Skip the Headaches and Play at a Legitimate Site
You’re looking for a legitimate U.S. gambling site, but can’t decide which site to trust with your hard-earned money?
Good news! We’ve been in the online gambling industry for over a decade (several decades, really, if you add all of our experience together), and we’ve spent countless hours to bring you a list of the most legitimate sites.
Here’s what all of these sites have in common:
Sports Betting Sites Find the best sports betting sites to place your wagers at online. Sports Betting Picks Free daily sports betting and DFS picks from a team of expert sports handicappers. Sports Betting Strategy Sports betting strategy articles that will help you learn how to win more money.
- 10+ years in the business with strong reputations.
- Attractive promotions for first-time customers.
- Quick money withdrawals (relative to the U.S. market).
Our Top Recommended US Gambling Sites
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100% up to €122
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Why Bovada Is #1 in the U.S.
#1: Fastest Check Cashouts
Bovada gets 10 times as much traffic as its second best US competitor and still delivers check payouts faster than any of them. Bovada processes check withdrawals in 7 days; many of its competitors take weeks, some more than a month to do the same. (There are other fast options, like the #3-ranked BetOnline, which delivers checks in 14 days.)
#2: Service
An equally important aspect of Bovada’s operations is its customer service. If there ever was an indication of how much a company respects its customers, it’s the level of customer service the company provides. I haven’t found any US-friendly site doing this aspect of the business better (although 5Dimes is a worthy runner-up).
#3: All-In-One
Finally, all parts of Bovada’s business (sportsbook, casino, poker, racebook) are popular. Bovada is best-known for sports betting and casino games, however, even its online poker room has around four times as many players online as the second biggest US poker site. You can access all of their games with one player account.
… But You Should Know This
Bovada is recreational-friendly, perhaps more-so than any other US site. You’ll find few golden opportunities in their sportsbook (read more about their use of dual lines), they have a relatively high overall house edge (especially after recently increasing house edge in video poker games) and their online poker room only has “anonymous” tables.
Although not everyone agrees with me, the recreational-friendly part is an advantage for skilled poker players. Since Bovada appeals to recreational gamblers, you’ll be like a shark among regular fish.
Bovada charges a 4.9% fee for credit card deposits (a lot considering how most sites charge nothing). The impact of the deposit fee is slightly compensated by their welcome bonuses, which are better than average.
All online gamblers look for entertaining games, attractive promotions and aesthetically pleasing software. To have a safe experience, however, you want a site to:
- Serve its customers with safety and respect,
- Operate with a reasonable house edge, and
- Handle money transactions promptly.
Yes, the third point is included in the first point but it’s also such an essential part of the customer experience that it must be mentioned separately. Many online gambling websites operate without an adequate level of service so these points are worth considering. It’s rare to find a combination of all three points.
Bovada fulfills all of the above criteria better than other sites but 5Dimes does well, too. In fact, I’m confident in ranking those two as the best USA gambling websites specifically because they deliver so well in the areas related to safety and trustworthiness. A site without proper customer service and safety measures is not one you should deposit money to, regardless of its promotions and whatnot.
What Are Some Alternative Options?
For Sports Bettors
5Dimes.eu is the best betting site in the US for the following reasons: they’re professional-friendly and offer reduced juice betting lines (in other words, less house edge). Before betting on any game, I recommend taking a look at the odds 5Dimes is offering. They’ve been a reliable sportsbook for over 10+ years — you’ll find few complaints about 5Dimes online, and the ones you find have been resolved quickly.
For poker and casino games, I would go with Bovada. But for sports bettors, it makes the most sense to have an account at 5Dimes.
Another Solid Option
BetOnline.ag is my third suggestion. It’s not significantly better than the others in any area but they’re simply a solid option. Prompt cashout processing, decent poker traffic, good sports betting options and entertaining casino games. Additionally, I’ve had good experiences with their customer service.
For sports bettors, BetOnline is worth signing-up at simply to be able to compare betting lines among a few sites. For poker players, BetOnline may offer some good games every now and then (keep in mind: you can bet on sports and play casino and poker games with the same account, so plenty of gamblers will stumble on the poker games eventually). For casino gamblers, BetOnline has a basic but reliable offering.
BetOnline charges a 6% fee for credit card deposits.
Is It Legal to Play?
The definition of ”gambling” and the laws surrounding vary depending on which state you live in.
In Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey, some forms of online gambling have been legalized and regulated (only state-licensed sites are allowed to operate legally). In other states, it’s likely (although not widely agreed upon) that playing – and certainly operating – online gambling games for real money is illegal.
On a federal level, sports betting is the only form of prohibited gambling via the Wire Act of 1961. For several years, the Department of Justice (DOJ) maintained that the Wire Act applies to all forms of online gambling, but in December 2011, they corrected that stance by stating that the Wire Act only applies to sports betting – a result of a 13-page memorandum from the Office of Legal Counsel to the Criminal Division of the DOJ (source).
State laws, however, often indirectly prohibit gambling. Or to put it another way: it would be difficult to claim any forms of online gambling legal with absolute certainty in most states (lotteries and such aside). Most state laws indirectly prohibit gambling simply by making all forms of gambling unlawful that have not been made lawful.
Purely based on history, it’s unlikely you’ll get into legal trouble; then again, if something is illegal, you can get into trouble, and someone probably will. Gambling online may be illegal where you live. Contact a local gaming lawyer to get a better idea of your local laws.
Legal Troubles
Industry-changing events have taken place in the online gambling world – mainly concerning online poker – such as the UIGEA and Party Poker’s exit from the US market, or PokerStars’ exit from the US market in 2011.
Those crimes were committed by online poker operators, though, not players. Still, the mere fact that online poker companies were targeted was enough to cast a shadow over the legality of US online poker, and furthermore, players grew more and more worried about one of these sites getting shut down along with the money on their player accounts.
In fact, there is a legitimate reason to worry about dishonest US gambling sites taking your money. Some sites have indeed taken off with the money – a recent example is Lock Poker, which currently may owe its customers over $15 million. I created LegitGamblingSites.com mainly to give more exposure to the sites with strong track records of honest business practices.
The lawmakers, in that regard, have a point about not allowing unlicensed sites to provide online gambling games to US citizens. While that may not be the reason, it’s likely one of them. (If I had to guess, I’d say they’re more concerned about losing out on tax dollars and protecting the interests of brick & mortar casino owners such as Sheldon Adelson, although through the RAWA – Restore America’s Wire Act legislation – he tries to do that by himself.)
How to Move Money Around
Ever since the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) became a law, US citizens have had a more difficult time finding a suitable deposit method.
There are only a few left, actually.
The most common deposit method for US citizens is still credit card deposits, out of which VISA is the most widely accepted brand, followed by Mastercard, with American Express being a distant third. Cards must be eligible for both international and online transfers.
The alternative method is to use a money transfer service such as Western Union. Western Union is mostly a deposit-only method. (Bovada is an exception since they only allow you to withdraw money via a check.)
Why to use a money transfer service instead of a credit card?
- A card deposit fails to go through. This happens every now and then, and the only way to know if your card will be accepted is to try. According to various forum reports, Vanilla VISA is declined at most sites while Netspend VISA has been successful.
Surprisingly, players have had problems with card deposits even at state-licensed sites due to banks like Bank of America outright declining all gambling transactions. Things will likely get better with the new MCC codes for VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Distant which will help casinos to identify gambling transactions more accurately. It’s unclear how much of a help this will be since banks still have the right to decline transfers marked with the new MCC codes, and due to not wanting to violate the UIGEA (according to which they’re prohibited from knowingly processing unlawful gambling transactions), banks may decide it isn’t worth it and keep cancelling transactions even if they were for state-licensed sites.
This is expected to change once bigger states – perhaps even the biggest of them all, California – join internet gambling, since declining the transactions will then affect such a large percentage of any bank’s customer base.
- You want a faster cashout. While money transfer services cost more (many sites, like Bovada, allow one free check cashout a month), the money is usually delivered to be picked up at a local Western Union location in five days or less.
- You don’t want a check cashout. You need to go to a cashier to cash a check. Most people would rather avoid doing this, especially since banks aren’t allowed to knowingly process online gambling related transactions (unless in Delaware, Nevada or New Jersey, but people have had problems in those states as well).
In general, you’ll have higher transaction costs with money transfer services than with a combination of credit cards and checks. BetOnline and Bovada are the only major USA sites charging for credit card deposits and most allow one free check cashout per month – some, like True Poker, allow a free check withdrawal every seven days.
How to use a credit card/check combination?
- Enter your credit card details online after which you have the money on your player account instantly.
- When done playing, order a check cashout, which will take from a week to over a month depending on which site you’re dealing with.
