The Best Online Gambling Sites USA 2023

With the revolution of online gambling in the USA in full force, many new players are looking to jump in. But with dozens of sites to choose from, the inevitable question arises. What is the best online gaming site?

While it may seem like a simple question, the answer is complicated — as with so many different sites all offering different incentives, there really is no one size fits all answer to this question. Do you want to play casino games, or are you more into sports betting? Are you on a budget? Are you looking for that social feel of playing against live dealers?

With so many different factors to consider it might feel like you’re going to have to do weeks of research before you can begin to understand what gambling site is right for you. But that’s no longer the case. Because seeing the influx of new players looking for this same information, our chief editor assigned our team the task of finding the best online gambling sites according to the factors most important to new players. Below you can read our findings.

7 Top Legal Real Money Gambling Sites USA for December 2023

Tap the above links to begin gambling online or learn more for each operator in our best online casino list below.

#1 DraftKings – Best Variety

Starting off this list is one of the most recognizable names in the gambling world, DraftKings. And if you’re looking for a bit of everything that you can’t do much better. Originally developed with daily fantasy sports in mind, DraftKings has expanded to include both an online casino and an online sportsbook — being regarded as a top five in both categories. So whether you’re after blackjack, slots, poker, or sports betting — DraftKings is for you.

The only drawback for DraftKings is that their sportsbook welcome bonus of 20% matched first deposit capped at $1,000 isn’t the greatest, so if you’re planning to use their sportsbook primarily — you might be better off picking another site. With that being said though, their casino bonus of either a 100% first deposit match up to $2,000 or $50 in casino credits for depositing at least $25 is pretty great.

#2 Caesars — Best Live Dealer Games

If you’re after that live casino feel, then Caesars casino is for you. While live dealer games at online casinos are common, what separates Caesars apart is the attentiveness of their dealers as well as the sheer variety of games that they offer live dealers for.

From roulette, to baccarat, three card poker, blackjack, and even infinite blackjack — all of the major table games can be played with a live dealer.

Plus, following our recent partnership with Caesars, new users who use code GUSA (or GUSAS if residing in NJ) will get their first deposit matched 100% up to $2,000.

#3 FanDuel — Best Bonuses

If you fancy yourself a bonus grinder, then you’ve found your holy grail with FanDuel. They have two different bonuses depending on whether you sign up for their sportsbook or their online casino — but both are valued at $1,000 and are designed around the idea of covering you for any potential losses. Be that either $1,000 worth of insurance if you’re down after your first 24 hours in the casino, or up $1,000 in free bets if your first bet fails in the sportsbook.

If you’re new to online gambling you might not see what makes this better than something like the Caesars’ first deposit match up to $2,000. This is a fair take. But with FanDuel, the secret is in the playthrough requirements. Which is 1x. That means you play with it once, and if you decide you don’t want to continue, you can withdraw your money without any fuss.

This is my personal favorite bonus across all gambling sites as with it you can use a high-risk, high-reward strategy of doing high volatility bets knowing that either you’ll get paid big, or you’ll get your wagers returned to you. Essentially, it turns high-risk high-reward into low-risk high-reward.

My only warning with FanDuel is that to take proper advantage of their bonuses requires a good deal of knowledge and proper planning. So if you’re new to online gambling, you might want to try a different site.

#4 BetMGM — Best Online Casino Games

BetMGM may market itself as the “King of the Sportsbook”, but for my money, I’ve got to say that I prefer their casino and would even go so far as to say that BetMGM has arguably the best online casino site. They’ve got it all. Progressive jackpot slots, classic table games, live dealer games, Slingo, virtual sports, and even a wide variety of games that are exclusive to BetMGM. You could spend an entire weekend playing there, and I doubt you’d get past 10% of their games.

By following our exclusive links and using code GAMBLEUSA on sign up, you’ll not only get a $25 no-deposit bonus, but also you’ll get your first deposit matched dollar for dollar up to $1,000. That’s two bonuses in one. A great way to kick-start your online casino experience.

#5 PointsBet — Best Sports Betting

The Australian-based PointsBet may be one of the newer additions to the US market, but if you’re after online sports betting — PointsBet should be your destination. They’ve got everything you could want about a sportsbook. Great odds, fantastic promos around major sporting events, and to our readers exclusively, they have a great welcome bonus.

