Are you up for some excitement but don’t feel like dressing up, driving to a physical casino, and dealing with the crowds? Online, your favorite games are always there to give you a relaxing casino experience with low stakes or help you earn serious cash.
Just 15 percent of gamblers actively prefer online casinos over physical ones — but that number would shoot right up if everyone knew how to go about choosing online casino experiences smartly! Start your adventure here.
What Every New Internet Gambler Needs to Know About Licensing in Online Casinos
The days when comparing the internet to the Wild West were fair are squarely behind us, but you may still stumble on some cowboys. Casino regulation helps you zoom in on legitimate online casinos with fair games, transparent financials, and rigorous data protection for gamblers.
When picking an online casino, look for licensing from a trusted gambling authority. The most common regulatory bodies for licensed online casinos include Curacao eGaming, the Malta Gaming Authority, the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and the UK Gambling Commission.
Choosing Casinos with the Best Game Variety and platform
Let’s get real — it’s easy to get bored, and casino game variety is one of the main reasons to gamble online. The good news? Knowing who the top casino software providers are makes selecting your online casino infinitely easier!
- Microgaming is famous for its progressive jackpot slots, including some of the best online slots like Mega Moolah. It also offers video poker, live table games (baccarat, roulette, and blackjack), and bingo. This is great if quality graphics matter to you!
- Playtech is another reputable casino software provider that offers branded slots (think Marvel), live dealer and table games, and video poker. Besides amazing graphics, they also make their games very exciting!
- Pragmatic Play is a niche online casino game provider best known for its hold and spin feature — which can give you better odds. It’s an especially great choice if you’re playing on a mobile device.
- Evolution Gaming is where it’s at if you’re looking for quality live dealer games. With quality streaming and professional dealers, their games are a joy to play.
How to Evaluate Casino Bonuses and Promotions
Generous promotions and welcome bonuses attract many gamblers to online casinos in the first place. Still choosing online casinos? Once you know the casino partners with a top software provider and is regulated by a trusted gaming board, it’s not a bad idea to let online casino bonuses and free spins lead the way.
Pay attention to the fine print, though, and check:
- How often you have to wager the welcome bonus before you can withdraw your winnings.
- The minimum deposit required, and the percentage the bonus actually matches.
- Time limits for using online casino bonuses.
Bonuses are a nice incentive, but keep an eye on the terms and conditions to make sure you can benefit. At the end of the day, chasing bonuses is usually not the best way to have a good time, so choose an online casino that offers bonuses that match your preferred playing style.
Choosing Online Casinos with Secure and Convenient Payment Options
You want your money to be secure — but you’re also looking for a convenient payment experience.
On the security side of the equation, check that the online casino you’re considering uses SSL encryption, a strong firewall, and two-factor authentication. Any reputable online casino is happy to shout their security measures from the rooftops, so finding the information you need isn’t as hard as you might think.
Secure payment methods should include major credit cards, e-wallets like PayPal, and prepaid cards like EntroPay. More and more online casinos have added cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin, to their casino banking options, and direct bank transfers should also be an option.
Customer Support: Your Online Gambling Lifeline
Here’s a not-so-fun fact — nearly a third of regular online gamblers have had at least one dispute with a casino. Should you run into problems, it’s important for the casino customer support to be just as flexible as your gambling experience.
That is, you need 24/7 assistance in your main language, and you should ideally have access to multiple support channels. Live chat is usually the most convenient way to interact with casino support, but assistance via email should also be available.
Optimizing for User Experience and Mobile Play
Most online gamblers prefer to play on their phones. It only makes sense, then, to choose an online casino with user-friendly casino interfaces optimized for mobile players.
Mobile online casinos don’t just use responsive design to give you a great gaming experience, but they also have fast loading times and offer dedicated casino apps that keep track of your winnings and streaks.
What Makes a Top-Rated Online Casino?
Whether you’re choosing an online casino as a complete novice or you’ve gambled online once or twice before, you now have the tools to carry out a sensible online casino comparison. Selecting a great online casino doesn’t mean you have to be “faithful” to it, of course.
There’s a lot to be said for choosing different casinos for different games. However, no matter how many casinos you play at, they should all be reputable and put your security first.
