Online casino players are always looking for a minimum deposit casino to access an operator's full game library at a low entry point. While the minimum deposit to play casino games varies by platform, several low minimum deposit casino options are available, including as manageable as $5.
In this guide, I highlight the top real money online casinos in the U.S. with low deposit amounts, including platforms that accept a $5 or $10 deposit, along with the payment methods you can use.
What is the actual minimum deposit at US online casinos?
Online casino operators differ when it comes to setting a minimum deposit. While most platforms offer a casino minimum deposit amount of $10, there are other minimum deposit casino sites that have it set at just $5. The $5 deposit is fairly rare, however, as there are just a few available at the moment.
Smaller minimums are great for players, as they can gain access to all of the online casinos' games without having to break the bank. These sized deposits typically come with a much smaller playthrough requirement compared to others, as well.
Of course, there are additional online casino brands that implement a higher minimum deposit limit, sometimes hitting $20 or $25. The ones that have it as high as $20 or more are usually based around new player welcome offers and bonuses.
It's possible an online casino makes you deposit that much in order to be eligible for its welcome bonus, but provides a lower minimum deposit following that.
Minimum deposit by casino (September 2026)
Here are some of the top online casinos available as of September 14, 2026, along with their casino minimum deposit amount and minimum deposit to be eligible for a bonus. The majority are $5 deposit casinos and $10 deposit casinos, making them perfect for casual players.
There are certain times when depositing more money is beneficial for online casino players. If your deposit is directly tied to the platform's welcome bonus where the online casino is rewarding you with a percent match, then depositing more would provide a larger bonus.
For instance, if a site is giving you a 100% match up to $1,000, then anything short of the full $1,000 can be considered leaving money on the table. More bonus money is always a win for players, so for welcome offers like these, players should look to maximize the value and deposit more.
There are plenty of other welcome bonus offers where this isn't the case, though. Many require bettors to simply hit the minimum deposit to unlock the entirety of the welcome offer. Similarly, others provide their bonus after bettors place just a small wager.
In these instances, depositing more won't enhance your bonus.
Payment methods and minimum deposits
Luckily, bettors have lots of options to pick from when deciding the best casino payment methods to fund their lowest deposit online casino account. There are several that are perfect for a minimum deposit casino, allowing you to add just a small amount of money with no fees involved.
While players should look to avoid using credit cards to make their deposit because of potential fees, there's no shortage of other quality options. Most of the top online casinos accept deposits in the following ways:
Online banking
PayPal
Venmo
Apple Pay
Debit cards
Play+ prepaid card
VIP Preferred e-check/ACH
Each of these can process $5 online casino deposits without extra fees.
Minimum deposit vs. no deposit bonuses
Players shouldn't get confused when deciphering what an online casino is providing in its welcome bonus. A minimum deposit casino features a low minimum deposit for bettors, but this is completely different from a no deposit bonus.
This form of bonus usually comes equipped with a larger welcome offer. The no deposit bonus is exactly what it sounds like: a bonus provided by an online casino without making any deposit at all. Just for registering for a new account, players will receive this bonus money to utilize how they'd like within the online casino.
Although these bonuses are typically capped at just $25, they're great for new players. Bettors are able to test out the online casino and place actual wagers before needing to commit to spending actual money.
It's quite possible an online casino offers both a low minimum deposit that unlocks a welcome bonus and a separate, smaller no deposit bonus.
How to choose a minimum deposit that fits your budget
When wagering with online casinos, players always need to remain responsible. It's important to consider your budget and only make deposits and wagers that fit within your plan.
The best advice is to start out with smaller deposits to test out a low minimum deposit casino first. As noted with the no deposit bonus, it can be really beneficial for players to try games out and see if this is the right platform for them.
Once you determine that you enjoy using a certain operator, you can increase the size of your deposit to take advantage of the welcome offer. This can be slightly tricky, as lots of welcome bonuses are strictly connected to players' initial deposits with the online casino. You don't want to utilize your welcome offer through a casino minimum deposit amount, so be sure to read the details of every deal.
There are some operators that allow you to make multiple deposits before capitalizing on the welcome deal. If the one you're looking to test out doesn't, then you may have to resort to demo games during your trial.
That said, welcome offers are essentially the best promotion bettors are going to ever get, so you should make sure to maximize it when you can. For most offers, you simply need to hit the minimum deposit required to fully qualify.
Others that implement a deposit match based on a set percentage can be a little more complex. Players will want to deposit more in these situations to boost the bonus, but remember to do so without going over your head.
State availability
Legal online casino gaming continues to expand in the U.S. At the moment, there are seven states with active online casino markets. They include:
Connecticut
Delaware
Michigan
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
West Virginia
Each of these states offers at least one regulated low minimum deposit casino, allowing players to enjoy slots and tables for just a few dollars. Maine is attempting to join the list of legal states, with either the end of 2026 or early 2027 for its debut.
Responsible Gaming
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.
Minimum Deposit Casino FAQ
What is the lowest minimum deposit at a US online casino?
The lowest deposit online casino accepts $5 deposits in the U.S. Although there aren't many available, several different operators like DraftKings and Golden Nugget do permit minimum deposits of $5.
Do all casinos require the same minimum deposit?
No, the minimum deposit to play casino games varies based on the online casino operator. Some minimum deposit casinos exist that only require $5, although many others have $10 as their set minimum. While it's typically tied to a welcome bonus, some other online casinos, such as PlayStar Casino, have their minimum deposits as high as $20 or $25.
Does a bigger deposit mean a bigger bonus?
A bigger deposit only translates to a larger bonus when the online casino's welcome offer includes a deposit match percentage. Regardless of the set percentage, the more money you deposit under these circumstances returns more in bonus funds, typically up to a certain amount. Lots of other welcome offers see players fully qualify for the entire bonus with just a minimum deposit.
What payment methods work for small deposits?
There are lots of available payment methods that work with a minimum deposit to play casino games. Some of the most popular include online banking, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and debit cards.
Is a minimum deposit casino the same as a no deposit bonus casino?
No. A minimum deposit casino describes the fact that the online casino accepts very low minimum deposits like $5. A no deposit bonus casino is one that provides a no deposit bonus to players as part of its welcome offer. With these, players aren't required to make any deposit at all, and instead receive a bonus of around $20 to use within the online casino after signing up.
Can I withdraw winnings from a minimum deposit?
Yes. Any winnings you earn after playing games with your minimum deposit are withdrawable. Players must pay attention to playthrough requirements when it comes to bonus money provided by the online casino.
What is the minimum age to deposit at an online casino?
The minimum age to deposit and gamble at an online casino in the U.S. is 21.
Where can I find responsible gambling support?
All of the top online casinos offer tools and ways to get gambling support if you're in need. Players can place limits on things like deposits and time spent on the app, in addition to finding more resources for help.
Players looking for assistance can contact the Problem Gambling Help Network at 1-800-MY-RESET, or read more on our responsible gaming page for more information.
