Online casinos, also known as virtual casinos, are Internet gambling sites that allow players to wager real money on casino games. They offer a range of casino games such as poker, roulette, blackjack, slots and video poker. They also provide a wide variety of bonuses to attract new customers. Some of these bonuses are free play offers, while others come in the form of loyalty rewards or cashback payments. The latter are usually calculated as a percentage of losses experienced while playing at the site.

The number of casino online games has increased exponentially over the years. Most reputable sites feature a huge selection of titles from top iGaming providers, including some which were developed specifically for the online environment. This includes a number of mobile-friendly titles that work well with touch screens, as well as many different types of video poker. There are even games themed after popular TV and movie franchises, as well as progressive jackpot games with massive prizes.

In addition to the standard casino online games, most sites now feature a live dealer casino option, which allows players to place bets on games played by human dealers via a video link. This is a great way to get the social aspect of gambling without having to leave the comfort of your own home, although the running costs of this type of casino are much higher than for software-based games. For this reason, most casinos only offer a limited selection of live dealer games.

Most reputable casino online sites accept a number of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards and crypto currencies. The latter are often preferred because they are secure, fast and convenient. They also do not carry the same fees as traditional bank transfers. In general, players are advised to check the terms and conditions of each site to ensure that they are happy with their choice before making a deposit.

The best casino online sites often offer a good range of promotions to their customers. These can include no-deposit bonuses, matched deposits, loyalty rewards and random tournaments with prizes for the most successful players. In regulated states, these promotions are a vital part of the marketing strategy for casinos, helping them to acquire and retain customers. Many players use several casino sites and rotate between them to take advantage of the different promotional offers.

Most casino online sites also host competitions for their players. These competitions can be based on the number of spins or hands played, or they may be focused on the size of the biggest wins. In either case, these competitions are a fun and exciting way to win extra bonus money or free spins. In order to participate in these competitions, players must be logged in to the casino website and have a valid account. This is generally easy to do, and most sites will give their customers instructions on how to do so. Some sites also have dedicated support teams to help with any problems that may arise.