The safest and most responsible way to gamble is to be fully informed about what you’re getting yourself into before you do it, particularly since it can come across as overwhelming at first. Novice players tend to be unsure when it comes to finding reputable online gaming sites and how to deposit and withdraw their winnings securely. Let’s face it, trying to find the perfect casino for your gambling ways can be a right headache. In every industry, you will find crooks who will try to pull the wool over your eyes. In light of this, here are some basic guidelines and tips to help you choose a good online casino that will best suit your gaming requirements.

How to Find the Right Casino

To find the right casino, first, you need to decide upon your favourite casino game. Different gambling sites specialise in various games like online slots, table games, sports betting, live dealer games and so on. Even if there’s only one particular game you’d like to play, you’ll be better off choosing a casino with a plethora of games to choose. After all, a casino is only as strong as the games it offers. Otherwise, you’ll soon get bored, and you’ll be forced to begin this gruelling process of finding a legitimate place to gamble once again. Some casino sites allow you to play directly from the browser of the device you’re accessing the casino from. This is called Instant Play mode. Other casinos require you to download their software – no need to be alarmed here, as long as the software comes from a reputable provider like Microgaming, Playtech, IGT, Revolution and other big names. If you don’t wish to download anything, just go to the casino which supports Instant Play, it’s up to you to decide. Furthermore, the download speed and running of online games vary from casino to casino as they all make use of different platforms. This affects the online gaming quality and download speed. If you have a limited connection, you should check this out before going ahead with a real money deposit. Moreover, due to strict gambling laws in specific parts of the world, an important step before you sign up is to check that the casino accepts players from your country.

I’m confident you don’t want to be chained to your desktop PC or laptop to play your favourite game! The proliferation of smartphones and tablets in this generation means gambling has never been so accessible. Even if mobile gaming is not on your mind just yet, it’s good to find a casino which provides a seamless mobile platform. Some will offer downloadable apps, especially if you’re an Android user, while iPhone users will often be provided with an in-browser experience. It’s important to check that your device is compatible with the casino’s software.

Bonuses and Promotions

Gambling sites are always pushing bonuses and promotions which could ultimately play a major role in selecting your casino. Which rewards will benefit you the most? Other than the initial sign up bonus, like a 100% match deposit bonus, or no-deposit bonuses wherein you earn free casino cash, some sites work via collecting points. There are also VIP bonuses to look out for, as well as tournament listing bonuses and more, like daily and weekly promotions. Be aware that the sign-up bonus causes a lot of fresh players to start off with a relatively large sum of money, but don’t be fooled! It’s wise not to put in more than you can afford to lose. As the famed saying goes, ‘the house always wins’; there is some truth to it, and you will sooner lose before you start winning. In addition to this, bonuses which promise things like “200% up to 5000 credits” in free money are in fact too-good-to-be-true, so you should steer clear of these casinos. There are also several outrageous bonus requirements you must keep an eye out for. When you’ve found a casino with bonuses that work for you, it’s best to check the terms and conditions to make sure that there aren’t any underlying heinous requirements and more importantly that they apply to the games you enjoy playing.

Things to Look Out For

How can you be certain that a particular online casino is a safe place to deposit your hard-earned cash? There are a few safeguards you should look for. The first is that the casino uses 128 or 256-bit data encryption. This is the same protection provided by your bank – if it’s good enough for your bank it’s good enough for gambling sites!

The second is that the site makes use of a Random Number Generator or RNG, which is an algorithm used to deal games and imitate the spinning of reels in slot machines. You will usually find a badge on the casino’s site showing that they passed independent tests on their RNG. Probably the most well-known company is Technical Systems Testing (TST), now owned by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI).

It’s also highly critical that privacy policies are set in place, and you check them out. You should opt for a casino which will not sell or rent your personal information. Linked to the privacy policy are the T’s and C’s which are in fact quite similar. Here the casino is telling you how they operate and what the rules are regarding bonuses, withdrawal policies, and what happens if you hit a massive jackpot. It’s also highly recommended that you always read over the casino’s terms and conditions before you start playing (recording a screenshot wouldn’t be a bad idea either) just in case they decide to tweak the terms to benefit themselves to keep your money. Furthermore, since processing withdrawals can sometimes be a lengthy process, some individuals just don’t do enough research before they sign up and do not check how long the casino stipulates it will take. These details, both on the withdrawal and deposit side, will always be described clearly in the site’s terms and conditions.

Finally, one of the most clear-cut indications of a secure and fair casino is the possession of a gaming license. Gaming authorities or commissions analyse player complaints, software, games and player exclusion options to determine whether the casino is worthy of a license. Be careful though, as some gaming authorities are laxer than others. If you’re still not convinced, you can even check with the authority directly to confirm that the casino is regulated. It’s also a good sign if various organisations like eCOGRA approve the casino in question.

To be on the safe side, you should join a casino community forum wherein other players like yourself come together to talk about their experiences at individual casinos. This will give you a clear indication whether the one you’ve chosen to play at is legit.

How to Make a Deposit

If the casino you selected has been given the all-clear on what we’ve discussed so far, you’ve definitely found a winner! However, the deposit method you intend to use to fund your bankroll is another key decision you need to bear in mind. It’s futile to sign up at a casino which doesn’t support your payment method of choice. Commonplace deposit methods include credit and debit cards, e-wallets like Paypal, Skriller and Neteller, online bank transfers, and sometimes even cheques. The range of payment methods for deposits as well as withdrawals, along with the time it takes to process them, play an important part in the selection of the ideal casino.

It’s good to know that most gambling sites tend to have a minimum deposit and withdrawal amount which is a small sum of 10 credits. However, there are also cash out restrictions to watch out for. A frustrating issue which ails players is when a gambling site restricts the amount of winnings you can cash out at one time. Many online casinos limit how much of your winnings you can cash out to 3,000 credits a week. This can be a bother if you hit a massive jackpot of, for example, 20,000 credits, as it will take weeks for you to cash out your full winnings!

The best way to investigate a casino site is to sign yourself up for a free account and test out the games you want to play. Make sure that you can get hold of Customer Service too and see that they can adequately respond to any request you may make. You can also look for casino reviews from professional sites which have tested these pages themselves.

FAQ

How will I know which casinos to avoid like the plague?

One way of avoiding rogue and scam casinos is to refer to a blacklist. They’re added to these lists due to complaints (with evidence) issued by players who have been cheated, mistreated or stolen from. There isn’t one universal blacklist as yet, but many sites compile their lists using their own resources.

What is a welcome bonus?

Welcome bonuses are what online casinos use to attract new players. These offers match a percentage of your first deposit amount when you register. It’s a good idea to look for casinos with the highest welcome bonus and put as much money into your new account as possible. You’ll find welcome bonuses as much as 400% if you deposit 1,000 credits, which means that you’ll have 4,000 credits to try your luck with. Be sure to check out the T’s and C’s before you register though.

Are there any limits?

Limits may vary from site to site. There are a few online casinos which will have limits on particular games, and no limits on others. Although, those that do tend to have these restrictions usually allow for reasonably high bets. It’s only the really big high rollers who might have an issue with them.

Can I track my previous deposits and withdrawals?

Without question! Nowadays, online casinos allow you to follow your complete transaction history, permitting you to instant access to your list of deposits and withdrawals.