US Friendly Online Casinos – Where to Find Them

US Friendly Online CasinosUS friendly online casinos are online casinos that allow registrations from players who reside in the United States.  This is a relatively new category of online casino.  The reason for this is that prior to 1996, virtually every online casino accepted members from US residents.  However, with the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIEGA) in September of 1996, the gambling landscape changed dramatically.  The options for US residents is much more limited than it has been in the past.

One of the reasons for this is that the language used in the UIEGA is unclear and often misunderstood.  The act fails to clearly define exactly what the government considers to be “unlawful” when it comes to internet gambling.  A common misconception is that the law makes it illegal for players from within the United States to gamble and that there is no such thing as “US friendly online casinos” because they are all considered to be illegal.  However this is not the case.  The law does not even address players specifically.  Instead, it prohibits American banks from doing business from known online casino operators.  As a result, any online casino that continued providing services to United States residents became known as US friendly online casinos.

Where to Find US Friendly Online Casinos

When it comes to US friendly online casinos, the options are somewhat limited.  Publicly traded companies like Microgaming, Wagerworks, Playtech, and Cryptologic avoid any risk of contravening the UIEGA.   Thankfully there are still major software providers still willing to license their gaming platform to US friendly online casinos.  These software providers include Top Game and Realtime Gaming (RTG).  There are others of, but these are by far the best known.

In recent months there has been another significant development when it comes to US friendly online casinos.  Towards the end of 2013, certain states within the United States began launching the first fully licenced and regulated online casinos.  New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada have all launched US friendly online casinos.  These are the only states in which the online casinos are 100% legal.  The other US friendly online casinos may be licensed, but not within the US.  Players can still play at these casinos without fear of breaking the law, but there are some drawbacks.  For example, if a player from the United States is playing at one of these offshore casinos and they experience a problem such as not getting paid, there is not a whole lot they can do about it.  If the offshore casinos are licensed, the player could lodge a complaint with the licensing body, but that does not necessarily mean that they will ever receive their funds.

The Future of US Friendly Online Casinos

Despite some opposition based on moral, economic, and political grounds, it’s reasonable to expect that there will be a growing number of US friendly online casinos over the next few years.  Federal law does not prohibit online gambling.  States have the freedom to regulate gambling within their borders and with three states already benefiting from online gambling revenues, it makes sense that other states will soon follow suit and US friendly online casinos will only become more readily available to gamblers throughout the United States.  As always, be sure to check the laws in your jurisdiction before registering at a US online casino just to be safe.

Celebrate 4th of July with USA Online Casino Games

USA Online Casino GamesMany USA online casino games are based on themes.  Oftentimes these themes reflect key moments in history.  On July 4th the United States celebrates Independence Day.  This federal holiday commemorates the country’s independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, aka the United Kingdom.  On July 4, 1776, the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence.  This national celebration is highlighted by patriotic events throughout the country.  Events highlight the nation’s laws, heritage, and people.  The day is marked with parades, family gatherings, and fireworks.

To honour this patriotic holiday many software providers have developed USA online casino games with patriotic themes.  Although they are designed to glorify the splendor of the United States, they can be enjoyed equally by players throughout the world.  Below is a quick run-down of some of the most popular games you can play to celebrate this very special holiday.

Captain America Slot Machine

One of the most popular USA online casino games is Captain America.  This 5-reel, 20-payline video slot machine is available on the Playtech software platform.  Through Playtech’s licensing agreement with Marvel Comics, the iconic superhero battles against the notoriously wicked Red Skull.  This stars-and-stripes themed slot machine offers free spins and multipliers.  Expanding wilds provide opportunities for bigger wins.  The Captain America slot machine is one of many Marvel-themes available at Playtech-powered casinos.  Ironically, because this slot machine is only available on the Playtech platform, it can only be played by non-US residents.  Unfortunately Playtech stopped accepting US play after the enactment of the UIEGA in 2006.  International players can find Captain America slots at Omni Casino.

