Online casinos have been operating since the mid-nineties, though they’ve come a long way from the early primitive incarnations. Playing online casino games today is an immersive and enjoyable experience, a big step up on some of the earliest sites that were a little slow and clunky.
In 2020, the online casino market is saturated, with thousands of brands operating around the world. In the United States, consumers don’t have quite as much choice as in regions like Europe because the legislation is quite strict, but those that live in states that allow online casinos often still have several options.
So with so many different online casinos to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Thankfully, there are some factors and qualities that we can use to compare them and find one that meets your needs.
Finding a Licensed Casino
When you’re making bets on online casino games, you want to be sure that the company you’re depositing money to is trustworthy.
The first step to finding a good online casino is to ensure that you’re only looking at legal sites that are licensed by a regulator. This gives you the confidence that the site is operated by a reputable business and that they have processes in place to protect your money and data.
Licensed casinos usually have to also prove that their games are fair and operate to the theoretical Return to Player (RTP) rates they advertise.
You can spot a licensed online casino because it will state at the bottom of its site its license number and which regulatory body has granted that license. Don’t just take their word for it though. Visit the regulatory body’s own website and check the license number on there.
There are several bodies that license and regulate online wagering, though some of the most common are:
● The Gambling Commission of Great Britain
● The Gambling Commissioner of Gibraltar
● The Malta Gaming Authority
● Spelinspektionen (The Swedish Gaming Authority)
● The Division of Gaming Enforcement for the State of New Jersey
● The Colorado Division of Gaming
● The Nevada Gaming Commission
In some countries and states, you may only be able to use sites licensed by your local body.
You may also want to look for third party accreditations, such as eCOGRA, which verifies the software that casinos use.
Trusted Brand
A license may not be enough for you, though. You could make use of one of the many comparison sites out there that review online casinos to help you find ones that are safe and reliable.
Alternatively, you could choose an online casino that’s operated by a well-known and well-respected brand. For example, 888 casino is operated by a division of 888 Holdings plc, one of the biggest publicly traded iGaming companies in the world. It’s a household name that most people will already recognise, meaning it’s an online casino you can have your full confidence in.
Choice of Games
Once you’ve found a casino you trust, you need to check it has the games you want to play. Thankfully, if you prefer to play classic games like roulette and blackjack, you will be able to join just about any online casino and be confident you’ll find a game you like.
If you prefer craps, baccarat, or casino war, you may need to look a little harder. You can usually find a list of games offered by the online casino on their website. Before deciding which one to join take a look at their selection of titles to be sure they have one you want.
If you’ve played in an online casino before, you may prefer a particular type of slot game. Video slots are often proprietary games owned by a particular software provider. If you can find the company that makes your favourite slot game, you can find a list of other online casinos that run that software.
Some of the biggest software suppliers are Microgaming, NetEnt, and Novomatic.
Payment Methods
Another factor that you’ll need to consider is whether the online casino accepts the payment method that you want to use.
For most transactions we do in life, there are only usually a couple of ways we can pay: cash, check, and card.
However, online casinos offer a range of other different ways that you can make deposits and withdrawals from your account. Each has its own pros and cons, so you’ll need to consider them carefully.
The most common casino payment methods are:
● Visa/Mastercard
● Bank transfer
● Payment wallets (eg. PayPal, Neteller, Skrill)
● Cash deposit at a casino/betting shop
● Pay by phone
You can sometimes check what payment methods are available by looking at the online casino’s website, though sometimes you may need to create an account before you can see which ones are available.
Withdrawal Speed
Some online casinos process withdrawal requests faster than others. Some will pay out as quickly as possible after you have requested, while others will offer the fasted payouts to their VIP members.
If you want to receive your winnings quickly after you have finished playing, then you will need to find an online casino that offers quick withdrawals. You can usually find this in the casinos FAQ or Help section on their website.
Customer Service
Most online casinos offer email and live chat support, so if you’re happy with this as a method of communication, then you should be able to join just about any of them.
However, if you prefer to speak to a human when you need assistance you’ll need to find a casino that offers phone support. While a lot don’t, many also do, so this shouldn’t be too difficult.
To check what communication methods the casino offers for its customer service look for its “Contact” page on its website. This will usually tell you how you can get in touch with them.
Try Before You Buy
You may not be completely certain that you’ve found the right online casino until after you’ve signed up and played some of its games.
Thankfully there are ways you can try out a casino for free or without spending very much. Many offer free games that let you play for fun without staking money, though you also won’t be able to win anything.
Others offer new customers a signup or first deposit bonus to give them more money to play with.
Take advantage of these offers while you’re searching for the right casino. This will give you the chance to “try before you buy”.
