US Online Casino Player Guide

US Online Casino Player Guide

With the inception of UIGEA in 2006, online casinos turned into conservative to accept players from US in spite of the fact that online gambling is not totally illegal in the US. There are 48 states permitting some form of live gambling. Hawaii and Utah are the only two that do not. Online poker and casino games are available to players in every state, even though most have yet to regulate the activity. Online gambling also falls under the states’ rights issue.

While always believed to be that way, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) codified that into law. The UIGEA exempts any intrastate gambling that is expressly permitted under state law. The only requirements are that there must be age and location verification services to prevent unauthorized access to sites.

This permits poker, casino games, horse racing, lotteries and anything else that does not include betting on sports.

On the other hand, there are still a variety of online casinos on hand for players living in the United States. Here at WinMeNot, you’ll come across top rated casinos which accept American players. However before playing at online casinos in the US, we advise you to check your local state laws carefully for avoiding issues.

Here find below few “Questions and Answers” to guide you more about online casinos.

1. What are payout percentages at the casinos?

In general, the average rate of return is over 90% for all the casino sites. Payout percentage is an independent verified figure that shows the average rate of return for a particular casino game or the casino site in general. 

Like a payout percentage of 98% means that for every dollar you bet, you can expect 98 cents back in winnings, leaving the casino with two cents profit.

Obviously, the lower the payout percentage, the bigger the profit margin of the casino.

Contrary to popular belief the RTP’s are not calculated on the individual spins. Instead, a games RTP is determined by the way the symbols are positioned on the reels. Note that the RTP refers to money gambled not money put into the machine.

For example if you put a $20 note in a machine and play at 20c per spin you will get more than 100 spins as you will get some wins. The game payout percentages on slot machines are only determined by the symbol positions and are not affected by any other aspect including the amount of money put into the machine.

A games RTP is never going to be reflected in individual gaming sessions. This is a good thing as it would not be too entertaining if you always lost money when you played the slots. In an individual gaming session some players will win, some will lose and some might break even.

One fact that cannot be escaped is the fact that all slots RTP’s are less than 100% which means if you played for millions of spins you are 100% guaranteed to lose all money put into the machine.

The payback percentage is programmed into the machines by the manufacturers, and some games can be adjusted depending on how a casino wants its games set up. Say you see an advertisement for a casino boasting a 95 per cent payback. What this is really saying is that “You put in $100 and we’ll give you back $95.” Obviously this isn’t a literal determination of a player’s actual winnings.

The RNG is totally random, has no memory and cannot be influenced. The RNG has no idea whether you are winning or losing or rich or poor. It does not know what your current casino balance is and it does not know if a big payment is “due”.

But because the RNG is random and cannot base future outcomes on past results, sometimes you will have a lot of winning spins. Other times, you might have a larger amount of losing spins.

Best is to enjoy your wins and always know that every spin is new and random. Do not go chasing losses en never think a slot machine is due for a big jackpot. It just doesn’t work that way.

Online casinos like Bovada casino has 97.42% and Slots.lv with 97.50% followed by 888 casino that boost of 96.91% of overall payout rate for players. All of the games are fair and have good odds.

2. How can I make deposits and withdrawals?

There are variety of options such as credit cards and e-wallets as well as cryptocurrencies available for both deposits and withdrawals which are quick and easy to do. Players will be able to deposit and withdraw in their local currency without incurring additional conversion fees since US-friendly operators support payments in USD.

Deposit options at online casinos

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard and sometimes AMEX will work at most casinos. You’ll be making an international purchase. Sometimes the payment processors block your transaction, though they do through the majority of the time these days. Trying again on a different day, or using a back-up card instead of your main one can help.

Pre-Paid Cards: These usually use the Visa system, and can be bought from gas stations and convenience stores. You need to check with your casino before heading out – some brands work better than others.
Money Transfer Services: You can ‘wire’ money to individuals via services like Western Union or MoneyGram to deposit at casinos. This is a reliable deposit method, though does involve finding your local branch and taking along cash.

Bitcoin: Many casinos will accept BTC deposits. These will be converted to dollars right away, and you’ll play/keep your account in dollars. BitCoin wallets are simple enough to set up, making this an increasingly attractive option.
Those are the big 4 methods, you might also find other pre-paid / voucher type methods available.

