Are Online Casinos Legit? Everything You Need to Know

It’s normal for people to have questions about online casinos. The biggest question of them all is usually this: are online casinos legit? Every day, this question gets asked thousands of times on Google, and most websites give varying answers. Here, you can learn whether online casinos are truly legit. On top of this, you can also learn lots of useful information and tips related to online casinos.

Yes – Online Casinos Are Legit

Online casinos have been around on the internet since the late 1990s. Since then, they’ve become a worldwide phenomenon. As of 2023, there are over 2,000 (and counting) online casinos to choose from. Providing the demand levels remain high, the number of online casinos will continue to rise over the coming decade.

The reason why online casinos are legit is because they’re officially licensed and regulated by gambling authorities. In other words, they’re just like real-life casinos and must abide by the same laws and ethics.

Recently, it’s become popular to play casino live. ‘Live’ games are ones that involve interacting with real human dealers rather than computer software. The human dealers that work for online casinos are all officially trained croupiers, with a large percentage of them previously having worked in real-life casinos. This new trend has helped to add even more legitimacy to the online casino world.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Play in an Online Casino?

To play in an online casino, you must be above the legal gambling age in your state. It’s the law.

In most US states, the legal online gambling age is either 18 or 21. This is something that you must double-check prior to joining one. For example, the legal gambling age in Minnesota is 18.

When you attempt to sign up with an online casino, you’ll be asked to provide proof of age and identity. This is nothing to be scared of – it’s simply to prove that you’re above the legal gambling age. Remember, this is designed to protect the online casinos and you (the player).

What Games are In Online Casinos?

Each online casino is different when it comes to the games it offers.

Typically, though, most online casinos will (at a minimum) offer all of the classics, such as video poker and online blackjack. These games are seen as ‘crowd favorites’, which is why they’re usually included. Without them, it makes it difficult to attract traditional gamblers.

In addition to the classics, many online casinos are now offering 3D-animated, adventure-style games for people to play, too. This falls in line with the current mobile gaming trend, where players want maximum fun and excitement.

Can You Play with Real Money?

Yes, you can play with real money in online casinos.

Knowing this, it’s essential that you gamble online responsibly. Don’t bet any amount of money that you can’t potentially afford to lose. Also, don’t place large bets on games that you have very little experience with. If you enter a game of online slots, don’t place a huge lump sum if you’ve never played slots before, as this would be a high-risk move.  

Some online casinos allow you to set deposit and spending limits. This is something to consider if you’re conscious about how much money you want to play with.

If you want to, you can even use a spreadsheet to calculate an online gambling budget for yourself.

Pro Tip: Look out for Online Casino Bonuses

When you join an online casino, keep a look out for online casino bonuses.

In a nutshell, bonuses are essentially freebies. A classic bonus is ‘free spins’ on the slot machines. This might be ten free spins or 100 free spins – it’s entirely dependent on the online casino itself.

It’s also common for bonuses to come in the form of real money. For example, ‘matched deposits’ are when you deposit a certain amount of money, such as $20, and the casino doubles it for free, taking your account total to $40 in this instance.

Can You Withdraw Online Casino Bonuses?

When you receive bonuses from an online casino, such as the above-mentioned free money, it’s very rare that the casino will allow you to withdraw them directly. Instead, any bonus funds will remain locked in your account. It’s still free money that you can place bets with – but you can’t withdraw it to spend in your daily life. The reason why online casinos have this rule is because it prevents players from trying to cheat the system and gain free money without actually using it to bet on the games.