Best Gambling Sites for Real Money in the US for 2025

Gambling Sites: Side-by-Side Comparison

If you want a brief overview of what our top 10 online gambling sites provide, we’ve produced an easy-to-read table below.

How We Review Online Gambling Sites

We don’t want you just to take our word for it when we recommend a site. To help you make a more informed decision, it’s important you know how we rate gambling sites. Below, we’ve detailed exactly how our experts evaluate the most important aspects of our best online betting sites.

Game & Software Variety

We meticulously comb through a site’s game library, so we can detail exactly what they’re providing players. While slots are the most popular casino title for a reason, a platform can’t just be slots and not much else. We want to see table games, progressive jackpots, scratch cards, keno, and lottery games.

More than that, our top-graded sites partner with dozens of reputable software companies. Top names like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play are important, but sites should also boast lesser-known titles and original games to give players something they don’t find often. Finally, a high-quality live dealer section will give a big boost to a platform’s rating, especially if it offers a full suite of HD live streams for titles like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps.

Generous and Fair Bonuses & Promotions

Our team thoroughly evaluates the betting promotions and bonuses available at gambling sites. The size of the bonus is important, but it doesn’t matter if a welcome bonus doesn’t have achievable and fair wagering requirements. So we review the rollover, game restrictions, minimum deposit, and expiry dates.

We also want to see more than just a great offer at the door. Players should be rewarded for continuously using a platform with ongoing promotions, including cashback, free bets/spins, and reload bonuses. We also highly rate platforms with accessible VIP programs that make moving through the reward system simple and achievable.

Quality Banking and Payout Options

Trusted payment methods are a must at top gambling sites. Traditional methods like credit/debit cards and bank transfers are nonnegotiable, as they’re options nearly everyone will be familiar with. But with the rise in popularity of cryptocurrencies and eWallets, the best sites will provide multiple modern methods to ensure customers’ desire for flexibility is met.

But just having an array of payment options isn’t enough. Deposits and withdrawals need to be efficient, regardless of the transaction method. Deposits being instantaneous with all methods has become the industry standard. Meanwhile, withdrawals should have multiple options that pay out in a matter of days. Finally, transaction limits should be accessible, so players can test a site without committing a significant deposit, and potential winnings are simple to withdraw.

Site Security

Site security is of the utmost importance, and we recommend only the safest betting sites. Gambling is only enjoyable if it’s in a completely safe and trustworthy environment. Our team ensures recommended online gambling sites that only use up-to-date SSL encryption to protect player data. We also verify a platform’s license, evaluate other security features like two-factor authentication, and check for reliable and trusted payment options.

The best gambling sites know that bonuses and promotions are a key way to reward customers, keep them engaged, and get them to try new aspects of the platform. There is a wide variety of different bonuses, each with its own distinct advantages. To get the best of them, you need to understand exactly what each promotion is about.

Welcome Bonuses

These are sign-up offers you’re given by a platform just for registering a sportsbook account. Because they’re designed to attract new customers, welcome bonuses are often big-value deposit match promotions that boost your funds to help get you started. While all the sites we endorse provide customer-friendly welcome bonuses, we feel BetWhale’s 250% bonus of up to $2,500 with a 30x wagering requirement is the best balance of generosity and fairness.

No Deposit Bonuses

No deposit bonuses are promotions where casinos will offer site credit without having to pay any funds into your account. If this sounds too good to be true, casinos often think so too, as no deposit bonuses are rare. When available, they can also have high wagering requirements. None of the sites in our top 10 list currently boasts any no deposit bonuses, though Raging Bull has in the past.

Free Spins

Free spins give players a no-risk try at slot games. They are often tied to the welcome bonus as an extra incentive to sign up, and the spin can be tied to one game. This is the case with Raging Bull, which gives out 50 free spins for the Mighty Drums slot as part of its welcome package. But Raging Bull also gives out daily free spins for a week on its game of the week in a separate offer.

Cashback Bonuses

With cashback bonuses, gambling sites give players a percentage of their net losses back as site credit. Raging Bull again stands out for its top promotion, giving you up to 45% weekly cashback and 30% monthly cashback if you’re part of the site’s rewards program.

