Whether gambling online is really a serious pastime for you or a casual hobby, choosing between the hundreds of online casinos available online today can be rather intimidating. In the end, every online gamer has their own personality, likes, dislikes and preferred games. Just as every player is different, so are online casinos. Below are the fundamentals to consider when shopping around for an online casino that may meet your gambling needs and then some.
It’s All About the Games
With regards to online casinos, I come to play and I play to win. But first of all, I come to play. That means that you’re not likely to stick around playing a game you don’t enjoy. Even though you play a game common to all casinos like poker, if the interface is weak you’re all but guaranteed to produce a fast “exit.”
Because online casinos only feature games where wagers are involved, you might think your alternatives are limited, nevertheless, you couldn’t be farther from the reality. Many companies pride themselves on thinking outside the box and offering new and innovative games that improve the bar in terms of graphics, sound and playability. This is a good idea to get a concept which online casinos carry games that you are thinking about playing. Companies like Rival and Cryptologic are just two of the many top online casino software providers that push the envelope with every game they put out.
Also know that each software provider has their very own style. Rival, as I mentioned above, has stellar games, but will cater to the younger crowd of online casino players. They focus more on graphics and games that appeal to “video gamers” more than anyone else. Where as Cryptologic has a knack for taking classic games and making them fresh and exciting again.
Banking Features
Naturally people when playing online, one really wants to make sure that they are able to access their money as quickly and conveniently as possible. Most online casinos offer simple depositing processes whereby you deposit money into a merchant account for use within that one online casino. Still, not every casino operates exactly the same way. RTG and Playtech incorporate their very own software solutions to manage money while Cryptologic uses “Ecash.”
Look for Peer Reviews
An online casino will let you know anything and everything to make you gamble at their online casino. Is it possible to blame them? They would like to make money. It is in their best interest to sell their online casino as the biggest and the best. Therefore, your very best bet on researching an online casino is to seek out customer reviews on gambling review websites.
Online gamers are passionate concerning the casinos they love and venomous towards those they hate. Before spending a dime, it behooves one to read some reviews and benefit from the experience of others. You can find so many sites out there offering top-notch, third party reviews of online casinos. Even though you’ll be gambling at the casino, it is best not to gamble on a casino.
Beware of SUBSCRIBE Bonuses
Sign up bonuses as far as I’m concerned are the candy that a shady stranger uses to lure a kid into a van. They say nothing for the web casino’s game-play or customer support. I will use another simile. They’re like an ad incentive from a car dealership put out there to draw suckers into the clutches of salesman. Important thing, there’s always a catch. In the above scenarios you either get kidnapped or have the old “switcharoo” pulled you and end up paying a lot more than you wanted for an automobile.
Online casinos are no different. Usually the sign up bonus will offer some exorbitant amount of free money. That’s what it says at first glance. But what they don’t let you know is that if you wish that money to pay off, you will have to pay a far more exorbitant amount in wagers and soon you meet your minimum that lets you cash out…assuming you have any winnings that is.
Are You a Mac or a PC?
Whilst every online casino is PC friendly, the same cannot be said for Macintosh computers. However, online casino bosses aren’t blind and several have developed platforms that are compatible with both PC and the rising amount of Mac users. So if you are on a Mac, your decision is fairly limited. If you are on a PC, the online casino world is your oyster.
ECOGRA Certified Casinos
There are a number of third-party online casino watchdogs on the market, all of them monitoring the casinos to see that they are playing fair. Probably the most trusted of these all is eCogra (short for eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance). There is no way to make sure that any online casino is absolutely fair 100% of the time. However, seeing that a casino is certified by eCogra is the better way to know that play is as fair as possible.
There are other names out there, but none as universally trusted as eCogra. While others may certainly do their job as well as if not better than eCogra, their reputation is obviously strongest. In yoursite.com , anyone could take up a watchdog company and develop a seal. By choosing an eCogra certified casino, you know they stake their reputation on the truth that your gaming experience is a fair one.
Know the Law
Even though it must not be, online gambling is basically prohibited in many places, the United States included. In those places where it is legal, it really is highly regulated. Therefore, whether online gambling is legal in your town or not, it is very important know the law before you begin spending. An online casino permitting you access does not necessarily mean that their services are legal what your location is. It is difficult for governments to regulate the internet and often the player may be the one at risk. If your funds are seized, the casino has their money already because it is legal for some casinos to simply accept deposits. So prior to making a deposit, look into online gambling laws specific to your geographical area for a hassle-free gaming experience.