Online Casinos Reviewed by Experts
It isn’t hard to find real money casinos, but it’s nearly impossible to find unbiased reviews of them. I’ve been in the online casino business for nearly 20 years. I’ve learned that the best thing you can do for players is be honest with them.
I’ve actually tested every online casino I review with my own money – some for more than 10 years. I’ll show you what you’ll deal with as a real player will deal with before you deposit your hard-earned money.
Rank | Casino | Score | Bonus | Restricted States | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 91% | 100% up to $500 | NY, NJ, DE, MD, NV | ||
2 | 88% | 100% up to $1,000 | NY, NJ, DE, MD, NV | ||
3 | 86% | 100% up to $1,000 | None | ||
4 | 85% | 100% up to $1,000 | NY, NJ, DE, MD, NV | ||
5 | 81% | 100% up to $1,000 | None |
Online Casinos I've Reviewed in 2024
Ignition Casino
Although Ignition Casino has only been online since 2016, they're owned by the same company as some of the oldest online casinos. Ignition Casino accepts USA players, has many live dealer games, and an excellent payout history. My Bitcoin payouts from Ignition often arrive within 4-6 minutes.
Payout Speed | Game Selection | Mobile Casino |
---|---|---|
9.1
Rating
100%
Bonus
Yes
Live Dealers
2016
Open Since
Yes
USA Players
Café Casino
Café Casino is another USA-facing online casino owned by long-standing market leaders. One of the biggest reasons to play at this casino includes a giant 500% bonus with reasonable wagering requirements. Café Casino has a strong focus on Bitcoin and other crypto banking methods, which could be an issue for players using other deposit methods.
Payout Speed | Game Selection | Mobile Casino |
---|---|---|
8.8
Rating
500%
Bonus
No
Live Dealers
2016
Open Since
Yes
USA Players
Wild Casino
Wild Casino is open to American players and has the backing of the BetOnline group, one of the oldest casino and gambling online. The Wild Casino mobile site requiring Flash is a fail, but the cashier, quick payouts, and extensive live casino mostly make up for it.
Payout Speed | Game Selection | Mobile Casino |
---|---|---|
8.6
Rating
100%
Bonus
Yes
Live Dealers
2018
Open Since
Yes
USA Players
Slots.lv
Slots.lv earned my initial trust because they're owned by a long-standing online casino brand. I often receive my Bitcoin payouts from this casino in minutes. Slots.lv offers one of the largest selections of live dealers for USA players, a strong game selection, and an above-average mobile casino.
Payout Speed | Game Selection | Mobile Casino |
---|---|---|
8.5
Rating
200%
Bonus
No
Live Dealers
2013
Open Since
Yes
USA Players
Super Slots Casino
Owned by the same veteran online gaming group as sister site Wild Casino, Super Slots has an excellent track record when it comes to meeting payouts, even if they aren't the quickest to send them. This is another solid option for USA players, with all 50 states accepted. You'll get a number of live dealer games, an increased bonus for cryptocurrency deposits, and a large number of slots.
Payout Speed | Game Selection | Mobile Casino |
---|---|---|
8.1
Rating
400%
Bonus
Yes
Live Dealers
2020
Open Since
Yes
USA Players
✅ What is the best online casino for US players?
I tend to avoid calling any one online casino the very best, simply because every player is going to value different features in a different way. However, for US players especially, a trustworthy track record of fairness and consistent payouts is what I care most about. For that, I recommend older trusted brands such as Ignition or Chumba Casino (if you want a 100% legal option).
✅ Which online casinos are legitimate?
Every online casino listed on this page has passed my certification process, meaning I believe them all to be legitimate for real money. That includes testing the deposit process, investigating the terms and conditions, testing the support team, verifying any gaming license, and ensuring payouts are handled quickly.
✅ Can you win money at online casinos?
Just like at a brick-and-mortar casino, it’s certainly possible to win real money at an online casino if you’re risking real money.
✅ How do online casino bonuses work?
