Real Money Casinos

Real money online casinos allow you to experience the thrills of Vegas from the comfort of your home. They offer generous bonuses and amazing games, such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and video poker. They also allow you to play those games at a pace that’s impossible to achieve in a brick-and-mortar setting, which can have a significant impact on your bankroll. The goal of this article is to provide you with a fair overview of the most popular online casinos based on their real money payouts.

Top 5 Online Casino Sites for Real Money Payouts 2025

How to Find Legitimate Real Money Casinos

Trustworthiness

Start by determining which casinos are available in your jurisdiction and verify their trustworthiness. The easiest way to do that is to check whether they have the right paperwork. Most legitimate international casinos are licensed in tax havens, such as Isle of Man, Malta, and Gibraltar – the global iGaming market is so competitive that operators that are forced to pay higher taxes are locked to local markets regardless of the quality of their services. If local gambling laws prevent you from accessing international sites, stick to platforms that have been approved by the government. For example, if you live in New Jersey, you should join a casino that has been verified by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDoG).

Unfortunately, some players have no option but to join an offshore site. This applies to US-based casino enthusiasts who reside in states that haven’t launched their own iGaming markets, as well as people who live in countries that are very tough on casino operators while simultaneously being lenient towards players, such as Australia. If you find yourself in this position, stick to operators with a stellar track record, such as Bovada or MyBookie. Remember that safety should always come first – an amazing bonus won’t do you any good if your casino puts your cash-out request on permanent hold for no valid reason.

Game selection

Your next step is to check whether the casino games you’re looking to play are available at the sites that passed the legitimacy check. If you’re interested in slots, this won’t be an issue because all reputable casinos offer dozens or hundreds of them. If you’re looking for niche games, such as Pai Gow Poker or Baccarat, you should remove casinos that don’t offer them from your list before moving on to the next step.

Welcome bonuses

In most cases, the size of your bonus will depend on the size of your first real-money deposit. Most casinos will give you a 100% match on your payment, which means that if you deposit $100, you’ll get $100 in bonus cash. In some cases, you should disregard the size of the bonus and focus on wagering requirements instead, which must be met before you’ll be allowed to withdraw your bonus or any winnings.

“Appearances can be misleading” should be your motto here, because many casinos offer bonuses that look generous at a first glance, but which require you to complete a long playthrough that’s very likely to grind your deposit reward down to zero. This playthrough requirement is usually expressed as a multiplier applied to your initial deposit.

For example, a 20x playthrough means that if you deposit $100, you’ll have to wager 20x $100 = $2,000 before you’ll be allowed to cash out. Sometimes this requirement applies to both your deposit and bonus money combined. In our example, this would mean that you’d have to wager $4,000 instead of $2,000.

The more demanding the wagering requirement, the more likely the house edge is to obliterate your bankroll before you’ve even managed to clear your bonus.

If you’re planning to play video poker or tables games, you should also check your casino’s rules for wagering contributions towards clearing the bonus. Usually, such games contribute only 10%-25% of your bets because they give the house a very small edge. High-house edge games, such as slots or keno, almost always contribute 100%.

VIP programs

The majority of reputable online casinos offer VIP programs, also known as cashback or loyalty programs. VIP programs allow players to earn various rewards and cashback. Generally speaking, the more you wager and the longer you play, the better your rewards become. Incentives include a return of a percentage of your total wagers, free trips and dining, and bonus cash.

If you’re a recreational gambler, VIP programs probably won’t make much of a difference to you. However, for more active players, it pays to consider the value of the VIP program offered by an online casino. In particular, note if there’s any cashback offered and what it is for the particular games you plan to play – for example, slots typically offer better cashback than Blackjack.

Recurring bonuses

Many online casinos offer recurring bonuses to existing players, which typically include re-deposit bonuses and free VIP/loyalty points. Although the value of individual recurring bonuses is usually significantly lower than that of a welcome bonus, the former come in far greater numbers and will, over the long run, provide significantly more bang for your buck. Consider if your casino offers recurring bonuses on the games you plan to play.

Mobile app availability

Most online casino lobbies can be accessed from a browser-based app, which is usually responsive and re-size to fit any modern smartphone’s screen. However, playing on a dedicated mobile casino app is a significantly better experience, which is why you should always check if your casino offers one if you plan on gambling from your smartphone. The majority of legit internet casinos offer dedicated apps for iOS and Android devices.

Making a Real Money Casino Deposit and Cashing Out Winnings

Real money casinos tend to support multiple deposit methods, and internet casinos are no exception. The specifics differ from one region to another, but you can expect Visa/MasterCard and e-wallet payments to be available in most jurisdictions.

