Online Casino

  Know the rules: Before trying a new game, it’s important to read the rules. Make sure you fully understand these, especially when it comes to table games and live dealers which can be more complicated than online slots.

  Always play for fun: Gambling should be fun, and you should always play with money you can afford to lose. Keeping this in mind will also help you stick to a budget.

  Read the bonus fine print: Check the terms and conditions first when claiming a no deposit casino bonus or other promotion. Familiarize yourself with the wagering requirements, maximum bonus bets, and the time to claim and use the offer.

  Know Your RTP: Understanding the RTP, volatility, and variance of a game will help you in your sessions. Do you prefer playing with small stakes for a longer period of time? Or do you like high stakes with fast gameplay and good returns?

  Choosing which online casino to join is an important step before signing up and can greatly impact your gambling experience. There are thousands of casinos to choose from, with new sites launching every month.

  If you are completely new to the world of online casinos, you should read our Beginner’s Guide to Online Casinos. For now, we will discuss the main factors that you should be aware of and research in order to make the right decision.

  Not all casinos are available or licensed to operate in all countries. Make sure the casino you are considering is available and licensed to operate legally in your country or state. We will always indicate whether or not the casino we recommend is available in your country.

  Licenses and registrations help keep online casinos in check and offer the highest level of support to their players. If you choose a casino that is not licensed in your country or state, your protection as a customer is very limited.

  Make sure your chosen casino has a valid license by checking their licensing information at the bottom of their website.

  There are plenty of free play options available at most online casinos, but if you are considering playing for real money, the obvious thing to check is what payment options are available. Make sure you check what options are available for withdrawals, as not all deposit options can be used to withdraw funds.

  Of course, one of the biggest draws when choosing an online casino is what games they offer. While this is certainly an important factor, it is even more important to check which game providers they support and partner with.

  Reliable gaming providers are regularly audited to ensure they have fair gaming practices and usually only work with reputable casinos.

  Casinos vary in terms of features, bonuses, game selection, payment methods and other factors, which can be overwhelming, but more important than that is whether they treat their players fairly.

  Terms should be clearly communicated on their website and promotional materials and should be fair to you in terms of industry standards—e.g., wagering requirements, maximum wins, minimum deposits, etc., and dispute resolution.

  Some online casinos use predatory practices to deceive players, deny withdrawals without legitimate reasons, and unfairly increase profits at the expense of players.

  We will always inform our readers if a casino is not recommended or blacklisted for clear reasons.

  Customer support is probably one of the most important factors when playing at an online casino. Not only should they provide multiple channels for getting support in your local language, but they should also be able to resolve issues quickly and professionally.

  A great gaming experience can quickly turn sour if the casino doesn't respond well to customer inquiries.

  We have a great guide on knowing your Rights as a Player to help empower and educate you in interacting with online casinos.

Online Gambling

  Casinos use bonuses as a way to attract new players, but these bonuses come with strings attached in the form of terms and conditions. These terms and conditions can be restrictive, and if players don’t follow them, they can lose their bonus and potential winnings.

  Casino bonuses are promotional offers that casinos offer to new and existing players. The most common type of bonus is a deposit match, where the casino matches a certain percentage of your deposit. For example, a 100% deposit match bonus up to $100 means the casino will match your deposit up to $100.

  Bonuses usually have wagering requirements, which means you have to play a certain amount of money before you can withdraw the bonus money. For example, a $100 bonus with a 20x wagering requirement means you have to play $2,000 before you can withdraw the bonus.

  Bonuses can also be cashable or non-cashable. Cashable bonuses can be withdrawn, but non-cashable bonuses can only be used for playing.

  Casino bonuses are a great way to get started at a casino, but make sure you read the terms and conditions before claiming the bonus.

  The amount of money you can win from a casino bonus is often limited. Also, bets placed on restricted games do not count towards wagering requirements. It is often better for beginning players to play without a bonus.

  If thinking about complicated math equations gives you a migraine, don't worry, we'll explain what you need to know in an easy-to-understand way.

  All casino games are configured to give the casino an advantage, known as the ‘house edge’. The house edge is the percentage of money wagered that the casino can make back in the long run. Knowing how this affects you will go a long way in managing your expectations.

  Casino games have a theoretical long-term return-to-player (RTP) value, meaning that, over time, players will tend to win back a certain percentage of their initial investment. However, this does not mean that players will win back their entire investment in a single session. RTP is a statistical value, and individual game spins can vary greatly. Casinos can rely on statistics to gain an advantage in the long run. While individual players may get lucky and win in the short term, the overall result will eventually reach the expected RTP.

  For example, if a particular game has an RTP of 94.7%, statistically, over time, you can expect a return of 94.7%. On a $100 bet, that equates to $94.70, while the casino expects $5.30. Keep in mind that this is a statistical average and not an indication of how much you can win on a particular bet.

  Wagering requirements are very important when deciding on a casino bonus. This is the total amount you need to wager before you can claim any winnings from the bonus funds. This has been briefly discussed above, but one thing to look out for is whether the wagering requirements apply to just the bonus funds or both the deposit and bonus funds. This makes a big difference in the total amount you need to wager. Don’t be caught off guard when trying to cash out – make sure you understand the terms and conditions. Quite a few online casino complaints relate to this.

  One of the most important factors is volatility (also known as variance), which relates to how big individual wins are and how often they occur.

  Gambling addiction, or problem gambling, is a serious problem that can have devastating consequences for those affected. It is important to approach gambling with caution and treat it as a form of entertainment rather than a way to make money.

  Problem gambling can lead to financial ruin, relationship problems, and mental health problems. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, there are resources available to help.

  The first step is to admit that you have a problem. This can be difficult, but it is important to get help. Once the problem is recognized, steps can be taken to gamble safely.

  Know when to walk away. If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, there is help available.