Best Real Money Online Casinos – Find Top Sites for 2023

Real Money Online Casinos – The Importance Of Bonuses

Bonuses and other promotions matter a lot at real money casino sites. Whether you play purely recreationally or are more serious about it, these promotions will go a long way to ensure your money goes further.

Some of the common offers you’ll find across the best real money casinos include:

• No deposit bonuses – mostly for new players
• Welcome bonuses – only to new players
• Reload bonuses – available to existing customers
• Free spins – mostly for new players but sometimes to existing ones as well
• Cashback offers – for new and existing players alike
• Tournaments and leaderboards – for new and existing players

⭐ No Deposit Bonuses

Some online casinos for real money extend no deposit bonuses to their players. Usually, these bonuses are given to new customers, although loyal players get them every now and again.

As the name suggests, this is free money you get without needing to risk any money of your own.

Thus, these are probably the best type of real money casino bonuses there are.

The money is added to your account, and you can use it to play your favorite real money games. For the most part, no deposit bonuses are quite small ($10 – $20), but some high-rollers might receive special offers in hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

⭐ Welcome & Reload Casino Bonuses

Real money casino bonuses all follow the same pattern, although numbers can differ. When you deposit, the casino will give you a certain amount of bonus cash to use and play with. The amount you get is expressed as the percentage of the deposit.

For example, a 100% bonus up to $500 means that the casino will double any deposit you make up to $500.

If you deposit $200, you’ll have $400 to play with.

Attached to these bonuses are what’s known as wagering requirements. These dictate the number of times you need to turn over the money before you’re allowed to cash out.

For example, if the above bonus had 25x wagering on the full amount, you’d need to stake a total of $10,000 (25x$400) before you’re allowed to withdraw.

Ideally, you want to look for bonuses with reasonable wagering requirements, i.e., 25x-30x on the entire amount or something like 40x – 50x on the bonus amount.

When numbers get higher than this, you're not really getting much value from the bonus, even though you'll get more playtime.

⭐ Free Spins

Free spins are very popular with players, so casinos often include them in their promotions. Sometimes you'll get them as a part of a deposit bonus package and sometimes as a standalone offer.

Either way, the mechanic is always the same. You get a certain number of free spins to use on select slots. Every spin has a nominal value that is used to calculate the wins.

Winnings resulting from free spins have added either straight to your cash balance or the bonus balance, and you need to wager them before you can cash them out.

⭐ Cashback Offers

Those used to online gambling for real money at higher stakes love cashback offers. As you might guess from the name, these offers provide a certain percentage of your losses back, giving you a bit of a safety net.

For example, a real money casino could offer 20% cashback on all blackjack losses over the weekend up to $1000.

So, with this promotion, if you go and play blackjack and lose $500, there will be $100 coming back your way. In most cases, these promotions don’t have wagering requirements, as you have to play and lose first to qualify for them.

⭐ Various Leaderboards & Tournaments

Real money casinos try to keep things fresh and interesting in the competitive online gambling industry, offering all sorts of competitions for their players, giving them a chance to win some extra money or free spins.

There are no exact rules for these promotions, as every operator is free to do whatever they like.

For the most part, you’ll need to play a particular game or a group of games and achieve better results than other players.

The way the points are calculated can differ a lot.

Sometimes, it’s based on the total number of spins or hands played. Sometimes, it’s all about the total amount of money staked. Some competitions focus on the largest wins.

All the rules are usually listed clearly, so make sure to read them before you jump into the action.

Popular Real Money Casino Games

Real money online casinos have come a long way from their humble beginnings in the early 90s.

These days, you can find all sorts of games featured on these sites, from classic slots to live dealer tables.

If you’re new to online gambling, we’re bringing you an overview of the different types of games on offer and some basic info you should have before playing.

⭐ Slots – Most Popular Real Money Game

Slots are by far the most popular type of game at online casinos worldwide. From casual players to hardcore high-rollers, everyone loves real money slots.

Unlike land-based casinos that are often limited by floor space, the best online casinos offer thousands of video slots in one place.

