The legislation regarding online casinos in the United States is complex and varies from state to state. As of 2025, real-money online casinos are legal and regulated in seven states:
These states allow both online sports betting and online casino games, such as slots, table games, and poker. Below is a list of authorized online casinos in these states, based on available information:
Key Points:
• Strict Regulation: Each state has its own rules, and online casinos must be licensed by local authorities (e.g., New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement or Michigan Gaming Control Board). Servers often need to be located within the state, such as in Atlantic City for New Jersey.
• Minimum Age: Generally 21 to play, though Nevada has considered lowering the age to 18 for online poker.
• Geographic Restrictions: Only residents or individuals physically present in these states can legally play on these platforms.
• Offshore Casinos: In the other 48 states, no federal law explicitly prohibits playing on offshore casinos licensed abroad (e.g., in Curaçao or Malta). However, two states, Washington and Connecticut, explicitly prohibit online gambling, including on offshore sites. Players should verify legality in their state, as offshore casinos operate in a gray area and may carry risks (e.g., non-payment of winnings, lack of regulation).
• Sports Betting: Far more widespread, online sports betting is legal in about 50 states, but this does not automatically extend to casino games.
Tips for Choosing a Legal Online Casino:
1. Verify the License: Ensure the casino is licensed by a state regulatory authority
(e.g., New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement).
2. Security: Sites must use SSL encryption to protect your data.
3. Reputation: Check player reviews and forums to confirm reliability.
4. Payment Methods: Legal casinos offer secure options like credit cards, e-wallets
(PayPal, Skrill), or cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin in some cases).
5. Responsible Gaming: Regulated platforms provide tools like deposit limits and
self-exclusion options.