Online Gambling for Beginners
As a novice to online gambling, it can be daunting knowing where to start. But there really isn't too much to it as our Online Gambling Guide for Beginners is about to show you!
To get your online gambling journey started today, just follow these simple steps:
How to Start Online Gambling As a Beginner
- Check your state permits online gambling
- Choose a gambling site suited to you
- Create an online gambling account
- Make a deposit
- Claim a welcome bonus
1. Is online gambling legal in your state?
Online gambling in the US is legalized state-by-state. That means your right to legal online gambling is dependent on where you reside in the US.
Given the difference in gambling laws between each state, it’s essential you’re aware of where your state stands on the industry.
Here’s a list of active states with legal online gambling. Just click to discover the forms of online gambling permitted in each state.
Legal Online Gambling States
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
Gambling Sites by state
This article presents a comprehensive list of all Michigan online casinos and valuable information about each one!
Our team of online gambling experts has curated this comprehensive article, presenting an exhaustive list of all NJ online casinos!
UnitedGamblers is proud to present the full list of all PA online casinos! Find all of the best and newest online casinos in the Keystone State!
This article presents a comprehensive list of all WV online casinos and insightful information about each one, helping you find the best online casino for your gambling ...
2. Choose the best gambling site for you
To save time and make sure you choose the right gambling site from the get-go, consider your gambling intentions.
For example, will you be solely betting on sport? Playing casino games? Poker? Or, perhaps you want all three gambling verticals at your fingers tips?
Is live streaming a must? Do you need a specific payment method? And what about customer support. Does it matter if there's no live chat?
Knowing what you want (and don't want) in advance will allow you to filter out the gambling sites that do not match your requirements and narrow down your search so you end up with the one which does.
What to think about when choosing a gambling website
- What's your primary use going to be? eg. sports, casino?
- Is the mobile app easy to use and responsive?
- What payment methods are available?
- Are the customer support options sufficient?
- Is there a good variety of markets and sports/games?
- Does the welcome bonus represent value?
Expert advice: Horses for courses
If you’re just going to bet on sports, you're best going with one of these: Bet365, Unibet, 888sport, PointsBet, FanDuel, DraftKings. These are companies that are first and foremost, sportsbooks and established names within sports betting.
But if you’re choosing a US gambling site to play online casino games, choose from Caesars, Golden Nugget, Parx, PlaySugarHouse. Although these have online sportsbooks, they are online casinos first and therefore prioritize accordingly.
That’s not to say, an operator can’t do more than one thing; 888 has been very successful in developing sites across all three gambling verticals with 888sport, 888casino, and 888poker. And all three products are a very high standard.
But, generally, sticking to a specialist site is an easier and effective way of maximizing your online gambling experience.
3. Create an online gambling account
Once you have a gambling website that ticks the boxes, you can start with the sign-up process.
All you need to do here is provide the type of details you would if you were signing up to any online account, i.e personal information (name, address, contact details), as well as a username and password that you remember and ensure your account is secure.
US gambling sites are also obliged to ask all new customers to share the last four digits of their Social Security Number for verification purposes, so bear this in mind also. For more help and detail, check out the guide, below.
Need help creating an online gambling account?
4. Make a deposit
Everything moves quickly from here, especially given the range of deposit methods made available by US gambling sites.
At least that should be the case - if you quickly discover payment options are on the light side then perhaps you need to have a look at another sportsbook.
But, on the whole, US gambling sites offer a well-rounded set of methods that enable bettors to wager quickly, based on their preference. Below, we've listed the common payment options you can expect to find when gambling online in America.
Popular Payment Options at US Gambling Sites
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Discover
- American Express
- PayPal
- Play+
- PayNearMe
- Online Banking Transfer
- Skrill
5. Claim Welcome Bonus
Players who set up a new gambling account are rewarded with a welcome bonus by online gambling operators. Across US gambling sites there are various types of welcome bonus offers waiting to be claimed.
