The best online casino games for real money in December 2024

Written by: Kate Matthews

Fact checked by: Nestor Diaz

Are you looking for the top-rated online casino games in the USA? Here, we will show you how to spend quality and fun time with real money gaming, how to find the games with the highest chances of winning, and the most worthwhile casino bonuses! Do not waste your time with mediocre titles; go straight to some of the best ones available in the USA!

The best online casino games for real money in December 2024

If you are a real US player, then this list is for you. Here you have the best online casino games for real money! Play those games that have the biggest casino bonuses and the highest chances to win! Don’t waste your time on second-grade games, and directly play some of the best casino games in the USA!

Real money casino games vs. free games

Playing games is fun and thrilling. Laughter, joy, wins, losses, adrenaline – this is what gaming is about! Everyone can choose free online casino games or games for real money. For some, winning virtual money in demos or points and in-game tokens is amusing. Newbies may feel insecure to play for real money. But casino games online with real money offer much more.

Live dealer games, for example, immerse you in the authentic casino atmosphere and experience. You feel like you are at a glamorous gambling venue. The live video stream is usually remarkably high quality. Plus, you can wager lower amounts than you are required to in a physical casino. Most casinos operating online do not offer demo versions of their live games, so you can play these only for money. Let us compare the key differences between real money games and free games.

Why play free online casino games?

  • Practice playing new games to acquire skillsYou can learn to play any casino game including blackjack and poker. Demo versions let you learn at your own pace, without expense! Take the opportunity to get better in a game, try out specific strategies, and test new games with zero risk. Gaining experience will ensure you advantages when playing real money games later.
  • Test new online casino gamesThrough free demo versions. Game mechanics and design matter for your overall experience. Just load a demo game and see how it goes. If you like it, search for a real money version of that title or look for another one.
  • Have fun with the gamesThey are made for pure entertainment. You can enjoy slot spins, the wheel of roulette, card games and others. There are thousands of options to choose from: card games, slots, table variants, live dealer games, etc.
  • Enjoy mobile gamingYou can play from anywhere through apps and phone browsers. Gaming on the go is so normal these days that you’ll be amazed at the number of top online casinos optimized for smaller screens. The best platforms run smoothly and faster than on desktop and have mobile-exclusive special online casino offers.
  • Play without risking moneyTo see how a game functions and what to expect from the rounds. Without worrying about how much you have spent, pick from the list of online casino games using their demo versions.
  • No need to sign up or share personal dataMany want to play games without registering or sending confidential data to gambling websites. You will not have worries if you use licensed operators like the best online casinos we have found and tested.

Why play online casino games for real money?

  • To win money!To win real cash you need to put money at stake! In many US states, online and mobile casino gambling is already legal. If you live in any of these, you can feel lucky to gamble online freely.
  • Win a jackpot or an attractive cash prizePlaying online casino games for real money can change your life in seconds. The chances of hitting the grand jackpot may not be high. But by playing the games you love regularly you stand good chances of winning big! Most times, you will win small to average amounts, sometimes you may lose. A random slot game can be your ticket to a luxurious life!
  • Enjoy loyalty rewards and bonusesStart off your casino journey by claiming the welcome package if it is worth it. Take advantage of the reload bonuses. You can win even when playing safely and trying new games. Loyalty programs offer extra perks to VIP players like fast cars, exclusive cruises, trips around the world to exotic and iconic places, apartments, and other rewards!
  • The element of risk adds thrill and makes gaming more excitingBetting even a small amount of money is far better than using a demo account. Putting even a small amount at stake makes you more careful, alert, and present. With a few dollars bet in a game, you will get immersed in the action. Before you know it, you’ll forget everything else! If you love the adrenaline rush, real money online casino gaming is a wonderful place to start.
  • Real money games are more sophisticatedThe developers focus on creating modern real money online games. They have bigger interests and profit from them, which will always be their priority. Live games are not typically available for free play for a reason.

How to choose the best online casino games?

At GameZinger.com, we understand your frustration. With thousands of options from the list of online casino games to choose from, the decision can be tough. To help you with this, here is what to check.

