Even though no federal law explicitly prohibits online gambling in the US, several states, including California, have strict regulations against online betting within their borders. However, many Californians still play online casino games on sites registered outside the US that accept American players. Since American gamblers are not protected by federal or state law, so it is essential to conduct due diligence when signing up. Here are some tips for ensuring that you have a great wagering experience.
Online Betting Is Legal in Some States
Some states have legalized online gambling within their territories to rein in illegal online gambling and generate revenues. These states include Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Online gamblers in these states have legal protection from the state. They enjoy reliable money transfer services and an excellent gaming experience with attractive bonuses. The downside of playing in these casinos is that you must be within the borders of the respective state to enjoy the benefits.
Read Reputable Review Sites
The internet is replete with review sites claiming to guide wagers on the best online casinos. However, some of them are affiliated with the sites that top their rankings. This means that some dubious casinos may top the rankings of some review sites. For this reason, it is essential to read reviews from several sites before making your decision. Look out for sites that give honest reviews and try the top-ranked casinos on these sites.
Read the Terms and Conditions
All casinos have terms and conditions to ensure that all betting activities are above board. The information is useful for making decisions such as the amount to wager and how to deposit or withdraw your winnings. If you find rules that you don’t like, move on to the next casino.
Check the Bonus Terms
Sometimes seemingly lucrative bonuses can make you think you are going to win big with a few bets only to see the money disappear for breaking betting rules. Check on the fine details to see the terms of attractive bonuses before rushing to bet.
For example, you might find that that you can only claim your winnings after wagering several times. This means the large bonus will be severely depleted by the time you fulfill all the conditions. Typically, bonuses with a 30x or lower wagering requirement are the best.
Look out for limits on bet amounts as some high wagers may be excluded from your play through requirement, making it hard to withdraw your winnings. Also, note that some offers may not be available to players from some countries or payment methods because some money transfer companies do not accept certain promotions.
Look Out for Blacklisted Sites
Most reputable review sites have a blacklist of rogue casinos that have poor customer support, scam wagers, or withhold winnings for several months without an apparent reason. Regularly check the blacklist of top-rated review sites to avoid falling for scummy online.
Casino Security
Online betting comes with all manner of risks. Wagers can be lured by cybercriminals wishing to defraud them or access sensitive information. That is why it is critical to ensure that the online casino you visit is safe and secure for online transactions.
You can verify a casino’s credibility by checking its registration number and verifying the number with the gambling association in the respective country. Reputable sites post this information on their websites. The best casinos, such as Neon VegasCasino, also implement SSL encryption to protect user data from hackers.
Money Transfer Options for American Players
Most banks in the US will not process online casino transactions due to the restrictions imposed by the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. However, American punters can still transfer money to and from online casinos using acceptable methods such as Visa, bank wire, MasterCard, and eWallets. Some casinos also accept Bitcoins, which facilitates anonymous and speedy transactions.
User Experience
Online casinos have varying designs, betting options, and device compatibility. When looking for an online casino, check features such as:
- live dealer options
- number of games from leading developers such as Evolution Gaming, Elk Studios, Microgaming, MGA, and NetEnt
- user interface
- generous bonuses
- mobile compatibility
- apps
Future Outlook for Online Casinos in California
Currently, the only legal way to wager in California is to play in physical casinos based in Indian territories. However, the emergence of online betting sites accepting players from all over the world will challenge the state’s strong stance against online betting. What’s more, states that have legalized online casinos have benefited from increased revenues and taxes.
Budget deficits are going to increase pressure on states to explore new revenue sources. However, even if California continues with its firm stance against online betting, wagers can still enjoy games on international casinos that accept a wide range of payment methods, including cryptocurrencies.
