The United States used to be the frontrunner in the online casino world. However, the 2006 UIGEA Act put paid to that. After years in the wilderness, the US online gambling sector is beginning to open once more, and a resurgent industry is set to blossom. There are still many grey zones, and the road ahead is shaky and muddled. Is it possible to engage in online gambling in the USA, and if so, how can you expect to join in the action? As ever, GambleHero has the answers you need to bet online in the USA today.
Can US Players Gamble Online?
The biggest question asked by many US bettors is whether it is legal for them to gamble online. There is not one answer to this question. Ultimately, it comes down to where you reside and the types of casinos you play at. There are two main types that are worth looking at, and they include:
- US Licensed Casinos: Some states (admittedly, not all of them) permit online casino gambling and sports betting. Others prefer one type of gambling activity over the other. If you happen to reside in one of these states (at the time of writing, they include Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, although Michigan and others are making moves), then you are legally permitted to gamble at any casino licensed inside your state of residence. However, a New Jersey resident cannot bet at a casino licensed out of Delaware, for instance.
- Offshore Casinos: These form most US casinos. However, while they cater (sometimes exclusively) to players in the USA, they are not based in the country but offshore. No current federal gambling laws stop players from joining these casinos, although they are not offered the same level of protection, security, or legality that state-licensed casinos are.
Which type of US casino you choose to sign up to is entirely down to you. Naturally, if you are based in a state where online gambling is legal, you should always sign up for those state-licensed casinos. However, if that is not an option, then playing at offshore sites is your best bet.
You do not have to worry about safety or security at state-licensed casinos. However, if you opt to play at an offshore site, make certain that it is licensed out of a reputable jurisdiction and has responsible gambling tools in place. There are quite a few dodgy ones out there that you are going to want to avoid. We will look at responsible gambling at US casinos more in a moment.
US Banking Options for Gambling Online
At whatever casino you decide to plant your flag at, it is essential to make sure that it has decent banking methods for US players. The US dollar must be accepted if you want to avoid conversion fees, but that is a given for most major casinos. At a state-licensed casino, you will find a wealth of options at your disposal, most of which are free from fees. However, offshore casinos tend to feature obscure payment options, as the Federal Wire Act prohibits such transactions to offshore betting sites. As a result, you can often come across extensive fees for withdrawals, especially when cashing out via cheques or wire transfer. Always make sure you check the banking details of any offshore casino you plan on joining before you do so.
Responsible Gambling Tools for US Players
Any US gambling site worth its salt will be licensed and regulated. Most offshore US casinos are licensed out of Curacao, while state-approved casinos will be licensed by a local licensing authority, such as the New Jersey Gaming Board.
As well as being licensed, top US casinos should also be certified as offering fair play games which use regulated RNGs (random number generators). Cryptocurrency casinos may also showcase the Provably Fair hallmark, which serves the same purpose.
When it comes to responsible gambling, the tools you can come across may vary. State-licensed US casinos will have all the bells and whistles you would expect to see, such as deposit and wager caps, loss limits, reality checks, self-exclusion and cool-down tools and a KYC process.
It can often be a different story at offshore casinos. Here, you may only find self-exclusion tools, and even the KYC process may not be used effectively. Access to problem gambling programs is usually present at any safe US casino you choose to get involved with.
Top Software Providers at US Gambling Sites
The types of gambling games you can play at US casinos differs, too, once again depending on the type of site you play at. State-licensed casinos will carry the best hits from established developers such as NetEnt and live dealer games from Evolution Gaming. Every year, the number of top software providers affiliated with these casinos grows.
Offshore casinos tend to have a more limited array of games. In many cases, Real Time Gaming, BetSoft Gaming, Nucleus Gaming and Rival Gaming tend to deliver the lion’s share of titles. Some sites may also offer WGS Tech developed games, and there is a lack of live dealer games at these domains. These casinos will lack the major progressive slots you could find from Microgaming, NetEnt, Playtech and other established developers. However, they will often carry progressives from RTG and BetSoft.
Extensive Bonuses and Promotions Aplenty
If there is one that US casinos are typically famous for, it is promotions and bonuses. Oddly enough, this is where US offshore casinos come out on top. These will generally have promos and bonuses worth many thousands of dollars, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars, and many of them to boot. By contrast, state-licensed casinos are usually more reserved in the promos they offer, as they are strictly regulated by state auditors and licensing bodies. The wagering requirements and other terms and conditions are largely the same wherever you choose to play.
The Final Word
US online casinos can fall into two categories, as mentioned above. While the choice of which one to play at is entirely down to you, we would recommend joining a state-licensed site, if possible. If that is not an option, then do not hesitate to allow GambleHero to help you find the perfect offshore casino. When you sign up for offshore casinos, follow our advice and use our recommended casinos to ensure you find somewhere safe, legal, and trusted to play at.
