Legal Online Casinos – Our List for 2024
Our experts have explored all legal online casinos in the US and ranked them based on aspects like encryption and game fairness. With our help, you can discover favorable bonuses, trusted payment methods, and responsible gambling tools.
These safe online casinos are recognized for their robust security measures, including comprehensive SSL encryption by trusted companies like DigiCert and strict adherence to licensing requirements by various gambling authorities. They’re also some of the best online casinos for US players thanks to added benefits like trusted and fast payment methods, high RTP games, and fair bonus terms and conditions.
Safest Online Casinos for December 2024
- 🥇 Caesars Palace Online Casino WV – Most secure online casino in the US
- 🥈 BetMGM PA – Fairest welcome bonus
- 🥉 BetRivers NJ – Best casino app for secure payments
- ⭐️ DraftKings Casino MI – Safest online casino for live games
#1 Caesars Palace Online Casino
- Our Rating – 4.9/5.0 ★
- Licensed in – 5 states
- First Licensed in – Pennsylvania, in 2020
- SSL Encryption – Amazon RSA
- Reputation – Excellent reputation and several industry awards
This is the cream of the crop when it comes to online casinos in the US. Caesars Palace’s trustworthy platform is upheld by rigorous licensing in five states and the highest SSL encryption standards. It’s mainly known for its reliable payment options and fair 97.8% average payout rate, but note that it also boasts unique and exclusive games.
#2 BetMGM
- Our Rating – 4.9/5.0 ★
- Licensed in – 4 states
- First Licensed in – New Jersey, 2018
- SSL Encryption – DigiCert Global G2
- Reputation – One of the most popular and respected online casinos in the US.
BetMGM is a safe online casino that features top-tier SSL encryption by DigiCert and a broad array of fair games. It distinguishes itself with a user-friendly interface and a multipart welcome bonus with a fair 15x wagering requirement and a generous deposit match. Additionally, its customer support and fast payout options further enhance its reputation and reliability.
#3 BetRivers
- Our Rating – 4.8/5.0 ★
- Licensed in – 4 states
- First Licensed in – Pennsylvania, 2019
- SSL Encryption – Google Trust Services GTS CA 1P5
- Reputation – BetRivers has numerous awards and a great reputation.
BetRivers is a secure online casino first licensed in Pennsylvania in 2019.[1] Since then, it has won numerous industry awards, including EGR’s ‘Customer Service Operator of The Year’ for 2022 and 2023.[2] This demonstrates its dedication to player satisfaction. It also boasts highly-rated Android and iOS apps, making its games even more easily accessible.
#4 DraftKings Casino
- Our Rating – 4.8/5.0 ★
- Licensed in – 4 states
- First Licensed in – New Jersey, 2019
- SSL Encryption – Let’s Encrypt R3
- Reputation – Great reputation partly attributed to its fast and diverse payment methods.
DraftKings is among the best online real money casinos. It’s distinguished by its robust SSL encryption and licenses across multiple states. The site offers unique benefits like an extensive live game collection and diverse payment options. With 15 deposit methods, it ensures a broader appeal than most other legal online casinos in the US. Players value its transparent gaming practices and responsive customer support.
Online Casino Sites – Ranking by Category
Our experts recognize that each player has unique preferences regarding secure online casinos and their benefits. Whether you’re looking for robust security measures, fair bonuses, highly-rated mobile apps, or reliable payouts, we’ve ensured that every platform we’ve highlighted excels in a different area.
Safest Online Casino | Caesars Palace Online Casino WV |
Most Lucrative Bonus | BetMGM PA |
Mobile App Experience | BetRivers NJ |
Available Payment Methods | DraftKings Casino MI |
We’ve done this to ensure everyone can find a suitable gambling site that meets their requirements. However, note that our rating process is comprehensive, and all online casinos we’ve recommended meet some standard safety and quality criteria. You can learn more about them in the following explanation of our evaluation procedure.
How We Rank Legal Casino Sites
Our rating process for legal online casinos has several stages. The first one was performed by our research team, which collected all relevant information about licensed gambling platforms in the US. Next, casino experts rate the offerings in each category while testing the casino’s games and other features firsthand.
