Casino Sites and Gambling Apps with Great Service and Fast Payouts.
Winning at online casinos may be a matter of luck, but you can exert a little more control over the outcome by choosing the right sites to play at. That's where we come in - with a comprehensive guide to choosing casino sites that won't leave you with a sinking feeling after you cash out.
We'll give you all the tools you need to make the right choices, starting with a detailed look at what the top online casinos have in common. Another way we set you up for success is by simply giving you our recommendations. Follow them and you can skip the research part of the equation.
We’ll explain the importance of sites that possess the following traits:
- The widest variety of deposit options and the fastest payouts
- top-notch software and entertaining casino games (for both desktop and mobile)
- ranked and rated to ensure we're recommending only the best casinos online;
By the time you finish reading this, you should have complete confidence that your online casino experience will be safe, secure and fun, with no unpleasant surprises. And the only thing you'll have to worry about is trying your best to hit the jackpot.
- Popular Online Casinos Reviewed
- Choosing Legitimate Casino Sites
- Other Top Rated Online Casinos
- Guide to Casino Gambling
- Not All Online Casinos Are Legitimate
- The Importance of Responsible Gambling;
Legit Online Casinos Ranked and Reviewed
An extensive study was conducted by global specialists on a number of elite real-money online gaming sites. This extensive analysis sought to determine which of these sites were most deserving of recognition in a number of different categories, including VIP Programs, Sports Betting, Innovative Gaming, and Best Overall. No matter where you call home - be it the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada or any other corner of the globe - we offer you not just one, but several of the best online and mobile gaming platforms that fully cover your region, currency and native language. In addition, we continually update our recommendations.
Top Real Money Casinos Online:
- Best Overall Online Casino: Las Atlantis
- Accepts Players from all 50 States: BetUS Casino
- Best for Slots and High RTP: Wild Casino
- Best Casino for New Games: Super Slots
- Top Downloadable Casino: Vegas Casino Online
- Best Online Poker Site: BoL Poker
- Best VIP Program: Bovada Casino
- Best for Sports Gambling: MyBookie
- Best UK Online Casino: All British Casino
- Best Canada Online Casino: Betway Casino
Take a look below at the full details of each real money online casino and the steps they took to secure their claim to each title in each category!
1. Las Atlantis: Best Overall Online Casino
Our first impression of the site is an all-encompassing nautical theme populated by treasure chests, mermaids, and yes, even the lost underwater city of Atlantis. Such a theme is hard to forget, and the colorful graphics that illustrate it make the site a joy to visit.
Las Atlantis may well have the biggest welcome bonus of any online casino. New players can receive a staggering 280% up to $14,000 on their first five deposits! And what an online gaming experience that is. Players will find an incredible variety of slots, blackjack, table games and poker - all top notch and top of the line - right at their fingertips. There are also a variety of deposit and withdrawal options, including credit cards and Bitcoin. Despite the fact that Las Atlantis is a fairly new real-money casino, this app is, in my opinion, the best in the business. I can definitely see why it's considered one of the top online casinos in 2025.
Las Atlantis Casino Details
| US Players | Yes | Live Dealers | Yes |
| Online Since | 2020 | Bonus | 280% up to $14,000 |
| # of Games | 211 | Compatibility | iOS, Android, and Windows |
| Instant Play | Yes | Download | Yes |
| Banking | Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin | License | Curacao |
| Currencies | USD, AUD, Crypto | Software | RTG and Visionary iGaming |
| Deposit Limits | $10 – no max | Fastest Payout | 24 hours |
Top Benefits at Las Atlantis Casino
- A welcome bonus that is generous, 280% up to $14,000 (on your first five deposits)
- Prompt payments with no fees
- Compatibility with mobile devices, which includes iOS and Android
- The ability to use Visa, Mastercard, and Bitcoin for deposits and withdrawals
- Minimum rollover requirements of 35x;
Best Offer at Last Atlantis: 280% SlotsBonus up to $14,000
- This is valid for your first five deposits and is valid five times in total
- Minimum deposit: Neosurf $10
- BTC $20
- IGC $25
- Credit Cards $30
- PayID $30
- Minimum wager: $2;
2. BetUS Casino: Accepts Players from all 50 States
This gambling app has been around for years. Founded in 1994, they have used the past few decades to hone their craft and learn how to better serve their customers. They are the grandmasters of the online casino world, serving with an authority that few others can match.
