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01
The billionaire who took down porn
This is an audio transcript of the Hot Money podcast episode: ‘The billionaire who took down porn’
Patricia NilssonWe’re two journalists from the Financial Times. We’ve spent six months following the money in porn. Our aim has been to find out who rules the industry.
Alex BarkerIn this episode, we bring you our encounters with some of the biggest financial companies in the world and some of the most explicit discussions of sex in the series so far. So please be aware. This is definitely content for adults.
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Previously on Hot Money: A secretive former banker bought MindGeek, a giant porn company whose flagship site was driven by user-generated videos. The law allowed MindGeek to take a hands-off approach to moderation, largely avoiding legal liability for the content that users posted to their site. That’s pretty much all the context you need for today’s show.
Patricia NilssonWhen we started our investigation into the adult industry, we thought online porn was basically unregulated, uncontrollable in a way, just too big for any government to handle. But it turned out we were wrong. Well, not entirely. We just missed the real story.
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Remember Stoya, the performer and author in our first episode?
Jessica StoyaI’m in lingerie. And people tip me. And I take my bra off or pull the cups down and I jiggle my shoulders while saying “T-h-a-n-k-y-o-u”. Though I, I get my period. And then I have cramps. And I really don’t want to be vigorously jiggling. But I also want people to know like, “Don’t tip me and be disappointed we are not doing vigorous behaviour tonight”. And, you know, it would be nice to be able to say “because I have my period”, but I cannot because it is a banned word.
Alex BarkerA banned word. What Stoya is describing here is live video work and it does sound fantastically absurd. Jiggling naked breasts for money. No problem. Typing the word “period” in the chat box. Absolutely forbidden. But why? What stopped Stoya from being able to type the word “period” into a chat box? Who or what was on the other end of that rule? The answer to that question took us to a place we never expected.
Patricia NilssonIn this series so far, we’ve told you about the secretive owners of big porn companies like MindGeek, how they thrived in large part because of the taboos around porn. It gave them the cover to hide from scrutiny and accountability. But around two years ago, MindGeek faced a reckoning. It was brutal, it was public, and it revealed a whole lot of things about power and control in the porn industry. One day in December 2020, MindGeek went from being the most powerful company in porn to a business cowering under pressure, on the brink of collapse.
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Alex BarkerIn this episode, we’re going to tell you how all of that happened. The chain of events that forced MindGeek to take the majority of its porn offline. MindGeek, just like Stoya, had to bow to one of the most powerful finance companies in the world.
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Patricia NilssonI’m Patricia Nilsson.
Alex BarkerAnd I’m Alex Barker.
Patricia NilssonAnd from Pushkin Industries and the Financial Times, this is Hot Money.
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Act one: Mr Persistence
Bill AckmanI think we’re known to be a good investor. We’re known for not being shy, willing to kind of share our views. I’ve been called the most persistent person in America, which I take as a compliment.
Alex BarkerThat’s Bill Ackman. He’s a big name in the land of the Financial Times. And not just because he’s a billionaire. He runs an investment firm called Pershing Square. And it’s one of those firms that everybody knows about on Wall Street. Bill is not an investor in porn. On the contrary, during the pandemic, Bill pulled off one of the most insanely successful trades in the history of modern financial markets. He turned a $27mn bet into roughly a $2.6bn windfall. Yeah. That’s around 100 times the money within a few weeks. Not bad.
Patricia NilssonIt doesn’t always go that well. He does sometimes lose, too, in an almost as-spectacular fashion. Anyway, Bill first made his name as an activist investor. He didn’t just buy shares in a company. He bought big stakes and then told chief executives what to do. And occasionally he even tried to kick them out. So when he shouts, people listen.
Alex BarkerWhat made him agree to talk to us about porn, of all things? Good question. His communications person asked him the same thing.
Bill AckmanHe said “Bill do you wanna do this? Be interviewed by the FT or whatever?” People just think reputationally, I don’t have anything to do with, I don’t want my name and the word porn in the same paragraph or story. And the problem with that is it allows . . . a lot of bad things can happen in the underground.
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Patricia NilssonAnd those bad things, he saw them in December 2020, when the New York Times published a powerful column by Nicholas Kristof. It was titled “The Children of Pornhub”. Bill was sitting at home scrolling on Twitter when the story popped up.
Bill AckmanThis Kristof article about Pornhub I found very challenging to read and depressing and also made me angry.
Patricia NilssonBill has four daughters and the appalling accounts of exploitation hit a nerve.
Alex BarkerKristof basically pulled Pornhub apart. He alleged the free porn site was infested with rape videos, and through talking to victims, he depicted it as a business that monetised spy cams, revenge porn and other horrid stuff.
News clipRecent allegations claimed Pornhub may be profiting from footage of sexual assault, revenge porn and sex tapes obtained without consent from those involved.
News clipAccused of hosting sexual assault footage, plus child sexual abuse material. Doing little to guard against and remove such content.
News clipCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also took notice, saying his government was working with police and security officials to address the issues raised in the New York Times column.
Alex BarkerEveryone in porn just refers to it as the Kristof piece. It was part investigation, part opinion column, and hugely contentious in the industry. Even people who hate Pornhub saw it as part of a broader war on porn.
MindGeek executives, the owners of Pornhub, denied wrongdoing, insisting they took a zero-tolerance approach to illegal content. Pornhub told us that they now have more comprehensive safeguards than most social media platforms. Now, we’re not gonna get into the details of the piece or who was right or wrong. We looked at the impact instead. There’s no argument over that, partly because of Bill Ackman.
Bill AckmanYou can destroy a 15-year-old and get them to commit suicide by just having her boyfriend share a video she didn’t wanna see and embarrass her in front of everyone. People kill themselves over that. Kids do. And the notion that people are profiting from this? Yeah, that got me.
Patricia NilssonNow, Bill is no prude. He’s not opposed to pornography. He’s a free speech advocate. But he was so moved by the stories in the article that he decided to do something.
Bill AckmanI thought this was important. And the problem with the topic of pornography is people don’t want to acknowledge they’ve ever even viewed pornography, perhaps. And so it’s just easier to just let it pass.
Alex BarkerBill made his name in the business of corporate influence. His whole shtick was forcing companies to do things they don’t want to do. And he comes armed with the deep contact book you’d expect of an American billionaire. He’s also a finance guy. So when he read the New York Times piece, he didn’t just get angry and think, what can I say to make politicians do something?
Patricia NilssonHe thought about the way to kick a company where it hurts: payments.
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He knew that Visa and Mastercard are the rails that any digital business depends on to sell online. While so much online porn is free, big porn companies rely on premium paysites. They either own them or sell odds for them. They do need people to pay for porn. And how do they do that? Again, credit cards. Without payment processing, these aren’t just porn companies. They are failing porn companies. But he also realised there are good reasons why the payments industry sticks with high-risk sectors like porn. The more dicey the transaction, the higher the scrape, meaning the fees are higher and so the profit margins are better. There was no guarantee he could get the big payment networks to do anything.
Alex BarkerSo he went full Ackman. He didn’t bother with a polite campaign or letters or whatever. He just picked up his phone and messaged Ajay Banga. Now, Banga was the chief executive of Mastercard at the time.
Bill AckmanWe both share a passion for tennis, and I’ve met him at a couple of big tennis type events, and I text this to him and I said, “Ajay please read the above piece. Mastercard is facilitating sex trafficking. PayPal has already withdrawn payment processing for Pornhub. Mastercard does not want to be the last company to do so. Please call and discuss if you disagree”.
Alex BarkerBanga replied immediately. “Hi, Bill. Just saw this”, he wrote before effectively laying down the law. If the allegations were proven, Banga wrote, Pornhub would be blocked from using Mastercard. Mindgeek’s top site would be partly cut off from the payments world.