By using promo code GUSA on sign up, you’ll get up to two risk-free bets valued at a max total of $2,000. The first of these is triggered if your first fixed odds cash bet loses and is valued at $500. While the second one only comes into place if your first PointsBetting cash bet loses — this one is valued at $1,500.

The only thing to remember with PointsBet is that it is the only sportsbook on this list to offer no casino access. So if you’re looking for a single site that offers sports betting and casino games, you’ll have to try one of the other sites on this list. A separate casino app is available, and a $800 free spins bonus via the PointsBet Casino MI promo code, but cannot compare to the other gambling sites covered above.

#6 BetRivers — Best for Beginners

What I love about BetRivers is its simplicity. Their bonuses are straightforward, with only a 1x playthrough requirement. There’s no complicated layout to their site, and it’s readily available on Android and iOS devices. It’s a gambling site without any bells and whistles — instead choosing to focus on providing excellent odds for sports betting and terrific RTP on their casino games.

The only thing slightly complicated about BetRivers is their welcome bonuses, which vary from state to state. As such, if you’re planning on playing with BetRivers, we recommend you check out BetRivers Casino App & Online Review as well as our BetRivers Sportsbook review.

We also made a dedicated guide to BetRivers promo codes, since they differ for their products across US states.

#7 Virgin Casino — Best Budget Option

Even to those experienced with gambling in the US, Virgin Casino remains one of the most underrated online casinos in the US — being a particularly profitable gold mine to those following a stringent budget. This is because with their regular monthly bonuses, you can win 100 free spins or more at the end of every month just by depositing at least $10 a month.

On top of this, they also have the safest welcome bonus in the US. Up to $100 cashback if you’re down after the first week. While this may not seem the most lucrative offer on the surface, the brilliance of Virgin Casino’s offer is that unlike most other sites that will award bonuses in the form of bonus funds with stringent playthrough requirements, with Virgin, the funds are awarded in cash that is instantly available for withdrawal. Just use code BONUS10 when signing up.

The only downside to Virgin is that they don’t offer sports betting and are available exclusively to players in New Jersey.

10 Alternative Legal and Trustworthy US Gambling Sites

No matter if you like a cashback bonus, a deposit match, or free bets for sports betting, the US has a variety of legit online casino gambling sites. Some are more catered for sports bettors, while others provide top online casino games. Indifferently, they will feature bonuses and outstanding gambling apps. If none of the above top-rated gambling sites makes the cut for you, consider the following alternatives:

1. Golden Nugget — While Golden Nugget does have a sportsbook, in our opinion, it isn’t the greatest. However, their casino makes up for this. Available in New Jersey, West Virginia, and Michigan — users who sign up via our links will get their first deposit matched 100% up to $1,000, plus 200 free spins of the 88 Fortunes Megaways slot game.
2. Borgata — Both casino and sportsbook are equally great at Borgata. The only thing stopping them from making our top 7 list is that few states have access to them, with only New Jersey having access to both casino and sportsbook — with Pennsylvania also having access to the casino. The good news is that if you sign up with code GUSA, you’ll get your first deposit matched 100% up to $1,000 plus a $20 no-deposit bonus when you play at Borgata Casino. Or if you’re playing at their sportsbook, using the same code gets you a $100 free bet when you make your first bet of $20.
3. Unibet — Unibet’s sportsbook is available in AZ, IA, IN, NJ, PA & VA; however, only NJ & PA can access the Unibet Casino. For casino players, when you use our code UBCASINO10, you’ll get your first deposit matched 100% up to $500, plus $10 on the house. For the sportsbook, it’s a little more complicated with bonuses varying by state. For a comprehensive review, you can check out our guide on Unibet Sportsbook.
4. bet365 — Only New Jersey will get access to both bet365 casino and sportsbook — although Colorado can get a taste of the sportsbook. Plus, by using our links, players of both states will get $200 worth of free bets when they bet $1. For the casino, New Jerseyans can get their first deposit matched dollar for dollar up to $1,000.
5. Betway — Industry veteran Betway does have a casino available for players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania — but I think when it comes to casinos, there are far better options. Their sportsbook is much better. Available in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia — Betway sportsbook offers new users a $250 free bet when they sign up via our links.
6. Harrahs Casino — One place Harrahs stands out is with its slot games. And they know it. That’s why new users get 20 free spins plus a 100% first deposit match up to $100, with an additional free spin awarded for each dollar deposited up to a maximum of 100. While they’re exclusive to New Jersey, if you’re a players in the Garden State — you shouldn’t sleep on Harrahs Casino. Harrahs Casino does not offer sports betting.
7. MaximBet — MaximBet has taken the unusual step of setting up shop exclusively in Colorado. Only sports betting is available here, though users who sign up by following our exclusive links will get $1,000 worth of risk-free bets spread out over their first four deposits.
8. Mohegan Sun Online Casino — The Mohegan Sun online casino operates very differently than most casinos — with there essentially being two variants. The Connecticut variant is more or less FanDuel with a different skin. The New Jersey variant however is its own unique site offering a unique bonus when new users use code MOHEGAN on sign-up. This bonus will double your first deposit up to $1,000. Mohegan Sun does not currently operate a sportsbook.
9. Bally Casino — As the name suggests, Bally casino is an online casino that does not offer sports betting. Although exclusive to New Jersey players, Bally offers a similar promo to Virgin Casino wherein if you’re down after the first week, Bally will reimburse you for up to $100 in instantly withdrawable cash. The Bally Bet promo code applies on their separate betting site.
10. 888 Casino — While 888 offers a sportsbook, the 888 Sport app, we feel there are much better options. Their casino on the other hand, which is exclusive to players of New Jersey, has an excellent two-part welcome bonus for new users who sign up with our links. First, upon registration, you’ll get $20 free. Then when you’re ready to make your first deposit, you’ll get your first deposit matched 120% up to $500.