Some will match your first deposit amount and others will allow you to get bonus bets which provide you with a helpful boost in the beginning.
You can read more about the different types of bonuses and how they work here. We’ve also listed a selection of the best promo deals in the US right now, to give you a taste of what’s on offer.
To take advantage of a welcome promo from the list of US gambling sites below, all you need to do is decide which site you want to sign up with and click on the green ‘claim’ button. And in no time at all, you'll be signed up and ready to start wagering. Enjoy!
Operator | Bonus | Action | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 |
Play $1, Get $100 In Casino Bonus |
T&C apply
Play $1, Get $100 In Casino Bonus Must be 21+ and present in NJ, PA, MI, or WV. Must not have previously placed any wager on FanDuel Sportsbook, FanDuel Casino, Betfair Casino or Mohegan Sun Casino. Minimum deposit of $5 required to receive bonus funds. Refund issued as non-withdrawable Casino site credit that expires 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. 1x wagering requirement applies. Only winnings from casino bonuses played on casino games will be withdrawable, bonus funds expire after 7 days of receipt. Full T's & C's apply, visit FanDuel Casino for more details. | |||
#2 |
Deposit $10, Get $50 in Casino Credits |
T&C apply
Get $50 in Casino Credit when you deposit $10+ 21+. MI/NJ/PA/WV only. New customers only. Must make a qualifying deposit of $10+. Must opt in via the Discover or Promos page in the App. Casino Credit is subject to a 1x playthrough requirement. Casino Credits expire 7 Days from issuance. Casino Credit amount not included in any winnings. Restrictions apply. See full T&C at Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino. | |||
#3 |
$100 Money Back Guarantee |
T&C apply
21+. NJ & PA only. New customers only. Minimum first deposit of $10 required. Promotion paid back as cash in NJ only. Promotions paid back as Bonus Funds in PA (subject to 1x playthrough requirement). Money back value is calculated based on net losses over the first 7 days of play, with a maximum cash refund of $100. If net losses exceed 90% of the first deposit, players will recieve the value of the first deposit, up to a maximum of $100. If net losses do not exceed 90% of the first deposit after 7 days, players will recieve the value of the net losses up to $100 in cash (NJ only) or bonus funds (PA). Cash back bonus is withdrawable (NJ only), minimum withdrawal of $10. Full T&C's apply, visit Bally for more details. | |||
#4 |
Get 250 Bonus Spins + up to $1,000 Back in Casino Credits |
T&C apply
New Players Get 250 Bonus Spins on a Featured Game & 24 Hour Lossback up to $1,000 Casino Credits GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (MI/NJ/PA/WV). 21+. Physically present in MI/NJ/PA/WV only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void in ONT. New customers only. Must opt-in to each offer. LOSSBACK: Min. $5 in cumulative wagers req. Min. net loss of $5 on eligible games to earn 100% of net losses back (“Lossback”) for 24 hours following opt-in. Max. $1,000 issued in Casino Credits for select games and expire in 7 days. SPINS: Min. $5 in wagers req. Max. 250 Casino Spins for featured game that expire in 7 days ($0.08+ per spin.); game availability may vary. 7 days = 168 hours. Rewards are non-withdrawable. Full T's & C's apply, visit Golden Nugget Casino for more details. | |||
#5 |
Get A 100% Bonus Back Up To $1,250 |
T&C apply
Get A 100% Bonus Back Up To $1,250 Must be 21+ and physically present in MI/NJ/ON/PA/WV. New users only. Register with promo code UGGOLD Deposit required (min $10). Must wager within 7 days of registering. Receive bonus of 100% of net cash losses (up to $1,250) from date of first wager through end of following day. Must wager 1X bonus amount within 7 days to unlock bonus. Certain games excluded. See full T&C at Horseshoe Online Casino. | |||
#6 |
Spin for a shot at $2K Casino Credits AND Get a $1K Deposit Match in Casino Bonus Funds |
T&C apply
