Most people choose online casinos because they save time and money on having to commute to a real casino. They just pick up their phone instead of having to dress up, drive, and learn casino etiquette.
However, because accessing these online casinos is so easy, a lot of people make an assumption that it doesn`t matter which one you pick. If you pick the wrong one, you can just choose again. At the same time, there is some truth to this statement, so why not skip it and make the right choice immediately? To help you figure out which casino is the “right” for you, here are a few things you need to keep in mind.
1. Payment Methods
There`s a reason why this is the first criterion you have to consider. You see, nothing matters if you can`t deposit money into your account or get paid. Sure, online luck-based games (unless we`re talking about social casinos) are entertainment, but let`s not pretend it`s not about the money. So, before you get your hopes up about all the incredible games they have or amazing odds they have available, check what payment methods they support.
First, check their credit card section. If you intend to deposit and withdraw via your Visa card, you need to look for casinos that accept Visa. Also, keep in mind that a lot of people use gift cards or prepaid cards, so check if you`ll have that option.
If you`re interested in playing with cryptocurrency, check if it`s available. Gary Mcellan says there are many benefits of using crypto to gamble, such as faster payouts and higher withdrawal limits, making these sites ideal for high rollers. He adds that crypto casinos offer more generous bonuses and promotions as well as the option to play anonymously, so it`s clear to see why they are thriving in 2024 (source: https://bestcryptocasinos.ltd/).
While you`re at it, you may also want to check minimum deposit and withdrawal requirements. This will be much bigger than you think later on.
2. License and Regulation
There are many options for playing on an online casino, from picking an offshore casino available in your country to finding locally-regulated casinos. Neither of these options has to be illegal, but the former often operates in a legal grey zone that many people are not really comfortable with. If you count yourself among this group, you may want to check your vetting process by checking for a valid license.
First, check the jurisdiction matters. Licensing and regulation often depend on the location of where the site is hosted; however, compliance with local laws usually extends to the regions where one provides services. This is why, for instance, GDPR is not just for those who are in the EU but for those who do business with persons and entities from the EU, as well.
Simply put, regulated casinos offer more protection.
3. Game Variety
In terms of player experience, there`s nothing that affects it more than the game variety. You should start by looking for popular slot games, but you may also want to take a look at the exclusives. This is what separates one casino from the next.
You also want to check if the site in question has live dealer options. A lot of people accuse RNG-based games of being unfair, and a live dealer option gives them a chance to emulate the drawing process of a live, physical casino.
In this scenario, you`re also looking at the table game selection. There`s often a great variety here, and even sites that offer live dealer games don`t offer them for every game they own.
4. Security Measures
First, you need to check if the site has SSL encryption. This is not a guarantee that the site is completely secure, but the lack of SSL is a warning sign. It`s like a car not having a seatbelt in 2024.
Two-factor authentication is arguably one of the best ways to maintain your privacy online. What it does is add an extra layer of protection, an extra barrier that someone will have to overcome before taking over your account. Now, having your password is no longer enough. They must also prove that they are you by presenting a code you`ll receive via SMS or email. If they don`t have them, you get an extra (instant) warning that someone is attempting to log in.
You should also look into their data protection policies. After all, you`ll have to leave at least one form of financial information with them. Privacy policy transparency is a bare minimum you`ll have to consider.
5. Bonuses and Promotions
To be completely honest, the majority of people choose casinos to play at based on their welcome bonuses and welcome bonus details. This also gives you an opportunity to “play for free” while trying to check out the new site you`ve just discovered.
You also want to look at their wagering requirements. Remember, the lower the minimum wager, the longer you can play with the same amount of money. When it comes to slot games, the number of spins you can play may directly affect your chance of winning.
There are always some ongoing promotions, but not all sites are as generous or have these promotions as frequently.
Lastly, check out their loyalty programs. Let`s face it: you`ll spend a lot of time playing there, so what`s wrong with getting every shred of extra value that you can get your hands on? You`ve earned it. Even more importantly, you`ve probably already paid for it.
6. User Reviews and Reputation
Next, you want to look for player feedback. Just keep in mind one thing: many players want to keep their habits anonymous. We`re not talking about people playing on anonymous casinos. We`re talking about people playing on regular casino sites who just want a registered account (with a personalized offer of games and a loyalty program) but who would rather not brag about loving casino games. In other words, most people don`t leave reviews.
What you`re looking for on these forums is the trustworthiness of the casino sites. You`re researching the public sentiment, which means that getting sidetracked in ratios (counting negative vs. positive comments) might mislead you.
Also, keep in mind that these platforms are regularly patched. So, when going through the history of complaints, keep in mind that some of these problems may already be fixed.
If you want something measurable and simple, just look for ratings on review sites.
7. Mobile Compatibility
Most people play in online casinos via their mobile devices. Sadly, there are a lot of online casinos that only have a browser version and no mobile app availability. Sure, this sounds incredible in 2024, but it is true in a lot of cases. Fortunately, it takes you a few moments to check this out.
Next, you want to check the website's responsiveness and design. This is always important; however, it`s even more important when it comes to a casino site. Why? Well, if it lags just before the spin, this is a much bigger problem. Just think of a panic attack when the site lags before you place an order. Well, make it x10.
The importance of mobile compatibility lies in the ease of navigation on small screens and touch-friendliness. You don`t want to make a mistake because you clicked on something else by accident. In the previous example, the consequences of this were far more dire in an online casino.
By checking one thing after another off the list, you`re taking a more systemic approach to online casino selection
Picking the right casino impacts your overall experience, but it may also have financial and cybersecurity consequences. Fortunately, if you make the right choice, this is the choice that you`ll have to make only once. Also, you`re free to add your own criteria to the list; just keep in mind that the above-listed is as good of a place as any to start. You have to start somewhere.
