Pros and Cons of Online Casino Games
Pros and Cons
- Often thousands to choose from
- Come in many different types
- Play live dealer tables and gameshows
Types of Online Casino Games
As mentioned briefly, the sheer variety of different casino games has really taken off over the last few years. So you’ll see bigger games libraries, with no compromise on quality as most casino brands collaborate with top game providers. Let’s take a look at the types of games you’ll be able to play.
Slot Games
Naturally, slots tend to represent the bulk of most casino games lobbies, but within the category of slot games, there’s plenty of variety in terms of game mechanics and themes.
In this category you’ll find digital versions of old-school fruit machines. These slots typically have just three reels, and around five paylines. They are very straightforward to play, and people just seem to love games like Mystery Joker with its retro fruit, bar, and bell icons.
These games a hugely-popular, and a classic example is Starburst, which is still one of the most-played slot games, despite being launched several years ago. A typical 5-reel game has a maximum of 50 paylines, but the attraction of video slots is the variation in themes, which means you can choose pretty much anything from fantasy to vikings to wild buffalo.
Megaways are all about the number of ways to win. For example, Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, has 117,649 different paylines. The mechanics are quite tricky to explain, but to simplify the principle Megaways slots usually have six reels, but with each spin the number of symbols per reel changes, so there can be as few as three, or as many as seven symbols. This system therefore allows many more opportunities to spin matching symbols.
Cluster pay slots feature a grid layout containing either 49 squares (7x7) or 64 squares (8x8). Check out Aloha! Cluster Pays if you’d like to see an example. In short, you win when you spin five matching symbols, but they must be adjacent to one another either, vertically or horizontally.
When it comes to jackpot slots the name everyone thinks of first is Mega Moolah. Which is a classic example of this category. Most jackpot slots have a relatively low RTP due to the massive jackpot you can win. There is always a minimum jackpot prize, and as more people play, a portion of their play amount is added to the prize pool. It often takes months before someone wins the jackpot, by which time it will often have grown to a life-changing amount.
Single Player Table Games
These are basically casino table games where you play against the software’s built-in algorithm, rather than against other players. Game outcomes are defined by a Random Number Generator (RNG) which ensures the result of every round is random.
Some people prefer this type of casino game because there is less pressure, and no rush to start the game, or to play the next round. It will depend on the casino you play at, but you’ll typically find multiple variants of the most popular games.
| Game | Examples |
| Blackjack | Classic blackjack, Multihand blackjack |
| Roulette | European roulette, American roulette |
| Baccarat | Punto banco, Chemin de fer |
| Video Poker | Texas Hold’em, Jacks or Better |
Live Dealer Games
These games are streamed in real-time from a purpose-made studio, or sometimes from a land-based casino. They feature a live chat where you can communicate with the dealer, and the players you are competing against.
There is more to the technology than we’ve just described, which includes software to eliminate glitching or lagging, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) which scans all movements on the table.
Most live dealer tables feature variants of the same classic table games as their single-player alternatives, namely blackjack, roulette, Baccarat, and poker. That said, some online casinos also offer versions of games like Sic Bo or Craps too.
Live Game Shows
Live game shows use similar technology to live dealer games, but present entirely different types of games, and bring a sense of fun. Some of these are:
Money Wheel Games
This type of game captures a staple part of many TV quiz shows, the prize wheel that contestants spin to determine their prize. The most popular games in this category are:
- Crazy Time (Evolution)
- Adventures Beyond Wonderland (Playtech)
- Wheel of Fortune (Pragmatic Play)
Live Board Games
These games are often a crossover between TV shows and classic board games. Popular examples would be Monopoly Live, Monopoly Big Baller, and Deal or No Deal Live. In this category you’ll also come across games like Crazy Coin Flip which brings slot mechanics into the mix.
Where Can You Play All These Casino Games?
This brings us on to the next part of our guide, the online casinos where you can play all of the types of games we’ve discussed.
Bet365 Casino - 100% Matched Deposit Up to $1,000 and 500 Bonus Spins
You’ll need to be at least 21 years old to sign up at bet365 and claim the brand’s generous welcome offer. You’ll be able to play more than 1,000 casino games, all from top developers. The only downer, is that the bet365 casino is only available to players in New Jersey or Pennsylvania
DraftKings Casino - 1,500 Bonus Spins to Play on a Selection of Slots
This time we’ll start with the bad news. The DraftKings Casino is only available to players 21 or over in four US states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia. The good news is that you’ll be able to play more than 5,000 casino games, with all of the main categories featured, and more besides.
FanDuel Casino - 500 Bonus Spins and $50 Bonus Credit with $10 Deposit
FanDuel Casino has a full-featured games library with over 2,000 games from some of the best providers in the world. Once again, players must be 21 or over to join FandDuel, and live in Michigan, West Virginia, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania.
Fanatics - Up to 1,000 Bonus Spins
No surprise to come here. Fanatics is also available in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia to players 21 years or older. Although Fanatics has a slightly smaller library of just about 500 games, there is no lack of quality, and absolutely tons of ongoing promos to enjoy.
BetMGM - Welcome Offer Varies by State
Yep, you guessed right, BetMGM is only licensed to operate in Michigan, West Virginia, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, and you’ll need to be 21+ to play here. In terms of the welcome offer, if you live in one of those four states, you’ll see the offer you can claim on our page banners. Otherwise BetMGM has a varied selection of 1,200+ games, including
real money online slots, so no complaints in that department.
Sweepstakes Casinos Make a Great Alternative
As you’ve seen, traditional online casinos are not widely available. So if they are not available where you live, you may want to consider signing up at a sweepstakes casino instead. As they operate under US sweepstakes laws, these sites are typically available in at least 30 states.
In most respects they are very similar to their traditional counterparts, beyond the fact that you’ll play the casino-style games with virtual currencies rather than real money.
A Quick Overview of Virtual Currencies
It’s always possible that you haven’t played at a sweepstakes casino, so we thought it would be worth explaining how virtual currencies work. Most often they are called Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, and although some sites rename them to suit their branding, their purpose remains the same.
Gold Coins
When you play casino-style games with Gold Coins, it’s just for fun, and they cannot be redeemed or exchanged. You can buy more Gold Coins in packages, but this is entirely optional, as all sweepstakes casinos must allow you to play at no cost.
Sweeps Coins
Sweeps Coins are a promotional currency. They are also used to play games, but if you collect more through gameplay they become eligible for redemption. Although the T&Cs for redeeming Sweeps Coins vary between different brands, there will always be a playthrough requirement for bonus Sweeps Coins, and you’ll need to collect a minimum amount in order to redeem them for a real prize.
Stake.us - Welcome Bonus 25,000 Gold Coins and 25 Stake Cash
Stake.us: Pros & Cons
- Highly Diverse Slots
- Huge No Deposit Bonus
- Exclusive Stake Originals Games
- High 3x Playthrough Requirement
- Crypto-Only Payment Methods
If you sign up at Stake.us using our exclusive DIMERS promo code, you’ll start off with 25,000 Gold Coins and 25 Stake Cash. In addition to that, you’ll be able to claim a daily login bonus of 10,000 Gold Coins and 1 Stake Cash.
Stake.us comes the closest to a traditional casino in terms of the games it has on offer. There are over 3,000 in total, which include all of the game categories we discussed, plus the Stake Originals collection of provably fair blockchain games.
CrownCoins Casino - Welcome Bonus 100,000 Crown Coins and 2 Sweeps Coins
Crown Coins Casino: Pros & Cons
- iOS App
- Great Coinback Program
- Legal in 40+ States
- Limited Table Games
- No Live Chat
CrownCoins has a smaller library of approximately 1,000 games. In fairness, they are mainly slots, but the brand does have a huge collection of over 200 ‘feature’ slots which include jackpots, Megaways, Hold & Wins, and cascading reels. CrownCoins Casino has recently started adding live game shows to its library, but no live casino games so far.
McLuck - Welcome Bonus 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins
McLuck: Pros & Cons
- Growing Live Dealer Library
- Dedicated iOS and Android App
- Exclusive McJackpot with Huge Prizes
- Withdrawal Issues Reported
- Payment Options Could be Expanded
McLuck is another sweepstakes casino with a main focus on slots, but the big feature here are the McJackpots. When you play any of the brand’s 1,500+ slots, you’ll have the chance to win a Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand McJackpot on any spin.
Plus, McLuck has recently started adding some live casino games from Beter Live, which include Auto Roulette, Live Roulette, Gravity Blackjack, and Live Baccarat.