Online Casino Deposits

As mentioned, most casinos support credit card deposits, although this method isn’t entirely reliable in the United States as many banks decline gambling-related transactions even when US-licensed businesses are involved. As for e-wallets, Neteller is slightly more popular than PayPal as the latter is picky about working with gambling sites. If you’re planning to play at multiple casinos, consider signing up for a Neteller or Skrill account.

Other regionally-popular deposit methods include PaySafeCard, wire transfers, and PayNearMe. Some sites also support cryptocurrency payments, although the online casino industry hasn’t fully embraced this technology yet. Finally, if your site has a land-based casino partner in your area, you might be able to make a deposit in person at the casino cage.

The industry standard is to process deposits instantly, so if you use an instant deposit method, you should be able to access your betting funds within minutes.

Online Casino Withdrawals

Most casinos offer several cash-out methods that are available to all customers and a few options that are only available to specific players. For example, you typically can’t request an e-wallet withdrawal if you haven’t made a deposit using the same method.

One method that’s supported by every casino in the industry is check-by-mail, but this option is very slow (up to two weeks) and carries hefty fees.

Unlike deposits, withdrawal requests are usually processed within two to three business days. Some casinos also enforce cash-out limits, which means that if you score a jackpot, you might end up getting paid in weekly or monthly installments.

Best Online Casino Games That Pay Real Money

Internet casino games have only one thing in common: the house always has an edge. Other than that, they share very few characteristics, which allows them to appeal to a wide audience. Below you’ll learn more about the most popular online casino games that you can play for real money.

Online 3-Card Poker

Three-card poker combines the excitement of poker with the speed of online casino games. It delivers fast-paced action while still requiring the player to make correct betting decisions. The typical house edge for 3-card poker is 3.37%. 3-card poker is a high-RTP table game and as such contributes only 10%-25% towards bonus clearing at most online casinos. Although 3-card poker games tend to generate plenty of revenue, most casinos offer only one variant of the game. Quick tip: Always avoid PairPlus bets and fold hands weaker than Q-6-4 to maximize your odds of winnings.

To learn how to play and win at three-card-poker, plus the best 3-card-poker sites, see our guide to real money 3-card poker games.

Online Baccarat

Live baccarat is considered a high-roller game, but anyone can enjoy it online. The rules are very similar to Macau, so anyone should be able to pick up this high-RTP card game. The house edge in baccarat depends on the type of bet you make.

Here are the values for the standard, 8-deck version of the game:

• Player bet: 1.06%
• Banker bet: 1.24%
• Tie: 14.36%

Baccarat is a high-RTP table game, so your bets will probably contribute between 10% and 25% towards bonus clearing, depending on your casino. Baccarat is a niche game, so most casino operators offer only one or two variants of this game. Quick tip: Avoid unorthodox versions of baccarat, such as Super 6, as their rules give the house a higher edge. Don’t bother checking whether your casino pays 9 to 1 or 8 to 1 on a tie because in both cases it’s better to bet on the banker.

Learn more about playing and winning at online baccarat, and the best online casinos for baccarat in our real money online baccarat guide.

Online Blackjack

Your goal in blackjack is to draw the right cards and score a better hand than the dealer. Follow the optimal strategy to keep the house edge to a minimum. All variants of Blackjack have a high return-to-player, and in some cases, the house edge can be lower than 1% if you follow the optimal strategy. Consequently, it usually contributes 10%-25% towards bonus clearing. At most casinos, blackjack contributes 10%-25% towards bonus clearing.

Blackjack is one of the most popular table games around, so most high-profile developers have released at least one variant of this game. You can exploit this fact by picking the version with the most advantageous rules. Quick tip: The most advantageous blackjack games require the dealer to stand on soft 17 and don’t have any restrictions on doubling down and splitting aces.

Find out more about playing online blackjack for money, including tips for choosing the best online blackjack casinos and valuable blackjack strategy advice in our real money blackjack guide.

Online Craps

Craps is a niche dice game with a rich history. It allows you to place a wide range of ridiculous bets, but the most important ones come with a very low house edge. The best craps bet is the Don’t Pass bet where the house edge is just 1.36%.

Craps is a high-RTP game that’s been abused by bonus hunters in the past, so it contributes 5%-25% towards bonus clearing at most online casinos. Some casinos have rules in place designed to stop craps players from clearing bonuses by betting on both Pass and Don’t Pass simultaneously. Most internet casinos aren’t keen on craps, so they offer only one variant of the game. Quick tip: Don’t bother with simplified craps variants, as they give the house a significantly bigger edge. Always stick to standard craps.

See our online craps guide for tips for playing real money craps online and the best craps casinos.

