How to Gamble Online for Real Money (2024 Guide)

Here, we’ll teach you the ins and outs of online gambling for real money. This includes how to find legitimate gambling sites, how gambling bonuses work, making deposits,  & withdrawing winnings.

Just over a decade ago I was in your shoes. I wanted to gamble online for real money but didn’t know where to start. I wanted to play real money casino games, bet on sports, and play real poker online, but I was concerned about the legitimacy of online gambling sites I saw advertised.

My initial research and experiences in the online gaming industry eventually led to me working in it. Now with the help of other online gambling experts, I spend hours testing real money gambling sites, reading player reviews, and complaints in order to find the best of the best.

We’ve done our research to find the internet’s top real money online gambling sites. There’s no perfect online casino, but we do believe we can help find the perfect one for you.

In this guide to gambling real money online you’ll find:

  • Tips for finding safe gambling sites
  • The in and outs of deposits and withdrawals
  • All you need to know about bonuses and promotions

Best Online Gambling Real Money (Top Sites in 2024)

Red Dog Casino Review

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Red Dog is another exciting new online casino that launched in 2019, and so is still relatively new on the scene. When this review landed on my desk, I couldn’t wait to uncover all the site had to offer. Is the banking really as smooth as they say? Are there any catches to the incredible …

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WELCOME BONUS

$40 Free (No deposit required)

FEATURES

  • Accepts Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin & Neosurf
  • No Payment Withdrawal Fees
  • Mobile (iOS/Android) Compatible
  • Low Minimum Deposit of $10

Accepts US Players

Las Atlantis Casino Review

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Dive into this underwater world and search for hidden treasure… in the form of winnings from a huge array of online slots and casino games available to play at Las Atlantis. This online casino has over 250 games available with a few clicks of your fingers, all brand-new for 2024. Pair that with some impressive

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WELCOME BONUS

280% Welcome Offer

FEATURES

  • Casino Games Mobile (iOS/Android)
  • Compatible Accepts Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin & Neosurf
  • Free Deposit & Withdrawal Methods

US Players Accepted

El Royale Casino Review

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I heard whispers that El Royale Casino was the next big thing in terms of online gambling, especially when it comes to live dealer games. They are also known for their multitude of different welcome bonus offers, free payment withdrawals with no hidden fees, and are part of the family of other well-regarded names in

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250% Deposit Match + 50 Free Spins

FEATURES

  • Free Deposit & Withdrawal Methods
  • Accepts Mastercard, Visa, Bitcoin & Neosurf
  • Excellent Live Dealer Games from Visionary iGaming

US Players Accepted

MYB Casino Review

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MYB Casino was founded in 2017 and is fully licensed and regulated by the government of Curacao. In the short time that the site has been around, it has made a name for itself through 24/7 customer support, top-notch security, a mobile platform that is beyond reproach, and so much more. There is a lot

Poker 24/7Reputation Blackjack Table Games

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WELCOME BONUS

200% up to $1,000 Welcome Bonus

FEATURES

  • Live Casino Games
  • Mobile Compatible (iOS/Android)

US Players Accepted

Café Casino Review

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If the fresh smell of coffee doesn’t wake you up, then the long list of games at Café Casino is sure to give you the jolt you need. With approximately 300 games from four different software providers, Café Casino is trying to make its name known in the US online gambling market, just like their

Poker 24/7Bingo Slot Machines Table GamesOff Track RestaurantsSpa Shops Venues

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WELCOME BONUS

100% up to $1000 First Deposit Bonus

FEATURES

  • Mobile (iOS/Android)
  • Compatible Accepts Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin & Neosurf

Players from US accepted

Slots.lv Online Casino Review

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Players Accepted: Canada and the USA (except for Quebec, New Jersey, Maryland or New York) Slots.lv is an experienced and exciting online casino that supports both mobile browsing and instant play for their hundreds of casino games. They are owned by a company named Lynton Limited Casinos and this appears to be the only online casino that

