How to Choose an Online Casino
Choosing the right online casino is crucial for a fun, safe, and reliable gambling experience. With a multitude of options, each offering a variety of games like blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, keno, and slots, the decision can be overwhelming. Moreover, it's essential to opt for an online casino that is legal, licensed, and regulated. This guide will help you understand how to choose an online casino that best fits your needs and preferences.
1. Do Your Research
You wouldn’t make a purchase from an unfamiliar website without doing some research first, right? It only makes sense to do a little probing before choosing an online casino. Before registering an account, take a few moments to Google the history and reputation of the company.
You can also gain valuable feedback by joining online casino forums where players post their opinions and experiences. Casino forums are online communities made up of casino players and enthusiasts who discuss gambling and the best online casinos and gambling sites. Join in the conversation to learn what you can expect.
Not all online casinos accept players from every country. Don’t waste your time setting up an account on a casino website that does not accept players from your country. Navigate to the terms and conditions page and locate the section that lists restricted countries. Note that certain territories may also be restricted.
If you’re having trouble narrowing down your options, test out a few of your top picks. Most casino sites allow players to try out games for free, oftentimes without having to make a deposit. Also, take some time to read website reviews from previous players. This is a great way to weigh a site’s pros and cons.
2. Understand Your Options
Don’t have a PC? No problem. The online casino industry is growing at a steady pace, bringing gamblers new ways to play. Some options include:
- Casino Software (download casinos) – Some players prefer to download the casino interface directly to their computers. While most gambling is done directly on the web nowadays, there are still some download casinos available for old-school punters.
- Mobile Games at Instant-Play Casinos – Most gamblers like the option to play directly from their smartphone or tablet mobile devices. With mobile-friendly games, you can play on your device’s browser anywhere the internet is available. These casinos can be accessed by players on mobile devices via any web browser. A mobile casino is the most common solution for players who prefer casino action on the go via their mobile device.
- Casino Apps – For even faster access to your favorite casino games, download an app directly to your phone or other mobile device. These apps store login information, are easy to navigate and can be launched on multiple mobile platforms.
Online gambling is not just limited to a few select games and betting options. You can find the same wide variety of games online that you would find in brick-and-mortar gaming houses. Online casinos are the most complex type of online gambling. These websites reflect real-world experiences and offer many of the same games you can find at physical casinos. Reputable websites offer hundreds of slots, tables, and specialty games to suit all tastes.
Sports betting is also a major sector in the online gambling industry. This type of online gambling involves making bets on sporting events, such as football or horseracing. Poker rooms are also a specialty area of gambling, with sites dedicated specifically to the popular card game.
3. Consider the Game Selection
While you may think all casinos are basically the same, they can actually be quite different. Some online casinos are limited in the number of games they offer, while others offer hundreds of selections. When choosing a casino, opt for a site that has a wide variety of games so you don’t get bored playing the same ones over and over. Also, consider the software providers that feature at a particular casino before deciding if it is for you.
While there are countless games available to play online, some of the most popular casino game categories include:
- Slots – Gain access to thousands of slot machine games online, ranging from traditional three reels spinning to more modern options featuring five or more reels and rows of symbols. Many slot games are themed to make them even more fun. Bonus features are also common and offer players the chance to win more money.
- Blackjack – Also known as twenty-one, blackjack is a classic table game played with a standard deck of 52 cards. Each card is assigned a point value. Cards between 2 and 10 have face value. Jacks, queens, and kings are each worth 10 points. Aces are worth 1 or 11. Whichever player gets closest to 21 without going over wins.
- Keno – Keno is a lottery-style casino game that involves the prediction of numbers. Players must wager by choosing numbers between 1 and 80. Once the wagers are made, 20 numbers are drawn at random, and the winning player is paid based on how many numbers were chosen, the wager, and the number of matches. Winning an online keno game can result in instant cash prizes.
- Video Poker – Online video poker games can vary based on each game’s paytable. There are many game variants available online, but most are very user-friendly and take just a short amount of time to master. Video poker involves placing a bet, hitting ‘Deal’ to draw cards, and choosing which cards to hold. Hit ‘Deal’ again and see your final cards. If the gameplay is successful, you can then receive your winnings.
- Baccarat – While baccarat is all about luck, it’s a simple game with only three possible outcomes – ‘Player,’ ‘Banker,’ or ‘Tie.’ To play, each player places a bet on the Banker’s or the Player’s cards. Next, two cards are dealt to the Banker, and two are dealt to the Player. The winner is the person who made a bet on the hand that totals closest to 9.
