Top 5 Legal Online Casinos – Best Legal Real Money Casino Sites

Legal Online CasinosOnline gambling is an activity enjoyed by tens of millions of people around the world. When you look at the popularity of playing at online casinos, it is evident that people derive enjoyment from this activity.

Internet gambling has evolved considerably over the course of its relatively short lifespan, to the point where people can now win jackpots worth tens of millions of dollars, such as those awarded by the Mega Moolah progressive slot. It seems like you can’t go more than few months without hearing about some new million dollar winner at an online casino.

The popularity of online gambling has exploded since its inception in the nineties. Part of this is because of the rapid expansion in internet access and use itself. Because access to the internet has grown so much, it is easier than ever before for people to join up with an online casino and start playing. Plus, unlike playing at a real casino, you don’t get thrown out if you choose not to wear pants.

Playing slots or table games at a virtual casino is an enjoyable activity and compared with other entertainment expenses you actually have the ability to win real money. Luckily it is not very complicated to begin gambling on the internet; everything is very straightforward. All you need to do is sign up, make a deposit, and have fun. Please be advised that in order to combat fraud you will eventually have to verify your identity so make sure to use accurate information when you sign up.

List of Casino sites accepting players from the USA:

Rank Rooms Expert Score Signup Bonus Licensed Features Play Now
Wild Casino

50 user ratings
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100% up to $5,000

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

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  • US-friendly casino
  • Has a great range of promotions
  • Provides live casino games
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SuperSlots.ag

112 user ratings
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First 3 Deposits, Get Up To $6000

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

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  • Available in both the Russian and English language
  • Easy-to-use instant-play format
  • Features famous video slots from Novomatic, plus new Igrosoft titles
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Juicy Vegas Casino

40 user ratings
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200% Match up to $500

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

  • $50 FREE + 200% welcome + daily bonuses
  • 200+ Games
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Sloto Cash Casino

107 user ratings
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200% Match Bonus $1000+100 Free Spins

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

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  • Download and instant play platforms
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Drake Casino

90 user ratings
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First 3 Deposits, Get Up To $6000

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

curacao  
  • Mobile focused online casino
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  • US players accepted
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SportsandCasino.com

30 user ratings
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300% Casino Match / 50% Sports Match

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

mga  
  • Good choice of games
  • Quick withdrawal process
  • Plenty of assistance for newcomers
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Ignition Casino

161 user ratings
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100% up to $1000

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  • Possibility to deposit via Bitcoin
  • Great welcome bonus to claim
  • Gambling licence from Kahnawake
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Slots.lv

100 user ratings
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200% upto $1000

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

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  • $25 On First Wager (Mobile/Desktop)
  • 300% upto $1500 Bitcoin Bonus
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Bovada Casino

120 user ratings
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100% up to $1000

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

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Café Casino

30 user ratings
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500% up to $5000

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  • Nice welcome bonuses on offer
  • Bitcoin deposits available
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Lucky Creek Casino

112 user ratings
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350% Match up to $3500+125 Free Spins

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

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Big Dollar Casino

12 user ratings
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350% Match up to $3500

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

curacao  
  • Generous welcome package
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  • Mobile-compatible platform 
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BetUS Casino

45 user ratings
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150% up to $3000

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

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  • Extensive selection of casino games
  • Abundance of lucrative promotions
  • Allows deposits in Bitcoin
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Grand Eagle Casino

40 user ratings
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100% up to $300

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

curacao  
  • US players accepted
  • Unique game selection
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Grand Rush Casino

20 user ratings
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200% up to $1000

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

curacao  
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  • Fantastic Game Selection from GO; Nucleus and Rival
  • 97% Payout Ratio
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Vegas Crest Casino

39 user ratings
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200% up to $1000

(T&Cs apply, 18+)

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  • Great welcome bonus offer
  • Weekly tournaments with cash prizes
  • 24/7 live customer support
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Legal Online Casinos – Best Licensed Casino Sites

Casino Laws & Regulations Around The World

Worldwide, the gambling laws are a topic of immense complexity; every country has its take on the subject. Gambling is embraced in some parts of the world while others do everything in its power to ban gambling entirely. Legal licenses are the first thing you should check at any new casino website. Moreover, you should be aware of the casino’s reputation. Where different jurisdictions have a say in a single country, Internet gambling is tackled with radically different approaches.

