017 marks the legalization of online casinos in Pennsylvania. The first operators went live in 2019. While neighboring New Jersey led the way for a while, the Keystone State quickly grew into a premier destination for online gambling in the USA. Not long after, the Mountaineer State followed suit.

A couple of years later, in 2020, West Virginia online casinos were officially launched. Delaware and Connecticut, have a much more limited scope in terms of operators and what you can wager on. The only option in Delaware is the state-run website, while two local gaming tribes operate in Connecticut.

But the real surprise came with the legalization of online casinos in Michigan in 2021. The state desperately wanted to raise more tax revenue, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer saw legalizing online gambling as a great option for making that happen. You can try the best real money gambling sites for casino games featured below:

  • Secure
  • Trusted
  • Verified
Last updated: August 20, 2024

Casino Gambling Sites in the US

United States
Michigan New Jersey Pennsylvania West Virginia
US Gambling Sites Welcome Bonus Bonus Code Legal In Site Rating Games Secure Link Terms
BetMGM 100% up to $2,500 +$50 Free Play & 50 Free Spins
Not Needed
100% Excellent
184 Slot games 9 Roulette games 8 Blackjack games 21+. T&Cs apply.
DraftKings Casino Play $5, Get $50 in Casino Credits
Not Needed
99% Excellent
376 Slot games 10 Roulette games 12 Blackjack games New customer offer. Wager $5+ on Casino w/in 7 days of accepting the offer to get $50 Casino Credits for select games that are non-withdrawable, single-use, have no cash value, and expire in 7 days (168 hours). Promotion valid between 5/14/24 at 12:00 AM Eastern Time (ET) and 7/14/24 at 11:59 PM ET. 21+. Full T&Cs apply.
Betway Up to $1,000 Casino Bonus
Not Needed
98% Excellent
150 Slot games 3 Roulette games 4 Blackjack games 21+. T&Cs apply.
Borgata Online Casino 100% up to $1,000 + $20 Free
Not Needed
97% Excellent
753 Slot games 16 Roulette games 14 Blackjack games 21+. T&Cs apply.
Stardust 100% up to $100 + 200 Spins on First Deposit
Not Needed
95% Excellent
621 Slot games 6 Roulette games 9 Blackjack games 21+. T&Cs apply.

Social Casinos

Social casinos are “freemium” style, meaning you can play casino games with fictional currency or credits. They are popular in areas where you cannot legally gamble online. These free-to-play gambling sites usually put up non-monetary prizes like gift cards. They offer high-quality slot games, blackjack, and roulette just as you would find at a real-money operator. Here is the best social casino available in the US:

Pulsz Social Casino 5,000 Gold Coins + 2.3 Sweepstakes Coins Free Social Casino Games Exclusive Gold Coin Scratchcards 21+. T&Cs apply.

Sports Gambling

After the US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, the number of states with legal sports betting exploded [2]. In fact, following the changes, over half the states in the country legalized this type of gambling. The online sportsbooks below provide access to various betting markets and sports, attractive promotions, and excellent mobile optimization.

  • Secure
  • Trusted
  • Verified
Last updated: August 20, 2024

Sports Gambling Sites in the US

US Online Sportsbooks Welcome Bonus Bonus Code Eligible States Site Rating Secure Link Terms
BetMGM 100% up to: $1,000 Risk-Free Bet
Not Needed
AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WA, WY
95% Excellent
Bet Now! 21+. T&Cs apply.
bet365 Bet $1 Get $200 in Bet Credits
Not Needed
AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY
95% Excellent
Bet Now! 21+. T&Cs apply.
BetRivers Up to $500 2nd Chance Free Bet
SPORTS
AZ, CO, IN, IA, IL, LA, MI, NY, PA, VA
95% Excellent
Bet Now! 21+. T&Cs apply.
Caesars Sportsbook Up to $1,000 First Bet back as Bonus Bets
IGAMING1000
AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, NV, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV
95% Excellent
Bet Now! 21+. T&Cs apply.

New Jersey, with its sizeable Atlantic City gaming industry, was behind the big push to repeal PASPA. As a result, online sportsbooks in NJ launched shortly after and other states quickly followed suit.

Poker

Online poker was a huge industry prior to the so-called Black Friday event which occurred on April 15th, 2011. It could be argued that it was exactly the “poker boom” that caused the DOJ’s clampdown. At the time, online gambling operators were abiding by minimal regulations and some of them flouted the rules.

