Real Gambling Sites

GamblingSites.com is perhaps THE most comprehensive online gambling resource. This website is a genuine goldmine for gamblers, with information and expert advice on just. In our casino reviews, we focus on qualities that directly influence the casino's trustworthiness and reputation, so that players can choose a trusted casino site that will not cheat them. This includes how casinos treat their players, whether they pay out their winnings, the quality of their customer support, withdrawal limits, win limits.

1. Real Gambling Sites For Real
2. Real Casino Sites
3. Online Gambling Sites Real Money

Looking for the top casino apps in the United States that offer real money gambling? You can call off the search team because you've found the right page. In this guide, we break down who offers the best US casino apps for money and how to safely play mobile games. If you're ready to get started, check out our recommendations for the top real money casino gambling apps for USA residents or continue reading to learn more about them.

Whether you're looking for a particular mobile casino game or app that fits your particular device, we have you covered. Additionally, we'll show you the tips, tricks, strategies, and resources you need to get the absolute most out of your mobile online gambling experience.

Top US Casino Apps by Game

Got a favorite casino game you love to play? One of the best ways to decide which real money US casino gambling apps are best for you is by choosing the option that offers the best experience for your favorite game. The links provided below will take you to regularly updated lists of the top USA casino apps broken down by which game is their best. You will see some crossover amongst lists as some casino providers hit a homerun with multiple games.

Real Money Slot Apps

You may have played slots on your mobile device before for fun, but did you know you could play for real money? Believe it or not, you can play your favorite US online slot machines right on your mobile device and win real money, even major jackpots! If you're looking for the top US slots apps available right now, you're in luck. The link below will show you the top casino apps in the USA offering extensive slots action.

Real Money Blackjack Apps

Easily one of the most popular and recognizable casino games in the world is blackjack. A game you used to be only able to play in the casino is now available in the palm of your hand and can be played for real money! If you're looking for the top US blackjack apps where you can win real money, check out the link below.

Real Money Poker Apps

No longer do you have to wait till Friday night to get in a poker game with your buddies. Heck, you don't even have to play with your buddies anymore and take their money. Real money poker apps now give you the ability to play your favorite poker variations like Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and 7-card stud right on your phone or smart device. To get in the action now, check out the top US poker apps we've recommended below.

Real Money Video Poker Apps

Like the game of poker, but don't feel like playing against other people? The only poker variation where you can't get bluffed, video poker for real money, is now available on your mobile devices. Check out the top US video poker apps available in your area right now at the link provided below.

Real Money Roulette Apps

Wish you could enjoy the excitement of watching the roulette wheel spin and the little white ball determine your bet's fate from anywhere? Well, now you can! One of the most popular casino games, real money roulette is now available on your mobile device. We've put together a list of United States casino gambling apps for iPhone and Android that offer real money roulette action 24/7/365.

More Casino Game Apps You Can Play for Real Money

Play online casino games. These games aren't as popular to play as some of the others, but they're certainly still offered by all real money casino apps within the USA. The software to play these games is very smooth and using a trusted app will ensure your money and information remains safe.

Reviews of Popular Mobile Casino Apps:

If you are looking for the largest variety of games on a real money mobile casino app check out our table below. These online casino apps are the best of the best when it comes to the number of games offered. Whether you are looking for a great app for slots, blackjack, online poker, or other table games, these US friendly real money online casinos have it all.

Keep reading if you're looking for mobile casino applications that are specialized towards specific devices, such as an iPhone or Android. Most US friendly apps and mobile casinos will offer all major games for real money play without the need of downloading more than one.

Mobile Casino App Fun Facts

• On average 63.9% of online gamblers use mobile devices for gaming.
• Because real money slots apps don't have to worry about floor space you'll never see your favorites disappear.
• In 2019 Casino Apps Reached 19% of Android Users.
• The current value of the online gambling market (including casino gaming apps, online poker, and online sportsbooks) is around $59.6 billion. Experts project it could be as high as $92.9 billion by 2023.
• Slots are by far the most popular mobile online casino game.
• There are over 4,800 active online casino businesses worldwide. (You can see why it's so time consuming to find the safest online casino apps for US players.)

Top Real Money Casino Apps by Mobile Device

Not sure which game you want to play yet? Have multiple favorite casino games? No worries. A secondary way of determining the best online casino apps for you is guiding your search based on what device you have. Whether you're an iOS/iPhone user or an Android fan, we've got what you're looking for listed below.

iPhone Casino Apps

If you've got an iPhone, iPad, or any other iOS device, your options for USA gambling apps online are immense. As the largest platform in the world, game developers have crafted some incredible US iPhone casino apps for you to choose from. Click the button below to get taken to the most up-to-date list of the top casino app options for your Apple devices.

