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Best Online Real Money Casinos for 2024
The best online real money casinos in the US are only a click away. Read our expert overview by our team of gambling veterans to find the right gaming site for you.
Best Online Casinos for Real Money for 2024
For the purposes of this guide, we looked at all legal online casinos in the US. We went through all available options to find the ones best suited for real money play. Naturally, our process excluded every platform that doesn’t hold a valid US gambling license. With that in mind, let’s dive deeper to find the best online real money casino for you.
Best Real Money Online Casino Sites for December 2024
- BetMGM NJ – 95.47% RTP rate, 1-3 business days payout speed
- PokerStars MI – 96.37% RTP rate, 1-3 business days payout speed
- Caesars Palace PA – 97.00% RTP rate, 1-3 business days payout speed
- BetRivers MI – 97.20% RTP rate,1-3 business days payout speed
- Golden Nugget WV – 96.16% RTP rate, 1-7 business days payout speed
- Jackpot City NJ – 97.00% RTP rate, 1-3 business days payout speed
- Betway PA – 96.15% RTP rate, 1-4 business days payout speed
- DraftKings NJ – 97.00% RTP rate, 1-5 business days payout speed
- bet365 NJ – 96.16% RTP rate, 1-5 business days payout speed
- Tropicana NJ – 95.87% RTP rate, 2-5 business days payout speed
#1 BetMGM
BetMGM is one of the premier online casino brands out there. With a stellar reputation for high-quality land-based gaming, it’s no wonder that it offers a top-tier selection of slots, table games, and live tables. On top of that, players can claim a lucrative welcome bonus and benefit from the MGM Rewards program.
#2 PokerStars
PokerStars might be known for its virtual poker tables, but its casino doesn’t disappoint either. With 600+ casino games, it will give you plenty of options for slots and table games. Especially impressive are the dozens of exclusive games and the Megaways jackpots.
#3 Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace is well-known among the online gaming scene for its massive bonuses. The trend continues with the current offer, promising a substantial match on your first deposit. Caesars also impresses with its wide betting limits. Both casual players and high rollers will find titles suited to their budgets.
#4 BetRivers
BetRivers does not play around when it comes to its casino offerings. Though humbler than what most other sites offer, the 300+ hand-picked slots and table games can satisfy even the pickiest gamblers. If that’s not enough for you, then perhaps the loyalty program and daily free games will be more to your liking.
#5 Golden Nugget
We all like jackpots, but sometimes the games are not to our liking. That is not something that you will have to worry about with Golden Nugget. All games contribute towards the casino-wide progressive prize pool. No matter what game type you prefer, you can always take a crack at the Golden Nugget jackpot. Additionally, the Dynasty rewards program is there to provide long-term players with even more value.
#6 Jackpot City
Jackpot City Casino is a popular online casino, offering a wide selection of slots, table options, and live dealer games. Known for its user-friendly platform and secure transactions, it accepts multiple payment methods providing flexibility and convenience for players.
#7 Betway
A dominant force in global online gaming, Betway has made its way over to the US. Boasting almost every type of casino game, Betway’s live casino is its greatest feature. Accommodating to high rollers and accessible to casual players, it’s a top real money casino for any fan of slots and table games.
#8 DraftKings
Once known only for its daily fantasy selections, DraftKings has become a major player in US online gambling. Offering premium casino gaming services, the site features a massive gaming library. Players get to try their luck on 600+ slots and 70+ table games. Most games are tied to a collective progressive jackpot, and you can take your shot at it no matter what you play.
#9 bet365
There are few global gambling brands in the world, and bet365 is one of them. Available to NJ players, bet365 is one of the few online casinos in the US to feature Playtech games. A carefully curated selection awaits any player who decides to become a member.
#10 Tropicana
Tropicana flies under the radar of many players, but there is great value to be had here. Players are automatically enrolled in the Caesars Rewards program, earning points towards digital and real-world perks. New members can look forward to a great first deposit bonus.
Top Real Money Online Casinos by Category
Browsing the best real money online casinos can be more difficult than it seems. In our combined experience, the best practice for finding a suitable site is knowing what you want from your gaming sessions. Understanding your priorities will narrow down your search and weed out incompatible platforms. Below, we have ranked the top-rated real money sites across several categories.