Poker 24/7Blackjack Table Games Roulette

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WELCOME BONUS

200% up to $1,000 Welcome Bonus

FEATURES

  • Mobile Compatible (iOS/Android)
  • Visa, MasterCard & Bitcoin Payments

Accepts US & Canadian Players

Bovada Review

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Bovada burst onto the US scene in 2004 back when it was named Bodog and the founder was a famous billionaire named Calvin Ayre. Yet, back in 2016, the online casino split to form two separate sites, Bovada and Ignition. Originally, the plan was to make Ignition the poker site and Bovada the casino and

Poker 24/7Online Poker Poker Games Table Limits

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WELCOME BONUS

$500 Poker Bonus, $3,000 Casino Bonus, & $250 Sportsbook Bonus

FEATURES

  • Online Poker, Casino & Sportsbooks in 1
  • Mobile (iOS/Android) Compatible
  • Great Cryptocurrency Site
  • Low Minimum Deposit of $20

US Players Accepted

Whether you prefer pokerhorse racingsports bettingslot machines, casino tables games, lotteries, or other types of gambling, real money online casinos are everywhere in 2024.

Our casino experts have tested more than a hundred online casino sites and apps to find the best real money online gambling sites in the world.

Our recommended real money gambling sites offer:

  • Licensed, certified, and regulated real money casino games, sports betting, and poker
  • Safe and secure payment processing
  • Convenient deposit and withdrawal methods
  • Fast payout speeds
  • Good customer support

Step-By-Step Online Gambling Guide

These days, there are plenty of casino gambling apps and websites that offer free games and sweepstakes prizes, but where can you gamble online and win real money?

Sure, it’s nice to kill time with hundreds of free casino games with zero commitment, but nothing compares to the adrenaline rush of gambling and playing casino games for real money. Fortunately for gambling enthusiasts, online casinos for real money aren’t hard to find in 2024.

It doesn’t matter if you only have a couple of dollars or are new to online gambling for real money. Hundreds of online casino games are available for you to play and win real cash.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Research & choose one of the real money casinos that our team has certified and approved
  2. Sign up for a free account (use your real information because the casino will want to verify your identity and payment method to prevent fraud)
  3. Test the casino site by playing games for free. Poker rooms also allow you to play against other real players for free.
  4. Read the terms and conditions of any new player promotions BEFORE you accept one. Sometimes certain games and bets are excluded, which could lead to winnings being voided. Other times the wagering requirements are so high that it’s not worth it.
  5. Use a credit card or other banking options to fund your account
  6. Cash-out your winnings

Sounds simple enough right? If you’re ready to get started check out our top sites for your country/region now. If you want to learn more about each step, continue reading below.

Look for these features of the Best Online Casinos:

2. Sign-Up for a Free Account at One or More Casinos

Just like any website, the signup process at online casinos is straightforward. It might be tempting to use fake information because you’re worried about identity theft, but you’ll want to be sure to use your real information. The last thing you want is to win a bunch of money and not be able to cash out because the casino can’t verify your information.

It’s important to maintain copies of a photo id (driver’s license or passport), a recent utility bill showing current address, and any credit or debit card used to fund the casino account. The best option is to scan the documents and have them on the computer as a .jpg file.

Almost all casinos will ask for these documents at some point. Sending them upfront by email will save a lot of hassle later on. This is usually a one-time-only procedure that the casinos make players follow prior to cashing out winnings. It’s best for players to get it out of the way up front, so they won’t be held up if they hit a big win. Once they’ve verified someone as a legitimate player, there should be no problems withdrawing.

3. Play the Casino’s Games for Free

One of the best parts about online gambling is the ability to sign up for a free account and try out the casino for free before you deposit real money. So you can play real online casino games for free. We also encourage you to test out the mobile casino games before depositing. Most mobile casinos are compatible with popular devices (Apple iPhone/iPad and Android), but it’s always a good idea to test before playing mobile casino games for money.

The same goes for online casinos with real money poker. There are free cash games and tournaments, which are a great way to get used to the software and decide whether you want to play for real money.

