There’s nothing quite like playing games in a casino, whether blackjack, craps or simply taking a seat at a slot machine. Online casinos now make this possible right from your own home.
Online casino gambling is legal in a growing number of areas around the world, depending on laws in local jurisdictions. It’s never been easier to play casino games with a chance to win some real money. There are even some advantages to playing games at home or on the go on a mobile device.
Keep reading to learn more about how to play online casino games for real money or for free via your home computer, laptop, phone or tablet.
Advantages of playing casino games online
The first advantage is the ease of use. You can simply download the client and get started in a matter of a few minutes. And often you can create an account and play games right in a browser.
Another advantage is the mobility involved with online casino games. Whether at home, on a train, in a waiting room, or wherever, you can play some slots or a few hands of blackjack virtually anywhere that online casino games are legal.
Variety is also another positive. Many online casinos offer more games than you might find in a live casino. Some casinos also allow you to play for free before actually putting any money on the line. This lets you learn about the online casino platform and test things out.
You’ll also tend to find lower limits in general than what you might find in a live casino. That’s an advantage if you want to test out a game or simply prefer lower stakes.
When it comes to playing slots, there’s also no wait for your favorite game. There’s also no smoking or loud atmosphere, which some players might find bothersome. The added expense of a hotel room, driving or even airplane tickets aren’t necessary when playing online.
Another advantage to playing online is that many casinos also offer bonuses for new customers. PokerScout sometimes offers exclusive bonuses as well right on this page.
Getting started at an online casino is also a simple process, and you may have the chance to earn rewards along the way. Many online casinos offer free play, cash rewards and other prizes for being loyal customers.
Finally, legal online casinos offer safety and security. The games are as fair as at a live casino because providers have to meet various country, state and local gambling regulations, as well as standards for banking and information security.
Online casino advantages
- Simplicity: Signing up and downloading a casino app is an easy process, as is using one.
- Access: You can play from anywhere online casino gambling is legal.
- Number of games: You’ll often find numerous games to check out, whether you’re looking to play slots or table games.
- Lower limits: You can test out games for free and also play at lower limits than in some physical casinos.
- No waiting: Getting into a game is quick and easy.
- Bonuses: Many casinos offer bonuses to get you started. See below for more on these.
- Rewards: Just like loyalty programs at a live casino, some online casinos will offer you reward points as you play. You can exchange these for free play, bonuses, extra cash and other prizes.
- Safety and security: Legal online casinos meet gambling regulations, so you can expect a fair game and that your personal information is protected.
Legal international real money online casinos
Outside of the US, here are a few platforms offering legal online gambling and welcome bonuses when you sign up:
Spin Casino
Options include table games, slots and live casino games. Table gamers can check out favorites like baccarat, video poker and more, with Microgaming providing all the titles. There are also numerous slots, including the following:
- 9 Pots of Gold
- Wheels of Wishes
- Thunderstruck II
- Ivory Citadel
- Break Da Bank Again
Check out Spin Casino offer for new customers a 100% deposit match for up to $1,000 on their first three deposits.
Royal Vegas Casino
For table games, Royal Vegas offers all the favorites like blackjack, roulette, baccarat and live dealer titles. For slots, meanwhile, you can pick from more than 700 games. That also includes some nice progressive jackpots just like at a casino in Vegas or Atlantic City. Here are some of the Royal Vegas slot options:
- Mega Moolah
- Carnaval
- Assassin Moon
- Amazing Zeus Link
- 7 Masks of Fire
For new customers, that sign up to Royal Vegas offers a 100% deposit match up to $300 on your first four deposits.
All Slots Casino
If slots are your particular love, then All Slots could be a good choice. Here are some popular titles on the platform:
- Alaskan Fishing
- Jungle Jim El Dorado
- Playboy Fortunes
- Shogun of Time
- Sisters of Oz Jackpots
Don’t let the All Slots name fool you, either. The online casino also offers classic table games from blackjack and baccarat to keno and roulette. There are even live dealer games for people looking to get the next best thing to some action from right in the casino.
New customers can claim a 100% deposit bonus for up to $500 on their first three deposits, for a potential maximum of $1,500.
888 Casino
From the same company as 888 Poker, this site offers a seamless transition if you also want to try your hand at that. The casino site offers quality table games, slots, live table games and more.
In particular, 888 Casino frequently cycles in new slots. There are also some options for progressive jackpots, as well as games exclusive to 888 Casino. Here are some of the site’s more popular slots:
- Book of Scrolls
- Sizzling Hot Jokers
- Gonzita’s Quest
- Captain Poker 8 Jackpot
- Millionaire Genie Megaways
Signing up with 888 Casino includes a welcome promotion. Players get a $88 bonus at registration. Those who then opt for some real money gambling can expect a 100% deposit bonus for up to $1,500.
US online casinos
Online casino gambling in the US may have gotten a late start compared to other countries around the world. The market has grown quickly in recent years, however, with several American states now allowing people to gamble online right from their homes or mobile devices. Here’s a rundown:
US online casino gambling
Online gambling isn’t available in every US state. Only a few so far have legalized online casinos, and you will need to be in a state where your online casino of choice is legal to wager real money there. Here are the states so far:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- West Virginia
- Connecticut
- Delaware
All of these states allow online casino gambling by residents and visitors. In addition, Nevada also allows online poker, as do New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Michigan. Here’s a look at some of the leading online casinos in the US, though many are not legal in all of the above states:
Golden Nugget Online Casino
This is the online arm of one of the most popular American casino brands, with properties in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Those looking to play some online casino games will find the option available in Michigan, New Jersey and West Virginia. The platform offers one of the most diverse game selections, including more than 1,200 games with 16 video poker titles at the New Jersey version of the online casino. That includes some well-known favorites like 88 Fortunes and Dancing Drums. There are also numerous table games, as well as live dealer games for those who want the feel of a real casino.