US Online Gambling Laws

The gambling laws in the US can be confusing. While a state may legalize sports betting, that doesn’t mean that casinos are legal — similarly, while that same state may legalize casinos, it may choose not to legalize online casinos. It can be a head spin trying to keep tabs on everything. The good news though is that the federal government has decided to leave it to the hand of each state, and following New Jersey’s decision to legalize online gambling in 2013, more states are choosing to follow their lead. While not all states legalize all online gambling, you can check out the table below to see what type of gambling is legal where you live.

🇺🇸 State	🎰Casino?	🏈Sports Betting?
Arizona	❌No	✅Yes
Arkansas	❌No	✅Yes
Colorado	❌No	✅Yes
Connecticut	✅Yes	✅Yes
Delaware	✅Yes	✅Yes
Florida	❌No	✅Partially
Illinois	❌No	✅Yes
Indiana	❌No	✅Yes
Iowa	❌No	✅Yes
Kansas	❌No	✅Yes
Louisiana	❌No	✅Yes
Maine	❌No	✅Yes
Maryland	❌No	✅Yes
Massachusetts	❌No	✅Yes
Michigan	❌No	✅Yes
Mississippi	❌No	✅Yes
Montana	❌No	✅Yes
Nebraska	❌No	✅Yes
Nevada	✅Yes	✅Yes
New Hampshire	❌No	✅Yes
New Jersey	✅Yes	✅Yes
New Mexico	❌No	✅Yes
New York	❌No	✅Yes
North Carolina	❌No	✅Yes
North Dakota	❌No	✅Yes
Oregon	❌No	✅Yes
Pennsylvania	✅Yes	✅Yes
Rhode Island	❌No	✅Yes
South Dakota	❌No	✅Yes
Tennessee	❌No	✅Yes
Virginia	❌No	✅Yes
Washington	❌No	✅Yes
Washington DC	❌No	✅Yes
West Virginia	✅Yes	✅Yes
Wisconsin	❌No	✅Yes
Wyoming	❌No	✅Yes

Features of the Best Online Gambling Sites

All gambling sites are different, but the best share a few things. If you’re new to online gambling you might be able to guess a few of these factors off the top of your head — though chances are a few of these things you probably would’ve never considered. However, over the collective years that our expert team has spent playing at and researching the various casinos across the US, we’ve seen a lot of gambling sites. Some great. Some not so much.

Below we’ll share our casino review criteria for deciding whether or not a gambling site is worth your time.

Official License

While there was once a time when online gambling was illegal in the US and the only chance to get your fix was to delve into the murky waters of shady offshore sites like Bovada, Yabby Casino, and sites like MyBookie — in 2023, that’s no longer the case. Online gambling is now legal in several states. Though just because it’s legal doesn’t mean just anyone can start up. Instead, each state has a governing body that must approve an application before a gambling site can become a reality.

