Accessing our favorite websites and services on our phones and mobile devices has become second nature, and arguably more common than accessing them on our actual computers. The online gambling industry has taken notice, and that’s why we’ve laid out all the information you need to know about online casino apps.
Almost all online casinos have mobile apps available on both iOS and Android. In fact, many real money online casinos now launch their mobile apps before their desktop websites. That being said, it can be tough to root through all the information to find the best offerings. We’ve got information on the best online casino apps for you below.
Best Online Casino Apps for April 2023
Your State Has No Legal Real-Money Mobile Casinos: But that’s okay! You can play casino-like games at the social and sweepstakes casinos below. Players can use Sweep Coins to redeem for cash prizes and more. The best part? You can use our links to play for free:
How to Download and Install Online Casino Apps
Getting started with real money online casino apps is a generally simple and straightforward process, and it’s also the most important information to start this article with. Basically, all you need to do is search for your desired online casino app in either the App Store (iOS) or the Play Store (Android), hit download, and open it up.
When you first open an online casino app, you’ll be asked to enable some permissions. While most are optional, the most important mandatory permission is location access — you won’t be able to play if you decline this. Location services are used to determine not only the state you’re playing in but also to ensure that you remain within state boundaries while you play. This is mandatory for all regulated and legal online casinos.
Downloading Online Casino Apps For iOS
In order to download your favorite casino’s app on iOS, all you need to do is visit the App Store, tap the Get button, confirm your password or Touch/Face ID, and wait for the download to finish.
Occasionally, a newer online casino may not yet offer an iOS app due to Apple’s stringent approval process. If you can’t find an official app, it’s best to wait and check again later. Better yet, you may be able to find information or a timeline on their main website.
Downloading Casino Apps For Android
Previously, the Google Play Store didn’t allow gambling apps. The good news is that now, they’re permitted. That means you should be able to find any major online casino’s app in the Play Store.
If you can’t, that may mean they haven’t added their app to the store yet. In this case, follow the below steps:
- Go to Settings on your device.
- Navigate to “Security.” You may have to tap “More” to find it.
- Look for “Unknown sources” and enable it.
- Navigate to the casino’s website on your browser of choice.
- From there, you should be directed to a download page automatically.
- Download and open the app.
- If you haven’t already, sign up using our online casino app bonus codes.
Geolocation Technology
As we mentioned earlier in the “How to Download and Install Online Casino Apps” section, geolocation is necessary in order to play. That’s why you must always ensure you enable location services when first downloading an app.
If you’d like to play on your mobile browser directly, some online casinos offer you the option, but you’re still required to download an app to complete geolocation. This app is called GeoGuard Location Validator and once you’ve set it up, it’s a simple process to get up and running.
How To Cash Out Via Online Casino App
Players can quickly and easily cash via an online casino app. Some are even instant withdrawal online casinos available on iOS and Android devices, and players never have to go to the online casino’s website to deposit, play, or cashout either. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Join an online casino like BetMGM Casino.
- Use the bonus code to claim the welcome bonus, which can include a no deposit bonus, deposit-match bonus, free spins bonus, rebates, and more. Players can also choose to skip the welcome bonus and make a real-money deposit.
- Use the bonus or deposited money by playing games like slots, blackjack, roulette, or whatever you like to play.
- Request a withdrawal. If it’s your first time withdrawing, there may be a verification process that involves providing your ID and other identifying documentation for security purposes, ensuring you’re the one cashing out.
- Find your funds in your chosen account. Withdraw times can be instant or up to 24 hours or more, depending on the online casino and payment method.
Online Casino Apps
Now, it’s time to get to the fun stuff. We’ve tested and compared the seven main online casino apps to help you discover your favorite (or favorites). We’ll start with a simple table of information, then go into more detail below.
Provider | Platforms | Are all desktop games available? |
---|---|---|
BetMGM Casino | iOS, Android | Yes |
Caesars Casino | iOS, Android | No |
BetRivers Casino | iOS, Android | No |
DraftKings Casino | iOS, Android | No |
FanDuel Casino | iOS, Android | No |
Unibet Casino | iOS, Android | No |
WynnBET Casino | iOS, Android | Yes |
BetMGM
Our BetMGM Casino review explains how the casino app is the same for all states. That means you don’t have to dig around the app store for your specific state — it’s one app to download, no matter where you’re playing from. In addition, all desktop games are available on mobile, and there are over 1,000 of them. This along with the solid search feature and the easy-to-find Promotions page puts BetMGM’s online casino app near the top of our list.
Players enjoy the aforementioned great game selection, along with wide ranges of minimum and maximum bets and fast payouts. Some reviews complain that there are separate apps for BetMGM’s casino and sportsbook offerings, and others seem to have an issue with the state selection upon opening the app. Make sure you’re selecting the state that you’re currently playing from to have the best experience off the bat.
