Latest Casino Updates October 2023
Welcome to GamblingID.com! Here, US players will find carefully reviewed ratings from our team of experts. We offer information on licenses, gaming guides, and a wide selection of casino bonus offers.
Everything you need to make well-informed decisions and optimize your gaming experience.
- 🥇 Best US Casinos
- 🔥 Bonus without deposit
- 🆕 New Online Casinos
- 🌐 Crypto Casinos
- 🎁 Free Play Bonus
- 💲 Real Money Casinos
- 📝 Casino Licenses
- 💰 Casino Welcome Bonus
Online gambling in USA and the legal situation
Since the State Treaty on Gaming came into force in July 2021, it has been possible for online gaming arcades to apply for a US license.
In order to operate legally in the USA, online gaming arcades must meet strict requirements. These include measures to protect players, prevent money laundering, and protect minors.
They also have to ensure their games are fair and transparent, and undergo regular inspections and audits by independent testing institutes. Basically, similar to online gaming arcades with other licenses.
📝 However, the requirements for US casinos and customers are highly regulated and sometimes extremely restricted. I have listed the most important points here:
- Restricted game offering
- Limited bonus offer
- Limitations on deposits and wagers
- Limited offer of payment providers
Another restriction is that US casinos may no longer be shown on one page with non-US casinos.
What exactly is meant by a casino license?
A gambling license is the basis of an online gambling house. It determines payment methods, software manufacturers and rules for data, player and youth protection. Regular controls ensure safe gambling.
Licensed casinos offer additional legal protection in case of discrepancies. And only licensed games may be offered in licensed casinos to ensure reliable payouts.
I have summarized the most important licenses and related information for you briefly and crisply in this table:
📜 Malta MGA License: Maltese licenses are considered the most important EU licenses for US players. The MGA license sets a high standard for technical standards in online casinos, which distinguishes them as safe and reputable. However, there are a few restrictions: payments with cryptocurrencies are not possible here.
📜 Curaçao License: This license has existed since 1996 and stands out for its high security standards. The standards are not quite as high as with the US or Maltese license, but it has developed a lot over the years. A big advantage is that you can use cryptocurrencies as a means of payment.
📜 UK Licenses: The UK used to be considered a gambling mecca, but now licenses are mostly local. The UK licensing authority has strict rules on money laundering and gambling addiction. Although the UK is no longer an EU member, the licenses are still recognized in the EU area.
📜 Gibraltar Licenses: The gambling authority of Gibraltar used to be the main competitor of Malta for a long time. However, the license from Gibraltar is now almost meaningless, as it is not valid in the UK and Gibraltar is no longer part of the EU.
Real money bonus offers for online gambling with our recommendations
Good casino bonus offers play an important role for players for many reasons. Firstly, they allow you to increase your starting capital, giving you more time to play and more chances to win.
Secondly, there are different types of bonuses to suit your individual preferences and playing styles.
As casino experts, we deal with the different bonus offers on a daily basis, test them and are thus able to recommend you the best ones from the arcade online offer.
What types of bonuses are available?
Almost all online casinos offer new customers a welcome bonus for their registration. They also offer different bonuses for existing customers.
Here you can find an overview of the different types of bonuses:
- Bonus for existing customers – Learn more
- Mobile App Bonus – Learn more
- Live Casino Bonus – Learn more
- Tournaments & Loyalty Program – Learn more
- VIP Casino Bonuses – Learn more
🎁 Besides regular bonus offers, we offer you exclusive bonuses on GamblingID.com. We negotiate these offers directly with the online casinos and you will find them exclusively with us.
Our test criteria for bonus offers
In order to make an informed judgment about a bonus offer, we need various testing criteria that are applied uniformly to each bonus. This way, we can compare bonuses with each other.
Licensing of game developers: In addition to the casino license, we also check the license of the game developer. The licensing process for game developers involves checking the software, random number generators, and other technical aspects to ensure the fairness of the games. This is especially important when free spins are offered as a bonus.
Availability for US players: Some bonus offers are limited to specific countries. This means that not every bonus is available to every player. We clarify which bonuses can be used by US players.
Bonus selection: We will provide information on the bonuses available to new customers. This includes bonus money, no deposit bonuses, and even free spins. However, our evaluation does not stop there. We also analyze the offers available to existing customers.
Bonus conditions: An important aspect of our testing criteria is the assessment of turnover conditions. We evaluate the minimum deposit amount, turnover requirements, bonus duration, and maximum bet. We also take into account whether certain payment methods are excluded from the bonus, as well as which games contribute to meeting the bonus requirements.
In addition to the criteria for evaluating casino bonuses, we also have defined and transparently disclosed Casino Test Parameters for you.