BetMGM 100% up to $1,000 + $25 FREEPLAY Daily Tournaments Sit & Go’s Available 21+. T&Cs apply.

Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are the six states with legal online poker sites. Luckily, federal legislation allows for interstate player pools with PA being the only one that doesn’t take part. Following an in-depth review of the best online poker sites, BetMGM proved to be the leader.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily fantasy sports are among the fastest-growing form of online gambling in the United States. It is considered a game of skill, which is why DFS sites are legal in many states, especially compared to sports betting, online casinos, and online poker. There are many high-quality daily fantasy sports operators in the country.

Ownersbox 100% up to $500 First Deposit Bonus
Not Needed
Great welcome offer *Terms and Conditions apply for all bonuses. Must be 18+ to participate.

It’s estimated that 1% of the players take home 91% of the profits, which statistically proves it’s primarily skill-based. Since most states include language explicitly outlawing games of chance, daily fantasy sports sites found loopholes in the fine print and capitalized on the demand for sports betting.

Lottery

Lotteries are very popular in American and typically run by the state government. That means you can only play games offered by the specific state you’re in. However, there are some multi-state lotteries like the generous Mega Millions and Powerball, which are available for many gamblers in the country.

theLotter Multi-Draw Package Systematic forms Multiplier bonus features 21+. T&Cs apply.

Luckily, many states have started to realize the potential of having an online lottery. Some of them developed their own lottery apps, while others chose to use a third-party network like the Jackpocket app. They are only available in states that license them.

Guide to Legal Online Gambling Sites

There are several things you should consider when choosing a legal site for online gambling in the US. First is always licensing and security of the operator. Then, you can proceed with reviewing other factors, including mobile apps, payment methods, bonuses, customer service, payout speed, etc.

The best online gambling sites have many perks for their customers, so consider your gaming style based on what they offer. For instance, sports betting enthusiasts won’t be interested in casino games. Similarly, if you prefer to play on desktop, you won’t be that concerned about gambling apps. Our advice is to consider the criteria below to help you choose the most suitable site for you.

Licensing & Player Safety

Finding a safe operator should be your main priority when you’re looking for new options. You should only play at platforms that have been legalized in the state you’re currently in. Please note that you can play in a state with legal gambling even if you’re only visiting. However, the gameplay will be revoked as soon as you leave the state.

If you come across a gambling website without a license (in any state), it’s likely an offshore brand that’s operating illegally. Illegal sites for online gambling must be avoided at all costs, even if US players are accepted. Such operators do not follow laws and regulations as all the safest online gambling sites do.

Gambling Safety Symbols:
eCOGRA A leading independent and internationally approved testing agency that certifies the best online gambling games payout the correct amounts.
IBIA The International Betting Integrity Agency works with sportsbooks and sanctioning bodies around the world to ensure there’s no manipulation.
GLI Gaming Laboratories International checks and certifies that online casino games are running fairly, and payout as designed.
DigiCert CFG or Certified Fair Gambling is one of the leading companies in auditing game fairness and safety. The presence of its logo on a gambling site would guarantee that all games on it are safe and fair.
Gambling Authorities Most legal online gambling sites have the logo of the state’s gambling authority where they operate.

Understanding Legal Products & Markets

Spotting the top internet gambling sites can be difficult at first glance. We recommend evaluating every operator that is legally available in your area. Depositing is not obligatory – you can always create an account, poke around, and decide if it’s for you.

At the end of the day, it’s all about the product itself. The games, the sportsbook, the poker room, or anything else you’re interested in are what provide the experience. Even if the operator has the best bonus offer, it’s worthless if you don’t want to use the site.

Gambling Type Min Product Requirements Best Gambling Operator Why It’s the Best?
Sports Betting 20+ Sports, 100+ Markets, Event Specific Promos BetMGM Single Game Parlays, Top Betting App, Excellent Live Betting Platform
Online Casino 400+ Games, Browser-Based Mobile Play, Live Dealer Options Borgata Online Casino 750+ Games, Great Bonus, PayPal Accepted
Daily Fantasy Guaranteed Prize Pools, Head-to-Head Options, VIP Program DraftKings Beginner Contests, Valuable Bonus, 1,000+ Contests Daily
Online Poker Guaranteed Tournaments, Sit & Go’s, 3+ Game Types PokerStars Daily Tournaments, 5 Game Types, Mobile App
Online Lotto In-App Ticket Storage, Local Games, Multi-State Lotteries Jackpocket Powerball, Mega Millions, Quick Pick Feature

The most popular games at the best online gambling sites are online roulette, blackjack, and slots. One of the reasons behind this is that they are relatively easy to learn. In addition, these games are available at nearly every land-based and online casino, so they are rather familiar to players.

