USA Online Casinos - USD & English Speaking Casinos

Gambling Laws and Regulations in the USA

In the United States of America, gambling is legal under federal law. However, each state has the right to prohibit or regulate gambling within its borders. 

Therefore, you can see there are many restrictions when it comes to interstate and online gambling. 

While there is no country-wide regulatory body when it comes to gambling, each state has its own regulatory agency. 

At the time of writing, online casinos are legal in only 6 states. Here are the authorities that regulate gambling in these jurisdictions: 

Gambling used to be illegal in the United States, with the exception of Nevada and New Jersey. Nowadays, at least one form of gambling is allowed in 48 of the 50 states. The forms allowed differ from one state to another due to state laws. 

The main forms of gambling allowed right now are:

• Online casinos - 6 states
• Online Poker - 6 states
• Online sports betting - 23 States and Washington D.C.

The 3 main federal laws that regulate gambling in the US are the following:

1. The Wire Act 

This was passed in 1961 and is the most important federal law that affects gambling activities within the United States of America. The law prohibits the use of wire communications (for example a phone) to place sports bets across state lines. 

While it has been unclear several times since the law was passed whether or not it refers exclusively to sports betting or it applies to any form of gambling. 

Today, according to many courts in the US Justice system, the Act only applies to interstate sports betting. 

2. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA)

Also known as the Bradley Act, was passed in 1992 and it outlawed sports betting across the nation, with only a few exceptions. Montana, Oregon, Delaware and licensed sports pools in Nevada were the only ones exempt from this law. 

In May 2018, the law was judicially overturned as the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that it conflicts with the Tenth Amendment. 

3. Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act (UIGEA) 

This is the law that regulates online gambling. It was passed in 2006 and it prohibits gambling operators from accepting payments over the internet, making it unlawful under any federal or state law. 

The exceptions from this law are for skill games, fantasy sports that meet specific requirements, and legal interstate and intertribal gaming. 
It is unclear whether or not this affects lotteries, interstate wagering, or horse racing. 

Responsible Gambling in the USA

Casino, sports betting, and internet gambling businesses in the United States of America have to follow the Responsible Gaming Statutes and Regulations Guide imposed by the American Gaming Association (AGA).  
This applies to all 34 jurisdictions with commercial gaming operations and the District of Columbia. 

The responsible gambling laws and regulations vary between the jurisdictions, but they include the following:

Gambling Types Allowed in the USA

If you are new to gambling altogether, here are some brief explanations of the 6 gambling types allowed in the USA:

Commercial casinos 

These are casinos owned by private businesses. They are often located on boats, as this is usually the only way the state allows them to function.

Tribal casinos 

Casinos in Indian reservations or tribal land within the United States. The Native American tribes are sovereign nations, meaning that the state does not have general regulatory authority over these casinos.

State lotteries

These are lotteries organized by the state.

Sports betting 

Placing wagers on the outcomes of sports competitions made with the help of a bookmaker, also known as a sportsbook. 

Pari-mutuel betting

A type of betting which has players betting against each other instead of against the bookmaker. All bets go to the same pool and the amount is split equally between winners. 

Online casinos  

Websites accessible from desktop and mobile devices which offer a variety of games, from slot games to table games and even Live Casino games. 

Gambling Taxes in the US

Casino players in the United States of America have to pay taxes on their gambling winnings. Any income resulting from gambling is taxable like any other type of income you receive. 

This means you have to fill out a W-2G form. 

You have to type in the gross winnings in your tax return form and later you will be able to record your losses for the year. You cannot type in your net winnings, which is the gross winnings minus your losses. 

State-by-State Comparison of the US Legal Gambling Age

The minimum age required to be able to gamble in the United States ranges from 18 to 21, depending on the state you reside in and the type of gambling you want to engage in. 

Check out the following table and see the state-by-state comparison of the legal gambling age in the US:

Checklist: Choose the Best USA Online Casinos

If you want to choose the best USA online casinos, the easiest way to do that is by using the following checklist: 

1. Filter and sort the options

Check out the list of US casinos we have in store for you. Use our filtering and sorting options to see the results closer to what you are looking for. 

