Land-based and social casinos aren’t quite cutting it? It’s time to put away the play money and roll the dice for some real, tangible stakes.
To ensure you’ve got plenty of cover, our team of experts has compiled a list of the best online casinos for real money where you can play high-payout games, enjoy juicy bonuses, and grab fast payouts.
Slots of Vegas, a fantastic online casino offering high-payout slots and huge bonuses, ranks as our top pick — but we’ve got 9 other sites perfect for real money casino players.
Let’s dive in and review them together, shall we?
Best Online Casinos for Real Money
- Slots of Vegas: Best overall
- Super Slots: Up to $6,000 welcome bonus
- Lucky Red Casino: Superb mobile interface
- Slots.lv: Best progressive jackpot slots
- Ignition: Top live dealer casino
- Wild Casino: Best payment variety
- BC.Game: 8,000+ real money casino games
- Cafe Casino: 250% first deposit bonus
- Black Lotus: Exciting table games
- BitStarz: Best crypto casino
Important: The sites listed in this guide are targeting English speakers around the world. Please remember to check your local laws to ensure online gambling is legal where you live. Also Adblock might get confused so please disable it if you have any issues with our links.
As you can see, there are plenty of fantastic real money casino sites waiting for you. In this guide, we’ll discuss the top five in more detail so that you know what makes Slots of Vegas and its top competitors so compelling.
1. Slots of Vegas – Best Online Casino for Real Money Overall
Pros:
- 250% match bonus worth up to $2,500
- 50 free spins with first deposit
- Low bonus wagering
- Up to 50% weekly cashback
- Over 300 high-RTP casino games
- 15+ video poker games
Cons:
- Dated design
- Must sign in to access live dealer games
Slots of Vegas isn’t the largest casino on our list, but it does offer as close to a flawless online gambling experience as you’ll find anywhere, thanks to its generous selection of RealTime Gaming slots and table games.
Real Money Casino Games – 5/5
Being powered by RTG means that players will get to experience a wide range of high-RTP slots — most RTG slots sit at a 96% Return to Player rate — with games like Asgard Deluxe and Eagle Shadow Fist offering excellent returns over the long run.
The gameplay on RTG slots is fantastic, with each game jam-packed with exciting features, bonus rounds, and even stories in some cases.
Slots like Ancient Gods, Lucha Libre 2, and the Cash Bandits series have their own narrative threads woven through, as well as the chance of winning big.
Slots of Vegas doesn’t skimp on table games, either, with a solid selection of classic games like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette.
Poker fans will also get to embrace Caribbean Stud and Texas Hold’em and over a dozen different video poker machines like Jacks or Better, Double Double Bonus Poker, Aces & Eights, and more.
Welcome Bonus – 5/5
Slots of Vegas knows how to make new players feel right at home by offering a staggering 250% deposit match bonus worth up to $2,500 plus 50 free spins on select slot games. Just use the WILD250 promo code while depositing to activate the offer.
This online casino bonus comes with only 10x wagering requirements, making it our favorite promo just based on how easy it is to clear. Not only that, but there is no max cashout on this bonus, meaning you won’t have to worry about being hamstrung after winning big.
Once you’ve worked through this bonus, you’ll find plenty of great bonus codes and offers coming your way, making it easy to keep that bankroll topped up and chase your dreams.
Payment Options – 4.95/5
We were a little miffed to see that Slots of Vegas doesn’t accept any e-wallet banking options.
Still, players will be able to use most major credit cards as well as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin, to name a few.
Payout times are fast (especially for the crypto options), and the whole process is surprisingly painless.
>> Unlock up to $2,500 in bonuses + 50 FS [Slots of Vegas]
2. Super Slots – Best Real Money Casino Site for Bonuses
Pros:
- $6,000 welcome package
- 700+ real money casino games
- Daily tournaments for slots, blackjack, and roulette
- Robust table game selection
- 20+ fiat and crypto banking options
Cons:
- Could have better game categorization
- Credit card deposit fees
Super Slots knocks it out of the park by offering daily tournaments with real-money prizes, a massive collection of slots from big-name providers, and a wide variety of blackjack, roulette, and other classic table games.
