Online Casino

This article is just what you’ve been looking for if you are new to the concept of an online casino. Online gambling has become hugely popular over the last couple of decades, especially as mobile phone technology has developed so rapidly. Online casinos now attract millions of visitors every day. So what is an online casino and how does it work? How can you choose the right casino from the thousands that are now operating? We will answer those questions for you here.

How does an online casino work?

Online casinos are pretty simple as an idea, really, and work in pretty much the same way as other forms of online entertainment or shopping. You need to open an account at a reputable site before you can start playing at an online casino for real money. To open an account, you will need to provide personal details, including a valid email address, and select an approved payment method. You will also need to select a username and password, just like you would if you were opening an account at an online sales outlet.

Properly licensed online casinos are very safe and secure and use technology like SSL encryption to keep your personal data safe. All transactions are handled securely and you can use well-known payment methods like Visa and Mastercard debit cards or PayPal to fund your account.

You also need to know a few things before you start playing, and we’ll discuss those next.

What do you need to know before betting in an online casino?

The most important thing to know before you open an account at an online casino is how to play the games. While slots are very simple to learn, if you want to play table games like blackjack or roulette you will need to know the rules and a little about strategy before you play them for real money. It pays to do a little research before you open an account so that you are properly equipped before you start risking any of your own money.

What games can you bet on at online casinos?

The range of games on offer at online casinos these days is huge, and most casino sites will have hundreds of options for you. The range of slots on offer at most online casinos nowadays is massive, and developers like Net Entertainment, Playtech, Red Tiger, and Microgaming have produced many thrilling games.

In addition to slots, though, you can also play more traditional casino table games, or at least online versions of them. Old favourites like blackjack and roulette remain very popular, and you can usually play several forms of video poker at an online casino too. The range of online casino games is growing all the time too, as special games like Monopoly are also often available.

The options are often increased now that many online casino also have live casinos. Live casinos combine the thrills of a visit to a real-life casino with the convenience of playing at home in comfort. Players participate in games like blackjack and roulette with real dealers, with all the action streamed so that they can always see what is happening. As well as traditional casino games, players can also enjoy games like Deal or No Deal or Wheel of Fortune with live hosts.

How do you know if an online casino is safe?

The best way to check the safety of online casinos is to check their licences. Reputable and safe online casinos will always hold a licence from a respected body like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). These are two of the world’s most stringent regulatory bodies, and they audit all licence holders regularly to ensure that they are adhering to the required standards of safety and fairness. If an online casino holds a UKGC or MGA licence then you can rest assured that the site is safe to use.

Another good way to check the safety of a site is to enquire with their customer service team about what security systems are in place. Most sites use some form of SSL encryption to keep their customers’ data safe. Customer service should be willing to tell you exactly how they protect their customers from online threats.

What is a welcome bonus?

As you make your way around the world of online casinos, you will notice that many of them offer special promotional bonuses to their customers. The most common form of bonus is a welcome bonus, and these can take a number of forms. We’ll look at some of them here for you.

• Deposit bonus

This is probably the most common form of welcome bonus that you will see offered at online casinos. In return for opening an account and making a first deposit of at least the minimum allowed you will receive a chunk of bonus credit. The casino will often match the amount of your first deposit 100%, and there may well be subsequent deals in place for your second and third deposit too.

The important thing to check with any kind of casino bonus is the wagering requirements. These are the conditions you need to meet to be able to withdraw your bonus and any associated winnings as real cash. You will usually need to wager the bonus amount and any winnings several dozen times, often within 30 days, to be able to turn the bonus into cash. This is why it is important to always read the terms and conditions of the bonus before you claim it.

• No deposit bonus

A no deposit bonus works in a similar way to a deposit bonus, only you do not need to put any real money into your account to claim it. You can claim the offer simply by opening an account. In return for doing this, you will receive some bonus credit. The wagering requirements for bonuses of this type are usually very severe, though, so always read the terms and conditions of an offer before you commit to claiming it! This type of bonus is not online casino free money!

• Bonus games

Another popular form of bonus at online casinos is to offer bonus games or extra spins, usually on slots. This type of bonus is often used to promote a specific slot game or games from a specific developer. The number of spins you receive varies, and the wagering requirements can be strict. You do occasionally find extra spins bonuses that offer real money winnings, though, and you should think about claiming these very carefully, as they can be quite lucrative. Online casino free games bonuses like this tend to be offered by the larger operators.

What payment methods can you use at an online casino?

If you’re new to the world of online casinos then you might not know which methods you can use to fund your account. Just as with online shopping, the range of payment methods on offer at online casinos now is really extensive. Perhaps the most popular payment method is debit cards, which are very secure and widely accepted. Visa and Mastercard debit cards are widely accepted at online casinos and can usually be used to deposit and withdraw funds.

Ewallets like PayPal are also becoming more widely accepted. These are very convenient and secure, and many online casino gamers like to use them. Some ewallets do prevent you from being able to claim welcome bonuses and other promotional offers, however, so you should choose carefully if you want to use ewallets. Skrill and Neteller are alternative ewallets to PayPal that are widely accepted at online casinos.

There is a growing range of other methods on offer too. Some casinos allow you to pay using your mobile phone account, though you cannot withdraw funds using this method. Apps like Boku are helping to facilitate the process of paying via mobile phone accounts. Some online casinos also accept cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, though it is a good idea to be cautious when using cryptocurrency.

Can you win real money at an online casino?

You can win real money at online casinos by risking your own money. This is why bankroll management is such a key skill for anyone who wants to play online casino games. If you keep a close eye on what you are spending then you are much more likely to make wise decisions and increase your chances of winning real money.

Strategies for success at an online casino

When it comes to being successful at online casinos, there are a few principles that you can apply. Nothing guarantees success when gambling online, but if you stick to these basic ideas, you should put yourself in a strong position.

• Know the games you want to play

In any form of gambling, knowledge always increases your chances of success. If you want to play games at online casinos, you should research them first. This is especially important if you want to play table games like blackjack that include plenty of strategic elements. There are plenty of strategies that you can research to help you succeed in games like this.

• Remember the RNG!

It is important when playing slots to note that all spins are controlled by something called a Random Number Generator. This guarantees that all outcomes are random and there is nothing you can do to influence them. Having said that, you can still increase your chances of success when playing slots if you take the time to learn about a game before you play it. Knowing about aspects like how the bonus features work is always useful.

• Always keep calm and set time limits if necessary

Keeping the emotion out of gambling is crucial. If you are trying to relieve stress by gambling or playing when you feel angry or under pressure then you are likely to make reckless decisions and play unwisely. Online casinos are supposed to be about fun and entertainment, so set time limits to keep things fresh!

• Never risk more than you can afford to lose

As we have said elsewhere, bankroll management is a key skill for any gambler to acquire. When playing at online casinos, you should always be aware of how much is left in your bankroll and how much you can afford to lose. Risking more money than you can really afford is a sure way to cause yourself problems and make online casino gambling a stressful rather than entertaining experience. Always keep a close eye on your bankroll!

Conclusion

As you can see, playing at an online casino is exciting and entertaining, as well as something that is easy to get started with. One thing that you always need to remember is that you are risking real money, even if you have managed to pick up an online casino no deposit bonus. You always need to manage your bankroll carefully to make sure you stay in control. You should also never play online if you are feeling angry or stressed, as this can lead to you making bad decisions.

Always check the licensing before you open an account, and make sure that the range of games is wide and that there is a tempting welcome bonus. If good customer service and a wide selection of payment methods are also in place, then you should be onto a winner!