You can choose:

• The Chipy filter to only see the platforms that come with an exclusive deal for Chipy users. 
• The Free Bonus filter only shows you the casinos that offer you no deposit bonuses to start with. These are great especially if you are a beginner and need more funds and less risk. 
• If you are looking for newly launched platforms, click the New filter. 

You can then sort the US Casinos list by the number of reviews, the highest rating, and the date of launch. 

2. Read the reviews and check the ratings

It is imperative that you check out the platform you are planning to join before signing up and investing money. Check out the complete casino reviews list, read real players’ reviews, and check out their ratings to find out exactly what the casino has to offer and what it lacks. 

The reviews and ratings come from real players and they reflect their personal experiences with the top USA online gambling sites. 

3. Make sure it offers bonuses

Casino bonuses are very useful and entertaining. Regardless of your level of experience, we advise you always look for casino promotions, especially when joining a new gaming site. You can go for: 

• No deposit promotions like free spins, free chips for Live Casino games, or free funds to use on any game on the casino site.
• First deposit bonuses are provided for your first payment on the site. It can include free spins, funds, chips, or a combination of these.
• Welcome packages contain from 2 to 5 different gambling site offers credited upon your first up to five consecutive payments. 
• VIP deals become available to you once you join the top USA real money online casinos loyalty program. These keep you entertained long after you have signed up and allow you to have something to look forward to every time you come back to play. 

4. Check if it offers your favorite games

The best online casinos for USA players have many games in their collection and collaborate with top software providers. 

A good thing to check out is the variety they offer, as you will want to try new games and eventually find more favorites. It is great to have plenty of options and especially newly-launched games. 

The United States casinos have plenty of games in store for you and they regularly add new ones to their collection. 

5. The T&Cs are clear and fair

The Terms and Conditions have to be clear and fair in the best USA online casinos, as they completely shape the experience you are going to have on the platform. 

Read them with close attention and make sure every rule and requirement makes sense and is fair. 

You can reach out to customer support for any questions you may have and they should be able to answer clearly.

6. You can use the payment methods you prefer

After signing up, your next step will be to make your first deposit. For that, it is better if the US casino offers the payment methods you use and prefer. 

Take a look at their payment options page or the cashier and see what deposit methods they have available. It is equally important that you check out their withdrawal options as well, as these may differ from the deposit ones. 

7. Check our Blacklist

Before you sign up on a new US casino, make sure they are not on our Blacklist. This list contains platforms that have proven themselves to be unfair or unprofessional. 

The list constantly changes, as new platforms are added and some are removed after they have fixed the issues that got them added to the list in the first place. 

8. Check for their mobile app

Being able to play your favorite casino games on mobile is no longer a preference, but a standard in all the top real money online casinos for US players. 

Almost all online casino sites now offer full compatibility for mobile devices in-browser play. However, some come with their own casino apps you can download from their official website, and, in some rare cases, even from the iOS or Google Play Store. 

Depending on how you prefer to play, make sure the US casinos you choose have their own app or work flawlessly on your mobile devices. 

How to Join an Online Casino in USA

If you are ready to join your first US online casino, simply follow these easy steps and you will be playing in no time: 

Top 5 Popular Real Money Casino Games in the US

The top 5 real money casino games US players prefer are the following: 

US casino players mainly prefer online slots and these are some of their favorites. However, this is not the only game type American players go for. They also play:

• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Poker
• Craps
• Baccarat

Popular Software Providers in US Casinos

The top US online casinos come packed with high-quality games from the top software companies in the industry. Check out the most popular ones:

US Casino Banking Options & Currency

If you are ready to begin your gambling adventure at a US casino, you have to know what banking options and currencies are available for you to use. Here are the go-to US casino payment options: 

When it comes to currency, all online casinos that cater to US players should offer USD as one of their options. 

Most of them do, so you will not have to worry about exchanging money and losing some of your funds in the process due to exchange rates.

