In 2011, the Department of Justice released a statement revealing the Wire Act of 1965 never really banned Internet casinos. Instead, it affected sports betting. This was a response to a clarification request made by Illinois and New York in 2009.
Illinois and New York asked for clarification about the Wire Act to determine whether they could sell lottery tickets online. Following the DOJ’s statement, states throughout the country began selling lotto tickets on the Internet.
But that was not all.
The Black Friday of Poker Sites
Before the DOJ’s statement in 2011, the Bush administration had banned foreign casino sites from operating in the US in 2006. PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, UB, and Absolute Poker paid the ultimate price of this ban in April 2011 after the DOJ captured their domain names and shut down their websites.
To be clear, the DOJ crippled major gambling sites on the accusation of committing online fraud. Some of the sites cooperated with the government and got licensed to get back to the market.
Unfortunately, many poker sites exited the US market, leaving Americans with few online casino options.
Legal Online Casinos
Delaware launched the country’s first legal online casino in 2012. New Jersey followed in 2013 while Nevada permitted online poker in 2015. For clarity, Nevada opted not to legalize slots and other card games to avoid competition with land-based casinos.
In 2017, Pennsylvania joined the list of states with legal online casinos. West Virginia later got on board while Illinois and a few more states are planning to do the same. Around the country, over 20 states permit some form of online gambling—mainly sports betting.
Looking for a good ? Drop by at pokernewsdaily.com. The folks at the site have compiled a long list of safe, trustworthy casino sites for all Americans. They’ve also included a guide on where to find great bonuses.
That being said, below are helpful tips to help you find the best legal online casinos in the US.
Licensing and Security
Although you can find a safe unlicensed casino, data shows your money and personal information is safer at a licensed casino. Licensing helps keep online gambling companies in check.
Every regulator has its rules casinos must follow to maintain their licenses. One of the rules to provide secure websites. Another rule involves providing fair games. Nonetheless, take the extra mile of verifying a casino’s security policies.
Look for SSL encryption to confirm a casino protects your data. Read its data collection policies. Then ensure you can secure your account through a unique password and 2-FA. If possible, look for a certificate from an independent audit confirming the casino is safe and trustworthy.
A Full Range of Games
Your reason for finding an online casino is to play your favorite slots and poker games. So, find a site with the best games. Usually, quality games feature intriguing themes, clear graphics, bonus features, and great payouts.
Importantly, you’re more likely to find quality games in a casino that works with top-tier software providers. Look out for award-winning software providers like NetEnt, Betsoft, Playtech, Evolution, and Play’n GO.
Also, check the specific games you can play from these developers. NetEnt, for example, delivers Gonzo’s Quest, Guns N’ Roses, Starburst and Mega Fortune. Microgaming, by comparison, supplies Thunderstruck II, Mega Moolah, and Mermaid Millions.
Nowadays, an online casino doesn’t feel right without live software. Evolution Gaming delivers the most popular live casino games, so look out for this developer. To expound more, live software helps you play poker, blackjack, and roulette in real-time.
Secure, Convenient Banking
When gambling online, secure payments are a compulsory feature in a casino. If a site can’t deliver smooth, convenient banking, find another one. Safety begins by knowing you can deposit through a trusted payment option.
Nowadays, there’s a wide range of ways to fund gambling accounts. You can use Visa, MasterCard, Google Pay, , or eChecks. It pays to choose a good banking option. Precisely, Google Pay and PayPal offer faster, cheaper, and more convenient options than bank transfers.
Keep in mind many casinos require that you use the same option for both deposits and withdrawals. Against that backdrop, read a casino’s policies on fees, limits, and payout time frames.
The best operators don’t charge you for deposits. This is true whether using deposits of $10 or $10,000. They also process payouts fast all while keeping the cashout fees low.
Sweet Bonuses and Promotions
Nowadays, you don’t need to convince any casino to give you a bonus. They all compete for your attention and money. If you can commit to creating an account, you qualify to earn free spins $10 instantly. Better deals come after you make your first deposit.
Before you take out your credit card, though, find out the terms and conditions of a bonus. What’s the maximum you can claim? What must you do to cash out your profits? Logically, you want bonuses with the most manageable policies.
Another thing is to find a casino with multiple promotions. A welcome bonus only comes once. But you could benefit from reload bonuses, loyalty points, cash backs, and birthday gifts.
Contacts and Customer Service
to keep in mind when finding a casino is the lack of contacts. If you can’t figure out how to contact customer service, don’t register an account. Likewise, avoid sites with complicated contact procedures.
Instead, look for a casino with 24-hour customer help, preferably through a live chat feature. Live chatting allows you to receive quality feedback instantly. Email and phone support are also viable options.
Summary
Online casinos are growing popular in the US. At least four states permit the industry and more jurisdictions are finalizing bills to make casino sites legal. Meanwhile, use the tips we’ve shared above to find a genuine casino.
Pay attention to safety and trustworthiness. Read reviews to discover whether people trust a casino. If they do, check around for quality games, fast payouts and sweet bonuses.