Android Casino Apps

While you may get snubbed in other areas because you're not an iPhone user, that's not the case when it comes to Android casino apps. In the early days of online gaming, options were slim for your devices. But as game developers realized the Android market was growing, they began building incredible gaming options to service Android clients. If you are looking for the top US Android casino apps, the link we've provided below will take you to an up-to-date list of the best of the best.

How Gambling Apps Work Differently on Your Device

When looking at gambling apps for real money games, it's important to remember there will be differences based on what type you go with. How you want your online gambling experience to play out depends on your personal preferences. There are downloadable casino apps dedicated to your device, and then there are mobile casinos that are optimized for your device. The major differences can be seen below:

As you can see there are subtle differences in how casino games can be played on your device. Stick around if you'd like to learn about how to install casino apps and get the most out of your gambling experience.

How to Download Real Money Casino Apps

Dragon bonus baccarat. In this section, we are going to detail step by step how you can get started with US casino apps that pay out money today.

• 1 – Choose Your Real Money Casino App

  We make this first step very easy for you by giving you the very best real money online gambling & casino apps on the market. If you missed it, simply go back to the top of this page, and you can see our current list of recommendations.

  If you want to learn more about our process on how we choose which casino apps for money we recommend, you can do so here.

• Any casino app you download has been installed by many other users before you. This is great for you because you can take our recommendations and the thoughts and reviews of other people that have also used the app to make the most informed decision for yourself.

  This is important because, at the end of the day, you really need to go with your gut on which app to use and where you think your money will be the safest.

• This one should be obvious, but it is still an important step! Whether you're on an iPhone or Android, go to your respective app store and install the casino app. After reading the user reviews, you can comfortably decide whether or not you want to try out the casino app of choice.

• 4 – Navigate the Casino Gambling App and Make Sure It Functions Well

  Now that you have the app downloaded, it's time to make sure it works how you need it to. Sure, if it's an app worth its salt and got some good user reviews, it should function fine, but you should really take the time to dive in.

  Make sure there's nothing off about the design, they have proper seals and branding for banking, and that the whole app doesn't seem fishy. All the real money apps we recommend here at BestUSCasinos.org have been hand-tested for issues like this, but we will always advise our readers to do their own due diligence.

• 5 – Create a Players Account and Look for Casino Bonuses

  Now for the fun part. Sign up for your account, but don't forget the bonus. Make sure you take a look around at all the online casino bonuses offered for your app before you go and put money into your account.

  Without a bonus, you could be missing out on some great opportunities for extra cash at the US casino app you choose.

• At this point, you've almost completed everything; you just need to actually deposit your money on the app. Depending on what bonus you decided to go with, you might need to deposit larger sums of money to take advantage of it.

  We would advise starting small with your real money deposits until you've taken time to build up a solid reputation and completely trust your casino gambling app.

• The easiest and most glorious step of all! If you have followed all of these steps properly, you're well on your way to start placing and winning bets at the best real money casino apps today.

What Makes These the Best Casino Apps in the US?

The process of identifying the top US real money casino apps is extensive. We employ teams of industry experts with decades of experience in sifting through options to identify the winners and the losers. Our teams look at hundreds of criteria in their quest to find the best options available.

If we were to breakdown everything we look at during our review process, we'd be here all day. Instead, we'll save you some time and just show you the top three factors that go into our rankings. Yes, this is only a taste of the process, but it should give you a decent look into why you can trust our recommendations for the best online casino apps for American players.

Trust and Security

Nothing is more important than staying safe when gambling online. If we personally don't have 100% trust in a betting site, then you won't see them within 100 miles of any of our top casino apps lists.

Mobile Game Quality and Server Speeds

Slow, low-quality mobile casino game apps drive us insane. In the early days, when options were limited, we had more patience for second-rate games. Today, though, technology has come too far for anything to be less than top quality. All of the mobile online casinos we recommend have the best games, the most options, and deliver the best gaming experience possible.

Real Money Casino Bonuses and VIP Loyalty

Just because you're not physically in a casino does not mean you shouldn't be taken care of and rewarded for your play and loyalty. When picking out the top betting apps online, it's important to us that they take care of their players and have plans to reward them for loyalty. This means big deposit bonuses, juicy VIP rewards, and benefits available to players of all different levels. Just because you don't bet hundreds of dollars does not mean you shouldn't get rewarded as well.

