Online casino games: How to play slots, blackjack and claim casino app bonus codes

Playing online casino games (such as blackjack, roulette, slots, and video poker, among others) for real money at regulated, legal online casino apps is easy when you know where to access them. This guide explains to U.S. players how to find the best casino games online, the differences between the best online casino games and the worst, and the easiest way to have fun and enjoy them responsibly.

You can play these types of real money online casino games on our top recommended legal casino apps: BetMGM Casino, Caesars Palace Online Casino, DraftKings Casino, Fanatics Casino, FanDuel Casino and Golden Nugget Casino. Most online casino games belong in one of the categories below:

I love to play digital table games out of all the categories of online casino games for real money. I like the variance in outcomes and the process of weighing the decisions necessary in the gameplay. I also prefer them over live dealer games because I have greater control over the pace of play when it's just the algorithm and me. Simply put, play is faster on table games vs. live dealer. 

The first thing you should know about online casino games is that, like at sports betting apps, there are no guarantees, and over time, the house wins. However, there are casino games that have a lower house edge than others. The house edge is a statistical advantage for the casino built into the game rules.

A few of the most common casino games online have significantly lower standard house edges when compared to other types of casino games. A house edge is where casinos make their money.

The house edge represents a portion of the money bet on a game that the casino keeps, like a "fee" for providing the entertainment. Usually, this is expressed as a percentage. Players can think of it like a portion of each $100 bet on the game.

Some games, like online blackjack, incorporate some level of skill that can influence the outcomes of your bets in a limited fashion. However, it's impossible to completely eliminate the house edge in these games.

Regardless of the size of the house edge, chance is the dominant determinant of wagers when you play casino games for real money. Your decisions in online baccarat and more do not affect predetermined outcomes.

The following games are famous for their player-friendly house edges. I have played many online casino games and their variants with rule alterations that significantly alter the house edge, so these statistics only apply to standard versions.

In some casino games for real money, there are specific wagers that have extraordinarily player-friendly house edge statistics.

Other online casino games have higher house edges, but that doesn't mean they are not worth considering. The rule of thumb when I play casino games for real money I have discovered is that the higher the house edge in a casino game, the greater the value of the maximum payouts possible.

Players need to remember that Return to Player (RTP) rates are not guarantees of any winnings. These online casino games for real money have the highest RTPs and are available at legal online casinos.

Please note that return-to-player rates on slots may vary by casino app from percentages cited by software providers

Deal or No Deal Blackjack
RTP: 99.75%
Key Features: "Banker offer" feature makes instant payouts available
Where You Can Play: BetMGM, Caesars Palace, Fanatics, FanDuel

First Person Lightning Blackjack
RTP: 99.56%
Key Features: Lightning multiplier drops
Where You Can Play: BetMGM, Caesars Palace, DraftKings, Golden Nugget

Jacks or Better Video Poker
RTP: 99.54%
Key Features: Side bet options
Where You Can Play: BetMGM, DraftKings, Golden Nugget

First Person Craps
RTP: 99.17%
Key Features: Dealer chat, table bet view
Where You Can Play: BetMGM,Caesars Palace, DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Nugget

Game King Video Poker
RTP: 99.16%
Key Features: 9 variants available, speed options
Where You Can Play: BetMGM, Caesars Palace, DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Nugget

Book of 99 Slot
RTP: 99%
Key Features: Bonus mini-game, multiplier symbols
Where You Can Play: DraftKings, Golden Nugget

First Person Baccarat
RTP: 98.76%
Key Features: Side bets, Squeeze feature
Where You Can Play: BetMGM, Caesars Palace, FanDuel

Blood Suckers Slot
RTP: 98%
Key Features: Scatter symbols that activate multipliers, wild symbols
Where You Can Play: BetMGM, Caesars Palace, DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Nugget

Mighty Black Knight Slot
RTP: 98%
Key Features: Bonus spins, wild symbols
Where You Can Play: DraftKings Casino, Golden Nugget

Codex of Fortune Slot
RTP: 98%
Key Features: Respins bonuses, wild symbols
Where You Can Play: BetMGM, Caesars Palace, DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Nugget

Many people prefer playing blackjack online for its player-friendly house edge, but White Hat Gaming has taken that to a new level in Deal or No Deal Blackjack. The game's aesthetics are a tribute to the television game show "Deal or No Deal," and the gameplay incorporates the most intriguing aspect of the show: the banker's offer.

Note that RTP rates on slots may vary by casino app from percentages cited by software providers.

As players proceed in what is otherwise a standard game of online blackjack, they intermittently receive offers of instant payouts if they choose to end the hand. This feature elevates the stakes in each moment.

