How to Get Started
With a large number of options, it’s never been easier to find a reputable online casino that has the games you like to play. However, you want to be cautious when choosing a casino to ensure that your transaction information is kept private. Stick with casinos that are licensed, regulated, and have received a seal of approval from a regulatory or governing board. With these tips in mind, start your search for the best online casino.
How to choose the best casino site
When choosing an online casino, you don’t want to make your selection solely based on factors like cost or ease-of-use. There are many other important considerations to think about. Ideally, an online casino should have a clean design, user-friendly software, excellent customer service, and convenient payment methods. Also take note if the casino is licensed and has a safe and secure online gaming environment.
When searching the web for the best casinos, consider the following characteristics:
Age
While the age of an online casino may not seem important, it can actually tell you a lot about a company. If a casino website has only been around for a few months, that should set off some red flags. Online casinos come and go but only the best ones stick around for the long haul. Do some digging to determine when the website was established and how long the company has been in business. As a general rule of thumb, the longer that an online casino has been operating, the more likely it is to be a legitimate business that you can trust with your personal details.
Reputation
Having a positive online presence is crucial for all businesses but especially casinos. If an online casino has a bad reputation due to poor web design, inferior game selection, inadequate customer service, or a host of other issues, people are not going to want to play there. It is important for businesses in the online gambling community to differentiate themselves from their competition. Read online reviews to get the inside scoop about casino websites you may be interested in trying. If a website does not meet your expectations, leave it in search of a better alternative.
Support
When you first join an online casino, customer support may be the last thing on your mind. It’s true that most people don’t consider what type of customer support is available to them until a problem occurs. However, when your money is at stake, you want to know that you can get in contact with a customer service representative pronto. The best online casinos have several ways to contact customer support, such as by telephone, email, or live chat. Most established online casinos also have social media accounts where players can go to unleash their concerns and consult with a customer representative.
Design
Poor website design is often reflective of sloppy business practices. Great online casinos are willing to invest some money to develop a website that is both aesthetically-pleasing and easy to navigate. First impressions are everything when you first visit an online casino. What do the casino websites you like have that make them stand out against the competition? Maybe it’s easy access to a wide selection of games. Or perhaps it’s the interactive widgets, noticeable action buttons, or simple registration process. Of course, the site should also load quickly to make the customer experience as satisfactory as possible.
Games
What exactly are you looking for in an online casino? Some players prefer a casino website that has a large selection of slots and table games, giving them the opportunity to try them all. Others prefer to play specific games and there are casinos that specialize in blackjack, keno, and other games. What’s great about online casinos is that thousands of people can play the same game at the same time. No having to wait around until a person hops off the machine or table like at a brick-and-mortar casino. If you’re in search of more limited casino games, it may take some time to find online casinos that offer the game selection you’re looking for.
Payment
In addition to having an impressive selection of games, most people want an online casino to have a variety of payment methods. Depositing money into your online account should be fast and require just a few simple steps. Having a mix of payment options helps ensure that everyone has the opportunity to play using the resources they have. Most online casinos offer several payment options available with the most common being credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallet choices like PayPal.
Withdrawal
Always check to see how the withdrawal process works before depositing money into your casino account. The last thing you want to do is win big only to find out you’ll need to jump through a bunch of hoops to gain access to your money. Some online casinos make it difficult to withdraw your winnings by requiring you to complete paperwork or fax personal information for identity purposes. Many also have high payment thresholds or only pay out on certain days of the month. These can be major drawback and you may want to consider other options if these withdrawal policies do not work in your favor.
Bonuses
It wouldn’t be an online casino without access to bonuses, free spins, and other promotions. However, not all online casinos offer adequate bonuses and those that do many have certain restrictions. Some of the best online casinos not only make it easy to access great bonuses and free spins, but they also add your bonus winnings to your balance in quick succession. Bonuses and promotions can often be found on the homepage of a casino, making it easy to locate these perks and use them before they expire. Also look for online casinos that offer loyalty programs for gamblers who spend a lot of money gambling.
Security
Safety and security are critical features when choosing an online casino. Most casino websites require you to sign up or register using personal information like your full name and address. To deposit and withdraw money, you will also need to provide some type of payment information like a credit card or banking details. Of course, you don’t want this information getting in the wrong hands. Most reputable casinos use 128-bit SSL Data Encryption technology to keep their customers’ data safe. You can determine if an online casino offers a safe and secure gaming environment by looking on their website.
Mobile
While many people still gamble on their desktop or laptop, most have transitioned to gameplay on their smartphones and other mobile devices. Mobile websites and apps make it easy and convenient to gain access to your favorite casino games while lounging on the couch or waiting in the doctor’s office. Having enjoyable entertainment anytime, anywhere is an attractive feature. Check to see what casinos offer mobile versions of their websites or apps that you can download directly to your phone. Some online casinos also offer customers loyalty points when they play casino games on any mobile device.
