Online Gambling for Real Money Guide

• Content Map
• How We Select and Rank the Best Casinos
• Bonuses & Promotions
• Signing Up for an Online Casino
• Banking Options
• Real Money Casino Games
• Real Money Mobile Casinos & Apps
• Download Casinos
• New Online Casinos for Real Money
• List of Real Money Gambling Sites You Can’t Miss
• Gambling Regulations in Different Countries
• Most Popular Currencies at Gambling Sites
• History of casinos

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Experts` pick

How We Select and Rank the Best Casinos

There are so many online casinos that it becomes a real challenge even for experienced players to choose a reliable gambling site. That is what we are here for. Our team of experts evaluates each platform based on numerous criteria and only then publishes it. Here are the main criteria that the best online real money casino should meet:

Licensing.

Reliable gambling sites should be licensed and regulated by trustworthy international organizations like the UK Gambling Commission or Malta Gaming Authority. They check and audit every online casino to ensure that it is reliable and is not involved in any illegal actions.

Security.

When joining an online casino play for real money, gamblers want to be sure that their personal information is protected. We check whether the casino uses encryption protocols and has strict data protection policies.

Mobile compatibility.

Nowadays, players want to be sure that all their favorite games are available not only on the desktop but on mobile. We test the compatibility of online casino real money platforms with mobile devices and check whether it is convenient and safe to play on the go.

Real money & free mode.

Many players want to get familiar with a casino before signing up and spending money. That is why a reliable gambling site should offer not only real money but also free games which can be played without creating a personal account.

Secure banking.

Gambling on real money involves online transactions which can be a target for hackers. That is why we check if a real money online casino applies necessary security measures and cooperates only with reliable payment mediators.

Fast payouts.

No one wants to wait long for cashing out the winnings, so the withdrawal time is an important criterion when choosing whether to play at a particular gambling site or not. We check platforms and recommend fast payout casino sites where you don’t have to wait weeks for the transaction. The majority of reliable platforms offer fast payouts.

Loyalty.

Online casinos are interested in players who stay with them on a regular basis. That is why they offer rewarding loyalty programs and promotions. A good online casino has a transparent loyalty policy and allows players to earn more and spend less.

Games variety.

Diversity of titles is definitely one of the most important features any gambler is looking for. We carefully analyze game libraries of online real money casinos to ensure that they offer multiple categories and supply titles from the leading game development studios.

Responsible gaming.

While many people gamble for fun, there are those who become compulsive gamblers. A reliable online casino should recognize the problem and offer players a variety of measures: responsible gaming guidelines, self-exclusion, and deposit limits.

Customer support.

Any time the questions arise, it’s important for a player to reach managers and solve the problem. That is why we communicate with customer representatives of every reviewed casino and ensure that they are competent enough to solve even the most difficult issues. Good customer support should be available 24/7 and can be reached by email, live chat, social media accounts, and phone number.

Bonuses & Promotions

As you already know, promotions are one of the criteria we evaluate when picking gambling sites for you. They make players want to sign up and stay longer, making deposits and trying new games. There is a big number of real money casino bonuses which can make the process more profitable and fun.

When you know what types of new casino bonuses there are, it’s much easier to save money and get the best deals, increasing your chances of winning. Below we will tell about the most popular bonuses in more detail ⬇

Welcome Bonus

Almost every gambling site offers a Welcome Bonus, so it’s very easy to find casinos with free spins and extra cash. This promotion is given to new players after making first deposits and usually comes in two parts: a match bonus up to a certain amount and free spins. For example, a 100% match up to $300 and 50 free spins on Starburst. On our website, you can get familiar with a list of welcome bonuses for every taste and wallet.

No Deposit Bonus

Unlike a welcome package, a free no deposit bonus is more difficult to find. It is a particular promotion that is awarded right after creating a personal account and doesn’t require making a deposit. Usually, it is a certain number of free spins on particular slots or a few dollars to start playing. Even though it may be difficult to find a no deposit real money casino, it’s definitely worth it.

Match Deposit Bonus

A match deposit is a bonus that is given when a player funds the casino account. It comes as a match on the deposited sum up to a particular percentage. For example, if an online casino has a 100% match deposit bonus up to $100, it means that you’ll get an extra $100 to play with.

Reload Bonus

A reload bonus is similar to a match deposit one but is offered to existing players and usually has a lower deposit. For instance, a Lucky Monday reload bonus may give players an extra 40% on each deposit on Monday. This makes online gambling for money more attractive and motivates gamblers to stick with the casino.

