Real Money Sports Betting and Online Casino Gaming
Thu, May 7, 2026
by
CapperTek
An expert view of the US market
Interview with gambling expert Jordan Marley from Casino.us
The UK boasts the world's most mature, regulated gambling market and is
held up as an example for other countries to mirror. It hosts hundreds of
operators, including sports betting exchanges and sites, online casinos, poker
rooms, bingo, and lotteries, all licensed by the UK Gambling Commission
(UKGC).
The US market, despite being forecast to generate the most revenue in 2026, is a much more complicated operation. Rather than being a
single, unified market, it is highly fragmented, with each state responsible
for what is and is not permissible for gamblers within its boundaries.
We invited industry expert Jordan Marley from gambling review site
Casino.us to join us to discuss online sports betting and online casino options with
real money for US residents. Our discussion focused on
how both verticals operate within licensed real-money environments, as well as
the challenges and opportunities for players and operators.
Hi Jordan, welcome to Cappertek. Before we jump into the details, could
you tell us a little more about yourself and the company you work for?
Sure, I work as a Content Editor at Casino.us and have spent hundreds of
hours reviewing and comparing US online casinos. Our site helps players
discover the best online casinos in the US and introduces players to more than
22,000 free games. Our trusted experts at Casino.us have a combined 45 years of
industry experience and specialize in reviewing the latest sweepstakes and real-money
casinos. As a business, we keep a close eye on the industry and are always very
aware of developments in sports betting and the current surge in prediction
markets.
What do you think the main differences are between online casino and
sports betting platform players?
That is an interesting question because the biggest determining factor
in the US is about legality. People who want to gamble legally are restricted
in what they can do for real money. It is not so long ago that online gambling
was all but impossible in the country. However, there have been considerable
changes, meaning that US citizens can legally speculate on the outcomes of
future sports events, whether that be the NFL, NBA, NHL, or soccer.
The arrival of federally regulated prediction markets is really changing
the landscape. However, strictly speaking, they are not betting but trading
sites. However, even if we discount those, online and mobile sports betting
sites are now widely available, with over 30 states, plus Washington, D.C.,
having regulated markets. However, the options are much more limited for those
who love casino games, with only a handful of states having legalized real-money
online gaming. Fortunately, US iGamers also have a great choice of social and
sweepstakes casinos.
So, once you get past the legal barriers, the main difference is about
an illusion of control. Sports betting and prediction markets users think they
can predict outcomes based on their knowledge and research, but online casino
gamers know it is basically down to pure luck! People play online slots and
casino games for fun and relaxation.
Is one vertical riskier than another?
Bottom line, all gambling has an element of risk. No matter your level
of 'expertise', the house always wins. We always recommend that online casino
players treat their time online as entertainment, set a budget, and stick to
it.
Online casino gambling for real money is an entertainment in its own
right. The games are fun and engaging. Sports betting is an adjunct to the
entertainment of watching the match. While they are similar in that money is wagered,
and there is a chance of winning, their appeal differs.
Many speculating on sports outcomes might think they are taking less
risk, but in the end, it all comes down to chance. Even a sure bet might not
pay out due to an unexpected incident on the pitch. The more of a safe bet it
is, the shorter the odds!
How can players determine risk when playing at online sites?
We always advise players to verify that they are playing on legal, state-regulated
sites. At Casino.us, we do this work for them, and it is essential to minimize
risk. Unregulated sites might seem to offer better odds or larger jackpots and bonuses,
but they are often scams, and player protection is far from guaranteed. We
genuinely believe that it is better to be safe than sorry!
What are the areas of growth right now?
In markets like New Jersey, where all forms of online betting are legal,
the most growth is from the online casino sector. Online casino gambling is
really popular – Maine has legalized it, but the market hasn't launched yet!
There is a good deal of speculation about whether New York will be the next to
take the step. In addition, Virginia is investigating online gambling options,
and Hawaii is rethinking its rules. Income generated in regulated markets is
one of the reasons politicians are reconsidering iGaming.
Within the vertical, online slots remain incredibly popular, but live
dealer gaming is also gaining real traction now. People love the opportunity to
engage with a real human and play alongside others. Live gaming streams are
also increasing in popularity, with people just enjoying the action without
actually betting!
Will prediction markets affect sports betting platforms?
You can't really look at the US gambling market without mentioning
prediction markets. The likes of Kalshi and Polymarket are certainly changing
the narrative and the game. While these sites are not gambling, they operate in
the same space and allow US citizens to buy and sell contracts on real-world
markets. Regulated at the federal level, many state regulators view them as a
threat to their sports betting markets.
The 'betting' opportunities are much narrower than what a sportsbook
offers, as all trades must be on a binary YES/NO event outcome. They also only
cover major events. However, an epic battle is playing out across the country between
individual states and the CFTC.
The behemoths like FanDuel and DraftKings are not taking any risks that
the new kids on the block will steal their thunder (or market share). They have
launched their own prediction market apps to operate in parallel with their
sports betting and online casino platforms. However, they are not offering
sports betting options in jurisdictions where they operate legal sportsbooks!
Thanks, Jordan, that was all very enlightening. It will be interesting
to see how the markets change over the next twelve months – a lot is going on!