We analysed 172+ games to win free money online in 2020 and selected the best ones Play Real Money Slots No Deposit Needed Play real money games! How to Play Online Blackjack for Money Before the cards are dealt, each player places a bet by putting the desired amount of chips in front of them on the blackjack table. The minimum and maximum bet size will vary depending on which real money blackjack casino. Yes, there is nothing illegal about playing online blackjack for real money, even if you live in the USA. Check out our USA gambling laws page to learn more about the exact laws that apply to online casino gambling. While federal laws like the Wire Act and UIGEA are still in effect, these don’t apply to non-domestic gaming, and offshore blackjack.
In short; There is no federal law against playing blackjack online. There are some states where it is declared illegal however prosecution would be extremely rare and would most likely be against any establishment rather than the player.
It is completely safe to play blackjack online for real money.
It’s often reported that playing blackjack online for real money is illegal in the US.
But is it really?
Let’s tackle this head on and resolve this confusing and commonly misunderstood issue.
So let’s get one thing straight:
Playing Blackjack Online is NOT Legally Prohibited in Any Way by Federal Law
There is no law whatsoever against gambling online at the federal level which is a myth that has been established most likely from a misinterpretation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 which states:
The Act prohibits gambling businesses from knowingly accepting payments in connection with the participation of another person in a bet or wager that involves the use of the Internet and that is unlawful under any federal or state law (termed “restricted transactions” in the Act).
This is basically saying it’s prohibited for banks to knowingly accept transactions that are a result of an illegal online bet.
It does not in any way state that it is illegal for a player to participate in gambling online!
Another reason why some people may think it is illegal is the confusion of the Federal Wire Act which is related to sports betting and does not apply to whether online blackjack is legal since they are considered different forms of gambling.
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If you want to try playing blackjack online for real money, we recommend US players to visit Bovada casino.
Are There any State Laws which Explicitly Allow Online Blackjack?
Another reason why it’s confusing to determine whether it’s legal to gamble online is the fact that most states actually don’t have any specific laws which apply to online gambling in general.
If there is no specific law prohibiting online gambling then it is considered legal.
However there are three states that have explicitly passed laws specifically for allowing online gambling which are:
Interestingly, Nevada has allowed for online poker but have prohibited online casino gambling.
States Where Online Blackjack is Technically Illegal
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Montana
- Nevada
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Washington
- Wisconsin
There are 9 states that have prohibitions against online casino gambling however it should be noted that the real target of these laws are the online casinos themselves and not the player.
The likelihood of being criminally charged is extremely low and even if you were it would most likely be considered just a misdemeanor
There is only one incident I have been able to find dating back to 2003 in North Dakota where a player, Jeffrey Trauman, plead guilty for placing a bet over $500 and was charged with a misdemeanor and subsequently fined $500. (source: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1146&context=grrj)
So for further clarity, let’s look at a table of all states so you can easily distinguish the laws of the state you reside in.
| State | Legal? | State | Legal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Montana | No | |
| Alaska | Nebraska | Yes | |
| Arizona | Nevada | No | |
| Arkansas | New Hampshire | ||
| California | New Jersey | Yes | |
| Colorado | New Mexico | Yes | |
| Connecticut | New York | Yes | |
| Delaware | North Carolina | Yes | |
| Florida | North Dakota | Yes | |
| Georgia | Ohio | Yes | |
| Hawaii | Oklahoma | Yes | |
| Idaho | Oregon | ||
| Illinois | Pennsylvania | Yes | |
| Indiana | Rhode Island | Yes | |
| Iowa | South Carolina | Yes | |
| Kansas | South Dakota | ||
| Kentucky | Tennessee | Yes | |
| Louisiana | Texas | Yes | |
| Maine | Utah | Yes | |
| Maryland | Vermont | Yes | |
| Massachusetts | Virginia | Yes | |
| Michigan | Washington | ||
| Minnesota | West Virginia | Yes | |
| Mississippi | Wisconsin | ||
| Missouri | Wyoming | Yes |
If You Are Unsure, Seek Legal Advice
When in doubt, seek professional legal advice: This website serves to provide players with advice and is not legally binding. Therefore, if you ever have more nuanced questions, do consider consulting a legal professional.
How would I deposit and withdraw money given the UIGEA and Where Can I Play?
The UIGEA has made it considerably more difficult for US residents to deposit and withdraw money from casinos. For example, e-Wallet services such as PayPal or Moneybookers, which are commonly used to transfer funds to/from casinos, usually will not work with US residents engaging in online gaming. We recommend US players avoiding these in general.
Most often, players from the US will be able to use debit cards, direct bank wire transfer, checks, and automated clearing house (ACH). The best method though is to use Bitcoin which is extremely quick and doesn’t have any excess fees. Read our complete guide on how to buy Bitcoin to deposit at a casino here.
For US residents outside of New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware, we recommend playing at Bovada or Betonline.
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FAQ
The most recent prosection recorded incident occurred in 2003 where a player was fined $500 and charged with a misdemeanor.
Offshore online casinos do not fall under US jurisdiction so we highly recommend sticking to well known brands such as Bovada or BetOnline.
Pennsylvania has been the most recent state to legalize online gambling and it is expected that West Virginia will be following suit by 2021.
Yes. Since they are located offshore, they do not have to abide by the restrictions made by the UIGEA
Yes, but as with participating in any service online, it is up to you to do your own due diligence before making any wager. While we can recommend reputable various online casinos to play at, we insist that you read the terms and conditions at any online casino so you know exactly what is involved.
Scratch off cards have come a long way since the 1970s when the first card was released by the Massachusetts lottery. There are now thousands of cards to choose from at lottery retail outlets across the country. You can now also play these games online. States with regulated online casinos and online lottery games give you access to online scratch offs. These add colorful themes and entertaining gameplay to the original idea.
Prizes for scratch offs can be huge. Retail cards with $1 million+ top prizes are available. Online you can win10,000x your buy-in or more in multiple games.
This page has everything you need to get the best from online scratch offs. This includes information on which states offer them via regulated casinos, the most popular games, and how the online games compare to the retail scratch offs we know and love.
Online games with games like scratch offs
Real money scratch off casinos
Legal online casinos are already available in many states. With regulation and licensing underway, the list of states where you can enjoy online scratch offs is growing. You will find them alongside slots, table games, virtual betting games, and video poker.
The current list of states with online casinos includes New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia. Some states also have online lottery games – residents of Michigan can access scratch offs via the Michigan lottery website. National and international brands partner with local casinos in the regulated states. They develop apps that can host hundreds of different games. You can enjoy scratch off and novelty games at brands including BetMGM, FanDuel, andSugarHouse casino in New Jersey.
Online scratch games are an ideal way to take advantage of casino bonuses. Real money online casinos in the regulated states offer a mix of no deposit bonuses, matched welcome bonuses, and ‘no lose’ deals based on your first day’s play. While table games and video poker are often excluded from bonus clearing, online scratch offs contribute 100% to your bonus play-through target.
Keep in mind that the ongoing benefits are important. Once you find a casino online that offers the mix of scratch cards, slots, and other games you enjoy – those loyalty rewards and player promotions will make a big difference to your bankroll over time.
Popular online scratch off games for real money
Online scratch offs allow for play over multiple ‘rounds’. They have entertaining themes, quirky gameplay and sometimes add elements from ‘gems’ type mobile games or even sports into the mix. The core of these games is the same as retail scratch offs — only with a lot more features.
The examples of online scratch offs below show how diverse these games are. Many of them can be accessed in demo-mode, allowing you to find the games you like best before you commit to playing scratch offs for real money.
1. Color Cubes
This IGT online scratch off is loosely based on mobile gems games. You start by selecting a stake between $1 and $10. A grid then fills with colored blocks. You have 8 ‘turns’ where a block is selected and you are awarded all the matching colored blocks which are joined to the selected one. These can be auto-selected, or you can click each time. To the left of the blocks are the prizes. You collect blocks in groups to fill lines – and can win up to $250,000. Bomb symbols explode to give you all the adjacent blocks. Star symbols supply instant wins.
2. Ghostbusters: Spectral Search
This online scratch off takes the familiar 3×3 grid idea to a new level. It is based on the Ghostbusters movie franchise. You get five picks to match as many ghosts as possible. The Stay Puft man has the biggest prize of 15,000x your bet. If you find Slimer you get an instant win. Other ghosts have prizes for between two and four of a kind. The animations are amazing for this game, with the different monsters coming to life on the screen. You can pick a location to search or take one at random.
3. Medieval Money: Dragon’s Loot
Instead of scratching to reveal pictures, you get to catapult rocks at a medieval castle in this game. Each rock you throw will smash a hole in the walls, revealing gems. These move to the left, where they accumulate in lines triggering prizes. The top prize is 25,000x at $10 per ticket, or 15,000x at $1. There is a bonus game, which is triggered if you reveal a dragon. You get to pick from three piles of treasure, which will give you either more gems or an instant win.
4. DoublePlay: Super Bet
You need to match three symbols to win in this online scratch off from UGT. These symbols include red sevens, stars, bells, and lucky horseshoes. The big win potential comes in when you get three of the logo/badge symbols. This will trigger five free games at the same bet size used for your current card. For those five games, the prizes are tripled. This boosts the top prize (for three diamonds) from 1000x to 3000x. Bet sizes for DoublePlay SuperBet range from 3c up to $50.
5. Irish Eyes 2
You will see a classic Irish redhead on the 3×3 grid of this game. It is a classic scratch off format, where you must match three symbols to win a prize of up to 1000x your bet. Those symbols show classic luck of the Irish symbols. They include a four-leaf clover, leprechaun’s hat, and a pipe. If you are lucky enough to find pots of gold, then you win five free games. These are based on the bet amount of your triggering card, with a multiplier added to each win.
6. Medusa Scratch
In Greek myths, the Medusa was a hideous creature whose hair was made of snakes. This NextGen online scratch off uses a far more glamorous picture. This game uses the classic nine squares, with prizes awarded for matching three of the symbols. Those symbols include buildings, coins, and warriors. You can click on each square in turn, or auto-play, which reveals them all instantly. Get three logo symbols for five free cards with 3x win multipliers.
7. Merlin’s Millions Scratch
Merlin was the wizard involved in the legends of King Arthur. The version used by NextGen for this online scratch off has a friendlier demeanor. This is a classic scratcher game setup, where you need to match three symbols from a grid of nine to win a prize. The top prize (for matching three Merlin symbols) is a generous 1000x your triggering bet. If you match three orbs, you get three free cards, where all of your prizes are doubled.
8. The Price is Right: Come on Down
You will recognize the logo from the famous TV game show, though the gameplay is brand new. There are two main games, and two bonus games to enjoy. You set your bet, then click two rows of prizes. If you match three cash amounts, that is what you win. The second game uses squares with question marks. They show objects with prizes – here you win the ones in gold. If you get three mountain signs in either game, you play a ‘cliff hanger’ bonus game. There is also a wheel spin bonus called ‘Showcase Showdown’ which gives you a shot at winning up to 100x your original prize.
9. The Voice Scratch Off
This online scratch off is based on the TV talent show. It shows a row of seven red chairs, with prizes above each. You get seven rounds, with each round seeing between one and four of the chairs turning around. They reveal one or more colored music notes, which line up in rows above the chair. Prizes are triggered when you hit the top of each column. You can also receive instant wins.
10. Wheel of Fortune: Winning Words Game
There are two phases to this scratch card style game. You spin the iconic Wheel of Fortune wheel to start. This gives you three prizes – one for each predetermined word. You then see a row of cards, which flip to reveal letters. If you complete your word, you win that prize. The designers of this game keep you on edge by making sure one or more words only needs a single letter to complete. There is an additional random bonus wheel round, where your wins can be multiplied.
Virtual scratch offs vs Lottery retailer games
Many online scratch offs closely resemble the gameplay of their physical counterparts. There are some significant differences, especially when it comes to the complexity of the gameplay and the ability to have extras like bonus rounds or win multipliers.
Here are some of the key reasons to enjoy online scratch offs:
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- Flexible bet sizes: It is rare to find a retail card at less than $1. Online, your bet sizes can be anything from a few cents up to $50.
- Bonus games: Spin a wheel to get a win multiplier or find the right symbols to win five free games at 3x on all wins. Online scratch off bonus games are varied, as well as potentially very profitable.
- Instant play: No need to get a coin and rub off the symbols one by one. Online cards let you reveal all the symbols at once, so you can get straight on with the next game.
- Novel graphics: Retail cards cannot give you the option to throw rocks at a castle — or spin a wheel to get a mountain climber moving upwards.
- Casino bonuses: The online casinos that host scratch offs will offer bonuses for new players. They can include no deposit deals, matched welcome bonuses, and special promotions.
- Mobile play: Access scratch offs from anywhere via your iPhone or Android smartphone with online casino apps.
Here are the key advantages of retail scratch offs:
- Availability: You can buy retail lottery tickets and scratch offs in most states. The online versions are currently only available in a handful of states.
- Charity: State lotteries are set up to provide funding for good causes including education, veterans, and the environment.
- Jackpot potential: Retail cards can have huge top-prizes, with the biggest being $1 million or more.
- Remaining wins: In some lotteries, the proportion of cards with big wins with each design is published. This allows you to be strategic in your choices.
- Huge choice: Online casinos have a handful of scratch offs, some lotteries have 20+ games to choose from, with new/seasonal cards appearing all the time.
- Control: Since you need to head to your local lottery retailer to buy scratch offs, there is less temptation to gamble with money you cannot afford.
How do I increase my chances of winning?
You can’t. The odds are stacked against you. To demonstrate this, we’ve provided a chart below comparing the odds on the highest paying scratch tickets across the US.
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Odds of winning top prize across the US
| State | Lottery Corp. | Ticket | Price | Top Prize | Top Prize Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No lottery | ||||
| Alaska | No lottery | ||||
| Arizona | Arizona Lottery | $200 Million Cash Explosion | $20 | $2.5 million | 1 in 2,273,203 |
| Arkansas | My Arkansas Lottery | Ultimate Millions | $20 | $1 million | 1 in 570,000 |
| California | California Lottery | $10,000,000 Bankroll | $30 | $10 million | 1 in 3,000,000 |
| Colorado | Colorado Lottery | $3,000,000 Mega Money | $30 | $3 million | 1 in 600,000 |
| Connecticut | CT Lottery | Connecticut Millionaires Club | $20 | $2 million | 1 in 912,000 |
| Delaware | DE Lottery | Money Frenzy | $25 | $250,000 | 1 in 150,000 |
| Florida | FLA Lottery | $15,000,000 Golde Edition | $30 | $15 million | 1 in 6,473,610 |
| Georgia | GA Lottery | Super Max the Money | $30 | $10 million | 1 in 4,200,00 |
| Hawaii | No lottery | ||||
| Idaho | Idaho Lottery | 100x The Cash | $30 | $300,000 | 1 in 167,118 |
| Illinois | Illinois Lottery | $2,000,000 Jackpot | $20 | $2 million | 1 in 2,040,000 |
| Indiana | Hoosier Lottery | Ultimate Multiplier | $50 | $5 million | 1 in 2,018,460 |
| Iowa | IA Lottery | $300,000 Platinum Cash | $30 | $300,000 | 1 in 125,754 |
| Kansas | KS Lottery | Premier Cash | $30 | $250,000 | 1 in 103,778 |
| Kentucky | KY Lottery | Gold Rush | $30 | $3,000,000 | 1 in 2,400,000 |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Lottery | Moneybag Multiplier | $10 | $200,000 | 1 in 404,667 |
| Maine | Maine Lottery | $50,000,000 Cash Blowout | $25 | $50 million | 1 in 2,600,000 |
| Maryland | MD Lottery | Rose Gold Black | $30 | $2 million | 1 in 1,237,463 |
| Massachusetts | Mass Lottery | Supreme Millions | $30 | $15 million | 1 in 7,560,000 |
| Michigan | MI Lottery | Royal Millions | $30 | $4 million | 1 in 2,110,772 |
| Minnesota | MN Lottery | Mega Crossword | $20 | $300,000 | 1 in 487,216 |
| Mississippi | MS Lottery | Mega Ca$h | $20 | $200,000 | 1 in 24,273 |
| Missouri | MO Lottery | $3,000,000 Golden Ticket | $30 | $3 million | 1 in 1,610,160 |
| Montana | Montana Lottery | Loaded | $30 | $500,000 | 1 in 80,000 |
| Nebraska | NE Lottery | Ultimate Bonus Crossword | $20 | $200,000 | 1 in 90,000 |
| Nevada | No lottery | ||||
| New Hampshire | NH Lottery | Granite State Platinum | $25 | $2 million | 1 in 522,996 |
| New Jersey | NJ Lottery | $3,000,000 Ultimate Riches | $25 | $3 million | 1 in 2,904,673 |
| New Mexico | NM Lottery | $200,00 Fortune | $10 | $200,000 | 1 in 628,755 |
| New York | NY Lottery | $5,000,000 Mega Multiplier | $20 | $5 million | 1 in 4,449,600 |
| North Carolina | NC Lottery | $10,000,000 Colossal Cash | $30 | $10 million | 1 in 3,960,000 |
| North Dakota | No scratch offs | ||||
| Ohio | Ohio Lottery | 40th Anniversary Millions | $30 | $10 million | 1 in 1,585,311 |
| Oklahoma | OK Oklahoma Lottery | $250,000 Explosion | $20 | $250,000 | 1 in 881,550 |
| Oregon | Oregon Lottery | Diamond Crossword | $10 | $100,000 | 1 in 114,811 |
| Pennsylvania | PA Lottery | $3,000,000 Money Millionaire | $10 | $3 million | 1 in 1,200,000 |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Lottery | $500,000 Payout | $30 | $500,000 | 1 in 86,404 |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Education Lottery | $500,000 Jackpot | $10 | $500,000 | 1 in 660,000 |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Lottery | 100x The Money | $20 | $400,000 | 1 in 150,000 |
| Tennessee | TN Lottery | Gigantic Jumbo Bucks 300X | $30 | $4 million | Not Available |
| Texas | TX Lottery | $200 Million Ca$h | $20 | $5 million | 1 in 1,357,585 |
| Utah | No lottery | ||||
| Vermont | VT Lottery | Mega Bucks | $25 | $60,000 | 1 in 183,000 |
| Virginia | VA Lottery | Extreme Millions | $30 | $10 million | 1 in 1,366,523 |
| Washington | WA Lottery | Jackpot Fortune | $30 | $2 million | 1 in 905,940 |
| West Virginia | WV Lottery | Money Bags | $10 | $5,000 | 1 in 12,000 |
| Wisconsin | WI Lottery | Wisconsin Millions | $30 | $1 million | 1 in 160,000 |
| Wyoming | No scratch offs |
If you’re playing online, the outcome is controlled by random number generator software, which means you cannot affect your chances. There is no strategy involving betting more after losing or varying your bets in specific ways that will influence how often you win. As with all games, the house edge is a mathematical fact.
You can do this by playing only with money you can afford to lose, making sure you are not showing signs of problem gambling, and finding the games that are entertaining to play — then seeing any wins as an extra.
History of scratch offs
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The concept of instant win games started with Pull-Tabs. All this would change in 1973 when two inventors — John Koza and Daniel Bower — combined forces to create the first modern scratch off games. There was more to this than simply creating a surface to scratch. Math was needed to develop games that had fair returns and to randomize the outcomes for the lottery operators.
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Scientific Games was created in 1974 to market the new cards. This company went on to become one of the biggest names in gambling. Their modern brands include Bally, WMS, and Barcrest slots — plus Shuffle Master for devices for casino table games. The first cards were produced for the Massachusetts lottery, though they would soon become hugely popular across multiple states with lottery games.
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Cards are now created by lotteries across the country. A new format saw these cards move online in the early 2000s. With online casinos not available in every state in the USA, it is only recent state-level regulation that has seen them become available. You can enjoy game show themed novelty games, plus cards which are closer to the original concept of revealing three matching symbols online.