And that’s without even getting into the bonuses…
Real Money Casino Games – 4.95/5
We found a huge selection of games at Super Slots, starting with over 700 video slot games from industry leaders like BetSoft, Nucleus Gaming, Rival, and more.
This means you’ll have a ton of old-school fruits and sevens slots alongside some of the more exciting and popular titles — we’re big fans of Book of Helios and The Hive — for players who require something a little more modern.
In addition to slots, you’ll find a remarkable array of table games.
Blackjack fans will be able to explore variants like Multi-Hand Blackjack and Single Deck Blackjack (plus over a dozen other variants) while roulette players will have access to American and European format tables as well as some real oddball options like Double Dragon Roulette and American Double Ball.
The live dealer selection is also worthy of note. It offers blackjack, baccarat, and roulette games from Fresh Deck Studios and Visionary iGaming, giving you access to a wide range of tables for players who are looking to capture some of the magic of a land-based casino.
Welcome Bonus – 5/5
New players can claim up to a $6,000 welcome bonus over their first 6 deposits, starting with a 250% first deposit bonus worth up to $1,000 when they use the SS250 promo code.
This bonus comes with 100 free spins on the game of the month if you deposit $100 or more on your first deposit. After that, you can use SS100 on your next 5 deposits to get a 100% match worth up to $1,000 on each deposit.
There is also a generous 400% match bonus for players who make their first deposit with crypto and use the CRYPTO400 promo code, plus a host of other great offers like a 10% weekly rebate, referral offers, free spin bonuses, and more.
One of our favorite promotions available to players is the daily slots, roulette, and blackjack tournaments, where players can compete for their slice of $35,000 in daily prizes — for free, so long as they have recently made a qualifying deposit.
Payment Options – 4.95/5
Super Slots accepts most major credit cards, bank transfers, money orders, cashier checks, and 15 different forms of cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ripple, Tron, USD Coin, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and so many more.
>> Grab up to $6,000 in bonuses + 100 FS [Super Slots]
3. Lucky Red Casino – Top Real Money Online Casino Site for Mobile
Pros:
- 400% match welcome bonus
- + $75 if you deposit with crypto
- 200+ high-RTP slots
- Excellent RTG table games and video poker
- User-friendly mobile casino app
Cons:
- Fewer overall games
- Web design can be improved
Another stellar RealTime Gaming casino, Lucky Red offers a ton of incredible bonuses alongside high-RTP slots and table games.
Such stellar features, combined with one of the best mobile websites around, make it a perfect choice for busy players looking to play a few games during their lunch break.
Real Money Casino Games – 4.9/5
Lucky Red Casino serves up a well-curated buffet of over 200 games powered by RealTime Gaming — ensuring plenty of high-quality graphics and fun-filled features.
We found several fan-favorite RTG slots like Aladdin’s Wishes, Achilles, Doragon’s Gems, and the Cash Bandits series, alongside a host of excellent progressive jackpot games with prizes in all sizes.
Whether you want to play a low-stakes game of Fire Dragon (featuring a young Jackie Chan) or want to try your luck at winning the $1,000,000+ jackpot from Aztec Millions, there are plenty of great prizes waiting for you.
And when you get tired of slots (if that’s even possible), you’ll find a variety of table games, including blackjack variants like European Blackjack and Face Up 21, as well as other classics like craps, roulette, baccarat, and Keno.
There is also a nice collection of video poker machines, a couple of bingo games, and even some arcade-style gambling games like Fish Catch and Banana Jones.
Welcome Bonus – 4.9/5
You’ll find a massive welcome bonus waiting for you at Lucky Red Casino. Players can use the LUCKYRED400 promo code to get a 400% match bonus up to $4,000 with no cashout limitations.
This bonus is only available for slot games and Keno, but a dedicated gambler should have no problem with those requirements.
Additionally, if you deposit using one of the accepted forms of cryptocurrency, you’ll get another $75 in bonus casino chips as well.
Payment Options – 4.9/5
Players will be able to load up their Lucky Red accounts using credit and debit cards, Interac, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Binance, Tether, and USD Coin.
Payouts are fast and painless — especially with crypto — and most options have reasonable transaction fees, if any at all.