Payment Method Bonus

Another way to benefit from a casino deposit is to search for a payment method promotion. Some gambling sites have special offers when depositing with a particular banking option. This bonus may come in a form of extra cash, free spins, and cashback.

Seasonal Bonus

Seasonal promotions are exactly what they sound: they are awarded at a particular time of the year or on given holidays. For example, Christmas Reload Bonus or Thanksgiving Cashback. They may come in different forms including extra cash and free spins.

Ongoing promotions

After registering at an online casino and making the first deposit, players get access to a range of bonuses which are called ongoing promotions. Their main goal is to gain your loyalty, so gambling sites are rather generous in offers.

In the best real money online casinos, players can find such ongoing promotions as cashback, free spins on new slots, cash rewards, participation in VIP tournaments, personal manager, higher betting limits, instant withdrawals, and much more. Usually, the longer you stay with a casino, the more beneficial and diverse ongoing promotions are.

Signing Up for an Online Casino

It is always exciting to join a gambling site because there’s a whole new world waiting ahead. However, some players worry that the process of creating an account is complex and don’t know whether they will do everything properly. We have created a step-by-step guide to help you to register with ease:

1. Choose a gambling site.
   Get familiar with our list of best online casino sites for real money and pick the most appealing one. Then head to its official website.
2. Provide personal details.
   They include your name, gender, email, address, phone number, and preferred currency.
3. Create a username and password.
   It should consist of at least eight numbers and letters. In addition, you may be asked to answer a security question if the password or email is lost.
4. Confirm your email.
   The casino will send a link to the indicated email which you’ll need to click.
5. Make the first deposit.
   Head to the Cashier, choose a payment method, and fund your account to get a welcome bonus and start the game.

Banking Options

When joining online casinos with real money you should start with making a deposit. Top gambling sites offer a wide range of safe and fast payment options that ensure reliable and fun gambling. To be on a safe side, make sure that the chosen platform offers the banking method you are used to, doesn’t charge any extra fees for transactions, and encrypts personal and financial details using SSL protocols.

The most popular types of payment methods include:

• Debit and credit cards.
  Even though gambling with credit cards is no longer an option for UK players, Visa and Mastercard remains one of the most popular payment methods across the world.
• E-wallets.
  No need for a bank account, can boast quick withdrawals and extra perks.
• Prepaid cards.
  They won’t allow exceeding the budget and don’t require any personal details.
• Cryptocurrency.
  Using crypto ensures complete anonymity, instant deposits and fast withdrawals, and attractive payment method bonuses.

Here are the most reliable banking methods that one may find at online casinos:

• Paypal
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• Trustly
• Paysafecard
• Interac
• Boku
• POLi
• Siru Mobile

Extra Fees

Making a real cash casino online deposit or withdrawal should be simple and transparent, so players want to know in advance whether they’ll need to pay additional fees. Everything depends on the chosen payment method. For example, Direct Wire Transfers and PayPal usually charge a small fee, while e-wallet transactions are free.

Fortunately, the majority of online casinos don’t take extra money for deposits and withdrawals, and the only fee you may pay is charged by the payment operator itself. Information on the fees and other financial peculiarities is usually indicated on a separate page.

Deposit & Withdrawal Limits

Another thing to keep in mind is the deposit and withdrawal limits which significantly differ from one gambling site to another. If you are looking for the lowest minimum deposit online casino, be ready to spend some time because they are not that common. However, the result is worth the search.

The majority of gambling sites require players to deposit $10 or $20. A maximum deposit also differs. While some platforms allow betting thousands of dollars a day, the best real money casino sites have a lower limit to protect compulsive players and promote responsible gambling. There may also be restrictions depending on the chosen payment option.

When making a withdrawal, the minimum limit usually equals the minimum deposit. The maximum limit may range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per week. This data is usually indicated in the Deposit & Withdrawal page of the chosen online casino.

Processing & Payout Times

Processing and payout times depend both on the chosen payment method and the gambling site itself. For example, one online casino with real money payout may take only a few hours, while another – requires 2 business days for verification.

In addition, some banking methods are faster than others. E-wallet payouts may take 2-3 hours while Direct Wire Transfers – up to 5 business days.