USA Online Casino Games – Bars and Stripes 

US residents looking to play USA online casino games need not despair.  Microgaming not only welcomes US players, they also offer a great game for the 4th of July, Bars and Stripes.  Bars and Stripes is a 5-reel, 25-payline slot machine celebrating Americana.  The slot machine reels showcase iconic aspects of US culture.  This includes hot dogs and apple pie, footballs and the American bald eagle.  Players love the bonus round, which is a “pick the hat” challenge with a top payout being a whopping 50,000 coins.   You can try your luck playing Bars and Stripes at Royal Vegas casino.

USA Online Casino Games – Stars and Stripes

You can’t get much more patriotic than BetOnSoft’s Stars and Stripes slot machine.  This is a classic 3-reel, 1-line slot loaded with American flags, star-spangled sevens, as well as the iconic bald eagle. The slot’s wild is an American flag.  It can replace other symbols in order to produce winning combinations and multipliers. The slot’s max payout is 1,600 coins.  You’ll find Stars and Stripes as well as a host of other classic USA casino games at several online casinos.

USA Online Casino Games – Blackjack

Slots aren’t for everyone.  When it comes to USA online casino games, some people prefer the tables.  Blackjack is a classic game that was given the name blackjack when it was introduced in America.  The game’s popularity is due in large part to its simplicity.  The goal of the game is very simple; players attempt to have a hand with a combined card count that is higher than the dealer’s count but not more than 21.  Blackjack is available for free play and real money play at almost any online casino.

No matter how you choose to celebrate Independence Day, USA online casino games are something to consider.  They offer hours of patriotic-flavored entertainment!

Online USA Casinos

Online USA CasinosOnline USA casinos first came on the scene in the late 1990s and by 2005 the industry was booming. New online casinos were popping up all over the place, giving players a smorgasbord of casinos to choose from when placing their bets. Competition was fierce and the onus was on the operators to offer the biggest bonuses and the very best customer service possible. However, things took a drastic turn in 2006. With the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, many online USA casinos shut their virtual doors. The effects of this have been widespread and continue to be felt industry-wide. USA online casinos that continue to accept players have to work harder in order to provide reliable deposit and withdrawal methods but, since there are fewer competitors, oftentimes the level or service provided to players has declined. But recently, attitudes towards gaming in the US have started to change and as laws change, it is likely that another boom lies just ahead!

Betting at Online USA Casinos

Unless you’re prepared, betting at online USA casino can be, if you’ll pardon the pun, a dicey proposition. Online USA casinos operate much in the same way as their land-based counterparts; they too always maintain a house edge. This means that, over time, the games payout percentage ensures that the casino will always come out ahead. Some people mistakenly assume that, because of this, they can never win when betting at online USA casinos. This is not true; it’s simply a matter of odds. Most people will lose. However, even a cursory knowledge of the most basic betting strategy can help you accumulate big winnings at least some of the time.

USA Casino Legality

When considering online USA casinos legality, the lines have always been somewhat blurry. Under federal law, gambling in the US is legal. Interstate and online casinos, however, are subject to major restrictions. And, while the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, also known as the UIEGA, in 2006 led many to believe that online gambling was specifically prohibited, this is not the case. The law actually prohibited the financial transactions made by internet gaming service providers. Because these laws are not clear cut, the response to them has been varied. Several online USA casinos opted to close up shop while others found ways to circumvent the UIEGA and still provide services within the US. Before selecting an online gaming destination, first check to see how the laws are applied within your state.

Las Vegas Casinos

Nothing gets the pulse racing faster than the sights and sounds of Las Vegas Casinos. Bright, flashing lights, spinning reels, and the sound of cascading coins conspire to stimulate the senses. Thankfully, you don’t need to dish out the plane fare in order to get the Las Vegas casino experience. Online casinos make every effort to deliver the same sensory experience you would get if you walked into any of the best Las Vegas casinos. Most online casinos feature high-resolution, 3-D games, live dealers, and a soundtrack with all the corresponding bells and whistles. While it’s true that Vegas also offers great restaurants and other forms of entertainment, for people whose interest if primarily gaming, or for those on a budget, online casinos are a great alternative.