Real Gambling Sites For Real

Tips for Picking the Best United States Casino Apps

Whether you're a first-time gambler, brand new to betting apps, or a seasoned pro, you want to get started the right way. To guide you on the next step of your exciting journey, we've compiled a list of the most important tips to help you pick out the best USA casino apps for you.

1. Invest Time in Choosing the Right Mobile Casino Apps

Whether you're looking for a particular mobile casino game or app that fits your particular device, we have you covered. Additionally, we'll show you the tips, tricks, strategies, and resources you need to get the absolute most out of your mobile online gambling experience.

Top US Casino Apps by Game

Got a favorite casino game you love to play? One of the best ways to decide which real money US casino gambling apps are best for you is by choosing the option that offers the best experience for your favorite game. The links provided below will take you to regularly updated lists of the top USA casino apps broken down by which game is their best. You will see some crossover amongst lists as some casino providers hit a homerun with multiple games.

Real Money Slot Apps

You may have played slots on your mobile device before for fun, but did you know you could play for real money? Believe it or not, you can play your favorite US online slot machines right on your mobile device and win real money, even major jackpots! If you're looking for the top US slots apps available right now, you're in luck. The link below will show you the top casino apps in the USA offering extensive slots action.

Real Money Blackjack Apps

Easily one of the most popular and recognizable casino games in the world is blackjack. A game you used to be only able to play in the casino is now available in the palm of your hand and can be played for real money! If you're looking for the top US blackjack apps where you can win real money, check out the link below.

Real Money Poker Apps

No longer do you have to wait till Friday night to get in a poker game with your buddies. Heck, you don't even have to play with your buddies anymore and take their money. Real money poker apps now give you the ability to play your favorite poker variations like Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and 7-card stud right on your phone or smart device. To get in the action now, check out the top US poker apps we've recommended below.

Real Money Video Poker Apps

Like the game of poker, but don't feel like playing against other people? The only poker variation where you can't get bluffed, video poker for real money, is now available on your mobile devices. Check out the top US video poker apps available in your area right now at the link provided below.

Real Money Roulette Apps

Wish you could enjoy the excitement of watching the roulette wheel spin and the little white ball determine your bet's fate from anywhere? Well, now you can! One of the most popular casino games, real money roulette is now available on your mobile device. We've put together a list of United States casino gambling apps for iPhone and Android that offer real money roulette action 24/7/365.

More Casino Game Apps You Can Play for Real Money

Play online casino games. These games aren't as popular to play as some of the others, but they're certainly still offered by all real money casino apps within the USA. The software to play these games is very smooth and using a trusted app will ensure your money and information remains safe.

Reviews of Popular Mobile Casino Apps:

If you are looking for the largest variety of games on a real money mobile casino app check out our table below. These online casino apps are the best of the best when it comes to the number of games offered. Whether you are looking for a great app for slots, blackjack, online poker, or other table games, these US friendly real money online casinos have it all.

Keep reading if you're looking for mobile casino applications that are specialized towards specific devices, such as an iPhone or Android. Most US friendly apps and mobile casinos will offer all major games for real money play without the need of downloading more than one.

Mobile Casino App Fun Facts

• On average 63.9% of online gamblers use mobile devices for gaming.
• Because real money slots apps don't have to worry about floor space you'll never see your favorites disappear.
• In 2019 Casino Apps Reached 19% of Android Users.
• The current value of the online gambling market (including casino gaming apps, online poker, and online sportsbooks) is around $59.6 billion. Experts project it could be as high as $92.9 billion by 2023.
• Slots are by far the most popular mobile online casino game.
• There are over 4,800 active online casino businesses worldwide. (You can see why it's so time consuming to find the safest online casino apps for US players.)

Top Real Money Casino Apps by Mobile Device

Not sure which game you want to play yet? Have multiple favorite casino games? No worries. A secondary way of determining the best online casino apps for you is guiding your search based on what device you have. Whether you're an iOS/iPhone user or an Android fan, we've got what you're looking for listed below.

iPhone Casino Apps

If you've got an iPhone, iPad, or any other iOS device, your options for USA gambling apps online are immense. As the largest platform in the world, game developers have crafted some incredible US iPhone casino apps for you to choose from. Click the button below to get taken to the most up-to-date list of the top casino app options for your Apple devices.

Android Casino Apps

While you may get snubbed in other areas because you're not an iPhone user, that's not the case when it comes to Android casino apps. In the early days of online gaming, options were slim for your devices. But as game developers realized the Android market was growing, they began building incredible gaming options to service Android clients. If you are looking for the top US Android casino apps, the link we've provided below will take you to an up-to-date list of the best of the best.