BetUS promises its customers competitive bonus offers such as a 150% sign up bonus that goes up to $3,000 and a 125% bonus on slots that goes up to $1,250. I have no idea what kind of terms and conditions are attached to these bonuses (if any) and they could very easily be worthless.
BetUS Casino Details
| US Players | Yes | Live Dealers | Yes |
| Online Since | 1994 | Bonus | 150% up to $3,000 |
| # of Games | 419 | Compatibility | iOS, Android, and Windows |
| Instant Play | Yes | Download | No |
| Banking | Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin | License | Curacao and Costa Rica |
| Fastest Payout | 1-2 days | Software | Digital Gaming Solutions |
Top Benefits at BetUS Casino
- 150% up to $3,000 bonus after sign up
- Phenomenal customer support available 24/7
- Play on your mobile with iOS and Android
- Deposit and withdraw funds using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies
- Play online casino games in the USA or bet on sports with ease;
Best Offer at BetUS Casino: 150% Bonus up to $3,000
- Valid on first deposit;
- Minimum deposit: $50;
- Maximum cashout: $10,000;
- Play through and withdrawal requirements: 30X;
- Qualifying Games: Slots, Video Slots, Keno, Scratch Cards and Board Games;
- Use code: CAS150..
3. Wild Casino: Best for Slots and High RTP
With great games comes great software. Wild Casino uses top-notch software developers such as Nucleus Gaming, Fresh Deck, Visionary iGaming, Betsoft and Platypus to produce its game content. Another wonderful facet of Wild Casino's game selection is the plethora of high quality slot titles with RTP percentages ranging from 96-99%!
In keeping with the theme of excellent gaming options, Wild Casino is all about live dealer games, with more than 40 dealers allowing you to play online casino games in real time. Newcomers and crypto users can grab some pretty generous welcome bonuses, and everyone can take advantage of the wide range of banking methods to make deposits and enjoy payouts that are safe, secure and hassle-free.
Wild Casino Details
| US Players | Yes | Live Dealers | Yes |
| Online Since | 2017 | Bonus | $5,000 Welcome Bonus |
| # of Games | 415 | Compatibility | iOS, Android, and Windows |
| Instant Play | Yes | Download | No, use in-browser |
| Banking | Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin | License | Panama |
| Currencies | USD, Crypto | Software | Nucleus Gaming, Betsoft |
| Support | Email, Phone, Live Chat | Fastest Payout | 1-2 days |
Top Benefits at Wild Casino
- $5,000 welcome bonus for a $20 deposit
- The ability to use Visa, Mastercard and Bitcoin for deposits and withdrawals
- Real-time dealer games, which include 40 slots and 6 real-time games
- It accepts players from the U.S.
- Producers of video slots include Nucleus Gaming and Betsoft;
Best Offer at Wild Casino: $5,000 Welcome Bonus
- Five times match on your first five deposits;
- Minimum deposit: twenty dollars;
- Maximum bonus amount allowed per deposit: $1,000;
- Maximum cash out: $20,000 or 10 times the bonus amount, whichever is less;
- Rollover requirements: 35 times bonus plus deposit
- Games allowed: Slot machines, real series video slot machines, keno, scratch tickets, and table games
- Use code: WILD250 for your first deposit;
- Use code: WILD100 for the next four deposits;
4. Super Slots: Best Casino for New Games
Aside from this remarkable feature, Super Slots also has two live dealer casinos and nearly 200 real money slot titles, which is more than enough to satisfy any fan of the spinning reel! The real money bonus content is also exciting and engaging with some generous offers. This casino is one of the places to go if you want to play with VIP bonuses, reloads, promotions and a nice progressive jackpot. Of course, if you're always on the lookout for the newest and most exciting games to play, you should definitely check out this app.