Best Online Casino | BetMGM NJ |
Best Real Cash Bonus | Caesars Palace PA |
Top Real Money Casino App | Golden Nugget NJ |
Highest Payout Casino | BetRivers MI |
As you can see, there is a different site for every type of preference. Of course, this is only a broad overview of the gaming landscape in the US. There are more factors to consider when reviewing online casinos that accept American Express or any other platform, so allow us to walk you through our process. Below, we will explore the criteria used to form this ranking.
How We Rank Top Real Money Online Casinos
To find the best online casinos for real money, we used a strict set of criteria. Over the years, we have picked up on good practices from different gaming sites, both American and foreign. This allows us to fully grasp the quality of a given platform and the type of experience it offers.
Becoming familiar with our standards will help you find the best online casino for real money that matches your preferences. Below, you will find our complete list of criteria. Each of them contributes significantly to how we view a specific gaming site. You jump to any section that interests you.
Security & Licensing
Security and licensing are the most important things to look out for. While there are many casino sites on the Internet, most of them are not legitimate. These are offshore platforms that don’t abide by American gambling regulations. Casino gaming is only legal in a couple of states, and each one approves which operators are accessible to local players. Below, we have listed all states where you can play at the best online casinos for real money legally:
The first thing you need to check is whether a platform is licensed in your state. Each state has a gambling control board[1] that will regulate gambling products and issue licenses to approved sites. This happens only after a gambling platform has proven that it is reliable, fair, and capable of abiding by state laws.
We strongly recommend avoiding sites that are not licensed. They haven’t been audited or verified by any state regulatory body. As such, they are not bound by any law, and you have no guarantee that you will ever see your money. In our experience, the best online real money casinos are always those that stick to the rules.
Bonus Offers & Deals
Another measure of ranking the leading real money online casinos is to look at the bonus offers. Every platform has some form of first-time deal that you can claim. These range from deposit bonuses to cashback and free spins. Depending on your preferences, there are many eligible promos that you can benefit from.
To find the best online casino bonuses in the US, you will need to take some time and read through the terms and conditions. The real value of a bonus is found not in its face value but in the small print. The T&Cs determine how favorable a given promotion is. Pay attention to the wagering requirement, game contribution, bonus duration, betting limits, and eligible payment methods.
Games & Software
Once you find the best online casino for real money, some games will definitely interest you more than others. The variety of online gambling titles cannot be overstated. They come in many different genres, and each platform features a different combination of game types. Below, we have listed the most common ones:
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Progressive Jackpots
- Live Dealer Games
- Baccarat
- Bingo
- Craps
- Sic Bo
- Keno
Slots are by far the most popular genre, with all of the best online casinos for real money featuring at least several hundred of them. To supply so many games, these sites work with dedicated software providers, companies that specialize in game development. Among the more notable are NetEnt, Playtech, IGT, Red Tiger, Scientific Games, and others.
Payment Methods for Deposits and Withdrawals
To play at any of the best real money online casinos, you will need to top up your bankroll. For this purpose, platforms support a wide range of services, such as debit and credit cards, e-Wallets, mobile payments, bank transfers, and more. Below, we have broken down which payment methods are featured at each of the top real money casino sites:
US Online Casino | Visa | MasterCard | American Express | PayPal | Play+ | PayNearMe | ApplePay | Bank Transfer | Discover |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BetMGM | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
PokerStars | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Caesars Palace | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
BetRivers | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Golden Nugget | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Jackpot City | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Betway | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
DraftKings | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
bet365 | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Tropicana | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Choosing a suitable payment method will make your gambling experience more seamless. If you’re looking for fast payouts, any of the online casinos that accept PayPal would be an excellent choice. The same applies to other e-wallets like Skrill and Venmo. These payment methods provide quick transactions and are commonly accepted across the best online real money casinos.
Something else to consider is if your chosen banking solution is eligible for promotions. Certain payment methods can be excluded from deposit offers, and this is something that you have to take into account. Usually, these are prepaid methods, but there is no hard rule on this. For more reliable information, make sure to read the T&Cs of your preferred casino bonus.
