There are hundreds of different titles available at the , and there’s always something new coming out. With so much to choose from, it can be tough to figure out what to play.
Luckily, we’re here to help you navigate the thousands of options. Here are some of the best online casino games to try this year.
What Are Online Casino Games?
Online casino games are just that - games you can play at an online casino.
They come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from slots and blackjack to sports betting and everything in between. Nearly all real-money online casino games have counterparts in land-based casinos, and most casino game types involve an element of chance and skill to some degree.
BetRivers Online Casino - Review of Games, Bonuses & MoreThe top online casino games for you will depend on a number of factors including your location, preferences, and experience levels with gaming and with each type of casino game.
Some players want to play online casino games for real money because they enjoy the thrill of wagering and the potential to win big. Others simply like the entertainment value of playing engaging, immersive games.
Regardless of why you're interested in online casino games, the convenience offered by their online iterations cannot be overstated. Instead of getting dressed up, traveling to a brick-and-mortar casino, and dealing with crowds and other undesirable elements, you can play all the best online casino games from the comfort of your own home.
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Why You Should Play Casino Games Online.
We live busier lives than ever before. Finding the time to get all your tasks done in a day can often feel like mission impossible. This leads to many people neglecting hobbies and pastimes which can lead to added stress and burnout.
Playing casino games online has transformed from being taboo to now being widely accepted as a great way to pass the time. The main benefit is that you can play from the comfort of your own homes at any time of the day.
There are tons of casino games to play online and deciding what ones to play first can be difficult. To save you some time, I have outlined what I believe to be the 10 best online casino games. Some lean more toward the skills-based side while others favor luck, but they all share the ability to keep you entertained for hours.
Top Online Casino Games to Play in 2023
If you’re looking for the best online casino games, look no further than the list below. Here are our top picks for online casino games to play right now.
1. Slots
Slots are hands down the most popular casino games to play online. Not only are there literally thousands of unique slot titles to choose from, but they’re also incredibly easy to pick up and play.
Modern video slots usually feature several rows, reels, and paylines. Symbols fall into place from above, and winning combinations are made when certain symbols line up across active paylines. Most slots these days also have fun bonus features like free spins, mini-games, and progressive jackpots.
Slot machines are almost entirely based on luck, making them perfect for casual players who don’t want to deal with complex strategy. That said, there are some general tips and tricks that can help improve your chances of winning when you play casino games online.
Pros:
- Thousands of unique games to choose from
- Easy to pick up and play
- Bonus features and progressive jackpots
- Completely luck-based
Cons:
- One of the lowest RTPs compared to other online casino games
2. Blackjack
Blackjack is another staple of both online and land-based casinos. Like slots, it’s one of the most for players of all experience levels.
In blackjack, you compete against the dealer rather than other players. The goal is to get your two starting cards to add up to (you guessed it) blackjack - a total of 21. If you go over 21, you “bust,” and you lose your bet.
blackjack involves a good amount of strategy. Each situation you might find yourself in during a hand of blackjack (called a “hand”) has a optimal move (called a “play” or “action”). Learning these basics can lower the house edge significantly, increasing your chances of winning when you play online casino games.
Pros:
- Simple rules and basic strategy
- One of the lowest house edges of all online casino games
- Fun and exciting regardless of outcome
- High payouts if you get lucky
Cons:
- The dealer has an advantage with a policy of “peek” and being able to “hit soft 17”
- Human dealers at live dealer tables can sometimes have a bad attitude
3. Video Poker
is a combination of five-card draw poker and slots. In its early days, video poker was simply a computerized version of five-card draw that allowed you to bet and collect payouts. These days, there are dozens of variants to choose from.
Like slots, you insert cash into a video poker machine and use buttons to select your actions. Unlike slots, though, the outcomes are determined by a virtual deck of cards. In most games, you aim to make a strong poker hand, such as a pair or better.
Because video poker incorporates elements of poker and knowledge of can greatly increase your chances of winning when you play it. Again, it’s still partly based on luck, but understanding how to make the best decision in every possible situation goes a long way.
Pros:
- Low house edge if you understand the basics
- High payouts for making strong hands
- Fast and fun online casino game
- Variants such as Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild
Cons:
- Harder to understand than slots or blackjack
- More volatile than blackjack due to the random number generator (RNG)
4. Roulette
Roulette translates to “little wheel” in French, which should give you a pretty good idea of how it’s played. A croupier spins the wheel and tosses a small ball onto the spinning wheel. The ball eventually comes to a stop in one of the numbered pockets.
One of the best things about roulette is the large variety of bets you can make. You can bet on exactly where the ball will land (a “straight up” bet), a group of several adjacent numbers, an entire row, column, or dozen (one-third of the board). Just about any way you can think of to group the numbers, you can place a bet on it.
