How to play real money casino apps
No online casino is exactly the same, and not every player wants the same thing out of real money gambling sites or casino apps. Finding the right fit depends on what matters most to you: fast payouts, deep game variety, generous bonuses or top-tier loyalty rewards. Choosing your preferred online casino isn’t always about chasing the biggest promo — it’s about finding the best overall experience for how you play.
After reading our practical decision guide, you can take a look at our review of the best real money online casinos and casino apps. All betting and operator information provided by Gambling.com.
Online casino welcome offers, bonus codes
While bonuses are paramount to the real money online casino experience, not all gambling sites and casino apps are created equally.
Players can compare the size of welcome bonuses, the ease of wagering requirements and the quality of the recurring promos and loyalty rewards at each online casino. Recurring promos are important once you’ve used the welcome bonus offer.
For users who want big bonuses right away, look for sites with high-value deposit matches and low wagering requirements, such as Fanatics Casino. For those who value loyalty, look to Caesars and BetMGM.
But how do casino bonuses work?
Casino bonuses deliver bonus funds, bonus spins, loyalty points or some other reward into your account. They almost always require an action on your part – whether it be signing up or opting in.
The top online casinos will provide potential customers with a lucrative online casino sign-up bonus in an attempt to stand out from their competitors. To keep those customers happy, these sites will also deliver a recurring set of online casino bonuses to reward loyalty and consistent play.
- Welcome bonus: Also known as a new-user bonus, is the initial offer that popular online casinos give new players for signing up. These legitimate online casinos are eager to trot out their best offer when you first come on board.
- Bonus spins: Offered as part of their online casino sign-up bonus or as a perk to regular players. These spins are typically valued around 10 cents apiece and have just a 1x playthrough requirement.
- No-deposit bonus: A bonus that generates wager credits without requiring a new customer to make an initial deposit. You will be given bonus funds just for signing up for a no-deposit online casino offer. Once you have completed the rollover requirements, you can then cash out the profits without having risked any of your funds.
- Deposit match: Usually available at the best online casinos. They offer to match a percentage of your first deposit with betting credits, up to a set limit. For instance, in some cases, there will be a 100% deposit match bonus of up to $1,000, or maybe as high as $2,500.
- Bet and get: Make a specified wager and top casino sites give you something in return. As part of a welcome bonus, it could be spins on a popular slot or rewards points. Some welcome offers may also fall in this category.
- Reload bonus: When existing customers get a deposit match. This type of promo is built to give you bonus credits every time you top off your account balance.
- Loyalty rewards: Online casino loyalty programs grant you program points every time that you play games at these sites. In some cases, these programs work in conjunction with land-based casinos, including MGM Rewards and Caesars Rewards.
Casino app payment methods, payout speed
Finding real money casinos that offer your preferred payment methods is important, whether it be via Play+, PayPal, debit cards, bank transfer, Skrill, etc. Players often value fast withdrawal times. While some U.S. online casino sites have options that process withdrawals in minutes, most online casinos typically process withdrawals within 24–48 hours.
For players who value fast withdrawals, FanDuel (payouts in <12 hours), bet365 (same-day Apple Pay) are among the top choices.
Payment methods at online casino sites
Using real money gambling sites requires making deposits to fund your account. Players can also withdraw winnings or unused funds, meaning they’ll need to sync up a banking method to make these transactions. Here are the most popular options for players to use at the best online casino sites.
| Payment method | Deposit | Withdrawals | Payout speed |
| Credit card | Yes (with potential fees) | No | N/A |
| Debit card | Yes | Yes | 1-4 business days |
| Bank transfer/E-check | Yes | Yes | 1-4 business days |
| Venmo | Yes | Yes | Instant to 2 business days |
| Apple Pay | Yes | Yes | Instant to 2 business days |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes | Within one day |
| Play+ | Yes | Yes | Instant |
| PayNearMe | Yes | No | N/A |
| Cash | Yes | Yes | Instant (in-person) |
Are online real money casino apps legal?
Yes, real money casinos are legal in the U.S., but only a handful of states have legalized online casinos. However, in states without legal real money casinos, you can often play at social and sweepstakes casinos.
It is legal to play online casinos for real money in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Connecticut. In all states with legal real money online casino sites, you must be 21 or older to play. All of the recommended real money online casino sites on this page are legitimate; they are all licensed, legal and trustworthy. Among the most popular are Caesars online casino and BetMGM, which both enjoy a large share of the market due to their expansive selection of games, top-notch user experience, huge bonuses and more.
Tools for responsible gambling at real money casinos
It’s important to wager responsibly. You can set limits on yourself and get help from a vast array of resources available, including the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), 1-800-GAMBLER and others.
There are a handful of different tools that the leading online casinos provide players. Here are a few examples:
- Deposit limits: Set daily, weekly or monthly spending caps
- Time limits: Cap the hours and minutes you can spend on casino sites each day, week, or month
- Wager limits: Cap the amount of money you can wager in a specific period
- Self-exclusion: Block yourself from accessing casino sites for a pre-determined period
- Account history: Access your records to understand your tendencies with gambling sites
How to start playing at real money casinos
Signing up for a new account at any real money online casino requires completing just a few short steps:
- Click the green “PLAY NOW” button next to one of the real money online casinos featured on this page. It will open the site and ensure you get the best sign-up bonus.
- The landing page will highlight the welcome offer you have qualified for. Click to open the registration form. Enter your email address and choose a password.
- Provide your personal information such as name, date of birth, address, phone number and final four SSN digits. Agree to the terms, accept the privacy policy and complete the form. You’ll need to confirm you are old enough and in a state where the online casino is operating to earn a bonus and place wagers on your favorite games.
- You can then make your first deposit to unlock the welcome bonus and begin playing slots, card games and table games.
Pro tips to maximize online casino winnings
Wins are never guaranteed in online gambling, but players can put themselves in better positions by following a few strategies. Still, it’s important to understand that real online casino games involve chance and have a house edge.
- Bankroll management: Understand what a responsible bankroll looks like based on the rest of your finances, taking into consideration that the vast majority of bettors are playing U.S. casinos online for entertainment purposes.
- Play high-RTP games: All games have average Return to Player (RTP) percentages, meaning the average dollar amount that players earn on $100 in wagers. Some games have higher RTPs than others, and players can always check a game’s RTP before placing their funds on it.
- Take advantage of promotions: Between welcome bonuses and recurring promotions that are easily accessible, players often have chances to increase their chances of success at no additional cost to them. Always know what live promotions are available to you before placing wagers.
Our experts’ top tip is for players to stick to games with RTP above 96.5%, such as “Cleopatra II” or “Starburst XXXtreme.” Over 10 sessions, they consistently gave back more value.
It’s also critical players always practice responsible gambling at legit online casinos and casino apps. Never chase losses, never wager more than you can afford to lose and seek help if you believe you need it.