What every online casino needs
Want to try an online casino for the first time? Welcome! You’re about to enjoy a pastime loved by thousands of players around the world. It’s exciting, it’s engaging, and if you’re lucky, it could even win you some money too!
Where do you start though? With so many hundreds of online casinos to choose from, how do you select just one to sign up with and start your casino journey? It’s a fair question. And it’s one that has a number of answers. Just as there are differences between every online casino, there are some similarities too. And those similarities are non-negotiables that you need to ensure are in place before you sign on the dotted line (figuratively speaking, of course). So what does an online casino need to have in place to ensure that it’s a trustworthy establishment worthy of your consideration?
Let’s take a look at some online casino requirements
1. Licensing and registration. You might think it would go without saying, but there are plenty of unscrupulous casinos out there trying to circumvent the legalities (mostly because they cost time and money). And that’s not what you want to get caught up in, particularly when you’re just starting out. No, you want an online casino that’s completely legal, fully licensed, and registered in a reputable gaming jurisdiction.
If you’re unsure as to whether a particular casino has all these boxes checked, just take a look at their home page or their ‘About Us’ page on their website. It’s here that you’ll find all their licensing and registration information. Such as being licensed to operate in jurisdictions like Curacao, Malta, Gibraltar or the Isle of Man. And it’s here where you’ll find the peace of mind you’re looking for as well.
What about the games selection at an online casino?
2. Top online casino games. It’s what gambling online is all about, after all, which is why a gaming selection is so important. Any online casino wanting to stay in business needs to offer a wide, diverse selection of online casino games from the world’s leading online casino providers. Some names to look out for? Amongst others, NetEnt, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Betsoft, Games Global (formerly Microgaming), RTG, and a wealth of other leading software providers.
Once you’re sure a casino has quality games on offer, you then want to dig a little deeper into their selection, as here quantity is just as important as quality. Do they have a varied range of slots, table games, specialty games, progressive jackpots, live dealer games and more? Do they constantly update their selection to offer the latest and most recent gaming titles? And are they committed to bringing you the best of innovation and creativity? That’s what every reputable online casino needs to commit to, and that’s what you need to ensure you have waiting for you, once you sign up.
Constant offers for you to redeem.
3. Generous welcome bonuses. With so much competition out there, how do online casinos differentiate themselves and offer something that’s completely unique? Two words. Welcome bonuses. As a new real player, you’re a hot commodity for any online casino. And the best way they can get your attention and incentivize you to join them is through offering you a generous welcome bonus. And that’s where you can make some instant bonus cash, and lots of it!
Whether you claim a no deposit bonus, a free spins bonus or a match bonus (which requires a deposit to be made) you’ll have the opportunity to claim a certain amount of money upfront and use it to fund the start of your online casino journey. Typically the bonuses offered by casinos are hugely rewarding. Which means a little research could go a long way towards your bankroll, if you play your cards right. Just remember to read the terms and conditions first before you commit to anything, and you’ll be winning right from the word go!
Promotions also go a long way!
4. Regular online promotions. Staying with the rewards on offer at online casinos, you’ll want to sign up with a gaming establishment that offers more than just welcome bonuses. You’ll want one that has a variety of regular promotions on offer as well. Why? Because that’s what’ll keep you coming back for more. It’s not just the games on offer (although they’re important, as we’ve already said). It’s the thrill factor too. The entertainment aspect that the casino provides, and that keeps you loyal, and playing regularly. Which is something every casino wants.
So what should you be looking out for? An online asino’s website promotions page for one. Does it make mention of any additional bonuses, like reload bonuses, birthday bonuses, affiliate bonuses or more? Does it offer the chance to take part in tournaments, play certain slots for free spins, or enjoy happy hour promotions at various times of the day? Are there promotions you can take part in for the chance to win amazing prizes? And do they have a cash back or a loyalty programme in place? If you can answer yes to most of these questions, you’ll begin to get a clearer picture of what your player experience will be like. And if you’re looking for fun, excitement and good vibes, you’ll want to stick with a casino that offers exactly that.
Numerous banking options
5. Simple, straightforward banking options. If you’re someone who gets anxious at the thought of banking online (the steps, the security!) then you’ll want a system that’s as simple as possible. Which is exactly what your chosen online casino needs to offer. That’s why any and all decent online casinos will offer you a wide range of trusted banking options, from credit and debit cards to e-wallets, wire transfer, prepaid options, and even cryptocurrency too.
Simply visit the cashier at your online casino and choose from any of the deposit or withdrawal options available. If it’s a quality casino, there will be a range for you to choose from. These days most options that offer deposits will process withdrawals as well. But make sure the option you choose takes care of both, just to be sure. This will make your transactions far simpler in the future. If you’re nervous about which option to choose, a good tip is to go with a name you’re familiar with, like Mastercard, Visa or Neteller. Bearing in mind that each option has different fees and different processing times attached. Simply follow the easy instructions, and you’ll be able to fund your casino account and request easy withdrawals too – no stress, no fuss!
Tight security is never a bad thing…
6. Stringent security measures. Something that’s just as crucial as quality online banking is watertight security. Particularly when it’s your personal and financial information that’s being protected. That’s why any online casino you choose needs to make your security their top priority. And that means having measures in place like SSL or TLS encryption technology, to help keep your data safe. It also means safeguarding you from online casino fraud and identity theft, and using firewalls and anti-virus software to protect you from hacking at all times.
Another vital element you’ll need to look out for is the “https://” and lock icon in the navigation bar to verify that your transactions are safe and that your financial information is under lock and key. If you can’t see these, don’t make any deposits or withdrawals. And lastly you’ll need your casino to confirm that your confidentiality and privacy are protected at all times. And not sold to any third party operators. If you look over the security measures offered by your casino, and you see all these in place, you’ll know it’s an establishment you can trust.
An online casino is only as good as its reputation
7. A fair and honest reputation. We’ve referred to it throughout. But by far one of the most important things that every online casino needs is a good reputation – because it’s this that’ll separate them from the competition that’s either mediocre, or downright unscrupulous. And how do you generate a good reputation for yourself? By being committed to excellence, by showing integrity in all your dealings, and by prioritising the customer experience so that all players feel like VIPs at all times.
It’s this kind of online casino that you want to join. One that puts you and your gaming first. There are ways that you can verify this, such as checking that a particular casino submits to regular auditing and compliance testing to ensure fairness. This certification from companies like eCOGRA or TST will usually be displayed on a casino’s website home page. You can also read online reviews to find out what players actually think, and get a sense of their unbiased opinions. And you can check every item off the list we’ve given you to make sure that the casino offers everything you need and more.
Lastly you can ask yourself if the casino feels right to you. Does the ambience and theme feel like a good fit for you? Does it seem like a fun and exciting place to play, and worth spending your time and money on? If you can answer yes, then you’ve already hit the jackpot in the best way possible.