Real Money Casino Games

Every day millions of people worldwide enjoy real money online gambling. It never gets boring because there are literally thousands of games in tens of categories. Numerous software developers create top-notch titles, supply them with the latest technologies and design, and make us forget about the time and real-life problems. Here are some of the most popular casino games you can play:

• Slots
• Roulette
• Blackjack
• Video Poker
• Poker
• Baccarat
• Keno
• Craps
• Sic Bo

There is a game for each and everyone not depending on experience, age, and preferences. And if you want to learn about the most popular games in more detail, just read articles written by our experts:

• Slots
• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Baccarat

Live Dealer Casino Games

Real money live casino sites are a great option for players who are tired of regular games and want to try something new. Live dealer casinos are a combination of online and land-based casinos where players can communicate and tip dealers streamed from a real studio but without a need to go to an actual venue. Below we will tell about live online casino game variations to help you make a choice.

Live Roulette

Roulette is one of the most popular casino games. It is a great way to gamble online for money, especially if the titles are supplied by the leading software developers. When choosing live roulette, gamblers can enjoy multi-camera views, follow every movement of the wheel and the ball. There is a huge number of live roulette games with a range of features including Autoplay, chat window, saved bets, and comprehensive statistics.

Live Blackjack

It’s difficult to imagine a more entertaining game than live blackjack with its outstanding design and rich features. When joining a live table, players experience a full immersion into the game due to outstanding design and top-notch technologies. Speed Blackjack, Infinite Blackjack, and Power Blackjack are only some of the most popular live dealer variations.

Live Baccarat

Even though it is the oldest casino game, baccarat is still loved by thousands of players and is available in the majority of real money online gambling sites. If you can’t go to Las Vegas or join VIP rooms in Monte Carlo, just try live baccarat and you won’t want to leave. The majority of titles can boast a big number of configurations and default settings, and run perfectly both on desktop and mobile.

Real Money Mobile Casinos & Apps

More and more players choose mobile casinos for real money thanks to their flexibility and simplicity of use. There’s no longer a need to stay at home and play on a personal computer or laptop. You can log in to the chosen mobile casino and start gambling wherever you are: while waiting for a bus or having lunch in a park.

Modern mobile platforms can boast outstanding design and navigation, and offer a full range of games and services. You can either download a real money casino app or play via your smartphone or tablet browser. The only requirements are an updated operating system and a secure and fast Internet connection.

And the best part is that modern online casinos run perfectly on all devices and operating systems including:

• Android;
• iOS;
• Windows;
• Blackberry.

Download Casinos

Even though no-download casinos are more popular, there are still many players who prefer installing software on their computers and playing games in a more traditional way. Download casinos come as a package of programs and tools that take only a few minutes to install.

One of their biggest advantages is that download casino games are usually more diverse and are stuffed with a greater number of bonuses and additional features. They also have better graphics and speed.

New Online Casinos for Real Money

Every day tens of new online casinos emerge and players find it really difficult to pick a particular gambling site. Platforms become better, offer gamblers unique technologies and software, and come packed with rewarding bonuses and promotions.

If you want to get the maximum out of the game, we recommend picking the newest online casino for real money and getting familiar with the market trends and achievements. In addition, recently launched platforms usually have generous bonuses to attract players to the site.

List of Real Money Gambling Sites You Can’t Miss

You already know that a reliable casino should possess a range of features including international licenses, diverse game library, and professional customer support. However, it is rather time-consuming to check casinos on your own. That is why our experts have made a list of the best real money casinos online platforms that meet all the criteria. Here are the gambling sites you should pay attention to:

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Gambling Regulations in Different Countries

Even though playing at online casinos is created for entertainment, it’s important to remember that any financial activities are subjected to particular laws and should be strictly regulated. Below we will tell you about online gambling with real money in different parts of the world. Before you start playing at a casino website, get familiar with local terms and requirements not to miss a single detail.

• UK
• Ireland
• Canada
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• USA

The United Kingdom

It is difficult to find a more regulated and transparent gambling market than in the UK. It’s completely legal to play in UK casino sites if the operator holds the necessary licenses from white-listed countries. Due to a long history of gambling and reasonable taxations, the gambling market in the UK is one of the best worldwide.

Moreover, due to the recent changes, licensed real money UK casinos have to give players a chance to self-exclude from particular platforms. In such a way, the government wants to protect players and reduce the growing number of compulsive gamblers. To get more information on gambling addiction and the way to cope with it, contact official bodies:

• BeGambleAware.org, phone number: +44 080 8802 0133
• Gamblers Anonymous, phone number: +44 033 0094 0322
• GamCare, phone number: +44 080 8802 0133

Ireland

While it’s almost impossible to find land-based casinos in Ireland, players have a chance to gamble online. Sportsbooks and real cash online casinos in Ireland are legalized, so players can enjoy slots, blackjack, roulette, and other types of games without any restrictions.

