Casino games are prolific on the internet and navigating your online safety can be a minefield. If you are new to the world of online gambling, then here are a few tips to finding the right online casino for you…
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Online gaming is one of the most popular industries in the world, with more than 2.5 billion gamers around the world supporting an industry that is estimated to be worth more than $180 billion.
The ubiquity of the internet and the fact that most people have access to a wide variety of games on their mobile phones has made gaming even more accessible, allowing people to play a variety of traditional games in their newly-designed digital form.
One of the first and most successful types of game to be translated into digital form are traditional casino games such as roulette, blackjack, and poker.
The first online casino was launched in the mid-1990s after the Free Trade and Processing Act was passed in Antigua and Barbuda making licensed gaming possible.
It was around the same point that the technology was developed that combined the element of gaming with the ability to take secure payments and complete transactions online. By 1996, there were just fifteen online gaming sites offering casino games, but by 1997 there were more than two hundred.
Be security conscious
Every online casino has to be licensed by one of the official authorities that are in place to regulate the industry. These licenses are not easy to get and they require the holders to maintain high standards of transparency, security, and customer service.
If you are trying a new casino site and want to be sure that your deposits are safe, that the games are run fairly, and that you have recourse to a robust procedure should you encounter a problem, then checking the site’s license is the first thing to do. There are a number of licensing authorities and the site does not have to have one from the country in which you are playing.
In fact, some of the most prestigious licenses are issued to offshore sites, such as the Malta Gaming Authority, which has a global reputation for being one of the most effective regulatory bodies for gaming sites all over the world. You can also check the license against the issuing authority’s website to ensure that it’s legitimate.
Check the payment methods allowed
If you want to use a standard payment method, such as a regular credit or debit card, then you will find plenty of sites to accommodate you. However, if you want to use a non-standard payment method, then you may need to find a site that will accept it.
As with many online businesses, many casino sites are embracing the use of cryptocurrencies and NFTs (non-fungible tokens) to allow their players to choose a payment method that suits them. Some players want to keep their gaming funds separate from their day-to-day accounts, and cryptocurrencies allow them to maintain an entirely separate funding source for their gaming activity.
Most people want to retain control of their money, so choosing a site that allows for instant transactions, both deposits and withdrawals,
Find a site that offers a good welcome bonus
One of the main benefits of using an online gaming site is the variety of special offers, promotions and bonuses that are available, particularly to new players. With a little research, you can find a site that will give you a generous welcome bonus when you first sign up, and these can often be combined with other bonuses to ensure that you get a great deal when you sign up.
It’s important to check the terms and conditions of any bonus you consider to ensure that you can use it to maximum effect, but some of the typical promotions on offer include welcome bonuses, deposit matching, free spins, and loyalty bonuses.
Choose a site with a wide variety of games
Whether you already have a favourite game or want to try a variety of different ones, choosing a site that offers a wide variety of games is always going to be fun. Most have menu options where the games are categorised so that you can easily see what they have on offer.
Blackjack and poker fans might want to play in a live streamed game from time to time, and if you like the slots then some of the themed games are designed to appeal to fans of particular TV shows, movie franchises or even musical groups. Whatever you’re into, there’s the right game for you – all you have to do is find it.
Read reviews online
With so many keen gamers around, the online community is a great source of information and advice. If you want to check out a new casino, then searching for reviews online can help you to find out what the customer service is like, how popular the games are and anything else that you might want to know.
A site that has doesn’t appear to be mentioned online may not be legitimate, so you can learn a lot by spending a few minutes checking out the details of any site you are considering signing up to.
Whether you are new to the world of online gaming altogether, or just looking for a new way to play, casino games have a lot to offer. You can use your statistical skills to beat the odds at poker or just let luck guide you through a round of roulette – so long as you have chosen your online casino well, you’re bound to have fun.
