Short answer

• The most secure and commonly accepted payment options for legal US online casinos are regulated e-wallets (PayPal, sometimes Venmo/Apple Pay where permitted), casino-issued prepaid accounts/cards (Play+), ACH/e-check (bank transfer), debit cards (where allowed), cash-loading services (PayNearMe), and — less commonly — wire transfers or certain cryptocurrencies on a small number of sites. Use a licensed, state-regulated casino and standard online-security steps (SSL, 2FA, unique password) to keep payments safe. (help.DraftKings.com)

Details, pros/cons, and practical tips

1. E‑wallets (PayPal, sometimes Venmo/Apple Pay)

• Why they’re secure: they act as a buffer between your bank/card and the casino, provide strong fraud monitoring and buyer‑protection features, and transactions don’t expose your bank/ card details to the casino. Many regulated US online casinos accept PayPal for deposits and withdrawals in legal states. (miamiherald.com)
• Downsides: not every operator or state supports every wallet; some wallets require linking a bank or card; withdrawal limits or verification steps may apply.

2. Casino-issued prepaid accounts / Play+

• Why they’re secure: Play+ is an FDIC‑insured, reloadable prepaid solution used widely by major US casinos (BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, etc.). You fund Play+ separately, then use it to deposit — so the casino never gets your primary bank or credit-card credentials. (help.DraftKings.com)
• Downsides: fees for ATM withdrawals or transfers; you must sign up and complete identity verification; availability varies by state.

3. ACH / e‑check / bank transfer

• Why they’re secure: direct bank transfers go through verified bank accounts and are supported by many regulated sites. They’re a good low‑cost option for deposits/withdrawals. (playusa.com)
• Downsides: can be slower (processing and withdrawals), and some casinos require a small initial deposit by another method before ACH withdrawals are enabled.

4. Debit cards and (declining) credit‑card use

• Why they’re used: debit cards are convenient and widely accepted where regulations and operator policies permit.
• Trend / caution: operators and regulators have been restricting or banning credit‑card deposits because of consumer‑protection concerns (some major operators have moved to limit or stop credit card deposits). Check each operator’s rules — credit-card acceptance is increasingly restricted. (apnews.com)

5. Cash loading / third‑party cash (PayNearMe, cash vouchers)

• Why: lets you fund an account without sharing banking details online (you pay cash at a participating store). Useful if you prefer not to link bank/ card online.
• Downsides: availability and limits vary by operator/state.

6. Wire transfers and checks

• Why: direct and traceable; often used for large withdrawals.
• Downsides: higher fees and slow processing times; less convenient for small deposits.

7. Cryptocurrencies

• Why: private and fast on some sites.
• Downsides: regulatory, tax, and volatility issues; only a small number of US‑facing, licensed operators support crypto — and state rules vary. Use caution and confirm the casino’s licensing and withdrawal processes.

Five practical security checks/tips (apply every time)

• Use only licensed, state‑regulated casinos. Licensed operators are audited and must follow KYC/AML rules — that protects your funds and makes dispute resolution possible. (miamiherald.com)
• Prefer e‑wallets or prepaid cards if you want to avoid exposing your bank/credit-card details to the casino. Play+ is widely used for this reason. (help.DraftKings.com)
• Look for HTTPS/SSL, and enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) on your casino and payment accounts.
• Use a unique, strong password and consider a password manager. Regularly monitor bank/PayPal statements and set transaction alerts.
• Read the cashier/withdrawal rules before depositing: verification (KYC) requirements, withdrawal times, minimums/maximums, fee schedules and whether the method you deposit with is required for withdrawal.

Regulatory/state variability — important

• Online casino payment availability and rules differ by state. Only certain states legally offer online casino games (check whether the platform is licensed in your state). Also, operator policies (for example on credit‑card deposits) can change quickly based on regulator action. Always check the casino’s current deposit/withdrawal page for your state before funding an account. (apnews.com)

If you want, I can:

• Check a specific operator (e.g., DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel) to list which secure payment methods they accept in your state and any recent policy changes.
• Walk you through how to set up Play+ or a PayPal account and link it safely to a casino.

Sources (examples cited above)

• DraftKings Play+ support & withdrawal pages (Play+ details). (help.DraftKings.com)
• Background on Play+ and prepaid card use at US casinos. (playusa.com)
• Coverage of PayPal availability at licensed US online casinos. (miamiherald.com)
• Reporting on regulator/operator moves limiting credit‑card deposits and proposed rules. (apnews.com)

Would you like me to check the exact payment options for a particular casino and state?