Whether you’re a complete beginner to playing at an online casino, or you’re looking for a comprehensive platform to play at as you transition from brick and mortar casinos, selecting the right one to meet your specific requirements is key. Although many players across the world choose to play at multiple online casinos, it’s much more convenient to find one or two casinos that you know will have everything you need, especially if they offer rewards to loyal players.
From online poker specialists to fully equipped online casino platforms, the iGaming market is saturated right now so it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled this succinct guide to choosing the perfect online casino.
Licences, Policies, and Security
First things first, choosing a properly licensed casino is a must. A good online casino will hold relevant and up to date licences from a recognised gaming commission or authority, and in no way should you ever consider signing up for an account with one that doesn’t.
Licenses are awarded by organisations like the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, the Gibraltar Gambling Commission, and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Each of these bodies holds online casinos to strict and stringent regulations regarding operations, adherence to legislation, security, and the integrity of the games they offer, so you can be sure you’ll be playing at a reputable platform.
It’s also a good idea to check out the policies and terms and conditions held by a casino. Privacy policies are now a requirement by law in many gaming territories, and as a player you need to be aware of how a casino will capture, use, and share your personal information.
Next, it’s time to check out the integrity of the gaming platform itself. All reputable online casinos will be secured with a minimum of 128-bit SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) Data Encryption Technology. In short, this means that all the information you enter, such as your name, date of birth, and financial details will be kept safe.
As an added layer of security, some casinos also operate using multi-factor authentication in the form of RSA tokens. You can easily find out what security measures a casino operates by either visiting the dedicated Security section of the site, or by checking out its FAQs.
Game Selection
In today’s gaming landscape, most platforms will offer a diverse selection of casino games, but finding the right one for you will depend on what your gaming interests are. If you’re a slots player, you should know what are penny Slots, which are by far, the most popular slot machine denomination in Las Vegas. Nowadays, the theme that we can find in the world of slots is very wide, with a great variety of games that can teleport the player to unique experiences and places recreated within the same game.
If, on the other hand, you want a variety of different games to play, you need to look for a casino that also has a substantial selection of table games on offer. Whichever games pique your interest the most, whether that’s roulette, baccarat, or blackjack, keep an eye out for platforms with a number of tables and multiple variants.
Most of today’s platforms will also stream live dealer games in different variants like Casino Hold’em, Dreamcatcher, and 3-Card Poker.
Deposits and Withdrawals
Another important factor when it comes to choosing an online casino is the type of deposit and withdrawal methods it accepts. You’ll need to be able to deposit and withdraw money in the most efficient and convenient way, and that also applies to withdrawal times too.
Typically, most casinos will let you make deposits and withdrawals using credit or debit cards, bank wire transfers, and e-Wallets. Make sure you check the small print, as some credit card providers can charge extra fees for making deposits into an online casino. Debit cards are the most common way to make payments and withdraw your winnings, however eWallets like Neteller, Skrill, and occasionally PayPal, are quickly becoming a popular choice, since casinos will often process these transactions at a faster rate.
Bonuses and Promotions
As a new player, you’ll ideally want to join a casino that offers you a variety of different bonuses and promotions. No-deposit, free spins, and cashback offers are pretty much the standard, and the easiest to claim for new players, but you really do need to check out the terms and conditions before laying down any money.
Each casino will set its own rules regarding wagering requirements (the amount you’ll need to bet before being able to claim the bonus), as well as things like validity, and the type of games that are eligible.