>> Collect your $4,000 welcome bonus [Lucky Red Casino]
4. Slots.lv – Largest Jackpot Slots of Any Real Money Online Casino
Pros:
- Up to $3,000 bonus + 30 free spins
- 300+ slots and table games
- Over 35 progressive jackpot titles
- Hourly and Daily Must Drop Jackpots
- Rapid payouts
Cons:
- Low weekly payout limits on some options
- Limited bonus variety
If you’re the sort of player who is always on the lookout for high-payout games, Slots.lv’s massive collection of progressive jackpot slots, bingo, and card games might be just the thing.
Real Money Casino Games – 4.85/5
As the name suggests, the real bread and butter of Slots.lv is its collection of real money slot games from top-rated providers like BetSoft, Bovada, Genesis, Rival, and quite a few others.
This means you’ll have access to a wide range of exciting slots like 5 Times Vegas, Mythic Wolf, Johnny Cash (the cactus, not the singer), and exciting new titles like Gemmed and Freaks of Folklore.
Where Slots.lv’s strength truly lies, however, is in its robust collection of progressive jackpot games. You’ll find progressive jackpot bingo, Caribbean Hold’em and Stud poker games, and over 30 jackpot slots.
Prizes range from $1-$5k with smaller titles like Cleopatra’s Gold and Caesar’s Victory up to the massive jackpot of $230k Reels and Wheels XL or the $2.5 million jackpot tied to Shopping Spree.
There are also 15 different games tied to the Hot Drop Jackpot network, which has hourly and daily “must drop” jackpots as well as a Super Jackpot that can drop at any time (and is often well over $200k when it does).
Welcome Bonus – 4.8/5
Slots.lv offers new players a generous crypto welcome bonus consisting of a 200% match first deposit bonus up to $3,000 + 30 free spins on the Golden Buffalo slot.
If you’re not a blockchain bro and prefer to play using your credit card, you can get a 100% match worth up to $2,000 instead with 20 free spins on Golden Buffalo.
Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll have very reasonable wagering requirements to work on for both the free spin winning and the deposit bonus.
Payment Options – 4.85/5
Players can make deposits using Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Tether.
Slots.lv also accepts e-wallet deposits through their MatchPay feature, but these deposits do not qualify for any of the bonuses or promotions available — so they don’t really interest us.
>> Claim up to $3,000 in bonuses + 30 FS [Slots.lv]
5. Ignition – Best Live Dealer Real Money Casino Games
Pros:
- $3,000 welcome bonus
- Lower bonus wagering
- 30+ live dealer tables
- 250+ slots and table games
- Best poker games in the industry
Cons:
- Fees on certain payment methods
- Low weekly max payout on some options
Capping off our top five is one of the best real money poker sites: Ignition Casino.
This triple-threat plays host to some fantastic online casino games, live dealer tables, and competitive poker action, making it one of the best real-money gambling sites for players looking for variety.
Real Money Casino Games – 4.8/5
What caught our eye when we first started checking out Ignition was not its real money poker app (which it is deservedly famous for) but its live dealer blackjack options. We found almost 35 live dealer blackjack tables with table limits suitable for all budgets.
At the lower end, there were the two Early Payout blackjack tables which start at $5 and can host any number of players, but it goes up swiftly from there.
At the 7-seat regular tables, you’ll find a wide range of table limits:
- $10 – $1,000
- $25 – $2,500
- $50 – $5,000
- $250 – $50,000
So whether you have deep pockets and are looking for some serious stakes or just a casual player with a love for the game, there’s plenty of action.
In addition to that, you’ll find a nice blend of slots and classic casino table games from top providers like Genesis, Rival, RealTime Gaming, and more.
Welcome Bonus – 4.75/5
New players will get two deposit match bonuses when they make their first deposit at Ignition Casino.
The first deposit is specifically for Ignition’s slots and table games and comes with a very nice 25x wagering requirement. In contrast, the second bonus is earmarked for the poker tables and is unlocked gradually by playing real money poker games.
How much bonus cash you get depends on whether you deposit with a credit card or cryptocurrency.