Best Bonuses from USA Casinos

The best bonuses for US casino players can greatly improve your gaming experience. Here are the most popular promotion types among American players:

Other Bonus Types Available to Claim

While those are the most popular casino promotions in the United States, you have a variety of other options such as: 

• Loyalty bonuses - being a loyal customer of a US online casino often brings you rewards such as exclusive promotions. These come in various shapes and sizes, for different games and with different rules and requirements.
• Daily promotions - these are created for both the existing and new customers of an online casino and they can come with multiple different perks. They usually require a deposit.
• Cashback deals - these give you a percentage of your lost funds back if you meet the requirements. The percentage is not always high, but it often is enough to keep you in the game and maybe change your luck. 

Mobile Casino Apps in USA

US casino players can enjoy their favorite games on mobile apps. If you reside in any of the 6 states where online gambling is allowed, you can play at online casino apps as long as you are over the age of 21. 

Many famous online casinos have their own apps, and even some of the land-based casinos we all know created their own mobile platforms. You will find apps from Vegas-based casinos such as MGM, Caesar, and others. 

They offer a variety of games compared with the ones they have on their desktop websites, which means you have no chance of getting bored or have to play the same few games over and over again. 

Choosing mobile casinos is great if you want more accessibility, and more freedom to take the fun with you wherever you may be. You will also be able to benefit from exclusive deals for mobile players, which is definitely an advantage. 

USA Gambling in Numbers

Here are some of the most interesting statistics about gambling in the United States of America in 2021:

• The gambling industry generated gross gaming revenue of almost 53 billion U.S. dollars. This is significantly higher than the previous year, showing that this activity becomes more popular by the year.
• Slot machines brought the most revenue out of all casino games.
• The number of commercial casinos in the US reached 466.
• Las Vegas recorded 32 million visitors. Around 73% of them gambled there.
• The gambling revenue of Nevada was 8.45 billion USD in 2021, higher than the previous year. The Vegas-based MGM Resorts recorded the world’s highest casino revenue.

History of Gambling in US

The United States of America has a long history with gambling. Let’s break it down and see where it all started and how the gambling environment in the country became the one we know today. 

The 1600s - Lotteries and Horse Race Betting in the US

In 1612, King James I of England created a lottery to raise funds for the first permanent British settlement in North America - Jamestown, Virginia. This became the main way the construction of towns, hospitals, roads, and schools was financed in the colonies. 

By the late 1600s, horse racing gained massive popularity in Virginia and beyond. 

The 1700s - The Great Awakenings

The Great Awakening was a religious revival which had Christian leaders go from town to town to preach and promote religious values and morals. 

The series of Great Awakenings from 1730 to 1859 caused many to view gambling as a sinful activity. 
In 1774, the Continental Congress urged colonists to stop horse race and cock fight betting. Most cities and states in America banned betting during this time. However, gambling remained very popular across the colonies. 

The 1800s - Poker and Faro

In the 1800s, gambling was thriving on Mississippi riverboats and in settlements in the Wild West. The most popular games at the time were Poker and Faro.

Faro was a game also played with cards where all 13 cards were placed face-side up and the players could place bets on any of the cards available. Then, the dealer, also called a Banker, draws two cards. The first one is the losing card and the second one is the winning card. 

If the losing card is, for example, a 9, then the players who placed bets on the 9 will lose. At the same time, all players who placed bets on the winning card will collect their winnings. 

The game disappeared from the history of gambling in the United States because of how much dealers would cheat. 

The 1900s - Legalization of Casino Gambling in the US

New York, New Mexico and Nevada banned horse race betting and casinos at the beginning of the 1900s. 

However, as the United States was recovering from the Great Depression and needed to have more forms of revenue, these forms of gambling were once more legalized. 

Nevada made casino gaming legal again in 1931 and Atlantic City, New Jersey, followed in its footsteps to legalize casinos in 1977. 

This was just the beginning, as many other states passed their own laws allowing casino gaming in the following decades. 

The 2000s - Online Sports Betting Becomes Legal in the United States

The US Supreme Court removed the federal ban on sports gambling in May 2018. 

This allowed a variety of online sports betting sites to become available to American players in many states. 

Find the Best USA Casino Today with Chipy

With all the information on how to gamble online in the United States of America you are now ready to begin your journey with the best USA online casinos. 

Find the perfect one for you using our checklist, sign up, grab top US casino bonuses and start playing!