Picking the top-rated online gambling sites in the USA can be tricky as each state has different rules regarding gambling. This can make the legal landscape hard to understand for the players. Lucky for you, we’re here to clear things up.
In this guide, we’ll cover the legality of online gambling in the USA, highlight the top-rated casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms, and help you choose between them.
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125%
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Game | Category | Developer | House Edge |
---|---|---|---|
New Blackjack | Blackjack | Bovada Gaming | 0.5% |
Golden Buffalo | Slots | iSoftBet | 4% |
Reels and Wheels XL | Slots | WooHoo Games | 4% |
Blackjack Early Payout | Live Dealer Blackjack | Visionary iGaming | 0.5% |
777 Deluxe | Slots | WooHoo Games | 3.8% |
Additionally, Bovada hosts the innovative Hot Drop Jackpot games, where the prize is guaranteed to be won in a set timeframe. For poker fans who prefer facing the casino, there are versions of Tri-Card, Stud, and Hold’em in the casino section.
Besides those titles, Bovada has a full poker room where you can play cash or zone Hold’em, Omaha, or Hi-Lo against other people. There are also Jackpot SNGs as well as tournaments that run around the clock, which means there is always one happening soon. Buy-ins for these start at $0.50, while you can play other tournaments from $1.10 and all the way up to hundreds of dollars.
On the sportsbook side, Bovada is a great choice for American players because of its excellent coverage of US leagues, including NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and NCAA matches. Across the major leagues, there is a varied range of prop and player-specific bets available. Wagers start at $0.50 and go up to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the league and market.
In short, we found Bovada to be a well-rounded, all-in-one site across all aspects of gambling. Why not read our full review to see if it’s a good fit for you?
All gambling sites featured on this page are great for US players, but that doesn’t mean they offer the same experience. Each gambling site excels in a different area, so thinking about what you’d like to play can help you narrow your options. Whether you’re looking to bet on the next Super Bowl or play a few rounds of blackjack, we’re confident that one of these sites will be a good match.
Comparing products offered and payment methods across out top 6 ranked gambling sites.
Site | Sports Betting | Casino | Poker | US Payment Methods | Toll-Free Phone Lines for US Players |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bovada | Yes | Yes | Yes | Credit cards (deposit only) Cryptocurrency Cash transfer Bank wire Card2Wallet | No |
BetUS | Yes | Yes | Only casino poker | Credit Cards (deposit only) Cryptocurrency Bank wire Check (withdrawal only) | Yes |
Cafe Casino | Only virtual sports | Yes | Yes | Credit cards (deposit only) Cryptocurrency MatchPay Voucher Bank wire Check (withdrawal only) | No |
Cafe Casino | No | Yes | Only casino poker | Credit cards (deposit only) Cryptocurrency MatchPay Voucher Bank wire Check (withdrawal only) | No |
Slots.lv | No | Yes | Only casino poker | Credit cards (deposit only) Cryptocurrency MatchPay Voucher Bank wire Check (withdrawal only) | No |
Las Atlantis | No | Yes | Only casino poker | Credit cards Cryptocurrency Flexepin (deposit only) Neosurf (deposit only) Bank wire (withdrawal only) | Yes |
Our expert team thoroughly tests each site in order to determine its legitimacy and separate the wheat from the chaff. When we evaluate gambling sites that accept US players, we study the following criteria:
By now, you probably have a good idea of what you’re looking for in a gambling site. To help narrow your selection further, we recommend weighing up each site based on the following:
If you’re looking to bet on sports, you can immediately rule out sites like Cafe Casino and Las Atlantis, which don’t have sportsbooks. However, if you’re looking to dabble in different aspects of gambling, sites like Bovada, which offer three in one, might be a good fit.
Once you’ve established what type(s) of gambling you’d like to do, choose a site that has plenty of options. For example, if you’d like to bet exclusively on the NBA, consider a site with a great parlay builder like BetUS.
Consider whether the gambling site suits your bankroll.