7Casino – Online Casino Review NZ 2023 | Bonuses, Win Rate & Games - Indivisible GamingOf course, the larger the group of numbers your bet covers, the more favors the house has, and thus, the lower your odds and expected return. But this gives you the opportunity to add a personal touch by and play a bigger role than in other games of chance.
American roulette wheels have 38 numbers, allowing for higher payouts and a slightly lower house edge compared to blackjack. European and French roulette wheels lack one number found on American wheels, resulting in higher RTPs.
Pros:
- Wide variety of bets lets you control the house edge
- Fun and interactive online casino game
- Relatively low house edge compared to slots
- Big payouts if you get lucky
Cons:
- Even with the best strategy, you mostly just guess
- American roulette has 38 numbers, giving the house a large advantage
5. Craps
Craps gets a bad rap (no pun intended) for being a stuffy, intimidating game played exclusively by rich old men in smoky VIP rooms. While it’s true craps is often featured in these kinds of settings, that doesn’t tell the whole story about the game.
Craps is one of the easiest casino games to play online. After placing your bets, all you have to do is roll a pair of dice, adding up the numbers shown to determine your score for the round.
You can make a wide range of bets in craps, but the best online casino games are ones that are easy to learn. Thankfully, there’s one pass line bet that’s incredibly simple. All you need to do is bet on whether the shooter (the person throwing the dice) will roll a 7 or 11, scoring a “natural.” If they roll a 2, 3, or 12, they “crrap out,” losing. Any other number becomes the shooter’s “point,” and they must roll that number again to win.
Craps may seem complicated at first glance, but in reality, it’s a great casino game for beginners, especially when playing Simplified Craps.
Pros:
- Extremely simple to play, especially in simpled craps versions
- Lots of opportunities to score big
- Social atmosphere where you can bet with/on other players
- Dice are completely random and fair
Cons:
Best Sweepstakes Casino Apps That Pay Real Cash (2023)- Betting table looks confusing, but is really simple once you know pass line bet
- Shooter could blow streaks and cost you money
6. Baccarat
Baccarat has gained popularity thanks to high-rolling James Bond types and celebrities. It used to be considered an exclusive game for the ultra wealthy, but these days, anyone can easily learn how to play baccarat.
At its core, baccarat is a simple game. Players take turns dealing the cards, following set rules to determine the value of each hand. The object is to get your two or three card hand (depending on the variant) to add up to as close to 9 as possible. If your hand is closer to 9 than the banker’s hand, you win.
Although the dealing player has more work to do than in other online casino games, the player vs. banker bet is one of the simplest there is. You simply have to choose whether the player (you) will win the round, the banker will win, or that the two hands will tie. Beyond choosing to place a bet, you don’t need to make any decisions throughout the hand.
Baccarat is one of the easier card games to learn online, despite its high roller image.
Pros:
- Very simple to bet on the banker or player
- Only need to know a few hand values
- Elegant online casino game
- High payouts
Cons:
- Lots of hand values are ignored when determining the score (aces are one, two, or three; court cards are zero)
- Complexity of those rules makes it harder to intuitively grasp
7. Keno
Keno is one of the oldest casino games in existence, predating ancient Rome. Legend has it that the city of ancient China was facing war, and the citizens needed to raise money quickly. Rather than selling off valuable possessions, they came up with keno slips. They wrote numbers from 1 to 80 on the slips and sold the rights to those numbers to soldiers, who used them to pick their tent. The citizens won or lost depending on how the war went, and keno was born.
Today, online keno works much like a lottery. You choose up to 10 numbers on a ticket (some keno games at online casinos let you pick more), and then 20 numbers are randomly drawn from a pool of 80. The more numbers you match, the more you win.
As with all of the best online casino games, be sure to check the paytable so you know what you stand to gain.
The simplicity of online keno makes it an excellent choice for beginners, as well as those looking for relaxing casino games.
Pros:
- Super simple to play
- Very relaxing online casino game
- Quick rounds allow for fast action
- Huge payouts if you get lucky
Cons:
- Huge house edge if you make the wrong bets
- No real strategy aside from knowing the payouts
8. Pai Gow Poker
Pai gow poker combines the rules of poker with the Chinese game of pai gow. At the start of each hand, you’re dealt seven cards from a standard 52-card deck. Your goal is to divide those seven cards into two poker hands: one with five cards, and one with two cards.
slot machine tips - how to win on slot machinesThe five-card hand must be stronger than the two-card hand. For example, you can’t make a five-card straight with four cards, and a pair with the other three. You would either need aces to complete the straight and make your two-card hand a lowly pair, or a third card to make two pairs.
The complexity of pai gow poker hand rankings is similar to traditional poker, but the splitting aspect adds a unique twist.
