Top US Online Casinos
A Quick Player’s Guide to Online Casinos in the USA
You’re feeling lucky and want to try your hand at some quick gaming. Where do you go? Fortunately, there are online casinos in the USA that can provide you with one of the most convenient and lucrative places to play.
The industry is rife with false advertising and when you’re first starting out, it’s tough to know who to trust and where to put your money. Fear not! There are jackpots galore just sitting and waiting to be earned. You just have to be smart about it.
Here’s a quick guide to a few things you should know about the industry, regulations, and exactly who to trust when playing your hand or spinning the wheel:
A Brief History of Online Gambling in the US
Gaming has been around since the existence of humans but creating online casinos in the USA has been a bit of a challenge. The virtual world of gaming first began in 1994 when Antigua and Barbuda passed the Free Trade & Processing Act. This was the first “OK” given to organizations to begin operating casinos online.
Within months, the market was flooded with thousands of sites. It took another year to really establish proper payouts. Once funds were secured for consumers, Microgaming products were developed, launching such familiars like Blackjack, Roulette, Video Poker, and Craps.
By 1997, internet gaming sites had increased from just 15 to over 200, and by 1999, multiplayer gambling was introduced. People could now chat and play with each other from all over the world. Although the market was booming, the American government started to take notice and the regulations battle began.
Regulations
In just 5 years, the United States government was seeking to shut down online casinos in the USA permanently. The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act was introduced, which meant a company could not offer any online gambling product to a U.S. citizen. However, the act did not pass.
As time went on and the United States continued to fight peoples’ rights to gamble online, other countries passed their own regulations and laws to counteract America’s stringent approach. Gaming online was alive and thriving as ever, despite what the U.S. government wanted.
In 2003, the U.S. Department of Justice began notifying major media outlets it could be illegal to accept ads from online casinos in the USA. Antigua (the guys who started it all) challenged this ban, stating it was a violation of the free trade agreements. They had a pretty good point.
After that, things got bad for a while. The mid-2000’s saw many indictments of U.S. online casino executives and million-dollar fines on media outlets for advertising. Then, in 2007 Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev) introduced the Internet Gambling Study Act (HR2140) that called for a comprehensive report on internet gambling.
In 2011, regulations began to lighten as mobility took off. The online gaming industry started to capitalize on the growth of mobile gaming. Finally, in 2012, a New York Federal Judge declared that online poker was a game of skill, not chance, and therefore was exempt from the Federal Wire Act of 1961.
After that, online casinos in the USA took off. Gaming went live in New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada. Consumers were free from the stronghold the government once had over the industry. And as you can imagine, the American market began to thrive once again.
A Glimpse at the US Online Casino Market
Only three years after online gaming was established, a report by Frost & Sullivan revealed that revenues had already exceeded $830 million. In 2001, the first gigantic progressive jackpot was won for $414,119. If anyone doubted the value of online gaming, they were pretty quiet now. The following year, the industry reached a valued of $4.5 billion.
In 2014, billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson dumped millions into the New Jersey online gaming market and Bitcoin was also introduced as a viable payment option. As of today, the online gambling industry is projected to make $56.05 billion in 2018, and now you too can have a piece of that pie.
Payment Options
The reality of online gaming only came to the forefront of the industry once people could get paid. In 1995, CryptoLogic, an online security software company, developed the first method for making secure financial transactions over the internet.
Currently, you can use the following to fund your gaming in online casinos in the USA:
• Credit card
• Certified check
• Money order
• Wire transfer
• Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin)
Keep in mind, every online casino is different and may accept different forms of payment. Many U.S. banks still prohibit the use of a credit or debit card for internet gambling, which is why Bitcoin has become one of the most popular means of payment for online casinos in the USA. Additionally, a number of electric money services allow consumers to open their own accounts, which they will happily let you use to fund your online gaming pursuits.
Casino Brand Trust
As an industry with a high turnover rate, earning consumer trust can be challenging. The mid-2000’s saw many people flee from wanting to try their hand online in the U.S., but the regulations were never right, in the first place. That’s why the rest of the world fought America on their regulations. That’s why the consumers are ultimately winning the battle.
Today, the skies are clear to start making some real cash, while having fun in the convenience of your own home. The only issue is fraud. Many sites can’t be trusted, and the industry has to work hard to rebuild consumer trust.
That’s why we started this site, CasinoIntensity. We want to be a company that consumers trust for their online gaming needs. You can expect thorough market research, at no cost. We will always bring you online casinos in the USA that not only line your pockets but are names you can trust.
Check out the sites above to get your game on, and of course, contact us anytime you have questions. That’s why we’re here.