With online casinos with a sportsbook, there’s no real way to test the software in advance. But you can review the odds and available bets. Plus a lot of real money sports betting sites offer free bets for new customers that will give you an opportunity to win real money for free (more on that later).

4. Understand How Casino Bonuses & Promotions Work

When you’re at a live casino, new player promotions are simple. You sign up for a player’s card and get some free slot play and a buffet on the house. Easy enough.

Well, the bonuses at online gambling sites are different. Online casino bonus offers are usually bigger, but that’s not necessarily a good thing.

Here, we’ll break down how these promotional offers work.

Wagering / playthrough / rollover requirements

Online casino bonuses have wagering or playthrough requirements that must be met before cashing out any winnings that result from playing games with the bonus.

If you read the welcome bonus terms and conditions (which you should), you’ll often see the wagering requirement noted like 30x(D+B). That means that your bets must add up to 30 times your deposit plus the bonus amount.

For example, let’s say you deposit $1,000 and accept a welcome bonus of 200% up to $2,000.

With a 30x playthrough your bets need to total $90,000 [30 x (1,000 + 2,000)] before the bonus is “cleared” and you’re able to cash out any winnings. Note: You can still cash out before the wagering requirements are met, but the bonus will be deducted from your balance.

So if you’re playing real money slots, betting $1 per spin, it will take you 90,000 spins to meet the bonus requirements. If you are playing real money blackjack, betting $10 per hand, it will take you 9,000 hands.

As you might have guessed, the higher the wagering requirements are, the more likely the house edge is to eat away your bankroll.

With sports betting and poker bonuses, you don’t have to worry about house edge, but it’s still important to calculate the rollover requirements. At sportsbooks, you simply bet the deposit + bonus the required number of times.

With poker bonuses, you have to play a certain number of hands in order to clear the bonus.

Beware of Bonus Restrictions

Besides knowing the wagering requirements, another big reason to read the terms and conditions before you accept bonus money is to find out what (if any) games and bets are restricted. Low house edge games like blackjack and video poker often won’t contribute to the wagering requirements or might only contribute a percentage like 10% to your bonus requirements.

Why do bonuses have so many game restrictions?

In the early days, real money casinos offered great bonuses with low wagering requirements and no game restrictions. But savvy gamblers did the math and figured out how to take advantage by taking the max bonus and playing low house edge strategies you could actually make money gambling online.

These strategies were things like playing $1 per hand single-deck blackjack with a basic strategy chart or full pay Jacks or Better video poker with perfect strategy. Then they would cash out and do the same at the next casino.

Entire websites and forums were dedicated to bonus hunting/bagging/whoring. For players, it was nice to have have an edge over the house for once. But making easy money at online casinos was short-lived.

Online casinos started making bonus requirements stricter until it was no longer profitable for bonus hunters.

In fact, there are so many bonus restrictions these days that I often recommend that players not take a bonus unless they’re playing online slots. Other exceptions include poker and sports betting bonuses, which usually have fewer restrictions than casino game bonuses.

VIP and Cashback Programs

Most of the best online casinos offer loyalty programs that are similar to live casino player reward programs. These programs allow you to earn free cash back and other rewards based on how much money you gamble.

For casual players, a loyalty program probably won’t make much of a difference. But for those who consider themselves high rollers, these rewards and free cash can be substantial.

No Deposit Bonuses, Poker Freerolls, & Free Sports Bets

The old adage that it takes money to make money isn’t necessarily true when doing some online gambling. Many sites offer complimentary slot machine spins, no deposit bonus promotions, free sports bets, and freeroll poker tournaments that let you win cash and prizes for free. We highly recommend taking advantage of all these perks. They’re great for getting familiar with real money online gambling. Plus, at the end of the day, you never know what you might win.

5. Banking Options & Funding Your Casino Account

When you visit a casino in Las Vegas, it’s easy to play casino games for real money All you have to do is reach into your wallet, grab a few dollars, and feed them into a machine or exchange them for chips. Real money online gambling is almost as easy. After creating your account, you’ll want to head to the cashier to deposit funds.