Credit card depositors can get a 200% match up to $2,000, while those using crypto can get a better bonus worth 300% up to $3,000.
Once you’ve worked through that, you’ll qualify for Ignition’s weekly reload bonus, which is customized and calculated to complement your playstyle and is a neat feature in and of itself.
Payment Options – 4.8/5
Ignition Casino accepts e-wallets through MatchPay, Visa and Mastercard credit/debit cards, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Tether.
Payouts via crypto are the fastest, as they are often delivered in 1 hour or less.
>> Get a $3,000 casino + poker welcome bonus [Ignition]
How We Ranked the Best Real Money Casinos Online
Real Money Casino Games
From live dealer blackjack to progressive jackpot slots, we’ve made sure every casino offers a wide range of exciting games from software providers with a proven track record for safety and fairness.
Welcome Bonus
We only included the best online casinos for real money that understand the importance of an excellent welcome bonus and that no matter where you decide to play, you’ll get a generous helping of promos with easy-to-complete terms and rollover requirements.
Payment Options
It doesn’t matter how good a game is if you can’t make a deposit.
Our team hand-picked each site on this list to ensure that they accept a wide range of popular (and secure) payment options and that the process is easy and secure for you from start to finish.
Why Is Slots of Vegas the Best Real Money Online Casino Website?
Slots of Vegas has become the go-to destination for online gambling enthusiasts looking for a fast, fun, and friendly real money casino experience.
Here are a few of the reasons why we had to give it our #1 spot:
Exceptional Game Variety
Slots of Vegas hosts a diverse array of games powered by RealTime Gaming (one of our favorite software providers). Players will find over 250 high-RTP slots and table games, ensuring plenty of variety and quality, no matter your preferred game style.
Best Bonuses
From the generous 250% first deposit bonus (which comes with only 10x wagering requirements and no max cashout) to Slots of Vegas’ impressive collection of other bonus codes, there are lots of offers worth claiming.
Players will be able to keep their bankroll topped off with a ton of free play offers, giving them even more chances to win.
Advanced Security Features
Slots of Vegas doesn’t play around when it comes to your safety. This real money online casino uses the secure Inclave registration process, which not only simplifies the registration and login processes but ensures that the highest encryption standards protect player data.
This commitment to defending your data means you can gamble to your heart’s content with total peace of mind.
Friendly Support
This casino’s customer support team is available 24/7 via live chat, phone, and email ensuring that help is available to you when you need it — whenever you need it.
Real Money Online Casinos vs Traditional Casinos
As proof we’re living in a digital age, real-money online casinos have begun to edge out traditional brick-and-mortar casinos in several important areas.
While you’ll never properly digitize the ambiance of a physical casino, online platforms offer several distinct advantages that make them the preferred choice for many gamblers:
Convenience and Accessibility: One of the most significant benefits of the best online casinos for real money is their sheer convenience. Players can access a wide range of games from anywhere at any time — without the need to travel (or even put on pants, really). Whether you’re at home on your laptop computer or your cell phone while on the move, real money games are just a few clicks away.
Game Variety: Online casinos often boast a more extensive selection of games than their land-based counterparts. From hundreds (even thousands) of online slots to specialized variations of table games like blackjack, poker, and roulette, online platforms can offer a more diverse array of games simply because they are not limited by physical space.
Online Casino Bonuses: The best casinos online real money players can join are notorious for their generous bonus offers, including welcome bonuses, free spins, loyalty programs, and more. These incentives are virtually non-existent in brick-and-mortar casinos — which is a shame as everyone deserves a right to an extra-fat bankroll now and then.
Lower Stakes and Better Odds: The best online casinos for real money generally offer games with lower minimum bets, which makes it a perfect choice for casual players who are focused on having fun and would rather not wager large sums of money. Additionally, the return-to-player rates are often higher at online sites than at physical casinos due to lower overhead costs.
How Can You Tell if a Real Money Casino Site is Legit?
To determine whether or not a real money casino is legitimate, look for the following:
- Licensing: Ensure the casino carries a license from one or more reputable gaming authorities like the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, and so on.
- Security: Look for security measures like SSL encryption and trusted payment methods.
