Casinos are so much a part of the entertainment landscape that even those who have never gambled know all about them. They know what a slot machine, poker game or roulette wheel looks like thanks to movie and television portrayals of the casino world.
However, for all the skill with which some depict it, the actual experience of playing games at a casino remains impossible to fully grasp without trying it. The edge-of-the-seat excitement that comes from wagering real money on the spin of a wheel or turn of a card is unlike any other.
Casino gaming is fun experienced alone or with friends and it can even help to keep a romance alive, but all that depends on finding the right casino. A bad experience could put you off playing the games for life.
This article will break down the things that you should look for when you are choosing an online casino to play at.
A License
The internet is known as a bit of a Wild West and that means there are more than a few questionable online casinos dotted around. The good news is that it is very easy to tell the safe ones from those that are dangerous to use.
Legitimate online casinos will always display a license showing that they are governed by one of the official regulatory bodies. In some cases that will be the UK Gambling Commission, but in others it may be the Malta Gaming Authority.
Look for the license and check that it is for real before you even think about signing up.
A Welcome Bonus
A good bonus for new players is something you should always look for. If you do not want to trawl dozens of casino sites in search of it, try casinos.com for a comparison of the bonuses on offer at various ones.
The best welcome bonuses are no-deposit or matched deposit ones. These provide you with a certain amount of initial cash to start with – either completely free or equalling your first deposit.
In some cases, the welcome bonus can be free spins on a slot game instead though. If you choose a slot that is low in volatility, you have a good chance of a payout before the free spins run out. Then you can play for even longer without using your own money.
The Gaming Variety
The third essential thing to look for is a strong variety of casino games. Any decent online casino should have a broad selection of slot games with different themes, as they are particularly good games for new players to start with.
There should also be a wide variety of table games though, including roulette, baccarat, blackjack and poker. Look out for video poker alongside the standard kind, as that is a solid way to learn the game. Also, check to see if the site offers European as well as American roulette, as the former has a lower house edge.
A varied games selection will prevent boredom from setting in even after you have been using the site for months or years. It is also about giving you the best possible winning chances though.
The Security
There are two things that need to be protected by a casino site: your identity information and your bank data. Before you decide to create an account at one, it is vital to check out what security steps the site has taken.
SSL data encryption software is the industry standard for information security so make sure that it is in place at any casino site you are considering. Also, when you are registering at a site, it should ask for identity verification from you, as a security precaution.
That will consist of some form of photographic ID in most cases and it is another sign that the site is reputable.
The Service
The standard of the customer service at an online casino is very important to the overall quality of your experience. It is always possible for something to go wrong, like a particular game crashing halfway through, so you need to know that the problem will be resolved smartly if it does.
Look to see what options there are for contacting customer support. A good sign is if there are multiple ways, such as email, live chat and a telephone number. It is also worth testing a site out by making a routine enquiry before you make your decision – just to be absolutely sure that they actually respond when they are contacted.
Most of the things that you should look for in an online casino are just a matter of common sense. It is about making sure that the site delivers a top quality gaming experience without exposing you to unnecessary risk.