Quick Start

Introduction to Online Gambling

As you navigate from one casino website to another, it might seem arbitrary in regards to choosing the best online casino to play at. It is important to keep in mind that the actual quality does matter; this is why you should check the quality of the website. Also, keep in mind to look at if the casino is properly licensed, if players can play from any country in the world, what the payout rate is, etc. The last tip is always to always trust your first impression. If at any point you have any doubts about the casino, its policies, or how they conduct business, delete your account and source a new legitimate one.

Since online gambling is a relatively young industry, there are many good and not so good online casinos. Be conscientious about where you choose to play. Fortunately, all of the top casino brands in the online gambling world are regulated by respectable and reputable agencies. This also means they are usually audited and tested for fairness by top auditing agencies such as eCOGRA and TST Labs. However, with that said, there are still many unlicensed casinos marketing their brands on the internet as well. As a result, it is vital for your safety to choose only licensed and audited casinos.

The Basics of Playing Online

1. Download or Instant Play:

When choosing an online casino, there are two basic ways to enjoy its offered games. There is downloadable software, and there is Java or Flash-based software. There are pros and cons to each type. For instance, the Java-based casino gives players the chance to enjoy casino games immediately through their web browser without having to install software games. The next is the downloadable version. This does require a download, but it offers a bigger collection of games with better graphics and sounds. That being said, if you are looking for an enjoyable gambling experience of the highest quality, you should opt for the downloadable casino. On the other hand, if you are looking for something more immediate, the Flash or Java-based version is the more suitable choice. Some casinos offer you a free CD version of the software that they mail to you.

2. Creating an Account:

Whether you have chosen Java or the downloadable version, you will have to create an account at the chosen casino. The account that you create will allow you to play on both the downloadable and the Java versions of the casino. You can create the account on the casino website, or it can be done through the software itself. The registration process includes providing the casino with some essential personal data including first name, last name, user name, email address, physical address, and some other details.

3. Handling the Banking:

After creating the account, it is time to start playing. Some casinos let players try the games for free with practice credits before placing real money. If you intend to place real money wagers, you will have to deposit some money into your account in order to play. You will head to the cashier section of the casino and make a deposit. Most casinos support numerous traditional and alternative payment methods. This includes Skrill, Bank Transfers, Western Union, Click2Pay, ClickandBuy, and Neteller among others. Choose the method that is suitable for you and make a deposit. Since it is your first one, make sure to check if the casino has any special welcome bonuses or promotions so you can use their code while making a deposit to claim the bonus.

Once the money arrives in the casino account, you will be able to start playing. Before engaging in any game, it is important to check the rules. This is because there are casinos that favor European Rules while others favor American Rules. These rules vary greatly, so you should evaluate the differences before playing. After playing, you will be able to cash out your winnings or your remaining balance. Of course, if you have claimed any promotional credit, it is important to clear it by meeting the wagering requirements before you can withdraw it. These requirements can be found in the Terms and Conditions on the promotions page. If you are planning to play again, you should consider leaving the cash in your account, it is safe there. If you want to withdraw, you can head over to the cashier and ask for a withdrawal via the supported methods. Some casinos offer specific methods for both withdrawals and deposits alike.

The Pros & Cons of Online Gambling

There is of course an enormous difference between online and betting at a land-based casino. This brings a long list of pros as well as cons. Below we will mention the different pros and cons of online gambling in comparison to land-based gambling.

Pros:

1. Online gambling is a very competitive industry; this is why many casinos offer great promotions & bonuses to attract players and keep them playing at their casino. This also includes sign up promotions’ that can add up to 150% of their original deposit as well as regular promotions and tournaments.
2. The rules of the games are much better than the ones at the land-based casinos.
3. Players will not have to travel long distances as they can enjoy it in the comfort of their home.
4. Gamblers will not have to endure annoyances and inconveniences such as smokers and drunken players.
5. Online players will not feel obligated to pay tips to the dealers.
6. Players can find a variety of games that cover different gambling genres.
7. The ability to enjoy different versions of the games at the same place.

Cons:

1. Players will have to be patient when it comes to getting their money after they request a cashout. This is because withdrawals on most methods can take from three up to 5 working days.
2. Customer service can be tricky depending on the casino. Some casinos offer top-notch customer support that is available around the clock and can be reached through many methods. Other casinos might not provide a phone number, and they take several days before responding to emails.
3. Players will not be able to submit a dispute. Unlike brick and mortar casinos, players are not permitted to submit a dispute as the word of the casino is final and beyond questioning.
4. If a player is gambling at numerous casinos, the credit card statement can become a true nightmare. This is because the transactions on the statement rarely mention the casino’s name as they only provide you with the merchant bank.

Although there are cons, they are quickly overwhelmed with the pros of making online gambling a fun and exciting experience for everyone.

Online Casino Blacklist

Casinos are keen to support each other, and this includes sharing their blacklists. If a player ends up on the blacklist of a casino; there is a big chance that he will not be welcomed at other online casinos. There are numerous reasons which include credit card fraud, by using other people’s credit cards, threatening to dispute, and manipulating the software.

Promotions & Bonuses

Online casinos rely on attractive bonuses and promotions to encourage players to sign up. The most common bonus is the welcome promotion, also referred to as a sign-up bonus. This bonus can be claimed by new players only, some of these bonuses require a deposit and others do not. These bonuses can give players free money (with a maximum of 15 credits), and others can match the first deposit of players up to 150% giving players a lot of free credits to wager with. Of course, with such generous promotions come strict wagering requirements. These wagering requirements obligate players to bet the bonus amount a specific number of times before it can be withdrawn. Players who request a withdrawal before meeting the requirements will forfeit the bonus credit. Players can find all information regarding the bonuses and the attached wagering requirements on the Terms and Conditions tab on the promotion’s page. Players can also contact support for further information.

Choosing the Best Online Casino

As a new online player, you will find plenty of options when it comes to online casinos. They will all claim to offer the best service, which is not necessarily true as some of them offer higher quality than others. Therefore to help you decide, we will mention some points that you should pay attention to when you are choosing a casino online.

1. It has to have a generous welcome bonus that you can claim to double up your money as you start your gambling journey.
2. 24/7 Customer support that is available through various means of contact including live chat and a phone number
3. The licensing of the casino
4. The software developers that power it and provides it with games
5. It has to support numerous banking options including the one you use.
6. The gambling group that owns and operates the casino
7. The auditing firm that audits the games