Customer Service
A factor that is sometimes overlooked comes in the form of customer support. While every platform offers customer service to some degree, they are not all the same. Response times and communication methods vary between casino sites. When picking the top online real money casino for you, make sure to check out the support page to see if the conditions are satisfactory to you.
Casino Apps & Mobile Compatibility
If you wish to play on the go, you will be happy to learn that each one of the top online real money casinos has a dedicated app that you can download. The apps are available for both iOS and Android, allowing you to play slots and table games anywhere within state limits. As part of our research into this topic, we managed to pin down the best-performing real money casino app:
Keep in mind that to play with casino apps, you need to have location services active. This is a requirement by the gambling regulators to ensure that you are within state borders. This applies not only to online casinos but all forms of digital gambling.
Responsible Gambling
Despite all of the compelling aspects of online gaming, we shouldn’t neglect responsible gambling either. Learning how to gamble responsibly is one of the best things you can do as a fan of slots and table games. The unfortunate reality is that sometimes gaming can be taken too far. If you ever feel like that’s the case for you, then you can always restrict your access to the product.
All of the best-rated real money online casinos in the US allow players to set deposit, gambling, and playtime limits. These can be for a set time, allowing you to cool off, or indefinite. Additionally, you can read up on problem gambling in general. This will allow you to learn what problem gambling looks like, how to recognize it, and how to prevent it[3].
Legal vs. Unlicensed Online Casinos
Previously, we talked about how unlicensed casinos aren’t trustworthy, and it makes sense to expand on that point. Knowing the dangers presented by such platforms[2] will give you enough insight to understand why playing there is a bad idea. Below, we have outlined the features of legit platforms and offshore gambling sites.
Legal Casino Sites | ✔️ Regulated by state authority | ✔️ Provably fair | ✔️ Payouts guaranteed | ✔️ US-based | ✔️ Legal in select states |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlicensed Online Casinos | ❌ Not regulated by US institutions | ❌ Unchecked fairness | ❌ Withdrawals may be denied on technicalities | ❌ Foreign companies | ❌ Illegal in all states |
Popular Questions
For any questions you may have, consult our dedicated FAQ section below. We have gathered all the common queries from US players about the top real money online casinos.
Are real money online casinos legal across all states?
Currently, the list of states with legal online casino gaming includes New Jersey, West Virginia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Players from those areas can visit approved and licensed online casinos. Remember that each state has its list of eligible real money casinos, and you cannot play at gaming sites from other states.
What are the top real money casino sites available in the US?
The best real money online casinos include licensed and regulated gaming platforms in NJ, WV, MI, and PA. These are sites that have proven they provide fair gambling options to players. We only recommend legit platforms, and every entry on our lists is licensed and verified.
Can I play for real money from my phone?
Yes, you can play on the go with real money casino apps. They come with all the features needed for a full-fledged gambling experience. This includes most of the games, bonuses, customer support, and banking options. Mobile players don't even need a PC to get started.
Do real money online casinos offer any lucrative bonuses?
Yes, you can claim plenty of bonus offers at real money online casinos. However, before doing that, you'll have to read their terms and conditions to confirm that the promotion is fair and can add value to your gambling experience.
What payment methods can I use for my deposits and withdrawals?
The list of payment methods at real money casinos features a wide range of providers. You can use debit and credit cards, e-wallets, online banking, mobile payments, and more. Each platform supports a different range of services, but most are broadly available.
Conclusion: Best Casino Sites for Real Money
The key takeaway from this guide is that there are many options for real money gaming online. Each state has an abundance of casino sites to choose from, so don’t compromise on what you want. There will always be a site that caters to your taste, you just have to look around to find the best deal.
With that in mind, feel free to check out our list of the best online real money casinos. We have vetted every site on it, verifying that it is legal for you to visit them and play there.
References
- State and Province Gaming Regulatory Agencies, North American Gaming Regulators Association, Retrieved April 20, 2024
- SIZING THE ILLEGAL AND UNREGULATED GAMING MARKETS IN THE UNITED STATES, (November 2022), American Gaming, Retrieved April 20, 2024
- Vision and Mission, National Council on Problem Gambling, Retrieved April 20, 2024