Online Keno

Keno is very similar to lottery games. Unfortunately, this also extends to RTP, which is why it enjoys a horrible reputation. Keno is notorious for giving the house a massive edge. In some cases, the return-to-player can be as low as 50%. Keno is a low-RTP game and usually contributes 100% towards bonus clearing. Keno enjoys a terrible reputation among online casino aficionados, so most sites offer very few variants of this game. Quick tip: The odds of correctly guessing 20 numbers in Keno are 1 in 3,535,316,142,212,173,800. Don’t focus on the highest-paying combinations.

Check out our page about playing online Keno for real money to find out which casinos offer the best games and bonuses for Keno games.

Online Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow poker is a slow-paced game with plenty of pushes. The live version is widely considered a social game, while its internet counterpart is more of a strategic experience. Assuming proper play, the house edge in Pai Gow poker is close to 1.5%. Pai Gow poker is a slow-paced high-RTP table game and usually contributes only 10%-25% towards clearing bonuses. Pai Gow poker isn’t very popular, so most sites offer only one or two variants of this game. Quick tip: If you’re used to standard poker, give yourself some time to adjust to new winning combinations – for example, the A2345 straight is the second highest straight in Pai Gow.

To learn how to play Pai Gow Poker online, including the best casinos for Pai Gow Poker players and tips to help you win more, visit our real money Pai Gow Poker guide.

Online Roulette

Roulette is a timeless casino classic, and online operators maintain the odds offered by land-based gambling establishments. Spin the wheel, place your bet, and hope that fortune smiles your way. You can increase your odds of winning by sticking exclusively to the European variant of the game.

In American roulette, the house has a 5.26% edge. European roulette has only one zero cell, reducing the house edge to 2.70%.

The house has a relatively high edge in roulette, but since it’s classified as a table game, it contributes only 10%-25% towards bonus clearing at most casinos. Many sites have rules that prevent players from clearing bonuses by placing safe roulette bets, such as betting on both odd and even or both red and black.

Roulette is very popular and many high-profile developers have released their own versions of the game, which gives you a lot of choice in terms of visuals and sound effects.

Quick tip: Some casinos give you access to Atlantic City roulette, which features a lower house edge than both versions of standard roulette.

Learn more about playing online roulette for real money.

Online Slots

Slots account for the vast majority of action at online casinos, so you’re guaranteed to enjoy a good selection regardless of the platform you choose. In terms of gameplay, the online games aren’t any different from the video slots you’d expect to find in a land-based casino.

The house edge of online slots depends on the game, but in most cases, the house edge falls in the 4%-15% range.

Slots are low-RTP games and make it very easy for players to fall prey to the grind, so they always contribute 100% towards bonus clearing.

If you’re looking for quality slots, focus on games released by NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech, and IGT.

Quick tip: Don’t focus on the impact progressive jackpots have on the house edge, as you’re infinitely more likely to go bust chasing them than to nail that massive payout. Try to pick games that have high RTP because of their pay tables. Don’t be afraid to place large bets.

See the best casinos to play real money slots online.

Online Video poker

Video poker is a card game that makes it possible to turn a long-term profit with cashback and optimal strategy. However, every bet and call you make matters, so you have to follow the optimal betting strategy.

In games like Jacks or Better, the house edge can be as low as 0.46%.

When it comes to clearing bonuses, video poker is often grouped together with other table games, which means that it contributes only 10%-25% of your wagers.

Video poker is fairly popular – most popular casinos spread up to a dozen variants. When choosing your game, pay attention to the pay tables, particularly the payouts on a full house and flush.

Quick tip: If you want to turn a profit, stick to video poker variants with the best paytables, such as Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, and Bonus Poker Deluxe. Take maximum advantage of cashback and reload bonuses.

To see a list of the best online video poker casinos see our guide to playing online video poker for real money.

Tips for Online Casino Games for Real Money

The information provided above can be distilled down to a few easy-to-follow tips that are guaranteed to improve your casino experience.

Don’t bet more than you can afford to lose

Never deposit money to an online casino unless you’re willing to lose it. This applies to all casino games, from blackjack to slots. If you feel that you’re spending too much money on online gambling, you can always ask your casino to set up a weekly or monthly limit on your deposits or wagers.

Stay calm and enjoy yourself

Since you’re paying for entertainment, there’s no reason to get angry if you don’t win. After all, you’re making EV-negative bets and you know it. If you manage to beat the odds and win, even better.

Also, make sure the game you’re playing is actually entertaining. Elements such as the game’s soundtrack, motif, backdrop, and animations all have a significant impact on your enjoyment of the game. Even a serious losing streak becomes somewhat tolerable when you’re enjoying the action.

