Your online casino guide
New to online casinos? Look no further that our online casino guide which will walk you through what to expect from online gambling and help you choose which online casino to play with. With so many casinos to pick from it can be a bit of minefield, so it’s important to understand what these sites are all about to make sure you get the most out of them in terms of fun, and profit of course! Let’s get down to business.
What is an online casino?
If you’re thinking that an online casino is exactly the same as a land based casino, you’d be partly right, because there are many aspects that are similar (like gambling!) but an online casino can offer so much more than its land based forefathers. As with most things internet based, they’re a jazzed up, improved version of something that already existed – this is true for online casinos.
An online casino is a gambling website that specifically offers casino games, such as Slots, table games, Jackpot Slots, roulette and more. It is a common thought that there is no chance to win at an online casino, a urban legend which is just not true; you have as much chance (if not more!) at winning when you play at an online casino as you do in physical casino. The outcome of Slot games, as well as other casino games is determined by a random number generator meaning that it really is down to luck. Of course, we do recommend that check out licenses etc. of the online casino you’re choosing to play with as trusting where you play online casinos is the number one priority before parting with your cash.
What should I expect an online casino to look like?
When you play casinos online you’ll notice that although colours and style may vary – they all follow a very similar format. A typical online casino will have a menu bar in what is called its ‘casino lobby’. Here you will be able to identify what Slots are on offer and if the online casino will host any other online gaming such as Poker, Sports betting or even a Live Casino.
From the menu bar you will be able to navigate around the site, there will usually be a search function where you can look for specific casino games and a promotions tab will normally be prominent. In here you will find what current promotions are running, we’ll touch on casino bonuses a little later.
In the lobby you should also clearly see where you can log in (or register), this tends to be in the top right of the page, but it can change. When logged in a ‘my account’ (or something with a similar name) will be present – this will sit in one of the corners of every page. In here you’ll have access to your personal details and account history such as bets placed, deposits and withdrawals.
Your account section will have your online casino bank too, you will easily be able to withdraw or deposit by any of the means that the specific online casino offers. On this note, it’s important to provide your correct details as you will need to ‘prove’ you are who you are for security reasons. You’ll only be asked to do this once. When you deposit an online casino will only be able to let make a withdrawal via the same method/same card etc. so bear that in my mind before making a deposit.
What games will a typical online casino offer?
Any online casino worth its salt will be packed with Video Slots, and other casino games. The best online casinos will have a variety of Slots, Jackpot Slots, table games and will have more than one provider. The top providers to look out for are Netent and Microgaming although many of the smaller game providers have excellent casino games too.
Jackpot Slots are a very specific type of Slot, offering often life changing Jackpot amounts. To hit the heights of winning millions of euros, you’ll need to play in a bigger online casino that offers the progressive Jackpot Slots because game providers will only allow larger online casinos to host them. So if you want to play a Jackpot and can’t find it, chances are it isn’t there and you’ll need to find a different casino to play with.
What are the advantages of playing in an online casino?
We’ve already covered some of the reasons why an online casino has advantages over a land based casino, but it’s good to see exactly why an online casino can be a great experience:
- Can play from the comfort of your home
- Is open 24 hours, 7 days a week
- A larger variety of Slots and other casino games
- No need to wait for a seat at a Blackjack table
- High, transparent pay-out percentages
- Can play on your mobile, wherever you are
- Generous casino bonuses that you wouldn’t find on land
- A huge selection of casinos to choose from
- Excellent customer support
- Can play for free, without risking your money
What are Casino Bonuses?
Casino bonuses are one of the biggest advantages that online casinos have over their land counterparts. You wouldn’t expect to walk in to a casino and be given extra cash, or some Free Spins but that is exactly what you’ll get when you play casinos online. It’s not only for the best online casinos either ALL online casinos will give you some sort of bonus as some point. Let’s look at the most common types of bonus you can get, and what they mean:
Casino Free Spins:
These are exactly what they say on the tin – Free Spins on Slots. These can be Slot specific, or they could also be used on any Slot depending on the details of the offer.
Deposit bonus:
A deposit bonus is a boost on what you deposit. This a common bonus often when you initially register. For example, an online casino may offer a 100% deposit bonus, this would mean if you deposit €20, you’d have €40 to play with.
Cashback:
Cashback is a form of bonus which is normally based on your losses if you’ve not been lucky. As an example, a 10% Cashback means that if you lose say €100, you’d be given €10 back.
It is important to look at wagering requirements of bonuses too, as these will vary from casino to casino. Wagering requirements indicate how many times you need to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw the funds. For Free Spins, if wagering requirements are applied, it will be on the winnings that you have won from your Free Spins.
Can I try the games for fun before I deposit?
Yes! You can play before you pay when you play online casinos. This means you can try out Slots and get a feel for them to see if they’re your cup of tea before you have to deposit and use your own money.
How do I know I can trust an online casino and is it legal?
The industry is highly regulated to make sure that you are always playing on an even playing field. Of course there a few green and red flags to look out for before registering your details. Regulations vary from country to country and there are several different regulatory bodies looking over online casinos activities.
We recommend that you choose an online casino from one of the more trusted countries. The UK gambling commission is widely regarded as one of the best in terms of being strict. Before an online casino can go online many requirements need to be met and they can be randomly audited at any time to make sure that the rules are being adhered to at all times. Therefore if you play an online casino that holds this licence you can be assured that your money is in safe hands. Another body that is hugely respected and licences sought after is the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Malta has become a hub for online gambling since the beginning of online casinos really! The MGA has been operating for years so it works with great experience and knows exactly what the best online casinos need to operate. As well as this, you have rights which the MGA will act on your behalf. If you raise an issue with any online casino which holds it licence with them, the online casino the online casino will need to provide all necessary information to prove that they acted correctly – so you can play with peace of mind.
Those are the big two for us, but of course there are other countries which are completely trust worthy, any European Member state is a safe bet.
It doesn’t hurt to check out a casino review to find out what other players have experienced.
An online casino will also likely use the most up to date technology to ensure that all your personal information remains safe, and they will not share your information with third parties.
Online casinos are legal for countries in which online gambling is legal. We would recommend that you check your countries own laws before you make a deposit to eliminate any risk.
How do I get started?
Once you choose the best online casino for you, it’s a simple case of registering. You’ll be asked for a few personal details, and boom – you’re a player! Remember to check for Welcome bonuses, Licences, payment methods and game selection before you start spinning. Good luck!