Caesars
The Caesars Casino app places second on our list. Players rave about the relatively fast geolocation and the ease of finding what they’re looking for within the app. Some reviews mention minor occasional glitches, but this is an issue that can happen with any app depending on what phone you’re using, whether or not you’re running the latest updates, etc.
Caesars Casino offers a unique welcome bonus for each state it operates in. Click here to find the exclusive promo code for your specific state.
BetRivers
BetRivers offers a wide variety of games on its combined casino/sportsbook app. In addition, it has a separate app for each state in which it operates, so you can rest assured that you’re in the right place once you’ve downloaded the correct app, and you won’t have to deal with selecting your state each time you want to play. BetRivers also offers a solid slate of weekly promotions for existing players, as well as a loyalty program, bonus store, and their unique King Cash Community Chat.
Our exclusive BetRivers Casino promo code gets you a generous welcome bonus. Click here to see what’s on offer for your state.
DraftKings
DraftKings is a nice online casino app option in that it offers both casino and sportsbook in one combined app. They feature 892 games on their desktop website and 528 on their app. While that may seem like a big difference, we encourage players to think realistically about how many games 528 truly is, and if they’d ever really make it through that many. The obvious answer is that 528 games is a massive selection that’ll keep any level of player happy.
Our DraftKings Casino promo code includes $60 free on signup, $25 free on a $5 deposit, and a 100% deposit match bonus up to $2,000 for at least $85 in free money and as much as $2,085.
FanDuel
FanDuel also offers a combined casino and sportsbook app, which is a nice touch for players who like to do both. There’s a wide selection of games that will appeal to everyone, and the app itself is streamlined and responsive.
Some reviews complain about customer support, but the validity of these complaints can’t really be verified. In reality, FanDuel offers an excellent FAQ page that plays host to most answers the average casino player would be looking for, without a need to even contact support.
FanDuel Casino offers a Play It Again Day promotion, up to $2,000 and $100 in site credit with a $10 deposit. Just use our exclusive promo code link to claim it.
Unibet
Unibet is a name very well known in the UK market, and it’s also available to players in NJ and PA. Each of these two states has its own standalone app, and the apps are combined for sportsbook and casino, so you can find all your action in one place. The app includes all game categories available on desktop including slots, table games, and live dealer. In addition, it has a search feature, popular and new sections, and a promotions page, so finding what you’re looking for is easy.
Unibet offers a unique welcome bonus for both NJ and PA. Click here to choose the one most relevant to you.
WynnBET
Last but not least comes WynnBET. This popular option features a sportsbook/casino app for iOS, Android, and mobile web. The strong selling point here is that you can play everything you can on desktop on their mobile app, while many other online casinos feature stripped-down apps that don’t have every game available. Navigation and functions are also solid.
Our exclusive WynnBET promo code gets you a 100% deposit match up to $1,000.
Social Casinos
If you’re not currently located in a state that currently offers real money online casino apps (Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and West Virginia), you’ve still got an opportunity to play promotional sweepstakes casino games on the go in the form of social casinos.
These sites like Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Pulsz, for example, allow you to play with virtual coins for a chance to redeem cash prizes and more. On social casino sites, players have the option to play with a free-to-play currency or a premium currency. These are usually referred to as Gold Coins (free-to-play) and Sweeps Coins (premium), although every website has its own terminology. While you can’t purchase Sweeps Coins (also known as SC), you can earn them through various methods such as bonuses, daily login rewards, and social media contests.
For your convenience, we offer exclusive welcome offers for many of these social casinos, which you can find below:
Site Welcome Offer Casino Games Available
Chumba Get $30 of Gold Coins for $10 + 30 FREE Sweeps Coins. 100+ slots, 2 blackjack games, & video poker
LuckyLand Slots Get 7,777 FREE GC + 10 FREE SC on signup 40+ slots
Pulsz 2.3 SC + 15 Free SC with $9.99 purchase More than 200 slots plus blackjack
Global Poker 150,000 Gold Coins for $10, plus get 30 FREE Sweeps Coins Use promo code FLUSH Ring Games, Tournaments, Video Poker, Slots
Funzpoints $2.50 Premium Funzpoints Free Slots, Keno, & Scratch Cards
Which Casino Games Work on My Phone?
The short answer is all of them! A modern smartphone is a powerful machine capable of rivaling older desktop computers. Casino games are meant to be accessible and therefore don’t typically require a great deal of hardware to run.
Sometimes, an operator might have some games that are only available on desktop and not on mobile. These could be older games developed before mobile gaming was so widespread, or could be related to a temporary technical or regulatory issue. As much as possible, however, online casinos will want to offer you as similar an experience as possible on both mobile and desktop.