There are hundreds of online casinos for Irish players because the market is open both for local and international platforms. Here you can find operators that hold the UKGC and the MGA licenses, as well as licenses of other reliable agencies.

If there are any questions concerning problem gambling, Irish citizens can contact the following authorities:

• Gamblers Anonymous, phone number: +353 01 872 1133
• Problem Gambling Ireland, phone number: +353 89 241 5401

Canada

The situation with online casinos in Canada is quite controversial and the laws are unclear. On one hand, it is prohibited to provide any gambling or betting services to Canadians if the companies don’t have a license from the local government. However, apart from Canadian real money casinos, there are international platforms that are not banned. Thus, players can gamble overseas without any fear of getting into trouble.

To confuse gamblers even more, Canadian provinces have a right to regulate the industry on their own, so there are regions with licenses, legalized online casinos, and even land-based venues. However, keep in mind that in Canada gambling profits can be subjected to tax if the winnings make a bigger part of your income and you are playing on a regular basis.

If you or your relatives experience gambling addiction, contact one of the following organizations:

• Gamblers Anonymous, phone number: +1 855 222 5542
• Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario, phone number: +1 888 230 3505
• Responsible Gambling Council, phone number: +1 416-499-9800

New Zealand

According to the 2003 Gambling Act, online betting and gambling in New Zealand are prohibited. However, these restrictions concern only local companies. The only exception is lotteries. Fortunately, real money casino NZ fans are free to gamble on international platforms without fear of being banned or fined.

Even though you won’t find NZ online casinos, the market is open for gambling sites from other parts of the world. Considering the growing number of local game development studios and increased popularity of casino games among Kiwis, it is possible that rather soon the legislation might change.

Here are a few official bodies which can help players and their families to deal with gambling addiction:

• Gambling Helpline, phone number: +64 0800 654 655

South Africa

It is quite difficult to understand gambling regulations in South Africa because from time to time the laws are changing. One day joining a casino online for real money in South Africa is prohibited and another – you are free to play. At the moment, it’s impossible to join an online casino in South Africa while sports betting and horse racing are legal.

Fortunately, locals can enjoy slots and other casino games on international sites because the government doesn’t monitor the activities of individual players. In case you need help with compulsive gambling, contact the following South Africa authorities:

• Responsible Gaming, phone number: +27 11 026 7323

The USA

In the majority of states except for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware gambling is prohibited. According to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act that was passed in 2006, banks and financial institutions aren’t allowed to conduct transactions between online casinos in the USA and players. This signaled providers that gambling is considered illegal and they decided not to accept players from the US.

However, recently the industry has changed and more and more states started issuing their own licenses. Thus, online casinos for real money USA players will soon have more options to choose from.

US-based helplines for problem gamblers include:

• Smart Recovery, phone number: +1 440 951 5357
• National Council on Problem Gambling, phone number: +1 800 522 4700
• American Addiction Centers, phone number: +1 866 649 0184

Gambling Licensing Authorities Around the World

To make the market safe and regulated it is important to ensure that gambling sites follow the local and international laws, are transparent and fair. That is when licensing authorities step in: they accredit safe online casino platforms, check their documents, publish audits, and ensure that if any problems arise, players can be protected. If you are looking for legit online casinos that pay real money winnings and are not involved in illegal activities, search for a platform that has a license of one of the following authorities:

• The UK Gambling Commission;
• Malta Gaming Authority;
• Gibraltar Regulatory Authority.

Most Popular Currencies at Gambling Sites

For the maximum convenience of players, online casinos for money offer a big number of currencies. The more currencies there are, the easier and cheaper it is for players to gamble with real money online. Here are the most popular currencies at the moment:

History of casinos

It is difficult to find a better way to spend leisure at home than to gamble online for real money. However, the first casinos were land-based and didn’t have much in common with the modern venues in Vegas. The word casino derived from Italian ‘casa’ meaning house. The first organized gambling took place in Venice back in 1638 and was offered ubiquitously: from social clubs to hotels.

The oldest casino game is Baccarat which was first mentioned at the beginning of the 15th century. And the first slot machine was introduced in 1887. It was developed by Charles Fell and was titled Liberty Bell. Yes, it was heavy and simple but gave way to the slots that we all know and love today.

Posted by: Catalina
Editor-in-Chief

With 4 years of experience in writing about online gambling, Catalina has decided to gather all her knowledge and share it with others on one platform. Her main goal is to provide detailed information so that players could gamble in a more safe way. Smart and responsible gambling is her motto.