Casino games test and guide
Each online casino has its own specific range of games. Some casinos specialize in certain types of games, such as live casinos or slots, and others offer the entire range of possible casino games.
To make it easier for you to choose, we have created casino top lists with providers that are particularly suitable for certain casino games:
Live Casinos
In the Live Casino, you can play in real time with other players and real dealers. The dealers are professionally trained and they run the games while also interacting with the players.
The high-quality streaming technology provides an authentic arcade atmosphere, whether you play on your mobile device on the go or from the comfort of your home.
Here are some of the most well-known providers for live casinos:
- Evolution Gaming
- NetEnt Live
- Playtech Live
- Microgaming Live
- Pragmatic Play Live
- Ezugi
- Authentic Gaming
- Extreme Live Gaming
- Vivo Gaming
The most popular and newest slots
Almost every day new games are presented by software producers. Each casino offers a category for “New Games” for this purpose.
As an arcade expert, I enjoy testing the newest additions the most. On one hand, I am excited about new game ideas and I am always curious to see if a manufacturer is simply using a successful concept and only changing the design. However, it is not easy for a new game to make it onto our list of the best arcade games. The provider has to put in more effort.
The slot machines also need to impress us with innovation, variety, and potential for winning.
Software producers in casinos
In online casinos, the games are not developed by the casino itself, but by external software providers.
Each game manufacturer requires its own license to be approved in different markets. Thus, software manufacturers offer additional security.
Those who have previously played in land-based casinos may be familiar with Merkur or Novoline slot machines. A well-known example for players in USA is the popular slot “Book of Ra”. This classic slot machine was not available for a while, but is now available in individual online casinos such as the Playzilla Casino to find.
New games are introduced daily and new software providers appear all the time. I have compiled the top 10 software providers for you here:
Pragmatic Play
Play’n GO
NetEnt
Evolution Gaming
Microgaming
Novomatic
Playtech
Realtime Gaming
Yggdrasil Gaming
Betsoft
New reputable casinos – the criteria
The number of online casinos is increasing every day. As a result, the competition for the best offer in the market is also increasing. However, a good bonus offer alone is no longer enough to convince customers. Customers now demand an authentic casino experience from the moment they register to the successful payout of their winnings.
Our casino tests aim to thoroughly check all providers. This is the only way we can find the most reputable online casinos for you.
Your security and enjoyment while playing are our top priorities.
Criteria for new online casinos
- Good welcome bonus
- Large selection of games
- Secure payment methods
- Helpful support
- Mobile App
- Valid license
Payment methods in real money casinos
In online gambling halls different payment methods including credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers and the increasingly popular cryptocurrencies. All these payment methods allow you to deposit and withdraw real money conveniently and safely.
💡 Expert tip: Always check the conditions and fees for the payment method you want to use. This will help you avoid unpleasant situations.
Today, deposits and withdrawals can be made in real time using almost all payment methods. The advantage is clear – you can start playing immediately or transfer your winnings to your account quickly. It is also important to consider whether any fees are charged for transactions in the online casino.
In this list, I have compiled the most important payment methods in online casinos:
| Payment method | Type | Duration of payment | Fees |
 | Credit card | 1-3 days | rarely |
 | Credit card | 1-3 days | rarely |
 | E-Wallet | up to 24 hours | none |
 | E-Wallet | up to 24 hours | none |
 | E-Wallet | up to 24 hours | rarely |
 | E-Wallet | up to 24 hours | none |
 | Crypto | few minutes | mining fees |
 | online banking | 1-3 days | no fee over certain amount |
 | E-Wallet | few hours | rarely |
 | prepaid | 1-3 days | rarely |
 | prepaid | deposit only | none |
 | E-Wallet | deposit only | none |
 | E-Wallet | up to 24 hours | rarely |
 | online banking | few minutes | frequently |
 | E-Wallet | up to 24 hours | none |
 | online banking | deposit only | no fee over certain amount |
 | E-Wallet | up to 24 hours | no fee over certain amount |
 | Debit card | 2-3 days | rarely |
 | online banking | instant | rarely |
Deposit with cryptocurrencies in online casinos
Bitcoin, Ethereum or Litecoin are now the talk of the town. The online casino industry has adapted quickly and now there are even some pure crypto casinos where you can deposit with no other payment methods.
Important to know: Only casinos with a Curaçao license offer cryptocurrencies.
When depositing, you need to consider that there are no third-party fees, but there may be “mining” fees. This fee is paid to the systems that process transactions and secure the network.
Security in reputable casinos
Security is a crucial factor in our casino tests. Apart from the license, there are other factors that are taken into account during the evaluation.