These applications are notoriously difficult to get approved. But the state does it for the player. They want to ensure that any potential gambling site has the funds to pay out players, and they make sure that all software is fair and accurate to ensure that the games aren’t rigged. In many states, they’ll even make sure that an online gambling site is partnered with a brick-and-mortar casino. If they meet all these requirements, they’ll be granted a license to operate.

And while the licensing is strict, any legitimate gambling site should be able to pass, and if they can’t — chances are they’re doing something shady. That’s why we’ll only ever recommend gambling sites that have licenses.

Quick and Easy Payments

I remember in the early days of gambling having to go down to the bank and wire money directly to the casino. It took about a week on average for the funds to be cleared, and that was a week of me twiddling my thumbs — waiting for the confirmation email to arrive in my AOL account. Fortunately, in 2023, with the rise of e-wallets and online payment methods, this is no longer the case.

With payment methods like Skrill and PayPal, depositing should only take a few minutes. That’s why when we review gambling sites, we deposit money via all of the popular methods to ensure that there are no untimely delays and that if you deposit at 7pm, your funds are ready at 7pm. Additionally, quick deposits usually translate to quick withdrawals. So no more having to wait for the check in the mail. We have even made dedicated guides to Venmo online casinos, MasterCard casino sites, Visa betting sites or Visa casinos, and other banking methods to help you find the right gambling site for your needs.

Sports Betting

A multi-billion dollar industry — sports betting is one of the most popular forms of online gambling. That is why when we’re reviewing a gambling site, we like to make sure that they have a sportsbook and that they offer good odds with a decent selection of sports to bet on. While not a deal breaker, it’s nice if you can do all your gambling in one place.

Online Casinos

Similar to the above point, online casinos are a hallmark of the best online gambling sites. With the laws around online casinos being significantly more strict when compared with the laws for online sports betting, it’s a little more understandable if a gambling site is unable to offer this form of gambling. However, for the states that allow online casinos, it can be a very nice addition.

Great Bonus Codes

In 2013, when the first online gambling sites went live it became immediately apparent that it was the players’ market — and that if sites wanted to stand out from the pack, they had to offer some sort of extra incentive. To this, the player benefited. What was first a $100 bonus became $500, then $1,000, and went even as high as a $2,000 bonus. And a great way to work out which gambling sites were the best, was to see which would invest the most into ensuring that the player was satisfied.

It’s simple really. So that’s why when we’re researching for the top online gambling sites, we pay special attention to the promotions pages to see what bonuses are being offered for both new and existing customers alike.

Compare US Gambling Sites

The above is our detailed review. But if you fancy getting to the nuts and bolts of it all and seeing how the top gambling sites stack up against one another, you can check out the below table.

Types of Online Real Money Gambling Sites

Chances are you are not a player located in a legal gambling state where online casinos or just betting is legal. Understanding your options for online gambling is essential, and the only way to find the best real money gambling site for you.

Online Casino Sites

Online casino sites are a place where you can play casino games for real money online. The best online casinos are the ones that are able to replicate the feeling of a land-based casino and combine it with the convenience of playing from wherever you are. Table games play very similar to brick-and-mortar casinos, with most having a variant where you can play with a live dealer. But where online casinos really stand out is with their slots. While most Las Vegas slots have an RTP of ~90%, online slots regularly get above 97% RTP.

States: NJ, MI, CT, WV, PA, and DE

Best Online Casino for Gambling: BetMGM Casino

Sports Betting Sites

Probably the most popular form of online gambling, sports betting sites allow you to ramp up the excitement of any sport. Sports betting didn’t become legal until 2018 when New Jersey beat Nevada in the federal courts. And even though it came five years after the legalization of online casinos, sports betting almost immediately overtook online casinos as the most popular form of online gambling, being legalized in significantly more states than online casinos are.

Probably the most straightforward form of online gambling. Sports betting sites are available on both computer and mobile devices.

States: AZ, AR, CO, CT, IL, IN, IO, KS, LA, MI, NV, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, and WSS.

Best Online Sports Betting Site for Gambling: FanDuel Sportsbook

Horse Racing Platforms

Gambling on horse racing is a little weird. If you’re not familiar with it, you may think as a sport it would be treated much the same as any other. But it’s not. Horse racing runs off a parimutuel betting system — which is kind of complicated, though to give you a brief rundown of what it means, it’s a system wherein the final payout of any given bet isn’t calculated until betting is closed. So in plain English, even if you bet a horse when the odds a 4:1, if the odds change to 2:1 when betting closes and your horse wins, you’ll only get paid 2:1

What this means for the average punter is that horse racing is generally less restricted than regular sports betting. For example, while sports betting isn’t legal in Florida, horse racing is.