In the final stage, we analyze all information to pinpoint the unique benefits and standout features. You can follow a similar methodology to pick a suitable platform. Just make sure to consider your unique needs while exploring aspects like game diversity, bonus fairness, payment methods, and app functionality, among others.
Security & Licensing
The first question you should answer is where are online casinos legal? The answer is New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. To determine if an online casino is legal in the US, check the licensing details typically displayed at the footer of the website or in the ‘About Us’ section.
Different states have various licensing authorities, such as New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. These bodies ensure that casinos operate legally and meet strict regulatory standards set on both federal and state levels.[3]
- New Jersey Online Casinos
- Pennsylvania Casino Sites
- Michigan Online Casinos
- West Virginia Casino Websites
In addition to licensing, we assess other safety aspects, such as SSL encryption for data protection, the presence of fair play certificates, and partnerships with responsible gambling organizations. These elements contribute to an online casino’s overall trustworthiness. Always ensure that an online casino upholds these standards before engaging in gameplay.
Regular Audits
The fairness of each online casino is substantiated through regular audits by official, independent organizations. Entities like Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) and iTech Labs play pivotal roles in the US. These audits are critical as they assess the integrity of RNG games and the reputability of software developers. The same procedure applies to verifying other gambling platforms’ fairness, such as the best poker sites for US players.
Additionally, these organizations evaluate the security measures used to protect players’ funds and personal information. They check for robust encryption protocols and adherence to fair banking and payout practices.[4] Ensuring that these standards are met is essential for reassuring players that the casinos operate transparently and responsibly.
Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling is a set of practices designed to prevent and address problem gambling. We only pick legitimate online casinos in the US that support these initiatives, so you can have access to tools like self-exclusion programs, which allow you to ban yourself from gambling for a set period voluntarily.[5] This is a crucial aspect of maintaining control over gambling habits.
In addition to self-exclusion, we seek online casinos that can provide other responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, loss limits, wager limits, and session time reminders. These tools can help you manage how much you gamble and how long you play, encouraging a balanced approach to online gambling.
Customer Service
Every safe online casino should offer efficient customer support to address any issues players might encounter. We measure this by the service hours, the promptness of response, and the expertise of the staff. The most popular contact channels include live chat, email, and phone support.
Among these, we recommend live chat because it’s usually the fastest and most accessible. However, note that good customer service also involves providing comprehensive FAQs and help sections on the casino’s website to allow players to find answers to common questions easily. A platform that excels in these areas is generally considered trustworthy.
Data Protection
Technical security is crucial in protecting your personal and financial information. SSL, or Secure Socket Layer, is a standard security protocol essential for establishing encrypted links between a web server and a browser. This encryption ensures that all data passed between the web server and browsers remain private.
In addition to SSL, trusted online casinos in the US employ firewalls and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) to secure their networks further. Firewalls regulate the traffic to and from the casino to prevent unauthorized access, while IPS monitors the network for suspicious activities and blocks potential threats. It’s also worth noting that these platforms often use technology to detect and block VPN usage to ensure you’re playing from a state where online gambling is legal.
Payment Methods for Deposits and Withdrawals
Secure online casinos in the US typically support various payment methods to accommodate different player preferences. Common options include debit cards, eWallets, bank transfers, and prepaid cards. We recommend providers like Play+ and Apple Pay, which usually offer fast processing in under 24 hours and are widely available. The same also applies to the best PayPal online casinos.
US Online Casino | VISA | Mastercard | American Express | PayPal | Skrill | PayNearMe | ApplePay | Bank Transfer | Discover |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caesars Palace Online Casino | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
BetMGM | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
BetRivers | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
DraftKings Casino | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Golden Nugget | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
PokerStars Casino | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Betway | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Stardust | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Playstar | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Borgata | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Remember that not all payment methods available for deposits can be used for withdrawals. Options like prepaid cards are commonly excluded due to their inherent transaction limitations. In addition, note that online casino bonuses also may have restrictions on which payment methods can be used to claim them.
For instance, deposits made through Skrill are frequently excluded from bonus offers due to their high risk of player abuse. If you’re playing at the best Visa online casinos, on the other hand, you’ll be able to claim most promotions with the popular debit card. Finally, remember that each provider might also come with different transaction limits, transaction speed, and fees.
