INSIDECASINO.USOnline casinos. From the inside.
An online casino lets you play slots, table games and live dealer games for money on a website or app. Real-money sites are licensed in seven US states, while sweepstakes and offshore sites work differently. InsideCasino.us scores licensed casinos with a published formula and explains how each kind works.
- 51 state and DC pages
- Sources on every guide and state page
- Last checked November 5, 2026
- 14 casinos scored by a published formula
Which online casinos score highest?
The five state-licensed online casinos with the highest InsideCasino Score, checked November 9, 2026, are listed below. You must be physically in a state where the casino is live to play.
InsideCasino.us may earn a commission when you visit a casino through these links. It never changes a score.
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1,000 bonus spins on Hotstepper 2
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Number 2: Golden Nugget Casino
94/100 InsideCasino Score
500 flex spins, paid 50 a day
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Money-back guarantee of up to $100 in bonus money
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1,500 bonus spins on Huff N' Puff slots, plus a $25 casino bonus
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24 hours of casino losses back up to $500 (Pennsylvania: 100% match up to $250)
Offers as listed by RotoWire: online casino bonuses table on November 8, 2026, checked by us November 9, 2026. Offers change often and differ by state, so read the terms on the casino's own site. 21+ and physically in a listed state. How the InsideCasino Score works.
See all 14 best online casinos for real moneyWhat kinds of online casino are there?
US players run into three kinds of online casino: state-licensed real-money sites, sweepstakes casinos and offshore sites. They differ in how you play and in who protects you if something goes wrong.
What is a state-licensed online casino?
- How you play
- You deposit real money, and you can win and withdraw real money.
- Who oversees it
- A state regulator, such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
- Where it is available
- 7 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia. You must be physically in the state to play.
- What to check
- Find the site on the regulator's own list before you deposit.
Live in these states
What is a sweepstakes casino?
- How you play
- You play with virtual coins. One type of coin can usually be redeemed for prizes, which is why states look at these sites closely.
- Who oversees it
- They are not licensed as casinos by a state gaming regulator. Some states have acted against them through regulators or attorneys general.
- Where it is available
- It varies. 10 states have passed a law aimed at them, and other states are still deciding how to treat them.
- What to check
- Check your state first, because these rules are changing quickly.
Banned by state law in these states
What is an offshore casino?
- How you play
- You deposit real money at a site run from outside the United States.
- Who oversees it
- No US state licenses them. Any license they show comes from another country.
- Where it is available
- Many accept US players, but that does not make them licensed where you live.
- What to check
- No state agency checks their games, payouts or complaints, so you have no state regulator to turn to in a dispute.
What happens when you play at an online casino?
Most real-money online casinos follow the same five steps, from sign-up to withdrawal. Pick a step to see what happens and what to check.
How do you sign up?
You create an account and prove who you are. Licensed casinos check your identity and age, and confirm that you are physically in the state.
What to check: Use your real details. A mismatch can hold up a withdrawal later.
How licensed casinos workHow do you deposit?
You add money by card, bank transfer or another listed method. The methods on offer differ by casino and by state.
What to check: Read the fees and limits before you pay in.
Online casino payment methodsShould you take a bonus?
A bonus gives you extra money or spins, with conditions attached. The main one is the wagering requirement: how much you must bet before you can withdraw bonus winnings.
What to check: Read the wagering requirement and the expiry date.
How casino bonuses workWhat can you play?
You play slots, table games or live dealer games. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so the casino expects to win over time.
What to check: Set a budget first, and treat it as money you can afford to lose.
Online casino games comparedHow do you withdraw?
You ask to take out your balance. The casino reviews the request and pays it by an approved method. A first withdrawal can take longer because of identity checks.
What to check: Note the processing time and limits before you deposit.
Do online casinos pay real money?The InsideCasino Standard
How do we check the facts?
The InsideCasino Standard is three rules that every page on InsideCasino.us follows, whatever the topic.
Where does each fact come from?
Each legal claim links to a primary source, such as a regulator's list or the state law, wherever one exists. Where no official source exists, the page says so.
When was each page checked?
Every state and brand page shows the date we last checked it. Rules change often, so the date tells you how fresh the answer is.
Can a casino pay for a better score?
No. The InsideCasino Score comes from a published formula built on public facts. We may earn a commission from casino links, and it never changes a score.
What do people ask about online casinos?
Do online casinos pay real money?
What decides whether you get paid.
Are online casinos rigged?
How games are tested, and by whom.
How do sweepstakes casinos work?
The model, and where it is banned.
Are offshore casinos legal?
The risks US players should know.
96.17%
How much do online casinos pay back?
Connecticut's two largest online casino licensees paid back 96.17% of the $21.85 billion bet on them from October 2025 to September 2026. That is our calculation from Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection data.
What payout rates meanWhat can you play in your state?
Every state sets its own rules, and each state page names the regulator and the date we checked. Worried about your gambling? Free, confidential help is available from the National Council on Problem Gambling: 1-800-MY-RESET.