  1. Security

    GameZinger.com offers you only reputable and proven casino sites. All the games here are accessible for mobile play from browsers and apps and are tested for random and unbiased results. The real-money casinos we partner with are regulated and apply industry-standard online security measures. We will not risk players’ safety with exposure to bank data theft or money loss. Know that we offer you licensed and secure gambling websites only.

  2. Free vs real money games?

    Some players prefer risk-free games, while others visit real money casinos for the thrill of playing and winning. We have already detailed this topic above. It is up to decide on the game selection you choose.

  3. Bankroll management

    If you play for real money, check the deposit and withdrawal conditions of casinos. Before putting your money on the table, read all the conditions for money transfers. While checking this, you can find many pleasant rewards to benefit from, such as welcome deals, reload bonuses, crypto-related deposit offers, and many more online casino bonuses! Additionally, exploring online casino reviews, like for instance our BetMGM casino review, can provide valuable insights into available bonuses and the overall gaming experience.

  4. Your preference

    Finding the right gambling games is up to everyone’s personal taste. Some are into table variants and prefer video poker where they can apply their top skills and tested strategies. Others love online slots. If you are unsure which ones to play, search for free demos and experiment. If you do not bet money, you risk nothing. You can also play new games after testing their free versions.

Table games with the best odds for players

Table games are as loved and searched online by US players as they are on the Las Vegas Strip.

Here we present the online casino games with real money with the best odds:

  • Craps
  • Roulette
  • Baccarat
  • Blackjack

Blackjack and the other table games have live dealer variants in many of the best live casinos.

Craps

about 50% odds

Craps has one of the best odds among table games – just under 50%! In this dice game, a player throws the dice, while the others bet on the outcome. Since craps’ mechanics are quite simple, first-time casino players and newbies will find it a good fit for them to start and get used to it. You can make all kinds of additional craps bets, but with house edge (the advantage that the casino has over time) of around 1.41%.

Roulette

about 50% odds

The odds of player success in a roulette game are around 50%. The one or two green zeros make the payout percentage of roulette just a bit below under 50%. The good news is that there is only one green zero in European roulette, while with the American version of roulette, the zeros are two. So, American roulette games give you worse odds for payouts and you should always choose European variants.

Roulette has plenty of bets: on single and multiple numbers, red or black (color), odd or even numbers, etc., giving you great freedom of choice. You can read more on the type of roulette bets in the roulette section below. By adding extra bets on a spin, you make the rounds more exciting and test different betting options. This will not affect the house edge of the game as each bet’s payout is fixed.

Baccarat

about 44% odds

Baccarat is a popular table game loved in Las Vegas that offers about 44% chances of winning. You can bet on the player’s hand, banker’s hand or a tie and hope to guess who wins. The minimum bets on the baccarat table can sometimes be significant, ranging from $25 to $50. The house edge is usually between 1.06% and 9.5%. In casino gambling anything around1% is considered a safe bet.

Blackjack

about 42% odds

Blackjack is another of the popular card games constantly in high demand. It gives players a 42% chance of winning, which is great. Offering the perfect balance between luck and skill, it does not rely merely on one or the other. You can easily learn to play casino games like Blackjack online, even for free, using demos. What is good about its online version is the so-called Blackjack cheat sheet. This is a Blackjack guide that can turn the odds in your favor. If you are good at this table game, the house edge is just around 2%.

Casino games with the worst odds

Some games are captivating, easy to play and learn, and ensure a lot of excitement. But these rely merely on luck, and you cannot apply skills or tactics with them. Their odds for players are low, and the advantage of the casino overall (house edge) is high. With the most popular games, such as online slots, you do not have real control over what is happening; you are just spinning the reels after choosing your bet. On the other hand, slot machines and other similar games are much easier to play than the rest.

The average winning odds for players are insignificant, which is especially true for high-volatility slots, jackpot slots, and progressive jackpot slots. But with these, you can win large sums! Some fixed jackpot slots and all progressive jackpot slots can give you enough money that you will not need to work for the rest of your life! That happens with a few lucky players, but it is a realistic scenario.