How Gambling Apps Work Differently on Your Device

When looking at gambling apps for real money games, it's important to remember there will be differences based on what type you go with. How you want your online gambling experience to play out depends on your personal preferences. There are downloadable casino apps dedicated to your device, and then there are mobile casinos that are optimized for your device. The major differences can be seen below:

As you can see there are subtle differences in how casino games can be played on your device. Stick around if you'd like to learn about how to install casino apps and get the most out of your gambling experience.

How to Download Real Money Casino Apps

Dragon bonus baccarat. In this section, we are going to detail step by step how you can get started with US casino apps that pay out money today.

• 1 – Choose Your Real Money Casino App

  We make this first step very easy for you by giving you the very best real money online gambling & casino apps on the market. If you missed it, simply go back to the top of this page, and you can see our current list of recommendations.

  If you want to learn more about our process on how we choose which casino apps for money we recommend, you can do so here.

• Any casino app you download has been installed by many other users before you. This is great for you because you can take our recommendations and the thoughts and reviews of other people that have also used the app to make the most informed decision for yourself.

  This is important because, at the end of the day, you really need to go with your gut on which app to use and where you think your money will be the safest.

• This one should be obvious, but it is still an important step! Whether you're on an iPhone or Android, go to your respective app store and install the casino app. After reading the user reviews, you can comfortably decide whether or not you want to try out the casino app of choice.

• 4 – Navigate the Casino Gambling App and Make Sure It Functions Well

  Now that you have the app downloaded, it's time to make sure it works how you need it to. Sure, if it's an app worth its salt and got some good user reviews, it should function fine, but you should really take the time to dive in.

  Make sure there's nothing off about the design, they have proper seals and branding for banking, and that the whole app doesn't seem fishy. All the real money apps we recommend here at BestUSCasinos.org have been hand-tested for issues like this, but we will always advise our readers to do their own due diligence.

• 5 – Create a Players Account and Look for Casino Bonuses

  Now for the fun part. Sign up for your account, but don't forget the bonus. Make sure you take a look around at all the online casino bonuses offered for your app before you go and put money into your account.

  Without a bonus, you could be missing out on some great opportunities for extra cash at the US casino app you choose.

• At this point, you've almost completed everything; you just need to actually deposit your money on the app. Depending on what bonus you decided to go with, you might need to deposit larger sums of money to take advantage of it.

  We would advise starting small with your real money deposits until you've taken time to build up a solid reputation and completely trust your casino gambling app.

• The easiest and most glorious step of all! If you have followed all of these steps properly, you're well on your way to start placing and winning bets at the best real money casino apps today.

What Makes These the Best Casino Apps in the US?

The process of identifying the top US real money casino apps is extensive. We employ teams of industry experts with decades of experience in sifting through options to identify the winners and the losers. Our teams look at hundreds of criteria in their quest to find the best options available.

If we were to breakdown everything we look at during our review process, we'd be here all day. Instead, we'll save you some time and just show you the top three factors that go into our rankings. Yes, this is only a taste of the process, but it should give you a decent look into why you can trust our recommendations for the best online casino apps for American players.

Trust and Security

Nothing is more important than staying safe when gambling online. If we personally don't have 100% trust in a betting site, then you won't see them within 100 miles of any of our top casino apps lists.

Mobile Game Quality and Server Speeds

Slow, low-quality mobile casino game apps drive us insane. In the early days, when options were limited, we had more patience for second-rate games. Today, though, technology has come too far for anything to be less than top quality. All of the mobile online casinos we recommend have the best games, the most options, and deliver the best gaming experience possible.

Real Money Casino Bonuses and VIP Loyalty

Just because you're not physically in a casino does not mean you shouldn't be taken care of and rewarded for your play and loyalty. When picking out the top betting apps online, it's important to us that they take care of their players and have plans to reward them for loyalty. This means big deposit bonuses, juicy VIP rewards, and benefits available to players of all different levels. Just because you don't bet hundreds of dollars does not mean you shouldn't get rewarded as well.

Real Gambling Sites For Real

Tips for Picking the Best United States Casino Apps

Whether you're a first-time gambler, brand new to betting apps, or a seasoned pro, you want to get started the right way. To guide you on the next step of your exciting journey, we've compiled a list of the most important tips to help you pick out the best USA casino apps for you.

1. Invest Time in Choosing the Right Mobile Casino Apps

We completely understand that you want to get into the real money action as quickly as possible. But we'd encourage you to pump the brakes for just a moment. By taking a few extra minutes right now to find the best American casino apps for you, you'll set yourself up for long-term success.

Dedicate a few minutes to check out several of the great options we've listed here and find the one that's truly the best fit for you. Yes, it might delay you for a few minutes right now, but in the long run, you will thank us.