Bill AckmanTo his credit, Mastercard very, very quickly got on top of this and came up with some pretty strong principles.
Patricia NilssonMastercard acted after its investigation found unlawful content. It banned the use of its credit cards on Pornhub’s premium site. Visa followed by suspending not just Pornhub but all of MindGeek sites. It basically cut off the use of its credit cards on premium websites that generate about half of Mindgeek’s revenue — subscriptions that are paid for by credit cards. We reached out to Visa and Mastercard and both declined to be interviewed. The company stressed that their priorities are to support commerce and deter illegal activity. But it is fair to say these payment networks hardly ever remove a company from their systems. It’s a devastating move and the consequences were immediate.
Alex BarkerYou might be wondering why free porn sites would crumble because Visa or Mastercard stopped them accepting credit cards. On the face of it, cheap sites are mostly ad-funded, but they are indirectly tied to bank rules. There are a few reasons for that. They run subscription tiers like Pornhub Premium. Some advertisers use credit cards to pay the cheap sites and a lot of the cheap site ad money comes from pay sites that are covered by Visa and Mastercard rules. And for that reason, an industry insider told us that some of Pornhub’s advertisers got cold feet about spending money with them. The result was that Pornhub’s cash flow dried up overnight. That triggered all sorts of other problems.
Just imagine the conversation with long-term subscribers. You know that porn company you signed up to a few years ago? Well, we’d really like you to subscribe again. You just need to go through all the hassle once more. But this time, please use Bitcoin or some other complex banking process instead of your credit card. The Mastercard move, which was then followed by Visa, was genuinely a watershed moment for the adult industry. Bill’s intervention wasn’t the only reason it happened, but with that text, it’s not hard to imagine he helped tip the balance.
Bill AckmanThe suspension happened very quickly and within a couple of weeks they announced a bunch of policies. It was really quick and impressive.
Patricia NilssonA few days after all of this, something else huge happened to MindGeek, the parent company of Pornhub. Its lenders served it a notice of default — a warning that MindGeek wasn’t meeting the conditions of its loan. This hasn’t been reported before. We heard about it from a different billionaire who was approached by the company and it is confirmed in a footnote buried in Mindgeek’s latest accounts. The company was running short of cash. Its lenders weren’t happy. It was on the brink of collapse.
Alex BarkerAt the same time, Mastercard was reviewing its policies for the whole porn industry, including what permissions you needed to upload any explicit video onto a site that uses credit cards. Basically, all those amateur uploads that help tube sites dominate the porn industry. The pressures on MindGeek were building. It had to do something. And just like that, Pornhub went from 13mn videos down to 4mn.
You probably were a catalyst for one of the biggest takedowns of media content off the web in the history of the internet. When 9mn videos ever been taken down overnight, it’s pretty extraordinary. Do you remember that moment and how did you feel?
Bill AckmanI felt good about it. (Laughs) It felt good. People want to make their livelihood the way they make their livelihood. It’s their life, their body, their choice. I’m OK with it. As long as, you know, they’re a consenting adult, it’s fine.
Alex BarkerIt was pretty interesting talking to Bill about the adult business. His game is taking the measure of a company, its strengths and its weaknesses. And here he was sizing up porn.
It isn’t a huge industry compared with the larger world of online entertainment. At its peak, MindGeek made around $450mn a year in revenue. Just for perspective, Netflix generates more than 450mn during an average week. But online porn can be highly profitable, and those profits have drawn in Wall Street over the years, as we’ve discovered in this series.
Patricia NilssonTo Bill Ackman, the amazing thing is not that porn has access to finance. It’s that Wall Street types got into bed with companies like MindGeek while averting their eyes from potential problems. And when things went wrong, it was left to payment companies to mop up the mess.
Bill AckmanIt should be regulated by, you know, state actors, you would think. Right? But my experience waiting around for the government to act, to clean up, is painfully slow and bureaucratic.
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Patricia NilssonThere are tens of millions of sex videos online, hosted in dozens of countries. Unless we all take a Chinese approach to censorship, no government can really police who watches it or control what is made. So the nearest thing to setting global rules for porn would come from Mastercard and Visa, because without Mastercard and Visa, there just isn’t much point in making porn because no one can buy it.
Bill AckmanI think there should be de facto regulator of these companies. Right? They’re not gonna let you use a credit card to pay for a hit on someone, right? That that I’m sure is against their principles, right? So once you decide that you’re gonna decide what people can spend their money on and what they can charge the Mastercard for, or the Visa card, where we should focus then, then they have to be de facto regulators on what’s permissible content and what’s not.
Alex BarkerThere was one more important thing that Bill didn’t realise when he texted the head of Mastercard. He wanted Mastercard to act like a regulator for porn. But after we dug into this, we found payment companies were already involved in setting the rules for this industry. They don’t like admitting to this role, but banks and payment companies do have a real say in what kind of porn gets made and sold online.
Patricia NilssonAct two: the List
Alex BarkerSome of you may have heard about the Hays Code back in the 1930s, in the early days of Hollywood. The Hays Code set the standards for what you could and couldn’t depict on screen. No lustful kissing, no nudity, no interracial relationships, no perversion — whatever that meant. It was all self-policed by the industry and amazingly, held in place well into the 1960s. It all sounds so strange today, like something from a bygone age.
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And what has this got to do with online porn? Well, when we saw the power Visa and Mastercard had over MindGeek, we wanted to understand how they could bring the world’s biggest adult company to its knees.
Patricia NilssonWhat we discovered is that the world of porn might just have its own version of the Hays Code. There’s a really curious system of rules. Rules on porn content, not enforced by porn producers, but financial gatekeepers — the payments world, a world ultimately overseen by Visa and Mastercard. We realise this sounds odd. It is odd, and it raised more questions than answers.
Alex BarkerI remember the moment the door to this world was opened for me. I was just chatting with an executive in the industry and she mentioned these lists, basically do’s and don’ts for porn production. So I asked her to dig one up and she shared a document of best practices, all compiled by a company called MobiusPay. Now Mobius is a payment processing company. If you’re a business that wants to take credit cards, you need a bank to sponsor you, a merchant account. Mobius helps to sort that out. It acts as a bridge between high-risk businesses like cannabis, porn or gambling and banks in the Visa and Mastercard system.
Patricia NilssonJon Corona is MobiusPay’s chief operating officer, and he put together that one-page primer of things to avoid. We asked him to read the sample of problematic words.
Jonathan CoronaTwink, nymph, nymphet, any racial slur or symbol and teen. You know, these specific words tend to create problems.
Patricia NilssonProblems with who?
Jonathan CoronaWith Visa and Mastercard, the acquiring bank and if it goes far enough, ultimately law enforcement.
Patricia NilssonWhen you sat down to create this list, you know, what do you base that on?
Jonathan CoronaThe list and the words are in the interest of protecting the Visa and Mastercard brand reputation.
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Alex BarkerThis was a lot for us to get our head around. The more we ask people about these porn lists, the more we realise they are almost Talmudic in nature. Visa and Mastercard are at the centre of this credit card world. They set down some broad guidelines on material that might be legal but just isn’t kosher, stuff that doesn’t fit with their brand.
Patricia NilssonAnd the banks and payment processors like Jon at Mobius — they are expected to flesh that out. Now they don’t have much to work on. Not even 10 commandments. They get about five. Mastercard sums it up in just one short paragraph. They are against the sale of an image or service that is “patently offensive” or lacks “serious artistic value”. They ban videos involving minors, animals, mutilation or non-consensual behaviour. Now that all sounds reasonable. But just to make sure they are never wrong, Mastercard also says they ban any other material that Mastercard might find unacceptable in the future. Genius.