Online casino games for real money with the worst winning odds are:

  • Slots
  • Keno
  • The Wheel of Fortune

New casino sites offer exclusive titles on a regular basis. These hot games can have different odds. Evaluate them and decide if they are worth a try, so you can play new games whenever you feel like it.

Slots

Online slot games have some of the worst odds of winning. But they are amusing and colorful and give you the chance to win impressive fixed and progressive jackpots! Slot machines are iconic, one of the first games of chance to ever exist in physical casinos and later online. Many Internet casinos offer free spins you can use on online slot games as a part of their welcome package or as a reload bonus upon depositing.

Keno

Keno is a dice game you should avoid if you are not a risk taker. This is not a simple game, more complicated than Craps as there are far more dice than with the other ones of this type. Keno also does not give you good odds for payouts either. The house has a 25% to 30% edge in a typical Keno game, which is not very promising.

The Wheel of Fortune

In some gambling websites, you can play casino games such as the unique Big Six Wheel, the Wheel of Fortune, or the Money Wheel. This is not a slot game but a big wheel with sectors bringing smaller cash prizes and large jackpots. It is a player magnet, so it is no surprise that it is part of the portfolio of some of the best online casinos.

The segment where the wheel stops shows the amount you get. $1-bets give you the best odds of winning, with a house edge of only 11%, but also the worst payout. The Joker offers a 36x payout, but its house edge is high, keeping your odds low. The casino’s advantage over the player in the Big Six Wheel ranges from 26% to 39%, and sometimes at around 16%.

Slot games with the best success rate

We have checked the online casinos in the USA and found the slots with the best odds in the most reputable gambling platforms. These are the best options for you if you are keen on playing real money slots. Despite having a low winning rate, some of them give you much better chances for payouts. The slot games below are all safe to play, and you can have an exciting time with them. Check them out!

GameCasinoWelcome bonusCTATerms
Ugga Bugga
Ugga Bugga
100% match up to $1000 Plus $25 on the house
Play hereT&Cs apply
Los Muertos™ II
Los Muertos™ II
100% match up to $1,000 + $20 on the house
Play hereT&Cs apply
Gates of Olympus
Gates of Olympus
Up to $100
Play hereT&Cs apply

Best casino strategy for any game of chance

Each casino game has its own rules and requires applying a different strategy. Despite that, we would like to offer you a universal casino game strategy you can apply everywhere. The tips below are tried-and-tested and can only increase your success rate no matter what you play.

Choose your goal of playing

Part of your game strategy is knowing why you play casino games in the first place:

  • To have fun – you can use demo versions to play the best free games.
  • To get small wins – place small bets on low-risk games. Check the section “Table games with the highest odds”.
  • To try your luck with the big jackpots – play slot machines, Wheel of Fortune, progressive jackpot slots or any high-risk game.

Set your limits

Setting yourself boundaries will keep you safe as online casino games with real money can be very addictive, and you risk losing. Choose the limits you are okay with right from the start. How much can you afford to lose? Put a limit on your winnings as well. When you start winning real money, you may be tempted to start betting higher amounts.

Check your bankroll

You should check your bankroll regularly to manage it well. Control over your money and spending on casino activities is crucial. If you are into online slots, we advise you to check the volatility and RTP (return to player rate) of the specific games you play. The volatility shows if a given slot game pays small or substantial amounts and how often over a certain number of spins.

  • Highly volatile slots pay less often but larger amounts.
  • Low volatility slots, on the other hand, pay frequently, but the sums are smaller.

High rollers prefer volatile slots that require big budgets. Newbies can start with low-volatile slot games. The RTP shows how much of your wagered money on a slot game you can win back. For example, a slot with a return to player (RTP) of 97% would pay back about 97 dollars for every $100 wagered. Know your budget and limits. Once you have passed them, stop or you risk being disappointed later.