Gaining access to an online casino these days is fairly easy. Although some casino websites were available since the turn of the century, there hadn’t been as much interest at first. A better protection of gamblers’ rights by legal authorities changed this.

Nowadays, there are numerous forums and discussion platforms related to this topic which makes it quite easy for people to share experiences and recommendations. Giving the software a test run can also help you decide whether the casino site can meet your expectations.

When considering the global situation, one can distinguish specifics for each individual country. Nonetheless, there are certain general characteristics which should be met by all legitimate casinos worldwide in order to attract and retain their customers.

An excellent example of how complex the online gambling law can be within a nation is the United States; where individual states have their own legislation and the poorly written federal law can be interpreted inversely. While in some US states online gambling is one hundred percent legal, others authorities try to commandeer the assets of legitimate online gambling sites.

The legality of online gambling in Europe enjoys different approaches and while some countries outright ban online gaming others have legalized it with proper regulations in place.

The United Kingdom

The best example of the latter is the United Kingdom where all forms of online gaming and betting are legal as well as well-regulated. Online sites wishing to provide services to residents must meet the requirements of the UK Gambling Commission established in 2005.

It’s 2005 Gambling Act brought the UK up-to-date with the online gambling world and the bill not only clearly states what potential operators would need to qualify for a license but also ensures the protection of online gamblers in the United Kingdom. The three primary objectives of the licensing system are preventing gambling as a source of disorder or crime, ensuring that gaming is conducted in a fair fashion and protecting vulnerable persons and children from being harmed by gambling.

Operators with licenses granted via the whitelisted jurisdiction are also permitted to offer services to UK citizens. Whitelisted domains are approved due to their appropriately stringent licensing requirements and include Tasmania, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, as well as Alderney, Antigua, and Barbuda.

Canada

Canada is divided into ten provinces, each a self-governing entity empowered by the federal government although significant changes require alteration to the nations constitution.

Gambling provides a much-needed income to non-profit organizations and casinos are legal and prevalent throughout the nation, especially in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

Online gambling laws nor here or there are described as a gray area, while Canadian players are not prevented from joining international casinos prepared to accept them.

Australia

Australia banned live sports and online poker in March 2017 when its federal parliament, CANBERRA closed loopholes to ban poker via changes to the gambling laws passed by the Senate outlawing in-play sports betting at the same time.

After the review of the countries illegal offshore wagering in 2015, tightening up the federal laws was suggested, and the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill of 2016 came about.

Australia’s 2001 Interactive Gambling Act already sought to outlaw online gaming such as roulette, blackjack and poker and its latest amendment bill closed most loopholes, allowing online gambling to continue.

Major brands left the Australian online market since, on the 1st of April, 32Red Casino announced it would no longer accept players residing in Australia, while 888 Holdings and Vera & John Casino already left earlier.

USA

In the USA it is sometimes a question of who is in charge of online gambling laws especially since a few acts are under re-evaluation in 2017.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), states that accepting money from the player by gambling sites are illegal and the UIGEA prevents financial institutions from taking monies from online casinos, although it does not preclude individuals from depositing. In 2015 the Restoration Of America’s Wire Act (RAWA) was reintroduced to rewrite the 1961 Federal Wire Act. Currently, it outlaws online sports betting not online gambling. Once revised and accepted most forms of online gambling will be banned even though the act targets online casinos and not individual players.

Currently, online gambling is legal in three USA states including Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada, and the age limit of 21 corresponds to that of land-based casinos. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission allows players to legally place online sports bets at sites licensed by the commission in New Jersey and Delaware. The Nevada Gaming Commission allows players to take part in sportsbetting at sites controlled and authorized by the commission. It is expected that the Silver State will soon legalize all casino gambling, opening up more the possibility of more online operators accepting players from the USA.

France

France has a strict licensing process and permits offshore operators to accept French players, meeting the necessary criteria. France is often classified as a gambling-friendly nation, although excessive regulations and high taxes make it challenging for gaming sites to operate and almost fifty percent of gaming sites licensed in 2010 have left the market. The biggest change happened in 2010 when the government passed the 2010-476 Gambling Act, disbanding the government monopoly and opening the market to competition and thirty-five operators applied and became the first non-governmental entities to offer horse racing, sports, and online poker betting. Excessive taxes on sports and poker betting is 8.5% while the industry average is 4 to 5% combined with the government not permitting player pools to be shared. French players were cut from the international poker scene, leading many players to join offshore sites.

