Guide to Legal Online Casinos USA

Legal Gambling States in the USA

States Where Gambling is Legal: Online Casinos

Sweepstakes Casinos: A Real Money Casino Alternative

If you live outside one of the listed gambling states, you can legally play at a sweepstakes casino. Sweepstakes are the new free-to-play range of legal casinos providing games to players everywhere. They work via bonus coins, which you'll accrue and use to spin casino slots.

We really like sweepstakes casinos as they accept players worldwide and across the USA (unless you're located in Washington). Throughout our extensive testing of these casinos, we found they're just as fun as playing at the licensed real money casinos you can find in US states that allow casinos, but the key difference is that they're open to all and easy to sign up and play at.

According to the American Gambling Association (AGA) estimations, more than $510 billion is being spent at offshore gambling sites by US citizens yearly. You might not know that playing casino games and making real money bets at licensed online casinos in the USA means fair gaming, putting taxes back into your local economy, and consumer protections. In short, it means a legit chance at winning real money prizes, safe bonuses, and the best online gameplay.

How Much Does The Offshore Industry Cost in Lost Tax? 

According to the AGA, the estimated tax loss to the US economy from offshore gambling was $13.3 billion in 2022. Additionally, the illegal iGaming market is estimated to be three times the size of the legal market in terms of revenue.

Offshore casinos vs. licensed online casinos

As cited in the AGA report, "with iGaming [casino gaming] only legal in six states, nearly half of Americans (48%) that have played online slots or table games in the past year have played with illegal online casinos". Many US states are yet to legalize online casinos, explaining the high offshore spending in the US.

When you have the choice, onshore casinos are best, guaranteeing your safety and payouts. The legal gambling industry contributes directly to your local economy through taxes and job creation. As offshore casinos operate outside US laws, there are no guarantees over product quality, service, or payouts. Moreover, you cannot complain about offshore sites should something go wrong, as nobody is regulating these sites.

US-Licensed Casinos	Offshore/illegal casinos
These sites are legally bound to provide fair and certified games.	May not provide fair or tested games.
Must payout all wins.	Don't have to pay out - there's nobody ensuring they do.
Advertise and offer safer bonuses that don't encourage irresponsible gambling.	Offer huge bonuses (usually with high wagering requirements) to make the site more attractive to players.
Must follow US consumer and gambling laws and respond to players' complaints.	Are not accountable to any local rules or players
Offer only regulated payment methods with secure data processing and handling.	There's a chance that your financial information will be misused if you gamble at an unregulated casino.
Pays taxes on revenue that is used locally to support the local economy.	Avoid taxes and licensing fees, depriving local economies of revenue.

State-Specific Licensing Regimes 

Each US state is responsible for enacting its own land-based and online gambling laws. Some states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Michigan, and Connecticut have already launched legal online casinos. Where online gambling is legal, each state has its own licensing and regulating body. 

• New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement: NJDGE 
• Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board: PGCB
• Delaware Gaming Enforcement: DGE
• West Virginia Lottery
• Michigan Gaming Control Board: MGCB
• Connecticut Gaming Division: CGD

US online casinos must be licensed state-by-state, and online gambling laws by state change; there is no one license solution. For example, BetMGM is licensed in NJ, PA, WV, and MI to provide casino games. This is costly and complex for operators who must comply with varying rules, taxes, and other conditions. Still, it also ensures extra security as platforms and games are audited and approved multiple times.

The licensing body is also the regulator, ensuring operators stick to the rules, providing fair, safe, and responsible gambling. Before any company is licensed, the software and entire platform are audited; only safe and accountable operators pass the tests and get approved. Once certified, operators not following the rules are sanctioned and fined. In the most extreme cases, a regulator can cancel a license. 

How to Check a Gambling Site's License

So each US online casino has to be licensed; this is online gambling 101, but how can you check an online casino's license? Legal US gambling sites and online casinos have a state-specific seal provided by the licensing body that links directly to the license info. It is shown at the bottom of the casino platform. 

Follow these steps to confirm any online casinos:

1. Go to the site
2. Scroll to the bottom of the homepage
3. Look for the state seal and click on it
4. Verify the license details

If you cannot find a licensing seal, it's likely the casino is not legal or safe, so don't play. Instead, pick from our state-specific best online casino lists. 

Licensed software at Legal Online Casinos USA

As well as licensing casinos, software providers are regulated and licensed in each state. This ensures fair gaming and legitimacy. One of the most significant advantages of playing at a licensed online casino is that your payouts are guaranteed, and the games are not rigged. This means you get to play the very best games from popular suppliers; some of our favorites that operate in the US include, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, IGT, Light & Wonder, High 5 Games, and 4ThePlayer.

• Games Testing: Licensed casinos stock-tested and certified fair games. These have been played millions of times to ensure the gameplay runs according to the rules and math model.

• Certified Payouts: Game RTPs are tested and checked over millions of spins. States have a benchmark RTP per game type.

On top of this, licensed casinos complete the following:

• RNG Audits: This ensures the casino draws unexpected results using a properly functioning random number generator—a vital part of fair gaming. 

Safe Payments and Encryption

Along with all other audited and tested areas of licensed online casinos, these sites have safety standards, including secure payment methods and cutting-edge on-site encryption to ensure your data, connection, and cash are safe while you gamble online. 

Complaints Procedures at Licensed US Gambling Sites

Licensed gambling sites abide by US consumer laws and the local gambling laws in your state. This means you can complain to the licensing authority if you've got a problem with a casino (although your first point of call is always to register a complaint with the casino). Find out more about the process in your location using the regulator links below.

• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Michigan
• West Virginia
• Connecticut
• Delaware

Responsible Gambling: Know Your Limit

Online gambling should be a form of entertainment and fun, not a compulsion. As playing real money casino slots and other games can be addictive, you should be aware of how to manage your gambling behavior and spot red flags. There's also a range of tools available at every online casino called responsible gambling tools. 

Spending Limits 

Setting an upper budget is healthy, so hit up your user account and add a monthly deposit limit. Gambling with real money should always be a fun activity that you undertake without financial strain. Never spend more than you can afford to be reliant on winning. 

Time Limits

If you want to set play time reminders, hit up the time limit tool and set a daily or weekly play limit. Time limits make you aware of how long you've been playing. This can be key for keeping a handle on your budget in the world of exciting and immersive online slots with fast spin-per-round speeds.

State-specific Self-Exclusion Programs

If you're looking for a more permanent solution and time out, register for your state's self-exclusion program via the regulator's website for your chosen period. Listing as self-excluded prevents you from joining any real money casino site in the state and is designed to help problem gamblers stop.

Nationwide support and information services

There are also several nationwide support programs and charities working specifically with gambling addiction:

• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
• Find state-by-state support services
• Have A Game Plan

Summary: Gamble Legally and Play it Safe

1. Playing offshore can be attractive, but it is not always a safe option. If you live outside of a legal online casino state, try a sweepstakes casino instead.
2. Offshore casinos do not offer the same safety or testing guarantees as legal US online casinos. They also remove money and taxes from the economy.
3. Offshore casinos are not subject to US laws and consumer protections; licensed casinos are. Gambling laws ensure that legal us casinos stock legit and tested games.
4. Responsible gambling is a vital part of legal sites. At legal US casinos, you are encouraged to gamble safely and can use account limits and playtime reminders to budget.
5. Playing at licensed online casinos is better for you and the industry.

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