Quit on a losing strike

In case you find yourself on a losing strike, do not continue betting more to get your money back. This will not compensate for your losses, but it does the opposite. Yes, losing is part of the risk of playing, so you just need to accept it. Stop on time. You could have better luck next time you are playing, but do not chase your losses – this is an extremely dangerous practice.

Play responsibly

Check online casinos’ responsible gambling pages for recommended practices. Doing just that will save you a lot of headaches and let you enjoy games without the risk of troubles later because of being negligent. It is true that online gambling can be fun, but you need to be responsible while doing it.

Popular casino game types

We prepared a list of online casino games that have high popularity among players you can find on every operator’s gambling website. Check these games, test them, and find the best ones for you. There are a few others we could have included in this game selection. Choose free online casino games or if you feel like it, play online casino games with real money.

Caribbean Stud Poker

Caribbean Stud Poker is a table game based on Five-card Stud Poker, in which you play against the house.

Your bluffing options are limited since there are no other players to apply them to. In Caribbean Stud Poker, you have various betting variants. This poker variant stands out from the other casino games online with its progressive jackpots, reaching overwhelming numbers! Playing Caribbean Stud Poker can be alluring and thrilling!

Blackjack

Blackjack is a simple card game where your goal is to get closest to 21 without surpassing it.

You will be playing against the house in the video format and against other participants in live casino games. Mobile platforms and online casino apps also feature it.

In online blackjack, you can use all the available helping tools at your disposal: tables with odds, Blackjack calculators, etc. These will help you beat the house if you apply them cleverly. Online gaming has many advantages compared to doing it in person in a physical venue. Blackjack is a fantastic card game with lots of fans. The live-dealer Blackjack variant lets you relish the atmosphere of a real casino combined with the comfort of your home, getting the best of both worlds.

GameCasinoWelcome bonusCTATerms
Classic Blackjack 100% match up to $1000 Plus $25 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
Classic Blackjack 100% match up to $1,000 + $20 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
Classic Blackjack Up to $100welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply

Video Poker

Based on five-card poker, Video Poker is a mixture of poker and online slots.

You get five cards and can keep some of them and discard others. If your final cards match the ones on the pay table, you win the round. This game relies on luck like online slots, but if you need to know how to play poker to be successful with it. If you are familiar with poker rules and have practiced it enough, you can create a stronger hand to win in video poker. It is not a 100% luck game but takes some skills to apply. Video poker has the best of the five-card poker and slots in one, ensuring thrills and emotions.

GameCasinoWelcome bonusCTATerms
Starburst 100% match up to $1000 Plus $25 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
Starburst 100% match up to $1,000 + $20 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
Starburst Up to $100welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply

Craps

In craps, two dice are drawn and players try to predict the outcome of each.

The two dice create a value, and you win if it matches your bet. You will be guessing what this value is. Despite seeming complex at first, once you grasp the rules and learn the basics, Craps is easy to play. It allows multiplayer, and you can win real cash.

GameCasinoWelcome bonusCTATerms
Up to C$ 1600welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
100% match up to $3,000 Plus $100 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
Up to C$ 750welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply

Baccarat

Baccarat is a card game with great odds for players – 45% chance to win.

Your goal is to get a score of as close as possible to 9 against the house, which reminds of Blackjack. The cards from 2 to 9 carry their face value, while the rest of the cards’ value is one. When calculating, you drop the first digit. You can master Baccarat with free demos before you jump into the real money gameplay.

GameCasinoWelcome bonusCTATerms
Up to C$ 1600welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
100% match up to $3,000 Plus $100 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
Up to C$ 750welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply

Slots

Slot machines, fruit machines, or one-armed bandits, are among the most played games.

Online, mobile, and land-based slots are all in high demand everywhere. The player uses a big lever (a ‘Spin’ button in online variants) to trigger the movement of the machine. Three or more rows and columns display various items. After pushing the button and the symbols stop spinning, if the same symbols align on a pay-line, you win a small money prize. If you get all rows and columns with the same symbol, you get a bigger prize.