People like John, they need to make fine distinctions on what Visa and Mastercard allow and don’t allow, right down to a “twink” — which means a slim, young-looking gay man.
Do you have conversations with Visa and Mastercard? Do you, I mean, do you have a sit-down with them or talk to them on the phone? Are we saying, what do you think about “twink”?
Jonathan CoronaOh, absolutely. Yeah. Someone complains to the card brands that they take it very seriously and they will review your content. And if they find something they disagree with, they could terminate your account effective immediately.
Patricia NilssonCould you call it a type of self-censorship in the porn industry then? I mean, you have performers who are not doing certain things, not showing certain things because, you know, someone might cut them off.
Jonathan CoronaCorrect. Yeah. It’s sort of self-censorship and self-policing. Ultimately, if you want to accept Visa and Mastercard, then you have to follow their rules.
Alex BarkerJon explained that Visa and Mastercard have had rules on what porn can and can’t be sold online for more than a decade. It’s just that since the Kristof piece, they are all much more active in policing them. Jon says Mastercard has entire teams devoted to this, conducting investigations and reviews. Other tech companies are also hired to crawl websites, looking for content that breaks the rules.
Patricia NilssonAnd here’s the thing that really blew our mind. The lists evolve and the guidance evolves. New words or phrases are banned all the time, or unbanned like so-called “golden showers”, you know — peeing. It was off-limits for a lot of banks and payment processors. Then suddenly around 2016, it became kind of OK, presumably because the term was in the news a lot and somehow normalised. All of this implies that somewhere, there must be a decision-maker. Someone blesses these distinctions and how they might change. They decide what is fine to stream and what isn’t. Now, that is a relatively easy distinction to make when something looks outright illegal. Jon actually conducts his own checks and we should warn you here — we’re about to hear how he has come across disturbing videos.
Jonathan CoronaI start looking for prohibited type content and I search keywords within the website.
Alex BarkerHe’ll type in a word like “rape” or “underage” or the countless variations of those themes.
Jonathan CoronaI did come into a situation where it was kind of disturbing content. I can’t say with certainty that it was paedophilia, but what I did was I screenshotted everything, brought it to my first-line supervisor and we both just filed a report with the FBI. I felt we had an ethical obligation to at least alert someone in a position of authority to review what we had seen.
Patricia NilssonIf Jon searches for a term like “twink”, he might need to take several steps. For example, look at ID documents from the performer to confirm that he’s over the legal age.
Jonathan CoronaAnd racial slur. We don’t allow it. And I understand there are free speech concerns there, but I would just tell them, “hey, this word here, the bank’s not gonna approve it. You need to change it to something else”.
Alex BarkerThere are some areas where the boundary is hard to draw when vetting porn, like hypnosis or sex while someone appears to be asleep.
Jonathan CoronaOf course they’re acting, but not actually asleep and no one’s actually getting hypnotised. But being asleep means that the person sleeping does not have the ability to render consent and the thought of hypnotising someone into doing what you want them to do removes the ability to render consent. Even though it’s all acting, it’s all fiction. Those perceptions is what makes it prohibitive.
Patricia NilssonJon talks in a pretty matter-of-fact way about the details of these lists, where they draw the line and what they try to stop. But it’s actually a pretty huge deal. Mobius, the company that Jon works for, essentially acts as a stand-in regulator for pornography, doing the work that governments aren’t doing, on behalf of Visa and Mastercard. It amazed us that this level of supervision exists at all, and even more so, who does it. To see how much of an influence these codes really had on porn production, we went back to somebody we trust and what they told us — well, it was a little graphic, but truly stunning. That’s after the break.
Act three: More power than the Pope
Jessica StoyaYeah. Come on in.
Alex BarkerSo thank you for, for letting us into your home. It’s great to see you in New York in person. And the snow is here.
Jessica StoyaIt’s snowing. On Christmas. (laughter) Yeah.
Alex BarkerBrooklyn is white.
We’re in Stoya’s apartment. This is where she told us about that detail that got us going down this whole path to begin with: that she can’t type “period” in a chat box on some porn platforms. As a performer, she’s seen a lot of different business models, from pay sites to cam sites to creative platforms like OnlyFans. They all have different characteristics, but there was always one common theme, one powerful constraint on what content could be made and sold online. She remembers Visa and MasterCard’s influence coming up way back almost 15 years ago, right from the start of her career when she was shooting for a big porn studio.
Jessica StoyaI was on a porn set for Digital Playground and someone had four fingers in me, and the director was like, “Watch the thumb”. And I’m like, “Wait, you can’t put a thumb in”. And he was like, “No”. And I’m like, “What if it’s just a thumb?” And he’s like, “Just a thumb’s fine”. And I’m like, “What if it’s four fingers and then another finger from the other hand?” and he’s like, “That’s fine. It’s just the thumbs. The thumbs make it fisting”. And I was like, “This is so strange!”
Patricia NilssonIt does sound strange. Now, this would have been back in the days when DVDs were being sold. So the rules have evolved. But on Stoya’s set payment companies were basically calling the shots.
Jessica StoyaSomehow, Mastercard and Visa are deciding this is high-risk, right? This is porn. So this is high-risk. They’re deciding this is, this kind of sexual act, this is acceptable. This is not acceptable. So this is actually an incredible amount of power, more power than the Pope on this subject, whoever these people are at Mastercard, deciding.
Patricia NilssonWhen it comes to rules, Stoya likes to understand what she’s dealing with very precisely. So at one point, she got in touch with a payment company called CCBill, which is one of the biggest in porn. What she wanted was a set of rules, the detailed rules, the ones that precisely lay out the limits of what they think Mastercard and Visa tolerate. And so they shared it, all four pages of it.
Alex BarkerThey can literally tell you on these lists what you can’t make, right?
Jessica StoyaYeah. I mean, or you could make it, but you can’t put it anywhere, which is akin to banning it. And, you know, some things should be banned, right? Sexual depictions of minors. That is bad. That is not OK. It is a problem. It should not be allowed anywhere. Bestiality again, bad problem, shouldn’t be allowed.
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Patricia NilssonIn full, it’s a crazy document, totally bizarre in parts, the kind of thing you might expect from lawyers set loose at a fetish convention with a mission to categorise every little kink.
Alex BarkerThe interesting part is the grey zone: sexual activity that is technically legal, but in practice not tolerated. That’s a different kind of power in porn. And what’s so interesting and so difficult to grasp is that there isn’t just one set of rules, but many. Visa and Mastercard don’t seem to want to publish a detailed set of rules themselves that would acknowledge that they’re effectively the biggest regulators of porn. So instead they just issue deliberately vague guidelines about what fits their brand. Banks and payment processors and platforms then have to interpret for their own customers what the limits of Mastercard and Visa might be. It’s like guessing the wishes of an all-powerful king. You only know you’re wrong when you’re punished. And like all efforts to codify and regulate human behaviour, the rules can get weirdly precise. Where do you draw the line?
Jessica StoyaLike how many slaps before we consider it a spanking, instead of an ass slap? How many bursts of fluid before we decide what we’re seeing is not female ejaculation, it is urine.
Patricia NilssonI mean, you can laugh about some of this. There is, would you believe, a code about fairy costumes. Two people in fairy costumes having sex? That’s OK. But if one of them is half man, half beast or in human form — no, no, too close to bestiality. One platform, worried about bestiality, banned animals even straying into the shot.
Jessica StoyaHow close can a cat be before it is considered an inappropriate distance? Anyone who has lived with a cat knows. Like filming — unless there is a room that you can shut a cat in, filming anything without intrusion by a house cat is very difficult.
Alex BarkerThen there was the question of blood. Visa and Mastercard are clear: violence, mutilation — those are not things they abide in porn. But if you break that down, things start to get complicated. What about porn stars dressed as vampires devouring ketchup blood? Is that allowed? Well, try to find that online. On the internet, vampire porn with fake or real blood is like a forbidden good. And of course, not all blood comes from violence.
Jessica StoyaBecause I have a uterus and I’m 35 and I get my period somewhere between every 20 and 31 days. And so sometimes there is blood in my vagina and you can see it in the vulva. And that cannot be portrayed in a commercial sex video. And I feel that menstruation is completely natural. And I also use my vagina for work. Someone at Visa or Mastercard finds this completely natural biological process to be unacceptable. Then we’re raising people who are becoming sexual in a culture where menstruation is completely erased. Whoever is the arbiter of what can be done with sexual media and sexual performance like, I have no idea who they are. Did they take a philosophy class? Like, are they, do they have a degree in women’s studies?
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Patricia NilssonWhen we set out to find who rules online porn, we did not expect to be confronted with such a thought experiment: a porn star wondering who actually regulates the sight of certain bodily functions. But here we are, like a lot of credit card customers staring at the fine print and still confused. Do payment companies control porn? In a way, they have huge influence. But we sensed that wasn’t the full story. For that, we needed to keep digging. We still wanted to figure out how these payment companies actually use their power.
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Alex BarkerComing up on Hot Money, we want to introduce you to a man with the world’s most popular porn site, a site with double the page views of Pornhub.
Kelly HollandRunning out of a throwback, Soviet bloc apartment building in Prague? I mean, they’re still operating as if they were a shadow company.
Alex BarkerIt’s one of the top 10 websites in the world. And when Pornhub took down 9mn videos because they upset Visa and Mastercard, this guy — well, he still has 9mn videos up.
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Patricia NilssonHot Money is a production of the Financial Times and Pushkin Industries. It was written and reported by me, Patricia Nilsson.
Alex BarkerAnd me Alex Barker. Peter Sale is our lead producer and sound designer. Edith Rouselot is our associate producer. Our editor is Karen Shakerdge. Amanda Kay Wang is our engineer. Music composition by Pascal Wyse. Fact-checking by Andrea Lopez Casado. Our executive producers are Cheryl Brumley and Jacob Goldstein.
Patricia NilssonSpecial thanks to Renée Kaplan and Roula Khalaf at the Financial Times and Mia Lobel, Leital Molad, Justine Lang, Julia Barton and Jacob Weisberg at Pushkin Industries. Thank you to Similarweb for providing our web traffic data.
Alex BarkerIf you want more from the FT, try our new app featuring eight essential stories every weekday. Search FT Edit in the iPhone App Store. Your first month is free and it’s 99 cents a month for six months after that.
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Ignition Casino: One of the US's Most Renowned Gambling Sites
The online gambling establishment Ignition is one of the most popular in the US, thanks to its fantastic service and unbeatable bonuses. Whether you're a new gambler or an experienced one, you'll appreciate what Ignition Casino has to offer. Slot machines are extremely popular, with a wide variety of themes and jackpots. roulette, online poker, blackjack, and other traditional table games are all available.
You can also try one of the many specialty games offered here, something that is uncommon at other online gambling sites. If you want help, the customer service team over here is on hand. They are quick to respond to questions and willing to go the extra mile to assist with issues.
They offer some of the biggest bonuses in the industry. New members may receive up to $2,000 in the form of a welcome bonus, and there are many reload bonuses, free spins, deposit bonus offers, and other promotions available. Poker players will appreciate the online casino gambling selection here.
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Slots.LV Casino: One of the Best Online Gambling Sites for Online Slots
Slots.lv is a famous online gambling enterprise. Slots.lv's gambling offerings, particularly its sportsbook and racebook services, make it unique. Slots.lv is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and uses the most recent SSL encryption to safeguard your personal and economic information. Slots.lv is a great choice if you want a safe and reliable casino that kicks things off with a decent welcome bonus.
This casino provides fast and simple withdrawals in addition to several deposit options. This site also offers generous welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions for loyal gamers. This casino provides three customer assistance options: email, phone, and live chat. This site offers round-the-clock live chat for all users.
The customer service representatives are professional, friendly, and dedicated to answering your questions, and this applies to all mobile platforms. Slots.lv provides 24/7 live chat for all of its users, and this service works well across all mobile devices.
Slots.lv is one of the most well-known casinos across North America because of its high-quality software. Slots.lv is a casino that provides players with proprietary games and RTG providers. This site provides premium software and games to maintain players.
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Cafe Casino: This is Among Top Online Gambling Sites
Cafe Casino is a noteworthy gambling site for United States players who want to play Indian card games or competitive live dealer games. Cafe Casino provides a wide range of Indian card games as well as a range of exciting slots with various themes.
We discovered that Cafe Casino provides a wide range of international games, including Indian card games and intriguing slots. Although Cafe Casino's FAQ section does not offer as many banking options as we would like, it is simple for crypto and non-crypto users to deposit and play. The gaming collection is vastly different from other online gambling sites.
The sorting option at Cafe Casino allows you to search for the games you want based on their most popular, jackpot, and new categories. Besides the traditional table games such as blackjack and poker, they offer a few table games that are unique to online gambling websites.
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Bovada Casino: An Incredibly Reliable US Casino
Bovada Online Sportsbook and Casino has been active for more than a decade and has garnered a reputation for being one of the most popular online casinos in the US. Bovada was founded in 2011 and is currently regulated by the Curacao regulatory body. Because it is regulated by the same regulatory body as many of the world's most renowned online casinos, Bovada's reputation has remained unblemished after 11 years in business.
In addition to providing over 200 casino games from four software developers, you may wager real money before testing out the site. There are more than 100 slots available to play online. Payment vouchers, credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and a range of other options are offered as payment methods by Bovada.
Minimum deposit amounts are $10 for cryptocurrency and $20 for fiat. Players may pay in a range of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, or Litecoin and we're certain that more will be added.
The developers have done an excellent job of creating the Bovada site easy to navigate. Every page has a simple, readable design. The visual appeal of the website is its most obvious feature. It's a website that complies with US gambling regulations, making it a great place to play for real money as well as sports betting. Its white, gray and red colors make it stand out in a memorable way.
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Super Slots Casino: One of the Top Gambling Sites for Slots
The sheer quantity of digital and live dealer casino games available at Super Slots Casino is amazing. Visionary iGaming, Nucleus Gaming, BetSoft, Rival Gaming, and other game developers create their games. During our Super Slots Casino review, we were impressed by the variety of slots, traditional table games, and live casino games.
The range of options was also impressive. During our Super Slots Casino review, we were impressed by the variety of payment options available. In addition to standard payment methods such as credit cards and e-wallets, Super Slots Casino accepts cash orders, bank cheques, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, and even Person 2 Person payments.
Although Super Slots takes the extra step of accepting traditional money orders, bank cheques, wire transfers, and Person 2 Person, it is one of the few casinos where you can deposit and withdraw using cryptocurrencies. Six deposits are required to claim the welcome bonus at Super Slots, which is unique in that it is split across them. Seven distinct cryptocurrencies are offered here, and they seem to add new ones regularly.
As the name suggests, this is one of the best sites for slot players. Naturally, there's a massive collection and you'll be spoiled for choice. This is among the best crypto gambling sites around.
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El Royale Casino: One of the Top Real Money Gambling Sites
El Royale Casino deploys a black and purple theme that gives it a 1920s feel. Here you'll be able to enjoy titles in multiple categories such as video slots, poker, blackjack, specialty games, video poker, roulette, and live casino games at this Curacao government-licensed casino. This means that you'll always have something to do when you gamble online.
Our favorite part about this casino is the progressive jackpots, which have the potential to payout massive sums of cash. While other online casinos have larger jackpots, El Royale has more games to play. Slots are the main focus of El Royale's bonuses and promotions, so that's great if you're a fan.
In addition to slots, you can try a game before playing for real money with the demo function. You can also safeguard your system from malware and hackers through several security measures. Antivirus programs and firewalls are utilized in addition to the 256-bit SSL encryption technology to protect your banking transactions.
Since 1998, Real Time Gaming has been developing games. Every result is random and not manipulated, as the games are run on a random number generator. Every result is random and not tampered with, as the games are run on a random number generator. Incentives and special offers are available to both new and existing clients.
Wagering requirements range from 20x-40x on welcome bonuses and specials, which are typical. In order to view the bonus terms, you must view the wagering requirements for each offer, as well as the minimum deposit amount and the games it applies to. It's uncommon to find a casino that's crammed with games and features that also operates within online gambling laws.
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Red Dog Casino is one of those real money gambling sites that has attracted a lot of attention as of late, however, a lot of people are still skeptical of whether it's a legitimate place to play online games.
The simple UI at Red Dog Casino makes it simple to locate whatever you might be looking for. Since the site uses a simple red and white color scheme and high-quality photographs throughout their site, and the lack of clutter gives it a very clean design.
If you're concerned about your casino banking options, you'll be able to use MasterCard, Visa, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin, in addition to credit cards, bank transfers, and cryptocurrency payouts. Banking at Red Dog Casino is completely free.
It's good to know that at least $150 must be in your gambling account before you can withdraw or deposit money at Red Dog Casino, as we discussed in our Red Dog Casino review. Customers receive rapid replies through a range of channels, including telephone, email, and live chat.
With low withdrawal limits compared to other gambling sites as well as excellent user support, this is one of the top online gambling sites around.
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Las Atlantis Casino: Features the Best Bonuses and Promotions
Most gambling sites have a unique theme going and this applies to Las Atlantis Casino too. Here you'll experience a seaside and underwater theme that matches the name of the casino site. The blue color scheme of this real money online casino is quite serene and unique to the global online gambling market,
The visual experience is enhanced by divers and underwater creatures. You may click on a button for virtually anything, whether it's logging in, buying games, or purchasing items. 365-day live chat and telephone support are available 24/7 at Las Atlantis Casino. You must register to ask a question via live chat to get an answer. You may ask any query via live chat, except those that require sign-in.
We looked at the various offers from Las Atlantis Casino, including welcome bonuses, exclusive promo codes, monthly deals, and reload offers. The current welcome package is $14,000 in form of a deposit match offer in bonus money. Your Las Atlantis Casino account is safeguarded with multiple authentication levels to maintain your confidential information.
This is one of the most entertaining online gambling destinations. Deposit and withdrawal processes at this web casino are rapid, simple, and free of additional charges. This makes it a gambling site that can't be missed.
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7Bit Casino: A World-Class Online Gambling Website
7Bit Casino provides different kinds to accommodate every type of gambler, whether you're seasoned or a novice. You'll get a fast start with your welcome bonus, which consists of four deposit match bonuses.
When you register, you may either select bonus spins or a neat deposit match bonus. If you select the latter, you may select whether you want USD or BTC which can be used for online betting. You will receive an extra deposit bonus on your second, third, and fourth deposits after playing through the initial one every week. Every week, you may be eligible for reload offers, bonus spins, and exclusive weekend cashbacks, in accordance with our reviewers.
According to our reviewers, one of the very best US online gambling sites is 7Bit Casino. Customer service at this casino was exceptional, making it a popular US gambling site. Using email, live chat, and a contact form, the casino caters to all types of customers. Every type of customer may contact the casino via email, live chat, and a contact form.
The site provides quick, helpful answers to all of your queries. The casino has grown significantly, particularly its client service staff, who are always ready to assist you. Curacao-authorized casinos maintain your anonymity while using standard currency or cryptocurrency.
There are more than 4,000 gambling games available on this gambling site, and you can earn Comp Points that can be exchanged for bonus cash. The VIP ladder improves your rewards and much more. Ultimately, this site features a great welcome bonus, plenty of games, a secure platform, and much more. The only thing missing is online sports betting.
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How We Locate and Evaluate the Best Online Gambling Casino SitesEvaluating any gambling site, whether it's a traditional one or a casino site, can be a difficult task, particularly if you are looking for sports betting sites. These are the things you should look for when choosing an online gambling site. If a site doesn't have one of these things, you should avoid it. We can't stress how important it is to look out for these factors.
Bonuses and PromotionsCasino bonuses and promotions are a big part of the online gaming market. This is how many online casinos entice players. These bonuses generally consist of deposit match offers and sometimes free spins. However, you should be mindful of the wagering requirements that are attached. Some online casinos have low wagering requirements while others have relatively high ones.
Below are some of the most popular bonuses in the gambling industry that can be found at many of the best online casinos.
Welcome Bonus: Once you make your first deposit at an online casino. The welcome bonus is likely to match your opening deposit by a certain percentage (usually 100%), giving you extra cash to play with. This is the most popular type of bonus and is generally given to new casino members.
No Deposit Bonus: This is a bonus that isn't offered by many casino sites, however, it's always a treat since you won't need to make a deposit. The only caveat is that you will be subjected to higher wagering requirements with a lower amount to play with. But who's complaining? It's free.
Free Spins: Free spins will get you off to a running start and these can be found all over the online gambling world. Most sites are littered with slots and this means that you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the games that you can play. Depending on the gambling website, the free spins will be provided alongside a deposit bonus.
Reload Bonus: You can obtain an incentive for current clients whenever you place a new deposit. The bonus figure is often a proportion of your initial investment, although this might vary.
VIP Bonus: Whenever you spend a lot of money, you could be entitled for a VIP incentive that will continue to benefit you as you engage and move through the tiers.
Customer SupportWhen selecting an online casino, there are numerous important elements to consider. If you are experiencing any problems or inquiries, you ought to be able to contact someone. Due to this, the best online casinos have strong customer care staff. The services they offer are detailed below. Everything from tech problems to incentive or gameplay rule inquiries may be resolved. They are available to help you if you require it.
The support staff is used by online casinos to ensure that anyone has a good experience. They may give promos and incentives, as well as critical details about the games. Support staff can also help. They wish for everyone that visits the site to have a pleasant time. If you have a problem or a query about an online casino, call the customer service immediately. They will gladly aid you.
Banking OptionsAmong the most popular methods of banking at casino sites is using a debit or credit card. This strategy is popular among players since it is quick, simple, and handy. You only need to input your credit card data to get started.
Instead, you may keep your cash in an e-wallet profile and utilize it to make casino withdrawals and deposits. Some of the most prominent e-wallets are PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill. Furthermore, if you choose, you can transfer cash by bank transfer which is not always the best option since the transfer period is quite slow with a wait of 3 to 7 business days.
SecurityWhenever you gamble online, your first priority is safety, and you are entrusting the institution with your private and financial information. How could you be sure that your information is secure? A casino that uses SSL encryption is an excellent place to start. It offers the same degree of security as online businesses, guaranteeing that your data is not compromised.
Another important consideration is the casino's license. A legal casino would be registered by a respectable gaming organization, indicating that it has been thoroughly inspected and follows all applicable rules.
It is usually a good idea to investigate a casino's consumer care staff. A fantastic institution will have a team of helpful, courteous customer service representatives. With this approach, if you have any problems or worries when gambling online, you would know that you may contact an individual who can help you. Because online gambling ought to always be focused on security, these guidelines should be observed at all times.
Game SelectionWhen it comes to selecting the best casino game for you, the process might be a little perplexing at first. While you're just starting out, we recommend blackjack or slots, both of which can be obtained at the top online betting sites.
These titles are simple to master and do not need much skill. If you're searching for a more difficult game, try your luck at craps or poker. These games are more difficult to play, but they are a great deal of fun. If you would like to have a nice time, blackjack and keno are both excellent choices.
If you prefer something unique, you may always try live casino games. Internet gambling activities such as poker and blackjack, for example, are enjoyed with a live dealer instead of a program. If you wish to enjoy the ideal online gambling session, hunt for the top online casino games and online betting websites.
LicensingOnline casinos must always be licensed and registered in order for individuals to lawfully wager online. A gaming agency, which supervises the sector and guarantees that casinos run fairly and legally, issues a gambling license. There are several gambling agencies across the globe, each with its own set of laws and procedures.
A gaming authority will normally analyze the application before providing a license. A license is granted if the gaming authorities consider that the casino is trustworthy and secure. The casino will subsequently be subject to frequent audits and inspections to verify that it remains abiding by the license restrictions.
It is usually a good idea to double-check that the site you intend to play at is fully registered and licensed. When you bet online, this assures that you are gambling at a safe and fair business where your cash is adequately protected.
UsabilityThe UI is the first item to consider while making a website accessible. The interface is the means through which people engage with the site. The UI should be easy to use and navigate. Customer service, in regard to payment options, is crucial.
The site should offer a range of payment options so that consumers may select the option that is best for them. Client service must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week so that people may obtain help when they require it. Customers ought to be able to choose from a choice of titles and bets in order to discover what they are looking for.
Standard Gambling Site FAQs Is it safe to use online gambling apps?They are, indeed. As more individuals use their smartphones to bet online, there are an increasing number of online gambling applications accessible. You may, however, use mobile betting websites to play the top casino games, such as thrilling online slots, and place bets at sports betting websites.
Is it legal to bet on the internet?Yes. Many of the greatest online betting websites are offered in the United States, and they are all regulated by the relevant agencies. This means you may confidently gamble online with the top games or sports wagering activities.
In which states in the United States can you legally gamble?Online gambling is now allowed in six states. Sports betting on smartphones is permitted in 26 states, including Washington and New Jersey. Many states are attempting to legalize internet gambling in order to generate tax income.
The Best Online Gambling Sites: ConclusionIt's easy to overlook certain important factors while looking for the best online gambling site. You should be alright if you use the information on this page. As a consequence of a large choice of real money games, you may come across an online gambling website that features sports betting.
You must always carry out research on just about any betting or sports wagering sites that you come across on your quest. In regard to sports betting, there are horse racing betting companies that provide jackpot slot titles and other activities. It all comes down to personal choice in the end.
Ultimately, you're guaranteed to find a site that compliments your playing and betting style. There are also casinos that feature online gambling apps that are easy to use and very convenient. Always remember to take your time to find the right site and ensure that the gambling sites that you take an interest in.
Disclaimer: We're delighted you've here, and we trust that you appreciate all of your favorite casino games in a legal online gaming environment. Understand that gambling must always be seen as a kind of fun rather than a means of making an income.
We wish for everyone to have fun at the casinos that we've featured, so only bet with money that you can risk losing. If you ever feel like you're betting too much, you may contact the customer service team of the casino you've chosen or the National Hotline at 1-800-522-4700 for assistance. We appreciate your participation and we wish you a wonderful time while remaining as responsible and safe as possible.
Below you'll find some helpful resources that will assist you with problem gambling.
Resourceshttps://www.smartrecovery.org/gambling-addiction/
https://www.ncpgambling.org/programs-resources/resources/
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/gambling-addiction-and-problem-gambling.htm
Top Online US Casinos: Rated by Experts
Quick Overview of Best Real Money Online Casinos
It's a good idea to do your research prior to gambling at a casino, whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned gambler. We can help you with that! You can assess different gambling establishments and select the one that best suits your needs by reading our online casino reviews.
We'll provide you with all the data you require to select a site. We'll inform you about the games they provide and the bonuses they offer so you can start gambling online for free. Even if you're new to online gambling, we can help you get started. Don't wait; begin looking through our evaluations and pick the best casino right now.
Our Top Picks When it Comes to the Best Gambling Sites in the USThere are a lot of gambling establishments in the United States, but there are very few legitimate online gambling sites. Because of this, it's hard to find a decent online gambling establishment.
We've done the research and come up with the greatest US online casinos. We assessed a range of factors, including the number of games offered, the bonuses offered, customer service quality, and more. Furthermore, we only included online casinos that are lawful and secure to use.
You may want to browse through our directory if you want to gamble online. We believe that you'll find the right website for you if you take a look at our list.
Right off the bat, you should know that we only recommend casinos that are licensed and regulated by a reputable authority. This not only ensures that the games are fair and that the casinos are operating legally, but also that you're exposed to the top gambling sites.
We also take into account the quality of the games available. Our list includes casinos that offer everything from slots to table games to live casino titles, in addition to a wide range of them.
All of the best online casino titles are provided by renowned software companies, ensuring you the best possible gaming experience. We exclusively recommend online casinos with first-rate customer service.
We want you to have the best possible experience when you play online, and that starts with pleasant, helpful, and courteous customer service. It will be hard to find another list that meets our standards as extensively as this one.
The Best-Rated Online Gambling WebsitesFinding the best gambling sites are meant to be a great journey; however, there are plenty of sites out there that offer less than what the best ones do. Fortunately, most online casinos are nothing short of great and the ones that we've featured below are the cream of the crop. So, if you'd like to gamble online with the best games and bonuses, check out the list below.
Drake Casino: Play Online Casino Games with the Best Site
Although it's still in its early stages, Drake Casino is making a big splash in online gambling. They offer a wide range of games, including all of your favorite slots, blackjack, roulette, and more. If you want a real casino experience, they also offer a large variety of live dealer games.
The VIP program is one of the greatest aspects of Drake Casino. You will be rewarded for playing here because of the constant reload bonuses and other excellent offers. In addition, with more play on this gambling site, you will be compensated because of the VIP program that features rewards such as free spins and other great incentives.
Your money is safeguarded and secure because the Curacao Gaming Authority regulates and licenses Drake Casino. You also get the benefit of the latest 128-bit SSL encryption to safeguard your private data and financial information.
If you're looking for a new casino, you should take a look at Drake Casino. You'll have a great time gambling online here thanks to their terrific game selection, generous offers, and high-quality security.
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Ignition Casino: One of the US's Most Renowned Gambling Sites
The online gambling establishment Ignition is one of the most popular in the US, thanks to its fantastic service and unbeatable bonuses. Whether you're a new gambler or an experienced one, you'll appreciate what Ignition Casino has to offer. Slot machines are extremely popular, with a wide variety of themes and jackpots. roulette, online poker, blackjack, and other traditional table games are all available.
You can also try one of the many specialty games offered here, something that is uncommon at other online gambling sites. If you want help, the customer service team over here is on hand. They are quick to respond to questions and willing to go the extra mile to assist with issues.
They offer some of the biggest bonuses in the industry. New members may receive up to $2,000 in the form of a welcome bonus, and there are many reload bonuses, free spins, deposit bonus offers, and other promotions available. Poker players will appreciate the online casino gambling selection here.
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Slots.LV Casino: One of the Best Online Gambling Sites for Online Slots
Slots.lv is a famous online gambling enterprise. Slots.lv's gambling offerings, particularly its sportsbook and racebook services, make it unique. Slots.lv is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and uses the most recent SSL encryption to safeguard your personal and economic information. Slots.lv is a great choice if you want a safe and reliable casino that kicks things off with a decent welcome bonus.
This casino provides fast and simple withdrawals in addition to several deposit options. This site also offers generous welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions for loyal gamers. This casino provides three customer assistance options: email, phone, and live chat. This site offers round-the-clock live chat for all users.
The customer service representatives are professional, friendly, and dedicated to answering your questions, and this applies to all mobile platforms. Slots.lv provides 24/7 live chat for all of its users, and this service works well across all mobile devices.
Slots.lv is one of the most well-known casinos across North America because of its high-quality software. Slots.lv is a casino that provides players with proprietary games and RTG providers. This site provides premium software and games to maintain players.
It is popular because it offers a large range of games that appeal to a variety of players. Slots.lv is one of the best gambling sites, especially for video poker games. In addition to live dealer casino games, roulette and blackjack tables are provided at Slots.lv.
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Cafe Casino: This is Among Top Online Gambling Sites
Cafe Casino is a noteworthy gambling site for United States players who want to play Indian card games or competitive live dealer games. Cafe Casino provides a wide range of Indian card games as well as a range of exciting slots with various themes.
We discovered that Cafe Casino provides a wide range of international games, including Indian card games and intriguing slots. Although Cafe Casino's FAQ section does not offer as many banking options as we would like, it is simple for crypto and non-crypto users to deposit and play. The gaming collection is vastly different from other online gambling sites.
The sorting option at Cafe Casino allows you to search for the games you want based on their most popular, jackpot, and new categories. Besides the traditional table games such as blackjack and poker, they offer a few table games that are unique to online gambling websites.
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Bovada Casino: An Incredibly Reliable US Casino
Bovada Online Sportsbook and Casino has been active for more than a decade and has garnered a reputation for being one of the most popular online casinos in the US. Bovada was founded in 2011 and is currently regulated by the Curacao regulatory body. Because it is regulated by the same regulatory body as many of the world's most renowned online casinos, Bovada's reputation has remained unblemished after 11 years in business.
In addition to providing over 200 casino games from four software developers, you may wager real money before testing out the site. There are more than 100 slots available to play online. Payment vouchers, credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and a range of other options are offered as payment methods by Bovada.
Minimum deposit amounts are $10 for cryptocurrency and $20 for fiat. Players may pay in a range of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, or Litecoin and we're certain that more will be added.
The developers have done an excellent job of creating the Bovada site easy to navigate. Every page has a simple, readable design. The visual appeal of the website is its most obvious feature. It's a website that complies with US gambling regulations, making it a great place to play for real money as well as sports betting. Its white, gray and red colors make it stand out in a memorable way.
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Super Slots Casino: One of the Top Gambling Sites for Slots
The sheer quantity of digital and live dealer casino games available at Super Slots Casino is amazing. Visionary iGaming, Nucleus Gaming, BetSoft, Rival Gaming, and other game developers create their games. During our Super Slots Casino review, we were impressed by the variety of slots, traditional table games, and live casino games.
The range of options was also impressive. During our Super Slots Casino review, we were impressed by the variety of payment options available. In addition to standard payment methods such as credit cards and e-wallets, Super Slots Casino accepts cash orders, bank cheques, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, and even Person 2 Person payments.
Although Super Slots takes the extra step of accepting traditional money orders, bank cheques, wire transfers, and Person 2 Person, it is one of the few casinos where you can deposit and withdraw using cryptocurrencies. Six deposits are required to claim the welcome bonus at Super Slots, which is unique in that it is split across them. Seven distinct cryptocurrencies are offered here, and they seem to add new ones regularly.
As the name suggests, this is one of the best sites for slot players. Naturally, there's a massive collection and you'll be spoiled for choice. This is among the best crypto gambling sites around.
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El Royale Casino: One of the Top Real Money Gambling Sites
El Royale Casino deploys a black and purple theme that gives it a 1920s feel. Here you'll be able to enjoy titles in multiple categories such as video slots, poker, blackjack, specialty games, video poker, roulette, and live casino games at this Curacao government-licensed casino. This means that you'll always have something to do when you gamble online.
Our favorite part about this casino is the progressive jackpots, which have the potential to payout massive sums of cash. While other online casinos have larger jackpots, El Royale has more games to play. Slots are the main focus of El Royale's bonuses and promotions, so that's great if you're a fan.
In addition to slots, you can try a game before playing for real money with the demo function. You can also safeguard your system from malware and hackers through several security measures. Antivirus programs and firewalls are utilized in addition to the 256-bit SSL encryption technology to protect your banking transactions.
Since 1998, Real Time Gaming has been developing games. Every result is random and not manipulated, as the games are run on a random number generator. Every result is random and not tampered with, as the games are run on a random number generator. Incentives and special offers are available to both new and existing clients.
Wagering requirements range from 20x-40x on welcome bonuses and specials, which are typical. In order to view the bonus terms, you must view the wagering requirements for each offer, as well as the minimum deposit amount and the games it applies to. It's uncommon to find a casino that's crammed with games and features that also operates within online gambling laws.
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Red Dog Casino is one of those real money gambling sites that has attracted a lot of attention as of late, however, a lot of people are still skeptical of whether it's a legitimate place to play online games.
The simple UI at Red Dog Casino makes it simple to locate whatever you might be looking for. Since the site uses a simple red and white color scheme and high-quality photographs throughout their site, and the lack of clutter gives it a very clean design.
If you're concerned about your casino banking options, you'll be able to use MasterCard, Visa, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin, in addition to credit cards, bank transfers, and cryptocurrency payouts. Banking at Red Dog Casino is completely free.
It's good to know that at least $150 must be in your gambling account before you can withdraw or deposit money at Red Dog Casino, as we discussed in our Red Dog Casino review. Customers receive rapid replies through a range of channels, including telephone, email, and live chat.
With low withdrawal limits compared to other gambling sites as well as excellent user support, this is one of the top online gambling sites around.
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Las Atlantis Casino: Features the Best Bonuses and Promotions
Most gambling sites have a unique theme going and this applies to Las Atlantis Casino too. Here you'll experience a seaside and underwater theme that matches the name of the casino site. The blue color scheme of this real money online casino is quite serene and unique to the global online gambling market,
The visual experience is enhanced by divers and underwater creatures. You may click on a button for virtually anything, whether it's logging in, buying games, or purchasing items. 365-day live chat and telephone support are available 24/7 at Las Atlantis Casino. You must register to ask a question via live chat to get an answer. You may ask any query via live chat, except those that require sign-in.
We looked at the various offers from Las Atlantis Casino, including welcome bonuses, exclusive promo codes, monthly deals, and reload offers. The current welcome package is $14,000 in form of a deposit match offer in bonus money. Your Las Atlantis Casino account is safeguarded with multiple authentication levels to maintain your confidential information.
This is one of the most entertaining online gambling destinations. Deposit and withdrawal processes at this web casino are rapid, simple, and free of additional charges. This makes it a gambling site that can't be missed.
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7Bit Casino: A World-Class Online Gambling Website
7Bit Casino provides different kinds to accommodate every type of gambler, whether you're seasoned or a novice. You'll get a fast start with your welcome bonus, which consists of four deposit match bonuses.
When you register, you may either select bonus spins or a neat deposit match bonus. If you select the latter, you may select whether you want USD or BTC which can be used for online betting. You will receive an extra deposit bonus on your second, third, and fourth deposits after playing through the initial one every week. Every week, you may be eligible for reload offers, bonus spins, and exclusive weekend cashbacks, in accordance with our reviewers.
According to our reviewers, one of the very best US online gambling sites is 7Bit Casino. Customer service at this casino was exceptional, making it a popular US gambling site. Using email, live chat, and a contact form, the casino caters to all types of customers. Every type of customer may contact the casino via email, live chat, and a contact form.
