Real Money Online Casinos in Puerto Rico & PR Gambling Laws 2021

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States and while it is not a state, it follows a lot of the rules that are in place in the USA for online gambling. Currently, there is no legislation that allows the likes of online casinos in Puerto Rico. Therefore, Puerto Ricans have to rely on offshore sites in order to play their favorite casino games. This guide looks at all of the different aspects associated with using online casinos in Puerto Rico.

Top 3 Online Casinos in Puerto Rico, PR, USA

If you are a resident of Puerto Rico or you are simply visiting the country, there is a good chance that you will be looking to play some casino games. Thankfully, there is a whole host of great online casinos that are based offshore that you can use.

We have put a lot of work into reviewing all of the available platforms to see what will be the best fit for people in Puerto Rico. Here are some of the most exciting, safe, and secure online casinos in Puerto Rico today:

  • Slot Title
  • Pay Back
  • Key Features
Bonus for first nine deposits, up to $5,000

  • Casino Payout: 97.92%
  • Payout Speed: 1-3 days
Bonus for first nine deposits, up to $5,000Play NowOur score:
Bonus for first nine deposits, up to $5,000
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200% Welcome Bonus of Up to $2,000

  • Payout rate: 91%
  • Payout Speed: 1-2 days
200% Welcome Bonus of Up to $2,000Play NowOur score:
200% Welcome Bonus of Up to $2,000
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225% First Deposit Bonus

  • Payout rate: 98.56%
  • Payout Speed: 1-5 days
225% First Deposit BonusPlay NowOur score:
225% First Deposit Bonus
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Are Online Casinos in Puerto Rico Legal? No!

Currently, online casinos are not legal in Puerto Rico. The US territory follows a lot of the same policies as the federal government in the US, such as only allowing the likes of online horse racing betting.

There have also been some moves to legalize sports betting in Puerto Rico since the US Supreme Court ended the federal ban on sports betting (PASPA) in May 2018. There is a bill that has made some progress in the legislature and had the backing of key lawmakers such as former Gobernadores (Governor) Ricardo Rosello. Online Casinos in Puerto Rico

Other forms of legal gambling

Most forms of land-based gambling are currently legal in Puerto Rico, such as casino games, bingo, lotteries, and horse racing betting. Another popular pursuit is cockfighting betting. There is now just a single racetrack in the country.

You will find a couple of dozen casinos with casino gaming like craps, blackjack, and roulette, in addition to a number of cockfighting venues dotted around the island. There is also legal bingo and charitable gambling on offer. The Puerto Rico Lottery was legalized and regulated in 1947.

There is currently no allowance for online sports betting or online casinos. While these activities are prohibited within the country, no bettors or gamblers have ever been prosecuted. This is why so many people use offshore online casinos. For horse racing betting, there are online platforms, as well as on-track and off-track betting options. Daily fantasy sports (DFS) from the likes of FanDuel and DraftKings is also popular in Puerto Rico.

Our Recommended Online Casino in Puerto Rico

Our Rating

  • 400+ games available
  • Easy to use platform
  • Welcome bonuses up to $5,000
  • Around the clock customer support
Slots.lv Online Casino

Top 3 online casino sites in Puerto Rico

While you will not be able to find any regulated online casinos in Puerto Rico, there are offshore platforms that are tried and tested by countless gamblers. After conducting our research, here are the three best options that are on the market today:

1. Slots.lv Casino - 400+ games (Welcome bonus up to $5,000)

Slots.lv Casino launched back in 2012 and it is one of the most respected offshore online casinos out there today. It is always pushing to innovate and bring exciting new elements to its offering. With over 400 games to check out, there will be plenty of action at Slots.lv Casino to keep you coming back again and again.

Some top developers offer titles on this site, including NetEnt. The most extensive game type will be online slots. These range from classic variations to ultra-modern video slots. There are also some lucrative progressive jackpots to check out.

Table games and video fans will also be happy with the selection. One of the main strengths of Slots.lv Casino is its live dealer offering. There is tons of choice, as well as an ideal range of betting limits. For new players, there are deposit bonuses as part of a welcome package that allows you to get up to $5,000 in bonus funds.

Our Rating

  • 400+ games available
  • Easy to use platform
  • Welcome bonuses up to $5,000
  • Around the clock customer support
  • No mobile app

2. BoVegas Casino - Quality over quantity (Welcome bonus up to $2,000)

BoVegas Casino has been on the scene since 2016 and it quickly built up a loyal player base. Licensed in Curacao, RealTime Gaming is the software developer behind this platform. There are hundreds of video slots on offer, with some of the most popular titles being available. You will also find a lot of video poker and table games variants also available. Roulette, blackjack, and casino poker variants will be most common, as well as the likes of baccarat and keno.

For live dealer fans, the BoVegas live casino has different stakes depending on if you are a high roller or a casual player. For new signups, you can get as much as $2,000 in bonus funds as part of the welcome offer.

Our Rating

  • Good selection of game types
  • Welcome bonuses up to $2,000
  • Range of betting limits
  • Smooth gameplay
  • Site design is a bit old

3. Red Dog Casino - Strong mobile offering (First deposit bonus of 225%)

Red Dog Casino is a relatively new offering, first launching in 2019. However, it has brought a breath of fresh air to the casino space. It has a license from Curacao and both RealTime Gaming and Visionary Gaming power the platform. Video slots players have hundreds of options, including lucrative progressive jackpot slots. The expansive list of table games also keeps players interested.

For live dealer players, you will have different roulette and blackjack variants, as well as baccarat and casino poker options. The main aspect of Red Dog Casino is the strength of its mobile offering. There is a strong crossover of games, and the platform is easy to use. For signing up to a new account with Red Dog Casino, you can get your hands on a 225% first deposit bonus.

Our Rating

  • Large variety of games
  • Fast withdrawals
  • 24/7 customer support
  • First deposit bonus of 225%
  • Older browsers may struggle

How we rate the best Puerto Rico online casinos

There are a lot of different ways that you can judge the merits of an online casino. We feel that it is important to get a comprehensive look at every platform. By keeping the criteria consistent when conducting all reviews, it allows us to fairly compare like for like. This shines a light on both the pros and cons of each individual operator. Here are some of the most important aspects of an online casino that we look at:

  • Game types selection
  • Titles within each category
  • Welcome bonus package
  • Mobile offering
  • Loyalty program
  • Regular promotions
  • Ease of use
  • Customer support
  • Payment methods
  • Gameplay quality
  • Licensing and security

What to consider when choosing an online casino

Once you have gotten a quick overview of the main online casino platforms, you can then rule out a lot of them and develop a shortlist of a handful of different sites. The next step to pick a single operator is to figure out what matters most to you with an online casino. This may be a given offering having a strong mobile casino or offering certain payment methods (such as credit cards, Bitcoin or PayPal). Here is a useful set of important factors to use as part of your final decision-making process:

Legal standing

Most of the offshore online casinos you will come across will be licenses elsewhere. You want to check out past player reviews of these platforms and check to see if the games on the platform are independently tested.

Customer support

If you ever run into an issue with your online casino, you want to be able to get in touch with the customer support team quickly and seamlessly. Have a look at the quality of responses and the speed of the replies.

Promotions

Signing up to a new online casino means that you can get your hands on a welcome bonus offer. You may also want to look at the promotions of existing players and any loyalty program that is in place.

Payout rates

While there is a massive amount of enjoyment you can get from online casino games, you also want to win some money. Have a look at the payout rates of the given casino and its games.

Payment methods

It is important that you have access to a payment method that suits your needs and preferences. Also make sure that the limits fit your needs, there are no fees and the processing times are usually fast.

Software providers

If you are trying to assess the merits of a game library at an online casino, check to see what software developers are providing games. The best developers will naturally be the preference if at all possible.

The future of online gambling in Puerto Rico

It looks like there won’t be any legal online casinos in Puerto Rico for some time. However, there is some option that online sports betting could be the next step in the Caribbean territory. As people get more familiar with online betting, this could then pave the way for legislation that brings about the legalization of online casinos. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep an eye on the changing situation as time goes on.

Where else is online gambling legal in the US?

There are many regions in the US where online gambling is legal. Since the ending of the federal ban on sports betting, this has led to a tidal wave of states legalizing sports betting. Many of these states now allow online sports betting. The tax revenues on offer are very lucrative and can be a persuasive tool when it comes to pushing through legislation.

More states are also now legalizing online casinos as they see the potential benefits of doing so. While this is happening at a slow pace that the legislation of sports betting, it is coming along slowly but surely. To see what the online gambling legal situation is in a given state at the moment, you can check out this interactive map:

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC

Play the best casino games online

If you are getting started with some of the offshore online casinos in Puerto Rico, then you will have access to a great variety of different games. No matter if you enjoy video poker, table games, or online slots, there is something for everyone. Here are some useful guides that can help you along this journey:

Bottom line on Online Casinos in Puerto Rico

As time goes on, it looks like online gambling will become more and more attractive to the Caribbean authorities. Until then, you will need to rely on some of the best offshore online casinos. These have built up strong reputations over the years, have large selections of leading casino games and some lucrative welcome offers when you get started today.

Casinos in Puerto Rico FAQs

Are there casinos in Puerto Rico?

Yes, you will find many casinos in Isle Verde Beach in Carolina and in old San Juan, Puerto Rico. These are very often located in hotels under global brands. As soon as you check-in, you will be ready to start playing. These will have a selection of table games and slot machines in most cases. There are also a lot of casinos operating in Ponce, Bayamón, Manatí, El Yunque, Convention Center District in San Juan and Mayaguez. However, many casinos had to shut down for long periods due to COVID-19.

What is the legal gambling age in Puerto Rico?

For a lot of the casinos in Puerto Rico, the minimum age will be 18 years old, while other establishments prefer to stick to a 21 years old age requirement. In order to buy a lottery ticket or place a horse racing bet, you only need to be 18 years old.

Are there mobile casinos in Puerto Rico?

Most of the offshore online casinos that you come across will have some sort of mobile offering. This could be through an app that you download or simply through a mobile website you access through a web browser.

How did gambling originate in Puerto Rico?

Gambling dates all of the way back to the 15th century in Puerto Rico as a result of the Spanish colonization. However, there was no commission for gambling set up until 1970. A lot of the early forms of gambling were massively popular in old San Juan.

What are some of the best casinos in Puerto Rico?

There are many great casinos to be found in Puerto Rico, with some of the best including the Casino del Mar, Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, Rio Grande, the Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Casino, Ponce Plaza Hotel & Casino, Oasis Casino, La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Juan Hotel & Casino, Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort, Casino Metro, Casino Del Sol, San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Mayaguez Resort & Casino, El Tropical Casino at Holiday Inn Ponce, Condado Plaza Hilton, El Tropical Casino at Holiday Inn Mayaguez, Four Points by Sheraton Caguas Hotel & Casino, Ocean Casino at Marriott Courtyard Aguadilla and the Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort & Casino Country Club.

About Andrew O'Malley

Alex has been writing about the gambling industry for more than five years, covering everything from sports betting to casinos and poker. With the sector constantly evolving, he loves nothing better than staying up to date with the latest movers and shakers in the space.