Reload Bonuses

Deposit matches aren’t just for new players. They’re often also given out in the form of reload bonuses, a reward for current customers to make a new deposit. These generally aren’t as big as the welcome bonus deposit matches, and can be limited to a single use. Buffalo Casino, however, allows its players to use its three reload bonuses as many times as they like.

Loyalty Program and VIP Rewards

VIP programs are tiered reward systems, with progression based on how much you deposit and wager at the platform. Each tier unlocks a new set of perks, such as a dedicated support channel or a more valuable previous reward, such as increased cashback. Our favorite loyalty program is from Raging Bull. The five-level VIP program boasts

Payment Methods Available at the Best Gambling Sites

At our recommended real money online gambling sites, you’ll find a variety of payment methods that will cater to all needs. Here are the most popular ones and their benefits and drawbacks.

Cryptocurrencies

If your priority is speed and anonymity with casino payments, cryptocurrency could be for you. You’ll need to register for a crypto to link with your chosen platform. Coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether are widely available at the top crypto betting sites. With them, you can get instant deposits and instant casino withdrawals within hours.

Debit and Credit Cards

A common payment method at offshore casinos is debit and credit cards, particularly from major brands like Visa and Mastercard, and the platforms we endorse are among the best Visa betting sites out there today. The upside of using card payments is their top-tier security and reliability, but the downside is that they are often only a deposit option. If withdrawals are available, they can take 3-5 days and

Bank Transfers and Money Orders

Bank transfers are convenient as the money goes directly from and to your account when depositing and withdrawing. It’s also almost always available as a universal transaction method, so you don’t have to worry about your withdrawal method, like when using cards. But they aren’t fast, with a payout time of over a week.

eWallets

Major eWallets include PayPal and Skrill. To use them, you create an account and link your card or bank account to the eWallet. Users can then make transactions without directly inputting their banking information. They are the least common of these four payment methods at our sites, but they boast fast betting payouts of around 24-48 hours. An issue is the high fees when withdrawing from your eWallet.

Types of Online Gambling

Gambling sites encompass all different kinds of betting. So you better understand what your gambling options are at our best sites, we’ve broken down the most common types out there.

Casino Games

Casino games are a broad term, covering the wide variety of gambling options you’ll find at the best online casinos. The game type you’ll most commonly find is slots, which come in a wide range of themes and are often offered in the hundreds or thousands. Blackjack, baccarat, and roulette also come under the umbrella of casino games. These titles are provided as both virtual and live options.

Sports Betting

At online sportsbooks, you can wager on the outcomes of sports events. Sportsbooks generally cover all the major sports, such as football, basketball, soccer, baseball, tennis, golf, boxing, and hockey. At the best offshore sports betting sites, you’ll also find more niche sports to bet on, such as volleyball, table tennis, and esports.

Sportsbook will provide many betting options for you to choose from. These range from simple moneyline bets on the direct outcome of the game to more complicated multi-leg parlays. Players can also wager on player and team proposition bets, futures like the Super Bowl winner, and live betting as the odds change in real time within a fast-changing sports betting market.

Online Poker

While poker is a casino game, it’s often separated into its own section at online casinos. Poker is a widely popular card game of skill and luck. Players compete to get the best hand while making wagers into the pot, which is won at the end of each round. Texas Hold’em is the most popular variant at poker sites. You’ll find both virtual and live versions of poker at our top gambling sites.

Online Bingo and Lottery

For players looking for more old-school gambling exploits, bingo and lottery games could be for you. These are virtual versions of the real-life games, so all the same rules apply. With bingo, you’ll receive a virtual card with numbers and attempt to win by matching the called numbers to complete a pattern. The most popular bingo variation is 75-Ball Bingo. Meanwhile, lottery games include a variety of titles, including keno, scratch cards, and virtual lottery draws.