2. Stick to the Safest Real Money US Casino Apps

We're all for going off the beaten path and blazing your own trail in most areas of life. However, that's not the case here. Stick to the safest real money US gambling apps we've recommended for you. Why? It's going to keep your information secure.

Stick to the pre-vetted options we have here, and you'll ensure a great online betting experience.

3. It's Okay to Play at Multiple Casino Sites for Money

Can't decide between a few different US casino apps online? No worries. There is nothing wrong with playing at multiple sites. It does not cost you anything extra to have multiple accounts and actually can make you more money by giving you access to more bonuses. If you like the slots at one app and the poker at another, make two accounts. It takes no more than a few seconds to log out of one app and into another.

4. Understand Each Online Casino App's Disconnect Policy

When using casino apps in the United States, you're going to be connecting through your phone service or a Wi-Fi connection. While service in most areas is reliable, there are times where you will get disconnected. Even the best networks in the world are not perfect.

The good news is this. The best US real money casino apps understand this and have set up ways of protecting your action during a disconnect. Most of them will hold the action for you until you are able to get reconnected, or they will finish out the current hand/spin and wait for you to return before proceeding. How betting apps handle this will differ from site to site.

Real Casino Sites

Real Money Casino Apps FAQ

• Yes. There are a ton of casino betting apps that pay real money and offer casino games for real money play. The biggest thing to figure out is which one to trust. When dealing with actual money, you should stick to the best USA gambling apps that we recommend. That will ensure you're safety while gambling and that you get paid any winnings quickly.

• Usually, yes! Most real money casino apps in the US are also linked to desktop versions. With the same login information, you should be able to access your account and play your favorite games from your desktop or from your mobile device.

• We have only recommended the safest apps for real money casino games, which our team has fully vetted. We can't speak for all casino apps out there, but we can put our trust behind the ones recommended here. Our teams know what to look for and how to identify real money United States casino apps that are doing it right and those that have issues, red flags, and security gaps.

• What Happens If I Get Disconnected From My Casino App During a Game?

  It will depend on where you are playing and what their disconnect policy is. Usually, they have procedures in place to help protect the player's money and preserve the action as much as possible. We recommend you to take a few moments and review the disconnect policy before you start using any online casino app. If it's not readily available through their website or by contacting support, you probably don't want anything to do with that site.

• Yes, real money games bring the casino experience to you, wherever and whenever you want. The best casino apps will offer a variety of free games as well as plenty of casino games that can be played for real money. If you're a novice player, you can practice with the free games, but more experienced players can make a good profit playing real money casino games on these mobile apps.

• Gambling on casino apps is legal anywhere if you're playing free games. If you're logging on to a casino app to play for real money, you'll have to use a website that operates offshore. No laws currently prevent US gamblers from playing mobile casino games for real money using an offshore casino app. For the most accurate interpretation of casino apps in your state, please reach out to a local gambling attorney.

• Finding the best online gambling app depends on what type of casino games you would like to play. You might be inclined to choose a different app if you want to play slots vs if you're going to play classic table games. Either way, we've made finding the best gambling apps for real money play a breeze by listing them above.

• Will These Real Money Casino Apps Work on My Phone?

  Yes! In fact, mobile online casinos are designed specifically for phones and mobile devices. Throughout this guide, we've outlined some of the top Android casino apps and iPhone casino apps. If you're looking for action on the go, you're in the right spot.

• Sort of, but it's not what you're hoping for. Giving away free money is not a great business model and the casino apps that do this know that. Define over under in sports betting.

  As a result, you may get 'free money', but you'll do so by watching hundreds of ads and playing games with unbelievably low returns. You won't get your money until the free gambling app has made multiple times your winnings and even then you may face issues with payouts.

  It's important to note that this IS NOT how real money casino gambling apps work!

  Yes, you have to deposit with real money online casinos, but it gives you access to a much wider variety of games, different playing styles, and more importantly much better RTP(Return to Player). It's true what they say, you have to spend money to make money.

• If you read our last question about free casino apps you might be worried about what other 'free' things are too good to be true. Free spin slot bonuses are not one of those things!

  When you play mobile casino games for money you are eligible for a bunch of bonuses and promotional offers, one of these of course being free spins. And the good news is this, any free spins you earn are yours!

  You can spin and win with them just the same as if you're playing with money.

• Can You Try Online Slots Before Playing for Money?

  Sure! Some users want to get familiar with a slot game before they put money on the line and that's perfectly fine. Some online casinos will offer free play versions of their games for this very reason. We also have a collection of free to play slot games that you can try to get your feet wet.