Pros:
- Requires more strategy than most online casino games
- Poker enthusiasts already understand hand rankings
- Fun variation for poker fans
- Good odds with basic strategy
Cons:
- Steep learning curve compared to other table games
- Strategy can be overwhelming for novices
9. Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean stud poker is a newer addition to the world of online casino games, combining classic poker with a casino table game. Similar to other online casino games, your goal is to beat the dealer. However, unlike most games, you’re not trying to make the best five-card poker hand.
Instead, after placing your bet, you’re dealt five cards face down. You look at your hand and decide whether to fold (losing your bet) or raise (increasing your bet twice and comparing your hand to the dealer’s). The dealer also has a five-card hand, but part of it is exposed so you can see one of their cards.
You win even money (2 to 1) on your raise bet if you have a pair or better, and you also have a shot at a progressive jackpot payout if you make a special 5-card poker hand. The dealer must have at least a king-high hand to qualify, and ties result in pushes (a draw, effectively).
The poker aspect of Caribbean stud poker adds a layer of intrigue and strategy that sets it apart from many other online casino games.
Pros:
- Requires basic poker knowledge
- More strategic than most table games
- Exciting variation for poker enthusiasts
- Progressive jackpots offer huge rewards
Cons:
- Steep house edge without special bonuses
- Strategy can be hard to learn
10. Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games combine the ease of online casino games with a real human dealer and other players. Webcams stream a live video feed of a real person spinning roulette wheels, dealing blackjack, or however they happen to be taking your bets.
Live dealer games are a relatively recent development, but they bring a unique spin (pun unintended) to the idea of . You can chat with the dealer and any other players at the table, making it a very social experience.
Live dealer games typically include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and Casino Hold’em, among others.
Pros:
- Real human dealers shuffle the cards for random results
- Chat with other players for a social experience
- Wide range of games to choose from
- Streamed to your desktop, smartphone, or tablet
Cons:
- Dealers can ruin the mood with poor attitudes
- Game play can be slow compared to RNG games
How to Choose the Best Online Casino Games.
Everyone prefers different styles of games. The key to finding the best online casino games is to consider what you personally look for in a game. Do you prefer strategy, luck, or a bit of both? Are you looking for a challenge or something mindless to pass the time? Would you prefer a game that allows you to interact with others, or do you prefer to fly solo?
It’s also important to note that the legality of online casino games varies by state. Many states in the US allow for online casino games. For instance, bettings sites that offer casino games are legal in states like Michigan and West Virginia.
I recommend doing a quick Google search of "are online casinos legal in [your state]" to get more information on the current status.
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Types of Casino Games.
Now that you know which games I deem as the best online casino games, let’s talk about the various types of casino games you will come across.
Table Games.
Table games refer to any casino games that take place at a table with one or more dealers. Card games like blackjack and baccarat, as well as dice games like craps, are all examples of the best online casino games in this category.
Most online casinos offer virtual table games where you play against the house. These are run by a random number generator (RNG) to ensure fairness and accuracy. You set your bet size, make your moves, and hit the “deal” button to see the results.
Some sites also offer live table games. These function similarly to virtual table games, except they are streamed to you via webcam. A real person spins the roulette wheel, deals the cards, and keeps track of the action.
Random Number Generator Games (RNG).
An RNG is a computer program designed to produce random results. When you play the best online casino games at a site without live dealers, virtually all of your actions trigger the RNG.
For example, when you play online slots, you click the spin button after setting your bet size. Behind the scenes, the slot’s RNG instantly generates numerous random numbers. The number that the RNG lands on determines which symbol appears on the left side of the reel. As the animation plays, more numbers are generated to fill the entire reel with a single symbol.
Amazing Online Casinos in NJ You Should Not Miss Out On!This applies to all of the best online casino games that you play using the "quick deal" button. Every time you hit that button, you're paying for a random result.
Obviously, the RNG needs to actually be random for this to work. Otherwise, the casino would cheat by always making the reels land in the casino's favor. So in addition to testing their games to prove they're honest, online casinos make their RNG algorithms public so that independent experts can verify they're truly random.
Poker.
While many table games are considered casino games, one stands out as both a casino game and its own genre: poker.
Poker is technically a table game, as the action takes place on a large table. However, rather than beating the house, you’re attempting to beat the other players at the table.
The complexity of poker rules and hand rankings puts it well outside the realm of RNG games. Rather than clicking a button to see a random result, you make several bets and moves each round based on your confidence in your hand and your read on the other players.
That said, the best online casino games don’t judge players based on skill alone. When it comes time to pay off, you’re competing against the house. Because the casino must account for all possible scenarios when deciding how often to pay off winning hands, poker still qualifies as one of the .
Of all the online casino games to play online, poker has one of the longest learnings curves. It’s also one of the few games that you can profit from rather than simply hoping to win more than you lose.
Sports Betting.
Sports betting isn’t a game per se, but it’s included at most online casinos, making it one of the best online casino games for certain players.