Super Slots Details
| US Players | Yes | Live Dealers | Yes |
| Online Since | 2020 | Bonus | 300% up to $6,000 |
| # of Games | 407 | Compatibility | iOS, Android, and Windows |
| Instant Play | Yes | Download | No |
| Banking | Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin | License | Panama |
| Support | Instant and Mobile | Fastest Payout | 1-2 days |
Top Benefits at Super Slots
- 6,000 welcome bonus for a $20 deposit
- Two live dealer casinos
- More than 190 slot titles available
- Access to deposits and withdrawals via Bitcoin, Mastercard and Visa
- Available to players in the United States;
Best Offer at Super Slots: $6,000 Welcome Bonus
- Five times the bonus amount on your first six deposits
- $20 is the minimum deposit amount
- maximum bonus per deposit is $1,000
- maximum payout: 10 times the bonus amount, up to $20,000;
- 35 times the bonus plus deposit must be rolled over
- Qualifying games: Slot machines, Real Series video slots, Keno, scratch-off tickets and table games
- Use code SS250 on your first deposit
- Use code: SS100;
5. Vegas Casino Online: Top Downloadable Casino
Vegas Casino Online Details
| US Players | Yes | License | Panama and the UK |
| Online Since | 1999 | Bonus | 150% up to $3,000 |
| Location | United Kingdom | Banking | Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin |
| Software | RealTime Gaming | Download | Yes |
Top Benefits at Vegas Casino Online
- 150% welcome bonus up to $3,000
- Fast payouts with no fees
- Mobile play available
- Access to Visa, Mastercard, and Bitcoin for deposits and withdrawals
- Variety of generous bonus options
Best Offer at Vegas Casino Online: Welcome Bonus up to $3,000
- Valid five times on the first five deposit
- Rollover Requirements:40X bonus + deposit
- Eligible Games: Slots, Real-Series Video Slots, Keno, Scratch Cards, and Board Games
6. BoL Poker: Best Online Poker Site
Look for their 100% generous welcome bonus that can reach up to $3,000. Look for their welcome bonus that is 100% generous, up to $3,000, and fast and secure to clear. Look for their nearly 500 titles of online real money casino games! This online casino offers all of that and a top-notch sportsbook to bet on. It provides all of this as it welcomes you to your online gambling experience.
BetOnline Casino Details
| US Players | Yes | Live Dealers | Yes |
| Online Since | 2001 | Bonus | 100% up to $3,000 |
| # of Games | 491 | Compatibility | iOS, Android, and Windows |
| Instant Play | Yes | Download | Yes |
| Banking | Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin | License | Panama |
| Currencies | US Dollars | Software | Betsoft, Nucleus, Dragon |
| Support | Phone, Email, Live Chat | Fastest Payout | 1-2 days |
Top Benefits at BetOnline Casino
- Long standing reputation in the market with 20 years’ experience
- Huge lineup of casino games with close to 500
- Fast payouts within 1 to 2 days
- Generous welcome bonus of 100% up to $3,000
- Access to Visa, Mastercard, and Bitcoin for deposits and withdrawals
Best Offer at BetOnline Casino: 100% Welcome Bonus up to $3,000
- Valid on the first three deposits
- Minimum Deposit: $25
- Maximum Deposit: $1,000
- Maximum Bonus Per Deposit: $1,000
- Rollover Requirements: 30X bonus + deposit
- Eligible Games: Slots, Real-Series Video Slots, Keno, Scratch Cards, and Board Games
7. Bovada Casino: Best VIP Program
They are well experienced in this industry. Therefore, they provide the appropriate treatment to their customers. This brings us to their highly rated VIP program. It is a tiered system that allows a loyal online casino player to progress towards better prizes and perks. One reason I became interested in this program is the private atmosphere that is provided to a player in the following aspects: First, the author has access to a private account manager. The writer also has access to a private customer service representative. Both are luxurious touches that give the program an air of exclusivity.
For those looking to get more out of their real money online gambling encounters, Bovada's VIP program could very well fit the bill.
Bovada Casino Details
| US Players | Yes | Live Dealers | Yes |
| Online Since | 2011 | Bonus | 100% up to $3,000 |
| # of Games | 157 | Compatibility | iOS, Android, and Windows |
| Instant Play | Yes | Download | No |
| Banking | Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin | License | N/A |
| Currencies | US Dollars | Software | RTG, Betsoft, Rival |
| Deposit Limits | $10 – $15,000 | Fastest Payout | Under 1 hour |
Top Benefits at Bovada Casino
- Welcome bonus that is generous and consists of a 100% match with a cap of $3,000
- Games that are hosted by a live dealer and can be played in real time by multiple players
- Overseen by a trusted Canadian authority
- Deposit and withdrawal of funds with Visa, Mastercard and Bitcoin
- Functions as both an online sportsbook and an online casino;
Best Offer at Bovada: 100% Welcome Bonus up to $3,000
- Applicable to first deposit;
- Rollover requirements: 25 times bonus plus deposit;
- Apply the promo code CAWELCOME100 to receive a 100% match welcome bonus up to $1,000;
- Use coupon: BV2NDCWB for the full $1,000 second casino bonus;
8. MyBookie: Best for Sports Gambling
Newcomers can enjoy a generous 150% up to $750 for the casino and a 50% sports welcome on their initial deposit.
MyBookieCasino Details
| US Players | Yes | Live Dealers | Yes |
| Online Since | 2014 | Bonus | 150% up to $750 |
| # of Games | 230 | Compatibility | iOS, Android, and Windows |
| Instant Play | Yes | Download | No |
| Banking | Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin | License | Curacao |
| Currencies | US Dollars | Fastest Payout | 2 days |
Top Benefits at MyBookie Casino
- 150% welcome bonus up to $750
- Instant game play in-browser
- Mobile compatibility including iOS and Android devices
- Access to Visa, Mastercard, and Bitcoin for deposits and withdrawals
- Great selection of slots, table games, and live dealers
Best Offer at MyBookie Casino: 150% Welcome Bonus up to $750
- Valid on the first deposit
- Minimum Deposit: $45
- Rollover Requirements:40X bonus + deposit
- Eligible Games: Slots, Real-Series Video Slots, Keno, Scratch Cards, and Board Games
- Use Code: MYB150
9. All British Casino: Best UK Online Casino
All British Casino Details
| Accepted Currency | GBP | Min Deposit | 20 pounds |
| # of Games | Over 600 | Casino RTP | 95.98% |
| Casino Software | Microgaming | Encryption | 128-bit SSL |
| Mobile | Android, iOS, iPad | Download | Not available |
Top Benefits at All British Casino
- Licensed by Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, Curacao eGaming
- Easily play the lottery online
- Mobile compatibility including iOS and Android devices
- Access to Visa and Mastercard deposits and withdrawals
- Excellent customer service including toll-free number and live chat
Best Offer at All British Casino: 100% up to £100
10. Betway Casino: Best Canada Online Casino
BetwayCasino Details
| Canadian Players | Yes | Instant Deposits | Yes |
| Online Since | 2006 | Bonus | C $1,800 Bonus |
| HQ | Malta | License | Malta Gaming Commission, UK Gambling Commission |
| Fastest Payout | 48 hours | Software | IGT, NetEnt, Playtech |
Top Benefits at Betway Casino
- Tiered C $1,800 welcome bonus
- Fast payouts
- Mobile compatibility including iOS and Android devices
- Access to Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal for deposits and withdrawals
- 24/7 customer service access
Other Non-US Casino Apps to Consider
If you live outside the United States, you've probably come across a significant number of advertisements for online casinos and mobile gambling apps. But how can you be sure which sites and apps are worth your time and money? Below, we've compiled a series of reviews to help you sift through the vast number of options available to find the best and most legitimate online gambling sites.
- All British Casino (United Kingdom);
- TonyBet (United Kingdom);
- 10bet (United Kingdom);
- Bodog Casino (Canada);
- Casino Tropez (Canada);
Selecting Legitimate Casino Sites
Choosing the best online casino is a bit like choosing the best wine; it takes time and an intimate knowledge of the various factors that go into making a good casino. Our team at LGS has a collective eon of experience with online casinos, and we have developed a rather specific set of criteria by which we judge these sites. We also assign a score to each of our criteria, which helps us determine how to rank the sites in question.
Let us now examine some of the things we consider when choosing the top online casinos. You will see that their trustworthiness and security is at the top of our list - priority number one, in fact. But all of these factors are equally important and none should be overlooked.
Trustworthiness and Security
When determining the trustworthiness and security of a casino, there are several essential factors to evaluate. The following elements are considered at this stage:
Security - Have you ever visited a website and noticed the HTTPS:// in front of the web address? Are you aware that the "S" is vital? It indicates that the connection is secure and uses SSL encryption to make all data within it virtually unhackable. All legitimate casino sites will have encrypted connections.
History - It may seem obvious, but unless you know the big operators from the newbies, you won't know how to figure out a casino's history. We look at who runs the site, how long they have been in business, what other sites they run or have run, and how all of this makes them appear to players. Of course, we take a good look at not only the history of the site, but also the person running it.
Licensing - The best online casinos will have valid gaming licenses from trusted jurisdictions. Not all casino licenses are created equal. We take a close look at exactly what iGaming licenses an online casino has and the weight that license carries. For example, a license from the United Kingdom or Malta sends positive signals right off the bat.