Credibility
You always want to make sure that your money is in good hands before depositing your hard-earned money into a casino account. A majority of reputable online casinos are licensed, including casinos in the U.S., U.K., and other countries across the globe. Each country is regulated by a government agency that ensures that games are fair and prevents criminal activity and underage gambling. To obtain a license, a casino must meet certain criteria and provide evidence that they are who they say they are.
Supplier
Most online casinos work with a software provider to deliver customers with gaming software. This is how you’re able to play slots and table games like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and video poker. If an online casino works with a leading software provider, the odds are good that the casino is of high-quality. Some of the most popular software supplies used by gambling companies all over the world include Evolution Gaming, Microgaming, Extreme Live Gaming, NetEnt, Amaya, and Playtech.
Languages
Navigating an online casino website can be challenging when you’re unable to decipher the language. The best casinos offer geo-locating technology that changes the site language to the spoken language in the country where the player is located. However, not all online casinos are this accommodating. While most offer their site in multiple languages, some casinos still lag in this department. If a website is not available in a language that you can read, continue your search.
Currencies
In the same way that online casinos offer their websites in multiple languages, they also offer different currencies to accommodate gamblers from all over the world. However, playing casino games on a website that uses a different currency can have some drawbacks. Both deposits and withdrawals can be affected by the region’s exchange rates which may deter some gamblers from partaking in gameplay. Keep this in mind when choosing online casinos based in other countries.
Rank
Some of the best online casinos are ranked on top of the search engines and there is a reason for this. To rank high in the search engine results pages (SERPs), a website must have unique content, be well optimized, have a professional site structure, be mobile-friendly, and receive a lot of traffic. The search engines consider these types of websites to have greater value. When you search for “online casinos”, take a look at what websites are on the first page. These are likely some of the best gambling websites.
Online Casino Bonuses
Bonuses are one of the most attractive features of an online casino. You probably know that the house has the advantage, but bonuses and other promotions allow players to gain an edge by winning money through bonuses like free spins, deposit matches, and loyalty cash.
Casino bonuses are typically available to both new and regular players. You may also receive bonuses simply for joining the casino’s loyalty program. Of course, you will want to familiarize yourself with the gambling site’s unique terms and conditions to get a clearer look at the attached wagering requirements.
How to Get a Bonus
As most online casinos offer bonuses, you want to be fairly selective about which you choose to play at. First check out the welcome package offered by the top casinos. Many online casinos offer very generous welcome bonuses as a way to draw in new players. However, once you become an established player, you obviously don’t want the bonuses to stop rolling in. Fortunately, the leading casinos offer their loyal customers various bonuses and promotions on a regular basis.
Once you have found an online casino that promises some great bonuses, create an account by providing information like your name and address. You may also be required to provide identification for security purposes. Don’t worry, this is normal procedure among most online casinos and helps cut down on the presence of underage gamblers and various criminal behaviors. Once you have an account, you will be able to claim your welcome bonus.
There are a number of ways online casinos offer their welcome bonuses to players. Sometimes they will give the player the opportunity to opt-in for bonuses during the registration process. Other times, you will need to enter a special bonus code that will be available on the casino’s promotions page or will be sent directly to your email address. Often times, you will need to make an initial deposit into your account before you receive your bonus. However, not all casinos require players to make a deposit.
Types of Casino Bonuses
If you want to take advantage of the best online casino bonuses on the web, take the time to familiarize yourself with the different types of bonuses available. When comparing these bonuses, be sure to check out the wagering requirements attached as an attractive bonus could come with too strict or very high wagering requirements that make it less profitable than originally thought.
The most common casino bonuses you are likely to come across include:
Welcome Bonus
This is one of the most common player bonuses you’ll see online. While welcome bonuses range from casino to casino, most offer players a cash reward just for signing up and making a deposit. This deposit is typically matched by various amounts up to 200% or sometimes more. This allows players to start playing their favorite games with a healthy bankroll. Welcome bonuses typically come with wagering requirements that must be met before any winnings can be withdrawn. Sometimes welcome bonuses come with additional perks, such as free spins.
Match Bonus
When you sign up with an online casino, you may be offered a match bonus on your first deposit or a set number of subsequent deposits. A match bonus provides players with free casino credits as an incentive to make a deposit. How match bonuses work is rather simple. The casino will match your deposit at a certain percentage up to a certain amount. For example, if a casino offers a 100% match bonus up to €500 and you make a deposit of €200, you will automatically have €400 to start playing with. Like most casino bonuses, match bonuses often have wagering requirements that must be met.
Loyalty Bonus
Being a loyal customer at an online casino can have its perks. Many online casinos offer regular players loyalty bonuses. You may receive these bonuses simply for playing games on a certain gambling site. Other times, you will need to sign up for the website’s loyalty program. This is usually free of charge and requires you to simply ‘opt in’ for loyalty perks. The most common loyalty bonuses are tiered bonuses and cashback bonuses. Many online casinos also give loyalty bonuses on certain special occasions, such as a player’s birthday.