Read up on the games you’re going to play

Casino games can’t be turned into a steady source of income, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do everything in your power to maximize your returns. Learn optimal strategies and place proper bets – our game-specific guides will equip you with all the knowledge you need.

Don’t trust any betting systems – they don’t work

Betting systems can’t influence the odds and thus provide you with no advantage over the house. In many games, picking the wrong betting system can decrease your chances of turning a profit by exposing your bankroll to excessive grind. In all but the rarest of situations, a bold play is guaranteed to generate better results than following a system like the Martingale.

Don’t be shy about leaving the game once you’ve won big

If you’re satisfied with your winnings and are not in it for entertainment, stop playing. There is no shame in walking away from the table once you’ve won big. This is especially true for jackpots – if you’ve beaten the odds and claimed the main prize, continuing to play is guaranteed to rob you of your money, sooner or later.

Try the games in free-play mode first

All online casinos allow you to create a free play money casino account. Playing in free-play mode allows you to become acquainted with the game’s interface. If you’re a new player, it will also allow you to learn the rules in a stress-free environment. Never skip this step when you’re learning a game that requires you to follow a specific strategy for optimal results, such as blackjack or Pai Gow poker.

Choose real money casinos with good recurring bonuses and cashback

The cashback and recurring bonuses offered by your casino will have a significant effect on your bottom line and will work to extend your bankroll’s play time. Focus on casinos that offer the best rewards on your games of choice – most venues offer different cashback on different game categories.

Real Money Online Casino FAQ

Q: Can you really win money playing online casino games?

A: Yes, if you get lucky. The house has an edge, but the inherent volatility of casino games can lead to a winning streak and line your pockets before the laws of probability catch up to you.

The best way to increase your chances of turning a profit is to be as bold as possible when it comes to sizing your bets. Placing a single $100 bet is always better than placing one hundred $1 bets, because in the latter case the results will tend towards the average return-to-player, and the average RTP is always lower than 100%.

Q: Which casino games give the best odds of winning?

A: High-RTP games give better odds than high volatility, low-RTP games, such as Keno or slots. If you’re interested in potentially turning a profit, focus on video poker. Please note that clearing bonuses through high-RTP games requires more effort because they contribute only a small portion of your wagers towards completing the playthrough.

Q: How do I deposit money to an online casino?

A: All legitimate internet casinos support multiple deposit methods, but their availability depends on your area of residence. The most popular solutions include e-wallets, Visa, MasterCard, and high-profile local payment processing services.

Important: if you live in the United States, avoid credit card payments. American financial institutions are overzealous when it comes to blocking illegal gambling payments, and many customers of licensed US-based casinos see their transactions rejected. While having your transaction refused won’t carry any legal or financial consequences, using a 100% reliable method is likely to save you time and frustration.

Q: If I win, how will the casino pay me?

A: In most online casinos there is a significant overlap between the supported cash-out methods and deposit options. However, their availability usually depends on your banking history. For example, many casinos allow customers to cash out via an e-wallet service only if they’ve used it to make a deposit in the past.

If your winnings exceed the casino’s withdrawal limit, you will be paid in weekly or monthly installments. Some operators allow you to circumvent this limitation by requesting a check by courier.

Q: What happens if I get disconnected in the middle of an active game?

A: This depends on how your casino generates the results for the game you’re playing. Many casino games, such as slots, baccarat, or roulette, don’t require the player to make any decisions in the middle of an active round. If you’re playing such a game and you get disconnected, two outcomes are possible:

1. Your bet isn’t transmitted to your casino. The money to cover your wager won’t be subtracted from your account – it’s as if that round never happened.
2. Your bet is processed successfully. The money to cover your wager will be subtracted from your bankroll, the casino’s random numbers generator (RNG) will generate the outcome, and your payout will be transferred to your account if you win. The only downside is that you won’t be able to witness the action.

If you get disconnected while playing a game that requires you to make decisions during an active round, such as in Blackjack, your wager will most likely be forfeit.

We recommend contacting your casino to inquire about their disconnect policy.

Q: What about cryptocurrencies? Can I use Bitcoin to fund my casino account?

A: Most high-profile casinos don’t take Bitcoin payments. If you want to pay with crypto, there are a number of casinos that accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, DogeCoin, & Litecoin. If you live in the United States, we recommend Cafe Casino or CasinoMax. In Europe, your only viable option is Bodog.

There are casinos that deal with Bitcoin or Monero exclusively, however, the vast majority of them are new and unlicensed. We do not recommend using them as your risk of being scammed and losing your deposit is significant.