Best Casino Games for US Players: Top Games to Play in 2023
THE online casino industry in the United States dates back to 2012 when Delaware became the first state to legalize online casino games. It also legalized online poker, but Nevada did that earlier that year.
And, in April 2012, online casino games were officially legalized. Of course, Delaware is a smaller state, so when New Jersey legalized them in February 2013, along with having Atlantic City in the state, that was a much more significant impact.
Today, six states—Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, and Connecticut—have legalized online gambling.
Below, we’ll review the best games you can play in these states and answer some pressing questions about this industry as it slowly evolves and expands across the country like sports betting has.
⭐ Top US casinos
What are the most popular games in US casinos?
Regardless of what online casino you check out at legal sites in the United States, you’ll find many of the same types of games, and we’ll cover those below.
�� Slots
These are, without a doubt, the most accessible online casino games to get into. There’s no strategy involved with these; you’ll wager money with each spin and leave it up to fate whether you win. Now, you can decide which games to play based on paylines, bonus features, or RTP%, but overall, slots are pure luck.
♣️ Poker
At online casinos, video poker is available. Video poker is a game that combines traditional poker and slots. Based on your hand, you’ll decide what to bet, have cards dealt to you, and then decide what to do. It’s a straightforward process.
In terms of online poker, you can play games such as Texas Hold’Em, Omaha, Five Card Draw, Hi/Lo, Caribbean Stud, and more. Each game has its rules, and you can also participate in tournaments.
�� Table games
At online casinos, “table games” are a category that represents games like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and craps.
Of these games, blackjack has arguably the most strategy involved, including decisions on insurance and side bets.
Here are some notes about the other games:
- Baccarat: Bet whether the player, banker, or tie wins.
- Craps: A dice-based game, you’ll wager on the results of the two dice being rolled.
- Roulette: With the spin of a wheel, you’ll see if you win or lose. There are multiple wagers, including red, black, dozens, and more.
�� Live dealer games
Live dealer games mostly include the table games mentioned above but in a “live” setting. While you’re not at a casino in person, live dealer games provide you with the closest thing to it. You’ll be brought into a stream with a live host and compete against other players that are also online. You can interact with the host via a chat box.
�� Jackpots
Regardless of the online casino you play at, you’re bound to find at least one jackpot slot. However, some sites offer more than others.
With jackpot slots, there are two types you’ll find—traditional and progressive.
Traditional jackpots are a fixed amount until they’re won, while progressive jackpots continuously increase until they’re won.
�� Wheel of Fortune games
One of the newest online casinos to emerge is a Wheel of Fortune-based site developed by BetMGM. You can play Wheel of Fortune gambling games like Wheel of Fortune Megaways here. This game has an RTP% of 96.46% and can win up to 50,000x your wager.
Can I play casino games for free in the US?
At real-money online casinos, demo mode is the primary way to play games for free. This mode isn’t available at all online casinos, so you must check. However, it allows you to experience the game without spending real money.
What’s the difference between real money and free casino games?
The primary difference between real money and free casino games is, of course, wagering real money and not wagering real money. With demo mode, you can play games as if you were playing for real money; only you’re given a fake bankroll to experience the game before you wager actual funds.
�� Are there special mobile casino games?
In our experience, most online casino games you find on desktop PC are also available on mobile devices. If anything, some sites will limit the number of games you find on the mobile app for the online casino as opposed to exclusive mobile games, whether it's on Android or iOS.
Can I win real money from free games?
No. Unless the online casino offers some kind of promotion where you can play games for free, you ca unable win real money from playing games in a free or demo mode.
Are online casino slots rigged?
No. Online slots have an RTP%, but that information is available beforehand. All casino games have a “house edge,” which inherently means that, over time, online casinos will win, but this is information to evaluate before playing a game.
�� How do I pick a good casino slot?
- Decide which legal online casino you want to play at. Make sure they are licensed by the state you’re located in.
- Browse the game library and research the developers. Some of the top game developers include NetEnt, IGT, AGS, Evolution, and more.
- Read independent reviews to get a better sense of the slot.
- Once you’ve located some potential titles, look into their RTP%. This rate shows what the house edge is. For example, if a slot has an RTP% of 96%, that means that, over time, $0.96 of every $1 will be paid back to players, but there’s a 4% house edge.
- Now that you’ve found a game created by a reputable developer with a good RTP% try it on demo mode to see if you enjoy the aesthetic and look for bonus features.
- Bonus features with online slots include free spins, multipliers, and other bonus rounds.
