Real Money Online Casinos: Complete US Guide
Discover where real money online casinos are legal in the United States and find the best licensed casinos in your state.
Reading time: 10 minutes
Summary
Real money online casinos are legal and regulated in several US states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware. These state-licensed casinos offer slots, table games, and live dealer experiences with actual cash wagering and withdrawals. Top operators include BetMGM, DraftKings Casino, FanDuel Casino, and Borgata Online. This guide covers which states have legal online casinos, how regulation works, the best bonuses available, and how to choose a licensed casino. Players must be 21+ and physically located within a legal state to play.
Table of Contents
Real Money Online Casinos in the US
Real money online casinos allow you to wager actual cash on slots, table games, and live dealer games, with the ability to withdraw your winnings. Unlike sweepstakes or social casinos, these are fully regulated gambling operations licensed by state gaming commissions.
As of 2025, real money online casinos are legal in six US states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware. More states are considering legislation each year.
States with Legal Online Casinos
New Jersey
The pioneer of US online gambling, New Jersey launched legal online casinos in 2013. Home to 20+ licensed sites including BetMGM, Borgata Online, and DraftKings Casino.
Pennsylvania
Launched in 2019 with a robust market featuring BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel Casino, and other major operators. High tax rates but strong player protections.
Michigan
One of the newest markets (2021) but quickly became one of the largest. All major operators are present with competitive bonuses.
West Virginia
Smaller market launched in 2020. BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel operate alongside regional casinos.
Connecticut & Delaware
Connecticut launched in 2021 with exclusive tribal partnerships. Delaware was an early adopter but operates a smaller state-run system.
Top Real Money Casinos
- BetMGM Casino: Largest game selection (1,000+), $1,025 welcome bonus, MGM Rewards integration
- DraftKings Casino: $2,000+ welcome bonus, excellent mobile app, Dynasty Rewards
- FanDuel Casino: Unique Play It Again bonus (1x wagering), 24/7 support
- Borgata Online: Premium NJ experience, exclusive games, fast payouts
How US Casino Regulation Works
Each legal state has a gaming commission that licenses and regulates online casinos. Operators must meet strict standards for:
- Game Fairness: RNG testing and certification
- Player Protection: Self-exclusion programs, deposit limits
- Security: Encryption, data protection, segregated player funds
- Identity Verification: Age and location checks
Welcome Bonuses at Licensed Casinos
Legal casinos compete aggressively with welcome offers:
- Deposit matches up to $2,000+
- Free spins packages (200-500 spins)
- No-deposit bonuses ($10-$50 free)
- Play It Again insurance (FanDuel)
Most bonuses have 10-15x wagering requirements, significantly lower than offshore sites. Learn more in our bonus guide.
How to Get Started
- Verify you're in a legal state (NJ, PA, MI, WV, CT, DE)
- Choose a licensed casino from our casino reviews
- Register and verify your identity (required by law)
- Claim your welcome bonus
- Deposit using secure payment methods (PayPal, bank transfer, cards)
- Play responsibly and set limits