Unlicensed and Blacklisted Online Casinos to Avoid
You should be cautious of online casinos that exhibit certain red flags indicating potential safety and fairness issues. For example, platforms lacking proper licensing from recognized regulatory bodies should be avoided, as that makes them illegal. Additionally, if a casino has a history of complaints regarding delayed or non-payment of winnings, it suggests financial stability or integrity issues.
- Atlantic Casino
- Cosmik Casino
- African Palace Casino
- Casino girl
- Le Bon Casino
- Osiris Casino
Other warning signs include poor customer service responses, the use of pirated or uncertified software, and offers that seem too good to be true. For instance, an overly generous bonus with unclear terms and conditions should be a clear giveaway of an untrustworthy casino. You won’t ever encounter such issues when playing at the best Mastercard online casinos or any other licensed platform.
Differences Between Licensed and Illegal Casino Platforms
Always check for a valid license from a recognized regulatory body to discern a safe online casino from an unfair one. A legit platform will also feature strong SSL encryption to protect your data. Finally, we advise you to look for transparency in terms and conditions, visible fair play certifications, and positive reviews from trusted sources.
Licensed Online Casinos | ✔️ Displays valid licensing information | ✔️ SSL encryption by trusted companies like DigiCert | ✔️ Games tested by independent auditors like GLI | ✔️ Transparent terms and conditions | ✔️ Reputable payment methods |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlicensed Casinos | ❌ Lacks clear licensing information | ❌ No evidence of SSL encryption | ❌ No certification from third-party auditors | ❌ Unclear rules on bonuses and payouts | ❌ Limited or suspicious payment options |
Popular Questions
If you still have questions about the security measures or benefits offered by the top legal online casinos in the US, we are here to help. Our experts are ready to provide detailed insights and answer your most pressing questions. Explore this FAQ section to ensure you have all the information needed to make informed decisions.
What are the most popular legal casino sites?
There are plenty of popular brands to choose from. You can start by checking our expert ranking of the best licensed online casinos in the US. They are regulated by official state gaming authorities and adhere to strict security standards.
How do I know if a casino platform is legal?
You can recognize safe online casinos by their proven licensing status, SSL encryption, third-party audit certifications, and positive player reviews. In contrast, unfair platforms will display red flags like no official licenses, unclear rules on bonuses, and suspicious payment options.
From which states can I sign up at an online casino site?
Online casino gambling is legal in several US states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia. To demonstrate this, we've highlighted one platform from each state. You can observe this in our online casino highlights by category, which further shows how every site excels in something different.
How old do I have to be to legally play at an online casino?
You have to be at least 21 years old to legally play at online casinos in the US. This requirement aligns with the laws and regulations in most states in the country. Make sure to stick to responsible gambling and set time and budget limits.
What payment methods can I use for my deposits?
At legal online casinos, you can typically use various payment methods, including debit cards, eWallets, bank transfers, and prepaid cards, among others. If you're looking for fast, 24-hour transactions and convenience, we recommend PayPal, Apple Pay, or Play+.
Conclusion: Our Tips for Playing at Legal Casino Sites
By examining security measures like SSL encryption, game fairness, and responsible gambling tools, we’ve identified the most legal online casinos. As a result, you can choose one of the platforms we’ve recommended without having to worry about safety. Or you can use the knowledge we’ve shared to check the legitimacy of gambling sites and make an informed choice.
When choosing the right online casino for you, consider these factors carefully alongside your personal gambling preferences. Look for casinos that not only offer the games you enjoy but also provide reliable customer support, convenient payment options, and favorable player reviews.
References
- Rivers Casino goes live with online and mobile sportsbook, (June 25, 2019), WTAE, Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- Rush Street Interactive Crowned Customer Services Operator of the Year at 2023 EGR North America Awards, (May 1, 2023), Rush Street Interactive, Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- Integrity in Gaming, (January 2, 2019), American Gaming Association, Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- Clark, J., (October 10, 2023), The importance of SOC 2 audits for casinos: Safeguarding trust and security, BerryDun, Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- Fletcher, R., (April 17, 2024), US set for first national self-exclusion scheme, iGaming Business, Retrieved April 18, 2024.