Online casinos, also known as virtual casinos, are websites that offer a wide variety of gambling games over the Internet. They often feature the same types of games that can be found in a traditional casino, including slots, video poker and table games like blackjack, craps and roulette. Some of these sites may even feature live dealers for a more realistic experience.

Aside from offering a large variety of games, online casinos usually make it easy to contact customer support. A top rated site will offer multiple channels for support, from email and live chat to phone and Skype. It will also make sure that these options are clearly visible on the site.

New players will find that many online casinos provide generous signup bonuses and loyalty programs. These promotions can add free spins, extra deposit matches and a range of other rewards. Some of these are accrued as points that can be redeemed for cash, while others come in the form of tournaments and leaderboards.

The best online casinos are licensed by government bodies and use state-of-the-art security to protect your personal information. They are also tested for fairness and offer a safe gaming environment. However, it is important to gamble responsibly and never risk more than you can afford to lose.

The fastest payout casino online currently is a tie between Borgata, BetRivers and Caesars Palace online casino. They all aim to process withdrawals within 24 hours, which is significantly faster than their brick and mortar counterparts.