The Best Online Casinos USA That Pay Real Money   

Choosing a reputable and safe online casino with a huge selection of games is the best way for USA players to start their gambling session on the right foot. There are plenty of other factors you should take into consideration during the selection process, too, all of which are explained below!  

How To Pick The Right Online Casino   

Choosing a casino requires more than just looking at the welcome bonus. Players should verify the site's legal standing, security methods, and make sure that everything they offer is 100% legitimate. Here's what we check at FreeSpins to ensure that an online casino is a good fit for our readers:  

• Verify the License: We look out for logos from the likes of the Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao eGaming, or US state bodies like the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) to ensure that everything is fully regulated. These logos should all be clickable, too, taking you directly to a page on the official governing body site that shows the online casinos' licensing details.
• Check Withdrawal Times: Many online casinos offer withdrawals that take less than 24 hours, which is something we prioritize when listing our top picks. Crypto withdrawals are often faster, while traditional banking methods like wires and checks can take 3 to 7 business days to process. Due to this, having a casino that allows crypto deposits and withdrawals can be beneficial from a withdrawal speed perspective. 
• Analyse the Average RTP: While playing online casino games that have an above-average return to player (RTP) rate doesn't guarantee wins, it can mean that players are spinning with a lower house edge overall. This means that playing at USA online casinos with higher RTP rates across their game category can be much more favourable in the long run.
• Read the Bonus Fine Print: There are plenty of online casino bonuses that come with large boosts on initial deposits, or a lot of free spins, however, if the wagering requirements are much higher than the industry average, players have a lower chance of withdrawing any funds. At FreeSpins, we look for wagering requirements of 40x as our baseline, with anything equal to or under this being a strong start.
• Test Customer Support: Another thing to consider is checking the responsiveness of the online casino's customer support team. This can be tested by getting in contact before depositing, in order to see how long they take to respond. Anything longer than 24 hours is surprising in the modern era, with virtually all of the best USA online casinos having live chats to instantly give players a hand.
• Look for the eCOGRA Seal: eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) is an independent agency that audits games for fairness. Seeing a certified seal from this company means that all Random Number Generators (RNGs) used on the site are truly random at the time of testing.  

The Most Popular Online Casino Games   

Another thing to check when considering an online casino is the range of games that it offers. Look out for plenty of games from the following categories to ensure that your online casino experience never gets stale: 

Video Slots, Progressive Jackpot Slots, and Classic Slots  

Slots are the most popular online casino game category, but they also have the widest range of payouts. The average RTP for online slots is around 96%, meaning that the house edge for these games is roughly 4%. This house edge is significantly lower than the ones found in physical casinos in places such as Las Vegas, which are typically in the 10-20% region. 

Many players pick games based on their RTP rates, with Mega Joker by NetEnt (99% RTP) and Blood Suckers (98% RTP) being popular choices.  

Volatility should also be considered, with highly volatile games awarding less frequently but with larger potential payouts, on average. Alternatively, low volatility slots tend to come with a more frequent hit rate but smaller potential winnings per combination or bonus round. 

Table Games   

Table games offer the best odds at an online casino, and if players know the rules and strategies, which play a huge role. The difference between a good rule set and a bad one can drastically increase the house edge, as can using nonoptimal strategies. 

Here's a look at the four main table games at online casinos and how just a small rule change can influence the house edge: 

Other table games include poker, craps, and baccarat, all of which come with live dealer variations that are often more transparent and entertaining than standard computerized titles. 

Instant Win Games   

Instant win games like scratch cards, Plinko, and 'Crash' games are straightforward and played at a fast pace. Each of these games at the top online casinos in the USA is provably fair, too, meaning that players can check that the result of the round was totally random, if they wish. 

Sports Betting   

While it's not technically a casino game, sports betting is a very popular way to wager that can be found at most online casinos now. These allow players to bet on the outcome of real sports games before watching the action for themselves.  

Live betting options are also available for these games, meaning that you can wager in real time on matches in football, basketball, cricket, and others! 