That said, there are limitations to these devices, so when picking a game you’ll want to consider the following:
- Screen size: Most games are designed to fit any size screen, but the more complex they are, the smaller the graphical details and control buttons will have to be. This is less of an issue on tablets, but if you’re using a phone and especially if you have any near-distance vision issues, you may prefer simpler games like three-reel slots and blackjack when playing on mobile.
- Bandwidth and data limits: Most casino apps don’t include all the individual games in the initial download. Rather, each game will get downloaded when you want to play it. That saves space on your phone but means that a game might be slow to load if you’re using cellular data instead of a Wi-Fi connection. If you have a data cap on your plan, you’ll want to keep an eye on that as well. Some games are bigger than others, so if one is taking a long time to download, cancel and try another.
- Touchscreen interface: Not every game with a mobile version was designed with a touchscreen in mind. Sometimes the controls might feel like they’d work better with a mouse. Fortunately, there are lots of games that play just fine with your finger, so if one game’s controls are frustrating to you, try another and you’ll soon find one to your liking.
Here are just some of the types of games you’ll be able to play on mobile.
Slots
Online slot machines for real money vary considerably in complexity, from single-line steppers based on the mechanical reels of old to fancy video slots with dozens of paylines, bonus games, and snazzy animations. Generally speaking, slots are well-suited to mobile play as the controls are simple and all the action takes place in a single rectangular area. Some of the more complex video slots might give you a better experience on a tablet and/or with a Wi-Fi connection.
Play free slots online if you’re unfamiliar with the games to play without signing up or making a payment.
Video Poker
Video poker is another style of game that works well on mobile, especially single-hand variants. The multi-hand versions can mean the cards end up being very small on a phone screen, though this isn’t a huge issue. Most of these games should be small downloads, as well. However, most video poker games are designed for landscape orientation, which can be an issue if you need to keep one hand free, such as while standing on a bus or train.
Blackjack
Online blackjack for real money is arguably the game best suited for mobile play. It doesn’t require complicated graphics and animations and lends itself to a clean, simple interface. Many mobile blackjack titles are also designed for portrait mode, which makes it easy to hold your phone and play with only one hand.
Roulette
You’ll find mobile-friendly roulette titles in virtually any casino app. They’re great on tablets, but you may find one thing frustrating when you’re playing on smaller phones. There are just so many spaces on the betting felt that they’re individually quite small on a phone screen. Add to that the ability to bet splits and corners, and sometimes you’ll find yourself putting a chip down right next to the spot you intended. Fortunately, it’s easy to correct such mistakes before spinning, but it can be a nuisance if you’re feeling impatient.
Craps
Craps is one of the more recent entries into the online casino app world, so it may be harder to find. Aside from availability, it also has the same issue for mobile play as roulette: The number of betting options available on a craps table can make it hard to get your chips down in just the right spot when you’re playing on a tiny phone screen.
Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games use video streaming to bring a more lifelike casino experience to your computer or mobile device. For mobile play, the biggest issue is bandwidth. In particular, if you’re on a limited data plan, you’re not going to want to play long sessions with a live dealer, because it will eat through those gigabytes just as fast as streaming a movie.
Are Online Casino Apps Safe?
Legal online casinos are very safe, regardless of whether you’re playing on a desktop or a mobile device. Licensed operators are under constant supervision from the state regulator to ensure game integrity and the security of funds. You also have legal recourse if anything goes wrong.
Many offshore casinos exist as well. These are illegal, though most of them and their affiliates will claim otherwise. With these, you have none of those protections. While some offshore operators are more reputable than others, there’s no ironclad way of being sure the games are fair or that the site won’t go out of business and take your money with it. They also tend to be havens for money laundering by criminal or terrorist organizations.
If you’re not sure if a given casino is legal and licensed, or an illegal offshore operator, there are a few ways to check. We only promote legal casinos licensed for US operations, so if you find a signup link here, you’re good. Likewise, if it’s not legal, you won’t find it in the iOS App Store or the Google Play Store.
Finally, legal gambling operators will name the regulator somewhere on the site, usually at the bottom of the page. This should be a state-level organization like the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board or the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, not a regulator based in a foreign country. If you have any remaining doubts, you can visit the regulator’s own website and look for a list of licensed operators.
Online Casino Apps in a Nutshell
To summarize all the above:
Real money online casino apps are available in some form almost everywhere in the US. Only Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and West Virginia allow full-fledged, real money play, however. Each of these has a different lineup of operators competing for your business. Elsewhere, you’ll have to consider using a social casino app instead.
Typically, online casino apps are very similar to their desktop counterparts. Occasionally, as we went over above, the game selection will be slightly different.
Downloading online casino apps is easy. On iOS, you can get them through the App Store. Android users can download them through the Play Store.
Using the best online casino apps listed above is very safe, due to regulatory oversight. Avoid illegal offshore sites, as they are unsafe to play on.
If you have any additional questions, keep exploring our website. You’ll find plenty of state-by-state information, reviews of individual casinos, and more.