Casino fans will know that some brick-and-mortar establishments pride themselves on offering a truly unique experience within a gaming room that showcases the very best that casinos have to offer. While online casinos cannot signal their appeal using opulent décor and well-dressed staff, they can offer just the same levels of luxury as their land-based counterparts, just by different means.
Anyone trying out a new online casino for the first time will want to be sure that they are frequenting a site that is operating in accordance with best practices. There are some things to look out for to ensure that you have a fun and safe gaming experience:
1. Check That The Casino Is Known To A Licensing Authority
All casinos need to be licensed by an official regulator and display the details of their registration on the site. In the UK, the main regulator is the Gambling Commission, but online casinos can be licensed by any official body globally, so long as they meet the criteria.
The regulators will ensure that all online casinos operate fairly and safely, protecting their customers’ details and ensuring that all the games operate according to strict regulations.
2. Find Out What Payment Methods They Accept
Whether you want to be able to use your main bank account or play using blockchain, you should check an online casino’s payment method options before you commit to opening an account.
Some casinos accept payments from a variety of sources, which may include:
- pre-paid cards and vouchers
- debit or credit card
- mobile phone
- e-wallet
- bank transfer
- Paypal
- American Express
- cryptocurrencies
If you have a strong preference for a particular choice of payment method, make sure you check that it will be accepted.
3. Check The Payout Levels
Whether you’re playing slots or blackjack, you want to know what a win will be worth, so it makes sense to choose a casino based on the potential return and many will want to opt for an online casino with the highest payout. Online casinos will publish the Return to Player percentage of each game, telling players how much they can expect to win from any given game.
Different types of slots pay out different amounts and the RTP of roulette varies slightly between the American and European wheels, so it’s important to find a casino that offers the kind of payout you prefer on the game of your choice.
4. See How Many Games Are Available
Most reputable casinos offer a wide choice of games, particularly those that operate online as they are not limited by physical constraints in the same way that land-based casinos are. Games studios offer such a wide choice of games that you are sure to find one that suits you.
Whether you want to play fast-paced slots that pay out regularly, or prefer a long, slow hand of poker where the tension and excitement build gradually over the course of the game, you can find your perfect game online.
5. Seek Out Promotions
Many casinos offer their players discounts and promotions when they sign up for an account, and most will have a variety of special offers running at any given time. These can include:
- Welcome bonus
- Loyalty bonus
- Payment method bonus
- Referral bonus
- Deposit matching
- Seasonal bonuses
- Free spins
- High roller rewards
- Members-only offers
- Reward multipliers
Check the terms and conditions of any bonus to check your eligibility, and then make the most of the chance to play free or heavily discounted games.
6. Get Social
An online casino that has an active community on social media can be a welcoming place to play. It’s a great way to get tips and advice from seasoned players and you can often be the first to hear about new games, special offers and bonuses.
7. Gaming On The Go
Many online casinos have mobile apps to make it even easier to take your game with you wherever you go. It’s the ideal way to liven up your daily commute, make waiting for appointments more interesting, or just turn a quick break at work into a chance to win big.
8. Find Your Perfect Game
Everyone has their own playing style when it comes to casinos, with some preferring games of chance such as roulette, and others preferring to use logic and psychology to beat a table full of opponents. However you like to play, whether that’s via live stream against a table full of real players, or taking on a digital opponent using an anonymous screen name, you can find the type of gameplay that works for you.
Whatever you look for in an online casino, if you prioritize your own security, then you will know that you are gaming safely.