There are so many online casinos out there it’s hard to find the right one for your particular playing style. Even navigating the lingo can be pretty tricky! But we’re here to make it simple and straightforward for you by creating a simple check list for what you need and want. That way, when you find a casino that checks all your boxes, you know you’ve found a winner!
Is this Online Casino Legal and Regulated?
This should always be the first point you check when you look at any new online casino. There are so many online casinos around and most are regulated, but there are quite a few shady ones that are not. It’s up to you to make sure every casino you consider playing at is legal and regulated by an international gaming and e-commerce authority, such as e-Cogra. This is your assurance that the online casino will pay out when you win and will make sure your banking details remain secure and private.
Is this Online Casino Licensed for your Area?
Even if your chosen casino is regulated by an international gambling authority, they may not be licensed to cater to players from your country or state. If this is the case, it means that you can deposit and play to your heart’s content online, but when it comes time to withdraw your winnings, your withdrawal may be blocked by either the casino or by your bank. So it’s worthwhile checking the licensing of your chosen casino for your particular country.
What Games Does the Casino have to Offer?
If you love to play Texas Hold’em poker online, you need to look for an online casino with plenty of Texas poker options. Each online game is slightly different, so, for example, an online casino with lots of Texas poker options will have Texas Hold’em games for high rollers, low budgets, speed games, beginner’s tables and many even cater to professional poker competitors.
If the casino’s focus is on your favourite game, you’ll also find that casino offers more competitions, tournaments, bonuses and promotions for that game. Plus, if you ever get tired of the variation you are playing, they will have plenty of options for that are particularly suited to poker players to switch to try something new. The same also applies to blackjack, pokies, roulette, baccarat and every other online casino game you can think of!
What Bonuses Does the Casino Offer?
This is usually the first thing players look for when they check out an online casino, but notice that we put it further down on the list. Why? Because almost every online casino has a super welcome bonus on offer. You might also notice that some welcome bonuses are significantly more generous than others, so you should shop around.
However, it’s also important to check out the wagering requirements for the bonus and consider how that offsets the generosity of the main offer. For example, one welcome bonus might offer you up to $1,000 free when you deposit $500. But the wagering requirements, ie. the fine print, might also require you to play through your $1,500 x40 before they’ll let you start withdrawing your winnings.
On the other hand, a less generous welcome bonus that offers you up to $200 when you deposit $200 might only require you to play through your deposit x10. This option would be more attractive to a novice or a player who isn’t so serious about their gaming.
What Banking Methods does the Casino Support?
Before you sign up to any casino, you should check out their banking section and see what deposit AND WITHDRAWAL methods are available for your region.
If you only have an AMEX card, you’ll find very few casinos support them, or if you prefer to deposit via direct bank transfer, you may find that your bank won’t allow transactions to an online casino, or might charge exorbitant international transaction fees (because the money will be transferred to whichever country the casino is legally registered as a business, not to their local online branch).
Also, not all deposit methods are supported as withdrawal methods, so make sure you check your withdrawal options before you make your first deposit.
What’s the Customer Service Like?
This is actually not so hard to check: all you have to do is either call the casino, or open a chat and see how helpful the customer service is. Do they have 24-hour assistance? Do the agents speak your language and are they well informed about the casino’s policies and requirements? It’s important to know that when you play and deposit money into an online casino, someone who’s clued in is always available to answer your questions or resolve any problems quickly.
Is there a Loyalty Rewards System or VIP Club you can Join?
Most online casinos have some kind of loyalty club that offers a whole lot of advantages. For one, they usually improve your rakebacks the longer you play. Also, they usually offer monthly competitions, prizes and better conditions when you climb the VIP ranks. VIP clubs are almost always free to join and you improve your ratings with every game you play for real money, so they are especially important if you plan to play for a long time.
Once you’ve checked all the boxes on the list, you know you’ve found the right online casino where you can enjoy playing and winning for years to come.
