Casino gaming has had a troubled history in the US, and at various times, this form of leisure activity has been illegal or severely limited. 

When it comes to gambling on casino games, for Americans, the only option has traditionally been the legal casinos of Nevada or Atlantic City – that is, until the arrival of online casinos in the US. While online casinos are not available nationwide, the current legal situation is fluid and there is a chance that online casino gaming will expand in the US over the next few years. 

For now, legal online casino gaming is available in some parts of the US. If you’re new to this form of gambling, however, you may be uncertain about some aspects, such as the legal status of online casinos, the kinds of games you can play and how to choose a casino. In this article, we aim to answer those questions and give you a complete beginner’s guide to the US online casino sector.

Casino gaming in the US

The first US casinos were established in the first half of the 19th century, with many of them located in California and other western states. El Monte Casino was the first, in 1823, and in 1849, the San Francisco Casino was established. By the end of the century, casinos had opened in many cities across the nation, but their legal status was threatened by anti-gambling campaigners in many states. 

By the middle of the 20th century, casinos were legal in certain areas of the US, most notably Las Vegas and Atlantic City, while riverboat casinos were legal in Louisiana and Illinois. 

The arrival of online casinos in the mid-1990s posed a significant challenge to lawmakers. Online gaming does not respect state boundaries, and many US citizens were able to gamble on international casino sites. The legalization of sports betting by a Supreme Court decision of 2018 also encouraged wider legalization of casino gaming among the states. 

The legal situation

So, what is the legal situation with online casinos in 2024? There are currently six states in the US where it is legal to wager at online casinos: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware and Connecticut, although that list is likely to grow over the next few years. 

Can US citizens gamble on international casino sites? Technically, this is not illegal, in that there is no federal law banning it. However, there is a law, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006, which makes it illegal for any US financial institution to process gambling transactions with any overseas site, which effectively makes it impossible to safely gamble on overseas casino sites as you may find that your deposits or winnings are blocked. 

For the time being, therefore, you should only wager with US online casinos in the six states mentioned above, and only while you are physically present within the borders of those states. 

Choosing a casino

The choice of which online casino you want to gamble with is a personal one and will be based on many factors, including the range of available games, payment methods, bonuses and other factors. Some of these factors are discussed later on in this article. 

There is one golden rule that all online casino players should adhere to, however: never sign up with an unlicensed casino. If you sign up with a casino that is not licensed and regulated, you are unprotected in the case of a dispute, and you have no idea whether the games you are playing are fair. 

Legal online casinos will usually display their licensing details on their home page, but if you are unsure about the legal status of an online casino site, check with your state regulator. For example, in Pennsylvania, you can visit the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, and in New Jersey, it is the Division of Gaming Enforcement. These organizations will also give you general advice on safe gambling, and help with disputes and complaints. 

Signing up with a US online casino

When you’ve found a legal and licensed online casino site, the next step is to sign up. This is usually a straightforward process that is be done entirely online, and involves entering your name, contact details, address and other details. At some point before you are able to withdraw any winnings from the site, you will be required to verify your identity. This process requires you to upload a copy of a relevant ID document, and is usually handled quickly. 

Available games at US online casinos

When it comes to casino games, US online sites generally offer thousands of titles, most of these being slots. You can play everything from retro, three-reel fruit-machine-style slots to the latest in immersive video slots, featuring movie-level visuals and cutting-edge sound. 

Progressive jackpot games, which offer potentially unlimited jackpots, are also popular, along with live casino gaming, featuring real dealers, which enable players to experience a genuine casino atmosphere. You will also find multiple variations of casino classics, such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat, along with video poker, bingo, lotteries, scratch cards, game shows and instant play games.

US online casino bonuses

New online casino players are usually offered seemingly generous welcome bonuses by online casinos. While some of these bonuses can be a useful boost to your casino gaming, you should take care to read through the bonus terms and conditions before you sign up. 

Most online casino bonus deals include multiple restrictions, including something called a wagering requirement. This means that before you can withdraw any winnings from your bonus, you have to wager the full amount of the bonus a certain number of times. Usually, this is around 35x or 40x, but in some cases, it can be up to 50x. 

These restrictions and others, such as time limits and maximum win figures, can make it hard for players to see any practical benefits from bonuses, so it is important to be aware of the rules and be realistic about how much you can gain from these deals.  

US online casino payment options

The list of available payment options varies from site to site, but all US online casinos will accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and bank transfer payment methods, and most will accept deposits and withdrawals with e-wallet brands, including Neteller, Skrill and PayPal. 

When you’re making deposits or withdrawals at an online casino, you are usually limited by a minimum and maximum figure, and in the case of withdrawals, there will be a delay before you receive your money. This delay has two elements: the time that your payment provider takes to process the transaction, and the processing time at the casino. It’s a good idea to check out a site’s payment rules before signing up, so there are no unpleasant surprises. 

Conclusion

Online casino gaming is popular around the world, and the US, with its long history of casino gambling, is catching up with this global trend. Although currently restricted to just six states, online casino gambling with regulated, licensed operators is a convenient way to enjoy your favorite casino games at your convenience. It is important, however, to only gamble with money that you can afford to lose, and to set strict limits on your casino gaming to ensure that your experience is safe and fun.