- Roulette – Online roulette is a thrilling game of chance that is played with a wheel that displays 36 numbered slots, as well as a 0 slot. The 0 slot is green, while the other 36 are either red or black. A spin of the wheel sends a small white ball rolling past the numbers. It is up to the players to predict which number the ball will land on.
- Craps – Craps is a type of dice game in which numerous different bets can be made. These bets are made on the roll’s outcome. Each player must bet against one another or against the bank. If you’re new to craps, it can be a bit overwhelming at first. However, with a little practice, you can increase your odds of winning this popular casino game.
- Live Casino Titles: While you can play many traditional casino games in an RNG format, modern online casinos also offer them in a live format. Thanks to software providers such as Evolution, Playtech Live, and Pragmatic Play, you can play games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Baccarat, and more streamed live from a studio or land-based casino.
- Live Gameshows: For a truly memorable gaming experience, you should check out the many live casino gameshows now available at the best online casinos. Hosted by live hosts, these games often comprise giant wheels or are totally unique titles. Other games utilize a bingo/lottery style.
4. Check the Payout Percentage
Although most casinos list their payout percentages, not many people pay attention to these numbers. Why is payout percentage important? It tells you the amount of bet money that a casino returns to its players as winnings. This means that if a casino has a high payout percentage, more money goes to players instead of lining the pockets of the casino owners.
Some casinos are hush-hush when it comes to mentioning their payout percentage. This can be a little concerning, especially if you have little to no experience with online gambling. It’s better to be safe than sorry and choose a casino that is direct with their payout percentages.
Some of the top online casinos release information on a consistent basis to independent testing organizations like eCOGRA or Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). These organizations put together monthly reports that state the percentage payout of the casino. As payout percentages can range from month to month and from casino to casino, reviewing this information can be useful.
Online casinos have naturally higher payout percentages compared to land-based casinos. While the average brick-and-mortar casino has a payout rate between 70 and 80%, a majority of online casinos have an average return to player (RTP) rate of 93 to 98 percent. This can mean big earnings for seasoned gamblers. Never play at an online casino that has an RTP of lower than 90%.
5. Review the Payment Methods
The best online casinos offer a variety of casino banking methods for anyone looking to fund or cash out from their casino account. This makes it easy to securely deposit money into your account and start playing your favorite casino games in minutes. Some of the most common casino banking options include:
- Credit Cards - Credit cards are the most common payment solutions for depositing funds into your online casino accounts. Nearly all online casinos accept credit cards from major credit card companies like MasterCard and Visa.
- Debit Cards - For players who do not use credit cards, debit cards are a popular alternative for depositing money. While not all online casinos accept debit cards, many accept cards backed by major credit card companies like Visa.
- Prepaid Cards -– Prepaid cards are an effective solution for those who do not want to give out their private credit or debit card information but want to enjoy the excitement of online gambling. Most prepaid cards can be quickly topped off so you can enjoy uninterrupted games.
- E-Wallets - Also referred to as a digital wallet, an e-wallet is a secure source containing one or multiple currency purses. With an e-wallet, you can easily make online transactions using a wide range of services, such as PayPal, EcoPayz, Skrill, and Neteller. These are currently the most popular of all available payment methods.
- Bank Transfers - Most online casinos allow players to deposit funds directly from their checking or savings accounts. A wire transfer is a great option if you are making large deposits. However, a bank transfer often comes with a small fee.
- Cryptocurrencies - One of the more recent deposit and withdrawal options at gambling platforms is cryptocurrencies. When using cryptos such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), or Bitcoin Cash (BCH), you will enjoy faster, cheaper, and more secure transactions. Plus, at crypto-only casinos, you will not have to share any financial information like you do when using fiat currencies.
When choosing a casino, be sure to consider what sites offer which payment methods. Depending on your unique situation, you may prefer one option over another. For example, if you want to get started playing right away, a bank transfer is not a good option, as it can take an average of two to five business days for your funds to transfer. E-wallets are one of the fastest methods, along with bank cards. However, all of the payment methods mentioned above are considered safe and secure options.
Withdrawing money should also be straightforward. When you win money at an online casino, you want to know you’ll be able to easily withdraw your winnings. Unfortunately, some casinos make this difficult by placing strict limits on how much or how often you can withdraw and what payment methods you can use. Check the casino’s withdrawal methods page before signing up to see what options are available. Note that winnings are generally paid back into the payment method that you used to deposit your funds.
6. Ask About Promotions and Bonuses
Bonuses and promotions are something else you need to consider when you're trying to choose the best online casino to sign up for. Some casinos will offer no deposit bonuses, welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, and more. You could also claim free games on certain slots, some daily or weekly cashback, or take part in daily, weekly, or monthly tournaments.
