To put it as plainly as possible, there is nothing illegal about playing online slots for real money in the United States. Most of the confusion comes from the UIGEA of 2006. This law actually targets domestic US banks and financial institutions that knowingly process gambling related transactions. But the UIGEA does not target players in any way.
The frenzy that caught many technology-loving citizens, regarding the United States online gambling expansion, is not necessarily a phenomenon that we might see at a prevailing level in the law-creating structures of the states.
Virginia is at the bottom of the list when it comes to the prospect of instating such a regulation. We usually find this sort of reluctance to even debate the subject in states which haven’t a very liberal stance on gambling in general. Seeing how there aren’t any casinos in VA, it’s actually no surprise that talks about online casinos haven’t even started.
Best Virginia Online Casino Sites
Casino | Bonus | Website | Rating | Features | Deposit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | $2000 | 112 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
2 | $12250 | 265 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
3 | $12000 | 407 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
4 | $2500 | 383 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
5 | $1000 | 478 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
6 | $7777 | 209 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
7 | $3000 | 108 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
8 | $800 | 179 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
9 | $4000 | 181 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
10 | $5000 | 155 voted Review |
| ||
|
Contents
Virginia Gambling Laws Overview
Virginia gambling laws aren’t the strictest in the country, but they also don’t offer any intense support in expanding these activities. Putting it simply, the authorities are not yet convinced of the pluses the instalment of slot machines in Virginia is going to bring to state’s budget.
The biggest shortage in the VA gambling field is, without any doubt, the lack of land-based casinos state-wide. For those state residents that are keen on betting in table games, not offering this option can result in two things:
- An important part, as some of the more permissive states have found out, of potential tax revenues aren’t going to Virginia’s budget
- This money is still spent, only in the benefit of others: either travelling to nearby states, Maryland and Delaware being the main speculator of this opportunity, or even worse, going abroad, towards online casinos based off-shore
Statistics show that a state with tribes willing to put the base of casinos on their land, get a taste of what the extra revenue from casino activity means and are much more relaxed towards the idea of allowing the expansion of gambling. In Virginia, the only recognized tribe thus far, the Pamunkey have had a different approach, being completely against it, even having to reelect a new tribal chief, which would support less this idea.
However, gambling in Virginia isn’t completely non-existent. The largest part is played by race betting. Until 2015, a renowned horse racetrack, the Colonial Downs, offered live racing to enthusiasts. However, some issues and endless debates made the venue to close-up shop for an indefinite amount of time. At the time, it’s rumoured to become a golf course. Still, betting on races is possible through the OTB locations around the state.
Virginia also has a state lottery and allows charitable gaming, as well as the organizing of social events, in the form of social poker, as long as no fees are paid for taking part.
Virginia Online Gambling Possibilities
Online gambling Virginia is not a subject in the state’s fiery debates so far, VA having other priorities to handle in this field, before that. This means that no slot machines are available anywhere between state borders. A solution has been found for this issue, as well, and seeing how the best casinos, in this case, are the ones available for VA players, it was the loop that off-shore new RTG online casinos found to enter this market.
For example, Bovada is legal in Virginia through the fact that it’s not actually specified to be illegal anywhere in the legislation. Thus, for those who wish to play online slots for real money, the only thing to look out for is the best way to discern between plenty of options existent out there. Filtrating these online sites through the pluses and minuses are given to them in professional made reviews, like the ones from the list above, might just be the easiest and most reliable way to go about this.
- Top 1 USA online casino
- Fast payouts
Offline Gambling
Racetracks
The races should have been the element to replace gambling casinos in Virginia’s market. They were the main betting entertainment provider, up until 2015, when the only racetrack active, suspended its operations. Nowadays, the track is said to become a golf course, which ironically enough would allow golf courses betting.
Lottery
What would gambling in VA mean without the existence of a state lottery? It also participates at the interstate available versions, Mega Millions and Powerball.
Charitable Games
Some non-profit organizations are allowed to host charitable gambling events, in the form of bingo games, raffles or duck racing, in order to raise money for a specified cause. Also, as a result of many people not wanting to travel to casinos near VA, social casino nights are allowed, as long as the organizers don’t receive a fee for hosting such events. Surely though, this is a weak replacement, as it mainly offers a form of social poker, while other types of gambling, such as baccarat, are hard to be found at such events.