Online Casino Safety and Security  

When it comes to playing at online casinos, security is a non-negotiable. Players need to be sure that they're using a trusted site when sharing personal identity and funds, with the top rated online casinos going above and beyond to ensure that these details always remain secure.  

Regulatory Bodies  

Legitimate casinos operate under strict government oversight. In the US, look for seals for state regulators like the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) or the Michigan Gaming Control Board. For international online casinos, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is the gold standard. 

These agencies can handle player disputes, and if a casino refuses to pay out your winnings without a valid cause, you can file a formal complaint with their corresponding regulator. 

SSL Encryption   

Your financial data should be protected by the same technology that banks use when you play at online casinos. This is known as 256-bit SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption, which transforms your data into code that hackers can't read, should the information be intercepted. 

Fairness and RNG Testing   

The top US online casinos go through rigorous third-party testing, hiring independent auditors such as eCOGRA or iTech Labs to analyse their game code. These auditors run millions of simulated spins to prove that each outcome is truly random, while also ensuring that the game matches its advertised return to player (RTP) rate. 

As mentioned earlier, you can go down to the footer of most reputable casinos to see which auditor they use. 

Casino Reputation   

When there's an issue with an online casino, players are often quick to speak out. By checking online reviews on platforms such as TrustPilot, you can quickly see the most recent complaints that users are experiencing with a particular casino. 

How To Sign Up and Play at Online Casinos   

For players who want to spin their favorite online slots or enjoy a round of blackjack, here's how you can get started: 

1. Select a reputable site from the list of online casinos available at FreeSpins US. We do all the hard work to find the best US casinos, allowing you to pick one that matches your preferences and play style.
2. Click on the 'Register' or 'Sign Up' button that appears on your chosen casino before entering your details. Make sure that these details are accurate, as you'll have to verify them in order to activate your account.
3. Confirm your email by clicking the link that's sent to your inbox.
4. Complete KYC by sending in various documents to show the casino that the details you entered during registration are accurate. These can include a picture of your photo ID and a utility bill from within the last 90 days to prove your address.
5. Head to the bonus page of your chosen casino and see what promotions are available. If there's an offer you want to claim, make sure you carefully check the terms and conditions before opting in.
6. Deposit funds using your preferred payment method, such as bank transfer, card payment, or cryptocurrency.
7. Go to the online casino catalogue, select the category of game you'd like to play, and find your desired title.
8. Click on the game, wait for it to load, adjust your stake size, and start playing! 

Online Casino Bonuses   

Casino bonuses can be another thing that players look for, with a variety of different offers being available at most online casinos: 

• Welcome Packages: Just like the name suggests, these bonuses are only available to new players and often involve a combination of deposit bonuses and free spins.
• Deposit Bonuses: These can give players an additional balance to play with, such as a 100% boost when they deposit $20 or more.
• VIP Programs: When players wager, they may be awarded points to increase their level on a VIP program, with different rewards being available as they level up. Potential rewards can include free spins and fixed cash that can be withdrawn right away.
• Free Spins: Players may also be awarded with free spins on a popular game or on a title that is exclusive to the casino. Keep in mind that most of the time, any potential winnings from these plays will be subject to wagering requirements.
• Cashback: Some casinos offer cashback, which is calculated as a percentage of lost funds during a specific period of time. For example, if there's 10% weekly cashback on losses, players who lost a net total of $50 during this period would receive $5 back. 

Mobile Casinos: How They Work   

Of course, if you enjoy playing online casino games on your phone or tablet, it's important to check that it also supports mobile play. In the modern era, over 80% of online gambling is done on a mobile phone, with many casinos now having their own apps that players can download on their device of choice. 

With that being said, many punters agree that it's far easier to wager directly in a web browser, making online casinos with HTML5 technology stand out from the crowd.  

The experience is identical to the desktop version, including all of the security features. Players can deposit, play, and withdraw from their phone, with the screen size and user interface simply changing to match the screen size of the device being used.  

Finally, for players who do decide to wager on their mobile, it's important to double-check that their connection is secure. Using a personal Wi-Fi connection or mobile data is safe, but players should avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi connections before they spin to prevent data theft.