The best mobile casinos, casino apps, desktop casinos, and-based venues all offer slots. Despite having a higher house edge than other casino games online, you can win big jackpots, including progressive ones from slot games!

GameCasinoWelcome bonusCTATerms
Ugga Bugga 100% match up to $1000 Plus $25 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
Ugga Bugga 100% match up to $1,000 + $20 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
Ugga Bugga Up to $100welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply

Roulette

Roulette is one of the most preferred online casino table games, as you have a good chance of winning.

The mechanics of the game are remarkably simple. There is a wheel with 3 colors: red and black for numbers 1 to 36 and green for zeros – 0 for European and 0 and 00 for American Roulette. The players place bets on the color, specific numbers, or combinations of numbers. The ball starts spinning on the wheel and eventually stops on one of the sectors. Those who have bet on the sector or color on which it has landed win.

Roulette is extremely exciting to play with many people, and you are free to bet on different scenarios. Despite being simple, the game brings lots of thrills. Roulette has plenty of betting options: outside, inside, and called bets (divided into fixed and variable bets). Outside bets are on:

  • Color – red or black
  • Odd or even numbers
  • High (19-36) or low (1-18) numbers
  • Column with numbers – the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd
  • The first three dozen of numbers (1st dozen, 2nd dozen, and 3rd dozen)

Inside bets include:

  • Straight-up bets – betting on single numbers
  • Split bets – betting on two adjacent numbers
  • Street (row) bets – cover three consecutive numbers in a row
  • Corner or square bets – wagers on four numbers on the roulette layout
  • Six line – bets on six consecutive numbers
  • Basket/ ‘sucker’/five number bet – a five number bet on the two zero pockets (0 and 00), 1, 2, and 3

The basket bet is exclusive to American roulette. Called bets are unique to French and European roulette. They are in groups of numbers depending on their position on the roulette wheel. The called bets can be fixed and variable. The fixed bets do not change throughout the game, while the variable called bets change according to the player’s preferences.

The fixed called bets are:

  • Neighbors of Zero – betting on all numbers between 22 and 25 on the roulette wheel
  • Thirds of the Wheel – A bet on one-third of the wheel of all the numbers between 33 and 27
  • Zero Game – a wager on the seven numbers between 12 and 15 closest to 0
  • The Orphans – A bet on the following eight numbers: 17, 34, 6, 1, 20, 14, 31, and 0

The variable called bets are:

  • The Neighbors – A bet on five numbers in total: a single number plus the two on either side of it
  • Final Straight – A wager on individual numbers ending in the same digits, such as 0, 10, 20, and 30 (all ending in 0)
  • Final Split – A bet covering all numbers based on two selected numbers (if you choose 0 and 1, your bet is on 0, 1, 10, 11, 20, 21, 30, and 31)

Gambling sites live-stream the latest version of roulette (Live Roulette) from their studio, and you play online in real time. You will feel like you are in the actual casino as you chat with the rest of the players and the croupier. You can also play mobile Roulette from your iPhone, Android smartphone, or tablet!

GameCasinoWelcome bonusCTATerms
American roulette 100% match up to $1000 Plus $25 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
American roulette 100% match up to $1,000 + $20 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
American roulette Up to $100welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply

Poker

There is a wide variety of poker games for you to choose from. Some of most popular ones are:

  • Texas Hold’em poker
  • Five-card draw
  • Omaha poker
  • Seven-card stud poker
  • High-low Chicago poker

Poker is a card game, in which you get a “hand” (several cards) that form combinations. Based on the poker rankings, your “hand” can be better or worse than that of the other players. When your turn comes, you have three options: to bet, call or fold. Even if you do not have the strongest hand, you can still win if the rest of the players fold, and you bluff well.

GameCasinoWelcome bonusCTATerms
American Poker V 100% match up to $1000 Plus $25 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
American Poker V 100% match up to $1,000 + $20 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
American Poker V Up to $100welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply

Keno

Keno is a table game similar to lottery – you pick a few numbers on a ticket and to win, you need them to match those that are drawn.