Future Prospects
2019 came along with an unexpected twist in the gambling market of Virginia after a bill on expanding this domain has passed the State Senate. The main development that this bill stipulates is that of allowing sports betting Virginia, which would be a terrific first step on the road to gambling expansion. It also could lead to the opening of one of the first state casino resorts, located in Bristol. Before getting hopes up, at this point, a referendum must be held on the matter, which would only be possible in November, but it’s still great news on the authorities’ behalf.
You Might Also be Interested in:
North Carolina online gambling
TN online gambling
KY online gambling
West Virginia online gambling
MD online casinos
Is gambling legal in Virginia?
There are some forms of gambling Virginia permits within its state: lottery, charitable games, and racetrack betting. There currently aren’t any gambling casinos, although some movement has been seen lately in that area, with a new bill passing Senate, which would allow a first casino to be built in Bristol. For those who haven’t the patience to wait that long, there is the option of traveling to nearby states, Maryland and Delaware being the closest go-to destinations. Also, online casinos are available, but only those situated in across borders jurisdictions.
Are there casinos in VA?
There aren’t any casinos in Virginia at this point, but the alternatives of going up online are permitted. As long as the operators of these online casinos are licensed in other countries which allow these activities. Also, driving around 100 miles to the closest casino in Maryland, for example, although uncomfortable, might just solve the issue.
Can I gamble online in Virginia?
Best Casino Online Real Money
If I would like to do some Internet gambling near me, there are only four states where I need to go, for that to be legal. As a resident of Virginia, these states are a bit farther away than comfortable, so another option to engage in online poker, would be to use the off-shore websites that accept players from the US. The main problem with not having Virginia online casinos is that if fraud happens, no American authority is allowed to check out the issue, but instead, you’d have to entrust the matter to the licensing authority, which is in another country altogether. For that not to happen, choose carefully the online casinos to play at. Instead of going solo on searching the wide web for a safe website, it’s better to follow the recommendation list of casinos from those sites specialized in reviewing online casinos.
What is the legal age for wagering in VA?
Online Casino Australia Legal Real Money No Deposit Bonus
Not unlike the neighboring West Virginia gambling age, the same partition happens when it comes down to the Virginia gambling age: 18 for a lottery, bingo, racetrack betting and 21 for online casino gambling.
Are there any changes for the good in Virginia’s gambling market?
Legal Online Casino Real Money
There is a real opportunity for a first addition to the Virginia casino list, in Bristol, after a bill has passed Senate in early 2019. If this bill manages to pass a state referendum, the possibility to play roulette should be available in no-time. The same bill is also trying to regulate sports betting, so it seems there are many things to be looking for in the near future.
If you are reading this, you are probably interested in finding decent, and most importantly, legal online casinos in the US. With the plethora of gambling services available online, you might be wondering whether they are legal or not. In this article, we are going to answer some of the most popular questions players have and hopefully shake off some doubts you might have regarding online gambling. If you are a US-based player, you might be asking are online casinos legal and whether there is a way for you to play your favourite games without going to Vegas. Though there are some bullet-proof ways to play online casinos in any state legally, there are several things you must consider before you start playing.
Best Legal Online Casino List 2020
Casino | Bonus | Website | Rating | Features | Deposit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | $2000 | 119 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
2 | $12250 | 249 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
3 | $12000 | 487 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
4 | $2500 | 372 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
5 | $1000 | 118 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
6 | $7777 | 115 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
7 | $3000 | 199 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
8 | $800 | 336 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
9 | $4000 | 281 voted Review |
| ||
| |||||
10 | $5000 | 217 voted Review |
| ||
|
Contents
Why Choose Only Licensed Online Casino?
Well, choosing a licensed and legal online casino is good for you because that is how you make sure your money and your private data are secure. Do yourself a favour and check whether the one you pick has a proper license. Usually, they place the information about their licensing somewhere around the main page, so spend a couple of extra minutes looking for it and checking it out, that will spare you lots of troubles.
Remember, when you play for real, you risk your money, which is kinda normal for any casino, but playing with licensed dealers means that your money is safe and protected from any shady scheme. In licensed online casinos, you have full control over your money. You can deposit and withdraw your money any time you want, and what is more important, you can be sure nobody is going to steal the money you deposited and disappear. When you deposit your money to an online account, you basically trust it to them, and it is much safer to trust your money to the legally licensed company that guarantees the security of your money and your data.
