Beginners Guide to Online Casinos Overview

There are lots of online casinos out there. There are just too many of them, which make it hard for you where to start or which casino to choose. Hold your excitement and get to know more about online casinos first before plunging in. 

Before you sign up with any online casino, it’s important that you don’t go in blindfolded and clueless. Make the most of your first online casino armed with sufficient knowledge about online casino gaming. With this in mind, we’ve decided to create this comprehensive beginners guide to online casinos.

Finding the Best Online Casinos

Since there are too many online casinos in the market, it’s difficult to find the best ones. To help you narrow down your choices, we have created some things you should look for in an online casino. These include the following:

Games Available

When looking into the games on offer, a varied game selection would be great. Check if the games are offered by just one or several gaming softwares.

However, it’s not all about the quantity of games. Aside from the number of games, the quality of games is also as important. Better yet, find a casino that hosts the kind of games that you’re interested in.

The following are the common online games on offer:

  • Slots

This is the most popular type of casino game. Most casinos focus more on online slots than in other casino games. The slot games vary in terms of gameplay and graphics, among others.

Slot games may include classic three-reel slots, five-reel slots, video slots, and progressive slots. The latter attracts more players because it gives players the opportunity to bring home huge jackpots.

  • Table games

Like in traditional casinos, online casinos also offer table games. However, casinos different in terms of the number, type, variant, and quality of table games offered.

Many casinos offer table game favorites like Roulette and Blackjack. These games are offered in different variants as well, such as Multi-Hand Blackjack, Blackjack Surrender, Bonus Blackjack, American Roulette, French Roulette, and European Roulette. It’s better if you choose a casino with other table games such as variants of Bingo, Baccarat, and Poker.

  • Live dealer games

Online casino games are fun However, if you want to level up your play and have a more immersive experience, you should try Live Games. These games give you the thrill and experience, like you are in a land-based casino. Play with other players and professional dealers in real time.

Live dealer games offered usually include variants of Blackjack, Roulette, Poker, and Baccarat. One of the leading live dealer games providers is Evolution Gaming.

  • Instant or downloadable games

Some casinos only offer instant play; while others require you to download games in order to play.

If you want to access the games anytime, anywhere from any device (desktop or mobile), then an instant play casino is a good option. However, this requires a stable internet connection. On the other hand, if you have limited internet or you don’t want to consume much mobile data, downloadable games will come handy.

As to which of the two is better will ultimately depend on your preference. However, it would be better if the online casino offers both instant play and download games options.

Available Banking Methods

Different online casinos offer different banking methods. Some offer plenty of banking methods; while others only offer a few. The more banking methods, the better, so that you will have plenty of options. Just make sure that the casino offers the methods that  are available in your country or you are convenient using. 

The common banking methods offered include:

  • Debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro)
  • E-wallets (Neteller, Skrill, and PayPal)
  • Bank deposits

When choosing a banking option, make sure that you choose the ones convenient for you, those with low banking fees, and those that have been proven to be safe and secure. Another important thing to consider is bankroll management. This feature allows you to protect your overall bankroll so that you will only risk a small portion in a single online gambling session. 

In relation to the banking methods, it’s also great to check how fast it will take for the online casinos to process and complete your withdrawals.

Bonuses and Promotions

While most online casinos offer bonuses and promotions, not all are the same. Some bonuses are more impressive than others. You must look into bonuses in relation to its terms and conditions, such as wagering requirements and other restrictions. 

The common types of bonuses include the following:

  • Welcome bonus

Most online casinos offer this type of bonus. It’s their way of attracting new players into registering and playing at the casino. Some online casinos require a minimum deposit and a bonus code, while others allow you to claim the bonus right after signing up.

  • Deposit bonus

Deposit bonus is another popular type of bonus. This type can either be depositing through a certain banking method or depositing a certain amount.

  • Reload bonus

When you deposit real cash into your account, some online casinos reward you with a reload bonus. This usually comes in the form of free spins or bonus credit.

  • Loyalty bonus

This is offered by online casinos with a loyalty scheme or VIP program. As the term suggests, this is the casino’s way of rewarding you for your loyalty. This simply means that the more you play at the casino, the more perks you get; and this includes special bonuses.

Bonuses are surely attractive. Just because bonuses are attractive doesn’t mean it’s great. You need to take a closer look at them before fully committing. Here are the things to look into to help you decide whether the bonus is worth it or not:

  • Actual worth of the bonus.

Look into the bonus not as the amount advertised but in relation to the requirements attached to it. A bonus that’s worth a thousand may seem big. However, if that bonus requires you to deposit a thousand or a huge amount of money, then it’s not worth it at all.

On the other hand, the bonus may be relatively smaller. However, if it only requires a very low deposit, then it will be worth it. Ultimately, it will boil down to how much are you willing to deposit in order to claim the bonus.

  • Requirements before the bonus is credited to your account.

As a rule, you must avoid online casinos that require too much before you can claim the bonus. Many casinos credit the bonus automatically once you have registered and deposited the minimum amount (if there is any). Others require a bonus code. Stick with these online casinos.

  • Wagering requirements attached to the bonus.

Most bonuses have wagering requirements attached to them. This is basically the number of times you will have to wager the deposit amount and/or bonus received before you can cash out any winnings.

A wagering requirement 35x is pretty standard. However, a wagering requirement of 50x is already considered high. The higher the requirement, the more difficult it is for you to actually withdraw your winnings from the bonus.

  • Timed bonus.

Bonuses don’t last forever. Hence, always check the expiration date of certain bonuses. You may not have enough time to fully enjoy it.

Safety and Security

This is highly important. You should always be wary of online casinos that don’t have a license and have security issues. You may jeopardize your personal information and banking transactions when you end up playing at a shady casino. Only stick to reputable and well-regulated ones.

Some of the important things to consider when choosing an online casino are:

  • Make sure that the casino is regulated by a reputable gambling authority. Some of the reputable casinos are those licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority.
  • Avoid online casinos that have been blacklisted. You should also be wary of those with many bad customer reviews, especially due to unsafe payments or slow payments.
  • Check if the online casinos are independently audited. This is to ensure that the casino guarantees fair and safe gambling. Among the trusted auditors is eCOGRA.
  • Look into the security measures put in place by the online casino. Choose online casinos that use SSL encryption.

Customer Support

The casino’s customer support is also another important thing to look into. Make sure that the customer support team is dependable and accommodating. Some casinos offer customer support through various methods like email, live chat, contact form, and phone. The more methods available, the better. It’s also great if the casino’s live chat feature is available 24/7. 

Gamble Responsibly

It’s okay to gamble and have fun. Just don’t lose control. Always gamble responsibly. If gambling is already affecting your relationships with family and friends and if you’re spending too much on gambling even when you no longer have money to support your needs. you may have a gambling addiction. It’s important that you seek professional help. 

Now that you know the basics about online casinos, you now have a better idea and understanding of what to look for. It’s always to make informed choices when it comes to online gambling. More importantly, and more than winning, just have fun. Enjoy the experience and thrill of online casino gaming.