- Now, you have all the information you need to make an informed decision—developer information, reviews, RTP%, and bonus features, if any.
What is the payout percentage or RTP in casino games?
The RTP%, or Return to Player Percentage, is a figure that illustrates the house edge in a game. If you find a game with an RTP% of 97%, the casino has a house edge of 3%. The other way to look at it is that, over time, $0.97 of every $1 wagered is paid back to players.
Which online casino games have the best RTP?
At online casinos, the games that typically carry the highest RTP% are table games, such as Blackjack and Baccarat. The RTP% can be 99% or higher, depending on the Blackjack variant. That’s why, when you look at terms and conditions of welcome bonuses, and more specifically, deposit bonuses, you’ll find that the game contribution percentages on table games are lower than slots because of the higher payout potential.
Game contribution percentages illustrate that percentage of every $1 wagered will be counted towards a playthrough requirement on an offer.
For example, most deposit bonuses will have Slots at 100%, meaning every $1 you wager counts toward the wagering requirement at a 100% rate. Conversely, Blackjack could be as low as 10%, meaning $0.10 of every $1 wagered counts toward it.
Which casino games pay out the least?
While these are more niche games, more online casino games are starting to offer scratch cards or Keno. While these add a nice variety to the online casinos and provide more options than your standard games, the RTP% isn’t all that appealing. Scratch cards can be as low as 50%, and Keno as low as 70%.
�� How do I pick a good poker table in an online casino?
It’s important to note that online poker is a separate entity from an online casino. If a site offers online poker, it’s a separate portal, and they’re not integrated.
Therefore, if you decide to venture to the online poker portion of the site, there are some things to consider.
- Evaluate the buy-ins the table requires and what your minimum stake is.
- Look at the size of the table. The less players there are, the faster games will go.
- Decide what type of poker game you want to play. There are many types of games, and it’s up to you to decide which is most comfortable.
- As a new player, we recommend focusing on freeroll tournaments, low buy-ins, or Sit & Go’s.
- Sit & Go tournaments have a fixed number of players, making it a bit easier for new players to navigate.
- Look at each tournament to see if they mention player skill. If you’re a new player, avoid playing with experienced players.
- Look into bonuses and promotions to see if you can benefit from them for your next poker tournament or table.
How do I know a casino game is safe to play in a US online casino?
If you’re at a legal online casino in the United States, all of the games that are offered are safe to play. The governing body in each state, whether it’s a Gaming Commission, State Lottery, or Division of Gaming Enforcement, these agencies oversee the online casinos to ensure that everything offered is appropriate and safe for players.
What are the best three games I can play in US casinos?
With so many online casino games on the market, some offer a higher payout percentage than others. While we cannot research every game as thousands are on the market, below are three with the highest RTP%. These include table games and slots.
Blackjack (IGT)
A standard version of Blackjack, this version, developed by IGT, has an RTP% of 99.60%. The minimum wager for this game is $1, and the maximum is $200. You can get a maximum payout of $250,000.
Blood Suckers
A slot developed by NetEnt in 2009, Blood Suckers is a classic game on a 5x3 grid with an RTP% of 98%. This is easily among the highest RTP% we found when researching slots.
The theme of Blood Suckers revolves around vampires. It is also considered a “low volatility” game with 25 paylines and a maximum win of over 1,100x.
Baccarat Professional Series
Developed by NetEnt, Baccarat Professional Series has an RTP% close to 99% (98.94%). The game is considered “low volatility,” with a minimum wager of $1, a maximum of $1,000, and a maximum wager of $9,000.
Our top tips for playing casino games online in the US
- Evaluate RTP%: We’ve gone over many times throughout this page, but RTP% is a key metric to help you evaluate the likelihood of generating winnings at a game.
- Look at aesthetics and themes for slots: This is a subjective analysis, but when researching slot games, look for ones with an aesthetic and theme that appeals to you. There are many types, including movies, television shows, and more.
- Bankroll management: We highly encourage you to set a budget, whether daily, monthly, or another set timeframe. We encourage you to stick to it and not chase winnings, as online casino games are mostly luck-based.
- Monitor promotions and bonuses: In addition to evaluating welcome bonuses, look for sites that have other promotions available such as free spins, Bet & Get offers, and more.
- Utilize demo mode: Before ever wagering any real money, we recommend trying it on demo mode if it’s available at the online casino you’re playing at. This allows you to get a feel for the game ahead of time.
Responsible gambling
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat