At Best US Casinos, we take the guesswork out of choosing an online casino for our users. Our experts analyze each site thoroughly using the detailed, user-focused review process overviewed on this page. That means you can be confident that the sites on our list are the best of the best.
In this guide:
Why You Can Trust Us
What We Look For in an Online Casino
There are six categories we assess when we review and rate online casinos. It’s easy to be swayed by a slick site and flashy graphics. But there’s a lot more to consider when picking an online casino to play at. All the top casinos have a few fundamental things in common:
A strong selection of titles from leading software providers
The latest safety and security measures
A great bonus package
Quick and easy deposits and withdrawals
A seamless mobile experience
Fantastic customer service
Our reviews are real, honest, and not influenced by any outside factors. The only way to get a great review from us is to meet and exceed the expectations we have for US online casinos.
Safety & Security
It’s important to exercise caution when you’re gambling at an online casino. This means playing at the safest, most trustworthy sites. We always make sure our recommended casinos have appropriate licensing, regulation, and gambling safeguards in place. We also scan their site for the above-mentioned technical security features.
The latest encryption technology
Identity verification
Secure, private connections
Independent audits by reputable third parties
Licensing
Online casinos in the US can be licensed at the state level, or by international licensing bodies. This ensures casinos have met a prescribed set of criteria to legally operate. Two respected licensing bodies we keep an eye out for at Best US Casinos are the Panama Gaming Commission and the Curacao Gaming Commission.
Once a casino is licensed, it is subject to ongoing regulation and oversight to ensure it complies with local laws. Again, this can include financial audits as well as monitoring of its marketing activities.
We would never recommend an unlicensed casino to our users. That said, we get excited when new properties hit the market. Sometimes we will recommend a site with a pending license, provided that our reviewers feel it meets or exceeds expectations when it comes to our ranking factors.
Regulation
Regulations maintain a high standard for online casino operations. They require:
Audits for fairness and security, like RNG testing and secure storage of player data.
Minimum standards to be met for responsible gambling support and prevention.
Advertising that is not misleading or targets vulnerable populations (such as minors).
Reports to the authorities of any suspicious activities, such as money laundering.
Security Certificates
We always check a casino site for up-to-date security certificates to ensure they’re complying with the latest tech. This means reviewing for TLS encryption.
TLS is an improved version of SSL that provides better security. While SSL is still in use in some legacy systems, we always look for casinos that use TLS as it provides more secure communication. Old habits are hard to break, so a lot of people still refer to it as SSL, when, in fact, it is TLS encrypted.
Game Variety & Quality
Our reviewers reward high marks to sites that offer a broad range of games from well-regarded software developers. We check for three criteria:
The types and variety of games offered
How well they run on all devices
The software companies who develop the games
That said, we don’t disregard sites that specialize in a specific area of gaming — like slots, for example.
Game Types
The casinos we like to recommend to our users have a variety of games types to suit every player’s personality. Here are some of the best games for our users, along with some of the features we like to see.
Slots — Balanced volatility, a high RTP%, multi-device compatibility, and great jackpots
Poker — A variety of game types (Hold ’em, Omaha Hi, HORSE), multi-platform compatibility, and an intuitive UI
Blackjack — An RNG that’s regularly audited, and a variety of games with different table limits
Roulette — A great UI with customizable tables and a variety of game types including American, European, and French roulette
Live Dealer Casino — High-quality video streaming, and professional, courteous dealers
Sports Betting — Competitive odds and a variety of betting options including moneylines, point spreads, futures, and parlays
Software Providers
Good casino software keeps games fair and ensures that the end user has a fun and immersive experience. There are several elements that make up quality casino game software:
User Interface (UI) — First-rate graphics, sounds, and animations provide an immersive experience.
Game Logic — An RNG to ensure the games are fair, and smart algorithms to determine fun game outcomes.
Mobile Compatibility — Optimized to work on the latest phone and tablet models — both iOS and Android.
