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Online Casino Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Last Updated September. 30. 2024 1:28 PM PDT

Online casino guides can drag on forever. This one’s different, as it quickly shows you where you can gamble online, and which games you should start with. 

In addition, you’ll learn about the best casino banking options, how to gamble safely, and some basic strategy to help you win.

Disclosure: At GamblingSites.com, our mission is to connect you with the best gambling sites and informational resources available. If you click one of the links on our site, we may earn a commission payment at no extra charge to you.

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Top Online Casinos

DuckyLuck Casino Best Overall Online Casino

For the best overall online casino, register for DuckyLuck Casino today. The site has over 500 slot titles, 24 table games, and 17 live casino games, among other gambling options. You can get started with the casino’s generous welcome bonus offer, which matches 500% of your first deposit—a value of up to $2,500 in bonus funds. The offer comes with 150 free spins on select titles as well. Deposits start at just $25, and many crypto options like Bitcoin and Tether have unlimited maximums. 

Your first deposit automatically enters you in the site’s rewards program. Every $20 you put into your account grants you reward points that earn you free spins, daily cashback bonuses, reloading mega-bonuses, and more.

Wild Casino Best Live Dealer Casino

Wild Casino features the premiere live dealer experience online, thanks to its selection of 70 live casino games powered by Visionary iGaming, BetGames, and Fresh Deck Studios. It provides 24 live blackjack tables alone. Newcomers can stop by low-stakes tables with bets ranging from $5–$100 per hand, while high rollers will surely enjoy the high-stakes tables that feature $500–$50,000 per-hand betting limits. 

You’ll also find 16 roulette wheels and nine baccarat tables in the Wild Casino live dealer section, among others. And with personable dealers and stunning HD quality streaming video, Wild Casino is the best online casino available to recreate some of the fun of in-person gambling.

SlotsandCasino Best Site for Online Slots

SlotsandCasino is the best online casino to play slots. The site’s slots library boasts nearly 650 titles from leading gaming software providers such as Rival Gaming, BGaming, and BetSoft. You can even filter slot games by provider, as well as by popular, video slots , and three-reel titles. The site also has a convenient search bar so you can go directly to your favorite titles. 

There is a dedicated progressive slots section as well, with 47 titles in which all active players contribute to a central jackpot for big winnings. The Money Magic game had a jackpot of $34,491 when this review was written, for example. 

Another unique feature at SlotsandCasino is the ability to rate games, so visit today to begin playing the best slot titles according to other real life players!

Super Slots Best Crypto Gambling Site

If you’re searching for the best gambling site to play with cryptocurrency, you’ll want to sign up for SuperSlots sooner than later. It welcomes new players by matching 400% of their first crypto deposit for up to $4,000 in bonus money. This money can be used to explore the casinos slots, table games, and more. 

SuperSlots supports 17 cryptocurrencies that include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USD Coin, as well as altcoins like Solana and Shiba Inu. You can begin playing with deposits as low as $20, with most coins having a deposit maximum of $100,000 per transaction. Bitcoin deposits have a whopping $500,000 limit. 

Not only can you deposit with these cryptocurrencies, the gambling site allows you to withdraw your winnings in all 17 coins as well; just one more reason why SuperSlots is the best online casino for crypto players.

Red Dog Casino Best Online Casino for Video Poker 

Red Dog Casino is the top-choice online casino for video poker. The gambling site’s video poker section deals out 26 titles, all of which are powered by the always-excellent Rival Gaming. You’ll find both classics and new favorites, including Deuces Wild, Double Bonus Poker, Jacks or Better, and Triple Edge Poker. 

Not only that, but many of the casino’s video poker games are available in both single and multi-hand variations. Red Dog’s multi-hand video poker games allow you to play five hands at once, and you’ll never know when one of your hands will win big. 

You can visit Red Dog Casino today to begin playing video poker for as little as $0.01 per hand, or swing for the fences with per-hand wagering limits as high as $50!

Types of Online Casinos

There are a variety of online casinos in the US that you’ll want to try. Regulated online casinos are popular, but they don’t always offer the games or bonuses you’d like.

Players interested in learning new games or playing for free will want to focus on sweepstakes casinos. If your state doesn’t offer regulated gambling or you covet more games or enhanced bonuses, offshore casinos may appeal to you.

Here’s a rundown of the main types available:

Sweepstakes Casinos

Sweepstakes casinos are a distinctive form of online gambling legally operating across most of the U.S. 

Rather than depositing real money, you receive “Gold Coins” as a virtual currency to enjoy slots, table games, and more at no cost. Gold Coins replenish periodically, but you can purchase more if desired. 

Doing so—and achieving gaming milestones—unlocks promotional offers and daily bonuses called “Sweeps Coins.” When used in games, you can redeem these winnings for tangible rewards, including cash.

Regulated Online Casinos

Regulated online casinos hold a valid operating license from a recognized gambling regulation. These licenses guarantee the casino operates under strict guidelines, such as using fair gaming algorithms and safely handling user data. They also have an obligation to address and resolve any disputes quickly.