Spin for a shot at $2,000 in Casino Credits AND Receive a $1,000 Deposit Match in Casino Bonus Funds 21+. Physically present in MI/PA/WV only. Different offer available in NJ. Void in CT/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. 1 per new customer. Each offer req. opt-in. SPIN: Min. $5 in wagers to receive Mystery Spin Bonus that rewards $10-$2,000 in Casino Credits. Max. $2,000 in Casino Credits on select games that are non-withdrawable and expire in 7 days. MATCH: Min. $5 deposit to receive 100% deposit match. Max. $1,000 in non-withdrawable Casino Bonus Funds. 10x play-thru req. within 7 days at different contribution rates on select games. Max. bonus req. play-thru of $10,000 at 100% contribution rate [$1,000 match / 100% *10x play-thru]; or a max. of $50,000 at 20% contribution rate [$1,000 match / 20% *10x play-thru]. Full T's & C's apply, visit DraftKings Casino for more details. | |||
#7 |
100% Deposit Match Bonus up to $250 |
T&C apply
21+. PA only. Different offer available in MI/NJ/WV. New Customers Only. Must make a qualifying deposit of at least $10 using code PACASINO250. Bonus Money will be credited equal to the value of the deposit, up to a maximum of $250. Casino bonus subject to a 1x playthrough requirement on casino games, excl. roulette and baccarat. Player must wager and play-through the bonus money within 30 days of deposit, otherwise it will expire. Full T's & C's apply, visit BetRivers for more details. | |||
#8 |
Get a $10 bonus & 100% deposit match up to $1K & 2500 Reward Credits® when you wager $25+ |
T&C apply
Get a $10 Bonus & 100% Deposit Match up to $1K & 2500 Reward Credits® when you wager $25+ Must be 21+. New Customers only. MI/NJ/PA/WV only. $10 Registration Bonus awarded upon successful registration and verification. 1x wagering requirement applies to registration bonus. New users and first deposit only. Wager $25+ to receive 2,500 Reward Credits. Max. deposit-match bonus of $1,000. 15x wagering requirement applies to deposit bonus. Minimum wagering within 7 days required to unlock bonuses. Void where prohibited. Full terms and wagering requirements at Caesarspalaceonline.com/promos. | |||
#9 |
100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 + $25 on the House |
T&C apply
100% Deposit Match up to $1000 + $25 on the House 21+. NJ/MI/PA only. Different offer available in WV. $25 non-withdrawable casino bonus will be added upon registration completion, and will expire after 3 days. First deposit (min. $10) will be matched 100%, up to $1,000 as non-withdrawable casino bonus funds, and must be claimed within 30 days of registration. Wagering Requirement must be completed before any bonus funds can be withdrawn: 1x for the $25 casino bonus (must be completed within 7 days, deposit required), and separate 15x for the deposit match (must be completed within 14 days). Casino games contribute differently towards wagering requirement: Slots, Jackpot Slots, Scratch Cards, Fixed Odds Games, Virtual Games: 100%; Table Games, Roulette, Live Dealer (all games), Video Poker, Baccarat, Craps: 20%; Blackjack (non-Live Dealer only): 10%. Full T's & C's apply, visit BetMGM for more details. See full T&C at BetMGM. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net. Please Gamble Responsibly. | |||
#10 |
100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 + $20 Casino Bonus |
T&C apply
21+. New customers only in NJ & PA. Qualifying deposit (min $10) required. $20 Bonus Dollars will be available for three (3) days after completion of new Account registration. $20 Bonus Dollars received from this Promotion are valid on Borgata Online Slots Only. 1x wagering requirement applies. Deposit Match will equal first deposit, up to $1,000 Bonus Dollars maximum. Deposit Match offer expires thirty (30) days after completing new Account registration. 15x wagering requirement applies. Full T's & C's apply, visit Borgata for full details. | |||
#11 |
100% Deposit Match up to $1000 + 500 Free Spins |
T&C apply
