How to Gamble Online

Co-authored by Eric McClure

Last Updated: November 11, 2022 References

If you’re looking to gamble real money online, you may be wondering where to start. There are a ton of options out there, and it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which sites are the best for you. Luckily, there are a few major things to look out for, and we’re here to walk through everything you should consider before you sign up somewhere to gamble online. Read on to learn all you’ll ever need to know about gambling safely online.

Things You Should Know

Online gambling is illegal in some states so look up your local laws if you can’t find a website that will allow you to sign up.
You can gamble on sports games, fantasy sports, casino games, poker, or state lottery tickets online.
Set a limit for how much you’re willing to gamble and do not hesitate to seek help if you can’t stop.

Section 1 of 5:

Can anyone gamble real money online?

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Gambling online is illegal in some states, so it depends where you live. Some states, like New Jersey, offer basically every form of gambling online. Other states, like Hawaii and Utah, have full prohibitions on any kind of online gambling. Look online to see what states allow online gambling where you live.^{[1]
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- Many states have specific rules on which kinds of gambling are allowed. A state may outlaw online betting for horse races and online poker, for example, but allow fantasy sports and casino games.
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You typically have to be at least 21 to gamble online. Many states allow for 16- to 18-year-olds to gamble.^{[2]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Unfortunately, because there are so many different rules from state to state, online gambling casinos and sportsbooks usually require users to be 21 years of age just so they don’t have to keep track of the different state requirements.^{[3]
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- You will need a state ID, driver’s license, or passport to sign up for an online gambling site.

Section 2 of 5:

Best Online Gambling Sites

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Online casinos This is where you can find digital versions of roulette, blackjack, slots, craps, and other traditional games you’d find at an IRL casino. If you really want to relive your days in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, online casinos may be ideal for you.^{[4]
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- BetMGM Casino, Wynn Bet, and Bet Rivers are some of the bigger names when it comes to online casinos.
- There are also online-only casino games that resemble games like Candy Crush or Peggle.
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Sports gambling If you’re a huge sports fan and you want to gamble on the games you watch, you’re looking for an online sportsbook. On these sites, you can bet on the outcome of games (moneyline bets), how many points will be scored by the teams (over/under bets), or how hard one team will beat another (spread bets).^{[5]
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- Many of the larger sportsbooks also offer parlays, which are multiple bets that are tied together into one larger bet.
- Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Fanduel, and Points Bet are the most popular sportsbooks.
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Fantasy sports If you want to specifically focus on drafting fantasy sports games and playing other fantasy fanatics for money, look for a gambling site that offers fantasy gambling. While fantasy sites often offer other kinds of sports gambling, there are a handful that only deal in fantasy games.^{[6]
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- Draft Kings and Fanduel are the two most popular platforms for fantasy sport gambling.
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Poker Do you love playing Texas hold ‘em? What about testing your luck at five card draw? If so, you may be interested in gambling on some online poker. These websites allow you to play real people online with real money. It’s identical to real poker—only without the small talk and angle shooting.^{[7]
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- Ignition, America’s Cardroom, BetOnline, and Every Game are all well-known platforms for online poker.
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Horse Racing If you’re interested in playing the ponies but you can’t go to an offsite betting track (or they’re illegal where you live), gambling on horse races online may be the next best thing. Online horse racing sites are a popular way to see if lady luck is on your side and place bets on which jockey will win a given race.^{[8]
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- TwinSpires (the official Churchill Downs online site), TVG, and AmWager are all extremely well-known horse racing gambling sites.
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Lottery Many states offer online versions of the games they offer offline. Whether it’s a pick-5 ticket or a scratch off, your state may have a digital alternative if you want to gamble and you can’t swing by a store that sells lotto tickets near you.^{[9]
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Section 3 of 5:

Choosing a Casino or Sportsbook

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Go with a bigger, well-known name in the field. The bigger sportsbooks will have the liquidity to pay you out when their books are thin, and they’ll have a reputation to uphold so their customer service is usually going to be better. If you search for a sportsbook or casino online and you can’t find any information on them outside of their own website, it’s potentially a scam.^{[10]
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- Look at reviews online to see if people are happy with their experience on each platform you consider.
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Make sure the casino or sportsbook is licensed. Search the casino’s or sportsbook’s website to see if they’re licensed by your state. The licensing body will differ from state to state, but they’re often regulated via your state’s gaming control board (or GCB). Scan through their website and then confirm with your state’s GCB that they’re in good standing with your state.^{[11]
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- If a sportsbook or casino isn’t in good standing with your state and you give them money to gamble, you may not be able to get it back.
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Determine what type of features and games you want access to. Different sportsbooks and casinos offer different features. If you love playing blackjack, look for a casino that offers it! If you really want to gamble on fantasy sports and on individual games, look for a sportsbook that offers both fantasy and single-game gambling.^{[12]
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- You can typically find what a sportsbook or casino offers by looking through their website.
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Consider the sign-up bonus last, since it’s the least important. Almost every sportsbook and casino offers bonuses. These range from free games, matching deposits up to $200, or a bundle of free bets. This may seem like a big deal, but it’s not. These offers are designed to entice people into spending more than they normally would, so don’t put a giant emphasis on the bonus when you’re picking the sportsbook or casino.^{[13]
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- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. An unrealistic or absurd sign-up bonus is a major sign that the casino or sportsbook isn’t safe to use.

Section 4 of 5:

Getting Started with Your Online Account

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Sign up with the casino or sportsbook and provide your personal details. Once you’ve chosen a sportsbook or casino, click the “sign up” link to create an account on their website. Any legitimate sportsbook or casino will want to make sure you are who you say you are, so they’ll need your name, email, address, and personal details. Follow the prompts to complete the sign-up process.^{[14]
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- You will likely have to upload a copy of your driver’s license or state ID to provide proof that the details you’ve entered are accurate.
- It may take a day or two for your account to be approved depending on how quickly they process your information.
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Provide your initial deposit via credit, debit, or bank details. Before you can start gambling, you’ll need to deposit money or link a bank account. Follow the prompts on the website to make a one-time payment to fund your account, or link a checking account to automatically withdraw money whenever you want to place a wager.^{[15]
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Wait for your deposit to clear and enjoy some games! It may take 2-3 days or more for the online casino or sportsbook to confirm your identity and approve your funds. Luckily, many online sportsbooks and casinos offer automatic clearinghouse (ACH) deposits, which will allow you to use and access your funds immediately. Once you’ve got money to spend, you can start having fun by gambling!^{[16]
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Section 5 of 5:

Tips for Gambling Online Successfully and Safely

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Set a budget for yourself and stick with it. If you plan on gambling $300 a month, do not spend more than $300 a month and refuse to deposit more than $300 if your account runs dry. Having a concrete cutoff for your gambling will keep you from overspending if you’re unlucky.^{[17]
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- Never gamble more than you’re willing to lose. If you set out to gamble $500, be willing to walk away with a $500 loss. Assuming you can lose can keep you from spiraling out of control if things don’t go your way.^{[18]
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Stay away from slots and other randomized games if you can. While a little bit of game knowledge and skill can help you win at blackjack, poker, or fantasy sports, the “coinflip” games like roulette and slots are especially bad for gamblers. If you’re going to gamble and play a game of pure chance, expect to lose money.^{[19]
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- If you love these games of chance, it’s perfectly okay to play. Just know that the odds of success are extremely low. Casinos love these games for a reason!
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Take a break if you find yourself upset or obsessing over bets. Gambling should be a fun, occasional activity for you. If you start fixating on gambling, putting a ton of emotional weight on each bet, or losing your cool when you lose, stop. Walk away from the computer or phone and go do something else. You should never gamble when you aren’t in a positive headspace.^{[20]
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- Gambling during a period of emotional turmoil is a surefire way to make yourself feel worse while losing more money.
- Never gamble when you’re depressed, sad, or otherwise upset.
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Seek help if you’re struggling to stop. If you find it difficult to stop gambling, reach out for help. Ask a friend or family member to support you and connect you with a recovery program. Alternatively, you can reach out to a therapist or addiction counselor yourself and ask them to help you stop.^{[21]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Compulsive gambling is extremely common, and there’s nothing to be ashamed about.
- Call the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network right now at 1-800-270-7117 if you want to speak with someone.