- Go to your local bank to cash the check.
How to use a money transfer service (like Western Union)?
- Go to their website or a live Western Union location and send money to the gambling site. (You’ll need to contact the gambling site first to get their transfer details.)
- When done playing, initiate the withdrawal from your player account.
- Go to a live location to collect the money.
State-Licensed Sites
As mentioned, Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey have legalized and regulated some forms of real-money online gambling. Delaware started with online poker but has since expanded into casino games as well; Nevada offers online poker games only; New Jersey offers online poker and casino games.
As you can see, not a single one of these states offer online sports betting. In New Jersey – clearly the biggest market of the three – there’s a clause according to which sports betting may be considered to be added in the future.
Requirements
You must be physically located within a state’s boundaries to play at the licensed sites. If you’re currently located in California but live in Nevada, you’re unable to play until you return to Nevada; if you’re currently located in Nevada but live in California, you can play as long as you stay within Nevada’s state boundaries.
Licensed sites have to make sure nobody outside of the state can participate in the games. Geolocation – identifying exactly where a person is located – has been difficult, and there are still people who are unable to play even though they’re located within those states. This is one of the reasons licensed online gambling sites have done financially worse than expected.
Only existing brick & mortar casino owners within those states can apply for licenses, although they can apply together with an existing online gambling site in a software-licensing agreement, like Caesar’s Interactive and 888.com have done. If a poker site kept operating in the US after the UIGEA of 2006, it will be subjected to a ”bad actor” clause in Nevada and be prohibited from operating in the state for now.
Performance
Each state has had a rocky start, although New Jersey is doing OK. In March 2014, they did $11.87 million in revenue, which grew into $13.16 million in March 2015. A growth rate of 14.57% year-over-year is better than nothing, but still a far cry from the $1 billion within the first 7 months of operating Governor Christie expected (New Jersey gambling sites were launched in November 2013). In other words, his expectations were a little over $140 million a month on average, or about ten times the current revenue.
According to PokerScout.com, Nevada’s online poker revenue is going downhill. Year-over-year decrease in revenue of around 44% (from February 2014 to February 2015) is, no matter how you look at it, a disappointing result. Problems with card deposits and geolocation – both of which exist in other states as well – and player liquidity have undoubtedly contributed to the significant decrease. Players have to deal with fewer problems when playing at offshore sites, and as long as that continues, it will be difficult for state-licensed sites to gain major traction.
In Delaware, the state keeps all yearly revenue up to $3.75 million. Since total revenue for 2014 was around $2.1 million, gambling operators have made nothing. The main reason for such a low amount of revenue is Delaware’s population of 0.94 million (in comparison, New Jersey has a population of 8.9 million). Liquidity is important for online poker since you need lots of players to run games at various stakes, in several forms and throughout the day. Delaware is trying to improve its poker liquidity by combining player pools with Nevada but so far there hasn’t been a significant improvement to its online gaming revenue.
If all of the three states were to combine their player pools, it would create a poker economy of around 12 million people, which could add significant liquidity to the games and thus bring in more revenue to each of the states.
Offshore Sites
Gambling sites accepting US customers from outside of the three states are all ”offshore” sites, meaning they operate from outside of the US and have no license to operate within the US. They have obtained a license in some other jurisdictions – such as Antiqua & Barbuda or Panama – but many of those jurisdictions have less-than-stellar reputations.
The disadvantage of gambling at offshore sites is the lack of safety. For an outsider, it’s impossible to know how strict testing measures these sites go through to prove their legitimacy, and hypothetically, if one of them were to disappear from the internet tomorrow along with your money, what could you do about it?
Lock Poker, as already mentioned, is an ongoing example. They’ve now lost their license in Curacao (weirdly, they were able to keep the license easily over a year after refusing to process customer cashouts) and there’s nothing anyone can do to make sure Lock Poker’s customers have their money returned. All we can do is spread the word to the people who are considering signing-up and depositing money to their site.
The best thing you can do is consider the reputation of the site rather than the jurisdiction since all jurisdictions have had dishonest sites. The longer a site has been fully operational, and the fewer complaints it has generated, the better. Essentially, Bovada has been in the online gambling business since 2000 when Bodog.com was founded (the US-friendly operations of Bodog were re-branded as Bovada in 2011), and as mentioned, they’ve achieved an excellent reputation with a high level of customer service.
