The Complete Online Casino Guide for Online Gamblers

Types of Online Casinos

There are a few different types of online casinos that you have access too. Let’s take a look at the most popular ones:

Real Money Casinos – These online casinos allow you to win real money from playing slots, blackjack, and other casino games. They’re quite popular, and are the bulk of the sites we recommend to players.

Crypto Casinos – Similar to real money casinos, these sites are crypto-only. They only allow deposits/withdrawals with Bitcoin or other cryptos, and often have unique games built on blockchain technology.

Free-to-Play or Social Casinos – These casinos are just for entertainment purposes; you can’t actually win money from them. They’re usually downloadable apps that have ads built in so the developers can make money.

All-in-One Casino Sites – All-in-one casinos include many different kinds of gambling under one roof. Sites like BetOnline or Bovada are all-in-ones, because they include an online casino, sportsbook, racebook, and poker room.

VR Casinos – As virtual reality grows, so does the demand for VR gambling. There are a few virtual reality casinos available, but they are social and not designed for real money gamblers.

All online casinos are either regulated or offshore. Regulated means that the state has laid down laws that each casino must follow. Not all states in the US have a regulated casino market.

Offshore sites, however, are available throughout the US since they are licensed by foreign gambling authorities.

Common Online Casino Games

Most online casinos have hundreds of games to choose from, but here are some of the most popular ones.

Blackjack

Blackjack, or 21, is one of the most beloved and widely played casino games of all time. Its simple rules make it accessible to beginners, allowing them to quickly join in on the action. What’s even more exciting is that mastering certain strategies can significantly reduce the house edge to less than 1%, which is one of the lowest you’ll find in any casino game.

Find Where to Play Blackjack

Roulette

Roulette is the epitome of casino gambling, and it requires little skill. There are some different fun bets you can try and also a few variations of the game as well, including French, American, European, Mini, and Dragon Roulette. While the house edge is higher than blackjack, the potential for big wins is equally high.

Find Where to Play Roulette

Craps

Craps takes some skill to master, but the core of the game is simple. It becomes complicated if you want to get involved with the more complex bets. The great news is the simpler bets have the best odds in the game, and the pass line bet (which you will learn about in our craps guide) is the only fair bet in the casino.

Find Where to Play Craps

Baccarat

Baccarat is a simple game that lots of players LOVE to play. The good news is that even though it is favored by high rollers, you can play it at all stakes, especially online. The specific minimum bet amount can vary between online casinos but is often as low as $1. Take a look at our baccarat guide and see if James Bond’s favorite casino game is a good fit for you.

Find Where to Play Baccarat

Video Poker

For the poker playing fiends who don’t want to deal with the other players at the table, video poker is a great fit. The game operates a lot like five card draw where you are given five cards and get to decide what to throw away and what to keep. Some popular variations include Joker Poker, Deuces Wild, Aces & Eights, and Jacks or Better.

Find Where to Play Video Poker

Slots

There are thousands of different slots options to choose from, and every online casino has them. Popular variations include 3-reel, 5-reel, bonus, and progressive jackpot slots. You can also find slots with themes, like classic, animal, Egyptian, or video slots. Slot games often have a high house edge, but there are some high-RTP games that are good for profit-focused players.

Find Where to Play Slots

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games are a cross between the in-person gambling experience and the convenience of online play. Online casinos host live games with real dealers spinning roulette wheels, dealing blackjack hands, or throwing craps dice.

Find Where to Play Live Dealer Games

Mini Guide to Casino Bonuses

Casino bonuses are a way for online casinos to attract and reward players. Online casinos are able to offer much more generous bonuses than land-based casinos, and they can enhance play, especially for frequent players.

There are many kinds of casino bonuses, including:

• Welcome Bonus – Usually a deposit match, like 100% match up to $1,000. The welcome bonus also sometimes includes free spins on select slots games. Super Slots has one of the best welcome bonuses, worth up to $6,000.
• Reload Bonus – This bonus is a deposit match available for recurring players who want to boost their bankroll. Wild Casino has a 100% up to $1,000 reload bonus, as well as bonuses for deposits on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday.
• Cashback – Some casinos offer cashback on losses from the previous day or week. 10% is a common cashback percentage. Both DuckyLuck and SlotsandCasino have 10% daily cashback bonuses.
• Refer-a-Friend – If you get your friends to sign up and deposit, you can receive a small deposit boost or free credit. Bovada has quite a nice refer-a-friend bonus (200% up to $200 +$75 for crypto deposits.)
• No-Deposit – These bonuses are for players who want to try out games risk-free. Not all casinos offer no-deposit bonuses, but the ones that do typically give away $15-$25 in free chips or an allotment of free spins. El Royale and Sun Palace Casino have good no-deposit bonuses.

Before you claim a bonus, make sure you read through the terms and conditions to fully understand the wagering requirements and betting limits on your bonus.

Banking Options at Online Casinos

The best online casinos offer a variety of online banking options, including credit/debit cards, eWallets, and cryptocurrency. Before you make a deposit, make sure you check each banking method’s processing times, fees, and min/max limits. This info can help you decide which banking method works best for you!

Below is a table highlighting some standard payment methods available at online casinos, along with their average fees and processing times:

Importance of Player Safety

Many players are concerned about safety when gambling online. The safest online casino sites have a high standard of security, making it easy to just kick back and relax when gambling online.

If you’re worried about safety, here are some facts about reputable online casinos that will set you at ease:

• Online casinos implement robust TLS encryption to protect player data, including banking information.
• Some casinos allow you to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to provide an extra layer of security.
• Online casinos frequently audit their gaming software for fairness, using third-party auditors such as eCOGRA and iTech Labs. Leading software providers such as Rival Gaming, BetSoft, and RTG also have processes in place to test their RNG games for fairness.
• Our recommended casino sites are licensed by a gambling regulator, typically the Curaçao eGaming Authority or Panama Gaming Commission.

Responsible Gambling

Even the most responsible gambler occasionally gets caught up in the thrill of the game. That’s why it’s crucial for online casinos to provide measures to prevent and combat problem gambling.

Play limits, cool-off periods, and self-exclusion options act as the virtual safety nets, ensuring players can enjoy their gambling experience responsibly. Additionally, reputable sites offer accessible resources and support for those who need a helping hand. We all know that sometimes even the best of us need a little reminder to take a breather.

If self-exclusion isn’t enough, it’s important to seek help. Our gambling addiction guide has some great resources for people struggling with their gambling habits.

• National Problem Gambling Helpline
• National Council on Problem Gambling State Directory
• Gamblers Anonymous

Online Casino Guide Summary

When choosing an online casino, make sure it has the games you want to play, the banking options you want to use, and that it abides by industry-standard security measures, such as TLS encryption.

If you’ve never gambled before, be sure to check out our guide to making money at online casinos first. It gives you a comprehensive look at how to sign up, deposit, and win at online casino games.

If you’re ready to get started right away, check out our full list of online casino sites!