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Most trusted online casinos for USA players this August
These are the most trusted online casinos right now in the US based on current licensing and safety standards as well as various criteria that make them safe online casinos.
Eligible users have access to dozens of licensed online casinos in the US right now, but it's worth spending extra time to find some of the most trusted online casinos. Doing a little bit of homework before wagering is important to make sure that operators are properly licensed and that funds will be safe before making real-money deposits. To help, here's a guide to our picks for safe online casinos and what makes an operator reliable.
The 5 most trusted real money casinos for US players this August
With seven states offering legal online casinos, eligible players have dozens of brands they can choose from to find online casino games for real money. All licensed platforms undergo thorough and rigorous testing and review to ensure they offer safe and secure operations for their customers, meaning all regulated iGaming sites can be trusted and safe.
All that said, many consider these five brands to be among the most-trusted and best online casino operators for US players right now.
Online Casino
Key Strength
Licensed States
Welcome Bonus
BetMGM Casino
Long track record of reliable and trustworthy operations in regulated markets
BetMGM Casino – Long track record as safe online casino
Few brands are as synonymous with the world of legal and regulated gambling as MGM, which also happens to boast one of the top online gambling platforms in BetMGM Casino, which is live in four states with regulated iGaming. First launched in New Jersey in 2017, BetMGM Casino has since become one of the NJ online casino leaders, which it has also done in the likes of Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The operator features leading security measures such as SSL encryption to create secure data transmission between customers and BetMGM Casino, protecting users' personal and financial information from fraudulent activity.
FanDuel Casino – Wide-ranging and relatively quick customer support options
Safety and security are not just about encryption, which FanDuel Casino has in spades. It also includes reliable customer support to address any concerns or issues customers might encounter. Like many other licensed operators, FanDuel Casino features live chat functionality that is available 24/7, allowing users to resolve any problems at any time of day. On top of that, FanDuel, which also has an expansive FAQ page, allows customers to contact support via email and on social media, which typically delivers responses within just a few hours at most.
DraftKings Casino – Secure shared wallet for multiple products
One of the best features of DraftKings Casino is that users' accounts are linked to other DraftKings products, such as the legal online sportsbook and daily fantasy sports platform. With DraftKings Casino, customers can rely on secure encryption that protects their personal and financial information, which, of course, extends to DraftKings' other products. Two-factor authentication adds to that security, as do multi-level firewall systems that prevent unauthorized access.
Fanatics Casino – Unique rewards program for safe online casino users
Many regulated online casinos have their own loyalty and rewards programs, but few are as unique as Fanatics Casino. New users are automatically enrolled in the Fanatics ONE program, which awards a percentage of FanCash for every wager made playing casino games online. In turn, FanCash can be redeemed for things like casino credits and sports attire and memorabilia, among others. Also boasting SSL encryption to protect customers' information, Fanatics Casino is certainly a go-to for users looking for generous rewards programs.
Hard Rock Bet Casino – One of the largest libraries of safe casino games
Another aspect of trusted online casinos is offering a library of games that are proven to be fair for everyone. Every licensed operator is required to have its titles tested by independent labs to ensure fairness, plus online casinos must publish game information that includes return-to-player (RTP) rates and volatility levels, among other factors. At Hard Rock Bet Casino, all of that is available for users, most notably being more than 4,200 games for players in New Jersey and Michigan that are considered one of the largest collections of titles in the regulated market – all of which have been tested for overall fairness for users.
What are the criteria for the most trusted online casinos?
There isn't one singular way to determine if a licensed online casino is safe. Rather, there are several notable criteria that factor into the equation.
License to operate as safe online casinos
First and foremost, trusted online casinos are those that are licensed to operate in whichever jurisdiction has regulated iGaming. Having that license proves that operators went through strict testing and review by regulators, a process that involves online casinos showcasing they have, among other things, security measures in place that are up to or exceed industry standards and will protect consumers' personal and financial information from any potential fraudulent activity.
Customers can see this proof by scrolling to the bottom of an online casino site or app and viewing the seal of that state's regulatory body or by reviewing the "About Us" section, which typically says that the online casino is licensed and regulated in that state. By the same token, customers can also visit the state regulator's website to see a list of licensed online casinos in that jurisdiction.
Reliable banking options
Payment methods may vary by operator, but by and large, many accept the same types in some way, whether it be Visa debit cards or PayPal or Venmo, for example. What is shared by all regulated safe online casinos, though, is what is NOT accepted as a payment method. No trusted casino operator allows cryptocurrency, which is only offered at unregulated and unsafe iGaming platforms. Similarly, licensed operators are transparent when it comes to withdrawal policies, not only in detailing which methods are accepted but also how long payouts may take. Untrustworthy online casinos typically have vague policies regarding withdrawals.
Responsible gambling tools
While states with legal iGaming may differ in some areas, one common thread is that all licensed online casinos must offer an array of reliable responsible gambling tools to help users stay on budget and within their limits. These tools include things like deposit, bet and loss limits as well as self-exclusion options – all of which are designed to ensure that online casino gambling remains a form of recreational entertainment.
SSL encryption technology that is tested and proven
Online casino operators don't exactly put this info on their masthead or anywhere close to front-and-center, but knowing that they feature encryption technology is key to being considered one of the most trusted online casinos. Typically noted on a help or FAQ page, operators note the security measures they have taken to ensure users' personal and financial information is protected from unauthorized access. This security is tested, reviewed and monitored by the operator as well as state regulators. What's more, knowing that legal casinos offer two-factor authentication and require geolocation services further adds to their standing as trusted operators.
Independent audits of casino games online
There are certainly more ways to determine if an online casino is trustworthy and safe, but one of the last notable traits is knowing that operators have their games reviewed and tested by independent labs to ensure game fairness. This involves labs going over random number generators (RNG) used by online casinos and confirming that the algorithm does indeed produce random outcomes that are unpredictable yet fair to players. Operators post their testing certificates on their sites to confirm they endured such testing. On top of that, legal online casinos are also required to post information for each game, including RTP percentages and volatility levels, creating more transparency and trust.
BetMGM Casino: My pick for the most trustworthy online casino for August
Again, all licensed online casinos in the US can be considered trustworthy and safe – yet one platform stands out among the rest to me.
Available for new users who sign up with the BetMGM Casino promo code, BetMGM Casino has long been a beacon in the world of legal online casino gambling. The platform has been around for a decade, but the MGM brand itself has long been entrenched in the regulated gambling space, dating back to the 1980s.
From its industry-leading security encryption to thousands of popular casino games that have been tested and reviewed by independent labs to reliable banking methods and responsible gambling tools, BetMGM Casino not only checks all the boxes as a safe online casino but exceeds the required standards.
Still, the likes of FanDuel Casino and DraftKings Casino are not far behind and are especially attractive for sports bettors who look to cross over into the online casino space.
Remember, though, above all else, be sure to practice responsible gambling with all safe online casinos. Bettors must also be 21 years or older and otherwise eligible to sign up with 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-MY-RESET.
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-MY-RESET.