Withdrawal Options

Fortunately, US banks will take checks from offshore casinos and process them normally. This makes a paper check (either via mail or courier) the number one method of withdrawing your winnings from a casino. Other alternatives include wires (often expensive, though good for larger wins) or sometimes Bitcoin.

Players must simply select their preferred payment method to use, whether it be a credit card, PayPal, Moneygram, NETELLER or something more unique.

Once you’ve chosen the option you wish you use, players can then easily transfer money to and from their accounts using the site’s banking portal. It is worth noting, deposits should automatically appear in your betting account, but withdrawals, depending on the service, tend to take anywhere from 1-7 days.

3. Do I have to download casino software to play games?

No, you do not require to download any casino software. You can play all of the games, including slots, roulette, craps, video poker, blackjack and other table games, directly in your browser.

All you need is to pick your gaming device be it mobile or PC or tablet and on the web browser be it Chrome or Safari type the casino URL and hit enter. In seconds you will get to the online casino homepage to play games of your choice.

Only as a new player, you will be required to complete a registration form with any legitimate online casinos you choose to play at. However, all are safe to download and created by the likes of RTG and Microgaming.

Few online casinos have their own dedicated app which you can download even from app store or at their site on your cellphone. Downloading a dedicated mobile gambling app provides a wealth of unique advantages when compared to traditional browser-based casino gaming and betting.

Players can directly access their betting site from an app on their phone as opposed to using a browser (either with a computer or mobile device) for access.

Also, players don’t need to sign in every time they visit when a personal app is used. Some aspects of an online casino or bookmaker might be left off an app’s interface, but for the most part, gambling with a mobile app is equally as reliable as gambling with an online casino and way more accessible too.

4. Do I have to play always with real money?

No. All the reputed casinos offer free practice games for you to learn the rules and get accustomed with the environment. It is your independent choice whether you wish to play for real money or not.

All games at online casinos EXCEPT LIVE CASINO are free to play. But when you choose live casino games you have to spend real money. ALso progressive slots are not free to play. Before spinning these free casino slot games you should understand whether it is classic slot having three reels or video slot of five reels.

Most of the video slots have up to forty pay lines and have more bonuses offered in these games. In progressive slot games, as in video free casino slot games, there are features such as wild symbols, scatter symbols, free spins and multipliers that add to rewards. Also there is excitement of the big progressive jackpots that are offered in many of video slot games.

When you choose to play free games you are offered free credits within the game to play all free. The coins used to bet in free casino slot games are an important aspect of the game play. They are the currency used to place wagers, and they are used as a point of reference when slots players refer to how much a bet costs in a particular slots game.

The term coin size is used to refer to the denomination of the coin which the player is betting. Coin size is talked about in relation to a particular pay line – thus, you will hear players say that a slots game has a coin size of 1 cent or 1 dollar.

Basically, coin size is the amount a player bets on a spin, and is an indication of how many coins may be wagered on a spin. Game descriptions usually mention the minimum and maximum coin sizes accepted in that game. The minimum coin size is usually one cent.

Finally its your choice to spend real money and gamble or play for free just for the sake of fun.

5. How can I claim my welcome bonus?

Most of the online casinos offer its new players a sign up or welcome bonus. These welcome bonus can be in the form of no deposit bonus, free spins bonus or match deposit bonus. Even Bitcoin welcome bonuses are offered if you use Bitcoins. You will though be credited with your welcome bonus but you cannot immediately withdraw it from your account.

As many times the casino add a wagering requirement to it and you need to wager the money before you can withdraw the bonus. It is always advised to know the terms and conditions attached to any bonus before claiming it.

As a new player when you look at the welcome or sign up bonus your first reaction is Wow. But you need to know that this bonus comes with certain conditions which are in the form of wagering or ‘play through’ requirements and limitations.

Wagering requirements are the required amount of money that has to be wagered to finish the bonus and be able to withdraw your hard earned cash. For example if you deposited $100 and the wagering requirement is 35 times the deposit then you would have to bet $3,500 before withdrawing: 35 x $100 = $3,500.

