If there’s one thing you can say about casinos, it’s this: you’ll never run out of stuff to do. There’s no shortage of games to play. And new games are coming out all the time.
Casino hold'em is easy to learn, fast to play, and it gives you better odds than most other casino games online. No need to work on your bluffing skills, though. In this casino poker game, you always play against the dealer, not with other players. Once you pick a recommended casino site, you’ll be able to play any casino game within minutes. Learn how to gamble at a casino in six simple steps. 1 Find An Awesome Casino Site.
This is great if you play online, because with just a few clicks of your mouse, you could be playing a different, unique, or brand new game – one of hundreds (if not thousands) available at any ONE casino.
The question we have for you now is this: do you know all the casino games that are available to you? All the variations you can play? If not, then start with this brief guide. We’ll fill you in on all the types of casino games you can find and play online and at land-based venues.
Overview of Casino Game Types
Let’s start with an overview of the games you’ll usually find at a casino.
But before we list the games, we want to quickly explain how an online casino might list them on their website. That way, you know exactly where to find the games you’re most interested in if playing online.
Each casino will list their games differently. Here’s an example.
- Slots – This includes all variations, like 3D or progressives.
- Table Games – This includes all card games, like blackjack, baccarat, and pai gow poker. It also sometimes includes dice games like craps, as well as roulette.
- Video Poker – This includes all poker games played on a machine similar to slots.
- Specialty Games – This includes anything that doesn’t fit in the categories above, such as keno, scratch tickets, lottery games, and bingo. It may also include roulette or craps.
Some casinos also have an arcade or games section. Others list bingo or scratch card games separately. Some might have their own, unique categories.
Generally speaking, though, what we’ve listed here broadly covers all the main types of casino games.
Many popular casino games come in several variations. These variations sometimes come with just minor differences, while others have more significant differences.
Let’s take a look at some of the main variations of the most popular casino games. Many of these are available at both online casinos and land-based venues, while some are only available at one or the other.
Slots
- 3, 5, 7 reel machines
- Classic slots
- Video slots
- Fruit machines
- 3D slots
- Progressive slots
- Single and multiple payline slots
There are more, too. And then there are the various features that you’ll find with some slot games but not others. These included multipliers, free spins, cascading reels, and bonus rounds.
You could even add licensed slot titles to the list. This would expand to cover licensed movie, video game, celebrity, and board game slots. In short, slot games come in MANY variations.
- Perfect Pairs
- Spanish 21
- Pontoon
- Blackjack Switch
- Chinese Blackjack
- Super Fun 21
- Atlantic City Blackjack
- Bonus Blackjack
- European Blackjack
These are just a few examples, and there are several other blackjack variants. You’ll also find payout variations such as 6:5 or 3:2 for a natural blackjack.
- Bonus Deuces Wild
- Bonus Poker
- Deuces Wild
- Bonus Poker Deluxe
- Double Jackpot Poker
- Jacks or Better
- Joker Poker
- Loose Deuces
Again, these are just a few examples. In many land-based casinos, especially the large ones in Las Vegas, you might find dozens of different video poker games. Most of the online casinos we’ve reviewed have at least ten or so, and many of them have a lot more.
Some common video poker variations you’ll find everywhere, while others are exclusive to a specific online casino or software provider. Other variations also include progressive and multi-hand video poker machines.
- American Rouette
- European Roulette
- French Roulette
- Live Dealer Roulette (online only)
- 3D Roulette
- Multi-Ball Roulette
- Multi-Wheel Roulette
Almost hard to believe a simple game like roulette could have so many variations, huh?
Anyway, these casino games have the most variations. Most other games either don’t have variations, don’t have nearly this many variations, or don’t have variations you’ll find at more than one or two casinos.
Other than what’s listed above, here are the most popular casino games you can play today.
- Baccarat
- Pai Gow Poker
- Craps
- Let Em Ride
- Caribbean Holdem
- Caribbean Stud
- Three Card Poker
- Vegas Three Card Rummy
- Keno
- Scratch Cards
One of the biggest variations you’ll find with these games (the table games, at least) will be side bets. They’re often exclusive to brick-and-mortar casinos, but you will find side bets for these games at some online casinos. In terms of value for money, they’re hit or miss.
Other than side bets, other types of variations or twists to casino games you’ll find include the following
- Live Dealer – Available online. A real person deals and the action is streamed live. Read more here.
- 3D
- Progressive – Every (max) bet contributes a small portion to a single jackpot that can be won at random by someone making the max bet.
- Video
- Multi-line
The options you have will vary from casino to casino. Online, the variations depends on the software provider(s) being used.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some games will have a different name due to licensing and/or copyrights. For example, tri-card poker is identical (or nearly identical) to 3-card poker.
When reading or talking about casino games, you might hear someone refer to them as skill games or games of chance. For example, blackjack is considered a skill game. Slots are a game of chance.
The difference between skill games and games of chance is there’s more or less a right and wrong way to play games of skill, and if not right or wrong, then definitely optimal and not optimal. You can learn these by studying various books and websites, then practice what you learned at the casino.
But games of chance? These are totally random. There’s not anything you can really do outside of cheating to gain an edge playing those.
That all said, skill games are only skill games if you yourself become skilled at them. Otherwise, they might as well be games of chance.
On top of that, few games can truly be beaten for a profit. Blackjack is one of those games. Some video poker variations can be, too.
Other games, such baccarat, pai gow poker, or craps, have strategies or optimal plays or optimal bets you can make to get the house edge down. Add in some bonuses, and you might turn a slight profit. But you shouldn’t count on it.
We point that out because unless you choose a game that can be beaten for a profit – and you’re willing to put in dozens or maybe even hundreds of hours learning it, and hundreds or probably more like thousands of dollars practicing it live – you’re unlikely to become skilled enough to beat the house for a profit.
Our point? We just recommend that you don’t choose a game for any other reason than that you like to play it. Because you’re most likely going to lose while playing it – at least in the long run.
Finding and Playing Casino Games Online
Let’s talk a minute about finding casino games online.
Most casinos will have the same options – blackjack, various table games, video poker, and slots. There are few exceptions.
Those exceptions include variations, like live table games, 3D slots, or something “rare” like multi-wheel or multi-ball roulette.
It also includes exclusive games or titles. Since many casinos work with different and/or multiple software companies, you’re likely to find a different selection of casino games at every casino you join.
This will also affect game rules, payouts, and odds – but on a much lower scale.
And it’ll affect the number of games you can play. Some casinos only have a few dozen games. Others have hundreds. Some more than a thousand. Seriously.
Then you’ll have casinos that offer full-blown mobile casino apps (for smartphones and tablets), while with others you might be lucky to have five or ten mobile friendly games. Some casinos – if you can believe it – won’t have any.
The point of all this is that you’ll have to do some research if there’s a specific game or variation you want to play. One of the best things you can do is join a casino that works with several software companies.
That way you have a wide variety of games to choose from.
There are so many types of casino games you can play. It can be overwhelming.
If you already know what games you like to play, and want to play online, we highly suggest looking for software companies that have them. From there, find out which casinos work with those software companies. Then read our casino reviews.
For everyone else?. Find a casino with LOTS of games to play. Then get busy. You’ll find the type of casino game you like to play in no time. Here are some of our recommended casinos that have a great selection of games, and they all offer bonuses too new customers, too.
Rank | DE Online Casino | Exclusive Bonus | Get Started | |
---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Betway Casino | 100% Up To€250 | Visit Site | Visit Site |
#2 | Europa Casino | 200% Up To€500 | Visit Site | Visit Site |
#3 | Jackpot City Casino | 100% Up To€400 | Visit Site | Visit Site |
#4 | Spinia | 100% Up To€250 | Visit Site | Visit Site |
#5 | Spin Casino | 100% Up To€400 | Visit Site | Visit Site |
- This collection of games that pay real money gives you a complete overview of the best titles (and variants) available online.
- Free games that pay real cash prizes are fun - but you should never forget that gambling isn't a way to get rich quick. Also, always check the terms and conditions of a casino before you start to play and not only when you want to cash out your winnings.
- Pick a scratch-off to play quick games for real money or go to the blackjack table to challenge the dealers. The choice is yours!
Playing games online is not what it used to be — that's for sure.
I still remember the days I'd load a cassette (!) in the cassette player of my Philips MSX (yes, I am THAT old) and wait for minutes for a game to load. Eventually.
That frantic wait has now been replaced by the Fortnite, the Call of Duty and the Super Mario Kart that load in a snap and throw you in the middle of epic and fantastic adventure within seconds.
In 2020, games are everywhere.
We play on our mobile phones, on our desktops, on our gaming consoles, on our smart TVs…and sometimes even on our watches.
The gaming industry keeps growing one boom after the other, and the quality of the games we play is nothing like the games used to be.
And this isn't true only for the Pong or Tetris that rocked our childhood evenings on an Atari or a Nintendo Game Boy. The same also applies to online games for money.
The games where you can win real money in 2020 are nothing like those where you'd try to score some cash a decade ago.
The graphics are better and the gameplays are more sophisticated.
This list of games that pay money gives you direct access to some of the best titles to play online in 2020. All the sites we suggest offer a bonus on registration to all the players who want to play games for real money online.
Whether you're into games like online blackjack or you prefer to try your luck on slots, this list has something for you.
Best Online Games that Pay Real Money in 2020
Choosing the best casino games to play for real money is not easy.
With so many new Slots and new online casinos popping up all the time, it takes time and sweat to find the best games that pay real money online.
Unless you have a trustworthy source *cough* like CasinoSmash *cough* to help you.
Rank | Game | Type | RTP | More info | Play Game |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jackpot Slots | Slot Machine | N/A | More info | PLAY GAME |
2 | Blood Suckers | Slot Machine | 97.6% | More info | PLAY GAME |
3 | Turn Your Fortune | Slot Machine | 96.24% | More info | PLAY GAME |
4 | Live Blackjack | Card Game | 99.46% | More info | PLAY GAME |
5 | European Roulette | Table Game | 97.3% | More info | PLAY GAME |
6 | Casino Hold'em | Card Game | 99.18% | More info | PLAY GAME |
7 | Mad Max: Fury Road | Scratch Off | 95.48% | More info | PLAY GAME |
8 | Luxor Scratch | Scratch Off | 92.3% | More info | PLAY GAME |
9 | Monopoly Live | Game Show | up to 96.23 | More info | PLAY GAME |
10 | CS:GO | e-Sports | N/A | More info | PLAY GAME |
Casino Slots That Pay Real Money
Jackpot Slots
This is a slippery slope, I know. Of all the online casino games that pay real money, jackpot games aren't the one with the best odds — by a mile.
Playing jackpot slots is expensive and risky. The RTP of these games is below average, and since you always need to bet the maximum to hit the jackpot…these can become the most expensive online games that pay real cash. Easily.
Sites like 888casino and partycasino run daily jackpots where you can get decent winning odds. All the info are right on their sites, so don’t forget to look at volatility and RTP of each game before you play.
I am not a fan of progressive games because I cannot afford them. But if you are looking for online games that pay real money and you are OK with playing two spins instead of 100 — these might be up your alley.
Remember to play responsibly.
Blood Suckers
Table and card games tend to be everyone's first choice when looking for games that pay real cash to play online.
Why? Because they offer better RTP and so more chances to win. Or fewer to lose, you decide what's most appropriate here.
However, some online slots can also rival the best card games for real money available for online play.
The Blood Suckers video slot is one of those. Featuring an RTP of 98%, this game gives you a higher return than many of the table games offered by most online casinos.
Blood Suckers (a five-reel game by NetEnt) includes special features like free spins which are granted to you once you land three Vampire Brides as well as bonus round, where you get to slay vampires in a spooky tomb and are granted cash in the process.
Turn Your Fortune
Spin the reels and turn your fortune with this great NetEnt slot machine game!
The Turn Your Fortune slot launched in 2019. Since then, this real money game online has proven to be a massive hit for the Malta-based gaming company.
Turn Your Fortune features five reels, four rows, and 40 fixed paylines. And it wouldn't be a NetEnt slot if it didn't have top-quality graphics, beautiful animations, and bonus features that pay well — of course.
Take the Fortune Respins feature, for example.
Not only you get a free respin after a win, but the winning symbols also increase the multiplier meter on the left of the screen.
Each time it fills up, you move to another Fortune Wins level — getting the opportunity to trigger multipliers for up to x200.
* The Return to the Player (RTP) is the percentage of how much wagered money on the game theoretically goes back to the players.
If a slot has an RTP of 96 per cent and players spent €1,000 playing it, €960 will go back to the players in winnings while the House will keep the remaining €40.
Casino Table Games That Pay Real Money
Live Blackjack
Of all the games that pay real money, live casino blackjack is probably the most exciting and the one where your skills can help you with your winning chances.
Which Online Casino Games Do You Prefer To Play Video Poker
Join players from anywhere in the world in an endless battle against a live blackjack dealer. Super HD cameras and incredible locations make live blackjack the king of all online games that pay real cash.
If you want to discover why everyone says live dealer games are great (and you should), this is the best site to play live blackjack games that payout real cash prizes.
European Roulette
It doesn't matter if you in it because you are a high-roller or you just want to play for fun. There's nothing like a game of roulette for real money.
Which Online Casino Games Do You Prefer To Play Online
You can learn how to play online roulette in minutes and you only need to use this roulette strategy to master the game like an expert.
The difference between American and European Roulette is all about your winning chances.
In short, you have more chances to play casino games and win money if you play European roulette.
Casino Hold'Em
Casino hold'em is easy to learn, fast to play, and it gives you better odds than most other casino games online.
No need to work on your bluffing skills, though. In this casino poker game, you always play against the dealer, not with other players.
In a game of casino hold 'em there three types of bets: the mandatory Ante bet, the Call bet and side a bet called AA.
Which Online Casino Games Do You Prefer To Play Canasta
- You make Ante bet if you want to play,
- Call bet if you think your hand is good enough to win,
- AA bet if you feel like a pair of Aces (or better) combo will appear among your cards and the flop (first three community cards).
Which Online Casino Games Do You Prefer To Play Monopoly
Tip: Never waste your money on AA bets. These real money wagers decrease the return to the player percentage to 93.74 per cent.
Casino Scratch Cards That Pay Real Money
Mad Max Scratch Cards
There's something almost wrong in calling Mad Max: Fury Road a 'scratch card' — because this game offers a lot more.
Licensed by Warner Bros this online game that pays real money features a random progressive jackpot and a scatter symbol that triggers 10 free games with real money prizes.
The player's percentage of theoretical expected return is 95.48%, which is one of the highest in its category of online casino games.
If you are up for the top prizes, keep in mind that the progressive jackpot needs to be north of $750 to trigger.
Luxor Scratch
With tickets starting at 0.10, Luxor Scratch is one of the cheapest free online games that pay cash that you can play online.
For it to be free, however, you need to use the welcome bonus at 888casino first.
Egypt-themed music and graphics make this a delightful game — too bad for the piss-poor 92.30% RTP!
Other Casino Games That Pay Real Money
Monopoly Live!
Did you know NetEnt found a way to turn everyone's favourite board game into one of the best games that pay real money in 2020?
Bringing together the best of game-shows like the DreamCatcher and all the elements that made Monopoly famous, Monopoly Live is an exciting adventure to discover.
This is for sure one of the most immersive casino games that pay out real money available online in 2020 and is also one of the most fun games to play. The gameplay brings together elements of the classic wheel of fortune games and Monopoly — and that's fun already.
But wait until you see what the talented presenters chosen by NetEnt can do to entertain you! If you want to give Monopoly Live a go, this is where you need to register to access the game.
CS:GO (or e-Sports Betting in General)
Ladies and gentlemen…e-Sports are finally included in the list of the best games that give you real money in prizes!
Pioneered by Betway the world of real money e-sports and e-sports betting is a thriving new dimension of real money gaming online — one that most of you have yet to discover, I am sure.
Watch people play (you need to register toped the live stream) and place your bets on popular games like CS:GO, DOTA 2, League of Legends, and more!
Disclaimer: Gambling is a game of chance and there's no sure-fire formula that guarantee winnings. You can improve your winning chances by using the right in-game strategies but there is no way to predict when a machine or a Casino game is going to pay. Also, this page contains affiliate links. If you click through and play, we might earn a commission. That’s what allow us to keep CasinoSmash free and bring you the best online Casino bonuses!