The U.S. Online Casino Industry at a Glance
Legal online casinos — often called iGaming — let you play real-money slots, blackjack, roulette, and live dealer tables from your phone or computer, all regulated by the state you’re playing in. The market has grown into one of the largest regulated online casino industries in the world, generating billions in annual gross gaming revenue, even though it’s still live in only a handful of states. Unlike sports betting, which has spread to most of the country, iGaming has expanded slowly because it’s viewed by lawmakers as a bigger step that carries more regulatory weight.
The result is a fragmented but maturing market dominated by familiar names — BetMGM Casino, Caesars Casino, Golden Nugget Casino, FanDuel Casino, DraftKings Casino, and Fanatics Casino — each licensed individually in every state where it operates. Below you’ll find where these casinos are legal, exactly how we evaluate them, and what kinds of games you can expect once you’re in. For a deeper look at any operator, use the review and promo code links in the summaries above.
Where Is Online Casino Legal in the U.S.?
Real-money online casino play is currently live and regulated in seven states. A player must be physically located within a legal state and at least 21 years old to sign up and play — operators verify this with geolocation technology every time you log in, so being a resident isn’t enough on its own.
- New JerseyLive since 2013
- DelawareLive since 2013
- PennsylvaniaLive since 2019
- West VirginiaLive since 2020
- MichiganLive since 2021
- ConnecticutLive since 2021
- Rhode IslandLive since 2024
Coming soon: Maine became the eighth state to legalize online casino gaming and is expected to launch its market through the Wabanaki Nations. Several larger states — including New York, Maryland, and Virginia — have weighed iGaming legislation, so this list is likely to grow over time. We update it as new markets go live.
Availability of specific operators varies by state. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan offer the widest selection of casino brands and games, while smaller markets like Delaware, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are more limited, sometimes to a single operator under an exclusive license. If a casino in our list isn’t showing in your state, it simply hasn’t launched there yet.
What We Look for When Reviewing an Online Casino
Every casino we cover is put through the same hands-on process — we fund an account, play across game categories, claim the welcome offer, and test a withdrawal — so our verdicts reflect the real experience, not a feature list. These are the factors that carry the most weight:
Game library and software providers
We look at both the size and the quality of the catalog: how many slots and table games are available, whether top studios like Evolution, Light & Wonder, and NetEnt are represented, and how strong the exclusive and progressive jackpot titles are. A library of 1,000-plus quality games beats a larger one padded with filler.
Bonuses and fair terms
A big headline number means little if you can’t realistically clear it. We read the fine print on every welcome offer — the wagering (playthrough) requirement, which games count toward it and by how much (slots usually contribute 100%, table games far less), time limits, and maximum cashout — and we report the realistic value rather than the advertised one.
Banking, payouts, and withdrawal speed
We test deposits and, critically, a real withdrawal on each site. The best casinos offer a range of methods (online banking, PayPal, debit, casino cage, and more), low or no minimums, and fast, predictable payout times. Slow or opaque withdrawals are the single most common player complaint, so we weight this heavily.
Live dealer and mobile experience
Live dealer tables are now a core part of the experience, so we assess stream quality, table variety, and betting limits. We also test each operator’s app and mobile site for stability and ease of use, since most play now happens on a phone and a casino that crashes mid-session is a dealbreaker.
Licensing, security, and support
We confirm each casino is licensed by the relevant state regulator (such as the NJ DGE, PA Gaming Control Board, or Michigan Gaming Control Board), uses proper encryption, and offers responsive customer support across live chat, email, and phone. We also check that meaningful responsible gaming tools — deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion — are easy to find and use.
What Types of Games Can You Play?
Regulated online casinos carry most of what you’d find on a brick-and-mortar floor, plus a few categories that only work online. Here’s what to expect:
| Category |
What it includes |
| Slots |
The largest category by far — classic three-reel games, modern video slots with bonus rounds, and progressive jackpots that can climb into the millions across a network. |
| Table games |
Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps, typically in multiple variants and stake levels so both casual and higher-limit players have options. |
| Live dealer |
Real human dealers streamed in real time from a studio, covering blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and TV-style game shows. The closest thing to an in-person casino feel. |
| Video poker |
Single-hand and multi-hand machine poker like Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild — popular with players who want a low house edge and a skill element. |
| Specialty games |
Bingo, keno, scratch cards, and virtual sports — quick, casual options that round out most libraries. |
| Online poker |
Available in some legal states as a separate product, with cash games and tournaments against other players rather than the house. |
A note on playing responsibly: Online casino games are designed for entertainment, and the house holds a long-term edge on nearly every one. Set a budget before you play, treat any winnings as a bonus rather than income, and use the deposit limits and time-out tools every licensed casino provides. If gambling stops feeling fun, free, confidential help is available 24/7 from the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700.