Gambling websites have exploded in recent years, fueled by the expanded legalization of online sports betting and other digital wagering. The sites are everywhere, from 888casino and Bet365, to niche sites like Bingo Blitz and the aftermarket wagerwire.com. Unsurprisingly, the global market for online gambling is set to surge at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9% from 2025 to 2030. (Grand View Research, 2024)
For new entrants, this growth presents a strategic opportunity. One of the first decisions any digital gambling company must make is which domain extension — or top-level domain (TLD) — to use.
The TLD refers to everything after the dot, such as “.com” or “.net.” TLDs play a larger role than ever in shaping your brand’s digital presence. In this blog, we’ll look at the best TLD options for gambling websites and help you choose the best fit for your company.
The explosive growth of online gambling in the U.S.
The early 2000s were turbulent for online gambling. Many platforms collapsed under federal scrutiny, especially after the 2011 federal shutdown of online poker on “Poker Black Friday”. Now, many states have taken it upon themselves to legislate the details of a legal and safe online gambling infrastructure.
This shift gained momentum as more states began legalizing online gambling — especially after the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which had barred sports betting nationwide. (Supreme Court of the United States, 2018)
As of 2025, full online gambling, or “iGaming,” is legal in seven states, while online sports betting is legal in 34 states. Missouri is the latest state to follow suit, with its sports betting set to come online in late 2025. (American Gaming Association, 2025)
This widespread legalization, coupled with the unprecedented ease of online betting and gaming via mobile apps, has led to a significant uptick in revenue. Total iGaming revenue hit $2.6 million in February 2025, while sports betting revenue hit $3.92 billion–jumps of 32.2% and 20.6% year-over-year. (American Gaming Association, 2025)
Why TLD choice matters for your website
Launching a successful gambling site takes more than entering a growing market. New players must compete with big names like BetMGM in sports gambling, PokerStars in online poker, or online casinos like FanDuel and DraftKings.
One key differentiator is your domain. If you plan on launching an online gambling venture, it’s critical to consider every aspect of your brand, starting with the TLD for your website. Those few letters can reinforce trust and professionalism in a closely watched market.
Here’s why your decision matters:
Regulations may limit your options: TLD choice is part of a compliance and risk management strategy. In Germany, for instance, new laws mandate the use of the country-specific .de domain for gambling sites. (Vixio, 2020)
TLD choice may help build trust with payment processors: Regulators aren’t the only ones monitoring your TLD choice. Payment processors may avoid working with companies that use TLDs such as .info or .top, which have commonly been associated with spam or scams. (Cybercrime Information Center, 2020)
It sends a message to consumers: Consumers may be less familiar with newer domain extensions, so it’s important to consider how your choice might impact trust and recognition. While traditional domains like “.com” or “.net” are widely trusted, alternative TLDs can offer unique branding opportunities when selected thoughtfully.
Website TLD can indirectly affect SEO: Google states that it treats all TLDs equally, but a poor choice of TLD can still affect SEO performance indirectly. (Google, 2015) If consumers don’t click on your pages in search results because they’re wary of the domain name, this will drive down your search rankings.
What are the most popular gambling domain extensions?
The surge in reputable gambling domains gives companies more choices in a crowded marketplace. Understanding the various types of TLDs available can help you navigate your options.
Legacy TLDs
Legacy TLDs, which are also known as traditional or generic TLDs (gTLDs), are the most widely used and popular domains. Some are open to any business (.com, .info, or .net), while others are restricted (.gov or .edu).
Legacy TLDs offer more immediate recognition and credibility among consumers and payment processors. However, choosing a gTLD puts you in direct competition with more established online casinos or sports gambling brands for a limited inventory of website names.
If your chosen website for a .com or similar domain is taken, consider an alternative TLD to stand out.
Industry-specific TLDs
Fortunately, new gTLDs aren’t the only alternative to legacy domains. Choosing an industry-focused domain offers a strong signal about your company’s niche and can even help enhance SEO performance by adding keywords to your URL.
Several gambling-specific domains have gained traction in recent years:
.bet: Specifically designed for sports betting and general gambling, this domain is short, direct, and to the point.