Usually, online casinos will add your bonus to your balance, allowing you to bet with it right on casino games right away. However, they have what is called a wagering requirement, which means that you have to wager a certain amount prior to withdrawing. This is typically between 10-50 times the bonus amount.
We personally review every casino
I've been reviewing the best (and the worst) online casinos since I created Beat The Fish in 2005. I've played for real money at dozens of online gambling sites since then.
What I think makes these casino reviews different is the effort my team and I put into each one. I believe in honest reporting above all else, which is easy to do when you're really playing for real money at the casinos.
My team has reviewed a number of online casinos for Beat The Fish and have been in the gambling industry and casino community for more than a decade. The BTF reviewers know exactly what to look for when evaluating online casinos. They can give you all of the most important details about an operator before you sign up with them and offer advice on how to decide for yourself which casino site is the best choice for you.
When I ask them to play at a casino and give me their honest feedback, they've never let me down. My team of experts shares the same industry knowledge and sensibilities about what makes the best online casinos.
This page contains online casino reviews only. If you're interested in another type of igaming platform check out my Sports Betting and Poker Room reviews.
Finally, we always follow a strict real money review process for every gambling operator before we add it to the site.
What's included in every casino site review
Every online casino review I publish must contain certain criteria because I feel like every prospective player has a right to know as much as possible before they make a deposit or play any of the online casino games.
Among the minimum of 1,500 words spent on each casino review, this is what I'll always cover as part of an in-depth guide to playing at any online casino you're considering joining:
Real-Money Bonus
I don't simply regurgitate the eye-popping bonus numbers online casinos like to promise potential new players with. A 100% or 200% bonus might sound great, but how easy is it to cash out?
Is there a cap to how much you can actually with using bonus funds? Do certain casino games clear more of the bonus than others? Do you have to join the VIP Club to get the really good bonuses?
You know what type of player you are. I don't want you to be in for a surprise when you get less of a bonus than you're expecting. So, this section of the review is designed to keep you in the know about all bonus-related issues.
No-Deposit Bonus
Although usually heavily restricted, no deposit bonuses are used by some online casinos to let new players try out real money games without making a deposit. Free money is always appreciated, but it isn't all that common and many offers are either limited or hidden to normal players.
I update reviews regularly as no deposit bonuses are added and removed at casinos. I also provide exact instructions on what users need to do to claim them.
Wagering Requirements
A nearly-universal method of releasing casino bonuses is putting a wagering requirement on them. That means that players must bet the bonus money a certain number of times before they can cash out the bonus. These rules can vary wildly and turn a huge bonus on the surface into a stingy hassle. I'll also note any no-deposit bonus available.
I always include a review on how much play is required in different game types in order to claim the money an online casino is dangling on a stick in front of you.
Deposit Methods
Most players prefer to stick to their favorite and most familiar deposit method. Others are restricted to specific banking options because of where they live. For US players, it isn't always as easy as using Visa or Mastercard to make deposits, so it's important to me that players are well aware of which payment methods are accepted at any casino they are thinking of joining.
I always include all of the banking methods that an online casino accepts and how easy it is for gamblers to work with their cashier. Easiest deposit options include Bitcoin, credit cards, and PayPal. Lesser known e-wallets like paysafecard, Skrill and Neteller are also widely accepted at US-facing online casinos, and are worth looking into.
If an online casino doesn't support depositing your money the way you need them to with your chosen payment method, then they're worthless to you.
Withdrawal Speed
I've always said that an online casino is only as strong as its payout speed. Casinos can have the best game variety and take your money smoothly for deposits, but how good are they if you can't make timely and consistent withdrawals of your winnings? I won't review online casinos that won't pay out winning players and do so quickly. Period.
Player Support
A pet peeve of mine is any online casino that still has the nerve to only offer customer support via email to its real money players. It doesn't mean that I'll blacklist a casino for it, but I'll certainly call them on that epic fail.
Offering live chat is better. Best is the trifecta of email, live chat, and telephone player support. I test multiple customer service methods with example questions to see how quickly the staff answer, and how well they deal with the problems and issues I present them with.
Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games have become a staple at the best and most well-rounded online casinos. It's easy to see the reason why, as it brings back the social element of casino gaming and takes place in a regulated environment where you can witness the game fairness with your own eyes.
I always review a casino's live dealer offerings and list which table and card games are available.
Slots Variety
Slots are the backbone of any casino, whether it be online or brick-and-mortar. Every online casino is going to offer dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of slot machines, but the selection can vary significantly.
Some players prefer slots from a specific game developer, while others are just looking for free spins, a number of reels, or progressive jackpots. My reviews cover a casino's slot options, including free slots options and other free casino games, in detail.
I'll go into plenty of detail about the variety of slot games and jackpot slots available at the site I'm reviewing and even make recommendations for which titles you should try first. The list of slot games can be incredibly overwhelming, especially if you're not familiar with specific software developers (since US online casinos don't often feature casino games from big name developers like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Novomatic), so I make it my mission to ensure that you know where to start with any gambling site you're visiting.
It's also very important to me that real money gambling sites make all info about their slots easy to access. Games should be organized into categories that are easy to navigate, have a useful search function and pertinent data like RTP and max wins are presented up front so players are well aware of the most important things that will affect their gambling experience as they play casino games of chance.
Table Games Variety
Classic table games like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and craps are favorites of mine, so I’m always sure to include their availability in my online casino reviews.
Everyone knows the games, so my focus is on how a casino handles the graphics and how many variations are offered - this is particularly important with casino games like video poker, where there are dozens of different variants to choose from. Whether you win or lose, what's most important how good of an overall gaming experience you had.
I'll let you know whether the casino games run smoothly on both mobile and desktop at each of the casino operators I review, and if there are enough variants available to keep you entertained.
Specialty Games
A casino’s special games can help round out the catalog and I know some players prefer games like keno, bingo, scratch cards, and even Sudoku at some casinos. So, my casino rates include information about the site's specialty games in case you care about them.
Mobile Casino
There’s no excuse anymore for an online casino not to have a perfectly-functioning mobile casino. We live on our phones and, on average, casino players use their phones and tablets more than their computers.
Odds are, the casino you're considering joining offers mobile games - but, just how good are they? Do they run smoothly, or are they rife with glitches? Are the games functional on both iPhone and Android devices? Do they run in your mobile browser or do you have to download an app?
I review every mobile casino and make sure everything you’d expect is available, and in tip-top shape.
License
Although casino game fairness doesn’t begin and end with a license, it’s still incredibly important. I always investigate an online casino’s status for my reviews. Not only are they licensed, but which territory are they regulated by? With gaming licenses handed out by tax-friendly islands like candy, not every one is created equally.
Choosing a Real-Money Casino on Your Priorities
Every online casino player is an individual with their own priorities.
For example, some players might only be interested in clearing the most bonus money they can, while others only want to play at live dealer games, and others only want to gamble online at casinos where they can deposit with Bitcoin.
When I review an online casino, I put myself in the shoes of other players and answer every question I can imagine they might have.
I aim to give more information on each casino than most players need. I'd rather mention a ton of casino features that might be crucial to some than simply cover the most common bases.
A Simple Test for Every Online Casino Site
Besides just looking at the current statistics of online casinos, my experience in the industry can help to predict how bright a casino’s future is. I’ve seen a number of online casinos try to operate after payout red flags or cheating scandals.
New players wouldn’t know about them, so I’m sure to include any questionable casino history in my reviews.
Every online casino I review must pass the following questions to my satisfaction before they're listed at Beat The Fish. It's a simple litmus test that easily separate the best online casinos from ones that go on my blacklist.
Online casinos listed here must pass all these test questions
- Who are they licensed by?
- How can players make sure the games are fair?
- How easy is it to deposit?
- How fast will the casino pay me out?
- How long has the casino been in business?
- What are other players saying about them?