New customers can use the code “PLAYBONUS” to receive $10 as a sign-up bonus along with a first-deposit match of up to $1,500 and 200 free spins on 88 Fortunes.
Caesars Online Casino
This online casino comes to you via the traditional casino giant. Available in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the Canadian province of Ontario, Caesars offers a wide variety of gambling options.
That includes a host of slots, including favorites like Cleopatra and Hot Spot 777. Video poker fans will find numerous options, from Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild to Destiny Poker and Ten Play Draw Poker. For blackjack, Caesars has up to 23 options (depending on the state). Live dealer titles include roulette, baccarat, blackjack, three card poker and more.
Get your Caesars Casino bonus for new customers depending on where you are. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, for instance, it’s a $10 sign-up bonus and a first-deposit match of 200% up to $200 when you sign up using the code FREEC10.
BetMGM Casino
This is another online casino gambling option from a major brick-and-mortar casino company, MGM Resorts. The online casino platform is available in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the Canadian province of Ontario.
Slot fans will find numerous favorites like Bison Fury and Wheel of Fortune Ruby Riches. The site also boasts several exclusive slots, including BetMGM Gold and Thunder Struck Wild Lightning. BetMGM also regularly cycles in new games. Table game options include several live dealer titles where you can square off against the next best thing to being in a real casino.
New customers can claim a 100% deposit matching bonus of up to $1,000 with their first deposit, plus $25 in bonus funds just for signing up to BetMGM.
DraftKings Casino
This online casino option is available courtesy of one of the largest daily fantasy sports and online sports betting providers in the US. The DraftKings online casino is available in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia and the Canadian province of Ontario.
Slot options include 1942 Sky Warrior, 88 Fortunes, 777 Surge and many more. The site also offers a plethora of table games. Fitting for the sportsbook and DFS operator, many of them feature a sports theme, such as baseball, football and basketball blackjack. In fact, blackjack fans are in luck with numerous variations.
For new customers, blackjack has a $60 bonus when you sign up today at DraftKings, along with another $25 plus 100% matching up to $2,000 when you make a first deposit.
FanDuel Casino
This is another sports betting and DFS giant that has branched out into casino gambling. The online casino site is available in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Connecticut (where it operates under the Mohegan Sun name).
For slots, popular options include Divine Fortune, Da Vinci Diamonds, Cash Eruption and Fortune Coin. Live dealer options include blackjack and roulette, and first-person craps gives you the feel of actually being at the dice table.
Join FanDuel Casino to claim your welcome bonus in site credits if you suffer a net loss in your first 24 hours of having an account, up to a maximum of $2,000.
Sweepstakes and social casinos in the US
Most states that have yet to legalize online gambling for real money still allow you to play at social and sweepstakes casino-style sites. Such sites are legal by virtue of their use of virtual currencies and the fact that they offer the option to play for free if you wish. Some sites, including the ones below, also offer the chance to redeem winnings for cash prizes.
Chumba Casino
Chumba, as well as a couple of other options on this list, is a product of Virtual Gaming Worlds, aka VGW Holdings. The site offers two currencies — Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. If you play using Gold Coins, you can only ever win more Gold Coins to continue playing games. If you play using Sweeps Coins, you have the potential to redeem winnings for cash prizes.
Sweeps Coins are not available for purchase, but you can receive some for free as a bonus if you purchase Gold Coins, by sending a written request to the company or by logging in each day. Chumba itself offers a few table games and a range of slots, including the following:
- Dancing Gold
- The Great Slottini
- Wild Roads
- Outer Space Invaders
- Gustavo El Luchador
LuckyLand Slots
This is another option from VGW Holdings and functions using the same dual-currency setup as Chumba Casino. The difference is that this platform offers only slots. Here are some of the choices:
- Neon Valley
- Snow Queen
- Bootleg Bucks
- Mayan Gold
- Pirates Bounty
Global Poker
VGW’s poker site operates using the same Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins as Chumba and LuckyLand. Like a traditional online poker site, Global Poker offers ring games, sit and go’s, multi-table tournaments and tournament series.
Additionally, the site has a few table game options — including Casino Hold’em and Caribbean Poker — and some slots:
- Money Train
- Space Miners
- Atlantis
- Book of the East
- Western Gold
Funzpoints
This sweepstakes casino operates in a similar fashion to the above options, except in this case the currencies are “Standard Funzpoints” and “Premium Funzpoints.”
Standard Funzpoints allow you to play, but with no real rewards. Premium Funzpoints allow you the option to redeem winnings for cash prizes. The standard side of the setup features a more limited selection of games. Those signing up for Premium Funzpoints have much more to choose from. Here is a sample of the available games:
- Kongo’s Adventure
- The Java Cafe
- Bonbon Bash
- Start Your Engines
- Game of Crowns
Signing up at an online casino
Setting up an account for some online casino wagering is a simple process. To start, you’ll need to input some basic information, such as the following:
- Name
- Address
- Email address
- Phone number
You must be located in a jurisdiction where online casinos are regulated and legal. The casinos themselves will use geolocation to make sure you are in an area that they can legally serve. For example, people in the US can only access legal online casinos in a few states.
Legitimate online casinos like those listed here go through rigorous regulation procedures, and you can expect a fair game and that your personal information is protected.