The ticket has numbers from 1 through 80. You mark from 1 to 20 numbers (some versions allow only 10 selections) before the game starts. Keno is an easy, slow-paced game that allows small bets from as little as $1, allowing you to win substantial cash amounts if luck is on your side. The downside is that it has the highest house edge of all gambling games – 25% or more!

Keno’s rules in a nutshell:

  • Various bet levels are at your disposal.
  • You can make multiple bets, each bringing you its own win.
  • Simultaneous winnings on different bets are added t ogether and paid out.
  • Maximum bet restrictions are imposed.
  • Minimum stakes cost $1.

The theoretical return to player (RTP) of a 10-ball keno game:

  • 1 pick – 75%
  • 2 picks – 98.10%
  • 3 picks – 90.19%
  • 4 picks- 89.02%
  • 5 picks – 86.08%
  • 6 picks – 93.79%
  • 7 picks – 93.61%
  • 8 picks – 92.94%
  • 9 picks – 93.49%
  • 10 picks – 90.82%

The more picks you make, the better the odds of winning you stand. It takes some time to learn to play Keno, so start practicing with free games. Play demo Keno variants to gain skills and continue with real money play.

GameCasinoWelcome bonusCTATerms
Starburst 100% match up to $1000 Plus $25 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
Starburst 100% match up to $1,000 + $20 on the house welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply
Starburst Up to $100welcome bonus packagePlay hereT&Cs apply

OG-72

The history of casino games in a nutshell

The first of gambling practices date back to about 2300 BC in Ancient China and have been part of human culture ever since. The Greek, Romans, and later Europeans also started gambling. The casino games we play today have undergone lots updates and changes many times throughout history. The three main game categories are:

  • of random numbers
  • table games
  • gambling machines

The first contemporary casino opened in Monaco in 1861. Since then, Monaco has become one of the world’s casino hubs. Gambling has spread around Europe and later to America, with nowadays many countries and states allowing legal gambling.

History of Roulette

The Roulette game was created in the 18th century in France. Later, French immigrants spread it to New Orleans, America. In 1801, Jaques Lablee documented Roulette’s rules and they haven’t changed a lot ever since. In the 20th century, the game became very widespread and is now among the best casino games in the world.

History of Blackjack

The Blackjack game was invented in the 16th century in France, under the name 21. The popular Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes first documented it in 1601. The name Blackjack comes from the bonus that you receive while playing if the ace of spades is accompanied by a jack of spades or clubs.

History of slot games

The inventor of slot games Charles Fey designed Liberty Bell – the first slot machine in 1887. The game’s popularity grew in the 20th century being installed in cigar stores, bowling venues, saloons, brothels, and barber stores. Slots used to be exclusively mechanic devices. They became electronic later in 1963. The company Bally Technologies created the first electric slot machine called Money Honey. With millions of slot machines around the world, in Las Vegas you can choose from about 200 000!

History of Baccarat

Baccarat’s origins can be traced back to Etruscan priests from 700 BC. The modern game’s rules were developed in the 14th century by the Italian player Felix Falguierein. In the next century, it spread to France, got highly popular to become the game we know now.

Online casino games FAQ

How do online games work?

The casino software providers create the games, hosting them on their servers. The gambling sites decide which ones to include in their catalogue, offering casino games online with real money and/or free demo versions. They can order customization or exclusive games only available on their platforms. The third-party game auditors check the games to ensure that they are not rigged. They provide feedback to the governments, which grant the platforms’ licenses.

Are online games safe to play?

Licensed platforms are safe online casinos you can rely on to ensure a secure gambling environment. They follow the local laws of the states they operate in and the rest of the country. The best online casino games to win money have valid licenses. Many online sites exist to steal data and money from inexperienced users, so be careful!

Can I win money playing new games online?

Yes, there are many real money online casinos you can use. Check if online gambling is legal in your state and which laws apply. The list of online casino games you can win real money with is long, but you may need to declare this as your income tax.

Where can I find the best online casino games?

Check our list of the best online casino games to win money in the USA at the top of this page.