What you should know before gambling online
What you should know before gambling online. Gambling online is a journey. And a hugely exciting one at that! It’s all about adrenaline, exhilaration, and pure gaming thrills. And if you do happen to win, then it’s a rush like no other! Just like anything in life, it’ll have its ups and downs, which is to be expected. But what if you knew what those ‘downs’ would be ahead of time? Would you enjoy the experience even more, manage your finances better, and take more away from a gaming session at the end of the day?
That’s exactly what we’re here to help with! As seasoned players ourselves, we know exactly what beginners go through when gambling online for the first time. And we know what to look out for and what to avoid. We know what you should know before you embark on this journey. We’ve made the mistakes ourselves, and we’ve made them first. So now we’d like you to benefit from our hard-won experience (someone should, right?)! Read on as we take you through what we wish we’d known when gambling for the first time, and start your journey as a newbie gambler on the right foot!
What you should know – Set yourself a gambling budget first
What you should know before you even start researching online casinos or claiming casino bonuses. You need to make sure you can afford to gamble in the first place. It might sound obvious, but this is a first step that many people miss. Thinking they can just place an affordable bet or two and everything will be fine. Spoiler alert: it won’t be.
That’s because like any other expense in life, gambling needs to be budgeted for. Even if you only plan on placing one or two bets. And if you don’t take this into consideration before starting out, you could find yourself making some very expensive mistakes. So in order to manage your finances as responsibly as possible, draw up a budget for your gambling before you even place a single bet.
Add it to your list of monthly expenses as you would any other activity. And make sure that no matter what amount you set for yourself, it’s one you’re comfortable with losing. What you should know is, once you’ve settled on an amount that fits within your means, make sure you stick to it. That way you’ll be able to enjoy your gambling experience to the full. And you’ll still be able to meet your other financial responsibilities with no worries. Which is the perfect space to be in!
Play at licensed, reputable sites
What you should know is, once you’ve settled on a gambling budget you’re comfortable with, it’s time to find a place to play! We wish it was as easy as signing up with the first online casino you see, but with so many hundreds of online casinos competing for your attention, some less scrupulous than others, it’s an absolute must for you to do a little research before making a commitment. Always know what you’re getting into first – that’s our advice and we’re sticking to it.
Why? Because when it comes to online gambling, what you should know is, safety should always be your top priority. So before you make your final decision and sign up with any old gambling site. Make sure you do your due diligence first, and find out whether your prospective casino is reputable, licensed, and regulated.
What you should know is, that a casino is legal and certified.
Look at its website for proof of its certification and legality. What you should know is to check to see whether it has encryption technology in place to protect your personal and financial information and find out whether it offers fair games with certified and audited Random Number Generators. Online forums will be a great resource, as will reviews. This first step isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have, so for your safety and that of your bankroll, make sure you do your homework. A little knowledge goes a long way!
Understand the games before you play them
This might sound obvious, but again, this is something that new (or even overly confident) players often don’t do, to their detriment. What you should know is that jumping head-first into a game without understanding the rules, odds, and strategies involved can be costly. Especially when you’re not even sure what you’re betting on, or how to play the game.
It’s for this reason that playing for free first can be so beneficial. Taking the time to understand the ins and outs of a game in a risk-free environment. Without spending any of your own money along the way. What you should know is that some new players will make the mistake of bypassing the demo casino entirely, preferring to rush straight into real money play. But keep your wits about you! Practice can be a hugely valuable tool. As can experience and understanding, so the more you know before placing a bet for the first time, the better. Then once you’re confident in your skills. That’s when you move to real money play, and that’s when you make your bid for jackpot greatness!
Claim your bonuses wisely
Wisely? Is that even a thing? What’s the big deal about claiming bonuses. And why do you need to be cautious about it? Good questions and we’ll give you the answers!
First of all, it’s important to note that there’s nothing to be worried about when it comes to claiming bonuses. What you should know is if you’re playing with a licensed, regulated and reputable site, everything should run like clockwork. That’s because sign-up bonuses are a fantastic way to incentivize new players to sign up with casinos (new players meaning you) so they’re usually very generous, and very well managed.
What you do need to bear in mind though, are any wagering or playthrough requirements that may apply to the bonus you’re claiming. And for that you’ll need to read the terms and conditions first. What you should know is that we know it’s boring and that you’ll most likely want to check the box without reading them. But it’s vital that you know what you’re getting into before you claim a casino bonus.
Make sure you’re aware of how many times you need to wager your bonus before you request a cashout.
What you should know is that if there are any particular qualifying game you need to play as well. Stick to the rules and you won’t have any issues requesting a withdrawal when the time comes – and transforming your virtual credits into actual cash is always the fun part!
Take part in promotions (when you can afford to)
Here’s something we wish we’d known when we first started gambling online – that taking part in promotions is a whole lot of fun! If you’re like us, you might think that the rewards are over once you claim your sign-up bonus. But what you should know is that in fact that’s only the beginning of your journey.
That’s because most reputable casinos offer their regular players a huge variety of additional bonuses, promotions, prizes and rewards, and if you keep your wits about you, you could capitalize on them in a huge way.
From reload bonuses to birthday bonuses, free spins and happy hour promos to prize giveaways, tournaments and even loyalty programmes too. Every day is another chance to win when you’re signed up at a world-class online casino. What you should know is that taking advantage of what’s on offer could help you build your bankroll like a champ.
Don’t ignore promos like we did at first. What you should know is to keep an eye out for them in your inbox or on your casino site. And take part in them when you can afford to. Not only will you be enjoying the full casino experience, you could also make some much-needed extra cash on the side as well – and that’s a win in our book!
Know when to stop
You might not think this is something you need to learn right off the bat. But the sooner you know when to stop as a gambler, the better. What you should know is that it’s one of the most challenging parts of playing online. But it’s one of the most crucial too. Knowing when you need to cut your losses and walk away, before you start making expensive mistakes.
What you should know is that any time you start chasing your losses, you’re on dangerous ground. You’ll keep betting and betting in order to win your money back. And before you know it, you’ll have blown through your gambling budget, your bankroll, and maybe even money earmarked for other responsibilities too. Equally, it’s just as important to get out when you’re on a winning streak, because your luck could come to an end at any moment.
In order to stay on top of your gambling habits and make sure that you’re always playing responsibly.
What you should know is to set yourself limits, and stick to them. Whether you limit the amount of time you spend gambling, the amount you lose or the amount you win. Ensure that you set clear boundaries for yourself, and that you always remain within them. The sooner you become used to playing with limits in mind, the better for your bankroll and your mental health.
So what have we learned? What you should know is that gambling is as thrilling and rewarding as you’ve heard. But that it’s a good idea to approach it with caution and responsibility. We’ve already made our mistakes. Now we want you to learn from them, and apply them to your own gambling journey. By taking our advice and following our tips, you’ll be able to avoid common pitfalls and enjoy a safe and enjoyable online gambling experience. Remember, gambling is all about having fun, and about staying in control at the same time. Good luck!