Why Should You Trust Our List of Top Legal Casinos?
The situation with US gambling regulation is complex, so how can you be certain that we present you with the most trustworthy online casinos for US players? Read on to discover what sets us apart from the rest, and why using our legal online casinos list is a good choice:
We Do Our Research
We’re well-informed on the current legislation for gambling in the US, and our experts have spent hours researching the topic to bring you the most up-to-date information. Our aim is to give you all the details in a simple way. We also look into the global situation for gambling law, so that you’re further informed and can compare the US situation to the rest of the world.
Our Process Is Transparent
We have an exact process of how to rate sites, which we’ve also used for our legal US online casinos. By completing the same steps for each site, we ensure we provide objective reviews. We not only focus on criteria such as licensing and legality but also check for quality games, a variety of bonuses, safe payment methods, mobile gameplay, and a professional support team. We share these steps with you, so you can follow our evaluations.
We Review Hundreds of Casinos
We’ve reviewed over 1,200 sites in the past 8 years and our database of casinos is constantly expanding. We not only present you with the best VSO approved casinos, but we’ve also split them into further categories: gold, silver, and bronze. You’ll know exactly in which tier we’ve placed the legal casino of your choice. We also mark any scam casino we come across as VSO Blacklisted, as we want you to steer clear of unsafe and illegal casinos.
We’re Gambling Experts
We’ve been in the gambling industry for years, and we’re passionate to share everything we’ve learnt with you. We not only provide you with the best tips on how to be safe online and avoid illegal sites, but also write extensive guides on everything gambling related. This is how we precisely know what to look for at top casinos, and what goes into making the best slots and games.
Top Tips To Avoid Illegal Online Casinos
When gambling online, you want to make sure that you’re trusting legal online casinos with your personal safety and money. So we’ve come up with a checklist below on how you can identify dodgy operators and stay away from them:
Unlicensed Casinos
Sites that care about their players and their reputation will have a gambling license from trusted authorities. These include the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission, as well as Curaçao e-Gaming and Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
Slow or No Payouts
One of the most serious complaints about blacklisted casinos is that players wait for months to get their withdrawals. Sometimes, the casino does not pay them at all. While transactions can be lengthy even at legal sites, you should leave if the casino constantly blames delays on technical difficulties or cites obscure terms and conditions.
Unclaimable Bonuses
If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. Stay away from flashy offers which promise huge amounts but don’t explain the terms attached to the bonus. If you’ve never heard of the site before, it’s usually another red flag. Rogue casinos try to attract new users fast with false advertising, then take their money with no intention of delivering said bonuses and winnings.
Changing Terms and Conditions
Legal online casinos ensure they have a Terms and Conditions page which is clear to their players. If they update this at any point, you should be able to see a version number or a date on the page. For example, if you’ve completed a wagering requirement in line with promotional terms but this suddenly changes when you try to cash out, you’re playing at a shady casino.
Unfair Software
There are many testing companies which check casino games to make sure the results are random. The most trustworthy sites use groups such as eCogra, iTech Labs, or Gaming Laboratories International to test their games. Casinos list these fair gaming certificates on their homepage.
Inefficient Customer Support
A professional support team is a must at any casino. Agents should be ready to help you around the clock and clarify anything which you can’t understand. If the support team is being really unhelpful or favors the site’s needs above your own, then it’s time to take your money elsewhere.
Gambling Regulation in the US: An Overview
US gambling laws are complex as they work on both a federal and a state level. Technically, there’s no defined federal law against Internet gambling, but states can implement their own regulations. So the US is considered a gray area, since there’s no proper framework for operators to work within. However, where states do have laws, they target operators and not players.
Before looking into how each state regulates gambling independently, we’ll check two major laws issued by the national government below:
Interstate Wire Act (1961). This law says that wagering on sporting events done within states is illegal, but this was also frequently applied in relation to online betting transactions. However, in 2011 the Department of Justice clarified its position on the Wire Act and said that this law only applies to sports betting. This means that states can now re-interpret regulation around non-sports Internet bets.
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (2006). Also referred to as UIGEA, this law made it illegal for businesses and financial institutions to process payments from unlawful online gambling. However, this law only targets gaming operators and banks, and does not make it illegal for individuals to play on gambling sites.
Our Guide to State-by-State Online Casino Regulations
Now that you have more of an idea of gambling laws on a national level, you’ll be wondering how different states apply them. We’ve compiled legal online casino guides for each state, so find yours on the list below and discover all about the regulation:
Find Our Expert Guide to Gambling in Your State
US States with Legal Online Casinos as of 2021
The lack of a federal US framework for gambling online might seem strange considering the popularity of land-based casinos in the country, but things are changing. Below you’ll find a list of some US states which currently offer Internet casino gambling:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
- Michigan
States by Legal Online Poker
Poker is a very popular game among US players, with America having the most loved poker capital in Las Vegas. Some states which now allow online poker include:
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
States by Legal Sports Betting
Sports betting is also gaining ground in the US. Here we’ve compiled a list of states that allow legal wagers on sports:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
- Rhode Island
- Iowa
- Indiana
- New Hampshire
- Illinois
- Colorado
- Tennessee
- Oregon
Other Forms of Legal Gambling
Other types of gambling in the US include bingo, lotteries, and scratch cards. Americans also enjoy betting on horseracing, which is a favorite in Kentucky.