Unlike the games above, you’re not competing against other players or a house. Instead, you’re simply trying to accurately predict an outcome. For example, you might bet on which team will win a football game, or which boxer will knock out their opponent in a particular round.
Betting lines and odds are designed to balance action between both sides, but it’s still possible to find favorable situations. Additionally, you don’t need to understand complicated rules and strategies to excel at sports betting. That said, having a solid understanding of the sport and the betting options is crucial.
pa online poker updateLottery.
Finally, we come to the easiest and most luck-dependent casino game: the lottery. Also known as “instant wins,” lottery tickets are available at most casinos both online and in-person.
Lottery tickets differ from other online casino games in that you typically purchase an entire sheet or booklet at a time. Each ticket in the booklet has the same design: a specific cost, prize amounts, and odds of winning each prize.
All you need to do to play is choose how many tickets you want at that price point, and hope that the stars align in your favor.
Online Casino Games vs. Land Based Casino Games.
Advancements in technology have bridged the gap between land-based and online casino games, but there are still noticeable differences.
For starters, playing in a physical casino offers amazing sensory experiences. The fluttering sound of chips on felt, whirring of slot reels, ringing of slot bells, clanking of chips in a bet, and the joyful shout of “winner!” from a nearby table are music to the ears of gamblers. The flashing lights, perfume, cologne, and diverse array of clothing and body types provide a feast for the eyes. And the cool hum of air conditioning, scent of cigarette smoke and alcohol, taste of free drinks, and feeling of plush carpet underfoot tantalize the senses.
Additionally, nothing beats the immediate access to maintenance and support staff at land based casinos. Got a question or problem? Just flag down a pit boss. Need a drink or a cigarette? Someone will be by with refills in minutes. Bored? Try some free cocktail waitress bingo!
Real Money Poker Sites That Accept US Players in 2023In contrast, playing the best online casino games provides privacy and freedom most gamblers crave. There’s no pressure from friends or family members to spend more than you can afford, or to stick around longer than you like the environment. Plus, online casino games never close or run out of space, and allow you to play for free, or extremely low stakes.
Personally, I love alternating between both forms of casino games. Sometimes I want to relax at home in my underwear and play for pennies. Other times, I like to dress up, travel to the casino, and play for thousands at a time.
Tips for Playing the Best Online Casino Games.
After breaking down the best online casino games, I wanted to share some general tips to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Sites That Offer Free No Deposit Poker (2023)- Start Small and Slow: Especially if you’re new to gambling, it’s wise to start small and slow. Play games that have simpler rules and strategies, and begin with minimum bets. This helps you learn the ins and outs of the games, understand how the software works, and establish good habits to prevent addiction.
- Read the Rules and Pay Tables: Before you sit down to play, always read the rules and pay tables for each game you’re interested in. This way, you fully understand how to play, win, and lose. It’s also smart to test out the game for free to get a handle on the mechanics and flow.
- Manage Your Bankroll: Set a budget for your gambling activities, and stick to it. Don’t bet more than you can afford to lose, and never chase your losses. If you’re up, consider calling it a day to lock in a win.
- Shop Around for the Best Odds: Different games and casinos offer varying odds and payouts. Look for games with low house edges and high RTPs. This improves your theoretical chance of winning.
- Utilize Bonuses and Promotions: Many of the best online casinos offer sign-up bonuses, reload bonuses, loyalty programs, and more. Be sure to read the terms and conditions to understand the wagering requirements and game contributions. Then, take advantage of these offers to boost your bankroll and extend your playtime.
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What are the best online casino games?
Slots are the best online casino games due to their simplicity and high payouts. Other popular options include roulette, blackjack, and video poker.
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What online casino games can you play for free?
Many online casinos – such as Wild Casino – offer demo modes or free play options for selected games. This gives you the opportunity to practice and familiarize yourself with the rules and mechanics before playing with real money. However, keep in mind that to win real money, you’ll need to place real bets.
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Where can I play online casino games?
Several states in the USA allow online casino gaming, such as West Virginia and Michigan. Head to our to stay updated on legislation changes and discover authorized operators.
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Is online casino gaming safe?
Yes, online casino gaming is safe as long as you stick to licensed and regulated platforms. Always research the operator’s credentials and ensure they hold the necessary licenses and certifications. Look for trust badges and SSL encryption to verify security measures.
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Are casino games online rigged?
Legitimate online casinos do not rig their games. Reputable operators use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure fairness and impartiality. Additionally, these platforms are routinely audited and certified by third-party organizations to verify game integrity.
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How do I play online casino games?
Playing online casino games is easy. First, visit a reputable platform and register for an account. Once logged in, browse the game selection and choose a deposit method to fund your account. Then, place your bets and start playing! Remember to read the game rules and paytables before you begin.