While playing at real money online casinos, you should always check the return-to-player (RTP) rate of the games. This is the percentage of wagered money that you can expept a title to potentially return to you over time. For example, if a slot has an RTP rate of 96% and players have wagered $100 on it, you can expect the slot to theoretically return an average of $96 in winnings in the long run.

  1. Real Money Slots – 95.76%
  2. Real Money Roulette – 96.55%
  3. Real Money Blackjack – 99.45%

Online Gambling Bonuses & Offers

The top online gambling sites are rather generous when it comes to promotions. Afterall, this is one of the primary ways for operators to attract and retain players. Gambling websites feature offers for all kinds of gamblers, while land-based casinos target mainly high-rollers. The best online casino bonuses in the US have fair and achievable terms and conditions.

The promotions depend on the site you use and the type of gambling you prefer. Deposit matches and free spins are common for online casinos. Betting sites, on the other hand, tend to offer risk-free bets instead. As you can see, the operators try to tailor their promotions to the needs of their customers.

Gambling Type Best Bonus Offer Bonus Terms Eligible States Bonus Offered By:
Sports Betting 2nd Chance Free Bet up to $500 Promo Code SPORTS. 1x Playthrough. 30 Day Expiry. AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, NY, PA, VA, WV BetRivers
Online Casino 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 + $25 Free Play 3 Day Free Play Expiry. $10 Min. Deposit. 30 Day Deposit Match Expiry. 1x Playthrough. MI, NJ, PA, WV BetMGM
Daily Fantasy 20% Deposit Match up to $500 Promo Code “SAVE”. 25x Playthrough. 90 Day Expiry. AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY DraftKings
Online Poker $30 Free or 100% Deposit Match up to $600 Max 3 Deposits. 60 Day Expiry. Min $20 Deposit. MI, NV, NJ, PA, WV PokerStars
Online Lotto Sweepstakes Giveaways Specific T&Cs Apply. AR, CO, DC, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, TX Jackpocket

Where to Score the Best Payouts

Payouts are essential to consider when playing at online casinos. This is your main indicator of how much you can expect in potential winnings. The gambling sites we recommend here are among the best payout online casinos in the country. Payouts for Random Number Generator (RNG) games are described by their RTPs, while sports betting payouts are portrayed as odds.

Other gambling products like online poker and DFS don’t have payouts, but they do have different rake levels. This is the amount of money the operator keeps for itself from each tournament’s entry, hand play, or contest. Finding low-rake sites can greatly improve your return on investment.

Gambling Site Type Operator Name Payout Payout Verified by: Best Payout Game Eligible States
Best Payout Casino BetMGM 96.15% Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Jack Hammer 2 MI, PA, NJ, WV
Best Payout Sportsbook bet365 95.45% New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement American Football NJ
Best Payout DFS Site DraftKings N/A New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Fantasy Basketball AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY
Best Payout Poker Site PokerStars N/A Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board N/A PA, NJ
Best Payout Lotto Site Jackpocket N/A N/A Mega Millions NY, NJ, TX, OH, CO, MN, OR, AR, NH, DC

Deposits & Withdrawals

The best gambling websites work with legal and safe payment methods. You can choose between e-wallets, debit and credit cards, online banking, prepaid cards, and more. Most online casinos with the fastest payouts work with popular providers such as PayPal, Apple Pay, and Venmo for gambling. All of them provide quick withdrawals of up to 24 hours.

For card holders, gambling sites that accept Visa are also rather favored among players being a more traditional payment method that has an excellent reputation for being safe, convenient, and reliable. Remember that some operators require you to deposit and withdraw using the same payment option, so you have to be very careful when making a choice.

Gambling Apps

Over 50% of US players prefer to play on their mobile devices. This is why the top online gambling sites are fully optimized for iOS and Android devices. You can play via native apps available on the Apple Store and Google Play or by accessing your favorite operators directly via your mobile browser.

There are a few things to look out for when selecting a new gambling app. Loading times are one of the most important aspects. Ideally, the platform should be well-designed and intuitive for you to use. It should also allow players to choose between convenient payment methods for gambling, PayPal being a great example.

