Online gambling can be a potentially rewarding and definitely exhilarating feeling, but one has to be careful, you can easily find yourself falling into a deep hole. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newbie looking to test the waters, online gambling is more accessible now than ever. As the internet continues to grow and technology continues to improve, casinos are finding numerous ways to make gambling an irresistible experience.
What used to be something available only to those willing to physically go into a casino is now readily available on your mobile device. If you are looking to step into the world and make sure that you are putting your best foot forward, then this guide is for you. Here are 10 of the best tips to keep in mind the next time you go to play at an online casino—or even a physical one.
Taking Advantage of Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses and promotions are a great way to instantly increase your bankroll. You're going to deposit money anyway, so you might as well take advantage of these offers. Promotions can range from things like welcome bonuses to reload bonuses or free spins. There are even some casinos that offer no-deposit bonuses or minimum-deposit casino bonuses.
Online casinos with minimum initial deposit requirements have become a prominent choice among players. Their appeal lies in their typically low deposit prerequisites, making them available to gamers with varying budgets. Regardless, familiarize yourself with the different bonuses your site offers, along with any potential reward programs.
Avoid Sketchy Sites
When it comes to your money, it's always better to be safe than sorry. The easiest way to avoid getting scammed is to avoid sketchy sites with a bad reputation. You should only play at online casinos that are well-established, have positive reviews and have a valid license from a regulatory agency. Always do a quick search of the casino you're considering playing at before creating an account and depositing funds into your wallet.
Look for positive reviews, but also don't be afraid to read the negative ones either. A pattern of people complaining about not receiving deposits, glitchy games or poor customer service is a great reason to stay away. You'll also want to consider the software providers the site has partnered with. Reputable software providers don't partner with sketchy sites, meaning that a list of providers you've never heard of might be a good reason to avoid that site.
Knowing How to Verify a Casino License
As mentioned earlier, you should only play at sites that have a license from a regulatory authority like the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gambling Authority. That said, some less scrupulous sites use fake licenses and even go as far as using fake domains similar to the licensing agency to trick users into thinking it's an actual license.
The easiest way to verify if a site has a license is to head to the regulatory agency from which it claims to have a license. Every agency has a registry that you can use to search for the online casino you're interested in playing at. If you don't see their name in the list, move on to another site. If you do see their name, make sure that the URL matches the URL on the license. Online casinos can use domain names similar to the legitimate site in an effort to trick users. Always verify the license through the issuer's registry and verify that the URLs match.
Manage Your Time
Once you get a taste of playing, you'll realize quickly enough that as incredibly fun it is equally addictive. Therefore it is wise to set limits for yourself and manage your playing time. One way of doing this is to decide beforehand how much you are going to play with and stick to it. Don't get sucked into and lose track of your playing time, always pay attention to the amount that you have set for yourself. Keep in mind that gambling should be entertaining and not a way to make money.
If you do find yourself spending more time than you want to, do not worry, always remember that there are resources out there to help you manage it. Some sites even offer features that limit the amount of time you can spend playing in an effort to help their players and ensure that everyone gambles responsibly. Do not be shy to use these features, as there to help you.
Keep Your Bankroll in Check
Arguably, one of the most important tips after you've found a reputable online casino is to keep your bankroll in check. Your bankroll is the amount of money you have set aside and decided you can afford to lose and gamble. You essentially want to set a budget and stick to it without dipping into other funds should you lose it all. Set a monthly or daily budget that you can afford to lose and never bet more than that.
You also want to avoid doubling down after a streak of losses. Chasing losses is the quickest way to an empty wallet. While some casinos have a feature that allows you to control how much time you can spend gambling, almost every casino has a setting where you can limit how much you can deposit or bet in a single day. Doing this can help you easily avoid the financial stress that may come with online gambling if you're not careful.
Understanding RTP and Slots
If you're a fan of online slots, you should make sure that you understand the concept of Return to Player (RTP). RTP is a percentage that indicates the average amount of money an online slot will pay back to you, given enough time. While it's not a guaranteed amount, you should see returns of that percentage given enough spins and plays. For example, a slot with an RTP of 95% will give back about $95 for every $100 spent.
You might be asking yourself, "Why bother playing if I will never get back more than I put in?" but remember, it's an average. Some players will walk away with way more than $95, while others will walk away with less. Remember, slots use random number generators to determine payouts and wins, so you can't exactly always determine what kind of payout you'll walk away with.
You ideally want slots with a high RTP, but some slots offer low yet frequent payouts, while others offer high yet rare payouts. You'll have to find a slot that you enjoy playing with a decent RTP and payout system that you like. Some players enjoy the little wins, while others only want to see the occasional jackpot.
Stay Up-to-Date on Sports
For those of you who are looking to bet on sports, it's essential to stay up-to-date on every piece of information in your preferred sport. While your favorite team might be the New York Giants, you should also read up on the comings and goings of every other team in the NFL. The reason behind this is that player injuries and performance can easily affect the outcome of your next Giants game.
If you know that the star quarterback of the opposing team has been doing badly recently, you might feel more inclined to bet on the Giants. This can also help you branch out into betting on other games in the NFL rather than just those with your favorite team. You might also want to consider keeping an eye on the weather in the city where the game is being played, as weather can easily change how a team might perform.
Utilize Demos and Lower Bet Sizes
Demos are a great way to "try before you buy," so to speak. Most online casinos offer free demo versions of their slot machines and might even offer demo versions of different table games, giving you a chance to familiarize yourself with the rules before you make an actual wager. If they don't offer demos, look for tables or slots with low bet sizes, allowing you to try the game without spending a lot of your money.
You could also try to find the same game on a different platform. For example, if you want to play blackjack but are unsure how there are plenty of free blackjack games out there that will allow you to bet using fake chips. Familiarize yourself with the game on those sites before returning to your online casino, ready to clean the casino out.
