Since the advent of online casinos on the Internet, millions of gambling fans face a difficult choice every day. Even experienced gamblers find it difficult to navigate the variety of virtual establishments, and beginners find themselves in complete confusion. What to look for when choosing an online casino? How to protect yourself from fraudsters? Financial and legal aspects, services and bonuses, a collection of presented games – you don’t need to be a guru in these matters to choose the best casino, but a little knowledge will come in handy.
Legal subtleties
Each casino operates in the jurisdiction of a particular state. The legality of gamblers from different countries being on the site depends on it. Such lists are provided in the casino rules, for example, you can take a look at the standard casino rules by visiting the Casinonic website. When choosing a site, you must make sure that the institution accepts players from the country you live in. You can contact technical support with this question and make sure that there will be no problems with the verification and withdrawal of funds in the future.
License
All the features of choosing an online casino do not make sense if the casino does not have a license. This is permission for gaming activities. It is issued by the state or the gambling regulator. Trusted operators work under licenses obtained in the UK, Malta, Curacao, Alderney, Maine, and other territories.
License information is usually located at the bottom of the site. It’s easy to verify its authenticity. The online casino website indicates the organization that issued the document and license number. You need to go to the regulator’s page and check this number.
For the player, the license is legal protection. In the event of a conflict (lack of payments, prolonged withdrawal of funds, suspicions of fraudulent results, etc.), the gambler has the right to contact the supervisory authority that issued the document, and the regulatory body considers the situation within 21 days.
Domain
Additionally, the domain name can be checked. The Whois service indicates the date the resource was created and the contact details of the owner. It is good if this information matches the information on the main page of the online casino. One-day sites without specifying the owner are not a reliable choice.
Making deposits and withdrawing funds at the casino
Finance is one of the main components of gambling. This criterion must be checked in any way, so later you do not have to puzzle over how to cash out the winnings, you need to assess in advance whether the casino is suitable for the game according to several criteria:
- payment systems for depositing and withdrawing funds;
- currency used in the institution;
- terms of withdrawal of winnings;
- withdrawal limits;
- account verification.
The payment method is very important. If the player does not have a virtual wallet, it is better to create one. The one that is supported by a gambling site. Payments to a bank card may seem more convenient, but a fee is charged for such a transaction by the bank itself.
Advanced users may find it more convenient to settle in cryptocurrency. This narrows the choice of sites, but more and more online casinos with bitcoin bets appear in the rating of reliable establishments every day.
Withdrawal terms and limits
The timing of the payout is considered an important competitive advantage. This information is also indicated in the rules. If the operations take up to 5-7 days, this should be alarming. An application processed in 24 hours indicates the efficiency of the site. The gold standard is the presence in the list of payment systems at least 2-3 methods which allow us to withdraw funds instantly.
Some gambling establishments set a limit on the withdrawal of winnings. For example, $ 2,500 per day or $ 25,000 per week. If the player wants to withdraw $ 5,000, he will have to split the transaction by 2 times. You can wait two days, but what if the win is big, for example – 250,000?! The payment will take a much longer time.
If there is a limit for a one-time payment in the range of $ 5,000-10,000, it is perfectly acceptable. High net worth casinos may not restrict withdrawals at all.
Site and selection of games
The software of the virtual establishment plays an important role as well. The choice of gambling entertainment and the reliability of the gaming process depend on the platform you’ve chosen. What you need to look for to check games at casino site:
- the casino software is tested by independent laboratories;
- no errors when loading pages;
- availability of round-the-clock technical support.
A clear structure and an eye-catching design are a great advantage of the site. Especially for those who spend at least 2-3 hours a day on the resource. A small menu, a clear division into sections, everything you need is always at hand. An additional plus is the presence of a mobile application and a downloadable client for the desktop.
Account verification
Usually, gambling establishments ask for documents to confirm the identity of the client, linking this procedure with the first payment. It is better to choose an online casino where the account is verified immediately after registration. In this case, the player won’t worry that he will have any problems with the withdrawal of winnings in advance.
Game certification
A licensed virtual casino has a significant advantage: all gaming software on its site must also be licensed. The certification of slot machines at the gambling site is a separate area in this competitive industry. Before offering a slot machine to an online casino, the manufacturer undergoes mandatory verification.
Usually, the software is tested by the British company eCOGRA or the Australian iTech Labs, their authority is recognized all over the world. Laboratory specialists check the RNG (random number generator), return percentage, and other parameters of games. Checks are also carried out after the games are posted on the sites so that the operator is not tempted to “tweak” the program code.
If eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or another independent laboratory is listed among the partners of an online casino, this is a sure sign of using licensed software. Otherwise, the user will have to independently conclude the honesty of the casino. It is more difficult, but also real. A control server is assigned to each manufacturer. You can check this fact using the traffic control program.
If a player is thinking about how to choose an honest online casino, the availability of certified machines will be the answer.
A selection of gambling games
A good casino has a wide range of games: slots, roulette, poker, card, and table games. Licensed establishments are offering only slot machines, and this is enough for many gamblers. The choice depends on the preference of the player. Another modern trend is Live Casino games, where you can play with real dealers.
Beginners should start with reliable slots from industry leaders: Microgaming, Igrosoft, NetEnt, Playtech.
Bonus programs
To attract new customers, virtual gambling houses widely advertise welcome bonuses – free spins for registration or replenishment of an account for a first deposit. You should understand in advance the conditions for the provision of bonus funds. Clarify the wager and the duration of the promotion. It is worth using offers with little wagering during the week.
A casino is considered good if there are loyalty programs in which regular customers receive tangible rewards: increased cashback, participation in prize raffles, and other privileges.
User reviews
Many resources are constantly updating online casino leaderboards, publishing detailed reviews. If you are not too lazy and read the players’ forums, you can find out a lot of interesting and true information. A good casino always gets into the ratings and has positive reviews. This also applies to the administration of the resource: the presence of support service and behavior in conflict situations create a reputation.
Conclusion
How to choose a good online casino? It is enough to look at a few important criteria. A license, popular payment systems, certified slot machines, and a user-friendly website are the keys to fair play. In order not to fall for the bait of scammers, you need to carefully read the rules and check all the documents before registration.