Real money online gambling sites usually offer several deposit methods. Banking options for online casino games, poker, and sports betting include credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, prepaid vouchers, electronic checks, third-party payment services like PayPal, and now cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. The best part is all these methods are secure and many of them are instant. You can learn more about each bank option by visiting our deposit guides.

International online casinos are good about offering multiple currencies to cater to players from around the world. The most popular (and most widely used) casino currencies available are U.S. dollars ($ or USD), British pounds (£ or GBP), and Euros (€ or EUR).

Using Credit Cards at Online Casinos

In the early days of online gambling, credit cards were the only viable option to play for real money. But now because of some governments making an effort to discourage their citizens from gambling online, credit cards aren’t the best option. For example, the United States passed the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) in 2006, which makes it illegal for credit card companies and banks to process online gambling transactions.

There are still online casinos accepting credit cards though. These casinos have developed ways of getting around the processing ban to approve player deposits. For players interested in using a credit card at an online casino, the most widely accepted and approved transactions happen with Visa and Mastercard. Very few casinos accept Discover Card, Diner’s Club, or American Express with success.

The most popular method and safest method of funding a real money casino account are with a reputable e-wallet service.

Third-Party Payment Sites (E-Wallets)

An e-wallet is an online payment processing company like Paypal for instance. These companies transfer money securely from the player’s bank account and then to the casino. The fees are usually very reasonable, especially for the peace of mind they offer.

Most e-wallet companies that allow online casino deposits cater to players from certain countries. Here’s a list of the best casino e-wallet services and the countries they allow.

  • Paypal
  • Neteller
  • Skrill

The only problem with e-wallet accounts is the amount of time it takes to verify the account. Most services do a thorough job of ensuring the banking information matches the player. This is a good thing for player security. It’s just a bit of a hassle to wait 3-4 days to play real money casino games.

Cryptocurrency Deposits (ie. Bitcoin, Litecoin, etc)

Because of its ease of use and relative level of anonymity, online casinos (especially casinos that cater to unregulated markets) have started allowing deposit sand withdrawal with digital currencies such as Bitcoin. For less tech-savvy players, the logistics of using Bitcoin for online gambling can feel daunting at first. But once you have a digital wallet and exchange account set up, it’s a relatively simple process to deposit and cash out.

Real Money Online Gambling FAQ

Yes, everyday people all over the world win real money gambling online. You know the deal – most people lose more money than win, but there are still recreational players who have won millions playing online slots and professional gamblers who make a living betting on sports and playing poker online.

The short answer is yes, no matter where you are in the world there are legitimate real money online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites that will accept players from your country.

But if you’re in a country with strict gaming regulations that aim to prohibit real money online casino gambling like the United States and Australia, the online casinos you have to choose from are less regulated than state-licensed gambling sites.

So when playing for real money, gambling online requires some caution. You shouldn’t just assume a site is safe just because they have gorgeous graphics, an extensive game selection, and a slick sales pitch. While we encourage you to visit our recommended sites and browse our comprehensive, expert reviews, it’s equally important to understand what makes a card room or online casino deserve your trust.

Reading reviews (and complaints) is crucial for finding the safest and most trustworthy online gambling sites in your region. Also, limit yourself to real money casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks that are licensed by a recognized gambling authority. This is the easiest way to ensure that games are fair and your cash will be safe.

Most top-rated sites go further with additional certifications from eCORGA or third-party auditors. It’s also critical to consider the security and privacy measures by a casino online. When entering your payment and billing information, it’s important that sites use the latest encryption to safeguard and protect your data. Fortunately leading real money casino sites use the same technology as leading American banks.

Real money online casinos offer all of the most popular casino games including real money slots, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and video poker games. In addition to the ability to play online casino games, some online casinos also offer real money sports betting and poker.

Yes, but you have to use the online gambling site’s native mobile site instead of downloading it because real money gambling apps aren’t allowed in Apple or Android app stores.