We always look at a casino’s list of software providers. Established developers have vast game catalogs and a reputation built on consistency and trust. Here are the industry leaders in certain types of games:
RealTime Gaming (RTG) — industry vet with table games and slots.
IGT — one of the biggest companies for video poker and table games.
PlayTech — UK-based with a solid reputation for sports betting.
Seamless Gameplay
Part of our review process includes testing the different games available. The casinos we rate have been rigorously-tested to ensure they provide a seamless gameplay experience across devices. Of course, your own internet connection will have a lot to do with the lag times. On a reliable network, however, all the sites we recommend operate perfectly.
Bonuses & Promotions
When we review an online casino site we always look at the bonus package. This includes a review of the initial welcome bonus outlining the wagering requirements, plus the rest of the terms and conditions. We also look at bonuses for loyal customers like VIP and high-roller programs, rotating monthly promos, cash back offers and contests.
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus is usually the biggest and flashiest bonus offered by the casino. It usually consists of a deposit match plus an extra perk (like free spins). You can claim it once you make your first deposit. In some cases you may have to enter a special promo code so keep an eye on your email.
The type of welcome bonus offered can vary based on the type of game you play, and your deposit method. Casinos love crypto, so some may offer extra perks if you deposit with Bitcoin. There are usually different welcome bonuses for slots, poker and sports betting, too.
Existing Player Bonuses
Good casinos know how to bring new players in the door. The best casinos know how to keep existing players happy. This means a robust selection of bonuses. Our favorites are:
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Promotions. Casinos like to keep things fresh with an ever-changing roster of promos. These are usually limited-time offers, so it’s wise to keep on top of what your favourite casino is offering so you don’t miss out. Look for themed contests like “Luck of the Irish” for St. Patrick’s Day, or spooky specials at Halloween.
Cashback Bonuses. If you’re feeing a bit down on your luck, cashback bonuses can offer you a bit of comfort. These are bonuses offered on losses. They’re usually only valid on a specific day of the week, but can put a few dollars back in your account if you time it right.
Rewards Programs. Rewards programs at online casinos are similar to other customer loyalty programs. The more you play, the more points you earn. These points can then be redeemed for free spins, contest entries, merchandise and gift cards.
VIP Programs
Some casinos offer special perks for high-rollers. Access to exclusive events, trips, cars and other luxury goods are common for big spenders.
Terms & Conditions
It’s important for you to be aware of the terms and conditions when you sign up for a bonus. The documents are usually dense, so it’s tempting to hit ‘accept’ right away. We always encourage players to review them, but we will always call out the most important points. These include any time restrictions associated with a specific bonus, and, most importantly, the wagering requirements.
Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements, also known as rollover requirements, is an expression of the amount of real money you need to wager in order to withdraw winnings earned using bonus funds.
They’re usually seen as a multiplier. For example, if you made an initial deposit of $100 and the wagering requirements are 30x, it means you have to wager $3,000 in real cash before you can withdraw any winnings associated with your bonus cash.
What’s more, you often have to fulfil wagering requirements within a certain timeframe, too. Something to keep in mind before going all-in on a huge bonus amount.
Banking & Payouts
Our reviewers always look for casinos with a variety of deposit and withdrawal options. The best casinos offer seamless deposits, speedy withdrawals and the latest in fund security technology. Transaction times are one thing, but the payment methods themselves are equally important. Safety and security is a huge factor here.
Seamless Deposits
When you’re ready to gamble online, you shouldn’t have to wait for your deposit to go through. The leading casinos have several deposit methods that allow you to start playing fast. If a casino only has one or two deposit options, we recommend you pass it by.
Speedy Withdrawals
Getting your money into an online casino is easy, but getting it out can be another story. Some online casinos may have a multitude of deposit methods but only one or two withdrawal options.
What’s worse, it can sometimes take several business days to get your cash. We look for casinos that allow you to withdraw money quickly and easily using a variety of methods.
Fund Security
Online casinos in the US use several methods to keep their customers’ money safe. These include the latest encryption tech, secure payment methods and strict regulatory compliance.
Encryption protects players’ personal information. Advanced technologies allow casinos to ensure that sensitive data (credit card numbers, bank account details) are securely transmitted and can’t be intercepted.
Regulation is designed to ensure fair play and uphold the rights of players. This is done at the state level, but one example is that casinos may be required to separate operating funds from player funds. This ensures that a player’s money will be available to withdraw at any time.
Players funds are also kept safe thanks to secure payment methods. Casinos often partner with a trusted payment provider which adds an extra layer of security. Some of the more common payment methods are listed below.
Common Payment Methods
Credit Card. Credit cards are one of the more popular payment options. Most online US casinos accept Visa or Mastercard. It can be tempting to overspend with a credit card, so we encourage players to use caution.
Bank Transfer. Bank Transfers are another common payment method. We like this option because it ensures we are only able to deposit money that we actually have to spend. This method is one of the most secure but also one of the slowest. Expect to wait up to 2 weeks for processing.
PayPal. PayPal is one of the most popular third-party payment services. Transactions are completed within PayPal‘s system, so you never have to worry about giving your account information or credit card number to a casino. Be aware that the processing fees can be on the high end.
Cash App. This is another popular eWallet. Players can deposit funds at a Cash App online casinos using this payment method.
Cryptocurrency. Crypto is extremely popular at US online casinos. In fact, many casinos offer extra bonuses or perks to folks who choose to play using cryptocurrencies. Players love them because they have low transaction fees and ensure anonymity. They’re also the fastest deposit option. Bitcoin is the most popular, but there are several others that are widely accepted including Ethereum and Litecoin.
Mobile & UI
We always test each site for mobile-responsiveness across a variety of devices. Our reviewers also look at the games themselves and how they perform on a mobile screen. There’s a tactile aspect to gambling on a phone or tablet, so sites score bonus points if they take advantage of a mobile device’s native features like vibration and haptics.
Screen Optimization
Software developers and leading US casinos are always conscious about how their games and sites look on a mobile screen. One of the key aspects is adjusting the layout and game interface to fit. This may include simplifying the visuals, making the buttons and text larger, and rearranging the game elements to make them easier to access.
Developers may optimize their games so that the file sizes are smaller, and reduce the number of animations and effects. The touch-screen also plays an important role. Players can use intuitive gestures, like tapping and swiping, to play most games.
Mobile Advantages
The biggest advantages of mobile gaming is portability. Mobile gaming allows you to gamble from anywhere there’s a secure internet connection.
Another advantage is the privacy. If you’re not one to gamble and tell, a mobile screen allows for discretion. You’re able to keep your gaming activity to yourself. Most individuals don’t share their phones with other members of their household.
App Experience
Most leading operators have moved toward browser based web-apps instead of downloadable apps. The user experience with a web-app is almost identical to the traditional app experience.
Our reviewers prefer them because they don’t take up a ton of space on your device. Downloadable apps often have huge file sizes and take some time to install.
Web apps are instant and they’re accessible across android and iOS. For quick access, you can add browser shortcuts to your home screen for your favorite property or game (like baccarat or poker), just like any app icon.
Customer Support
Customer support is a subjective experience. Still, there is a level of service you should expect at any quality online casino. We look for:
Responsiveness
Understanding of the customer’s perspective
Professional conduct by customer service agents
Knowledgeable answers
Follow-up on customer satisfaction
We consider what kind of help is available as well. Email may be fine for a casual inquiry, if it’s a larger issue you may want to pick up the phone. The more boxes a casino checks, the better we’ll rate it:
Phone support: Best for urgent issues that require an immediate response.
Email support: Great for non-urgent questions and a paper-trail, too.
Chat support: Great option if you have urgent questions and don’t want/need to call.
Self-service support: For those who like DIY, we look for an FAQ page with tutorials & self-help articles.