Virtual and Fantasy Sports

A secondary option at some sportsbooks will be virtual and fantasy sports. Most will be familiar with the latter, but virtual sports is a relatively new gambling option. Instead of betting on real-life sports outcomes, players can wager on virtual sports that use Random Number Technology (RNG), similar to online casino games, to create unpredictable results. The sports are based on real-life versions, so you wager on things like a virtual horse race.

Fantasy sports, meanwhile, provide players with a more competitive sports betting experience. With Daily Fantasy Sports sites, you create virtual teams of real-life athletes under a set budget. Your team will then compete against the teams of other players in a day or weeklong competition based on the statistical performances of those athletes. With the need for significant research and analysis, DFS is considered a game of skill.

Mobile Gambling and Apps

All the sites we endorse prioritize mobile gambling, as more and more people prefer to gamble on the go or from the comfort of their couch. Gambling sites optimize their sites for mobile use, allowing players to use browsers on iOS and Android devices to get the same experience offered on desktop. Platforms rework their sites to ensure fast loading times, simpler menus, and easily readable text.

Some sites offer both a mobile-optimized version and a dedicated app. An app can have distinct advantages over a mobile site, including push notifications, specific promotions, a more custom-built payout, and biometric and less frequent logins. Some drawbacks to online gambling apps include frequent updates and the requirement for device storage.

How To Get Started at Top Gambling Sites Online

Intrigued by the idea of signing up to a gambling site, but you’re unsure how to? We’ve got your back. Below, we’ve produced a simple step-by-step guide to follow, using BetWhale, our top site, as an example.

Step 1: Choose a Top Gambling Site

It’s decision time. We’ve given you all the information about the best gambling sites we endorse, but which is the most appealing to you is your choice. Review our betting options again, browse through the sites, and decide which one you’d like to sign up for. Once you’ve picked, head to your chosen site’s homepage.

Step 2: Create a New Account

Sign-up procedures are pretty universal, so whichever site you’ve chosen, you’ll find a “Sign Up” or “Join” button at the top right of the homepage. A pop-up or new window will appear, asking for your personal information. Enter your name, date of birth, phone number, email, and address. Agree to the site’s terms and conditions, and your account is created.

Step 3: Make Your First Deposit

To begin gambling, you need to fund your account. This is simple and easy, so don’t worry. Just head over to the cashier or payments page. Listed will be every method available for making deposits, along with the minimum amount required and any fees. These often include debit/credit cards, bank transfers, cryptocurrencies, and eWallets. Pick your preferred method and put it how much you’d like to deposit before confirming the transaction.

Step 4: Choose Your Bonus

Choosing your bonus goes hand-in-hand with funding your account for the first time, as welcome offers nearly always have a minimum deposit requirement to qualify. Check out the promotions page, which will display the sign-up offers. Some sites have multiple ones to choose from, and others require a code.

Step 5: Start Gambling Online

With your account created, funds deposited, and bonus claimed, you’re all set to start. With gambling sites boasting so many options, including online casino games, sports betting, and online poker, take some time to properly explore the site before diving in and making wagers.

Is Online Gambling Legal?

Yes, gambling online is legal in the US, but it is a complex situation. The US federal government allows states to determine their own online gambling regulations. With US online gambling remaining in its early stages, only seven US states fully regulate it within their borders.

Legalized online sports betting is far more widespread, with 30 states offering it to their residents, including the seven that have also legalized traditional online gambling. As offshore online casinos aren’t regulated by the US, you are free to use them regardless of your state laws.

US states with legal online casinos

To make the complex state-by-state legalities clearer, we’ve produced these tables. Here are the states where online gambling is legal.

Here are the states where online gambling is prohibited.

Online gambling winnings and tax

Like gambling regulations, taxes on gambling vary from state to state in the US. Winnings from gambling are also taxed at the federal level by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Online casinos regulated in the US will generally automatically withhold a 24% tax rate on significant winnings, though it could be higher or lower depending on your overall tax bracket. The platform will issue Form W-26 to document the tax deduction.

As mentioned, players also have to take into account state taxes for their gambling winnings. For example, New Jersey has a 3% incoming tax that will be applied. But again, your final percentage will depend on your tax bracket. Be aware: offshore sites won’t automatically withhold tax or report it to the IRS, so it’s your responsibility to make sure the appropriate taxes are paid.