Germany

The gambling law in Germany is considered part of the law of public and regulated at the state level by each of the 16 federal states. Land based casinos are supervised and licensed by the respective Ministries of the Interior while slots gambling enjoyed at local halls are controlled by municipal offices. The Ministry of the Interior in Schleswig-Holstein supervises the licensing of online sports betting and gambling issued under the Gambling Act of Schleswig-Holstein. The approval of Federal States was considered safe at the start of 2017, although after the elections the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein announced that no new laws would be passed and Rhineland Palatinate, Hesse, and North Rhine Westphalia considers joining the Schleswig-Holstein approach.

Licensing Authorities and Commissions

On a global level, one can distinguish numerous authorities which are said to provide gambling licenses to online casinos. Nevertheless, some tend to be more credible than others, as the process of acquiring these licenses differs based on the provider. Here are the most trustworthy authorities when it comes to the matter.

  • UK Gambling Commission – This legislative body is responsible for testing and regulating the work of online casinos in the UK. It is known to hold the highest standards for online gambling.
  • Alderney Gambling Control Commission – The islands close to the English coast hold multiple such authorities that regulate online casinos. Alderney is separated from the group due to its reliability, prompt responsiveness and strictness.
  • Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner – One of the leaders in providing off shore online casinos with the necessary licenses is exactly this association. Its wide network of regulating both traditional and online gambling sites is practical proof of its credibility.
  • Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission – This is another example of an authority which licenses off shore online casinos. Its stringent policies and high standards provide this commission with an impeccable reputation.
  • Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) – This licensing body is situated in Malta, an island in the Mediterranean region, and is known to be the greatest license provider for the territory of Europe, doing so since the year 2000. It entered the EU in 2004 as the first member state which regulates online gambling. Its licenses are not truly credible, as they stay away from casino-player disputes, yet there are trustworthy casinos which hold a license from the LGA.
  • Nevada Gaming Commission – As the first regulatory body in charge of such matters in the US, this authority is unsurprisingly highly dependable. Due to the state’s history gambling this commission has come up with a way to legalize online casinos by seeking the basis in traditional ones.
  • New Jersey Casino Control Commission – The second license provider in the US solely confirms the great interest to spread legal gambling all over the country. As a recognized and firmly regulated body, this commission has even been recognized by Delaware, one among the few states that have limited rights allow their citizens to practice such games of luck.

Thinkg to Know Before You Play Online

If you are not a seasoned gambler then sometimes it can be a bewildering experience to go to a new casino, be it virtual and real life. With so many different games to choose from and various deposit methods to consider, as well as the registration process, there is a lot to take in. Don’t worry though, because by design most gambling games are pretty easy to play once you learn the rules. Gambling can be a very enjoyable experience and so is winning a nice jackpot. Here is some basic information to help you hit the ground running.

Luck-Based Games

The first thing you need to know is that there is a great element of luck involved with any casino games. Some casino games are games that combine skill and luck, others are only games of chance, but they are to some degree luck based. Whether we are talking about where a roulette wheel will land, which will be the next card to come up in a game of blackjack or baccarat, or what number will come out on the next roll of the dice, casino games are luck dominated. It is important to recognise this because we cannot control these random events and appreciating this fact will make you a more responsible gambler. At the end of the day, whether you win or lose, will come down to how good your luck in running that day.

You Can’t Beat The House

Now, when we say that you can’t beat the house, we don’t mean this in a literal sense. Of course, people can do win at gambling in the short run; if they didn’t, they wouldn’t play. What this expression means is that casino games all have a house advantage. The house advantage is the amount you are mathematically expected to lose in the long run when you are playing a casino game. So for example, if you are playing Baccarat and betting on player or banker then you will expect to lose 1% in the long run of whatever you bet. In the short term variance will mean that you win or lose an amount that wildly varies from this, but in the long run, you should expect to lose around 1% of everything that you bet on player or banker in Baccarat.

Variance Means You Can Win

Casino games are high variance. While you will expect to lose 1% of what you bet in Baccarat on Player or Banker over the course of one hand, you will generally either win 100% of what you bet or lose 100% of what you bet. You can also tie, although this is much less common. Likewise with blackjack. In fact, there is even more variance in blackjack, because with doubles and splits you could theoretically win or lose up to 800% of your initial bet, after re-splitting to four hands and making four doubles. This variance is what makes gambling so attractive, because in the short term it is quite feasible to win, but in the long run, the casino is almost always going to get the money. The reason why casinos tend to win in the long run but not the short run is the law of large numbers which states that over a longer series of trials results are more likely to equal or be closer to their expected result.