Deal or No Deal Blackjack accommodates most players' budgets with bets starting at just $0.10 and ranging up to over $2,000, depending on the casino you access the game with. It's a fun variant of the classic card game.

Those interested can play Deal or No Deal Blackjack now at BetMGM Casino, Caesars Palace Online Casino, Fanatics Casino and FanDuel Casino. 

Return to Player (RTP) is the theoretical amount of money that online casino games pay out over time. RTP is usually expressed as a percentage.

The easiest way to understand RTP is to think of the percent as a portion of $100. If a game's RTP is 96%, then it pays out $96 out of every $100 wagered on the game.

Players need to keep in mind that RTP doesn't mean you are guaranteed to win back $96 of every $100 you bet on a game. RTP refers to all the money bet on a game by all players, not just the portion you have wagered as an individual.

Slot RTP can vary greatly from one game to the next, but a few titles have substantially higher RTP than the majority of casino games online. A good standard RTP for online slots is around 96%.

All the information in the table above is accurate for the listed games and online casinos in Michigan, as of November 2025. Exact RTP and game availability may vary based on the state in which players access the online slots.

To verify game availability and RTP, log into the casino app(s), then search for the game title. If the game is available, you can check the RTP by viewing the game's paytable.

Those interested in playing the highest-RTP slots game, Book of 99, can do so now at DraftKings Casino and Golden Nugget Online Casino. Note that RTP rates on slots may vary by casino app from percentages cited by software providers.

Online casino games with progressive jackpots have jackpot prizes that grow in value with each wager placed upon them. Some of the jackpots in these games have upward limits, while others are uncapped and continue to build value until someone hits them.

Players should note that game and jackpot availability and value can vary from state to state with the respective casino brands.

Many online casinos like DraftKings Casino and Golden Nugget Casino incorporate several games into one set of jackpots. These can be the best online casino games if you're looking for a maximum progressive jackpot because they can grow faster than jackpots that only have one game feeding into them.

These multi-level jackpots rake in from many games, including both slots and table games. Examples include DraftKings American Roulette and Cleopatra. The DraftKings multi-level jackpot sits at more than $2.5 million, as of November 17, 2025. 

BetMGM Casino also features shared top-level jackpots across multiple slot titles, known as the Big Series. These slots include The Big One Colossal Cash. The Big Series has a jackpot of more than $794,000, as of November 17, 2025

Caesars Palace makes its most valuable progressive jackpot available in the Mega Jackpots Cash Eruption slot, which sits at a jackpot of more than $729,000, as of November 17, 2025.

Some online casinos like DraftKings Casino and Golden Nugget Casino offer limited opportunities to play "demo" versions of online casino games. These demonstration games differ from online casino games for real money in that they do not award cash prizes for winning plays.

The big advantage of demo games is that they allow you to get a feel for the game without using any of your account balance. The downsides are that you may not experience all of the game's features compared to when you play casino games for real money.

Real-money prizes are available with real-money wagers at several online casino brands. All of the online casinos listed in the table below are available and legal to play in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. On each of these apps you can enjoy online baccarat, online craps, blackjack, slots, video poker and other games. 

I really like how BetMGM Casino, Caesars Palace Online Casino, and FanDuel Casino lay out their game catalogs. Not only can you easily search the menus, but they also have several categories that highlight certain aspects of games if you aren't searching for a specific title when you play online casino games for real money.

Common categories on these casino apps include online slots with progressive jackpots, slots with Bonus Buy features, and online blackjack games. I find that Fanatics Casino has a decent interface but a far smaller library of games, while DraftKings Casino and Golden Nugget Casino have received complaints about app functionality. 

The number of online casino games varies from one brand to the next, although the exact size of each online casino's library fluctuates over time and depends on which state you access the casino app in. For example, BetMGM Casino makes fewer of its games available in West Virginia than in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

In my research, BetMGM Casino had the greatest number of exclusive games in November 2025, with more than 60 titles that are only available at BetMGM. Examples include Family Feud and several Wizard of Oz-themed slots.

However, many online casino games do not remain exclusive for long with a particular brand. The count of exclusive titles of games of baccarat online, online roulette, and more will fluctuate over time.

Online casino games deliver the action you're seeking when you're ready to play. Three tried-and-true pieces of advice will help you make the most of your money and time.

The most prominent software providers for online casino games partner with all of the brands in this guide across the spectrum of casino game types. Titles from these providers are available for play in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, incorporating everything from sic bo online to online poker and slots.

The foremost provider of live dealer games also releases digital table games on a regular basis. The popular First Person and Lightning series of table games are Evolution products.

