We make it easy to discover reputable online casino sites. Our experts have done the hard work of evaluating these casino sites, all our recommendations are fully licensed and trusted by our experts, so you can jump right into the fun.
bet365 is a trusted online casino known for its big welcome bonus, huge game variety and excellent mobile experience. This site’s security and customer support is also top-notch.
Find out more in our full bet365 casino review.
This top online casino is backed by the Fanatics brand and operates in four key states. It has a reputation for superb game variety – including its flagship BlackJack game – and a great mobile experience. It also offers FanCash rewards for every bet you make, giving you an extra way to earn.
Get full details in our comprehensive Fanatics casino review.
BetMGM Casino is a crowd favorite casino due to its impressive library of 2,500+ games and first-rate user experience. It also boasts of sweet welcome bonuses and promos – some of the highest in the industry.
Learn even more in our BetMGM casino review.
FanDuel Casino is a go-to choice for slot players, with 200+ slot games in their selection. This casino is also legal in five U.S. states, making it accessible to more players. It also has a reputation for a sleek mobile app and rapid payouts via digital wallets.
Explore further in with our FanDuel casino review.
DraftKings Casino is one of the best online casinos, offering a savvy app experience. It has a massive welcome bonus and great coverage across five states. What’s more, it has a good mix of 1,000+ games and live tables for poker.
Get the full scoop in our DraftKings casino review.
Hard Rock Bet Casino is a NJ-only online casino with a vibrant atmosphere and an impressive game variety of 3,000+. It’s earned a name as a secure and legitimate casino with lots of free spins.
Check our Hard Rock online casino review for more details.
Caesars Online Casino is a legendary household name in the gambling industry. Players can expect a secure online casino with a significant games library. This app also boasts of a smooth mobile app and one of the finest rewards programs for players.
Get a complete overview in our Caesars Palace online casino review.
At Pickswise, we only recommend the best gambling platforms that meet our high standards for reliability and gaming experience. We rate our picks based on the following features.
Every online gambling site that we review must be legitimate. We check their license and verify in which U.S. states they operate.
Player privacy is vital, especially for online casinos where cracks in security can expose sensitive personal information. We look at the casino’s reputation, technical features (such as SSL encryption) and overall player feedback.
Responsibility features can keep players safe from harmful habits. The best casino sites promote responsible play and features such as daily spending limits and self-exclusion measures.
Bonuses can sweeten the deal for players as they get started. We rate the best online casinos that payout based on the diversity of bonuses, promotions and rewards programs they offer.
The variety of games is important to players who are seeking enjoyable, diverse options – including both classics and more creative narratives.
Payment options can be a decisive factor for players who want their preferred methods and quick withdrawal times. We look at online gambling sites with a range of options and transparent timeframes.
Customer service is also key to players who want to ensure they can contact the online casino via chat, phone and/or email in case of any issues.
Gambling on the go depends on having an official, well-working app. We check both mobile and desktop experience for player ease.
Signing up at an online casino is a straightforward process. Choose from our recommended casino sites and secure your welcome bonuses by tapping claim offer, this will take you to the online casino’s registration page. From there, just follow these steps:
Sign up: Fill out the registration form to make an account. Online casinos may ask for some personal information to confirm your age and location eligibility. You’ll need to provide these details to join.
Upload an official ID: Online gambling sites may also require you to upload an official ID to combat fraud. This will also make you eligible to make deposits and withdrawals.
Secure your welcome bonus: Get free spins or coins through your chosen site’s welcome bonus by confirming any eligibility criteria. Be aware that you may have to make an initial deposit or add a promo code to access it.
Know the bonus T&Cs: Check the fine print on the bonus to ensure you qualify. For example, some bonuses have a deposit or wagering requirement, which means you have to make a minimum value first deposit or a certain number of bets before redeeming your bonus or withdrawing earnings.
While these steps are the most common, online gambling sites can have varied registration requirements or a slightly different sign-up process. When in doubt, follow the instructions provided by the casino to set up your account.
If you’re not in one of the few states with legal real-money casino sites, you may still have online casino options in the form of social and sweepstake casinos.
Social casinos have one major distinction from online casinos: they don’t have direct real money betting. Instead, they use virtual coins for gameplay. While both are types of online casinos, social ones are focused on the entertainment elements of betting and include features such as leaderboards and tournaments. However, most social casinos offer sweepstake games, which do provide the chance to play for real cash prizes.
Another main difference is that online gambling platforms are only legal in 7 U.S. states, while social casinos are available in 38. For more information, and to find out if you are in one of those 38 states, see our best social & sweepstake casino recommendations.
Retail casinos, also called in-person, land-based, or brick and mortar casinos, are traditional physical gambling locations. Many players love the thrilling atmosphere and social aspect of in-person casinos, however they don’t offer the casino play at your fingertips convenience of online casinos.
| Retail Casinos | Real Money Online Casinos | |
| Casino prizes | Real money, often cash | Real money |
| Currency used | Chips paid by real money | Real money |
| Withdrawal methods | Allowed, usually cash or check (may also allow credit lines or banking transfers) | Allowed (debit cards, banking apps, banking transfers, digital wallets and crypto; sometimes cash and check) |
| Free to play? | No (but may offer welcome bonus and in-person promos comp-ing food, hotel, shows, etc.) | No (but may offer welcome bonus) |
| Game variety | Depends on the physical casino, often a variety of classic games | Focused on classic casino games |
| Social features | Yes (face-to-face interactions, tournaments, special events, gifts) | Depends (often tournaments and chat rooms) |
| Player accessibility |
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| KYC verification | Full (identity and age verification, proof of address, source of funds, etc.) | Full (identity and age verification, proof of address, source of funds, etc.) |
| Monetization model | House edge from bets and in-person consumption at hotel/bar | House edge from bets |
| Relevant regulations |
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One obvious downside is that retail casinos are geographically restricted, so players must travel to the physical locations. Keep in mind that both retail and online casinos involve real money betting, and therefore tight security and regulatory requirements.
The best real money online casino is the one that fits with your player preferences and location requirements. You may gravitate towards casinos with a reputable game variety, lucrative promotions or your ideal deposit and payout methods.
Discover our top-choice online casino sites in 2025 by browsing the list above. You can also find out more by reading our full review of each casino site.