But don’t worry. All the top real money gambling sites work with a wide range of smartphones and tablets. Whether you have an iPhoneiPad, or Android device you could be playing online casino games like slots, table games, betting on sports, or playing in live poker games. Why bother killing time with stale titles like Candy Crush or Pokémon when you could win cash playing casino games for money on your mobile phone?

Betting sites accept a variety of regional, national, and global payment options, including bank transfers, credit and debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, and cryptocurrencies. These methods vary by casino.

Gambling sites should feature a section that lists all accepted deposit and withdrawal methods. This information can usually be found on the Banking, Banking Info, Getting Started, or the FAQ pages.

Take note of each site’s accepted payment methods for both adding and taking out money from your account – many casinos may offer more limited options for withdrawals than they do for deposits. In some cases, you may only be able to withdraw funds through the same payment method you used to make your deposit.

Potential transaction fees depend on the casino and payment method, and they should be listed on the site’s Bank, Banking Info, Getting Started, or FAQ pages.

Reputable gambling sites typically provide details about potential fees charged by the casino itself as well as those incurred by the payment provider for every accepted banking method. For example, a casino may note that they do not charge any fees for Paypal transactions, but that Paypal charges a transaction fee.

First, select the casino you want to play at and the payment method you want to use after reading our how-to guide on RealGamblingSites.com. Upon registration, go to the site’s cashier area, choose your preferred banking option, provide any information requested by the casino, and transfer funds to make an initial deposit. You can start playing as soon as the funds from your gambling deposit are available in your account.

Many deposit methods fund your account instantly, including credit card, e-wallet, and bank transfers. Check the Banking, Getting Started, or FAQ pages for specific information about the casino’s accepted deposit methods and their corresponding processing times.

When you have a positive balance in your account, you can choose to withdraw some or all of your funds. Initially, the withdrawal process can be more cumbersome than making deposits – your first withdrawal from a betting site may involve additional steps, including ID and payment method verification. After you’ve completed these steps, withdrawals are usually more automated.

Gambling sites may require identity and payment method verification to protect you and help prevent fraud. Verification requirements vary depending on the site and banking option selected for the withdrawal.

Some casinos only require basic verification like a copy of your ID, whereas others may ask you to submit a photo of yourself holding your ID, a copy of your credit card, a copy of a recent utility bill showing your address, a credit card authorization form, or a payment verification form. Details about the verification requirements at an online casino should be available in the Banking, Banking Info, or FAQ sections. Be sure to provide all the information required to avoid any delays in withdrawal processing times.

Withdrawal processing times vary depending on the site and payment method selected. Some methods are instant, others are processed within 24-72 hours, and still others – like a physical check – can take even longer. Detailed information about processing times for each withdrawal method accepted by a gambling site can be found on the Banking, Getting Started, or FAQ pages.

Yes. Most casinos limit the amount of money you can withdraw from your account per transaction. Some sites also limit the number of withdrawals you can make per week (or another time frame) depending on the selected method.

Many sites also specify a minimum amount that you must withdraw per transaction. Information about withdrawal minimums and maximums, as well as any other limits, should be listed on the Banking, Getting Started, or FAQ pages at reputable casinos.

Many casinos offer attractive welcome promotions in the form of bonus money or other incentives, such as free spins, on your initial deposit. Each gambling site features different bonuses that come with varying terms and conditions.

To cash in on online casino bonuses, you must usually meet specific wagering requirements. For example, you may need to wager 10x the amount of your first deposit to receive the bonus money and any associated winnings. It is crucial to read the Terms and Conditions of any bonus offer to make sure you can realistically fulfill the playthrough requirements to claim the money. Different games may also contribute in varying degrees to the wagering requirements. For example, a casino may offer 100% credit towards the requirement for gameplay on slot machines, but only 50% credit for table games. Be sure to click the Terms & Conditions link for any bonus promotion you’re considering to review the details of its wagering requirements and what percentage of your gameplay contributes towards meeting them.