But there are advantages to playing at an offshore site, too, and you can legitimately argue that the advantages override the disadvantages. Offshore sites place fewer restrictions on customers, need less personal information and have to compete with lots of other sites (within US states, competition is limited) which forces them to be at their best in order to succeed. There are no geolocation issues either.
Safety and legality aside – although obviously, both are big considerations – offshore sites are the better option in almost every area. Since only three states have legalized some forms of real-money online gambling in the US, they’re the only places for internet gambling for around 96.4% of US population.
What’s Next?
US online gambling is in a transitional phase: after a long wait of legalization, three states have done it, mostly with lackluster success. Suggesting geolocation and deposit issues are resolved, revenue streams may grow. With online poker, though, most likely at least one of the bigger states has to legalize it and combine player pools with the others to create a meaningful poker economy.
A federal legalization would create much-needed competition and player pools, which in turn creates a bigger incentive for operators to participate and, in many ways, a better environment for gamblers. If internet gambling was to be legalized nationwide, every operator and their grandmother would want a license. As of now, it’s more beneficial for most operators to stay outside of the US.
Unbiased, “No Stones Unturned” Reviews by Industry Experts.
Ranked for Safety, Secure Payouts and Quality of Service.
You might want to read our comprehensive reviews.
So, you’re interested in finding the best online gambling sites available? Well, if so, you’ve definitely come to the right place!
Welcome to LegitGamblingSites.com, where our team of experts continuously researches and reviews online gambling sites from all over the internet in an effort to weed out unsafe, unethical sites and pass along the best options to our readers.
No matter what criteria you’re looking for, we’ve got recommendations for you. You can search by the country you live in, the sport you want to bet on, the type you’re looking for, or even more specific criteria like payout speed and real money wagering.
If it involves placing bets online, we have tips, strategies, and trusted online gambling sites that deal with that topic.
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Our experts have determined that the websites listed above are the top gambling sites on the internet. However, the rankings and recommendations may change depending on what activities or factors that you prioritize most.
For example, we can provide the best online gambling sites available to US customers, legit places to bet on baseball, or the top online casinos at which to play slot machines.
While all of our trusted sites are both safe and reliable, some are better for specific activities than others. After all, a company that excels at live sports betting may not be your best option for playing poker or bingo.
It’s all about finding the best fit. That’s why we take the time to organize our website based on each particular variable, so you always get the best gambling sites for the activity in which you’re interested!
Best Online Gambling Sites by Location
When it comes to gambling online, sometimes the rules and legality of it all can be confusing. Depending on where you’re located, there are different laws that dictate which types of wagers are allowed, banking methods you can utilize, and websites you may be able to access.
Organizing our guides and recommendations by location makes it a breeze to identify legit online gambling sites that service your area!
We advise our readers to check out our location-specific pages to educate themselves on the legal status of online gaming and what options they may have.
For ExampleIn the United Kingdom, gambling is licensed and regulated, which makes finding safe gaming sites easy for residents there.
On the other hand, the United States has confusing online gambling laws. It’s illegal to operate an online gambling site or process transactions involving betting sites if you’re a banking institution, but it’s still legal for individual residents to play online. For this reason, people in the US must find reliable offshore gaming sites to give their business to.
You may find specific information about laws, regulations, and jurisdictions by following these links:
Our Lists of Best Online Gambling Sites for…
Best Gambling Sites by Type
Perhaps you have a specific type of online gambling site that you’re looking for, and you would prefer to focus on that particular niche. Rather than waste time with information that isn’t related to what you’re looking for, you can visit a page 100% dedicated to a single variety of gambling online. We’re always developing more pages, and we already have options like political betting and high-stakes gambling sites.
Financial Betting Sites
New Gambling Sites
High-Stakes Gambling Sites
Entertainment Betting Sites
Safest Gambling Sites
Fast Payout Gambling Sites
We also organize the top online gambling sites by individual sports and leagues. On the following pages, you’ll find recommendations including the highest-quality gambling sites, helpful gambling tips, detailed resource guides, and articles breaking down various strategies to help you win more often. The more knowledge about a sport that you have at your disposal, the easier it will be to spot mispriced odds and earn money.
Best Betting Sites by Sports League
If you’re not concerned with specific types of online gambling sites or individual sports, you may want to maximize convenience by focusing on your preferred payment method. We provide lists of recommendations that cater to each of the most accessible means of banking.
https://advisornew.tistory.com/10. Depending on your location, you may be required to utilize specific payment options. Otherwise, you may just be looking for legit gambling sites that accept banking types with the fastest payout speeds. Whatever the case, we’ve got you covered.
How to learn texas holdem poker. Meanwhile the series of books by Dan Harrington and Bill Robertie on tournament strategy titled Harrington on Hold'em also remain good introductions to basic hold'em strategy as well as tournament play. Books, Articles, and Strategy ForumsThere are a number of learn and, although it might be hard for someone new to the game to tell the difference between texts aimed at beginners and more advanced strategy texts. Find the search box up in the right-hand corner of the site (click the magnifying glass icon) and enter whatever you want to know more about — phrases like 'starting hands in hold'em' or 'the importance of position' or 'pot odds' and so on — and you'll find several articles helping you with each topic.There are numerous discussion forums online as well that include beginner-level help with Texas hold'em. Perusing articles here in and on other sites can also provide a good start to learning how to play and picking up basic tips to improve your chance of success. You definitely don't want to wander into some high-level, dense text — sort of like picking up an advanced calculus book when really you just want to learn about fractions and maybe a little long division.Many recommend titles like Phil Gordon's Little Green Book or Texas Hold'em for Dummies by Mark Harlan as good introductory books.
Why These Are the Best Online Gambling Sites
Quite a bit of work goes into vetting online sportsbooks and casinos to ensure we only pass along the most reliable, legit online gambling sites to our readers. There are numerous variables that are researched which impact both our recommendations and reviews. Here are some of the fundamental factors that we take into account:
- Safety and Legitimacy – There are tons of scammers and rogue gambling sites on the internet. Our purpose is to weed those out and only pass along safe, reliable, legitimate online gambling sites to our readers.
- History/Reputation – We also consider a site’s past performances when forming our recommendations. Websites with a history of dissatisfied customers or that have previously landed on blacklists are avoided.
- Quality Customer Service – The sites we pick have customer service sections with several contact methods. They also must actively monitor their communication channels and respond to issues in a reasonable amount of time.
- Variety of Wagers – Whether you’re sports betting or playing casino games, the more variety, the better. Not only will you avoid boredom, but you’ll also be able to pinpoint the exact scenarios on which you want to bet. This is particularly helpful when betting on sports.
- Multiple Banking Options – Our experts also prioritize gambling websites that accept numerous banking options. This gives you more control of your payout speeds and allows you to work around pesky banking laws that disallow specific methods, such as credit cards in the US.
- Ease of Use /Website Quality – A site worth recommending should have a straightforward sign-up and deposit process, be easy to navigate, and be well designed to maximize customer experience. Graphics quality becomes more important when engaging in live sports betting and playing certain slot games.
- Reasonable Payout Speeds – Rogue sites often manipulate payout speeds as a way to discourage you from withdrawing funds in hopes that you’ll grow bored and gamble the money away. Payout speeds are a significant factor in spotting legit gambling websites.
- Bonuses and Loyalty Programs – Most sites offer bonuses for signing up and making an initial deposit. These free plays and extra cash can add up to a significant amount. Loyalty programs reward players based on how much they wager and how often. The more you gamble, the more significant the gifts.
- Good Odds/Payout Percentage – Gambling is all about math and is frequently determined by the finest of margins. The recommendations we provide offer great odds on their games and competitive payout percentages.
If you’d like to learn more about the importance of finding safe online gambling sites and how we determine if a website is legitimate, please enjoy the articles linked below:
How We Determine Site Legitimacy
About Us
Gambling Site Reviews
Real Money Gambling
You’re not really gambling until there’s real money on the line! Playing the free games for a few minutes can be interesting, but nothing gets the blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing like having legitimate action on the game. And you know what comes with real money risks? Real money rewards!
With the incredible convenience of online gaming, suddenly you have the potential to hit the jackpot at any moment. You could be standing in line at the store or lounging on your couch, and the next thing you know, your life is changed forever! The only way to win is to play the game.
When it comes to real money online gambling sites, there are options available for every game, sport, and currency type you can imagine. Tens of billions of real dollars are wagered online every year, a number that increases each year. Isn’t it time for you to get in on all the fun?
Real Money Bitcoin Sites
Real Money Credit Card Sites
Real Money Mobile Sites
Real Money PayPal Sites
Online Gambling Guides
While we are definitely passionate about finding the top online gambling sites for our readers, our assistance doesn’t end there. We also spend countless hours researching strategies and creating guides to help you succeed in whatever wagering activities you enjoy. We break down the underlying concepts that dictate gambling, provide tips for maximizing your winning percentage, and write strategy guides for various casino games and sports betting.
Casino Guide
Best Gambling Bet In Vegas
Before diving in and playing in the casino, you should consider reading our casino gamblers’ guides. We break down both the rules and the odds for various slot and table games. Our writeups also include the best possible playing strategies to maximize your chances of winning.
Additionally, we’ve broken down notions such as casino bonuses and the house edge, which play an instrumental role in determining if you will win or lose over the long term. Gambling online can be a fun, mindless way to pass the time if that’s what you’re looking for. But if you are playing to win, with dreams of jackpots in your head, you’ll want to first get acquainted with the information our experts have prepared for you.
Sports Betting Guide
Our best online gambling sites might be great, but they won’t do you much good if you don’t know how to place your bets, which is why we’ve put together various guides to help you better understand how to bet on sports.
Our gamblers’ guides are especially beneficial for those that are interested in sports betting. Wagering on sports can be a confusing proposition with all of the unique terminology and types of bets. Furthermore, the majority of casual bettors think the object of placing sports wagers is merely picking winning teams. We’ve organized all of this information so that you can talk about and make sports gambling picks with the best of them!
Through our guides, you’ll learn about betting with value in mind, determining real probability, and calculating implied probability based on the odds. We also break down the many unique types of sports bets, including tips for approaching each variation. Most importantly, we offer guides explaining how critical bankroll management is and teach readers how to finance a bankroll and organize a staking plan.
Free Sports Bets
Sports Betting Bankroll Management
Types of Sports Bets
Sports Betting FAQ
Other Popular Guides
We also have dedicated pages for a variety of other online gambling topics. If it involves wagering money on some game or event, we’ve got you covered. It doesn’t matter if you like playing online scratch cards or prefer to spend your day in a competitive poker tournament; there’s something for everyone to learn.
When you’ve completed reading all of the resource articles that catch your attention, you’ll have a solid foundation on which to build your gambling career. Experiencing success through gambling starts with acquiring knowledge and developing a full understanding of what’s going on and what you can do to improve the likelihood of winning. So, take the time to get acquainted with the guides that cover whichever games or wagers you’re going to try. You’ll thank us later.
Esports Sites
Horse Racing Sites
Bingo Sites*
Bitcoin Sites
Cryptocurrency Sites
Mobile Sites*
Scratch Off Sites
Popular Gambling Blog Articles
Our team of experts is continuously paying attention to current events and writing blog articles on a vast range of topics and ideas. We make picks for most upcoming sporting events, break down in-depth gambling strategies, and share our opinions on a variety of subjects. This is where you can find an ever-changing stream of fresh content to keep you interested and in the know.
Make sure to keep checking back here to find the newest blog posts. These articles are typically written on topics the writers are very passionate or knowledgeable about, and so they’re a great opportunity for you to pick up expert advice without having to pay some shady handicapping service. Plus, sometimes they’re really funny!
The Importance of Responsible Gambling
Gambling can be a gratifying hobby and form of entertainment, but that doesn’t mean it’s without risk. Certain personality types have adverse reactions to the rush that online gambling provides, which can lead to compulsive behaviors and problem gambling.
Thankfully, there are strategies for managing your money and staying responsible when gambling that can help you avoid the pitfalls of addiction. Understanding the ideas behind bankroll management and how to develop an effective staking plan will exponentially increase your chances of staying a responsible gambler.
To those already struggling with a gambling addiction or who know someone who is, we’re here to help you as well. In our “Gambling Responsibly” guide, we cover where to get help when experiencing problem gambling. We also share advice on how to help a friend who may be experiencing these issues.
We are all here because we enjoy the gambling. Whether it’s handicapping the game or playing blackjack that gets our juices flowing, we all experience an absolute thrill from making the right pick and winning some money. But that thrill requires a lot of discipline and responsibility. Just like anything else, moderation is key. If you aren’t capable of regulating your bad habits, your best bet is to avoid the topic altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does location matter when choosing a gambling site?
Online gambling laws vary from place to place. Depending on where you’re located, the requirements a website must adhere to when accepting customers may change. For example, gaming websites housed in the United Kingdom must be licensed and heavily regulated by the gaming commission in their country. These sites will not accept players from the United States.
How do I know when a site is legit?
Legit gambling sites typically share several key attributes.