How to recognize a safe online gambling casino

With so many online gambling casinos now available, it can be difficult to distinguish the trusted platforms from the unsafe ones. Here are some easy ways to check if an online casino is legitimate or not.

1. SSL encryption – A security protocol designed to protect user information. If a site doesn’t have an up-to-date SSL encryption, your data might not be safe.
2. Payment methods – Safe casinos utilize recognizable payment options such as Visa and PayPal, and you can quickly find out a site’s methods in the banking page.
3. Licensing – While offshore casinos don’t operate under US regulations, they still need a legitimate license from a reputable gaming authority to operate. This license should be clearly displayed and detailed on the site’s homepage.
4. Customer support – A site’s support options can tell you a lot about a site’s safety, even at a quick glance. If a site only has one contact method, and it requires a significant waiting period, that’s a red flag. Moreover, a basic FAQ with limited and poorly displayed information can also signal a lack of professionalism.

Tips for Using Real Money Online Gambling Sites

If you’re a novice to the online gambling world, here are some top betting tips that’ll help you go from amateur to expert in no time.

✅ Take Advantage of Bonuses

Bonuses can seem overwhelming at first glance, but don’t let that put you off taking advantage of a great way to tilt the sports betting odds a little more in your favour. Welcome bonuses are an easy way to boost your initial bankroll, especially those with customer-friendly wagering requirements. But don’t just take the sign-up promotion and never look at more. Promos like cashback, VIP programs, and reload bonuses can be key to long-term profitability.

✅ Research Game RTPs

If you don’t already know, Return to Player (RTP) is the percentage of wagered money you can expect to receive back over the long term when playing a casino game. For example, a slot with a 96% RTP will pay back $96 for every $100 wagered over time. So the higher the RTP rate, the better the chance of success.

A game’s RTP should be displayed on the site, but you can also research it online. Don’t just dive into a new game; make sure you understand what level of payouts you should be expecting to receive. If you’re new to online gambling, we recommend sticking to games with high RTPs like blackjack.

✅ Explore Different Platforms

Loyalty is an admirable trait, except when it comes to online gambling. You should always use sites you trust, but that doesn’t mean just sticking to one platform blindly. By exploring different gambling sites, you can find different bonuses, games, and features to utilize. With sports betting, it’s vital to research for the most competitive odds before making a wager.

✅ Know Your Limits

For healthy and enjoyable gambling, it’s important to understand your limits. Don’t bet anything you can’t afford to lose. Set a strict bankroll and stick to it. Take advantage of responsible gambling features if available at your chosen sites. Play games and bet on sports that you have knowledge about, and still conduct thorough research before committing money. And most importantly, don’t chase losses.

Responsible Gambling Resources

Even when playing at the top gambling sites, responsible gambling is vital. While offshore gambling sites aren’t regulated by the US, they can still be just as safe and prioritize responsible gambling online just as highly.

Our recommended sites provide a host of responsible gambling tools for players to use to ensure their experience remains healthy and enjoyable. These tools include self-exclusion, which allows players to request that their account be irreversibly locked for a certain period of time, including indefinitely.

Others include deposit and betting limits, which cap how much money you can put into your account and wager, and reality checks, which give reminders about how long you’ve been on the platform. Top sites also provide a dedicated responsible gambling section, outlining strategies for healthy play and links to outside resources.

If you are having issues with online gambling addiction, reach out to these support organizations for assistance.

National Council on Problem Gambling – 1-800-522-4700
Gamblers Anonymous – (909) 931-9056

The Best Online Gambling Sites Are Only A Click Away

After checking out many gambling sites, we picked out BetWhale as our top recommendation. The site has only been live for a few years, but it’s already one of the most well-rounded platforms out there. Some sites boast they can meet all your gambling needs, but BetWhale truly can, with a comprehensive sportsbook, online casino games, live dealer suite, esports betting, and a racebook.

Real Money Gambling Sites – FAQs