Stakes vary from just a few cents per spin to hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

Online slots are also hugely popular because they feature a variety of themes.

You’ll find slots based on popular movies, books, historical events, fantasy, fairytales, and anything else that comes to mind.

These games also offer a wide scope of potential winnings, from games featuring the max win of just a few hundred times your bet to those with the potential to produce hits of 50,000+ times the base stake.

There are also progressive jackpot slots featuring potential wins in millions of dollars for the lucky few if this isn't enough.

⭐ Blackjack – Enjoyed By Real Money Players Worldwide 

One table game that never goes out of style, blackjack, enjoys huge popularity at real money online casinos.

You can choose from many different variations of the game and play across different stakes.

If you prefer a more lifelike experience, the best blackjack casino sites also feature live dealer blackjack tables.

These are handled by flesh and blood dealers and use real cards, so live blackjack games are a great alternative if you don’t trust computers to determine your luck.

⭐ Roulette – Simple But Enjoyable Real Money Game

Just like blackjack, roulette has found its place at numerous online casinos for real money, and players continue to flock to roulette games.

If you’re looking for electronic versions, you’ll find dozens of options, from traditional ones (American, European) to special games featuring more numbers on the wheel, bonus fields, and more.

Then, there are also live dealer roulette games featuring a physical wheel and a real person handling the ball.

Thanks to modern developments, there are also some exciting live dealer variations if traditional games aren't enough for you.

Games like Lightning Roulette and Double Ball Roulette spice things up, offering massive potential winnings, giving this old game a new flare!

⭐ Casino-hosted Poker Games – Multiple Variations Of Standard Poker 

Many real money online casino sites also feature a variety of casino poker tables in both electronic and live versions. The selection varies from one site to another, so if these are your go-to games, check what's available before signing up.

You’ll generally come across games like:

• Ultimate Texas Holdem
• Pai Gow
• Three Card Poker
• Caribbean Stud
• and more.

⭐ Video Poker – One of The Oldest Real Money Online Games

Video poker may not be as popular as it once was, but many players still enjoy it. Looking to cater to different tastes, real money casinos are offering all the popular versions of the game, such as:

• Jacks or Better
• Joker Poker
• Deuces Wild
• Tens or Better
• Aces & Faces
• Bonus Poker

Many casinos also offer versions where you can play more hands simultaneously – even as many as 100.

So, if you don’t have the patience and are looking for fast-paced action, these are a great way to enjoy the old games in a new way.

Payment Methods at the Best Online Casinos

All the best online casinos will have plenty of payment methods available. You can expect to be able to deposit using credit and debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid vouchers, and bank transfers. Although, when it comes to payment methods, your country of residence will determine exactly which ones you’ll have access to. 

Then, there are also cryptocurrencies. But, this is not something that players from all countries will have available. As of right now, very few gambling authorities allow for cryptos to be supported at online casinos they license. In fact, the only casinos that accept bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies now are the ones operating under one of the master licenses from Curacao. 

Gambling authorities local to the UK, Germany, Ontario Canada, Sweden, Malta, and other jurisdictions, do not allow crypto payments.

⭐ Debit & Credit Cards

Debit and credit cards like Visa and Mastercard are accepted at almost all online casinos. This is often the preferred way to pay for many players, as most have a card they can use. 

The payment is done just like when you pay for anything else online. You enter the amount, and your card details, and then authorize the payment. The authorization can be done with 3D Secure, Verified by Visa, or simply a one-time passcode sent to your phone.

There might be fees involved with card payments, but none of the best casinos charge a fee. In terms of withdrawals, most cards accept reverse transactions as well. That way you can withdraw your casino winnings straight to your card.  

⭐ E-wallets

There are many types of e-wallets, as these are simply a form of simple online-only bank services. The most popular e-wallet around is PayPal, and in many countries, Skrill and Neteller are big and well-known names. ecoPayz, AstroPay, and eZeePay are other versions. 

Most online casinos offer a range of e-wallets, and these are some of the best payment options. The reason for this is that transactions are really fast, both for deposits and withdrawals. Usually, you won’t be charged a fee for these transactions. 