These can give you an added incentive, add value to your deposits, and add to your overall casino experience. However, while a bonus might look fantastic, this is not always the case. Before you sign up, check to make sure you understand the wagering requirements of a bonus. What are the wagering requirements? How long do you have to complete them? Is there a max bet or max conversion limit?
If you value casino bonuses when choosing an online casino, go through the bonus T&Cs of each casino with a fine tooth comb. Make sure a bonus is worth the time and the wagering requirements are actually achievable before you sign up.
Anyhow, below is a short description of some of the casino bonuses and promotions you will come across:
- Welcome Bonuses: This is a bonus or package of bonuses designed to attract new players to a casino. Players receive a bonus in return for their first deposits.
- No Deposit Bonuses: Another way for platforms to attract players is to hand out free spins or bonus cash to players in return for signing up. No deposit is required to claim this type of bonus.
- Reload Bonuses: This is a bonus given to players making deposits to reload their casino accounts.
- Cashback Deals: Some casino websites will give players a certain amount of cashback on their deposits or any losses accrued the previous day/week/month.
- Loyalty/VIP Programs: Plenty of top gambling platforms will give you further incentives for playing. For instance, you may find loyalty programs or VIP programs that give you extra bonuses, benefits, and perks, the more you play.
7. Make Customer Support a Priority
Many players do not give much thought to a website’s customer support until a situation arises that requires them to get in touch with a site representative. Ideally, a casino should provide round-the-clock customer support, which allows players to remedy issues with payment, website use, and other problems in a timely manner.
How you’re able to contact a site’s representatives also makes a big difference in customer satisfaction. Some casinos only permit contact through email. The problem with the email contact method is that it can take several days to receive a response. Look for online casinos that provide multiple ways to contact support, such as email, phone, and live chat. The casino’s contact information should be made available on the website and should be easy to find.
Keep in mind, if you choose an online casino based in a different country, there may be some language barriers. While most online casinos translate their site to accommodate players from all over the world, you may have trouble communicating with customer service representatives whose first language is not English.
8. Confirm the Website is Secure
While there are many credible online casinos, there are just as many fraudulent ones. The first thing to check before signing up for a casino is to check the licensing it has. Also, do not just check whether the casino 'claims' to have licensing from respected regulatory bodies such as the UKGC (UK Gambling Commissions), Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), or Curacao eGaming (CEG), verify those licenses. Anyone can claim something, but you need to check to make sure those licenses are valid - you can do this by visiting the websites of the aforementioned authorities and searching.
Also, before giving a website any of your personal details, confirm that the site is safe and secure. Start by checking the SSL Certificate. If the website’s URL begins with an “HTTPS” instead of “HTTP”, it means that the website is secured with an SSL Certificate. SSL Certificates are designed to secure data that is transmitted from your browser to the site’s server. To receive an SSL Certificate, a business must complete a validation process.
Reputable online casinos will often display other visible signs that indicate that it’s secure. Scroll to the bottom of the website to see if it has earned a “Secure and Verified” badge. By clicking on the badge, you can determine if the badge information aligns with the website. If it doesn’t, it may be a fraudulent webpage.
Finally, review the website’s privacy policy. All legitimate websites have published privacy policies that disclose the way the business gathers, uses or manages a customer’s data. A privacy policy helps fulfill a legal requirement to protect a customer’s privacy.
Our Opinion on Choosing an Online Casino
We have reviewed many casinos over the years, so we know just how important it is to put in a bit of homework before choosing an online casino. You want to make sure a casino has a good reputation, offers plenty of banking options, some lucrative bonuses and promotions, and good quality support. Plus, when you choose the best online casino, you will want to make sure it has the types of games you want to play. If it has your favorite game - even better!
Best Online Casinos Compared to Bad Online Casinos
We have covered most of this in the sections above, but at the end of the day, there is no benefit to playing at bad online casinos. These online casinos offer nothing but a bad experience. Even if this is not obvious straight away, you will quickly discover that an unlicensed and unregulated platform can do what it wants. You will have trouble getting your payouts, will play on games that are potentially rigged, and will not have a leg to stand on when it comes to complaints.
For that reason, the best-licensed casinos will always provide a better experience. It is not even close - so make sure you heed all the advice given and stick to reputable online casinos such as those reviewed here at Playcasino when choosing an online casino.
How to Get Started at the Best Online Casino
With the insights provided in this guide, you're well-equipped to select an online casino that suits you best. Apply these tips to identify a platform that matches your gaming preferences, offers fair bonuses and convenient payment options. Crucially, ensure that your chosen casino is licensed by reputable regulators such as the MGA or UKGC. By choosing wisely, you're setting the stage for a safe, enjoyable, and rewarding gaming experience. Happy gaming!