Games of Skill as Well as Chance

Casino games can also have a measure of skill. Unlike dice, which famously have no memory, six decks of cards do “remember” what cards were dealt. Counting cards is a famous way of beating casinos. Basically, the more low cards that are dealt out of a shoe, the better the odds are for the player. As the house edge in blackjack is so small (usually between 0% to 0.5% depending on the rules), it does not take many low cards to come out to switch the odds in favour of the player. Even if a game can’t be beaten, skill is still going to make a difference. For example, the tie bet in Baccarat has a house edge of 20%, so if you bet this bet, you are going to lose your money at a faster rate, assuming you bet the same amount. It is also a high variance bet so you will be prone to longer losing streaks. Likewise in craps betting the hard ways has a higher house edge than making just a pass line bet. By choosing games with the lowest house edge, such as blackjack, baccarat, and video poker, you will stand a much better chance of walking away a winner. Of course, learning how to legitimately beat the games is the best way to go. And while blackjack and video poker usually have the lowest house edge, this is only if you use the right strategies, so learning basic strategy or the correct rules for what to hold in video poker is a good approach.

Look, we don’t want to discourage anyone from casino gambling. Playing at casinos can be a lot of fun, so long as you are responsible and don’t bet more than you can afford to lose. We just want to prepare casino gamblers before they hit the casino. It is important to take the approach of gambling for fun, and not to try to make money or risk money you can’t afford to lose. With online casinos, you don’t even have to play for real money if you don’t want to because they usually have a “practice” mode where you can just play for fun.

Getting Started With Online Casinos

Okay, so now that we have given you some information about gambling, you have decided to check it out and play online. Where do you begin? We will break down the step by step process for getting started.

The first step is picking the right online casino. You want to find a place that has a solid reputation. You’ll also want to make sure that they have some good promotions, and also that they have the games you like to play. You’ll also want to make sure that your deposit bonus, assuming you go for one, which most players do, can be used in the game you want to play. So, if you want to play blackjack, make sure that your deposit bonus can be used for blackjack. Usually, it can, but you just want to make sure.

You’ll also want to make sure that your currency is supported and that people from your country are allowed to play. Different online casinos serve different jurisdictions. Another advantage can be if the casino offers different things, like poker, sports betting, horse racing or whatever. If you like to bet on that, then there are lots of online casinos that offer this. You’ll also want to make sure that the betting ranges are appropriate for your bankroll, and if you use a mobile device, then you will want to make sure that their software is compatible with your phone.

The second step after choosing the right casino is to sign up. Make sure you enter in all of the information accurately and truthfully, because when you go to cash out, you will have to submit your ID later on to confirm everything that you entered. Casinos require identity confirmation in order to combat credit card fraud. Make sure to pick a secure password so no one can hack your account and steal your money.

After you sign up, you are going to want to fund your account and opt-in for a welcome bonus. There are lots of ways to deposit to online casinos, such as credit cards, Bitcoin, e-wallets like Skrill, payment processors, virtual credit cards, prepaid credit cards, bank transfers and other methods as well. Make sure to pick a low-cost method for depositing to get the most value for your money.

Then finally once you have chosen a good casino, signed up, and deposited you should play. It is a good idea to try out a few different games, to see what you like the most. Also, you want to make sure that the games you are playing qualify for roll over on your deposit bonus. Usually, games like slots contribute the most towards clearing your bonus, so they are a good choice, but most importantly play what you like to play.

Tips for Online Casinos

Here are some good tips for when you are playing at an online casino.

Experiment with Different Games

With hundreds upon hundreds of different games available at online casinos, there are always new games that you can try out. Sometimes a particular slot just isn’t paying out, and what sense does it make to keep throwing your money away if you are getting crushed? Between video slots, classic slots, table games, live dealer games, video poker, scratch cards and more there is no shortage of different options available to play at online casinos so you should try them all out and see what you like the most. Sometimes you might have a favourite game, but then you try a new one and all of sudden you have a new favourite after you hit a nice jackpot. So spread your action around and see what game you like the most.

Take Advantage of Progressive Jackpots

Certain slots have progressive jackpots. These so-called jackpot slots can payout top prizes in the millions of dollars. This is life changing money! And because the top prize isn’t stagnant the return from these slots just keeps going up until somebody hits it. And it’s not only the top prize that increases; some progressive slots have more frequently hitting modest prizes that also increase in value if they haven’t been hit for a while. So pay attention to these progressive jackpots, and you will have a better chance of making money.