One downside to some e-wallets is that a deposit made with them won’t always qualify you for a bonus. Usually, it’s only the first deposit bonus that can’t be triggered with an e-wallet payment. Other bonuses, however, can usually be claimed. 

⭐ Prepaid Vouchers

Prepaid vouchers are something most players will have access to, but which ones highly depends on where you live. In most countries, the prepaid voucher called Paysafecard is widely available. This voucher can even be bought in physical stores so that you can pay in cash, Then, Neosurf is becoming more and more popular. This one, you simply buy online. 

The greatest benefit of a prepaid voucher is the security. You won’t have to enter any personal banking details into a website to pay. It’s also great for players who don’t have access to a debit or credit card or an e-wallet. 

When it comes to withdrawals, then there is a downside. You typically can’t withdraw back to a prepaid voucher. This is why you’ll need to use an alternative method for cashing out, such as a bank transfer.

⭐ Bank Transfers

For many players, bank transfers are the easiest and most secure way to deposit at an online casino. The security is ensured by your bank, and thus this should be completely safe. 

One of the main benefits of a bank transfer is that this payment option is almost always free to use. With no fees, you get to play with all the money that’s being transferred from your account. 

Before, bank transfers were slow, but nowadays this is no longer the case. Players in most countries will have instant or near-instant transactions. Another good thing is that you can always withdraw directly back to your bank account.

⭐ Bitcoin

The most popular cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, and even at online casinos, this currency is used a lot. There are even casinos that only accept Bitcoin for payments.

One of the greatest benefits of Bitcoin is that you get fast transactions, typically fee-free. Both deposits and withdrawals are processed quickly, and there’s rarely more than a 15-minute delay. 

Bitcoin transfers are also highly secure, due to the nature of a blockchain. Another benefit is that many online casino operators offer exclusive bonuses only available to Bitcoin users. 

⭐ Cryptocurrencies

In addition to Bitcoin, many other cryptocurrencies can be offered at crypto casinos. The most common ones are Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Dogecoin, and Tether. However, the casinos with the best selections can offer more than 20 cryptos. 

Even though there are several types of blockchains cryptos can use, they work more or less the same, at online casinos. The transactions are fast, and they usually don’t come with an extra fee. 

Another great thing is that you get to withdraw back to the same crypt wallet as you used to deposit with.

Advantages of Online Casino Real Money Sites

If you want to enjoy free gambling, you will not find a better option than sweepstakes casinos. However, if enjoy gambling for real money, you have the option to do so at a land-based casino, or you can do it on a real money casino site. When choosing between the two, what are the advantages of online casinos?

⭐ Convenience

The first and most obvious advantage of real money online casinos is convenience. You can play whenever you feel like it, for as long as you want, and quit whenever.

This isn’t the case with land-based casinos, as you actually have to plan an entire evening out to go there.

Furthermore, if you go to a brick-and-mortar casino and lose the amount of money you planned on losing too quickly, you might be tempted to spend more since you’re already there.

With real money online casinos, you know you can always get back in action in a matter of seconds without any special preparations.

⭐ No Additional Costs

Most people don't have a casino across the street. So, when they want to gamble, they have to pay for transportation or gas to get there.

You might also have additional expenses, like paying for drinks and food.

Some venues will comp your drinks, but this isn’t always the case.

There are no such costs with online casinos, as you can play from the convenience of your living room. Any food or beverages you need, you can get at your local supermarket without paying a huge premium for the pleasure.

⭐ Bonuses & Promotions

A land-based casino may give you free drinks and an occasional free play coupon, but these promos are not as valuable as you can get online.

Real money online casinos offer much better and more valuable bonuses, and that’s just the fact.

This isn't necessarily because brick-and-mortar venues are cheap. Their cost of running a business is simply higher, so they can't afford to be as generous.

That being said, from the player’s perspective, you’re simply better off playing online, as your money will go much further.

⭐ Better Selection of Games

Even the largest land-based casinos can't compare with medium-sized gambling sites when it comes to the number of real money casino games on offer.

