How to choose the Best Online Casino
The thrill of a casino was once limited to the walls of a retail establishment.
However, improvements in technology over the past two decades mean, those of us legally able to do so, are opting to play and enjoy online casino games from the comfort of our sofa.
But knowing which online casino is best can be tricky, especially for beginners. With this in mind, here are our top five tips for finding the best online casino sites in the US.
Choosing an Online Casino: 5 Tips
- Find out if online casinos are allowed in your state
- Consider the selection of online casino games on offer
- Look at the payment options available
- Check the compatibility of online casino
- Review customer support options
1. Are online casinos allowed in your state?
First things first. Does your state permit the use of online casinos? Yes, legal sports betting may be legal. But that doesn’t necessarily mean online casino sites are legal too.
These are the only states where you will find licensed and secure online casino sites. Delaware was the first state to enter online casino gambling in 2012, followed by New Jersey in 2013 and Pennsylvania in 2019. West Virginia is the most recent state to have joined the list in July 2020.
States that allow online casinos
NJ Online Casinos
- Golden Nugget
- 888casino
- Tropicana
- Virgin
- Caesars
- BetMGM
- Betfair Casino
- Unibet Casino
- SugarHouse
- DraftKings Casino
PA Online Casinos
- BetRivers
- SugarHouse
- Hollywood Casino
- Unibet
- FanDuel Casino
- Parx Casino PA
- PokerStars
- BetAmerica
- Caesars Casino
- DraftKings Casino
DE Online Casinos
- Delaware Park online
- Dover Downs online gaming
- Harrington online
WV Online Casinos
- DraftKings Casino
- BetMGM Casino
2. Online casino games: Is there a good variety?
Which games do you want to play? Traditional games like Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps? Are you a fan, as many are, of online slots games such as Cleopatra or Gonzo’s Quest? Perhaps you’re all about all-time classic titles such as Wheel of Fortune and Wolf Run?
And have you thought about how you want to play? There’s the option to gamble against the casino but it’s possible to play live dealer table games too. The type of online games you want to play will have a bearing on the online casino you decide to sign-up with.
It’s useful to know your gambling intentions too. Will you just play online casino games? In which case, one of the renowned casino games such as SugarHouse or Golden Nugget may be for you.
Or, will you be looking to bet on sports and go between the two gambling verticals? If so, you may be better choosing a more rounded online gambling site like FanDuel or Unibet.
3. More banking options = top online casino
Separating a good online casino from the rest is easy - just check the payment options listed. As with any online transaction you want to feel secure and move your money quickly. But, also, you want to feel in charge of how you do it.
Whichever payment method you want to use to play real money casino games, you should have a flexible and broad set of options available.
- Credit/debit cards (VISA/Mastercard/Amex)
- E-wallets (Paypal, Neteller, Skrill)
- Bank transfers (Bank wire, e-check, Western Union)
The best online casinos on the market guarantee freedom in terms of payment methods and ensure you are comfortable making a payment the way you want.
4. Check compatibility of online casino
Is the online casino site compatible across all devices: mobile phone, laptop, desktop? These days, it’s rare a site is designed without considering such a vital element.
However, we still regard this as an important aspect to consider - there is nothing more frustrating than being unable to play or being limited in what you can play due to your device not being up to it.
We recommend checking the website for software compatibility specifications before you commit to signing-up.
5. Are there plenty of customer support options?
Alright, it’s not a question likely to top your list. Ours neither. The thing is, though, a good level of customer support is a necessity for when things go awry, as they so often do when technology is involved.
Top online casinos cover all bases in terms of making themselves available. But many online casino companies don't, leaving customers to fend for themselves instead.
For us, a lack of customer support options is a major turn-off regardless of how many games available or how big the bonus offer may be.
Live chat, email, a direct phone line, and a detailed FAQ section should be the minimum of any online casino site.
Choosing the best online casino: Final thoughts
As you’ve read, there are a few factors to consider before choosing an online casino. Deciding on the right one for you depends on your gambling preferences and intentions, which vary from player to player. We hope this article has helped you with the process!
Now apply what you've learned to choose the best online casino. Here are the top-rated online casinos in the US currently.
Best US Online Casinos
Top 5 Online Casinos
21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
$20 FREE No deposit needed!
T&C apply21+. NJ only. New customers only. $20 no deposit bonus funds will be awarded upon successful registration with 888casino, and must be wagered 30x within 60 days from granting before winnings can be withdrawn. Wagering contributions vary by game. To claim the 120% deposit match bonus, new players must deposit a minimum of $20 as their first deposit to qualify. First deposit will be matched 120% up to $500 in bonus funds. Bonus funds must be wagered 30x within 60 days from granting before winnings can be withdrawn. Games have different contribution rates to turnover requirement. Full T&C's apply, visit 888casino for details.
50% Deposit Match up to $1,000
T&C apply21+. New customers in NJ only. Must opt in to promotion when registering account and make a qualifying deposit (min $10). Player will receive bonus funds equal to 50% of qualifying deposit. Maximum bonus amount limited to $1000. Must wager the deposit and bonus amount (the “Wagering Requirement”) 20x on casino or live dealer games within 30 days. Full T&Cs apply, see sign up page for more info.
100% Bonus Match up to $500
Real Cash Back up to $100
T&C apply21+ NJ only. New VirginCasino.com customers only - Must deposit $10 minimum and place first wager - Eligible customers will receive either one of the following: (1) if their Net Loss exceeds 90% of their First Deposit at any time within seven (7) calendar days after placing the First Deposit and First Wager, the value of their First Deposit, up to a maximum of $100 in cash, or (2) if their Net Loss does not exceed 90% of their First Deposit after the conclusion of the seven (7) calendar days after placing the First Deposit and First Wager, the value of their Net Loss, up to a maximum of $100 in cash. Full T&C’s apply.
First Deposit Match Bonus up to $1,000 + 200 Bonus Spins
T&C apply21+. NJ, MI, WV only. New players only. Minimum deposit of $30 or more required to be eligible for the bonus. 200 Bonus Spins (usable on 88 Fortunes Megaways) awarded upon successful deposit. Bonus Spins must be played through within 7 days from granting, winnings from bonus spins will be awarded as bonus funds after a 1x turnover. Initial deposit will be eligible for the 100% deposit match, up to a maximum of $1,000 in non-withdrawable bonus funds. Deposit + bonus funds have a 10x playthrough requirement before elibible to be withdrawn, and expire after 30 days from granting. Games have different contribution rates to play through requirement. Full T&C's apply, visit Golden Nugget for details.
How to choose the best online casino: FAQS
What is a real money online casino?
Casino sites where you are able to win actual real cash.There are online casinos that offer the chance to play for free - these are popular with beginners looking to become familiar with how online casino sites work.
What’s the top online casino in NJ?
The best NJ online casino is Golden Nugget, where it’s possible to play 600+ casino games. The customer support, software, and sign-up offers are all key reasons why Golden Nugget is the best NJ online casino in the eyes of many.
What’s the best online PA casino?
DraftKings is our pick of the best online casinos Pennsylvania has to offer. Players can claim a generous welcome bonus and download the standalone casino app to their mobile device.
What are the most popular casino games?
There’s an array of games available to play regardless of which online casino you sign up with.
These are the most popular casino games:
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Craps
- Roulette
- Baccarat
- Live dealer casino games
Do all online casinos in the US accept PayPal?
PayPal is the world’s most popular e-wallet. Despite this, PayPal is not available at all online casinos in the US.
Given it is a more mature market, you will find the majority of NJ online casinos accept PayPal. However, the payment option is not as prevalent for online casinos in PA where the market is still relatively young.