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

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:

John Isaac, Editor at online-gambling.com

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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.

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Our Top 10: How Each Operator Ranks

• BetMGM WV – Best gambling site overall
• DraftKings PA – Top pick for fantasy sports
• Caesars Sportsbook WV – Top sports gambling site
• Betway NJ – Top contender for live dealer games
• Golden Nugget NJ – Top-rated new online casino bonuses
• Stars Casino MI – Houshold name for poker
• Botgata PA – Competitive bonuses & circulating offers
• Bet365 NJ – Unmatched game variety
• Stardust NJ – Impressive newcomer

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.

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:

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Popular Real Money Games

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.

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 bonus spins are common for online casinos. Betting sites, on the other hand, tend to offer first bet offers paid back in bonus bets or as 2nd chance bets instead. As you can see, the operators try to tailor their promotions to the needs of their customers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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]:

Land-based vs. Online Gambling

There are a few significant differences between land-based casinos and online gambling. Both have their own sets of pros and cons. Online platforms often entice players with their convenient and attractive bonuses, but this experience can sometimes feel isolated compared to the lively atmosphere of a physical casino.

On the other hand, brick-and-mortar establishments offer excellent real live entertainment, but they might not provide the convenience and variety that online casinos do. Ultimately, your choice should be driven by personal preference, weighing the immersive environment of land-based casinos against the flexibility of internet platforms.

References

1. Online Gambling Legal State 2023, (Retrieved November 27, 2023)
2. Parry, Wayne, (April 20, 2023), As US sports bets boom, internet gambling is slow to expand, AP News, (Retrieved November 27, 2023)
3. History of Gambling in the United States, Wikipedia, (Retrieved November 27, 2023)

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