- Transparent Terms: Legitimate online casinos will provide their terms and conditions in clear, easy-to-understand terms to ensure that it is easy for players to understand what they are committing to.
Real Money Casino Games with the Best Payouts
If you’re looking for the biggest payouts, it’s hard to beat progressive jackpot slots like the payouts available from Lucky Red Casino’s Aztec Millions or Slots.lv’s Shopping Spree — but like all jackpot slots (and slots in general), those payouts are few and far between.
If you want more reliable payouts, we recommend playing the following:
- Blackjack: Offers a high RTP (Return to Player) rate when played with basic strategy. Basic Blackjack Strategy can reduce the house’s edge to roughly 1% when applied correctly.
- Roulette: Single zero roulette (European is the most common) has roughly 50/50 odds with each spin, depending on how you place your bets. The house edge is lowered further when you play French roulette, thanks to the addition of some specialized rules.
- Craps: Certain bets offer very fair odds in craps. For example, the house edge on “Don’t Pass” line bets sits at roughly 1.4%.
- Baccarat: Always bet on the banker in baccarat. Bets made on the banker’s hand come with a house edge that is just over 1.4%, giving you almost even odds of winning each time.
- Video Poker: If you’re good at the game, some variants like Jacks or Better can offer a 99% RTP rate over time.
Payment Methods Available at Real Money Online Casinos
Modern online casino sites generally accept a wide range of real money banking options, including:
- Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express.
- E-Wallets: PayPal, Apple Pay, Skrill, Neteller.
- Bank Transfers: Wire transfers, direct bank transfers.
- Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Binance, Tether, and other popular crypto coins.
- Prepaid Cards: Paysafecard, prepaid Visa cards, and other types of similar cards.
Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s a good idea to do your homework beforehand.
What is the Best Currency to Gamble with Online?
The best currency to gamble with depends heavily on what you are most comfortable with.
We prefer to use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in most cases because of the lower transaction cost, better payout options (crypto tends to be faster and have higher withdrawal limits), and the added layer of security the blockchain affords us — but not everyone has jumped on board the crypto train just yet.
There are some parts of the world where you are entirely unable to make bets with cryptocurrency and must stick with debit cards and e-wallet transfers.
Best Online Casino Real Money Sites – FAQ Guide
Can You Gamble for Real Money Online?
Yes, you can gamble for real money online at numerous licensed and regulated online casinos (like all those reviewed here today).
These platforms offer exciting online casino play across a wide variety of games, including video slots, table games, and live dealer games where you can place bets and win real money.
Are Real Money Casino Sites Safe?
Yes, real money casino websites can be safe if they are appropriately licensed and regulated by reputable authorities.
For example, we have already checked every casino on this list to ensure they are safe and employ security measures like SSL encryption to protect player data and transactions.
Which Real Money Casino Site Has the Best Deposit Bonus?
The best deposit bonuses vary depending on how you like to play your games.
Every casino on our list was selected in part due to its generous offerings, though it’s hard to beat the Slots of Vegas’ 250% first deposit bonus. It is good for up to $2,500 in bonuses with only 10x wagering requirements when you use the WILD250 promo code.
How Fast Do Online Casinos Pay Out?
Payout speeds vary depending on the withdrawal method chosen. E-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller generally offer same-day payouts, while credit and debit card options can take anywhere from 3 to 5 business days.
However, the fastest payouts are made with cryptocurrency. This generally resolves in under an hour, and in some cases (such as BitStarz Casino), you can expect to have your winnings in under 15 minutes.
Are Real Money Online Casino Games Rigged?
No, the online casino games at legitimate online casinos are not rigged.
Reputable online casinos use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure fair play across their library of games. These RNGs are regularly audited by independent testing agencies to verify their fairness and randomness.
What Is the Best Real Money Online Casino?
Slots of Vegas is the best real money online casino, thanks to its generous bonuses, robust collection of high-paying slots and table games, and dedication to providing a secure gaming experience.
Comparison of the Top 5 Real Money Casinos Online
Slots of Vegas: The best online casino real money site overall knocks it out of the park by offering over 300 high-RTP slots, table games, and video poker machines. There are also many great bonuses available, starting with the 250% welcome bonus with only 10x wagering requirements and 50 free spins!
