Online casinos are legal in several states. Delaware was the first state to legalize the games. New Jersey followed weeks later. Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia later joined them as regulated online casino states. Over a dozen more have legalized online sportsbooks.
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Which games are offered by online casinos?
Online casinos offer the same types of games as live casinos. Most of the available options are video slots. Denominations start at a penny and often go up to a quarter, sometimes higher. Some online casinos have hundreds of slot titles. Many are the same as found in live casinos. Some are exclusive to online casinos.
Video poker is another common online casino game. All the standard titles are available. This includes Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker, Triple Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, Deuces Wild Bonus, and Joker Poker.
Some casinos have multi-hand video poker games. This includes 3, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100-play. These can come in traditional style or Ultimate X. Video poker denominations can start as low as a penny and run up to $100.
Table games, including some live dealer versions, are dealt by most US online casinos. Blackjack is the most popular. There can be numerous versions of the game available. This may include variants like Spanish 21 and Zappit 21.
Roulette is another common online casino game. Most online casinos have single zero roulette. It may be called European Roulette in the game menu. However, it usually does not have the la partage rule that gives the player half of an even money bet back if the ball lands on zero. Make sure to avoid the double zero roulette games at online casinos that offer a single zero version. There is no advantage to playing it instead.
Craps is another online casino game available. All permit odds to be taken on line and come bets. The field pays double on 12 at all online casinos that we have seen.
Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Let it Ride, High Card Flush, and Texas Hold’em Bonus are other standard US online casino games. There are a few exclusive online games. However, these often mimic similar games found in live casinos.
How to make an online casino account
It is simple to create an online casino account. Download the app or go to the website of the online casino. Next, click the sign-up button. It will ask some questions like your name, address, and date of birth. The online casino will verify your identity and age through a secured database. Once your identity is confirmed, you are ready to deposit and play.
Regulated US sites require players to be at least 21 years of age. That is the same age for admission into casinos in the state.
How to deposit into an online casino
Online casinos offer a variety of deposit options. These tend to include credit cards, debit cards, bank wires, and electronic wallets like Apple Pay, Cash App, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle. Some online casinos partner with live ones for deposits at the cashier cage. Check the online casino’s website or cashier section for the methods available to you in your jurisdiction.
How to withdraw from an online casino
There are several ways to get an online casino withdrawal. These include paper checks, bank wire, bank wire,
Advantages to playing online casinos over live ones
There are several reasons to play online casino games over live ones. Here are just a few.
Online casino bonuses
Most online casinos offer first deposit bonuses. These are typically tied to a deposit amount or have a loss rebate. The following casinos offer first deposit match bonuses for new players. Match amount, games available and wagering requirements vary by casino.
Some offer a loss rebate or bonus bets instead. Make sure to read the terms and conditions. The bonuses are only good for a short time. Some games with a lower house edge may require a higher wager requirement than the base amount or could be entirely excluded from the bonus.
Live casinos offer new players little in the way of incentives. Some may give $5 or $10 to new players card members. There are a few loss rebates out there. But for the most part, there is no such thing as a new player bonus at a live casino.
Slot payouts are usually better
Online slots typically return around 93%. The same types of slots found at live casinos return around 90%. Using those numbers, a player theoretically loses $0.03 for every dollar wagered at a live casino.
This may not seem like much. However, a player can spin a slot 20 times a minute. That is $0.60 a minute, which equals $36 an hour difference in return at $1 a spin. Many slots require more than that to hit the jackpot, so the comparison gets even worse on those games.
Better video poker pay tables at online casinos
It can be difficult to find a video poker game that returns 99% or better in a casino outside Las Vegas and Atlantic City. At online casinos, most or all of the pay tables return at least 99% when betting five coins and using the perfect strategy. Players may choose from games like Not-so-ugly-ducks (99.73%), 9/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe (99.64%), 9/6 Jacks or Better (99.54%), 18/7/5 Joker Poker (99.29%), 8/5 Bonus Poker (99.17%) and more, depending on the online casino.
These quality video poker games may be dealt as low as the nickel denomination and as high as $100. Video poker variants like multi-hand and Ultimate X also offer quality pay tables.
Table game minimum bets are lower and sometimes offer better odds
Live table games typically start at $5. Some may be $10, $15, $25, or even $100, depending on the casino and its market. Online casinos have a huge edge here. The minimum bet for many games starts at just $0.10. Some require a $1 minimum bet.
You will not find triple zero roulette and will rarely see 6:5 blackjack games at online casinos. Most of the blackjack that I have found at online casinos pays 3:2. I have only ever seen single and double zero roulette at online casinos.
Another benefit of online casino table games is that the speed is as fast as you would like to play. There is no need to wait on other players or the dealer. When you want to stop playing, simply quit the game. You don’t need to color up or head to the casino cage. The chips are automatically returned to your account where they may be withdrawn electronically.
Other online casino-style games
Some state lotteries offer online instant games that mimic slot machines. However, these versions of online slot machines have a house edge that is typically three times higher than slots offered by casino sites. The Georgia Lottery is one example of this.
Casino-style games are also available on social gaming websites. These games are also mostly slots, but some also offer a small selection of table games. Games may be played for free on these sites, but players also have the option to purchase additional game tokens.
US online casino FAQs
What is the minimum age for online casino players?
Online casinos require players to be at least 21 years old.
What types of games are offered by online casinos?
Slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker pit games are dealt by online casinos.
What is the minimum bet for online casinos?
Some games have a minimum bet of a penny. Some are nickel, dime, or quarter minimum. Most are $1 or less.
Do online casinos have better odds than live ones?
Oftentimes, the return for a game is the same at a live or online casino. However, it is possible to find better rules and payouts for games like video poker, roulette, and blackjack.
Do online casinos have free play modes?
Yes. Many online casinos allow players to try the games out without making a deposit, and in some cases, an account is not needed. This is a great way to practice a game or test online casino software without divulging any personal information.
Last Updated on August 6, 2023 by John Mehaffey