You can verify if a site is regulated by inspecting its footer for a license number or reviewing its terms and conditions. You can also confirm its authenticity on the official regulator’s portal.

Offshore Casino Sites

Offshore online casinos exist beyond U.S. borders but still welcome U.S. players. With the proper research, these platforms can be as safe and secure as any other online casino you’ve used before. They’re also open to cryptocurrencies, offering quick and secure transactions and exclusive bonuses.

Many offshore gambling sites, like DuckyLuck Casino, hold licenses in jurisdictions like Curacao. Others operate in Panama, Costa Rica, and Comoros, and the prominent gaming hub of Malta.

There is no shortage of online casino games to play. Gambling sites have hundreds, if not thousands of titles in various categories.

Slots are some of the most popular, with plenty of themes, storylines, paylines, graphics, and styles to choose from. Their only drawback is they’re entirely luck-based. More strategic table games include blackjack and poker.

There are also live casino options that feature real-life dealers from land-based studios.

Casino GameDescription Difficulty LevelRTP%Where to Play
SlotsA game of chance featuring a variety of themes and bonus features. Different symbols spin on reels. Your winnings depend on how they align with the paylines.Low96%Wild Casino
BlackjackTry to beat the dealer by getting a hand total closer to 21 without going over. This card game combines luck with strategy and offers a relatively low house edge.Medium99%BetOnline
RoulettePlace your bets on where a ball will land on a spinning wheel. You can choose numbers, colors, or number ranges, each with different odds.Low96%TrustDice
BaccaratBet on which of two hands, Player or Banker, will get closest to nine, or if it will end in a tie. Very straightforward and super quick rounds.Low98%TrustDice
Video PokerA blend of poker strategy and slot-like gameplay. The objective is to build the strongest five-card hand, which ultimately determines your payout.High97%Las Atlantis Casino
CrapsA dynamic dice game where you bet on the outcome of rolls. Options include single roll Proposition Bets, multi-roll Hardways, or basic Pass and Don’t Pass Line Bets, each with unique odds.High98%Las Atlantis Casino
Andar BaharA simple yet exciting game from India. Bet which side, Andar or Bahar, will first match a drawn card. Low95%Wild Casino
Teen PattiAnother Indian card game, similar to poker, played with three cards. Betting strategies and ranking hands are key to winning.Medium96%BC.Game
KenoSimilar to a lottery, you pick numbers and hope they match the randomly drawn ones to win. The more numbers you match, the higher the payout.Low85%BC.Game
CrashA modern betting game where you predict when a multiplier will crash. The challenge is to cash out before that happens to maximize your winnings.Low96%BC.Game
Live DealerA range of casino games—roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, game shows—streamed live from studios or casinos. Features actual casino equipment and rules, and managed by professionally trained dealers.High98%Ignition Casino

Online Casino Bonuses

Most online casinos offer a welcome bonus to new players. They frequently offer matchups (ex. 100% up to $1,000) spread across multiple deposits paired with free spins.

Platforms like Wild Casino keep the entertainment rolling with daily and weekly promotions. For instance, Tuesdays come with a $50 reload bonus, while Fridays provide up to $250 in rebates based on losses from Monday through Thursday.

Here are seven things to watch for when exploring casino bonuses:

  • Percentage Match: Commonly found in welcome offers and reload bonuses, percentage matches refer to the proportion of your deposit the casino will match. They can range from as low as 25% to over 300%. To maximize your bankroll with minimal investment, look for a higher percentage match rather than a larger maximum limit.
  • Eligible Payment Methods: Many players try to claim a bonus using an incompatible payment method, especially with eWallets like Neteller, Skrill, and PayPal. Avoid this by verifying the acceptable methods listed in either the specific promotion or the casino’s general terms.
  • Rollover Requirements: Rollover requirements refer to how often you need to wager a bonus to change it into withdrawable cash. 40x is standard, though you can accept higher terms if the percentage match is high. However, for the best chances of cashing out, look for bonuses with lower numbers or that don’t include your deposit as part of the requirement.
  • Bonus Expiration Dates: Online casinos give you a certain amount of time to fulfill wagering requirements or use free spins. Extended deadlines give you time to familiarize yourself with the platform and make smarter decisions with game selection or strategy.
  • Eligible Games: Online casinos often tailor bonuses for specific game genres or outline restrictions for titles that don’t count toward wagering requirements. We found that progressive jackpot slots are frequently excluded, while table games contribute about 20% on average.
  • Maximum Bet Limits: This parameter caps how many bets you can place while working towards the wagering requirement. The higher the limit, the more room you have to maneuver. Awareness of this limit is crucial, as exceeding it can result in the forfeiture of all accumulated progress.
  • Withdrawal Restrictions: No matter how attractive a promotion appears, there’s always a limit to how much you can withdraw after fulfilling the wagering requirements. For instance, if the limit at $1,000, any winnings exceeding this amount will not contribute to your cash-out balance. Trust Dice sets the bar at ten times the bonus, while other crypto gambling sites like Cafe Casino state no maximum limits in their terms. 

Banking options are another important aspect when picking the right online casino. Look for payment methods that are cost-effective, secure, and easily accessible. Bonus points go to low transaction costs, fast processing, reduced need to enter sensitive details, and widespread acceptance among online gambling sites.

Our guides below cover a range of payment methods, from traditional debit cards and bank transfers to modern options like eWallets and cryptocurrencies.

Casino Tips for Beginners

If you’re new to gambling, it can help to have a few practical tips for finding, choosing, and winning at online casinos. Here, we’ve put together four simple strategies from our personal play to help you start on the right foot:

Look Beyond the Welcome Offer

Most online casinos in the U.S. have welcome offers available, so it pays to see what perks await beyond the sign-up stage. Look for gambling sites with regular weekly promotions, such as reload offers, rebates, free spins, free-to-play tournaments, and more.

It’s also wise to evaluate the available loyalty programs. Commit to a platform with regular rewards for a continuously rewarding journey at no extra cost.

Consider the Software Providers

Look for online casinos collaborating with renowned software providers known for their expertise and innovation in your favorite gaming genres. For example, Pragmatic Play, Playtech, and Spinomenal excel in slots, while Evolution Gaming and Ezugi are leaders in live dealer offerings. 

On the other hand, if you prefer sampling various products, look for platforms such as Slotsandcasino and Slots.lv that collaborate with many providers.

Play Games in Demo Mode

There’s no substitute for experience. Dive into games and learn the ropes firsthand using free play mode. Platforms like Las Atlantis and BetUS let you test every RNG title without spending a buck. Demo mode mirrors real play from start to finish, except when it’s time to cash out.

If you’re interested in a casino without demo modes, visit the software provider’s website directly. Leading brands like Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, and Big Time Gaming often allow you to test their products for free without needing to create an account.

RTPs vs Volatility

RTP (Return to Player) refers to the average amount of money that online casinos pay back over time. If you’re a more conservative player and you want a better chance at sustainable gains, high RTP casino games should be a priority.

Games with higher volatility will pay out less (or infrequently) over time, but they also can sway in an extreme manner. You can never guarantee an outcome with casino games, but increased volatility can offer a chance at a big jackpot win.

Which option you prefer boils down to how you play and your objectives. Generally speaking, you should always lean towards games with a higher RTP, as volatile games are simply more difficult to predict.

Yet, the assortment of bonus features—encompassing massive multipliers, free spins, and distinctive gameplay mechanics—and progressive jackpots can make lower RTPs worthwhile.

For times when the bankroll is bigger and you’re prepared to risk more for larger jackpots, medium and high-volatility games are your best bet.

More Online Casino Guides 

Icon of blackjack

Blackjack Strategy

Understanding blackjack strategy is extremely important for your win rate and without it it’s very difficult to be profitable. Discover expert tips and learn more about the best blackjack strategies to help your game here.

Check out more on blackjack strategies
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Gambling Systems & Strategies

Just like with blackjack, understanding any casino game’s strategies will give you the best chance of winning money. Here you can find information on all the best systems and strategies for online casino games.

Check out more on system and strategies
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Software Providers

Software providers can easily make or break your experience at an online casino. The bad ones provide games that are dull and do not give good odds to the players. The good ones provide fun and exciting games that have fair odds. To make sure you are playing at an online casino with the best possible games, take a look at our guide on software providers below.

Check out more on software providers
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House Edge

The house edge is how online casinos ensure they make a profit over time. Certain games are much better than others for this. Games like roulette and blackjack have a good house edge, while slots, keno and specialty games often have a worse house edge. The guide below can help you understand what games give you the best possible house edge.

Check out more on house edge

Gamble Responsibly

A word of advice: approach gambling as entertainment, nothing more, like paying for a baseball game. If you happen to come out ahead, that’s even better! However, avoid chasing your losses if things don’t pan out.

The best way to keep gambling fun and safe is to set a strict budget that doesn’t impact your financial situation if you lose it. If you find yourself straying, use tools like short-term account closures or self-exclusion.

Visit our responsible gambling page to learn more. Additionally, support groups like GambleAware are available 24/7 to help if you or someone you know needs it.

Online Casinos: Key Takeaways 

When choosing the right online casino for you, don’t limit yourself to within the U.S. borders. Offshore sites often feature innovative mindsets, generous offers, and several exclusive features. 

It’s also important to consider game selection. Try a bit of everything to find your ideal gaming experience. Start in demo mode to discover your niche, or use bonus funds for a shot at real prizes.

Check out our list of the best online casinos (haga clic aquí para obtener nuestra guía de los mejores casinos en línea) that continuously offer new promos and various payment options for both deposits and withdrawals. Finally, don’t forget to test various software providers to identify your preferred games—the more options, the better!

Photo of Charlon Muscat
Charlon Muscat

All the way from the renowned iGaming hub of Malta, Charlon has been contributing to the gambling industry since 2019. He began his career at Paddy Power™, but the onset of the pandemic led him to swap his nine-to-five for a life of full-time travel.

Throughout his journey, Charlon developed a successful freelance career, leveraging his prior industry knowledge and focusing on analyzing online casinos, sportsbooks, slots, payment methods, and current trends and strategies through the lens of an actual player.