Reputation - While this is related to the history of the site, it's a separate issue. We look at blacklists of casinos and scam-watching sites that try to find and expose dishonest casinos. In fact, we've created our own blacklist of fraudulent casinos. You can find and review them by clicking on the buttons below.
Bonuses and Promotions
One of the main reasons why many people prefer to play online rather than in a land-based casino is the availability of bonuses and promotions. It is almost impossible for land-based casinos to offer the same types of bonuses that online casinos do. That's because online gaming operators have to differentiate themselves from the competition in ways that land-based casinos do not. And the way they do that - more often than not - is by offering you crazy lucrative bonuses just for signing up and making your first deposit.
What kinds of bonuses should you be seeking? Here are some of the most popular available at top sites:
Percentage Bonuses - This is the most common way that the best online casinos reward their customers. They will give you a percentage of your deposit as a bonus. For example, take a $100 deposit. If you get a 50% bonus on that, it means you'll get $50 worth of free bets on the site.
Loss rebates Had a tough week betting on a site? Imagine getting some of those losses back into your account. This is what many top sites do to show their gratitude to their loyal customers.
No-Risk Slot Gaming - When you first open an account, many sites will offer you free spins on slot games as a welcome gift or to entice you to another bonus. You can play them without any obligation to spend real money. And you can win money and keep it with no strings attached.
Tournaments Contests are a great way to get a substantial reward without risking a lot of money. Some of the top sites allow you to participate in "free roll" tournaments, which means you enter without paying anything. If you manage to place among the top finishers, you'll walk away with real cash.
The major online gambling sites will give you bonuses like the following on any number of occasions: when you deposit more money into your account, when a day of the week or holiday rolls around, on your birthday, or just to get you excited about playing a particular game. But by far the most popular bonus you can receive is the welcome bonus you get when you first sign up at an online gambling site. These welcome bonuses are also the most lucrative bonuses because online gambling sites want to get your business. A fantastic way to get your business is to give you a huge bonus right when you sign up, and that's generally what the sites do.
We stress the need to read the terms and conditions of any bonus you're considering. Understand the wagering requirements that must be met before you can withdraw, and check if the bonus applies to certain games and if there is a wagering cap.
To learn more about bonuses and promotions, check out the guide below.
Most Popular Games at Online Casinos
When choosing a gambling site, you should have access to all the games you could play at a brick-and-mortar casino in Las Vegas or another top destination. If a site falls short on game variety, it can quickly start to feel like it's the same old thing.
Make sure that any Internet casino you choose offers at least these key games when you register to play:
Slots Most gambling sites have online slots as their main attraction. They will tell you how many they have, if any of them can pay you life-changing amounts through a jackpot, and what kind of themes you can expect. Look for sites that not only give you all of the above, but also a healthy dose of RTP (return to player) numbers.
Blackjack - Blackjack is perhaps the ultimate test of strategy in the casino. Playing Blackjack is a low volatility experience. This means that you can play for a long time with a modest amount of money if you have a little skill (and a lot of patience). You might think that using a good basic strategy, or even better, using a counting system, would lead to a pretty sure way to win. But both of these methods actually play out in a way that's quite volatile, with a fair amount of risk and reward. And what's the risk and the reward? More on this in a moment. The top online casinos, at least the trustworthy ones, provide you with the best blackjack rules, which is a good starting point for you if you're going to play.
Roulette - You'd be surprised how well the spinning ball at the fountain translates to an online gambling scenario. Many gamblers adore Roulette for the ability to influence the outcome based on the type of bets they choose. To put it another way, players can either go for broke and choose high-risk, high-reward bets, or choose low-risk bets that come close to even money.
Video Poker - Many experienced players will tell you that Video Poker is the best of all casino games. It combines the strategic components of blackjack with the solo experience of slot machines. The best online casinos present you with a delightful assortment of Video Poker games, with numerous game variations and some pretty sweet pay tables.
Ranked and Rated for Quality
While each of these elements has significant value, without some sort of scoring and ranking system, it would be futile to try to distinguish the best online casinos from one another. That's what our reviews are for. Trustworthiness, games, bonuses/alternative features and other pros/cons are on the menu for discussion when we review sites. We review the site not just for ourselves, but for you. We do these workmanlike reviews to provide you with some sort of value judgment.