If you’re looking for versatility and want to try some new games, you’ll always have a better experience playing online.

Not only are online libraries much bigger, but they're updated with new titles much more frequently.

It’s much easier for online casinos to add new games to their portfolios and keep things fresh.

⭐ Better Return to Player

All online casino games, especially slots, have a much higher return to player rates. Almost all online slots have an RTP of 95%+, with many of the latest titles going over 96%.

Very few slots go over 92% in land-based establishments, and many games are around 90% or below.

Once again, this has to do with the expenses connected to running a land-based casino, which are simply much higher, so the games can’t be as generous.

All that being said, you'll have much more fun playing online as slots will play better, and you'll have more chances to win. This may not matter much if you only play a few times a year, but these numbers can add up quickly if you gamble regularly.

Casinos With Fair Gaming

The most important thing at any casino is that it’s safe and that it offers fair games. This is ensured in many ways, and below we’ll dive into some of them. 

⭐ Certified Random Number Generator

All casinos need to use a certified random number generator in order to ensure that the games they offer are fair. A random number generator (RNG), is what ensures that all game results are completely random. This again ensures that all players have the same chance to win. 

When an RNG is certified, it means that it’s been tested and deemed fair by a third-party auditor. Some auditors that do this kind of work are eCOGRA and iTechLabs. A certified random number generator can’t be tampered with, neither by the casino or players. 

⭐ Games With a High RTP

The best online casinos all choose to offer a high Return to Player (RTP) percentage in their games. Some slot machines have just one RTP in their game, which all casnos use. But, some slots come with multiple RTPs, and the casinos get to choose which one they want to offer. 

Some casinos will always choose to offer the games with the lowest possible RTP, so they themselves can keep a larger profit. Other casinos will consistently choose to add the games that have the highest RTP. These games will pay out more, and thus you can win more at these casinos. 

⭐ Reputable and Safe Gambling License

A safe gambling license is a must for any reputable online casino. The best option is always if the casino has a local license, issued by the gambling authorities in the country you live in. But, not all countries have a local license for the casino to operate under. 

In such cases, there will typically be a license from Curacao, Malta, Gibraltar, or another jurisdiction. Of these ones, the one from Malta Gaming Authority is deemed the safest one. If you’re playing at a crypto casino, then the Antillephone N.V. (a Curacao license) is preferable. 

⭐ Responsible Gambling Tools

Another hallmark of a fair and reputable online casino is that they’ll take responsible gambling seriously. This you can check for by having a look at the different tools they have for setting account limits. Deposit, session, wager, and loss limits are the common ones you should expect to find.

Additionally, all the best casinos offer the possibility to take a break from your gambling account, or simply to self-exclude. Ideally, this should be something you’re able to do on your own, without having to contact their customer support team.

Final Tips for Real Money Online Casino Players

Having read through this detailed guide on real money online casinos, you have all the information you need to get the best value for your money and enjoy the best experience you can get.

There isn’t much we can add at this point, so we’ll just leave you with a few final tips for your online experience.

⭐ Avoid Shady Casinos at All Cost

No matter how big of a bonus they offer or what promises they make, you should always steer clear of shady and unlicensed casinos.

In the grand scheme of things, even if some of these sites come through on their promises, this is the kind of hassle you don’t need in your life. Stick to safe and reputable real money casinos.

⭐ Take the Time to Read All Bonus Terms and Conditions

Every time you take a real money casino bonus, take a few minutes to read through all the terms and conditions. This is very important, as breaking one of these can cost you all your winnings.

Things to pay attention to include wagering requirements, the maximum bet you're allowed to make while wagering, and restricted games (i.e., what games you're not allowed to play with bonus funds).

⭐ Look for Games with High RTPs

Since you have so many games to choose from, you should look for the ones that offer the best value. The easiest way to determine this is by checking out the RTP information.

When talking about slots, you should stick to games with at least 96%.

You’ll find countless options offering these returns, so there is really no need to settle for less.

Best Real Money Online Casinos FAQ