Apart from being safer, online casinos with license give their players much more of good quality content. Before you even start looking up the license, you can tell trustworthy online casinos from scam just by looking at what games they offer and how their website looks. When an online casino looks good, you can actually tell that the owners do care about their players just by how they managed their website to looks like. A cheap-looking website is a sign of careless and unprofessional attitude, and most importantly, it can point at some shady stuff going on in that casino.
Shoot for licensed and reputable online casinos as they are more likely to be true with their players. Most importantly, a well-designed website usually means that a particular service is doing quite well, which means they won’t be greedy, and the win rates would be much higher. So, look for legally approved online casinos that provide the players with decent win rates, top-end quality content, and payout guarantees that are usually secured by the license. Really, save your money, time, and nerves by double-checking on that license.
Where to Find Legal Online Casinos?
Luckily, there are lots of legally approved gambling websites you can find. Here on this website, you can look for a list of selected services we consider reputable and probably choose a gambling destination for yourself. If you look for the US legal online casino, there are tons of so-called offshore casinos that are registered in other countries where online gambling laws are not as tight and where you can play gambling online, freely.
The best thing about these offshore services is that they are totally accessible for the US-based players and are not bound to the US law. So, these are completely legal casinos you can play in the US without any risks. If you wanted to find out whether the online casino in the USA is legal, then the answer is: not everywhere. There are legal online casinos in the USA, but if you are keen to play, there are lots of offshore gambling houses that host players from the US, and the best part of it is that it is completely legal for the US-based players to play there.
You don’t really have to bother about where are casinos legal, there are lots of places in the world where people are free to spend their money the way they want. So online casinos we are talking about are based in different countries, so each gambling destination we offer is a totally legal casino you can enter right away from any device in any place you want.
While there are states where online casinos are legal in the USA, mostly, you just cannot simply enter their websites, so if you happen to live in the states where online gambling is banned, you can easily enter a foreign offshore online casino.
Legal Offshore Online Casino Sites
So, here are some of the best offshore casinos we know in case you live in the places where online gambling is prohibited. And again, do not worry, it is illegal to run the online casino, but nobody said it was illegal to play. You can pick a legitimate casino from the following list of suggestions and play them in whichever state you live in.
1. Slots Empire
This one is a top-rated and one of the very best legal online slots casinos you’ll ever find. Slots Empire is a reputable company that has been around for years and has gained a powerful fan base as well as worldwide recognition among the players. When it comes to online slots, there is no place better than Slots Empire, as you can tell from its very name.
2. Red Dog
Another great gambling destination for the American players that offers a great choice of games, including all-time favorite slots and table games. There are all the great games you know and love starting with slot machines and ending with poker. This website is the ultimate indulgence for the players from all around the world since it allows them to play legally regardless of where they live.
3. Bovada
This is an online casino based in Canada and favoured by thousands of players worldwide. It offers a wide range of games for the players to choose from, but most of all, it specializes in slots. This is where Bovada really shines as their slots are some of the best ones that can be found online. Of course, it is a licensed casino that allows for fair and safe cash deposits and withdrawals. This one is surely worth a try.
4. Sloto Cash
A slot-focused online casino that is fully licensed and approved by many players online. This is also a reputable and very popular gambling service provider that has proven itself to be an honest and lucrative casino. If you are looking to make real money playing slots, this one might be the service you must shoot for.
5. Miami Club Casino
One of the most stylish casinos out there, Miami Club is all about big wins and atmosphere. If you want to feel like you are in an actual casino, this one is for you. License and all the legal information are available as well, so go for it.
6. Red Stag
Though it is not the highest-ranking casino on our list, Red Stag is arguably one of the best ones out there. It gives players everything they need starting with classic slots and ending with all-time favourite table games. More so, Red Stag has some of the highest bonuses and win rates which attract all the players.
7. Cafe Casino
A cosy and relaxing casino to play. This is the perfect choice for the players who want to play in a calm and comfortable environment that lets you enjoy the process and make money at the same time. Grab yourself a cup of some fine tea and relax while you play.
8. Ignition Casino
To say this casino is lit would be an understatement. These guys do know how to get their players excited. Stunning bonuses, wild slots, and all the table games imaginable. Ignition Casino is a hot spot for those who like adrenaline and risk.
9. Silver Oak
Legal Online Real Money Casino No Deposit Bonus Codes
This, of course, is a licensed online casino that cares about its players. You can check their license on the website and find all the legal information you might need there too. These guys are open and honest with their players, which is a trait of a really professional and reputable gambling house. You can check them out and give it a try, it’s really fast and easy to start, so go ahead.