- They process payout requests quickly
- They are not included in any industry blacklists
- They provide several timely payout options
- They promptly respond to customer service issues
- They are licensed and regulated in a thorough gambling jurisdiction
- You find them on our list of recommended sites
Is gambling online legal?
The answer to this question depends on where you live. However, in most parts of the world, an individual that’s gambling online is not breaking the law by doing so. Even when there are laws on the books, they aren’t enforced. In the United States, there are laws against operating an online betting site, and banks can’t process transactions with known gambling organizations, but the individual bettor is within their rights to gamble online using offshore websites.
Is online gambling fair?
Yes, as long as you’re playing on a legitimate gambling site. Websites that are under government regulation have their software tested to ensure the games are random and fair. Most games are governed by random number generators which decide which cards or symbols are dealt. These are kept under strict controls and cannot be altered without permission from the regulatory body.
Is it possible to cheat at online gambling?
No, not without hacking the software. If you do that, expect your account to be frozen and for the authorities to be alerted to your location well before you ever cash out any of the stolen funds.
How do I keep my information and gambling accounts safe?
First, make sure you’re only using reliable gambling sites that have been researched and vetted by experts. Next, decline the option to have your computer or mobile device save your password for quicker logins. That way, someone with access to your computer or phone can’t just log in and withdraw your money. Use a creative password with lots of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use pet names, kid’s names, or predictable words.
What’s an offshore gambling site?
Offshore gambling sites are casinos or sportsbooks that are available to US customers but aren’t located within the United States’ jurisdiction. Because operating online gambling websites is illegal in the US, these websites are not licensed or regulated by the government. Most offshore gambling sites that accept US citizens are based in the Caribbean and are held to the rules and regulations in their particular jurisdiction.
Can I play on my mobile device?
Yes, the majority of online gambling sites are compatible with mobile devices. It’s also becoming more popular for websites to create their own apps, making access to their games more convenient and helping them to run smoother. Some gambling sites are still behind in this regard, but it’s not common.
I was just offered a bonus. What’s a rollover?
Many of the entry-level bonuses come with significant strings attached, usually in the form of rollovers. Rollovers are a requirement for the amount of money you must wager before being allowed to withdraw money. So, if you accept a $100 bonus with a 25x rollover, you’ll need to place a total of $2,500 in bets before having the ability to request a payout. The higher the rollover, the more unlikely you are to win enough to meet the requirement before losing your bankroll. This is one of the many factors we consider when selecting the best online gambling sites recommended above.
Best Bet At Casino
Do online gambling sites use real money?
Yes! Many will allow you to play for free as well, but the sites that you’ll find here mostly deal in real money. You have to bet real money to win real money!
Are the gambling sites that you recommend licensed and regulated?
They are! We do our best to make sure all of our recommended sites maintain their licenses. It is possible for a place to let their gaming license lapse, depending on their jurisdiction, but it’s extremely rare.
What does “payout percentage” mean?
The payout percentage is the number of winnings a game or machine is programmed to return based on a percentage of the amount wagered. The higher the payout percentage, the more favorable the odds are for the player.
Why do online gambling sites require personal information when signing up?
Any reputable online gambling operation has rules to follow, namely that you’re of age to be playing. Depending on the jurisdiction, gamers must be either 18 or 21 years old to bet.
I’m new to online gambling; where’s the best place to start?
What’s the benefit of gambling online rather than in a land-based casino?
There are several!- Convenience – you can play any game or place any bet from anywhere
- Better odds – without all the overhead and upkeep that comes with running a building, online gambling sites can offer better odds and still make money
- Variety – online casinos can offer more types of slots and table games than even the most massive brick-and-mortar spot could ever dream of having the floor space for
How can I tell that a gambling site is a scam?
- They change their terms and conditions
- They have negative customer reviews complaining about slow payouts or unfair treatment
- They make up rules to avoid paying out customers. For example, accusing players of being professional gamblers or cheating
- You find them on industry blacklists
Do I have to download any software?
It’s not typically required, but there are times when you may. Some online gambling sites and poker rooms offer downloadable software that speeds up the processing time and creates a more stable gaming experience. If you’re opposed to this, there are numerous no-download slot sites at your disposal as well.
Which regulatory jurisdictions are the best?
The gambling jurisdictions that we trust the most are the ones that take licensing and regulation seriously. Some of the best are:- Alderney
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Gibraltar
- Isle of Man
- Kahnawake
- Malta
- Panama