Skip the Headaches and Play at a Legitimate Site

You're looking for a legitimate U.S. gambling site, but can't decide which site to trust with your hard-earned money?

Good news! We've been in the online gambling industry for over a decade (several decades, really, if you add all of our experience together), and we've spent countless hours to bring you a list of the most legitimate sites.

Here's what all of these sites have in common:

• 10+ years in the business with strong reputations.
• Attractive promotions for first-time customers.
• Quick money withdrawals (relative to the U.S. market).

Why Bovada Is #1 in the U.S.

#1: Fastest Check Cashouts

Bovada gets 10 times as much traffic as its second best US competitor and still delivers check payouts faster than any of them. Bovada processes check withdrawals in 7 days; many of its competitors take weeks, some more than a month to do the same. (There are other fast options, like the #3-ranked BetOnline, which delivers checks in 14 days.)

#2: Service

An equally important aspect of Bovada's operations is its customer service. If there ever was an indication of how much a company respects its customers, it's the level of customer service the company provides. I haven't found any US-friendly site doing this aspect of the business better (although 5Dimes is a worthy runner-up).

#3: All-In-One

Finally, all parts of Bovada's business (sportsbook, casino, poker, racebook) are popular. Bovada is best-known for sports betting and casino games, however, even its online poker room has around four times as many players online as the second biggest US poker site. You can access all of their games with one player account.

… But You Should Know This

Bovada is recreational-friendly, perhaps more-so than any other US site. You'll find few golden opportunities in their sportsbook (read more about their use of dual lines), they have a relatively high overall house edge (especially after recently increasing house edge in video poker games) and their online poker room only has 'anonymous' tables.

Although not everyone agrees with me, the recreational-friendly part is an advantage for skilled poker players. Since Bovada appeals to recreational gamblers, you'll be like a shark among regular fish.

Bovada charges a 4.9% fee for credit card deposits (a lot considering how most sites charge nothing). The impact of the deposit fee is slightly compensated by their welcome bonuses, which are better than average.

All online gamblers look for entertaining games, attractive promotions and aesthetically pleasing software. To have a safe experience, however, you want a site to:

1. Serve its customers with safety and respect,
2. Operate with a reasonable house edge, and
3. Handle money transactions promptly.

Yes, the third point is included in the first point but it's also such an essential part of the customer experience that it must be mentioned separately. Many online gambling websites operate without an adequate level of service so these points are worth considering. It's rare to find a combination of all three points.

Bovada fulfills all of the above criteria better than other sites but 5Dimes does well, too. In fact, I'm confident in ranking those two as the best USA gambling websites specifically because they deliver so well in the areas related to safety and trustworthiness. A site without proper customer service and safety measures is not one you should deposit money to, regardless of its promotions and whatnot.

What Are Some Alternative Options?

For Sports Bettors

5Dimes.eu is the best betting site in the US for the following reasons: they're professional-friendly and offer reduced juice betting lines (in other words, less house edge). Before betting on any game, I recommend taking a look at the odds 5Dimes is offering. They've been a reliable sportsbook for over 10+ years — you'll find few complaints about 5Dimes online, and the ones you find have been resolved quickly.

For poker and casino games, I would go with Bovada. But for sports bettors, it makes the most sense to have an account at 5Dimes.

Another Solid Option

BetOnline.ag is my third suggestion. It's not significantly better than the others in any area but they're simply a solid option. Prompt cashout processing, decent poker traffic, good sports betting options and entertaining casino games. Additionally, I've had good experiences with their customer service.

For sports bettors, BetOnline is worth signing-up at simply to be able to compare betting lines among a few sites. For poker players, BetOnline may offer some good games every now and then (keep in mind: you can bet on sports and play casino and poker games with the same account, so plenty of gamblers will stumble on the poker games eventually). For casino gamblers, BetOnline has a basic but reliable offering.

BetOnline charges a 6% fee for credit card deposits.

Is It Legal to Play?

The definition of 'gambling' and the laws surrounding vary depending on which state you live in.

In Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey, some forms of online gambling have been legalized and regulated (only state-licensed sites are allowed to operate legally). In other states, it's likely (although not widely agreed upon) that playing – and certainly operating – online gambling games for real money is illegal.

On a federal level, sports betting is the only form of prohibited gambling via the Wire Act of 1961. For several years, the Department of Justice (DOJ) maintained that the Wire Act applies to all forms of online gambling, but in December 2011, they corrected that stance by stating that the Wire Act only applies to sports betting – a result of a 13-page memorandum from the Office of Legal Counsel to the Criminal Division of the DOJ (source).

State laws, however, often indirectly prohibit gambling. Or to put it another way: it would be difficult to claim any forms of online gambling legal with absolute certainty in most states (lotteries and such aside). Most state laws indirectly prohibit gambling simply by making all forms of gambling unlawful that have not been made lawful.

Purely based on history, it's unlikely you'll get into legal trouble; then again, if something is illegal, you can get into trouble, and someone probably will. Gambling online may be illegal where you live. Contact a local gaming lawyer to get a better idea of your local laws.

Legal Troubles

Industry-changing events have taken place in the online gambling world – mainly concerning online poker – such as the UIGEA and Party Poker's exit from the US market, or PokerStars' exit from the US market in 2011.

Those crimes were committed by online poker operators, though, not players. Still, the mere fact that online poker companies were targeted was enough to cast a shadow over the legality of US online poker, and furthermore, players grew more and more worried about one of these sites getting shut down along with the money on their player accounts.

In fact, there is a legitimate reason to worry about dishonest US gambling sites taking your money. Some sites have indeed taken off with the money – a recent example is Lock Poker, which currently may owe its customers over $15 million. I created LegitGamblingSites.com mainly to give more exposure to the sites with strong track records of honest business practices.

The lawmakers, in that regard, have a point about not allowing unlicensed sites to provide online gambling games to US citizens. While that may not be the reason, it's likely one of them. (If I had to guess, I'd say they're more concerned about losing out on tax dollars and protecting the interests of brick & mortar casino owners such as Sheldon Adelson, although through the RAWA – Restore America's Wire Act legislation – he tries to do that by himself.)

How to Move Money Around

Ever since the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) became a law, US citizens have had a more difficult time finding a suitable deposit method.

There are only a few left, actually.

The most common deposit method for US citizens is still credit card deposits, out of which VISA is the most widely accepted brand, followed by Mastercard, with American Express being a distant third. Cards must be eligible for both international and online transfers.

The alternative method is to use a money transfer service such as Western Union. Western Union is mostly a deposit-only method. (Bovada is an exception since they only allow you to withdraw money via a check.)

Why to use a money transfer service instead of a credit card?

• A card deposit fails to go through. This happens every now and then, and the only way to know if your card will be accepted is to try. According to various forum reports, Vanilla VISA is declined at most sites while Netspend VISA has been successful.

  Surprisingly, players have had problems with card deposits even at state-licensed sites due to banks like Bank of America outright declining all gambling transactions. Things will likely get better with the new MCC codes for VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Distant which will help casinos to identify gambling transactions more accurately. It's unclear how much of a help this will be since banks still have the right to decline transfers marked with the new MCC codes, and due to not wanting to violate the UIGEA (according to which they're prohibited from knowingly processing unlawful gambling transactions), banks may decide it isn't worth it and keep cancelling transactions even if they were for state-licensed sites.

  This is expected to change once bigger states – perhaps even the biggest of them all, California – join internet gambling, since declining the transactions will then affect such a large percentage of any bank's customer base.

• You want a faster cashout. While money transfer services cost more (many sites, like Bovada, allow one free check cashout a month), the money is usually delivered to be picked up at a local Western Union location in five days or less.
• You don't want a check cashout. You need to go to a cashier to cash a check. Most people would rather avoid doing this, especially since banks aren't allowed to knowingly process online gambling related transactions (unless in Delaware, Nevada or New Jersey, but people have had problems in those states as well).

In general, you'll have higher transaction costs with money transfer services than with a combination of credit cards and checks. BetOnline and Bovada are the only major USA sites charging for credit card deposits and most allow one free check cashout per month – some, like True Poker, allow a free check withdrawal every seven days.

Online Gambling Sites Real Money

How to use a credit card/check combination?

1. Enter your credit card details online after which you have the money on your player account instantly.
2. When done playing, order a check cashout, which will take from a week to over a month depending on which site you're dealing with.
3. Go to your local bank to cash the check.

How to use a money transfer service (like Western Union)?

1. Go to their website or a live Western Union location and send money to the gambling site. (You'll need to contact the gambling site first to get their transfer details.)
2. When done playing, initiate the withdrawal from your player account.
3. Go to a live location to collect the money.

State-Licensed Sites

As mentioned, Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey have legalized and regulated some forms of real-money online gambling. Delaware started with online poker but has since expanded into casino games as well; Nevada offers online poker games only; New Jersey offers online poker and casino games.

As you can see, not a single one of these states offer online sports betting. In New Jersey – clearly the biggest market of the three – there's a clause according to which sports betting may be considered to be added in the future.