If you don’t meet the bonus or wagering requirements as called regardless of how much you win you cannot withdraw until you have played through the deposit as many times as required for that bonus on your first deposit. Like many a times bonuses at the online casinos must be ‘played through’ i.e. 20X or 30X etc. ($20 bonus wagered 20x = $400 wager requirement).

Different casino games also count towards wagering requirements, and each type will be calculated as a percentage like 888 Casino offers 100% on slots and dice games where as 20% on Roulette and poker games.

Many casinos term this as Playthrough requirement which is same as wagering requirement. It is only a term referred for an agreement between you and the online casino that you intend to play at, they give you a bonus or free money and they expect you to play for a while.

Also these welcome bonuses have limitations. Like most bonus offers contain the words “up to” as in “Up to $100 Welcome Bonus”. Or some casinos will require a certain level of playing activity in the first week of a fresh sign-up or will say “deposit match bonuses on four deposits within seven days”

What this essentially means is that the casino won’t necessarily give you a full $100 in bonus money. That’s why it is always important to read the terms and conditions before you opt to redeem such bonuses.

Please browse the list of top rated casinos and get to know about latest bonus offers and how they work.

6. Are there any loyalty programs offered by the casinos?

Yes. These loyalties often come in a variety of levels at the casinos like Silver, Gold, Platinum or High Roller loyalty programs. All these are measured according to your bets, and even low stakes players can enjoy some great bonuses, whether you’re playing Slots, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, or any other game. You can keep an eye on special offers and promo codes to avail these loyalties.

Here are following Loyalty programs at online casinos you can find:

Comp or Loyalty Point Scheme: Every time you make a bet, you should be accumulating points towards future bonuses. These points can usually be exchanged either for bonuses or for cash (at a lower rate). The best casinos have a tiered point collection scheme, where you get better rewards for moving through different levels. You will often accumulate points faster as you climb.
Reload Bonuses: If you need to reload your bankroll, then make sure you choose a casino that is prepared to offer a bonus for this. Reload bonuses can be at 100%, though are sometimes smaller (50% for example). You will clear these in the same way you cleared your welcome bonus.
Player Promotions / Specials: The very best casinos look after their loyal players with promotions and special offers every week. These can be tied to specific games, be casino tournaments or simply offer money back or extra points for achieving small missions.
 

7. What are the main criteria for choosing an online casino?

When it comes to choosing an online casino, players must consider a few critical aspects before deciding. First, the operator must hold a valid license. If licenses are confirmed, players must then compare the game providers featured as well as the casino games on offer. Then look at the banking page, deposits and withdrawals which should be friendly. Finally the casino must have player support 24/7 with live chat, phone number and email.

Thus at online casinos always look for its legitimacy, security and does it provide responsible gaming. Also look for its rating among the casino players. You should have a look at the casino reviews (like Slots of Vegas review) to know the casino better, check on its bonuses and promotions like welcome bonus, mode of deposits, game variety, payout percentage and its customer support.

8. Is my money safe to deposit at the casino?

When you wish to play with real money at online casinos your money transaction is safe and secure. This is because all the casinos at WinMeNot are reputed sites that have strong commitment to security of the players and employ the latest technological advancements to protect your money.

Also remember in case you get an issue or are in some doubt it is better to ask the online casino team. Remember all the reputed online casinos have very good customer support to help you 24/7 and provide you the best assistance possible. You can either have a live chat with the casino staff or email them or even call them for instant response. Just visit the casino customer support page for more details.

Most of the casinos are powered with Real-time Gaming software and is backed up by both RNG and virus-free certifications. Also are GLI (Gaming Labs Certified) certified.

9. Do I have to play always with USD currency only?

It is not necessary. In general many online casinos are US friendly you have to play with USD. However you may play with Canadian dollars, UK pounds, and Australian dollars or with Bitcoins too. You can deposit funds and collect winnings in a currency you are comfortable with. Always check the banking section of the online casino for more details before you make a deposit for play.

10. What if I encounter a problem playing at online casinos?

In case you encounter any problem while playing at the online casino it is better to take help from their customer support. All the casinos have 24×7 help service available for you. You can contact them via email, or phone (you can check out the numbers which are toll free and also are location based at their customer support section in casino website). In case you need an urgent response then you can take the help of Live Chat which many online casinos provide for the players.

Now get ready to play at the best US online casinos that await for you and have the great gaming experience to enjoy!