10. Slots of Vegas
Nothing compares to Vegas when it comes to gambling, and Slots of Vegas do a great job mimicking this atmosphere and giving you the best United States online slots. This place is quintessential for the players who want to feel the atmosphere of Las Vegas and enjoy some big wins.
As you can see, while there surely is a problem with legal online casinos in the USA, it is still possible to access some great gambling websites without any problems. The list we give, of course, mentions some of the best online casinos you can find, but there are many more of them on the Internet. There are places where the online casino is legal in the USA, but not all of us are so lucky as to live in such places. You can check them all out for yourself but remember to stick with reputable and licensed services because this is the only way to avoid getting scammed. If there is no license, leave the website and don’t even think about depositing money or giving them any of your private information, just leave.
Which Games Can You Play on Legal Casino Sites?
Literally, any classic game can be found online. There are not only slots, but any wagering you can think of is also fully accessible online, including roulette, blackjack, poker, and all the other games. Some of the casinos listed above host online roulette USA style as well as card games that can satisfy the most seasoned players out there. You also search for the best video poker sites where players from all around the world can find themselves sitting by the same table and competing for a solid win. It is completely safe to play on the websites listed above, each online casino is legal, and you can be sure your money and private data are safe and sound when you enter those casinos. There, you can choose from a wide variety of games, whether online blackjack is legal or whether there are any risks.
Are There Legitimate USA Online Casinos?
You might be having a hard time looking for a legitimate US-based online casino. Experienced players know that it is best to play offshore because that way nobody would be able to track your gambling activities. It is best to shoot for the casinos that are based abroad, that way you make sure that nobody is going to use your data or know where you deposit or withdraw your money from. It is a risk-free and completely reasonable thing to do considering a complete lack of legitimate US-based casinos.
There are Canadian casinos like Bovada, you can see it on our list, which gives US-based players the chance to play absolutely risk-free and make money gambling. This is the evident advantage of playing offshore – you play, you win, you withdraw money to your credit card, and nobody is going to ask questions. All of that is possible because of offshore casinos only.
What is Gambling License and How Casino Sites Are Regulated
Gambling is a multi-billion industry, and it surely does need regulation. Online casinos need to get a license to be legally allowed to maintain any financial transactions, and that is why any credible casino out there must have a license. In every country, there is a specific governmental agency that issues these licenses. These agencies have different names depending on the country, but they have the same function. In case gambling is legal in a particular country, the casino needs to contact its respective national agency for the license.
Usually, the owners of the casino need to submit loads of papers that prove they have no shady past behind and that they are financially capable of sustaining such business. This bureaucratic procedure is too dull to explain in detail, but in the end, in case the owner of the company manages to prove his or her reputation, they get a license to run their business.
❓ Is it Legal to Gamble in the USA?
Yes, it is. Remember Las Vegas? It’s in the USA, so it is legal to gamble in this country. But are online slots legal? Here is the trick, running an online gambling business is prohibited in most states, but playing is not.
❓ Are Offshore Casinos Safe?
You must always check out the license. If there is a credible license issued by the respective governmental agency, then yes, this casino is safe.
❓ What is the Legal Online Gambling Age?
It depends on the country. If you want to play online roulette in the US, you need to know that the minimum age you can start gambling is 21, but in some countries, 18 is enough.
❓ Is it Legal to Deposit and Withdraw Money to Casino Account?
Yes, it is totally legal. You are free to do whatever you want to do with your money so you can deposit and withdraw whichever amount of money you need.
❓ Do I Need to Pay Taxes for My Winnings?
If you play in offshore casinos and win, the money technically comes from a foreign company, so you don’t have to pay taxes. If you play online blackjack in the USA, but the casino was registered in, say, Canada, the money does not belong to the US and is 100% yours.
❓ How to Understand if a License is True and Legitimate?
The real license must look like an official document, there has to be a signature of an individual who issued the document, and the stamp from the institution that issued it. Google both institution and the name of the person who issued the license, make sure these are real. Also, check what people say about this casino online. Make sure there were no shady stories related to that casino.
What if I was Scammed in an Online Casino?
Play Real Money Online Casino
Well, a licensed casino would never do that, scamming a single client can turn into a devastating blow to their reputation, so this is rather unlikely. Besides, you can file a lawsuit, and they will have to pay everything back and even more. So, this will most likely never happen to you if you play with legitimate dealers. If you were scammed by the unlicensed casino, well sorry, you will most likely never see that money again, that is just what shady casinos do.