Welcome to GambleOnline.co – one of the world’s leading guides to online casino gambling. Since 2008 we’ve been on a mission to inform and help players who are new to online gambling learn how to safely gamble online for real money. We want Americans to know they can play online without fear of prosecution or fines.
At GambleOnline.co we believe information is power. That’s why we’ve created comprehensive lists to cover all forms of online gambling. Keep reading and you’ll learn:
- With thousands of choices in online casino games real money available to choose from, we’ve found that there are three legitimate casinos for players from the USA. Keep in mind these are the best online casino real money in the USA. Check out our top selections of online casinos for real money and win today.
- Playing these games will give you the best chance to walk away with some extra money in your account. The top-10 casino games with the lowest house edge: 10. House Edge from 6.39% to 4.82%. Backgammon is a popular table game at online casinos. One of the oldest table games, this dice game starts with players having two pieces called.
- Which online casinos and betting sites are legitimate and trustworthy
- How to safely deposit and cash out winnings when you win big
- How bonuses and signup offers work – which offers to take advantage of, and which to avoid
- Tips and strategies to make you a wiser and more informed online gambler
Top Online Casino websites with big bonuses. Visit our site and play in the best casinos of 2019. Exclusive bonus for new players.
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How to Gamble Online for Real Money – Getting Started
Gambling online can be overwhelming at first. Most newcomers to online gambling have concerns about finding trustworthy online casinos, poker sites & sportsbooks. They don’t know how to safely deposit and cash out winnings. Our comprehensive casino guide will provide you with a realistic view of depositing and withdrawing money for the purposes of online gambling, plus an honest and up-to-date list of the best online gambling sites for real money.
1. How to Gamble Online: Choosing a Real Money Casino / Online Gambling Site
There are a lot of reputable and safe gambling sites, but there are just as many bad ones that you should avoid at all costs. We’ve reviewed over 100 online gambling sites and have narrowed the list down to the best sites based on country/region, type of gambling, and deposit/payment option.
Gambling is Better With Bitcoin. Learn How to Get Started!Best Online Gambling Sites by Country/Region
Due to the differences in gambling laws and regulations around the world, we recommend that you first try selecting online casinos based on your jurisdiction. We’ve created regional guides for some of the most most internet-savvy countries in the world.
Top Sites by Type of Online Gambling
There are a variety of safe and legitimate ways to gamble online and win real money. You can play real money casino games, bet on sports, play poker against other real players, and even enjoy a game of bingo from the comfort of your home. But unlike your typical Las Vegas casino that has casino games, live poker games, and a sportsbook under one roof, most real money online gambling sites tend to specialize in one form of gambling or another. This makes the sites eligible for play in more jurisdictions worldwide.
Where to Gamble Online: Follow These 5 Tips to Find the Best Real Money Online Gambling Site for You
- Choose an online casino, poker site or sportsbook with a good reputation and positive reviews
- Make sure the site accepts players from your country
- Before you sign up, deposit, or accept free bonus money, read the site’s terms and conditions
- Look for trust signals such as licensing information, 3rd party software audit reports (which ensure fairness), and SSL data encryption
- Make sure the site is not on our list of gambling sites to avoid
2. How to Gamble Online: Setting up an Account at a Real Money Casino, Poker Site or Sportsbook
All legitimate gambling sites allow you to register for a free account before you deposit any money. This allows you to test out the site’s games and features before you make a deposit. When you sign up:
- Use a new (free) email address to sign up at gambling sites. Online gambling operators love to send promotional emails. If you decide to try a few different sites, you won’t have to worry about your primary email address getting clogged with online gambling offers.
- If you’re even considering online gambling for real money, make sure to use your actual information when you sign up. When you go to deposit money the personal information you provided needs to match your credit card or other payment methods.
- Some gambling sites, especially online casinos, require verification forms like scans of a driver’s license, credit card, and/or a utility bill. These are for your safety, so it’s a good idea to have them on file before you make a deposit.
3. How to Gamble Online: Making a Real Money Deposit at an Online Casino
Once you’ve found an online gambling site you like and tested it out by signing up for a free account, you’re probably ready to gamble online for real money. Here is a breakdown of the most popular deposit methods. For a complete list with more information see our Online Gambling Deposits guide.
Gambleonline.co’s recommended deposit methods for gambling online:
- Debit or Credit Card – Visa and Mastercard are the easiest ways to deposit at an online gambling site (even in the U.S.)
- E-wallets – Secure e-wallets (like Paypal) act as an intermediary between your bank and online gambling transactions. Unfortunately for US gamblers, there are no recommended e-wallets at this time. For non-US residents, the most popular gambling e-wallets are Neteller and Skrill.