States: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, IL, IO, KY, MD, MS, MI, MT, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, VM, VA, WS, WV, WN, and WY.

Best Horse Racing Betting Site for Gambling: TVG app

Online Poker

According to the federal government, online poker is a form of online gambling. As such, legally it’s treated the same. The difference is that as poker is less profitable for a casino than traditional casino games, many don’t offer it, and finding an online poker site in the US can be pretty tricky. Our top pick for online poker in the US is BetMGM poker.

States: NJ, MI, CT, WV, PA, and DE

Best Online Poker Site for Gambling: BetMGM Poker

Sweepstakes Gambling Sites

Sweepstakes gambling sites are a form of real money online casino that circumvent traditional gambling laws by basing their casino around the sweepstakes model. What this means is that sweepstakes gambling sites can offer their services nationwide. How they do this is pretty ingenious, and if you’re interested in reading about it, you should definitely check out our review on the 5 Best Sweepstakes Casinos.

States: Open to all, with Washington D.C. usually excluded

Best Online Sweepstake Site for Gambling: Pulsz Casino

Offshore Gambling Sites

Offshore gambling sites are a form of illegal gambling that is not licensed and is unregulated. That means that online casino games are often rigged, and even if you win, these sites are under no obligation to pay you out. We do not recommend you ever play at these sites. Instead, stick to licensed online casinos and gambling sites. Or if you live outside states where online gambling is legal, stick to sweepstakes gambling sites that have good reviews.

Online Gambling Bonus Codes

Online gambling is a player’s market. And all the top gambling sites know this, so that’s why almost all of them offer a variety of bonuses for both new and returning players. Some require codes. Others don’t. The best way to get access to the latest promos for all of the top gambling sites is right here at Gamble-USA. That’s because as the number one gambling affiliate site in the US, all of the top casinos and sportsbooks offer our readers the best promotions to help them stand above the pack.

So, even if you’ve got a site in mind, we recommend you bookmark this page. Because we’ll be updating it regularly to ensure all the promotions for real money gambling sites are kept up to date.

Gambling Apps

In addition to being able to gamble on your computer, all the top gambling sites now offer gambling apps for your mobile. Available on both Android and iOS devices, head to the relevant app store to download the app of your choice.

Simplicity is the key with these apps. Information and buttons are spaced out for ease of use, plus there are no annoying ads popping up — instead, users will find apps that are almost identical to the standard sites. With these apps, you can gamble whenever you want and wherever you are.

If you plan on betting primarily from your mobile, check out our guide on the five best real money casino apps and the eight best sports betting apps. Most of which are integrated to offer both casino and sports gambling on the go.

Deposits and Withdrawals for Online Gambling

In contrast to playing with illegal offshore gambling, depositing and withdrawing at legal online gambling sites is as simple as it gets. Just navigate to the cashier section and choose whether you want to deposit or withdraw. The following are the most popular methods for quick deposits and withdrawals.

• Skrill — Veterans of online gambling will immediately recognize Skrill as one of the first e-wallets to allow for online gambling. Over the years it’s garnered a reputation for trust and efficiency unlike any other.
• Credit/Debit Card — Where once it would’ve been insane to deposit directly with your credit card, in 2023, with the leaps in online security you can rest easy knowing any details you enter into a gambling site will be encrypted and kept secure.
• Bank Transfer — While not as fast as other methods on this list — when it comes to security, there’s no more reliable method than direct bank transfers to an online casino. The only issue with this method is that some banks block transfers to and from gambling sites. So it’s best to check your bank’s policy before using this method.
• PayPal — Perhaps the most popular e-wallet worldwide, PayPal is now supported on most gambling platforms for deposits and withdrawals. Minimal fees, great security, and lightning-fast transfers. PayPal’s reputation speaks for itself.

Summary

The golden age of online gambling is here. Whether you’re after online casino games, sports betting, or a site that has both — our top 7 real money gambling sites are guaranteed to have what you’re looking for. Just make sure to sign up via our links and use our promo codes to get the best welcome bonuses to kick-start your online gambling adventure.

Best Online Gambling Sites FAQs