Gambling Type Best Gambling App iOS Version Required Android Version Required Eligible States
Sports Betting bet365 iOS 13.0 or Later Android 7 (Nougat) or Later NJ, PA
Online Casino BetMGM iOS 11.0 or Later Android 8 (Oreo) or Later MI, NJ, PA, WV
Daily Fantasy DraftKings iOS 13.0 or Later Android 5 (Lollipop) or Later AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY
Online Poker PokerStars iOS 11.0 or Later Android 5 (Lollipop) or Later MI, NV, NJ, PA, WV
Online Lotto Jackpocket iOS 11.0 or Later Android 5 (Lollipop) or Later NY, NJ, TX, OH, CO, MN, OR, AR, NH, DC

Software Providers

The backbone of the best online gambling sites is the software providers they work with. Essentially, these are the companies that design casino games, create sports betting skins, and write the code for online poker engines. The top operators in the country work with reputable and prominent brands.

The operators recommended in this article give you the chance to play games from the best software providers worldwide. These include studios like IGT, Evolution, and NetEnt. They have a reputation for creating fair, entertaining, and high-performing titles that you can enjoy completely hassle-free.

Gambling Type Best Gambling Software Other Popular Software
Sports Betting IGT (BetMGM) William Hill (Caesars), Flutter Entertainment, Entain Group, Penn National Gaming, DraftKings
Online Casino NetEnt IGT, Playtech, Scientific Games, Play’n GO, Playson, Evolution, Bally
Daily Fantasy DraftKings N/A
Online Poker Flutter Entertainment (PokerStars) 888poker Engine (Caesars), Entain Group (BetMGM, partypoker)
Online Lotto Jackpocket N/A

Laws & Regulations

Online gambling has taken a long road to legalization in the US. The repeal of PASPA in 2018 paved the way for legal online sports betting, while states first challenged the federal government’s stance on online casinos in 2019.

As the potential benefits of legalizing online gambling become clear, more states have started approving legislation. Since each of them has different laws, you should verify what’s legal and what isn’t in your area, so you stay safe and out of trouble by using a trustworthy ranking system.

Legal Online Gambling

The legal gaming options available to you will depend on where you are in the US. Online casinos are legal in only a handful of states, while sportsbooks are licensed in far more as the market grows rapidly across the country. Similarly, daily fantasy sports (DFS) are widely available across most jurisdictions.

Land-based Gambling

Similar to online casinos in the US, retail and land-based gambling varies greatly by state. While internet operators are largely prohibited, the same is not true for their brick-and-mortar counterparts which can be found in many cities across the country. Native American tribes legally run casinos in areas where they’re otherwise prohibited.

In addition, most states have horse racing tracks, government-run lotteries, and off-track betting locations. However, retail sports betting locations haven’t caught on as much as the online versions have. Many areas allow online sportsbooks to operate one retail location inside a partner casino, though a few only allow retail sportsbooks.

The Biggest Gambling Brands in America:
  • BetMGM
  • DraftKings
  • Caesars
  • Penn National Gaming
  • BetRivers
  • Bally’s
  • Harrah’s

Regulators & Gambling Authorities

Every state has its own official gambling authority – e.g., the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement in New Jersey and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in the Keystone State. These regulators are tasked with licensing the operators in their respective jurisdictions and applying fines and penalties whenever necessary. All legal online gambling sites include the respective licensing commission’s logo in the footer of their homepage.

New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
Official Website www.njoag.gov
Address 1300 Atlantic Avenue Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Phone (609)-984-0909
Email [email protected]
Active Since 1977
Key Persons David L. Rebuck (Director)

Gambling & Taxes

There are certain gambling taxes for real money casino winnings. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has varying requirements for withholding depending on the type of games you play. There are several conditions that must be met, and we’ve included them below:

  • The winnings are $1,200 or more from bingo or slot games.
  • The winnings are $1,500 or more from a Keno game (reduced by the wager).
  • The winnings exceed $5,000 from a poker tournament (reduced by the buy-in).
  • The winnings for all other forms of gambling are $600 or more and 300x the wager.

The withholding rate if you meet any of the above criteria is 24%. Upon registering at a legal US gambling site, you must provide your Social Security number (SSN). In addition, they will send you an IRS Form W2-G when you withdraw. Wait for any W2-G forms you’re expecting before filing your taxes.

