What do you need to look out for when choosing an online casino? There are so many parameters to take into account that it is often overwhelming for new players to sift through the lists of casinos screaming their wares.
We have listed 5 essential questions you MUST ASK before opening an account at an online casino.
1. Does it have a license? From where?
A legit casino will always have a valid gambling license from a prominent licensing authority. For players, casino licenses come with certain minimum guarantees. The best ones, like the UK Gambling Commission license, require casinos to take many steps to ensure that players are treated fairly.
Other good ones include:
- Malta
- Gibraltar
- Alderney
- Swedish Gaming Authority
Not all casinos have the means to apply for a UK or European license. They cost a lot of money and their terms can be expensive for a casino to adhere to. For smaller casinos, licenses from far-flung places like Curacao in the Caribbean provide a cheaper alternative.
Granted, they come with limited player-protection features, but these casinos are still desirable when compared to a no-license casino. Especially if you live in a country where online gambling is legal, like the UK, Ireland, or Sweden, always make it a point to join a licensed casino.
Even when you are not a resident in a pro-gambling territory, try to avoid unlicensed casinos. If they can’t even cough up the cash required for a cheaper Curacao, Panama, or Kahnawake License, they are probably too shady to park your precious money there.
2. What reputation does the casino have amongst other players?
If you want to find out if your new casino has “any skeletons in the closet” just do a simple search. Online review sites may not be the most unbiased, but you can still get a good idea about a casino reputation at some review platforms.
Online casino complaint platforms are a great source of reviews from actual players (mixed with many paid reviews as well). Always look at the complaints section and take the glowing, positive reviews with a pinch of salt!
Payments are often the most common cause of complaints among players. Does the casino have a history of arbitrarily blocking payouts, especially the big ones involving jackpot wins? If yes, you might want to steer clear of that one.
3. How big is the games selection? Is the software reliable?
Many casinos use multiple software providers and this is definitely a plus. It means you have a wide selection of games and will find something to suit your gaming needs.
Casino software should be an important consideration when picking an online casino. Companies like
- Netent
- Betsoft
- Microgaming
- iSoftBet,
- Evolution
- RTG
are the big names in the industry and can certainly be trusted.
All reputed software providers use RNG algorithms which ensure that casino games are truly luck-based and unbiased. Established companies are required by law to have their games software tested periodically at third-party testing labs for fair RNG. Some of the best independent testing labs out there are TST, GLI, and eCOGRA.
If your selected casino does not carry any of these logos, be careful. If the games come from unknown sources, don’t bother playing there. Those games could be rigged in favor of the house.
4. Will I be exposed to unfair terms and conditions?
This can be a problem even with fully legit, licensed casinos. They often hide important terms related to bonuses and withdrawals deep in the T&C pages. When you unknowingly violate these terms, they can block your payouts with impunity.
Bonus terms are very important in this context. Don’t get blinded by attractive bonus offers. Always read the fine print from top to bottom before playing for real cash at any online casino. If at all possible, it is advisable to use no deposit offers first, as you can test the waters without risking your own money.
Some unfair yet legit terms you should try to avoid include:
- Extremely high bonus wagering requirements
- Low weekly and monthly payout limits
- No single payout option for jackpot winnings
- An excessively long delay between withdrawal requests and processing of payouts
5. Does anything else stand out as suspicious?
As a beginner, you may not be able to spot the difference between a legit casino and shady online casino. But with experience, you will able to zero in on certain small features that are usually found in fraud casino sites.
The overall appearance of the casino can be a giveaway. Does it look well-designed? Or is very cheap, looking as if hastily put together? The quality of website design often clearly indicates if the casino is well-funded or not. If it does not have the cash to afford a decent website, how can it run a cash-based gambling business reliably?!
Anonymity is another clear indicator of a shady online casino. Do they provide any contact information? If you cannot find the operator’s location and official address, don’t bother playing at that casino.
A truly legit gambling operation will have a full disclosure policy on important information like contact details, license, fair gaming, auditing, and more. If a casino has few or none of the above details, they are probably not a legal entity and should be avoided.
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Now that you know what to look out for, begin slowly, play safely and always aim to enjoy yourself.
