Key facts
- There is no federal online casino license in the US. Each state that allows online casinos licenses them itself.
- We cover four state regulators so far: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia.
- Every regulator publishes the sites it has approved. A casino missing from that list is not licensed in that state.
- A license from Curacao, Anjouan or another offshore authority does not make a casino legal in any US state.
Offshore gambling licenses0
Gambling licenses in Europe0
Gambling licenses in North America4
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Scope | Status | Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Gaming Control Board MGCB | Michigan | State | Active licensing | |
| New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement NJ DGE | New Jersey | State | Active licensing | |
| Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board PGCB | Pennsylvania | State | Active licensing | |
| West Virginia Lottery Commission WV Lottery | West Virginia | State | Active licensing |
Gambling licenses in Latin America0
Gambling licenses in Africa0
Gambling licenses in Asia-Pacific0
No license matches your search.
Player protection is our editorial rating, explained on each license page. A license is not a guarantee: always check the operator in the official licensee register.
Contents
Why the regulator matters for a no deposit bonus
A no deposit bonus is only worth something if the casino pays out and follows its own terms. A state license is what makes that enforceable: the regulator approves the site, can take complaints you cannot settle with the operator, and runs the self-exclusion program. That is why we only list offers from operators licensed by a US state regulator.
How to check a casino in 30 seconds
- Find the website address you are about to sign up on.
- Open the official list published by the regulator for your state (linked on each regulator page below).
- Look for that exact address, or the brand and the casino it partners with. If it is not there, it is not licensed in that state.
The regulators we cover
| State | Regulator | What its list shows |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | Division of Gaming Enforcement | Internet gaming permit holders (Atlantic City casinos and their partners) |
| Pennsylvania | Gaming Control Board | Each casino's online operator, approved game types and websites, with start dates |
| Michigan | Gaming Control Board | Each casino or tribe and its online platform provider |
| West Virginia | Lottery Commission | Interactive wagering at the state's licensed casinos |
Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island also allow online casinos. We will add their regulators when we review operators there.
Offshore licenses do not count
Some sites aimed at US players hold licenses from offshore authorities such as Curacao or Anjouan and advertise to every state. None of those licenses is valid in a US state, and players there have no state regulator to turn to. The Michigan Gaming Control Board, for one, sends cease-and-desist letters to such sites and publishes a list of them.
Sources
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement - Internet gaming permit holdersnj.gov
- Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board - Licensed interactive gaming certificateholders and authorized websitesgamingcontrolboard.pa.gov
- Michigan Gaming Control Board - Authorized online gaming and sports betting platform providersmichigan.gov
- West Virginia Code 29-22E-6 (interactive wagering licenses)code.wvlegislature.gov
Frequently asked questions
Who licenses online casinos in the United States?
Each state does it for itself. In New Jersey it is the Division of Gaming Enforcement, in Pennsylvania the Gaming Control Board, in Michigan the Gaming Control Board and in West Virginia the Lottery Commission.
How can I check if an online casino is licensed in my state?
Open the list of approved sites published by your state regulator and look for the exact website address. Our regulator pages link each official list.
Is a casino with a Curacao license legal in the US?
No. An offshore license has no standing in any US state. Only a license from the state you are in counts, and offshore sites fall outside state dispute and self-exclusion programs.
Can I play at a licensed casino from any state?
No. You must be physically located in a state where that casino is licensed. Licensed sites check your location before you can play.