Many players have become fans of IGT slot franchises like Cleopatra, Da Vinci Diamonds, and Wheel of Fortune. IGT also makes digital table games.

If you're familiar with the 88 Fortunes or Huff N' Puff slot franchises, you have Light & Wonder to thank for that enjoyment. Again, you can enjoy Light & Wonder-developed table games at online casinos as well.

There are many phrases and words that have special meanings when they are used in reference to online casino games.

I know from firsthand experience how many options there are online for players in the United States when it comes to online casino games. Many of the unlicensed options are more trouble than they are worth because the lack of regulation equates to untrustworthiness.

With licensed and regulated online casinos, you can relax and enjoy your play. You don't have to worry about if you will actually get paid if you win.

I also have experience from hundreds of hours playing online casino games, like online sic bo, with some titles not being worth my time in terms of potential value. I recommend staying away from games with an exceptionally low RTP or a minimum bet that is too high for the value of the payouts it offers.

This is why we only recommend games with significant prizes from reputable online casinos that are legal to play in U.S. states. If you want to know more about our review process, you can read up on the subject on our online casino reviews page.

Everyone, myself included, has experienced a game crash. I've also seen gameplay interrupted by internet connection issues.

Even with the most up-to-date software and the fastest connections, these issues are inevitable. That's why online casinos have policies in place for these events and more, along with customer support to help you address your inquiries.

Support options for each of the six online casino brands in our guide are below.

The most important thing about playing any online casino games for me is playing responsibly. To me, that means setting a budget for money and time, then sticking to my plan. If you need assistance or more information, there are many resources to check out.

Responsible play includes holding chances to enjoy craps online and slots online as entertainment, never as a way to make money. The cost of your play is like buying a ticket to see a live sporting event or show.

Responsible gambling resources aren't only for people who might be struggling with problem gambling. Discover what's available in a variety of forums.

Casino games are amusements where you wager real money for chances to win more real-money prizes. Online casino games are versions of these games that you access over the internet.

These are predominantly games of chance with small elements of skill in some instances. No strategy is able to completely eradicate the house edge, though, which is the statistical advantage for the casino that is built into the games.

While chance determines wins in all of these casino online games, you control how much you wager, how long you play, and which game(s) you play. It's smart to consider these games a form of entertainment available online.

All casino games, including online casino games, have a basic premise of placing wagers in the hopes of winning more money. You should be aware that while it's possible to win on any given play, these games are designed so that, over time, the casino makes a profit.

The odds of winning and whether you can influence the outcome of your wager fluctuate based on the types of casino online games that you choose. For example, there is nothing you can do to influence the outcome of play on slots after you set your bet. While in some table games like blackjack, your decisions have a limited impact on the outcome.

The best way to begin enjoying online casino games is to choose one or more of the online casinos in this guide and use the bonus codes or CLAIM NOW buttons to get your welcome bonuses from those casinos. Then, set a budget, check out the rules, and try your luck.

Some of the online casino brands in this guide offer limited demo versions of games like online sic bo, but these are only available to real-money customers. Bonus funds are usually tied to real-money play, too, and come with playthrough requirements.

The main categories of online casino games are live dealer, slots, and table games. Between these three verticals, you can find almost any type of game you would enjoy at a physical casino.

Regulation with licensed online casinos ensures that games are independently tested to verify they comply with standards for fairness and transparency. When you play with a regulated online casino, you can trust that the stated odds are the odds you will receive.

All of the online casino brands in this guide have dedicated mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. Some players choose to play on desktop or laptop computers, though, which normally work with any web browser.

I recommend using the Android or iOS app for the online casino(s) you want to play with over the desktop experience for the convenience and mobility. All of the brands in this guide have apps for both operating systems that offer online roulette, online sic bo, and much more.

RTP stands for Return to Player, and it means exactly what it sounds like. It's the portion of all the money wagered on a game that the casino returns to players over time.

This depends on which type of game you were playing to an extent. The normal policy is that your wager is void and your stake is returned. If you encounter more issues, contact the online casino's customer support.

Each of the online casinos on this page has a dedicated customer support chat available 24/7. You may also be able to find answers to your questions in the FAQs or education sections on the apps/websites.

In my experience, when a player asks this question, what they really mean is, "Which games pay out most frequently?" The "best odds" is a subjective term, based on which games you are comparing. My advice is to look for games with high RTP when you play casino games for real money. Remember that the more frequently a game pays out, the less valuable each of those payouts tends to be.

Bettors must be 21 years or older and otherwise eligible to register and place wagers at online casinos. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please seek assistance from trained professionals such as the Problem Gambling Help Network at 1-800-GAMBLER. 

Derek Helling