A casino online is a gaming site where players can make real money wagers on casino games like blackjack, roulette and slot machines via a computer, smartphone or tablet. All major casino sites feature a selection of online games, most of which are identical to those found at brick-and-mortar casinos. Some sites also offer sports betting and a variety of live dealer tables. Most online casinos have customer support representatives available around the clock via live chat or email. These representatives are trained to resolve any issues quickly and efficiently.

The first real money wagers on casino online were made in 1996. This was the year that InterCasino launched and became the first licensed operator to accept deposits from players in exchange for real cash. In the same year, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission was established in the Mohawk Territory of Canada and remains one of the most respected licensing bodies for casino online today.

Many of the same rules and regulations apply to gambling on casino online as those that apply to land-based casinos. In addition, most state gaming boards have specific guidelines for the operation of casino online. These guidelines ensure that online casinos are operated in a fair and responsible manner, that player data is protected and that the games offered are legitimate.

The best casino online will have a wide range of payment options, including e-wallets and credit or debit cards. Some will even allow players to deposit with Bitcoin. These online casinos will also use Secure Socket Layer or Transport Layer Security to encrypt the personal information that is transmitted to and from them.

There are also some casino online that provide special bonuses and promotions to existing customers. These might include reload bonuses, free spins on certain slots or match-up bonuses. These are designed to attract new players and retain current ones. However, these types of bonuses can sometimes be abused, so it is important to read the terms and conditions carefully before you claim them.

In addition to these promotions, some online casinos will also offer a cashback bonus. This is a bonus that is paid back to the player as a percentage of their net losses at the casino over a specific period of time. These offers are often tied to minimum wagering requirements, so it is important to understand how they work before you sign up for them.

Having the right casino app is essential to having an enjoyable experience when playing casino games on your mobile device. The top casino apps will be visually appealing, run smoothly and have a large number of games to choose from. In addition, the best casino apps will have a solid loyalty program that rewards players with valuable perks. Marty Derbyshire is a casino, sports and poker writer with 15+ years of reporting on the online gambling industry. He has written for a wide range of top gaming publications and travels extensively to cover gambling events and meet with operators.