You’ll also find Native Indian casinos in America. This is because most tribal lands can regulate gambling independently. California is the most popular in this regard, with over 60 land-based casinos.
Gambling Law Around the World
The US regulates gambling on a national level, but then it is up to the individual states to interpret these laws. However, other countries have different approaches. Some such as the United Kingdom have very strict regulations, while others like Canada are more tolerant of gambling sites.
Although legal casinos worldwide have one thing in common–any trusted site will have a reputable license. Have a look at our comparison by country below:
The United Kingdom
Gambling sites may operate legally in the UK, but there’s also strict regulation in place. The UK Gambling Commission enforces this regulation and issues the licenses for operators who want to offer their services to UK players.
Canada
Gambling sites are legal in Canada if they have a license to work within the country. Besides federal law, the provinces can set their own gambling laws. Many provide local gambling sites to their residents. Still, there are no strict measures against foreign legal online casinos offering their services to players.
Australia
After the Interactive Gambling Act (2001) and its update in 2016, Australia banned all casino and poker sites. This means that it’s illegal for all casinos, including foreign ones, to accept Australian players.
Germany
Gambling in Germany has always been a gray area. It’s against the law for German operators to offer casino sites, but German gamblers can play on foreign sites. However, 2021 should bring about new regulation, where Germany could have legal online casinos and offer slots and poker games.
France
Gambling is legal in France and it allows for foreign sites to accept French players, but the regulation is strict. After the Gambling Act in 2010, all gambling sites need to have a license to provide their services in France.
Play the Most Popular Games in the US
You’ll be spoiled for choice when playing at a casino which caters for US players, where you’ll find games from popular providers such as IGT, Bally, WMS, Aristocrat, NetEnt, Konami, and more! Online casinos constantly add new titles to their lobby, have a look at what types you can enjoy at our top legal US online casinos:
Slots – Online slots are the most popular with US players. You’ll find classic and video slots, as well as progressive jackpots. Famous titles include IGT’s Cleopatra, Microgaming’s Mega Moolah, and Konami’s China Shores.
Table Games – You can try different kinds of roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and craps at our recommended legal online casinos. For example, you’ll find American Roulette as well as French and European Roulette at top game lobbies.
Live Dealer Games – If you want a real playing experience but enjoy the comfort of your own home, you’ll enjoy sites with a live casino section. These sites livestream games like blackjack and roulette in HD from top studios and have friendly croupiers.
Sports betting has also become popular in the US in the past few years, as well as Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). Some sites are merging their casino, sportsbook and DFS offerings in one handy portal. Individual states also run lotteries, even if they ban casinos there, and other games such as bingo and keno.
Bonus Offers at Top Legal USA Online Casinos
At our suggested legal online casinos, you’ll find different casino bonuses with fair terms and wagering requirements. Check out the most common ones below:
Welcome Bonus. Available for new players. Check for your preferred games.
Reload Bonus. Available for existing players. Look for low wagering requirements (x40, x45).
VIP Bonus. Available for high rollers. Expect higher bonus amounts.
Cashback Bonus. Available for all depositing players. Expect low or no wagering requirements.
Cryptocurrency Bonuses. Available for crypto users. Check for deposit bonuses of up to 300%.
Top Payment Methods at Legal US Online Casinos
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) limited the number of payments available at American casinos. This resulted in declined payments for US players. We’ve compiled the most common casino deposit methods you can still use in the US:
Credit/Debit cards – Use credit/debit cards such as VISA at legal online casinos for quick and secure payments. There are low to no fees for casino deposits. Another reliable option is Mastercard, which handles payments instantly.
Cryptocurrencies – Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin are becoming more popular at gambling sites. US players love the anonymity of these methods since there’s no bank handling payments. The processing fees are pretty low too.
Pay by Phone – Pay by Phone deposits are catching on in the US since all you need is a mobile number, and you’ll be able to fund your account instantly. You won’t need to provide any bank or card details with such methods, which means your online play is secure.
Make sure to verify your account before depositing. Most legal US online casinos have Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures to confirm the identity of their players and prevent money laundering.
The Future of Gambling in the USA
Experts think that the global online gambling market will be worth over $100 billion by 2025. Legal US online casinos will contribute many billions to this total in the coming years. The industry is growing right now, as more states push for legalization to help with economic recovery and boost their revenue.
Iowa, Indiana, and Maryland could be next to legalize gambling sites. Arkansas, Michigan, and Illinois are favorites to legalize online video poker. The states which we’re following closely for online sports betting include New York, California, Texas, and Ohio. New York made headlines in 2021, since it has taken its first steps towards legalizing online sports betting.
States like Hawaii and Utah won’t be legalizing gambling sites anytime soon. Both states strongly oppose gambling in all forms.
In the meantime, there are plenty of licensed foreign sites which accept US players, and you can access our list of trusted legal online casinos on this page.