- Prepaid Cards – As an alternative to using your personal credit or debit card, prepaid debit cards
are a solid option. The downside is the transaction fee for loading funds onto the card.
Online Gambling Risks – Things to Watch For
Anyone interested in gambling online should first have a solid understanding of the downside, risks, and frustrations of online gambling before depositing any money.
A few of the major fears associated with gambling online are cheating by the house, hackers gaining access to your account, and not getting paid your winnings. These are all legitimate concerns but are not nearly as common as problems such as slow payments, cash out restrictions, and the outrageous requirements of many promotional offers.
Slow Payments
Another issue that plagues the online gaming world is slow payments. A common complaint is that online gambling sites are quick to approve your deposit but slow to pay your winnings.
Much of the problem of slow payments has to do with what country you live. If you live in a country that considers online gambling illegal, it’s going to take longer to get paid.
That’s because the gaming site has to find a company to process your payment in a way that will be accepted by your local bank. They try their best to disguise the fact that the check or bank wire is coming from an offshore gambling website.
If you live in a country with legal online gambling, there’s little excuse for slow payments. Whenever possible, you should play at gambling sites with a reputation for fast payments.
Cash Out Restrictions
Another frustrating issue facing players is when a gambling site limits the amount of winnings you can cash out at one time. For instance, many online casinos limit the amount you can cash out at $3,000 per week. So, if you hit a $15,000 jackpot you’re going to have to wait a minimum of 5 weeks to cash out all your winnings.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t play at a site because of cash out restrictions. But you should be aware of them beforehand. Just make sure to read the gambling site’s terms and conditions in advance so you know exactly what to expect.
Outrageous Bonus Requirements
Online gambling bonuses used to be highly competitive and even lucrative for players. But these days, many bonuses are simply too-good-to-be-true. That’s especially true when it comes to casino bonuses that promise things like “200% up to $5000” in free money.
On such a bonus you could deposit $2,500 and get another $5,000 free, for a total bankroll of $7,500. Sounds great. But what they don’t tell you is that you have to wager the deposit + bonus 20 times ($7,500 x 20 = $150,000 in wagers).
Oh, and if you use the bonus money to play blackjack, craps, roulette, or just about anything else besides slot machines, the casino can take your bonus and any winnings away from you.
And to top it off, the bonus is just to play with. The casino is going to deduct it from your balance when you cash out.
Sound outrageous? Well, that’s just the type of terms and conditions many bonuses have nowadays.
So before you accept a bonus make sure to read and understand the bonus terms and conditions fully. To learn more about different types of bonus offers and which ones are best to accept, check out the article How Gambling Bonuses Work.
Summary:
- The main risk of gambling online in a country where it’s illegal is not the criminal prosecution, but losing money when the gambling site or payment service is shut down unexpectedly.
- Slow payments are usually a frustrating part of gambling online from a country where it is not legalized. Players with legal gambling options shouldn’t tolerate slow payments.
- Always read the gambling site’s terms and conditions to find information about payout restrictions and other frustrating things. If you’re uncomfortable with the terms, find another site with more player-friendly ones.
- Never accept a bonus without first understanding the terms and conditions.
Online Gambling FAQ
How do your online casino reviews work?
We analyze a site based on its deposit options, welcome bonus, licensing, reputation, withdrawal limits, payout times, software, game selection, mobile gambling, and customer support. Our reviews contain sections on each subject, so you get a comprehensive idea of the casino site’s pros and cons. You’ll get a bonus rating, an idea of the credit cards, web wallets, and crypto-currencies you can use on each betting site.
For instance, if we discuss Jackpot City, we’ll tell you it uses NetEnt, Microgaming, and Evolution Gaming software. Readers can see reviews for sites using Playtech, RealTime Gaming, Betsoft, and Rival Gaming software. This gives players an idea of the online slots, table games, video poker, keno, and scratch card games that betting sites offer.
Which nationalities should read Gamble Online?
Our reviews are useful for players around the globe. Many of the online casinos we review are active in the North American gaming section. Casino players in the United States will find reviews for US-friendly betting sites that have U.S. payment methods and games that Americans prefer. Canadian players will be find Canadian online casino site reviews with payment methods (Interac) useful and games preferred in the Great White North.
More About GambleOnline.co
Opportunities to make money bring out the best worst in people. As a billion-dollar-a-year industry, online gaming is no exception. The fact that there are hundreds of online casinos, poker rooms, sports books, and bingo halls operating makes it incredibly difficult to separate the good guys from the bad guys. That’s why we started GambleOnline.co – to give players the online gambling guide we wished we would have had.