Click on any of the buttons below to be taken to the page that explains your betting interests in more detail. These pages will provide you with all the relevant information on how we rank and review our casinos and the criteria we use to determine the best online casinos. The first button will take you to our reviews page. There you can read some of the reviews for yourself.
Other Top-Rated Online Casinos
Casino players are not all alike. One of the best things about the Internet is that it connects people and lets them enjoy their favorite casino games. Whether you are a slots, keno, blackjack or poker fanatic, the Internet has you covered.
Playing mobile slots in the US may appeal to one player, but another player may prefer to play video poker on their laptop in Australia or the UK. What you prefer in terms of device and game may not work for someone else in a different time, place or situation.
Whatever your situation, we have you covered. It doesn't matter if you're a low-stakes player, a high-roller, or someone who prefers to keep your bets somewhere in between. It also doesn't matter what type of casino you're looking for, what device you're using, what games you want to play, or in what format you want to play those games; we have sites designed especially for you.
Best Real Money Online Casinos by Location
If you are outside the USA, the following pages will be useful. If you're not from one of these locations, don't panic; there are still plenty of casinos that will welcome you (in almost all cases). Just skip to the review section if none of the links below apply to you.
UK Sites
Australia
India
The Best Online Casinos by Category
Remember how we mentioned earlier that no two players are alike? Well, our next few pages will come into play there. They will provide you with some links to different types of sites. Whether you want an established site, a new casino site, a site that is compatible with your particular mobile device, or one that is safe and fair, these pages will take you right to it. We went ahead and checked them out for you.
Newest Casinos Online
No Download Casino Sites
Pay by Phone Casino Sites
Fast Payout Casino Sites
High Stakes Casino Sites
Live Dealer Casinos
iPhone Casino Sites
Android Casino Sites
Safest Casinos Online
Real Money Casino Sites
Big Win Casinos
Guide to Real Money Casino Gambling Online
There's a lot of information out there about the best online casinos, but many players (especially new ones) don't fully understand it. Even players who've been at the tables for years often express surprise at the revelations that come with a deeper understanding of the design and operation of these virtual gaming establishments. Take the house edge, for instance. It's one of the few things you can know for sure about an online casino. You can trust that any game with an edge is going to win for the house. But what about the things you can't see? The designs and psychological tricks that keep you playing?
It is all explained in the following sections - exactly how the games work (including the math), how casinos are designed, some of the marketing and design tricks they use, and how casinos might evolve and change in the future. Consider this your free casino education.
Learn to Play Casino Games Online
Although you may come across hundreds (or even thousands) of titles at a reputable online casino, the reality is that there are only a few basic games. All the others are variations on these "core" games.
However, we recognize that it can be difficult to understand the differences between Blackjack, Baccarat, Craps and Video Poker, among others, when you first start playing. That is why we have created these clear, authoritative guides. They not only explain how to play each game, but also provide a number of important rules that are essential to the playing experience. In addition, our guides offer several straightforward strategies that players can use to increase their chances of winning.
Select one of the buttons below to access the corresponding guide page. If you're a complete novice, don't worry; our guides are written in such a way that you'll be able to grasp the information even if it's your first foray into the game.
If you don't see the game you're looking for, be sure to check out our extensive "Casino Game Guides" page, where you'll find a guide to the casino game you're looking for. It may also help you find the perfect casino app to play the game you love for real money.
Understanding Casinos Inside and Out
There is no question that whether you are sitting across the table from a dealer in a land-based casino or playing in an online casino, you are participating in a game in which the main objective of the house is to separate you from your money and your main objective is to separate the house from its money. It is an unfriendly game, a zero-sum game, where someone has to lose for someone else to win.
We believe that knowing as much as possible about the casinos and how they operate is a fundamental part of ensuring a more consistent way to win.
Every game has a built-in house edge, which gives the casino a mathematical advantage over you. Can you guess how much this is for different games? Here are a few examples. Slots: House edge: 5% to 10% or more. Card games: House edge: 1% to 2%. Roulette: House edge: 5.26%.
Choosing the right game (or the right variation of a game) can mean the difference between the casino having a 2% edge and having a 15% edge (or more). This little known fact allows for much better, much more informed decision making when it comes to not only choosing the right games to play, but also developing the right strategy within those games.
However, the house edge is not the only thing you need to understand about casinos. To have even a fighting chance of coming out on top, you also need to understand how these establishments operate from a business perspective, the tricks they use to keep you playing (even after you've hit a big win), and the kinds of decisions they make (and why) that all add up to them being the most profitable businesses on the planet. Indeed, as the saying goes, these are not your daddy's casinos.