.casino: This TLD is tailored to online and physical casinos, offering strong semantic relevance for SEO and marketing purposes. Along with .bet, .casino has built a premium reputation among avid players. Registrations on Name.com were up 36% and 77%, respectively, from 2023 to 2024.
.poker, .slots, and .bingo: These domains target specific platforms, making them a good fit for brands focused on particular niches. However, be cautious about choosing them if you might add other offerings down the road.
.games: For brands offering casual gaming alongside real-money gaming, this broader TLD may be a good option for branding and SEO.
Generally, these industry-specific TLDs offer focused branding with less competition than widely used gTLDs like .com — meaning you have a better chance of securing a concise, memorable domain name.
Country-specific TLDs (ccTLDs)
Sometimes, country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) — like .uk, .ca, or .de — can be a smart choice for gambling websites targeting specific regions. They can:
Build trust with local audiences.
Signal regulatory compliance with country-specific laws.
Improve visibility in local search results.
In countries like the U.K., gambling regulators may promote the use of a .uk domain as responsible advertising, even if they stop short of requiring it. This reinforces jurisdictional oversight and limits the reach of unauthorized international operators.
That said, gambling sites that serve several countries or operate in loosely regulated markets may want to avoid ccTLDs. Instead, they can opt for neutral or industry-specific TLDs like .com, .bet, or .casino. These domains allow operators to stay flexible and less tied to any single jurisdiction.
How to choose the right TLD for your gambling site
Selecting the right TLD requires strategic thinking and careful consideration. Be sure to think through the following before you land on your gambling domain:
Start with licensing and legal requirements: Make sure your TLD choice complies with the rules in the jurisdictions where you’re licensed to operate.
Consider trust and perception: Traditional or country-specific TLDs can boost credibility, while industry-specific options like .bet or .casino may enhance relevance. Consider your audience and how you’ll reinforce trust with other aspects of your brand.
Prioritize branding and memorability: Aim for a domain that’s short, distinctive, and aligned with your business identity.
Think beyond .com: If your ideal name is taken, consider newer TLDs like .poker or .games for availability and brand differentiation.
Factor in SEO and international reach: Generic TLDs often offer more flexibility for global audiences and multilingual strategies.
Check compatibility with ad platforms and payment processors: Confirm any potential financial partners don’t restrict the TLD you’re considering.
Whatever TLD you choose, keep your entire domain short and brandable, avoid trademarked or restricted words, and look for clean, professional names. Pairing your brand with an exact-match TLD (like spin.bet) can strengthen recognition. Finally, choose a domain that can scale with your future growth.
Summary: Choosing the right domain for your gambling website
The online gambling space is full of opportunity, but standing out starts with smart branding decisions. One of the first and most important is your domain. The right top-level domain builds credibility, supports discoverability, and can help you scale more effectively.
Whether you go with a legacy extension or a niche TLD, your choice should reflect your licensing needs, SEO strategy, and audience trust. In a tightly regulated, highly competitive industry, your domain sets the tone — signaling not just what your site offers, but how seriously you take the business behind it.
Sources:
Grand View Research. Online Gambling Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type.
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/online-gambling-market
Berkeley Technology Law Journal. Online Gambling in America.
Supreme Court of the United States. MURPHY, GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY, ET AL. v.
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSN. ET AL.
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/16-476_dbfi.pdf
American Gaming Association. State of Play.
https://www.americangaming.org/research/state-of-play-map/
American Gaming Association. Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker.
https://www.americangaming.org/resources/commercial-gaming-revenue-tracker/
Vixio. State Treaty on the New Regulation of Gambling in Germany.
https://gamblingcompliance.vixio.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/State%20Treaty%20on%20the%20New%20Regulation%20of%20Gambling%20in%20Germany-unofficial%20English%20translation.pdf
Cybercrime Information Center. Phishing Landscape 2020: Top 20 Top-level Domains by Malicious Phishing Domain Count.
https://www.cybercrimeinfocenter.org/top-20-tlds-by-malicious-phishing-domains
Google. Google’s handling of new top level domains.
https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2015/07/googles-handling-of-new-top-level
House of Commons Library. Gambling advertising: how is it regulated?
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7428/
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