Think about which devices you’re going to play on, and let that guide your decision.
Casino sites such as Slots.lv are suited to smartphones because they have hundreds of mobile-compatible games, responsive interfaces, and are playable in landscape or portrait mode.
Similarly, great mobile sportsbooks (such as the one at Bovada) make it easy to find and place your bet of choice.
A comparison of the current welcome bonuses available in the USA for sports, casino and poker and their rollover requirements.
Available at | Bonus | Gambling Type | Rollover Requirements | More Terms and Conditions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bovada | 125% up to $3,750 Crypto Welcome Bonus | Casino | 25x bonus + deposit (1st deposit) 50x bonus + deposit (2nd and 3rd deposits) | Over 3 deposits, live dealer, and craps excluded |
Bovada | 75% up to $750 Crypto Welcome Bonus | Sports | 5x deposit + bonus | It can also be used at the Racebook with a 5x rollover |
BetUS | 100% up to $2,500 on sports and 25% up to $625 on casino Welcome Bonus | Sports and Casino | 10x on sports 30x on casino | 14-day expiry and a minimum deposit of $100 |
BetUS | 250% up to $5,000 Welcome Bonus | Casino | 40x | Valid on slots games only with a maximum cashout of $10,000 |
Ignition | $2,500 Poker Freerolls | Poker | None | Must have Ignition Rewards status Chrome or higher to participate |
Ignition | 150% up to $3,000 Poker and Casino Welcome Bonus | Poker and Casino | 25x deposit + bonus for casino The poker bonus as it is unlocked as you earn rewards points | 150% up to $1,500 for both poker and casino with a minimum deposit of $20 |
Cafe Casino | Weekly Mystery Bonus | Casino | Variable | It cannot be used on live dealer games |
Slots.lv | Up to $7,500 Crypto Welcome Bonus | Casino | 35x deposit + bonus | 300% up to $1,500 (first deposit), 150% up to $750 on the following eight deposits |
Las Atlantis | Up to 185 free spins on Wild Hog Luau | Casino | 20x any winnings | Valid 3x per day with a minimum deposit of $30 |
Each gambling site accepts a different range of payment methods with variable limits and fees, so you should choose one which allows you to deposit/withdraw money in the way you’d like. Be aware that sites often offer different withdrawal options from deposit ones. Below you’ll find more information about the most popular banking methods for US players at gambling sites.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are our preferred way to deposit and withdraw because they are fast and usually fee-free. While some sites require approval which can delay the payout process, sites such as Cafe Casino instantly process payouts which means you could receive your money via crypto in under an hour.
The minimum deposit for cryptocurrencies is often lower than other methods too. For example, Bovada accepts crypto deposits from as low as $10, whereas the limit for credit and debit cards is $20.
While eWallets are rarely accepted at US-facing gambling sites, it is still possible to use them through MatchPay, a peer-to-peer trading platform. Transactions are instantaneous, though you will have to do a little extra leg work in that you buy and sell gambling site credit through the app. You can then transfer this credit into your casino or bank account. MatchPay can transfer funds from top-trusted digital wallets like PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, and ApplePay.
Credit and debit cards are undoubtedly the USA’s favorite way to pay. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, while AMEX can be used at a more limited range of sites, including Cafe Casino. While credit and debit cards are an instant way to deposit, you should be aware that they often come with fees attached. Further, payouts via credit and debit cards are hard to come by. If you’re set on playing with cards, check out Las Atlantis, which offers fee-free deposits and withdrawals.
Online gambling in the USA isn’t against the law, but the division of federal and state legislation makes the legal landscape complicated.
Online gambling (whether using fiat or cryptocurrency) is not federally regulated, so each state can make its own rules on what can and cannot operate. This is why some states have dedicated regulatory bodies to license casinos and sportsbooks in their area, while others oppose them entirely. Similarly, this is why the minimum gambling age varies from state to state. Some states, such as Washington, Minnesota, and Idaho, have a minimum age of 18, while most others have opted for 21.