Super Slots: Super Slots delivers one of the most well-balanced online casino experiences with over 700 real money slots, dozens of high-quality table games, and a host of great promotions. New players can claim up to $6,000 in bonuses over their first six deposits + 100 FS.
Lucky Red Casino: Similar to Slots of Vegas, Lucky Red Casino serves up over 250 RealTime Gaming slots and table games with some of the best payout rates in the industry. Players can use the LUCKYRED400 promo code to get a 400% first deposit bonus worth up to $4,000.
Slots.lv: Perfect for players who dream big, as there are millions of dollars in progressive jackpot prizes waiting at Slots.lv, including hourly and daily jackpot payouts with their Hot Drop Jackpot games. First-time depositors can also claim up to $3,000 in bonuses + 30 free spins.
Ignition: With over 30 live dealer blackjack tables and an excellent selection of blackjack casino game tables (including the beloved Zappit Blackjack format) Ignition serves up one of the best card game experiences around. New players can claim up to $3,000 in casino bonus cash.
How to Sign Up and Play Real Money Casino Games Online
For newbies, signing up at the perfect real money casino can be a daunting task.
To make the job easier for you, we’ve put together a simple step-by-step guide to signing up and claiming your welcome bonus from our #1 real money casino app: Slots of Vegas.
Step 1: Getting Started
- Make your way to Slots of Vegas.
- Click “Play Now” and “I don’t have an account.”
Step 2: Create Your Account
- Fill out the form with all of your personal and contact information.
- Select your preferred currency (default is USD).
Step 3: Claim Your Welcome Bonus
- Verify your email and log into your account.
- Head to the Promotions page and activate your welcome bonus.
- Follow the deposit instructions and make sure the WILD250 promo is active.
- Enjoy up to $2,500 in bonuses plus 50 free spins!
- Play real money slots and table games.
Tips for Finding the Best Online Casinos for Real Money
There are so many real money casinos out there that it can be nearly impossible to tell the good from the bad.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of things we try to keep in mind when shopping around for your next online casino haunt.
Variety of Games: A good online casino should offer a wide range of games to ensure that you’ll have something to play, no matter what you’re feeling. Make sure the online casinos you join offer slots and table games from top providers like Pragmatic Play, BetSoft, Rival, and so on.
Banking Options: Any casino you sign up with should accept your preferred deposit and withdrawal methods, regardless of whether that’s credit or debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, or cryptocurrency. Fast payouts are also a big plus, so make sure they offer an average withdrawal time with which you can be happy.
Bonuses and Promotions: Scope out the welcome bonuses, free spin offers, loyalty programs, and other promos — and read the fine print. There are few things as disappointing as getting a bonus only to discover that the wagering requirements are impossible to clear. The best online casino bonus offers manage to provide a decent amount but still have reasonable requirements.
Reputation and Licensing: While there are plenty of great unlicensed real money casinos out there, we recommend holding off on those until you’re more familiar with what to look for (i.e., are not using a “how to pick the perfect online casino” guide to determine where to play).
In the meantime, stick with the best online casinos for real money licensed by a reputable authority. This ensures that the casino adheres to strict regulations and standards regarding fairness, security, and player protection.
Check for certifications from organizations like eCOGRA, which audit online casinos for fair play.
Ready to Play Real Money Games at the Best Online Casinos?
It’s clear that there is no shortage of options when it comes to real money gambling online.
While we feel that Slots of Vegas has the most potential thanks to its excellent game selection and beefy bonuses — you’re practically guaranteed to have fun at any of the casinos we’ve outlined today.
The important thing to remember is to focus on having fun and never wager more than you can afford to lose.
DISCLAIMER: 21+ only. The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling comes with many risks. Players are advised to gamble responsibly and only use funds they can afford to lose. Remember, gambling is only intended for entertainment purposes and is not a solution to any financial difficulties.
Gambling laws and policies vary from one region to another. Some sites mentioned in this guide may not be accessible in your area. Always do your due diligence and check your local laws.
If you suspect you’re becoming addicted to gambling, seek help immediately by contacting the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
The following resources may be helpful as well:
