Best online casinos to play for real money in the US – AL.com

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Real money online casinos are available in seven states (NJ, PA, MI, WV, CT, RI and DE).

In those states, we rate BetMGM, Caesars Palace, DraftKings, Golden Nugget, Borgata, Playstar, Hard Rock Bet, FanDuel Casino, and BetRivers Casino as the best real money online casinos.

Note: If youre in a state yet to legalize online casinos, youll see a list of top sweepstakes casinos, which are legal in most states (excl. WA, MI, and ID). All have casino-style games you can play for free or to redeem cash prizes.

BetMGM CasinoCatena Media via BetMGM Casino

Caesars Palace CasinoCatena Media via Caesars Palace Casino

DraftKings CasinoCatena Media via DraftKings Casino

FanDuel CasinoCatena Media via FanDuel Casino

Golden Nugget CasinoCatena Media via Golden Nugget Casino

Borgata CasinoCatena Media via Borgata Casino

BetRivers online casino appCatena Media

PlayStar Casino appCatena Media

Hard Rock Casino appCatena Media

Ongoing bonuses/promotions: Leaderboards, refer a friend, Golden Jackpots

Free demo games? Yes

Number of games/types: 500+ online slots, table games, live dealer games

Average range of table game buy-ins: $0.10 to $2,500

Downloadable app/ratings: 4.7/5 on Google Play, 4.9/5 on the App Store

Full game library available on the app? 100%

Live dealer games: Yes

Fastest payout options: Nuvei Instant Bank Transfer

Notable quote about Hard Rock Bet from user reviews:

What you dont know about Hard Rock for real money casino games but should: Hard Rocks main menu has a list of Atlantic City games with online versions of dozens of slots youll find on the casino floor at Hard Rock Atlantic City. Its the next best thing to being there.

What you might have heard about Hard Rock that isnt true: With only 500+ games, it might be said the game library at Hard Rock is small, but thats not necessarily true. Theres a growing list of new games, and more are added all the time. A total of 90 games were on Hard Rocks most recent Newly Added list, making that 500+ now closer to 600+.

Responsible gambling features: Customer age verification program, Deposit Limits, Wager Limits, Session Limits, Session Reminders, Timeouts, Self-Exclusion

Customer support options: Live chat and email 24/7, phone 12 pm to 8 pm EST, 7 days a week.

States available: New Jersey

Bally Casino appCatena Media

See more: Best new online casinos accepting US players

Any search for real money casino games with the highest payouts should start with high RTP slots.

RTP (return to player) tells you the percentage of all the money put into a game itll pay back to players over time. Heres our list of the top five highest RTP slots online:

Of course, theres more to real money casino games with the highest payouts than just slots. High RTP table games can pay off as well. Heres our list of the top five highest RTP table games online:

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We rank real money online casinos based on our personal experience playing at these casinos and reviewing them for more than a decade. We also consider what you say in user reviews on sites like Google and Reddit.

Of course, we also take a scientific approach, using a strict set of criteria to create a fair and balanced ranking. Categories include software features, usability, game library size, bonus and promotion availability, banking functionality, rewards availability, and safety and security.

After combing through all that, we rank the best real money online casinos and always make sure to be transparent with the reasons why any real money online casino has achieved that rank.

See more: Fastest payout online casinos

Licensed real money online casinos are available only in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware and Connecticut. However, you have other choices if your state hasnt legalized online casino gambling.

First, you can travel to a state with licensed real money online casinos. Alternatively, you can play at social and sweepstakes casinos that comply with your states sweepstakes laws.

You could also play at illegal offshore online casinos (which we never recommend).

The issue with illegal offshore online casinos is youll be putting your money and personal information at risk. Offshore casinos can shut down anytime, block access to your balance, and sell your banking and personal info to the highest bidder.

Illegal offshore online casinos might promise big bonuses but cant deliver the protection state regulation provides. If something goes wrong, theres no state regulator to turn to for help.

Furthermore, state regulators demand fairness from every game at licensed real money online casinos. They even go as far as testing them all. Illegal offshore online casinos dont do anything like that.

In short, because they comply with US laws, regulated real money online casinos and social casinos are the only safe choices.

Signing up at any of the best real money online casinos is easy. Take BetMGM, for example. All you have to do is follow these five steps.

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State regulators from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, Michigan Gaming Control Board, and West Virginia Gaming and Racing Association ensure the safety and security of every real money online casino they license.

They mandate encryption to ensure real money online casinos protect your money and personal information. Plus, they vet the staff and test every game.

Another way you can tell a real money online casino is safe and secure is if its website bears the relevant state boards seal of approval. The real money online casino is safe and secure if the seal is there.

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When you play at a real money online casino, youre putting real money at risk. Its supposed to be fun, but it wont stay that way unless you gamble responsibly. Responsible gambling means never betting more money than you can comfortably afford to lose, setting limits, and sticking to them.

Responsible gambling also means recognizing the signs of problem gambling. If you experience financial, relationship, employment, or health issues as a result of your gambling, you may have a problem. Fortunately, help and resources are available through the organizations listed below.

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Best online casinos to play for real money in the US - AL.com