11 casinos found
Newly opened casinos

Our list of newly opened online casinos contains casinos opened within the last two years. It’s great for finding new casinos with modern websites, cutting-edge features and interesting bonus offers you haven’t used yet.

Sort
1
Not available in CA, CT, ID, IN, LA, ME, MT, NV, NY, TN, and WA. T&Cs apply. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.
Casino Guru
We want players to understand gambling.
1

Dorados Casino

Since 2026 Sweepstakes casino
7.3 Safety Index Fresh casino
  • Opened in 4/2026
  • Good selection of game providers
  • Wide selection of game genres
  • Relatively new casino, not yet proven by time
  • Limited responsible gaming options
  • Read more Read less
2 payment methods
Slots
Roulette
Blackjack
Video poker
Bingo
Baccarat
Jackpot games
Live games
Craps and dice
Keno
Scratch cards
Crash games
12

Deposit bonus
Win a bigger bonusPlay Bonus Booster
Boosted

/ T&Cs apply
Promo code:
Dorados Casino review
Visit Casino
Accepts players from Ohio
2

SplashCoins Casino

Since 2025 Sweepstakes casino
8.0 Safety Index High
  • Opened in 8/2025
  • Live chat available for registered customers
  • Various responsible gaming options available
  • The unique sweepstakes model
  • Small selection of game providers
  • Read more Read less
5 payment methods
Slots
Crash games

No deposit bonus
Win a bigger bonusPlay Bonus Booster
Boosted

/ T&Cs apply
Promo code:
SplashCoins Casino review
Visit Casino
Accepts players from Ohio
3

BangCoins Casino

Since 2026 Sweepstakes casino
7.0 Safety Index Fresh casino
  • Opened in 2/2026
  • Live chat support is available 24/7
  • Various responsible gaming options available
  • Targeting just one country
  • Relatively new casino, not yet proven by time
  • Read more Read less
7 payment methods
Slots
Roulette
Blackjack
Video poker
Bingo
Baccarat
Jackpot games
Live games
Craps and dice
Keno
Scratch cards
Crash games
12

Deposit bonus
Win a bigger bonusPlay Bonus Booster
Boosted

/ T&Cs apply
Promo code:
BangCoins Casino review
Visit Casino
Accepts players from Ohio
4

Spinfinite Casino

Since 2025 Sweepstakes casino
8.0 Safety Index High
  • Opened in 2/2025
  • Wide range of bonuses both for new and loyal players
  • Good selection of slot games
  • Possible withdrawal fees
  • No live chat
  • Read more Read less
2 payment methods
Slots
Bingo
Keno
Scratch cards
4

No deposit bonus
Win a bigger bonusPlay Bonus Booster
Boosted

/ T&Cs apply
Promo code:
Spinfinite Casino review
Visit Casino
Accepts players from Ohio
5

Dime Sweeps Casino

Since 2025 Sweepstakes casino
6.9 Safety Index Fresh casino
  • Opened in 11/2025
  • Extensive collection of games from multiple providers
  • Deposits by cryptocurrencies are accepted
  • Customer support via phone is not available
  • Relatively new casino, not yet proven by time
  • Read more Read less
7 payment methods
Slots
Roulette
Blackjack
Video poker
Bingo
Baccarat
Jackpot games
Live games
Craps and dice
Keno
Scratch cards
Crash games
12

No deposit bonus
Win a bigger bonusPlay Bonus Booster
Boosted

/ T&Cs apply
Promo code:
Dime Sweeps Casino review
Visit Casino
Accepts players from Ohio
6

Free Spin Casino

Since 2025 Sweepstakes casino
7.7 Safety Index Fresh casino
  • Opened in 6/2025
  • Good selection of games
  • Wide variety of bonuses
  • No game provider filter
  • Undisclosed owner
  • Read more Read less
16 payment methods
Slots
Roulette
Blackjack
Video poker
Bingo
Baccarat
Jackpot games
Live games
Keno
Scratch cards
Crash games
11

No deposit bonus
Win a bigger bonusPlay Bonus Booster
Boosted

/ T&Cs apply
Promo code:
Free Spin Casino review
Visit Casino
Accepts players from Ohio
7

SpeedSweeps Casino

Since 2025 Sweepstakes casino
7.8 Safety Index Above average
  • Opened in 4/2025
  • Wide variety of bonuses
  • Deposits by cryptocurrencies are accepted
  • Live chat support is available 24/7
  • Relatively new casino, not yet proven by time
  • Read more Read less
23 payment methods
Slots
Roulette
Blackjack
Video poker
Bingo
Baccarat
Jackpot games
Live games
Craps and dice
Keno
Scratch cards
Crash games
12

No deposit bonus
Win a bigger bonusPlay Bonus Booster
Boosted

/ T&Cs apply
Promo code:
SpeedSweeps Casino review
Visit Casino
Accepts players from Ohio
8

Legendz Casino

Since 2024 Sweepstakes casino
7.0 Safety Index Above average
  • Opened in 11/2024
  • Live chat available for registered customers
  • 24/7 Customer support
  • The unique sweepstakes model
  • Limited responsible gaming options
  • Read more Read less
7 payment methods
Slots
Roulette
Blackjack
Betting
Bingo
Baccarat
Jackpot games
Live games
Keno
eSports betting
Crash games
11

Deposit bonus
Win a bigger bonusPlay Bonus Booster
Boosted

/ T&Cs apply
Promo code:
Legendz Casino review
Visit Casino
Accepts players from Ohio
9

SweepsRoyal Casino

Since 2025 Sweepstakes casino
5.3 Safety Index Below average
  • Opened in 5/2025
  • Wide selection of game genres
  • Various responsible gaming options available
  • Live chat support is not available 24/7
  • Some unresolved complaints
  • Read more Read less
7 payment methods
Slots
Roulette
Blackjack
Video poker
Bingo
Baccarat
Jackpot games
Live games
Poker
Craps and dice
Scratch cards
Crash games
12

Deposit bonus
Win a bigger bonusPlay Bonus Booster
Boosted

/ T&Cs apply
Promo code:
Visit Casino
Accepts players from Ohio
10

LoneStar Casino

Since 2025 Sweepstakes casino
4.2 Safety Index Low
  • Opened in 4/2025
  • Daily bonus available
  • Various responsible gaming options available
  • Live chat support is not available 24/7
  • Games are available only after registration
  • Read more Read less
4 payment methods
Slots
Roulette
Blackjack
Video poker
Bingo
Jackpot games
Live games
Scratch cards
Crash games
9

No deposit bonus
Win a bigger bonusPlay Bonus Booster
Boosted

/ T&Cs apply
Promo code:
Visit Casino
Accepts players from Ohio
Show More Casinos (+1)
11 casinos found based on your search. Showing 1 - 10
    1 2

Casino selection helper

Casino selection helperCasino selection helperCasino selection helper

Cannot decide?

Answer 3 simple questions and we will find the best casino for you.

Clear all Filter(11)
Discover new USA casinos:
  1. Best new casinos USA
  2. New vs established casinos
  3. 5 reasons to try new casinos
  4. Choose the right one
  5. Latest casino trends
  6. Safe play at new casinos

2026's newcomers that delivered – reviewed & verified

Our team has hand-picked the best new casinos for 2026, each reviewed for licensing, payment reliability, and bonus fairness. We also reference Casino Guru's Safety Index for added context on player complaints and T&C fairness. These new sites stand out for transparency, oversight, and positive player feedback.

Dorados Casino - big-studio lineup and a mobile-first design

If you care more about what's in the lobby than what lands in your account at signup, Dorados is worth watching. It arrived in April 2026 from Rafflefy Limited, which also operates BigPirate Casino. Its catalog features names such as Betsoft, Playson, Big Time Gaming, Endorphina, and Novomatic across 2,800+ titles. Stake.us still offers more at 3,000+, but few 2026 launches come close, and the live casino adds over 100 tables.

Its welcome gift is small: 20,000 GC, 2 SC, and two Elixir tokens. Buying coins is where Dorados gets more interesting, with packages running from $9.99 up to $29.99 for 750,000 GC and 75 SC. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are accepted, with no added purchase fees.

On safety, we've given Dorados a fresh rating of 7.3. It has no license, no unfair clauses in its terms, and one rejected complaint. That's a better start than SweepsRoyal (5.3), but it's still under the 7.5 mark we use for recommendations. SplashCoins (8.0), featured below, is a safer pick for now.

The site is built mobile-first, with one-handed navigation. Support runs 24/7 via live chat in English and Spanish, and emails get a reply in about 24 hours. Players in 11 states, including California, Michigan, New York, and Washington, can't sign up.

Pros

  • Big-name studios in one lobby – Betsoft, Playson, Big Time Gaming, Endorphina, and Novomatic all feature among 45+ providers, a lineup that few 2026 sweepstakes launches can match.
  • Fee-free purchases with American Express – Dorados takes Amex alongside Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, with no purchase fees, which gives card players more flexibility than usual.
  • A VIP program with a personal touch – Higher tiers bring a personal manager, birthday gifts, exclusive rewards, and faster redemption processing.
  • Spanish-language support – Live chat is available in English and Spanish, something English-only BangCoins doesn't offer.

Cons

  • Still unproven – A 7.3 fresh rating and no license keep Dorados below our recommendation line for now.
  • Unavailable in 11 states – Players in California, Connecticut, Michigan, New York, Washington, and six other states can't sign up.
  • Only one way to redeem – Prizes go out by bank wire only, so there's no quick e-wallet or crypto option.

💡 Expert insight: "Redemptions are bank wire only, and your VIP tier affects how fast they're processed. If you plan to play regularly, climbing the VIP ladder early should shorten your wait."


SplashCoins Casino - fast Skrill payouts and a trusted 8.0 score

SplashCoins keeps things simple, and that works in its favor. There's no sprawling lobby here, just a tidy collection of 190+ classic slots, Hold and Win games, jackpots, and modern video slots from Booming Games, Relax Gaming, 3Oaks, Playson, and Betsoft. The layout is clean, so you can find a game within seconds of logging in.

The bigger selling point is trust. With a High Safety Index score of 8.0, SplashCoins matches Spinfinite as one of the highest-rated brands to launch in 2025, and it's a casino we're happy to recommend.

Signing up earns you 250,000 GC and 2.5 SC without spending a cent. If you choose to buy, the $9.99 starter pack comes with a 200% bonus, taking it to 750,000 GC and 30 SC. That's 5 more SC than Dorados gives for the same price.

Prize redemptions are where SplashCoins shines. You can choose between Skrill, Pay by Bank, and a registered debit card. Skrill is usually instant, debit cards take around half an hour, and Pay by Bank takes 2 to 3 business days. You'll need 100 SC before your first redemption.

Loyal players move up through the Splash Rewards Club, where daily tier rewards start at Silver level and Diamond sits at the top. There's no phone line, but live chat replies in about two minutes on average and email in around three hours.

Pros

  • Trusted by our Safety Index – The 8.0 High score puts SplashCoins level with Spinfinite among the top-rated 2025 launches.
  • Easy to navigate – The clean lobby makes it simple to find classic slots, Hold and Win games, and jackpots, even if you're new to sweepstakes.
  • Three quick redemption routes – Skrill, debit card, and Pay by Bank are all supported, and Skrill payouts are usually processed immediately.
  • More SC per starter dollar – The $9.99 pack delivers 30 SC, 5 more than Dorados gives for the same price.

Cons

  • No phone support – Help is limited to live chat and email, though chat replies usually arrive in about two minutes.
  • Slots only – There are no table, live, or crash games, so players who want more variety will need to look elsewhere.
  • A 100 SC redemption minimum – You wull need to build a bigger balance than at sites with a 50 SC threshold before you can cash out.

💡 Expert insight: "Choose Skrill for your first redemption. It's usually processed immediately, while Pay by Bank can take a few business days to reach you."


BangCoins Casino - PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App support

BangCoins is part of a growing family. Its operator, WW Funcrafters JWA LLC, also runs SpeedSweeps and Dime Sweeps, although you won't find that stated clearly on the BangCoins site. The brand opened in February 2026 and is squarely aimed at players who want as many ways to pay as possible.

You can buy and redeem with PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, cards, and crypto, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. That's a wider mix of popular apps than most new sweepstakes sites offer, though its 9+ methods still fall short of the 15+ that many established rivals list. Card redemptions take 1 to 2 business days.

The catalog is huge, with 4,000+ games from 41 studios, including Evoplay, Mascot Gaming, and Playson. Crash games, keno, scratch cards, and poker sit alongside the slots and live tables.

Its fresh Safety Index score is 7.0, a touch above Dime Sweeps (6.9) but under our 7.5 recommendation line. If safety is your priority, SpeedSweeps from the same operator scores 7.8.

The free start is 50,000 GC and 1 SC once your email is verified. Packages range from $5.99 all the way to $999.99 for 1,000,000 GC and 1,000 SC. You can reach support by phone, email, 24/7 live chat, or on Facebook, Telegram, and Instagram, but only in English. BangCoins isn't available in 12 states, including Delaware and Hawaii.

Pros

  • Popular payment apps – PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App are all accepted for purchases and redemptions, a combination few new sweepstakes sites offer together.
  • Crypto payouts in minutes – Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana redemptions take just 5 to 20 minutes once your playthrough is complete.
  • Support on every channel – Phone, email, 24/7 live chat, and social media channels on Facebook, Telegram, and Instagram give you plenty of ways to get help.
  • A wide mix of game types – The 4,000+ titles include crash games, keno, scratch cards, poker, 80+ fish games, and around 100 live tables.

Cons

  • Below our 7.5 threshold – The 7.0 fresh rating reflects a short track record and an operator that isn't clearly named on the site, so a recommended casino is the safer option for now.
  • English-only support – There's no Spanish option, unlike Dorados.
  • Fewer payment methods than established sites – Its 9+ options trail the 15+ that many longer-running sweepstakes casinos list.
  • Unavailable in 12 states – Players in California, Delaware, Hawaii, New York, and eight other states can't join.

💡 Expert insight: "BangCoins' bonus terms don't list expiry dates, so use your free coins soon after claiming them rather than letting them sit."

from a non-regulated state?
Visit our new sweepstakes casinos page for all the latest sweeps sites to hit the market in 2026.

The USA's rising new casino stars

Here's a look at some of the latest US casinos online, with reviews on the way:

Newest casinos in the US

Which is better: A new casino or a trusted giant?

New casinos promise excitement, fresh bonuses, and bold ideas, but do they really outperform the trusted giants that have dominated for years? Here's how this year's newcomers stack up against the industry's most established names.

What to check before choosing a new online casino

As the US casino market grows, new casino sites are looking for clearer ways to stand out. Here are six areas many new casinos are focusing on in 2026, from fresh games to more flexible payments.

Fresh welcome offers

New casinos often use welcome offers to stand out in a busy market. These can include deposit matches, bonus spins, cashback-style deals, or no-deposit bonuses. Always check the terms before you claim any offer.

Newer game libraries

Some new casinos launch with newer slots, live dealer games, crash games, and exclusive titles. They may not always have the biggest game count, but they can offer a fresher mix than older sites.

Modern mobile design

Many newer casinos are built with mobile play in mind. This can mean cleaner menus, faster loading, simple account tools, and apps that make it easier to manage your balance and settings.

More flexible payments

New casinos may support a wider mix of payment options, including cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and crypto. If you’re comparing the best crypto casinos, check payout times, fees, and verification rules before depositing.

Early loyalty perks

Some new casinos offer loyalty perks early to build a player base. These may include cashback, prize drops, missions, tournaments, or rewards points. The value depends on the terms and how often you play.

Clearer trust signals

New casinos need to earn trust quickly. Many now highlight licensing details, responsible gambling tools, account security, and payment rules more clearly. Still, you should check these details before signing up.


💡 Expert insight: New US casinos often tempt players with fresh games, faster payments, and bigger bonus offers. But many of these bonuses come with restrictive terms, and smaller casinos may struggle to pay out larger wins promptly. Always read the fine print before signing up.

Smart player's guide to choosing the best new casino

Here are a few key factors to consider, along with some tips to help you find the best new online casinos.

Bonuses that break the mold: Fresh casino promos

When choosing a new casino, players will be looking for the best casino bonuses. Smart players know that not all bonuses are created equally. The best offers go beyond flashy numbers; they provide flexibility, fair wagering, and good value.

Horseshoe Casino and Fanatics Casino are good examples of casinos that break the traditional mold. Horseshoe offers a package with two 100% deposit matches and 20 bonus spins, spread over several days. Fanatics takes a more modern approach by letting players choose their welcome bonus: up to $1,000 loss-back credit, a free spins bundle, or a hybrid bonus.

What's most important here is that Horseshoe offers a 10x playthrough, while Fanatics offers only a 1x playthrough. This is what smart players should focus on, as it enhances the welcome offer and allows you to withdraw so soon after. Both offers are stronger than BetMGM (15x), Caesars Palace (15x), and bet365 (20x).

💡 Expert insight: Always review the fine print, bonus expiry, game restrictions, and wagering requirements matter more than the headline amount. Also, remember to choose casinos that fit your playing style, not just the one with the biggest bonus on paper.

Game selection that hits the right spots: The latest releases

The average number of real money casino games in the USA ranges from 300 to over 2,000 titles:

  • Fanatics Casino – 250+
  • DraftKings Casino – 300+
  • BetRivers Casino – 500+
  • Golden Nugget – 1,000+
  • Horseshoe Casino - 1,500+
  • BetMGM – 2,100+

Quality matters as much as quantity, so look for games from top software providers like Pragmatic Play, Big Time Gaming, NetEnt, and IGT. Some sites, like Fanatics Casino, also create exclusive titles through their own studios (Fanatics Game Studios).

It is important to note that while established brands may have the edge in total number of games, new casinos like Horseshoe are introducing new and exclusive games rather than rehashing the same old stuff.

💡 Expert insight: Provably fair games are found at reputable crypto casinos and operate on blockchain technology for added transparency and fairness.

Rock-solid licensing & player security: Verifying safety

State regulators like the NJ DGE or Michigan Gaming Control Board must license all USA real money online casinos looking to operate in their respective states. Fanatics Casino, for example, is licensed in all four key states: NJ, PA, WV, and MI. Licensing details are usually listed in the site footer.

At Casino Guru, we rate both real money and sweepstakes casinos using our Safety Index, which focuses on factors such as casino size, player complaints, and fairness of the Terms and Conditions. Licensing is one of several elements considered for real money casinos (sweepstakes sites don't require a license).

💡 Expert insight: Look for 2-factor authentication (2FA), a security feature required at real money casinos like Fanatics and Horseshoe. Its presence is also a strong indicator of trust at leading sweepstakes sites like High 5 Casino. Surprisingly, prominent names like Chumba and High 5 Casino still don't offer it.

Banking made easy: Payment methods & withdrawal times

When selecting a new online casino, consider the available casino payment methods and withdrawal times. Deposits are typically instant at most online casinos, but withdrawals vary depending on the method.

Standard withdrawal times at US real money casinos:

*Withdrawal processing times also depend on the casino's internal review process.

Withdrawal times vary depending on each casino's internal review process. Fanatics Casino stands out among new operators with its quick Visa Direct withdrawals. This is a feature typically reserved for established brands, which helps it deliver some of the fastest casino payouts in the industry.

New casinos increasingly provide detailed withdrawal tracking. Fanatics Casino offers real-time updates with timestamps, improving transparency compared to sites like DraftKings and BetMGM.

💡 Expert insight: Trustworthy new online casinos will always confirm your identity via Know Your Customer (KYC) checks before approving withdrawals/redemptions.

Player reviews: What the community says matters

Player reviews are crucial when selecting new casinos, but they are often scarce. At Casino Guru, we closely track player feedback as part of our reviews of USA casinos. We focus on issues like withheld winnings and unfair bonus terms. Casinos that don't resolve complaints lower their Safety Index.

💡 Expert insight: Beware of scam reviews. Our forum is a platform for discussion by real players, with input allowed for verified casino representatives.

Mobile-first casinos: Play anywhere, anytime

Casinos are moving beyond basic mobile gaming to offer personalized experiences through proprietary apps. For example, Fanatics Casino's in-house iOS and Android apps let players manage balances, play casino games, bet on sports, and handle FanCash redemptions all in one place.

Even established brands are focusing on providing the best mobile casino experiences. The mid-2023 relaunch of Caesars Palace Online Casino featured a more user-friendly mobile app interface, enhanced navigation, and improved game categorization.

💡 Expert insight: Experiment to find your preferred method of mobile gameplay between mobile-friendly websites and standalone apps.

Sweeps, crypto & more: The online gambling trends changing the game

New casinos must be innovative to make a lasting impact on the highly competitive casino market. Here's how many sites are adapting their service and changing the game to meet national and global trends.

Crypto-only platforms

Recent market estimates show how quickly crypto gambling has grown. The global online gambling market was valued at about $95.3bn in 2024 and is forecast to reach $185.17bn by 2033, while crypto casinos generated an estimated $81.4bn in gross gaming revenue in 2024.

Players choose crypto casino sites for their faster withdrawal processing times (compared to traditional payment methods, which can take minutes instead of days), larger game collections (thousands rather than hundreds), and provably fair games backed by blockchain technology.

As a result, sites like this year's new launches, Coin Casino and BetPanda, are continuing to prove popular.

💡 Expert insight: Crypto-only sites are popular with players who prefer the protection of anonymous transactions but remember that crypto casinos operate in something of a grey area in the US. Always check your state's laws before signing up.

Social and sweeps-based models

With real-money casino gaming legal in only seven US states, it is no surprise that sweepstakes and social casinos (legal in 48 states) have surged in popularity. By 2025, these sectors are projected to reach $11 billion and $9.3 billion, respectively.

Sweepstakes casinos such as McLuck, Pulsz, and WOW Vegas attract players with a hybrid model that combines free-to-play gaming with sweepstakes entries, allowing players to win real cash prizes. Meanwhile, the best social casinos like Slotomania, House of Fun, and Lucky Time Slots are entirely free to play and focus on entertainment and community, without real-money redemptions.

Both models have gained traction thanks to low entry barriers, mobile accessibility, and broad legality, making them appealing alternatives for players in the USA awaiting broader legalization of real money online casinos.

💡 Expert insight: Sweepstakes casinos are banned in the US states of Washington, Michigan, and Montana. New York, Idaho, and Nevada also have restrictions or bans in place. Check your state laws for full details before joining a sweepstakes casino.

Mobile-native game design

Research suggests that, in 2024, up to 80% of US online gamblers preferred mobile devices over desktops. Even social casinos see a split of 65% to 35% in favor of mobile gameplay over the traditional desktop platforms, and this gap is expected to widen.

Fanatics Casino, for example, has launched its platform on both desktop and mobile, with a particular focus on its homegrown mobile app for both iOS and Android. Their in-house Fanatics Game Studios also releases exclusive mobile-friendly games.

Well-established online casinos with their own standalone apps include BetMGM Casino, FanDuel Casino, and Caesars Palace. You can also find a wide selection of top sweepstakes apps for players from outside regulated states, too.

💡 Expert insight: Geolocation technology is used in mobile casino apps to ensure you are located within a state where casino gambling is legal. Ensure you enable this function on your mobile devices to comply with the laws in your state.

AI-powered games

The most obvious use case for AI technology in the online casino industry is customer support and the creation of virtual dealers for live casino games, but it doesn't stop there.

Behind the scenes, AI is used to create new games, generating themes, characters, and content. Technology is even being used to analyze player behavior in existing games to identify areas for improvement.

💡 Expert insight: Golden Fortune Casino, Emerald Oasis Casino, and Ace High Casino are reportedly using AI to 'personalize the gaming experience', likely joined by many others, as there is no current need for them to declare this.

Latest industry news

September 2, 2026 – New Jersey asks Supreme Court to settle prediction market fight

New Jersey has become the first state to ask the US Supreme Court to rule on whether states can apply their gambling laws to prediction markets like Kalshi. Federal appeals courts have reached different conclusions on the issue, so a Supreme Court decision could settle how these platforms are regulated nationwide.

August 28, 2026 – Ninth Circuit rules states can regulate prediction markets

A federal appeals court sided with Nevada in its case against Kalshi, ruling that sports event contracts can fall under state gambling laws. The decision conflicts with an earlier Third Circuit ruling, which makes a Supreme Court review more likely.

August 1, 2026 – Louisiana sweepstakes casino ban takes effect

Louisiana's new laws now treat dual-currency online sweepstakes as illegal gambling and bring gambling offenses under the state's racketeering statute. Penalties include fines of up to $100,000 and up to five years in prison, and liability extends to platform providers and affiliates as well as operators.

July 31, 2026 – New York sues Kalshi over illegal gambling claims

Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James announced a lawsuit accusing Kalshi of running an illegal gambling operation through its sports contracts, seeking $36 billion in damages. It's one of the largest state actions against a prediction market so far and adds to the pressure Kalshi faces across several states.

July 1, 2026 – Indiana and Iowa sweepstakes bans take effect

Indiana's HB 1052 now prohibits online sweepstakes casinos that use dual-currency systems, with civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation. Iowa's ban took effect the same day and allows state regulators to issue cease-and-desist orders to unlicensed sweepstakes operators.

May 22, 2026 – Tennessee governor signs sweepstakes casino bans

Governor Bill Lee signed legislation banning online sweepstakes games in Tennessee, making violations enforceable through civil penalties and court orders. Several operators have since pulled their services from the state.

May 19, 2026 – CFTC sues Minnesota over prediction market ban

The CFTC filed a lawsuit to block a new Minnesota law that would criminalize prediction market operations, a day after Governor Tim Walz signed it. A federal judge later put the ban on hold, signaling that the platforms may succeed in arguing that federal law takes priority.

May 15, 2026 – Oklahoma overrides veto to ban sweepstakes casinos

Oklahoma lawmakers overrode Governor Kevin Stitt's veto of SB 1589, which makes running or facilitating sweepstakes casino games a felony. The ban takes effect on November 1, 2026, with an exception for tribal gaming.

Play it safe: The right way to join a brand new casino

Avoid common traps and pitfalls with my pro tips on the best way to join a new online casino.

  • Do your homework – Check license status, launch year, player feedback (if any), sister sites and their reputations, security measures, payment methods, game quantity and quality, bonuses, and promotions.
  • Stick to trusted payment methods – Choose payment methods you are familiar with so you can spot anything suspicious right away.
  • Start small, stay smart – Be cautious when starting out. Fanatics Casino allows minimum deposits of $5 to $10, depending on the location, while $10 is the standard at most sites, such as BetMGM and Caesars.
  • Play smart – Begin with well-known games from trusted providers (e.g., Pragmatic Play, NetEnt) and keep your initial bets low until you're comfortable with the games.
  • Play safe – Take breaks regularly, track your overall spending, and if you think you may have a problem, call the national problem gambling helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.

About the author and fact-checker

William Macmaster
William Macmaster
Content Editor
William is a seasoned gaming expert who focuses on real-money and sweepstakes casinos. He helps players cut through the noise with honest, experience-based advice. William believes in transparency and highlights safety, honest terms, and real value to help you choose casinos you can rely on. Full profile
P1011922_300x300
James Benson
Content Editor
James has over five years of hands-on experience working with online casinos and focuses on safety, fairness, and player experience. He checks licences, tests bonus terms, and makes real withdrawals to verify payouts. James shares his honest insights to help you make informed choices about where to play. Full profile
flash-message-reviews
User reviews – Write own casino reviews and share your experience