If this all sounds complicated, you’re not alone. You can get a step-by-step guide to including gambling winnings on your federal income tax return by reading IRS Tax Topic No. 419. The IRS suggests keeping a running log of all your gambling winnings for the year for auditing purposes.

In most states, gambling winnings are usually considered part of normal income. You should simply add them to all your other income and file your taxes as usual. Remember, you may need to file local taxes as well. New York City, for example, is infamous for its city income tax.

Of course, tax laws vary from location to location, so it’s best to do some research before you file. Some states don’t have an individual income tax, so gamblers in these locations keep their winnings after filing federally.

Legal Gambling Age

Gambling Type Legal Gambling Age
Sports Betting 21+
Casino 21+
Daily Fantasy 21+
Poker 21+
Lotto 18+

The legal age for online gambling in the US varies depending on the particular activity. Some in-person horse racing operators accept players at the age of 18 years old. This is usually the requirement for lotteries and bingo games. For sports betting and online casinos, the age is typically 21. If you are unsure, you can check your local gambling authority’s website or the corresponding operator.

Engaging in underage gambling is a serious offens and can include jail time if you get caught. You should reach out to a responsible gaming organization if you suspect that someone you know might have a problem. These non-profits have personnel experienced in this issue who can help.

Illegal Gambling – Fines & Penalties

Gambling in the US is legal on a federal level, but there are restrictions on interstate and online gambling. Every state is free to regulate these activities within its borders as it wishes. However, there are stiff penalties for gambling-related transgressions like money laundering, tax evasion, and illegal gambling rings.

Gambling in locations where this is illegal is often punished as a misdemeanor. Money laundering can be punished with up to 20 years imprisonment under federal anti-money laundering statutes, while placing interstate bets in violation of the Wire Act can be punished with up to five years imprisonment.

Penalties for Gambling-Related Crimes:
  • Organization of Illegal Gambling Rings: Enforced by individual states.
  • Underage Gambling: Fines, driver’s license suspension, probation, community service, and/or jail time.
  • Money Laundering: Up to 20 years imprisonment under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
  • Wire Act Violations: Up to five years imprisonment.
  • UIGEA Violations: Fines, gambling bans, and up to five years imprisonment.

Upcoming Changes in Legislation

The evolution of gambling regulations will undoubtedly be a topic of interest in the forthcoming months and years. The late 2010s witnessed a surge in legislative action following the Supreme Court’s repeal of PASPA. Numerous states legalized sports betting and DFS, seeing them as potential avenues for bolstering tax revenues.

Yet, when it comes to online casinos or online poker, there appears to be a hesitation among states to move forward with legalization. The distinction largely arises from the perception of sports betting and DFS as games of skill, as opposed to online casinos which are viewed as games of chance.

Responsible Gambling & Addiction Prevention

Addiction is a severe condition that can affect even the most level-headed of players. You have to gamble responsibly and stick to predetermined budget and time limits. The best online gambling sites contribute money to agencies, support groups, and other responsible gambling organizations.

If you or someone you know is showing signs of problem gambling, we suggest visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) website for a list of resources in your area. It includes links to local resources and self-exclusion lists that can aid you in your recovery.

Facts & Statistics

Regulated online gambling in the USA is a booming sector, with several world-famous operators presenting their top-tier offerings. In 2022, these operators raked in $5.02 billion from casinos and gaming apps – an increase of 35.2% from 2021. Sports enthusiasts placed bets amounting to $83.13 billion, culminating in a staggering $7.5 billion in revenue.

DraftKings, which stands as the nation’s premier DFS platform, reported earnings close to $2.2 billion on its own. Experts believe that in the coming half-decade, this sector will evolve into one of the most lucrative entertainment arenas globally.

History of Gambling in the United States

Legally speaking, US online gambling sites have only been around since 2010, but gambling has a long history in America. Upper-class British settlers brought horse racing to the colony of Virginia in 1680, and lotteries in colonial America were widely used to financially support colonial growth.

However, religious revivals saw a change in attitude towards gambling in the pre-Revolutionary War period. Gambling was widely banned, and only certain areas like New Orleans saw the continued growth of gambling houses. Here are the most significant events in the history of gambling in the US [3]:

US Gambling History
1680 Horse Racing Brought to the Colony of Virginia
1765 Gambling Widely Banned as Part of Religious “Great Awakenings”
1853 Atlantic City Established as a Gambling Town
1920 Prohibition Leads to Organized Gambling Crime
1941 First Casino Established on Famous Las Vegas Strip
1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act