My first experience choosing an online casino was easy; I took over for a buddy of mine during a particularly long poker tournament while he took a bathroom break. But most people won’t have that experience.
If you do a Google search for the phrase “online casino,” the sheer amount of results is dizzying. Online casinos of every stripe exist, some of which are actually sites set up just to steal your money. For the most part, online casinos are legitimate businesses, but you do have to keep your eyes open to prevent getting ripped off.
There are other things to consider besides the basic facts of a site’s legitimacy. Here’s a quick guide to how to choose an online casino.
1. Look for casinos that do business with citizens from your country.
Because of differing gambling laws around the world, not every online gaming site is allowed to do business with customers from every nation. The first thing to look for in an online gaming site is one that can legally accept bets from your country of origin.
2. Look for casinos that are regulated, licensed, and independently audited.
Casinos on the Internet have to be regulated, tested, and licensed, just like casinos in the real world. You can find out about a casino’s registration, licensure, and auditing credentials by looking at their website. Legit casinos proudly display certificates from third party auditors, government regulators, and licensing on the main page or on their FAQ page. If you can’t find this information, contact the casino’s customer service department and ask them for proof of their regulation and fairness testing.
3. Look for casinos with a lot of customer service contact methods.
You may, from time to time, have questions about your online gaming account, or a bonus program, or a withdrawal or deposit. Being able to contact customer service 24/7 is important, as is the ability to contact them through multiple methods. The best Playtech casinos offer live chat support around the clock as well as toll-free numbers you can call and email addresses for different customer needs. If you can’t easily find a casino’s customer service contact info or if the customer service department is rude or unhelpful, don’t do business with that casino.
4. Look for casinos with lots of promotional and bonus offers.
Most online gamblers don’t wager enough to really take advantage of today’s bonus offers, since wagering requirements and other terms and conditions have gone through the roof in recent years. But if you’re a big spender and have a fat online gambling bankroll, you’ll want to join an online casino with a deposit match bonus and reload bonuses to help add a little extra cash to your player account.
5. Look for casinos with games that you like.
This may be the most important aspect of choosing an online casino. Some Internet gaming sites specialize in slots, others on poker or sports betting. Me personally, I look for casinos with a wide variety of blackjack and other table games. Whatever your favorite type of gaming is, choose your online casino home or homes based on the availability of those games.