10 Easy Steps to Join the U.S. iGaming Community

As you sit in front of the TV looking for something fun to do, you might want to consider playing online casino games of chance. If you are 21 years of age or older, it's a fun and exciting way to spend a little time and maybe win a little money.

Depending on which state in which you live, there could be as many as two dozen licensed iGaming operators at your disposal. The states in which online casino gambling has been legalized are:

• Connecticut


• Delaware


• Michigan


• New Jersey


• Pennsylvania


• Rhode Island


• West Virginia

If you don't live in one of these states, you do have two (2) other options. You can try signing up with an offshore online casino operator, but be careful and stay with the top brands. Your other option would be to drive to one of the aforementioned states where you can register and play as long as you are within that state's boundaries.

If you like the idea of becoming a recreational online casino gambler, there are 10 easy steps you can follow to get you into action. Here are those 10 magical steps:

Step #1: Find Your Online Casino of Choice

Depending on which state you are located in, you should have access to as few as 3 online casinos or as many as 2 dozen in states like New Jersey and PA. Before you take the plunge, you should do your research and seek out the operator(s) that will best suit your needs.

The top operators across the states are BetMGM Casino, Caesars Casino, DraftKings Casino, and FanDuel Casino. That's based on reputation and the number of games each operator has in their games library. For what it's worth, some of the lesser operators should suffice as long as your desire for bigger bonuses is minimal. Should you choose to do so, there is nothing wrong with aligning yourself with more than one operator if you crave variety.

In the selection process, you'll want to consider the site's reputation, games library, and bonus promotions.

Step #2: Complete the Registration Process

Before the start of the registration process with your chosen iGaming operator, you need to be physically located in the state in which you are going to register. You don't have to be a legal resident of that state, but you do have to be physically there at registration and any time you want to use the site for gambling activities. Each operator is required by law to track all new and existing customers via geo-tracking software.

The actual registration process for each operator will be straightforward. You need to provide your birthdate, address, and Social Security number. Also, be prepared to show proof of any requested information.

The entire process should take no more than five (5) minutes. Once you are done, approval from the operator will likely be immediate. Congratulations, you are now a member of the U.S. iGaming community.

Step #3: Make Your First Deposit

Once you are ready to get started, you'll have to fund your gambling account. With pretty much each operator, the minimum deposit requirement will be $10.

You'll find the deposit options in the operator's banking section. Note: The options may vary slightly from one operator to the next and from one state to the next. The most common options are credit/debit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Amer Exp), PayNearMe, PayPal, and bank transfers. If the online operator is partnered with a retail casino in the state, you can usually make walk-in deposits at the casino. Deposit limits will based on the deposit method you choose.

Step #4: Claim Your Welcome Bonus

In each state. the iGaming community is very competitive. The operators are forced to go toe-to-toe in the quest to claim new customers. In every case, it's the operator's welcome bonus that is used to attract new customers.

Some operators are more aggressive than others in terms of what they are willing to offer. The offers will vary in type and amount from one operator to the next. Here is a list of generic offers you might encounter:

• No deposit required bonus for simply completing registration process


• Deposit matching bonus based on the amount of your first deposit


• Free spins on a designated video slot game(s)


• Any combination of the above three options

Good sense dictates that you would choose the operator that is offering a welcome bonus that appeals to you the most.

Step #5: Traverse the Site's Games Library in Search of Games

Before you start gambling, you might want to invest a little time traversing the operator's games library. The options will most likely be video slots, video poker, table games, a live casino/dealer table games. Choose wisely, considering the limits of your bankroll.

Step #6: Play Your Favorite Games

Once you have a few games on your radar, you can go ahead and jump into action. Before you play any games, it's incumbent on you to make sure you know how the game(s) are played and what rules are in place. Remember, no two games are alike other than the fact the house always has a gambling advantage. Depending on the game or games you choose to play, that advantage could be as low as 1% up to as high as 17%. Pick wisely. Have fun.

Step #7: Stay Attuned to Other Bonus Promos

The better online casino operators will be customer-friendly in terms of trying to offer extra value throughout the relationship. If you keep your eyes on the promo menu, a bonus promo of interest might catch your eye. There is nothing wrong with claiming a few freebies as long as you understand the offer's terms and conditions. Remember, retail and online casinos don't survive by giving money away for free.

Step #8: Be disciplined About Your Casino Play

Before you start playing, you'll want to set your bankroll for the session, day, week, or month. That bankroll might be a single deposit to help you control your limits. Once you set your bankroll, it's incumbent on you to abide by your own limits. You have to have enough discipline to walk away for a while when things are going bad. You also need to be disciplined enough to scoop up winnings and put them in your pocket when things are going well.

Step #9: Make Withdrawals

If things go well, and you want or need to make a withdrawal, you'll need to report back to the operator's banking section. There, you will find your withdrawal options as well as your withdrawal limits. Caution: While deposits might get recorded immediately, there could be a waiting period for withdrawals. The operator will want time to confirm you have met all requirements before they send money back your way. You can expect a normal waiting period of 24 to 48 hours, depending on the operator's terms and conditions. Read them!

Step #10: Gamble Responsibly

In closing, online casino gambling is a great form of online adult entertainment. However, you do need to gamble responsibly. As a rule of thumb, you should never gamble with more money than you can afford to lose. You might want to limit that to your discretionary funds. Discretionary funds are best defined as what's remaining in your bank after you have paid all your bills and put some cash in savings. Be responsible.

If you follow all of these steps, you have every right to expect fun and excitement. So, be responsible and make sure to enjoy your iGaming activities.