Fastest growing sector

Online casino gaming in the United States is rapidly expanding, offering players convenient access to slots, blackjack, roulette, and live dealer games. Online gambling is now one of the fastest-growing sectors of the US digital entertainment market, thanks to fantastic games, mobile compatibility, and truly immersive experiences. Over 80% of online gambling is now accessed via mobile devices in the country, and high smartphone and broadband penetration are enabling seamless access.

“It’s complicated”

The US has an interesting relationship with casino gambling. If it were a social media relationship status, it would probably say something like ‘it’s complicated’. On the one hand, Las Vegas is the self-proclaimed global epicenter of entertainment and casino culture. On the other hand, iGaming for real money is only allowed in a handful of states, and Nevada isn’t one of them (although it does allow residents to play online poker!).  As the city has seen a sharp drop in visitor numbers, it might need to reconsider that strategy.

However, in the states that have fully embraced the delights of online casino gambling and sports betting – namely, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan, Rhode Island, West Virginia and Delaware – it is the iGaming vertical that is the major driver of growth. Maine has also recently legalized online casino gambling in the state, but the market has not yet gone live. In any growing, lively market, there are always unscrupulous actors who want a piece of the action (and a large slice of the profits).

Keeping it simple

Players must know what to look out for, how to spot the best online casinos and how to keep themselves safe online. The start point is with the licensing. Players are really only safe if they play at licensed online casinos; it is as simple as that. While some platforms might appear to be attractive by offering unbelievably generous jackpots or bonuses, the chances are that they are unbelievably generous because they are scams.

So, the starting point for any iGamer is to check the licensing. Are you a resident in a state that has a regulated real-money online gambling market? If not, you are exposing yourself to risk by attempting to access real-money online casinos. If anything goes wrong (and it probably will), players have no recourse to a regulator. However, that does not mean they have no online casino options; they will need to plump for social and sweepstakes casinos. In some states, like California, sweepstakes are also restricted, but there are still free game options, pari-mutuel horse race betting, lotteries, and charitable gaming.

It can be a bit of a minefield to work out what is available and where. In addition, the recent introduction of prediction markets like Kalshi has added further confusion. One of the easiest ways to stay safe while playing at US online casinos is to seek expert help. It is quite straightforward and can save a lot of pain in the long run. Casino.us offers a comprehensive list of online casinos to help players make great decisions about where to play. While no one is suggesting that there is a one-size-fits-all solution to determining which are the best online casinos, all of those recommended on this site have security and the players’ best interests at heart.

Built in security

Great online casinos utilize firewalls, SSL encryption, and other security tools to protect players’ personal and financial data. In addition to being licensed in the state they operate in, the best online casinos will also be licensed in other jurisdictions, such as Malta and the UK. This information should all be verifiable with state licensing authorities, such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. It should be obvious and not hidden away – if the licensing or logos look wrong, a wise player will walk away and find a genuine site.

Provably fair

As well as keeping players safe, great sites are fair and provably so. While everyone knows that the house always wins, players should still have a fair chance of winning. This means that return to player (RTP) rates are easy to see, as well as how volatile a game is to play. If a player knows these things, then they can make informed choices. High volatility games offer fewer, larger (potentially enormous) payouts while low volatility games offer steady, smaller wins. The measurability of these mechanics is determined by random number generators, and reputable casinos have their games independently assessed by third-party auditors like eCOGRA.  They will also have corporate transparency and publish things like sustainability reports.

Great experience across all devices

As most players are choosing to play on smartphones or tablets, secure sites will have factored this into their development and offer either an app or a mobile-optimized browser experience. Some online casinos have standout unique features, but regardless of the app or optimized mobile site, the games should run smoothly. It is worth players familiarizing themselves with all the functions across all the devices they want to play on. The last thing anyone wants is a ‘fat thumbs moment’ that results in an unintentional bet or deposit.

Listen to peers

As well as listening to experts, it is also worth reading some peer reviews. While players need to be aware that some reviewers and influencers are paid to promote certain platforms, reading a wide range of reviews and checking ratings on the Apple App and Google Play stores is a wise move. Players should look for ratings of at least 4.5/5, or the chances are the play will be glitchy and frustrating.

Trust the banks

Another surefire security check is to see what payment methods are available. Reputable financial organizations will only offer services to properly licensed and run online casinos. There should be plenty of payment options, from providers whose names are instantly recognizable and legitimate. If a site only allows deposits by bank transfer and not major fintechs, eWallets, or financial companies like PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, or Apple Pay (to name but a few), they are not to be trusted.

Look before you leap

The golden rule to stay safe when playing at online casinos is to look before you leap and do not get carried away. While fortune is said to favor the brave, being brave does not mean being unprepared or even slightly cautious.