The site provides quick, helpful answers to all of your queries. The casino has grown significantly, particularly its client service staff, who are always ready to assist you. Curacao-authorized casinos maintain your anonymity while using standard currency or cryptocurrency.
There are more than 4,000 gambling games available on this gambling site, and you can earn Comp Points that can be exchanged for bonus cash. The VIP ladder improves your rewards and much more. Ultimately, this site features a great welcome bonus, plenty of games, a secure platform, and much more. The only thing missing is online sports betting.
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How We Locate and Evaluate the Best Online Gambling Casino SitesEvaluating any gambling site, whether it's a traditional one or a casino site, can be a difficult task, particularly if you are looking for sports betting sites. These are the things you should look for when choosing an online gambling site. If a site doesn't have one of these things, you should avoid it. We can't stress how important it is to look out for these factors.
Bonuses and PromotionsCasino bonuses and promotions are a big part of the online gaming market. This is how many online casinos entice players. These bonuses generally consist of deposit match offers and sometimes free spins. However, you should be mindful of the wagering requirements that are attached. Some online casinos have low wagering requirements while others have relatively high ones.
Below are some of the most popular bonuses in the gambling industry that can be found at many of the best online casinos.
Welcome Bonus: Once you make your first deposit at an online casino. The welcome bonus is likely to match your opening deposit by a certain percentage (usually 100%), giving you extra cash to play with. This is the most popular type of bonus and is generally given to new casino members.
No Deposit Bonus: This is a bonus that isn't offered by many casino sites, however, it's always a treat since you won't need to make a deposit. The only caveat is that you will be subjected to higher wagering requirements with a lower amount to play with. But who's complaining? It's free.
Free Spins: Free spins will get you off to a running start and these can be found all over the online gambling world. Most sites are littered with slots and this means that you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the games that you can play. Depending on the gambling website, the free spins will be provided alongside a deposit bonus.
Reload Bonus: You can obtain an incentive for current clients whenever you place a new deposit. The bonus figure is often a proportion of your initial investment, although this might vary.
VIP Bonus: Whenever you spend a lot of money, you could be entitled for a VIP incentive that will continue to benefit you as you engage and move through the tiers.
Customer SupportWhen selecting an online casino, there are numerous important elements to consider. If you are experiencing any problems or inquiries, you ought to be able to contact someone. Due to this, the best online casinos have strong customer care staff. The services they offer are detailed below. Everything from tech problems to incentive or gameplay rule inquiries may be resolved. They are available to help you if you require it.
The support staff is used by online casinos to ensure that anyone has a good experience. They may give promos and incentives, as well as critical details about the games. Support staff can also help. They wish for everyone that visits the site to have a pleasant time. If you have a problem or a query about an online casino, call the customer service immediately. They will gladly aid you.
Banking OptionsAmong the most popular methods of banking at casino sites is using a debit or credit card. This strategy is popular among players since it is quick, simple, and handy. You only need to input your credit card data to get started.
Instead, you may keep your cash in an e-wallet profile and utilize it to make casino withdrawals and deposits. Some of the most prominent e-wallets are PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill. Furthermore, if you choose, you can transfer cash by bank transfer which is not always the best option since the transfer period is quite slow with a wait of 3 to 7 business days.
SecurityWhenever you gamble online, your first priority is safety, and you are entrusting the institution with your private and financial information. How could you be sure that your information is secure? A casino that uses SSL encryption is an excellent place to start. It offers the same degree of security as online businesses, guaranteeing that your data is not compromised.
Another important consideration is the casino's license. A legal casino would be registered by a respectable gaming organization, indicating that it has been thoroughly inspected and follows all applicable rules.
It is usually a good idea to investigate a casino's consumer care staff. A fantastic institution will have a team of helpful, courteous customer service representatives. With this approach, if you have any problems or worries when gambling online, you would know that you may contact an individual who can help you. Because online gambling ought to always be focused on security, these guidelines should be observed at all times.
Game SelectionWhen it comes to selecting the best casino game for you, the process might be a little perplexing at first. While you're just starting out, we recommend blackjack or slots, both of which can be obtained at the top online betting sites.
These titles are simple to master and do not need much skill. If you're searching for a more difficult game, try your luck at craps or poker. These games are more difficult to play, but they are a great deal of fun. If you would like to have a nice time, blackjack and keno are both excellent choices.
If you prefer something unique, you may always try live casino games. Internet gambling activities such as poker and blackjack, for example, are enjoyed with a live dealer instead of a program. If you wish to enjoy the ideal online gambling session, hunt for the top online casino games and online betting websites.
LicensingOnline casinos must always be licensed and registered in order for individuals to lawfully wager online. A gaming agency, which supervises the sector and guarantees that casinos run fairly and legally, issues a gambling license. There are several gambling agencies across the globe, each with its own set of laws and procedures.
A gaming authority will normally analyze the application before providing a license. A license is granted if the gaming authorities consider that the casino is trustworthy and secure. The casino will subsequently be subject to frequent audits and inspections to verify that it remains abiding by the license restrictions.
It is usually a good idea to double-check that the site you intend to play at is fully registered and licensed. When you bet online, this assures that you are gambling at a safe and fair business where your cash is adequately protected.
UsabilityThe UI is the first item to consider while making a website accessible. The interface is the means through which people engage with the site. The UI should be easy to use and navigate. Customer service, in regard to payment options, is crucial.
The site should offer a range of payment options so that consumers may select the option that is best for them. Client service must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week so that people may obtain help when they require it. Customers ought to be able to choose from a choice of titles and bets in order to discover what they are looking for.
Standard Gambling Site FAQs Is it safe to use online gambling apps?They are, indeed. As more individuals use their smartphones to bet online, there are an increasing number of online gambling applications accessible. You may, however, use mobile betting websites to play the top casino games, such as thrilling online slots, and place bets at sports betting websites.
Is it legal to bet on the internet?Yes. Many of the greatest online betting websites are offered in the United States, and they are all regulated by the relevant agencies. This means you may confidently gamble online with the top games or sports wagering activities.
In which states in the United States can you legally gamble?Online gambling is now allowed in six states. Sports betting on smartphones is permitted in 26 states, including Washington and New Jersey. Many states are attempting to legalize internet gambling in order to generate tax income.
The Best Online Gambling Sites: ConclusionIt's easy to overlook certain important factors while looking for the best online gambling site. You should be alright if you use the information on this page. As a consequence of a large choice of real money games, you may come across an online gambling website that features sports betting.
You must always carry out research on just about any betting or sports wagering sites that you come across on your quest. In regard to sports betting, there are horse racing betting companies that provide jackpot slot titles and other activities. It all comes down to personal choice in the end.
Ultimately, you're guaranteed to find a site that compliments your playing and betting style. There are also casinos that feature online gambling apps that are easy to use and very convenient. Always remember to take your time to find the right site and ensure that the gambling sites that you take an interest in.
Disclaimer: We're delighted you've here, and we trust that you appreciate all of your favorite casino games in a legal online gaming environment. Understand that gambling must always be seen as a kind of fun rather than a means of making an income.
We wish for everyone to have fun at the casinos that we've featured, so only bet with money that you can risk losing. If you ever feel like you're betting too much, you may contact the customer service team of the casino you've chosen or the National Hotline at 1-800-522-4700 for assistance. We appreciate your participation and we wish you a wonderful time while remaining as responsible and safe as possible.
Below you'll find some helpful resources that will assist you with problem gambling.
Resourceshttps://www.smartrecovery.org/gambling-addiction/
https://www.ncpgambling.org/programs-resources/resources/
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/gambling-addiction-and-problem-gambling.htm
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