Casinos may also offer bonuses for deposits made using specific payment methods. For example, a betting site may award a $10 bonus for depositing funds with a prepaid card purchased through the casino. Promotional offers for deposits made via specific payment methods may also carry requirements that you can find on the site’s Terms and Conditions page.

Most gambling sites are legitimate and trustworthy; however, there are also many rogue casinos that should be avoided. Some key things to look for in a gambling site are:

  • A casino license: Make sure a casino holds a permit issued by a recognized gambling authority. Betting sites that were awarded a license from a trusted jurisdiction went through a thorough testing and verification process. Examples of governments that issue online casino licenses include the United Kingdom (UK Gambling Commission), Isle of Man, Alderney, Kahnawake, Cyprus, Gibraltar, and Malta.
  • Third-party testing: Third-party testing companies provide another level of verification, and you can view the certificates companies issue after successful testing. These companies perform testing and verification for casino software and Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure fair gaming and legal compliance. Examples of testing companies are eCOGRA, GLI (Gaming Laboratories International), and TST (Technical Systems Testing).
  • Encryption certificates: Look for an SSL Certificate, which indicates that a site offers at least 128-bit encryption to protect your sensitive information.
  • Reputation and background: Look into how long the casino has been in business and whether it boasts a good reputation. Some sites are backed by major gambling brands, which provides additional legitimacy.
  • Software: Check if the games provided by the casino are offered by a reputable gaming software developer.

With online casinos, you have every reason to be suspicious. There are literally hundreds of casinos on the Internet. That’s why the only casinos we endorse here are the ones with a track record of paying their players.

If you receive unsolicited offers or are tempted to sign up at a casino, make sure they are listed on our website. Otherwise, they may or may not be an honest casino.

The online casino industry has had a relatively short, yet turbulent history. When the first online casinos started in the 1990s, there weren’t many to choose from.

Nowadays, there are multiple online casino software companies that allow companies to lease or purchase their software to run an online casino.

Some software companies have strict requirements to start an online casino, while others are more relaxed with their guidelines. As a result, there are hundreds of real money online casinos floating around.

Online gambling is very close to live casino gambling in terms of odds and betting options. The biggest differences are:

  • It’s hard to find some of the most popular Vegas slots online. There are still plenty of penny slots and jackpot slots. And online slots can be just as fun to play, but if your favorite slot machine is Top Dollar, you’re going to have a difficult time finding it online.
  • Online gambling is cheaper. You heard me right. One of the things I love about online gambling is that you can find lower betting limits than brick-and-mortar casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms have. For example, it’s hard to find a $5 blackjack table in Vegas, but you can play for as little as $1 per hand online. Online sportsbooks offer lower bets as well and poker sites offer Hold’em games with $0.05/$0.10 blinds.
  • Instead of live dealers, online table games use Random Number Generators to determine the outcome. Much like a slot machine, real money games like blackjack, craps, and roulette are determined randomly. If that makes you nervous you can search for an online casino site with live dealer casino games. These live dealer casinos offer games with real-life dealers that you can see on your screen. Most commonly, you’ll find live dealer games like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette.

You cannot win money on Slotomania. Even though they offer a reward program, Slotomania does not payout real money. Slotomania rewards are simply more coins to wager on free games and access to “VIP” games.

Remember: Don’t Gamble Money That You Can’t Afford to Lose

Keep real money gaming what is it – entertainment. One of the worst things a player can do is gamble with money that he or she can’t afford to lose. Players should never use designated savings or go into debt to play casino games for money.

To ensure proper casino bankroll management, we suggest setting up a separate checking account where only gambling money goes in and out. It’s perfectly acceptable for a player to make a withdrawal to have some fun after a winning session. However, it is unacceptable for a player to have a losing session and then use money designated for more important things (rent, food, utilities, etc) in an attempt to “get even”.

This is known as “chasing your loses” and is how many casino gamblers get trapped and end up with a severe (and costly) gambling addiction.

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