The team at GambleOnline.co has well over 10 years experience with online gambling. Here you’ll learn specific steps to protect yourself when gambling money online for the first time. The advice presented here is meant to educate you on all of the legitimate ways to gamble online, the legality of online gambling, and tips for keeping your personal information secure. GambleOnline.co is written and maintained by gambling expert Kevin King and his team of professional writers.
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Introduction
If you have never gambled online you are probably bewildered by how to get started. Online gambling is still a relatively young industry and as such there are still many less than reputable casinos. The good and the bad are still fiercely elbowing each other for market share. So choose where to play carefully. I have some tips below which may help you.
You are probably also wondering if the games are fixed. At one point I said emphatically not. On average the casinos keep about 75% of money deposited so they shouldn't need to cheat. However I have heard complaint after complaint of extremely bad luck from playing at some non-licensed casinos that use no-name web software. I do believe that the vast majority of online casinos play fair but am suspicious of a small minority. As you hop from one web site to another of the online casinos it may seem arbitrary about choosing one to play at. Let me help by saying that quality counts. Take a close look at their web site or the free games. If they seem like a professional organization chances are better that they are. Finally trust your gut. If you get a bad feeling about a place then resist playing there, even if you can't explain to yourself the exact reason.
The Basics of Playing
There are two ways you can go in terms of actually gambling online, web-based instant play platforms and downloadable software. Web based platforms offer almost immediate playing and a nearly identical experience to the downloadable software. In the past downloadable software was the best, but now I prefer to play through instant play platforms. Playing at an online casino begins with you registering an account on the website of the spot you want to play at. This is sometimes done on the casino web site and sometimes through the software. Then you must put some into your account. The vast majority of the time this is done with a credit (or debit) card. Other options include Western Union, Bitcoin, and bank wires, although some sites carry substantial fees for using these services. Beware that some credit cards will treat deposits to an online casino as a cash advance. If this happens then you may have success in arguing the charge but many credit cards have a flat policy that a purchase of casino chips counts as a cash advance. I recommend using debit cards instead, as there is never a cash advance fee and the transactions are posted faster.
Once you have money in your account you may then begin to play. Be sure to check the rules first, many online casinos favor European rules which can be different than U.S. rules. This can be good or bad depending on the particular rule. As you play I would suggest documenting everything you do. Personally I use graph paper to keep a running track of my bankroll and the total amount bet.
If you plan to return in the near future do not cash out, just leave your money in your account. When you do cash out the chips will be converted to cash and credited back to your credit card, up to the amount of the initial purchase. If you have a net win then the winnings will have to be sent another way, usually by check. Most places will send winnings for free but others will subtract a finance charge.
The Pros and Cons of Online Casino Gambling
There can be no debate that online gambling is a lot different than gambling in a physical casino. In some ways it is better and in some ways it is worse. Below are my pros and cons of online gambling, based on my personal experiences, compared to gambling in a 'real' casino.
The Pros
- Online gambling is a competitive business and many casinos will offer a lot to get and keep your business. Many will offer sign-up bonuses to new customers, adding 10 to 50% of their initial deposit to their bankroll (see below for more on this subject). Some will randomly deposit money in customer accounts and others will give away vacations for specified levels of total money bet.
- The rules are usually better than in physical casinos.
- You don't have to travel long distances. The casino is in your own home.
- You don't have to suffer real casino annoyances, like smokers.
- You don't have to feel obligated to tip.
The Cons
- You have to be patient about getting your money after you cash out. In addition to waiting periods on the casino end there are also delays on the credit card end. Things are generally faster than in years past, but American players can still expect to wait up to 5 business days to see withdrawals processed and paid out.
- Customer service can be spotty depending on where you play. Some places offer great service via live chat, e-mail and a toll-free number. Others take several days to reply to an e-mail, have no known telephone number, and generally seem like they just don't want to be bothered aside from taking your money.
- If a player uses a site that doesn't have a legitimate gaming license, they have no power in the event of a dispute. This has gotten better over the past five or so years, but there are still sites that operate without a license will take advantage of you if given the chance.
- If you play at a lot of places your credit/debit card statement will be a nightmare to balance. Transactions seldom indicate the name of the casino you played at but instead specify the merchant bank.
What is Expected of the Player
One of the biggest problems facing the online gambling business is abuse by players. At the annual industry meeting in Montreal there was just as much, if not more, discussion about this issue than the future legality of online gambling. This is a very legitimate concern because there are a lot of people seeking to defraud the industry.
Although online gambling is a very competitive business when it comes to player abuse the industry feels so strongly that the online casinos help to protect each other. Specifically negative databases, or blacklists, of players suspected of fraud or abuse are shared among the online casinos. The typical reasons for being blacklisted are:
Live Gambling Online Casino
- Disputing charges
- Threatening to dispute charges
- Using someone else's credit card
- Manipulation of gaming software
- Opening more than one account per household or computer
Of these disputing and threatening to dispute charges are the biggest problem the industry faces. The industry term for this is a charge back. This will get a player blacklisted very quickly. Multiple accounts per household or computer I believe is only frowned on if multiple bonuses are given to the same household or same e-mail address. In addition Julie Sidwell says that at least two negative databases track bonus abusers, or player who only play during bonus promotions.
Once the player is on the blacklist they will likely be unwelcome at every casino that the list is shared with. It is like a bad credit rating or a police record, it follows you wherever you go. Placement on a blacklist is not always justified and once on it there is no authority to appeal to for removal.
Doing business in the unregulated world of the Internet is risky for both player and casino. For this reason there seems to be an unwritten code of honor expected of players. Players do not have the liberty of parsing the rules in a legalistic manner and doing whatever they please that is not listed as prohibited behavior. In the absence of a higher authority to regulate the business, players are held accountable to an implied good faith contract. Remaining above reproach and avoiding any appearance of questionable behavior is important for longevity as a player.
Playing for Bonuses
To attract your business many casinos will add a bonus to your initial deposit, usually 10% but I have seen it go as high as 100%. When you accept a bonus you are usually required to meet a certain level of betting action to cash out the bonus. I have seen the total amount bet required range from three times the deposit (Pinnacle Sportsbook) to 40 times the sum of the deposit plus the bonus (Connecto Casino). Read the rules carefully before you start playing. After opening an account wait at least 15 minutes for any welcome e-mail to come in. Sometimes this e-mail will indicate different rules than what the web site says about earning a bonus. Assume that you have to meet the more stringent of the conditions. Regardless of what the rules are you should more than exceed them. If pressed for specifics I would say play at least 50% more than required but 100% or more is better. Some online casinos claim, and exercise, the right to deny bonuses to customers they feel are in it only for the bonus, as opposed to the enjoyment of the casino. Finally I would be suspicious of casinos that you have never opened an account with who send unsolicited bonus offers.
I have created an automatically updating list of the best bonuses in terms of wagering requirements and other terms for each of the popular casino games.
What are the best online gambling sites?
Casino Gambling Games Free Online
There are thousands of online casinos to choose from, and to the beginner it may seem confusing telling them apart. Use our 'Recommended' section as a guide on the top rated and trusted brands. Please also consider these important factors:
- Is there a sign-up bonus? If so how much?
- How are the rules? This can vary a lot in games like blackjack and video poker.
- Are there transaction fees? If so how much?
- Is there a phone number you can call? Is it toll free? If you call, is the line busy?
- Is the casino licensed?
- Is there information available about who owns and operates the casino?
- Who provides the software? Is it a reliable name, or some mystery no-name company?
Do not expect any casino to score an A+ in all these categories. Consider the total package and use your best judgement. A good place to start is to visit read my reviews of casinos with the Wizards Seal.
Is it Illegal to Gamble Online?
On October 13th, 2006 the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act was signed into law by George W. Bush as an unrelated add-on to the SAFE Port Act of 2006, and we have followed what has changed since then. Since then many Internet casinos have closed the accounts of American players, as well as Neteller, the main payment processor for U.S. players.
In December 2011 the US Department of Justice issued a legal opinion that the Wire Act of 1961 online applied to sportsbetting, opening the door for legalized online gambling in the United States. Since then, the states of New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware have legalized online betting in some form, and more states are set to come on board in the future. There has been no movement of federal legalization of the activity, so right now it remains in a legal grey area, although not illegal.We are keeping an eye on each state in the US regarding the legality of online gambling here.
I Think I'm Being Cheated
Since 1997, the Wizard and his team have been trying to keep the gaming business clean of cheating, both online and in land casinos. Our blacklist lists some of the online operators we've exposed dealing an unfair game. While most accusations we get of foul play look more like bad luck to us, we still are open to looking at credible evidence. If you feel you're the victim of an unfair game, please fill out our complaint form and we'll evaluate your claim.
External Links
A good source for following news regarding Internet gambling in the U.S. is at CasinoListings.com .
Written by: Michael Shackleford