Sticky Bonus
If you’re new to online gambling, you may be unfamiliar with sticky bonuses. These bonuses are often geared towards high rollers and can usually be used on a wide range of games, such as slots, roulette, craps, and blackjack. What makes sticky bonuses different than your average bonus is that the amount offered in bonus cash is usually more substantial. In fact, sticky bonuses can give 200% to 400% matches on initial deposits. In addition, these bonuses often do not carry the same stringent terms and conditions that standard bonuses have. One of the biggest downsides of a sticky bonus is that it cannot be redeemed for cash once the wagering requirements are met.
Deposit Bonus
Deposit bonuses give loyal players the chance to acquire extra money simply by making a deposit into their casino account. With a deposit bonus, a casino will offer to give a percentage of the deposit amount on top of the deposit. For example, if you deposit €100 and an online casino offers to give you an extra 30%, you would have €130 to play with.
No Deposit Bonus
Not all players are ready to deposit money as soon as they sign up for an account. Some players prefer to try out an online casino before making a deposit. A no deposit bonus is one way that players can get some cash to play with risk-free. With a no deposit bonus, players are awarded a bonus before ever making a deposit. They can then try out games to see if the casino is a good fit. However, players will usually need to meet wagering requirements before they can cash out.
Free Play Bonus
Free play bonuses work similar to other types of player bonuses. To take advantage of these types of bonuses, you will need to open an account. However, you are not required to make a deposit right away. Free play bonuses typically come with a time limit, such as 30 minutes or an hour. During this set time, players must try to win as much as they can before the bonus disappears. What makes a free play bonus different than other types of bonuses is that you cannot withdraw your winnings.
Free Spins Bonus
Free spins bonuses remain one of the most popular ways of attracting new slot players to online casinos. With free spins bonuses, you may or may not be required to make an initial deposit, depending on the unique terms and conditions of the promotion. You may also be limited to what slots you can play on with your free spins. You may find free spins attached to another bonus, such as a deposit bonus, when you sign up for a new casino.
Cashback Bonus
Cashback bonuses can be an attractive way for players to recoup some of their loses. With this type of bonus, an online casino will return a percentage of your losses in real cash. The casino may calculate your cashback amount based on the losses that have taken place during a specified period of time or on a specific deposit. The percentage that is given back can range from casino to casino but is usually between 10% and 20%.
Refer-a-Friend Bonus
Some online casinos will offer players a bonus for simply inviting other people to the platform. This refer-a-friend system can be quite effective in getting new players to the casino. Typically, with these types of bonuses, both the player and the invited party receives a bonus. Bonus amounts can range based on the specific gambling website but is usually between €10 and €50. Players can then use their earned bonus money to play games.
Meeting the Criteria
To be eligible to cash in on an online casino bonus, players must meet certain criteria. First, players must be of legal gambling age in the country where they are playing. The minimum gambling age in most countries is 18, although some countries require players to be 21. Players must also have completed the registration process at the online casino in which they are trying to claim the bonus. Before funds can be withdrawn, most online casinos also require players to make a deposit.
Most bonuses found at online casinos also come with wagering requirements. A wagering requirement refers to the number of times a player must play a bonus before a withdrawal can be made. For example, if a casino has a wagering requirement of 20x, the player will need to wager a bonus at least 20 times before any winnings can be cashed out. Also pay attention to other terms and conditions, such as what games can be played with the bonus money and how long the bonus lasts before it expires.
Finding the Best Bonuses
To make online casino bonuses worth your while, do your research and only open accounts with gambling websites that offer generous bonuses with fair terms. Also check to make sure that the casino you choose is licensed, has a good reputation, and offers a straightforward withdrawal process. By choosing the right online casino to play at, you can reap the benefits of various types of bonuses.
Considerations
The importance of knowing what the terms and conditions are cannot be stressed enough. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that you will use free money to play with and then cash out big winnings. Gaming sites have put plenty of safeguards in place to ensure this doesn’t happen. These platforms would lose big money if they allowed everyone to do that. As is stands, most only break even on new player bonuses, and are banking on the fact that you will stick around and play with your own funds.
Some rewards may almost sound too good to be true. If you come across a bonus that seemingly has no strings attached, proceed with caution. A lot of unreputable sites do offer such bonuses, but may nonetheless go dark whenever it is time for you to cash out your winnings. Ensure that any casino you choose has a solid reputation and is properly licensed in the area you are playing in.
Responsible Gambling
Playing at any kind of casino, whether it’s online or a land-based casino, is supposed to be a fun and an enjoyable activity. If you’ve found that the fun has stopped, you’re going into credit or have been spending money that you shouldn’t be spending, there are places out there that can help.
Ensuring that all gambling is responsible gaming is the best way to play online, and should you find that you’re playing one more hand each time, or perhaps dipping into other funds, please take a look at our Responsible Gambling section or visit your nearest Gamblers Anonymous.