Keep an Eye Out For Promotional Offers

Lots of casinos send out promotional offers, like a free $25 chip, in order to attract new customers. Between extra spins for slots, exciting bonus deals and free credit to play at the casino there are all sorts of deals for a savvy online casino patron. Usually, there will be an option to opt-in to promotional mailings when you sign up for a casino, and this is a great way to go.

You can also check the websites for different online casinos and see what they have in their promotional section because there are usually a few freebies lurking around there. You can even get updates sent by SMS at a lot of casinos these days. Aside from great promotional offers you can also stay informed about changes in terms and conditions or other important information as well.

Always Make Sure to Check the Terms and Conditions

While there are lots of excellent opportunities with regards to deposit bonuses, you should carefully read the terms and conditions attached to any bonus offer. Certain games may only count at a reduced percentage towards clearing the bonus, or you might have only a limited amount of time in which to clear the bonus. In order to make an informed decision about taking any deposit bonus it is important to refer to the terms and conditions and make sure that a particular bonus is right for you.

It’s Good to Cash Out

After you do hit a nice score, then it is good to cash out and get that money to your bank account. This is especially the case if you were clearing a bonus, and now you have cleared it because you can always deposit somewhere else and get a new bonus. A smart gambler is going to cash out after a big score, instead of trying to chase millions in winnings and risk losing what they have already won.

If you do get up a big amount, request a withdrawal and remember you can always redeposit at a future date. It is a lot easier to gamble if you have a big amount of money already in your casino account, whereas if you have to deposit, then you might think twice about playing more than you can afford.

Keep an Eye on How Much You Are Playing

The advantage to online gambling is its convenience, but that can also be a problem if you are not careful. Because online gambling is so accessible, it is possible just to keep playing and betting more until the money is all gone. So make sure to take breaks and also do other activities aside from playing, like spending time with your family or watching TV. Taking breaks, both short and long ones, can be good for your mental health and also for your physical health if you do some exercises or walk around.

While gambling can be a fun and positive activity when approached in moderation, you have to make sure that it is just healthy fun and not a problem that is controlling your life. So don’t gamble in excess, and make sure to keep an eye on how much you are betting and ask yourself if it is a reasonable amount, and do other activities aside from just gambling as well.

Conclusion

To conclude, there are many aspects which need to be taken into consideration before you can choose the right online casino for your needs.

First and foremost, you need to check for legal licenses. Most casinos display them on the bottom of the homepage, although you might need to search through the ‘About Us’ section sometimes. Plus, you should take into account the gambling laws of your country of residence.

After that, all that remains is that you check the features of the website. The best thing to do is check for any faults in the software before it is too late. Contacting the customer support in order to check their responsiveness is another good precautionary measure.

This should give you a better overview of the basic requirements for each online casino and ultimately help you find the best ones without risking any of your hard earned money.

Gambling online is convenient and fun, but it pays to have a little knowledge about the online gambling scene before you start out. Make sure that you choose a reputable casino with a good reputation and nice deposit bonuses. Play responsibly, don’t let gambling consume your life, and don’t bet anything you can’t afford to lose. And most importantly have fun!

Frequently Asked Questions

The area of online gambling has been a bit grey throughout the years, and despite the strict legal rights and obligations, people are still unaware of some aspects. This frequently asked section should pinpoint the main issues you might encounter on any legal online casino.

How do I choose the right online casino?

How do I know if the online casino’s license is legitimate?

Which casino games are available at online casinos?

What is the best game?

Do I need to download any software?

Is there a legal age for online casino gambling?

How do I deposit and withdraw money?

Which currencies exist at online casinos?

Can I use bitcoin to deposit to online casinos?

How to determine the credibility of the casino’s software?

What do I need to know about online casino bonus offers?

Is gambling a good way to pay the rent?

How do taxes affect my winnings from online casinos?

What if I want a live dealer at my table?

David Nugent Editor

First off, I want to say hi and wish a warm welcome to all gambling aficionados out there! My name is David Nugent and I am editor-in-chief of LegitGambling.com. I have always enjoyed various sports, primarily soccer, as I am a die-hard Everton fan.

Over time, I learned more about sports betting and discovered the fascinating online gambling industry. Eventually,...

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