LoneStar - Welcome Bonus 100,000 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins
LoneStar Casino: Pros and Cons
- Solid Games & Providers
- Seven Tier VIP Program
- Accessible in 40+ States
- Limited Table & Live Dealer Games
- Design too Dark for Some
As a sister site to the immensely popular Real Prize, LoneStar was destined to be a success right from the start. Although we spotted some similarities between the two sites, LoneStar has opted for a Texan desert theme which gives it a different feel.
You’ll find an excellent selection of slots to play from top game providers like NetEnt and Kalamba. But the choices don’t stop there, because LoneStar also has a growing selection of single player table games and some live casino options too, which include the awesome Crash Live. There's a fantastic selection of ongoing promos, plus a six-er loyalty program, so you’ll never be short of ways to collect more virtual currencies.
Blitzmania - Welcome Bonus 100,000 Blitz Coins and 2 Sweeps Coins
Blitzmania: Pros and Cons
- Sizable welcome bonus
- 24/7 customer support
- An active VIP program
Despite only offering slot games currently, we feel Blitzmania is worth an honourable mention. For a new brand, it’s certainly heading in the right direction. As a new player you can collect a generous welcome bonus of 100,000 Blitz Coins and 2 Sweeps Coins just for completing the registration process.
The brand started out with around 600 casino-style games and it has already increased that number to almost 700. Blitzmania works with respected games developers like Spinomenal and Ruby Play, and its slot selection includes 40+ jackpot titles. In addition, the brand has introduced mobile apps for iOS and Android, but also has a well-optimized mobile website too.
Wrapping Up Our Guide to Online Casino Games
As you’ve seen, there is a world of fun at online casinos, with an unbelievable selection of different types of games. Things have certainly moved on a lot from the first online casinos which only featured a handful of basic slot games. However, there is a compromise. While traditional
top online casinos
tend to have bigger, and much more varied games libraries, they are only available in a limited number of states.
The alternative is sweepstakes casinos, which are much more widely available, but generally have fewer games, and also less variety. But now you have the options on the table. So if any of the brands we have discussed, albeit briefly, appeal to you, then take a look at the banners of this page, where all of the casinos where you live will be listed, together with a link if you want to pay them a visit.
Begin Your Casino Adventure with These Unbeatable Bonuses
1.
25 SC FREE and 25K GC Sign Up Bonus + 1 SC and 10K GC For Life
Playthrough: 3x
2.
Get 200% More Coins on First Purchase - 1.5M CC + 75 SC
Playthrough: 1x Bonus
3.
Get up to 500K Gold Coins + 105 FREE SC + 1000 VIP points
4.
Get up to 750K Gold Coins + 65 SC FREE
5.
625K Golden Coins + Up to 125 SC FREE + 1250 VIP Points
Online Casino Games FAQs
🎰 What Type of Casino Games Can I Play Online?
It depends on the casino brand that you choose, but you’ll typically find games numbered in the thousands, which include various types of slots from 3-reel fruit machines to extravagant cluster pays, a selection of single-player table games, and a live casino featured live dealer table games, and hosted TV-style game shows.
🏆 Which Is the Best Sweepstakes Casino to Play At?
Sweepstakes casinos make a great alternative for players in US states where traditional casinos are off-limits. The compromise is often fewer games, and less variety, but Stake.us stands out with 3,000+ games that offer quantity, quality and diversity. Plus if you use the DIMERS promo code, you can get started with 25,000 Gold Coins and 25 Stake Cash.
🎲 Why Are Most Online Casino Games Slots?
Most traditional online casinos and sweepstakes casinos have more slot games in their libraries than any other type of game. And there’s a good reason for that, more people like to play slot games than any other type of casino game. Don’t think all slots are similar either, if you take a look, you’ll see there’s a huge variation in mechanics, paylines, themes and styles.
🔍 How Can I Tell If the Games Are Fair at an Online Casino?
Online casinos use a Random Number Generator (RNG), a complex algorithm which ensures that game outcomes cannot be predicted. A reputable online casino will have its RNG tested regularly by a third-party company like eCogra. Also, if you play blockchain-based games like Crash you can verify the outcome of any round using the hash seed.
👤 What Is the Minimum Age to Play at an Online Casino?
Regardless of whether it’s a traditional online casino or a sweepstakes casino you will need to be at least 18 years old to sign up. However, the minimum age is higher in some US states, and an increasing number of online casinos are only accepting members who are at least 21 years old.
If you or someone you know is struggling to gamble responsibly, these free, confidential resources can help:
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by
Ryan Leaver
as part of our fact-checking process.
Advertiser disclosure
