How we choose the top operators (our methodology)
We use the word “top” and we define it. Top means the operators that are most popular and most used, judged by market share where a state regulator publishes it, such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Michigan Gaming Control Board, and by average App Store and Google Play rating and number of ratings.
We never print revenue or share figures for individual operators, and no operator can pay to rank higher. Every operator we name is checked as live in the state today, and we quote a welcome offer only when the operator’s own page states it with dates. Top is not a claim that an operator is right for everyone.
Online sportsbooks
Regulated sports betting followed the Supreme Court’s decision in Murphy v. NCAA on May 14, 2018, which struck down the federal ban and let states write their own rules. Legal does not always mean mobile. Some states allow wagering only at licensed retail counters or inside designated areas. Our online sportsbook guide lists every licensed brand and the top apps by use.
Online casinos
Real-money online casinos operate only in states that license them, and Michigan and Pennsylvania both publish lists of authorized brands. A law on the books is not the same as a licensed operator taking bets. Our online casino guide covers the licensed brands and bonus terms.
Poker
Online poker is licensed state by state, and regulators in Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have approved shared player pools under the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement. Pennsylvania’s governor signed the agreement on April 23, 2025. See which rooms are open in our online poker guide.
Horse racing and racing-powered games
Horse racing follows its own laws. Most online wagering goes through advance-deposit wagering accounts and pari-mutuel pools, where bettors share a pool instead of taking fixed odds. Some states allow online racing even where mobile sportsbooks are barred. Our horse racing betting guide lists the advance-deposit wagering providers on the California Horse Racing Board’s list, with bet types and how takeout works.
Racing-powered games are casino-style games whose payout comes from a real pari-mutuel race wager rather than a random-number generator. HorsePlay, operated by Game Play Network, is the example we have confirmed; the California Horse Racing Board lists the company as a licensed provider. They are not sweepstakes casinos. Read how racing-powered games work and who regulates them.
Prediction markets and sweepstakes casinos
Prediction markets let eligible users trade contracts that pay $1 if an event happens. They are regulated federally by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and courts are still deciding how far states can regulate sports contracts. Our prediction market guide lists the platforms open to US users.
Sweepstakes casinos use virtual coins instead of cash wagers and are not licensed by gaming regulators. Our sweepstakes casino guide shows the restrictions.
Promo codes
Welcome offers change weekly. Our promo codes page lists the sportsbook and casino offers that carry official start and end dates, with the Promo Code where one is needed and the wagering terms that decide an offer’s worth.
Top states to start with
Each state hub covers the regulator, minimum age, taxes and what is legal in that state, and each vertical page opens with the full list of licensed operators.
How USA.bet reviews betting platforms
We compare legal betting options using information that goes beyond promotional headlines. We look at regulatory status, state eligibility, fees, product features, payout conditions and the restrictions on individual operators. A sportsbook’s margin cannot be compared directly with a casino’s return to player or a prediction exchange’s trading fees, so we treat each category on its own terms.
Where we can, we cite official regulator records, operator terms and app store listings. We keep facts apart from editorial judgment and we disclose commercial relationships. USA.bet may earn a commission when readers sign up through selected links, and we also cover operators without a commercial relationship. More is on our about page.
Frequently asked questions
Is online betting legal throughout the United States?
No. Law varies by state and product. Sports betting is more widely available than regulated online casinos, and horse racing and prediction markets follow different rules.
Are prediction markets the same as online sportsbooks?
No. Prediction markets trade event contracts on an exchange, while sportsbooks take wagers at quoted odds. Pricing, oversight and consumer protections differ.
Can I use an online casino from another state?
Only if you are physically in a state where the casino is licensed. Operators check your location with geolocation software.
Are racing-powered games available without legal online casinos?
In some states, yes, because they operate under horse racing law. Access depends on the operator and the state.
How does USA.bet earn revenue?
We may earn affiliate commissions when readers register through selected links. Those relationships do not change which operators we include or how we order them.
Responsible gambling
You must be 21 or older in most states to bet. Gambling and event-contract trading carry financial risk, and a bonus or a market position never guarantees a profit. If gambling is causing harm, call 1-800-GAMBLER or contact the National Council on Problem Gambling at ncpgambling.org. Offers, terms and laws change, so check the operator’s current terms before you register.