Requirements

You must be physically located within a state's boundaries to play at the licensed sites. If you're currently located in California but live in Nevada, you're unable to play until you return to Nevada; if you're currently located in Nevada but live in California, you can play as long as you stay within Nevada's state boundaries.

Licensed sites have to make sure nobody outside of the state can participate in the games. Geolocation – identifying exactly where a person is located – has been difficult, and there are still people who are unable to play even though they're located within those states. This is one of the reasons licensed online gambling sites have done financially worse than expected.

Only existing brick & mortar casino owners within those states can apply for licenses, although they can apply together with an existing online gambling site in a software-licensing agreement, like Caesar's Interactive and 888.com have done. If a poker site kept operating in the US after the UIGEA of 2006, it will be subjected to a 'bad actor' clause in Nevada and be prohibited from operating in the state for now.

Performance

Each state has had a rocky start, although New Jersey is doing OK. In March 2014, they did $11.87 million in revenue, which grew into $13.16 million in March 2015. A growth rate of 14.57% year-over-year is better than nothing, but still a far cry from the $1 billion within the first 7 months of operating Governor Christie expected (New Jersey gambling sites were launched in November 2013). In other words, his expectations were a little over $140 million a month on average, or about ten times the current revenue.

According to PokerScout.com, Nevada's online poker revenue is going downhill. Year-over-year decrease in revenue of around 44% (from February 2014 to February 2015) is, no matter how you look at it, a disappointing result. Problems with card deposits and geolocation – both of which exist in other states as well – and player liquidity have undoubtedly contributed to the significant decrease. Players have to deal with fewer problems when playing at offshore sites, and as long as that continues, it will be difficult for state-licensed sites to gain major traction.

In Delaware, the state keeps all yearly revenue up to $3.75 million. Since total revenue for 2014 was around $2.1 million, gambling operators have made nothing. The main reason for such a low amount of revenue is Delaware's population of 0.94 million (in comparison, New Jersey has a population of 8.9 million). Liquidity is important for online poker since you need lots of players to run games at various stakes, in several forms and throughout the day. Delaware is trying to improve its poker liquidity by combining player pools with Nevada but so far there hasn't been a significant improvement to its online gaming revenue.

If all of the three states were to combine their player pools, it would create a poker economy of around 12 million people, which could add significant liquidity to the games and thus bring in more revenue to each of the states.

Offshore Sites

Gambling sites accepting US customers from outside of the three states are all 'offshore' sites, meaning they operate from outside of the US and have no license to operate within the US. They have obtained a license in some other jurisdictions – such as Antiqua & Barbuda or Panama – but many of those jurisdictions have less-than-stellar reputations.

The disadvantage of gambling at offshore sites is the lack of safety. For an outsider, it's impossible to know how strict testing measures these sites go through to prove their legitimacy, and hypothetically, if one of them were to disappear from the internet tomorrow along with your money, what could you do about it?

Lock Poker, as already mentioned, is an ongoing example. They've now lost their license in Curacao (weirdly, they were able to keep the license easily over a year after refusing to process customer cashouts) and there's nothing anyone can do to make sure Lock Poker's customers have their money returned. All we can do is spread the word to the people who are considering signing-up and depositing money to their site.

The best thing you can do is consider the reputation of the site rather than the jurisdiction since all jurisdictions have had dishonest sites. The longer a site has been fully operational, and the fewer complaints it has generated, the better. Essentially, Bovada has been in the online gambling business since 2000 when Bodog.com was founded (the US-friendly operations of Bodog were re-branded as Bovada in 2011), and as mentioned, they've achieved an excellent reputation with a high level of customer service.

But there are advantages to playing at an offshore site, too, and you can legitimately argue that the advantages override the disadvantages. Offshore sites place fewer restrictions on customers, need less personal information and have to compete with lots of other sites (within US states, competition is limited) which forces them to be at their best in order to succeed. There are no geolocation issues either.

Safety and legality aside – although obviously, both are big considerations – offshore sites are the better option in almost every area. Since only three states have legalized some forms of real-money online gambling in the US, they're the only places for internet gambling for around 96.4% of US population.

What's Next?

US online gambling is in a transitional phase: after a long wait of legalization, three states have done it, mostly with lackluster success. Suggesting geolocation and deposit issues are resolved, revenue streams may grow. With online poker, though, most likely at least one of the bigger states has to legalize it and combine player pools with the others to create a meaningful poker economy.

A federal legalization would create much-needed competition and player pools, which in turn creates a bigger incentive for operators to participate and, in many ways, a better environment for gamblers. If internet gambling was to be legalized nationwide, every operator and their grandmother would want a license. As of now, it's more beneficial for most operators to stay outside of the US.