Our 10-Part Process of Every Casino Review
1
Analyze casino licensing and Terms and Conditions
The first thing we look for in any new casino is who has approved their license, making them legal and reputable online casinos. While a license isn't everything, it gives players peace of mind if an official government gambling agency has declared a casino site's games fair and holds the brand to high standards of security and safety.
2
Ensure that the games are audited for fairness
The fairness of an online casino's games is everything. Because players can't see the cards being dealt or touch the slot machine, there's a huge amount of trust involved. We always run checks to see if a casino's games have been audited for fairness.
3
Sign up at casino with a new account
You can't review a casino without signing up and betting real-money yourself. We always actually create a new online casino account, note any hassles for new players, and actually play at the games.
4
Make a test deposit, sometimes using multiple methods
Even the best online casinos are only as strong as its deposit and payout methods. It sometimes gets overlooked, but we're always sure to test which deposit methods are available, any fees, and how easy it is to make a deposit.
5
Test multiple games over many hours
We don't just hit up a few spins at the casino's slots, play a few hands of Blackjack, place a few bets on Roulette and then bolt. We put in at least several hours of gameplay over multiple days. That gives us fresh eyes and better perspective on what an online casino is really like.
6
Test bonus release and wagering requirements
Online casinos love to brag about their welcome bonus package in giant letters, but how much of that money you'll actually see is what really matters. We always test how easy it is to get your bonus money and tell players exactly how to do it with any special tips we can provide for clearing your bonus sooner.
7
Ask example support questions
A casino's player support department is easy to forget about until you really need it one day. We do the homework on which support methods are available and test how well the reps actually know their casino.
8
Request payout with an emphasis on speed
Every online casino player intends to win money and the best online casinos will get them their money quickly. We always test payout methods and speeds so you can know what to expect before you put your bankroll on the line.
9
Check other websites and forums for complaints
Just because we have a great experience at an online casino doesn't mean that there haven't been scandals or major complaints we missed. So, we always have a look at other user reviews on forum websites and review aggregators, taking input from experienced players to ensure that it is a reputable casino. We'll continue to shut down casino reviews if our investigation uncovers proven wrongdoing.
10
Write and build the review page
Only after we've played extensively at an online casino will we write our final opinions and evaluations. Our philosophy is always to give prospective new casino players too much information rather than not enough.
How we make the best online casino reviews we can
Most of all, I want casino players to be able to count on my reviews for something different than they’d find with the other endless reviews online. I enjoy doing the testing and review ratings because I’m still a player myself. I want every review to be a bit longer, a bit more in-depth, and a bit more honest than what you’re used to.
Currently, these are the online casinos the BTF team has reviewed:
- 888 Casino
- Café Casino
- Lincoln Casino
- Slots.lv
- Ignition Casino
- Wild Casino
- Planet 7 Casino
- Sloto’Cash Casino
- Trada Casino
- Wixstars Casino
- Barbados Casino
- Unique Casino
- Gunsbet Casino
- Lord of the Spins
- Diamond Reels Casino
- Cloud Casino
I would rather build trust with real online casino players and have them return to me for more of my reviews than trick then into signing up at the casino that offers me the most money.
I appreciate you putting your trust in Beat The Fish and I hope you find these real-money casino reviews an honest breath of fresh air.
Josh is one of the world’s most respected online gambling experts. He has been featured on outlets such as CardPlayer, the World Poker Tour, Google News, and Forbes. Josh has nearly 20 years of experience reviewing poker rooms, casinos, and online sportsbooks. He launched Beat The Fish in 2005, which has been peer-certified as a trustworthy gambling portal. Josh’s proven systems and extensive knowledge of the iGaming industry have been used by thousands of online bettors to make more informed decisions.
Great review and to be honest to another honest person. Online gambling probably wouldn’t be here or gambling period. BUT, this world needs a lot more of us out here behind these screens.
I had no idea their was such a thing as BTF I wish I’d found y’all sooner becos I love to play but I know so little well till now thank you for being here
the only review page worth reading,very helpful