"Know thy adversary," wrote Sun Tzu in The Art of War. Now, we would not call casinos an adversary per se, but when it comes to the act of gambling, they are unquestionably our adversary. Understanding them is the most important first step on the road to victory. Begin your journey to a better understanding of casinos with the following pages.
The World of Online Casinos
The previous section shines a bright light on casinos in general, and this section focuses specifically on online casinos; in effect, this section narrows the focus and shines the spotlight on online casinos as they exist today.
Even if you're tech-savvy and grew up in the Internet age, there's still a lot to learn when it comes to participating in what are arguably the best online casinos. Here are some things you'll want to know:
- Online casino bonuses and how they work, including terms and conditions;
- Banking, deposit methods vs. withdrawal methods, hidden fees, and withdrawal limits;
- Which casino software companies are trustworthy and produce world-class games vs. which ones you want to avoid;
- How to identify the top online casinos and avoid the rogue gambling apps;
The following pages are designed to help you understand these important facets of Internet casinos. Even if you have a little experience playing in cyberspace, it is worth your while to peruse these pages and absorb the information they contain. In fact, it is common sense that the more you know, the surer your footing and the better your chances of either coming out ahead or at least not falling into the common pitfalls that ensnare novice players. And if you think you know it all, you might be surprised by some of the stuff in these pages.
Not All Online Casinos are Legit!
We would like to assure you that all real money online casinos are trustworthy and you can rely on them without having to worry about reputability. You might be thinking that this is pretty ridiculous, considering that we are even mentioning the old website that we used back in 2005, and that we should be mentioning even shadier websites than the ones we used a decade ago. Well, you caught us. But it must be said that an online casino with a respectable reputation is one that is safe to use, safe to deposit and safe to withdraw from. One that won't cheat you.
The situation is that there are many shady and unsavory companies out there that have either maliciously defrauded their players or are simply incompetent when it comes to running their business and have trouble paying their players in full or correctly. And the problems with some of these places could go even deeper!
Another aspect of the online gambling world that unfortunately involves a lot of real lost human interactions is that there are many more unsavory online gambling sites than there are good online casinos. This is sadly true despite the fact that it is only a pitiful partial glimpse into the realm of real online casinos that we are able to cover in this book. This limited glimpse of the real thing is dangerously intertwined with the short list of online casinos you should probably avoid!
Online Casinos to Avoid
| Casino Name | Violation or Bad Practice |
|---|---|
| Coolcat Casino | Payment Issues |
| Jupiter Club | Spam Marketing |
| Lady Dream Casino | Rigged Games |
| Lucky 18 Casino | Payout Refusals |
| Palace of Chance | Payment Problems |
| Slots of Vegas | False Advertising |
| Win Palace | Payment Problems |
Spot the Bad Players
Below are several ways to identify an online casino that may not be truthful. This is all part of the process of vetting and researching online casinos to make sure the site you are using to play casino games for real money is safe and reputable.
- Investigate the owners and operating units
- Confirm that the banking and limits make sense
- Evaluate customer support channels and playability tests
- Review observations made by participants in the casino forum
- Check online blacklists;
The Importance of Responsible Online Gambling
No one disputes that gambling is fun, and if it weren't, there wouldn't be such a large number of people who participate in it. But there is a darker side to gambling. We want to be a responsible part of the gambling industry and be proactive in looking out for you, our readers. We want to make you aware of these pitfalls.
We want to help you if you find yourself in the grips of problem gambling. There are tools and resources that can help if you know where to look.
The responsible gambling section will explain and illustrate how to identify problem gambling. It also includes information on where to get help if you or someone you love has developed a gambling problem. Finally, we discuss some of the ways you can manage problem gambling if you or someone you know has a gambling problem.
Let us be clear: problem gambling tears apart families, destroys jobs and careers, and ruins lives. It's no laughing matter, and it's not something to be taken lightly. If some form of gambling that was once a fun diversion has begun to take over your life and cause a cascade of negative consequences, you need to act now. Put on the brakes. Get help. It's much easier to recover from a gambling problem the sooner you do.
This section is dedicated to both recovering from problem gambling and proactively preventing it in the first place. Whether it's yourself or a loved one you're trying to help, you'll find plenty of useful information in this section.