100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 + 500 Free Spins 21+. New customers only. NJ only. Minimum deposit of $20+ is required, 500 Free Spins for Triple Gold will be awarded following the deposit. Deposit Match will not be applied if the offer is not claimed in the cashier. 100% Deposit Match will be based on initial deposit, with a maximum amount of $1,000 in bonus funds for the casino, and must be wagered 20x to withdraw winnings (wagering requirement must be completed within 14 days). See full T&C at Hard Rock Bet. | |||
#12 |
100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 with 100 Spins |
T&C apply
Deposit $10 or more to qualify for a 100% matched bonus and 100 Spins for completing the wagering requirement. 21+. This offer is available to new and fully verified customers only. You must claim the offer within 30 days of registering your bet365 account. Limit one bonus per user. Offer available in NJ only. Different offer available in PA. Deposit min. $10. Max. bonus $1,000. Value of bonus must be wagered 20 times. Time limits, game restrictions and T&Cs apply Full T's & C's apply, visit Bet365 for more details. #ad | |||
#13 |
25 Spins No Deposit Required & 100% First Deposit Match + 200 Spins |
T&C apply
Get 25 Spins to use on Starburst For Signing Up + Another 200 Spins on Starburst and a 100% Match Bonus on your first deposit 21+. NJ & PA only. No deposit required to get 25 Spins. Player must open the game Starburst after completing registration in order to receive spins. 25 spins valued at $0.10 for use on the game Starburst will be granted upon the completion of registration. Any winnings from the spins will be added as casino bonuses and are subject to a 20X playthrough requirement. Casino bonuses and bonus spins expire 15 days from issuance. Min. deposit required to claim 200 Spins and Deposit Match offer. Max Casino Bonus amount $100. Casino bonus dollars and any winnings from casino bonus dollars cannot be cashed out until the 20X playthrough requirements are met. Casino bonuses and spins expire 7 days from issuance. Full T's & C's apply, visit Stardust Casino for more details. | |||
#14 |
100% First Deposit Match up to $1,000 |
T&C apply
Get Your First Deposit Matched 100% up to $1,000 21+. NJ only. New customers only. Must make a qualifying deposit of $25+. Maximum bonus amount is $1,000 in Bonus Credits that will expire after 7 days after issuance. Bonus Credits may only be used to play slots. Restrictions apply. See full T&C at betOcean Online Casino. | |||
#15 |
20 Reward Spins on Registration + 100% Deposit Match up to $100 & 100 Reward Spins |
T&C apply
21+. New customers only. NJ only. 20 Reward Spins awarded upon successful registration, no deposit required. 100% Deposit Match will be based on initial deposit (min. $10 deposit required), with a maximum amount of $100 in bonus funds for the casino, and must be wagered 10x on slots, 50x on all other games to withdraw bonus funds and winnings (wagering requirement must be completed within 7 days). 100 Reward Spins will also be awarded with deposit match, and must be used within 7 days. Reward Spin denomination will be $0.25. Full T'&C apply, visit Harrah's Casino for full details. | |||
#16 |
100% Deposit Match up to $500 + 500 BONUS SPINS |
T&C apply
21+. New customers only. NJ only. Minimum deposit of $20 required for deposit match bonus, up to a maximum of $500. Player must wager $20 to unlock the first 100 bonus spins, additional 400 bonus spins will be awarded upon successful second and third deposit of at least $20, 200 spins each time. Turnover requirement of 30x on all bonus funds, winnings from bonus spins will only be credited if all are used. Full T'&C apply, visit PlayStar Casino for full details. | |||
#17 |
100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 |
T&C apply
Get Your First Deposit Matched 100% up to $1,000 In Casino Bonus Funds New verified Jackpot City Casino customers present in PA, 21+ only. Different offer available in NJ. Opt-in req’d. Min. wagering requirements apply (25x). Withdrawing funds before wagering requirements are met forfeits entire bonus balance. Bonus funds expire in 30 days. s See full T&C at Jackpot City Casino. |