I will show you what these factors are, what we value, and what you should pay attention to:
Data protection – data security is everything
- SSL encryption
In addition to having a valid license, it’s important to pay attention to the SSL encryption of the website. You can recognize this by the small lock icon located to the left of the URL. With SSL encryption, you can be assured that your data and payment details are securely stored and encrypted.
Privacy policy
Next, take a look at the privacy policy of the casino. You can find it either at the very bottom of the website in a separate tab or in the General Terms and Conditions (GTC). Here you will find a detailed explanation of how your data is handled and whether it is shared with third parties.
📜 Players from the USA can request the deletion of their personal data in accordance with the US Data Protection Regulation when closing their account.
Player protection – how seriously do you take it?
There are different requirements per license on this point as well. Players residing in the USA, for example, must verify their identity directly upon registration. Players who register at casinos with a license from Malta or Curaçao are only asked for documents when making a withdrawal.
In recent years, however, player security has become more of a focus for all licensing authorities. Almost all casinos offer the possibility to set your own limits or take a break from gambling.
Most online casinos offer a first point of contact for problem gambling in cooperation with independent institutions.
🛡️ The most important independent counseling centers for gambling addiction problems:
- GamCare
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Gambling Therapy
Payout Ratios – Who Ensures Them?
The payout odds of slot machines are a representation of your chances of winning. But how much can you trust it?
eCOGRA
There are some independent testing bodies, such as eCOGRA, that guarantee fair gaming and ensure that the slot machines work according to the rules. Look for the eCOGRA certificate on the casino’s website.
At casinos with Malta or Curaçao licenses, the slot machines are also tested by additional testing bodies directly at the software manufacturer. The payout ratio (Return-to-Player: RTP) is often more than 95%. You can find this information in the game rules directly in the slot or in the terms and conditions of the casino.
In the USA, something has also happened to the payout rate of slot machines since the introduction of the new license. To make online gambling possible again, the 16 US states resorted to a new tax: 5.3% on all stakes. In order to remain profitable, some gaming companies have had to lower their payout rates, sometimes even to less than 90%.
Many players, therefore, still resort to online casinos in Malta because EU law supersedes national law, and there are still slot machines with higher payout ratios available there.
Clear casino T&Cs
It is important to read the terms and conditions (T&Cs) in online casinos carefully. So you inform yourself about the game rules and conditions.
The terms and conditions provide information about the legal framework of the online gaming house and your rights and obligations as a player. They contain the most important information on topics such as data protection, player protection and liability.
By reading the terms and conditions, you protect yourself from unexpected surprises, such as possible fees for payouts of winnings.
📑 Very important: If there is a dispute with a casino, you will find out in the terms and conditions which authority you can turn to.
Our GamblingID.com experts also check the terms and conditions of each online casino and point out important aspects.
Contact the online casino support
When you play in online casinos, questions arise from time to time that need to be clarified, or there may be a problem with a withdrawal. In such cases, having a good and fast customer support is invaluable.
When we test online casinos, we place great emphasis on their customer support section:
- Live Chat, E-Mail & Co
Live chat is the most important channel we test, as it is the fastest way to get help and is offered by every casino.
In addition, we also assess contact channels such as email and hotline, evaluate the FAQ section, consider the availability in different languages and at different times. We also analyze the quality of the help provided and the support staff.
The test and casino updates of our experts
As experts at GamblingID.com, our main focus is on player protection, responsible gaming, and security. Our reviews are designed to help our readers enhance and improve their gaming experience.
To achieve this, we prioritize facts and valuable information that we share with you based on our experiences. Our editorial guidelines outline how we operate and what our readers can trust.
Why we classify casinos as dubious
Online casinos have to pass strict security checks to obtain a license. We always recommend that you first look at the bottom of the website. Here you will find indications of reputable online casinos.
However, it is possible that some casinos do not follow the rules. They may withhold payments, have games that run incorrectly, or falsify licenses. Therefore, we always check the license number of the regulatory body next to the authority’s logo. We have created a blacklist of casinos that you should approach with caution.
🗣️ “You can trust our top list! All the casinos listed have been audited and found to be good and safe.”
Frequently Asked Questions
GamblingID.com started its service in 2011 and has been helping US players find their way through the jungle of the online casino world ever since.
Our team of experts regularly crowns the most reputable online casinos based on our evaluation criteria. We have compiled a list of the best casinos for you. One thing is in the foreground for us: your safety and fun while playing.
Yes, casinos with a valid license from Malta or Curaçao are still highly regarded, as they offer several advantages, such as no 5 seconds rule or slot machines with higher payout ratios.
When choosing a casino, it is important to pay attention to the following points:
A valid license
A good bonus offer
Measures for player protection
Availability of payment providers
Currently, you have to verify yourself at all casinos at a certain point. This is especially important if you want to quickly withdraw your winnings. All information about this can always be found in the casino’s terms and conditions.