Despite the current lack of federal regulation, there are a few pieces of legislation that are frequently cited in relation to online gambling. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 banned businesses from accepting payments for online gambling activities. However, this law was focused on those operating gambling sites and did not prohibit US players from betting online.
For this reason, many online gambling sites based outside the USA accept American players. These sites are regulated in other jurisdictions (such as Curaçao and Malta), which makes them safe for US players. However, you should know that even if you play at a casino or sportsbook based outside of the US, your gambling winnings are still taxable. Tax rates vary by state. Additionally, all gambling income should be reported on your federal tax return.
Take a look at our dedicated guide for more information about the topic.
Given that states are free to govern online gambling within their jurisdiction, it’s no surprise that the landscape differs greatly from place to place. As of July 2023, 25 states have sports betting, seven regulate online casinos, and five regulate poker rooms.
Below, you’ll find the availability of online gambling in your state:
State | Online Casinos | Online Sports Betting | Online Poker |
---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Alaska | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Arizona | Offshore | Regulated | Offshore |
Arkansas | Offshore | Regulated | Offshore |
California | Pending | Offshore | Offshore |
Colorado | Offshore | Regulated | Offshore |
Connecticut | Regulated | Regulated | Offshore |
Delaware | Regulated | Regulated | Offshore |
Florida | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Georgia | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Hawaii | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Idaho | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Illinois | Pending | Regulated | Offshore |
Indiana | Pending | Regulated | Offshore |
Iowa | Offshore | Regulated | Regulated |
Kansas | Offshore | Regulated | Regulated |
Kentucky | Regulated | Regulated | Pending |
Louisiana | Offshore | Regulated | Offshore |
Maine | Offshore | Pending | Offshore |
Maryland | Offshore | Regulated | Offshore |
Massachusetts | Pending | Regulated | Regulated |
Michigan | Regulated | Regulated | Regulated |
Minnesota | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Mississippi | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Missouri | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Montana | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Nebraska | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Nevada | Regulated | Regulated | Regulated |
New Hampshire | Offshore | Regulated | Offshore |
New Jersey | Regulated | Regulated | Regulated |
New Mexico | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
New York | Pending | Regulated | Pending |
North Carolina | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
North Dakota | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Ohio | Offshore | Regulated | Offshore |
Oklahoma | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Oregon | Offshore | Regulated | Offshore |
Pennsylvania | Regulated | Regulated | Regulated |
Rhode Island | Offshore | Regulated | Offshore |
South Carolina | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
South Dakota | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Tennessee | Offshore | Regulated | Offshore |
Texas | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Utah | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Vermont | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
Virginia | Offshore | Regulated | Pending |
Washington | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
West Virginia | Regulated | Regulated | Regulated |
Wisconsin | Offshore | Regulated | Offshore |
Wyoming | Offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
From humble beginnings, gambling in the US has grown to be worth billions of dollars. According to Forbes, online gambling generated close to $4 billion dollars of revenue in the United States in 2021.
That’s only counting the six states that had, by that time, legalized online casinos and/or sportsbooks within their jurisdiction. The real number is much higher, given the prevalence of gambling sites based outside of the country that accept US players. Take a look at the evolution of online gambling in the US here:
Online gambling can be a fun hobby, but only if you gamble responsibly. Responsible gambling means adopting a set of good habits to help you stay in control of your game. In turn, this will prevent you from making irrational gambling decisions which can have serious consequences on your financial, social, physical, and mental health. To gamble responsibly, follow these principles:
If you feel that you may not be gambling responsibly, the following organizations can help. Here are some free resources available to US players.
National Council on Problem Gambling
Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER
Chat: 1800gamblerchat.org
Text: 800GAM
Gamblers Anonymous
Gambling Therapy
https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/
There are also many other resources available on a state-by-state basis. To find out which resources are available to you, or for more information on the signs of problem gambling, head over to our Responsible Gambling guide.